It’s quite funny, really. I never expected to hear Rod’s name again from one of my junior classmates. She had somehow met Rod once and discovered I’d dated him before. She specifically sought me out to ask for advice on how to pursue the third young master of the Arnold Family.
“I heard he hasn’t dated anyone since breaking up with you. Hulda, teach me, how did you manage to win him over?”
I was preoccupied and brushed her off: “Isn’t he supposed to be easy to pursue? Just create some ‘accidental‘ encounters, meet him a few times, and you’ll be fine.”
After listening, she said, “I understand.”
I soon forgot about it. But not long after, she found me again, crying hysterically, her face streaked with tears: “He’s not easy to pursue at all! For the past two weeks, I’ve been trying everything to get his attention, but he hasn’t shown me the slightest bit of kindness. Today he even told me to get lost.”
I was surprised: “Did you say something? Or do something?” With Rod’s temperament, he shouldn’t have said something like that.
She stopped crying and said resentfully, “Nothing much. I just mentioned your name, saying that everything I was doing was what you taught me.”
2/4
chapter 8
Me: “…”
Rod and I had a pretty ugly breakup, so it’s normal that he wouldn’t want to hear my name.
That night, as I was preparing for bed, my phone screen suddenly lit up. It was a text from an unknown number. The familiar tone, cold yet still carrying that hint of cynicism.
–
[Do that again – teaching others to chase me – and see what happens.]
After thinking for a moment, I typed: [Sorry, won’t happen again.]
The other end went quiet. No more messages came through.
Time passed quickly after that. Before I knew it, the year was ending. I was carrying my luggage downstairs and had just left the campus gate when I saw a familiar car. Rod was leaning against the car door. When he saw me, he said, “Come on, let me drop you off.”
As he spoke those words, I suddenly remembered the first time I met him. He had asked me the same way: “Where are you going? I’ll give you a lift.” We had traveled a path together. And now, it was over.
I was about to refuse when the car window behind him suddenly
chapter 8
3/4
lowered. A girl smiled and waved at me: “Hulda, come on! Let’s go together.” She got out and pulled me into the car.
The ride was quiet. When we reached the airport, Rod helped me take my things from the car. I said thank you. He nodded slightly. That was it.
Not long after I got home, my junior called. “Don’t
misunderstand, Hulda. He didn’t come specifically to pick me up. I just happened to see him and guessed he might be wanting to send you off, so I volunteered to help.”
I was stunned. I had indeed thought they were together.
“It’s fine, you don’t need to explain to me. We’ve been over for a long time.”
My junior sighed: “Such a pity.”
What’s there to pity? She didn’t know that I used to hear many people say in front of me how Rod missed out on his first love, and what a pity it was.
On Lunar New Year’s Eve, it snowed heavily. After the family dinner, I sat on the sofa and chatted with Earl for a while. Since he left, we occasionally kept in touch on holidays, exchanging well–wishes.
My cousin suddenly pressed against the window, looking out and exclaiming loudly: “I’ve seen that car online! There are only a few in the whole world. Can’t believe I’m seeing one for real here.”
chapter 8
I didn’t pay much attention: “Then take a good look.”
4/4
The next day, I received a call from Rod’s friend. “Hulda, have you seen Rod? It’s Christmas, but he’s not at home, and no one can reach him. He’s never done this before, and we’re all quite worried.”
After hearing this, I immediately thought of that car that shouldn’t have been here.
B
Write your comment
