Let's Get Married on the First Day of Rebirth - Chapter 7

The thought of leaving was quickly overwhelmed by another. How could she abandon Qu Ange when she owed so much money? A small voice in her heart reminded her that this might just be an excuse, but she pushed it aside for now.

Preoccupied, Xu Mi grew even more silent and melancholic. Meanwhile, Qu Ange, swaying in the poorly air-conditioned bus, soon began to feel carsick and couldn’t pay attention to Xu Mi’s mood. Fortunately, the journey wasn’t too long. After about twenty minutes, they arrived at their destination. Qu Ange immediately stepped off the bus, taking deep breaths of what she hoped would be fresh air only to inhale the thick, exhaust-filled fumes of the city. She coughed, then gagged, leaning against a tree as she groaned, “I feel awful.”

Having spent so many years as a big star in her later life, Qu Ange hadn’t realized how much more delicate she had become.

She naturally assumed someone would come to check on her in her misery. But when she looked up, though a few passersby glanced her way, no one actually stopped to ask if she was okay. Worse, Xu Mi was nowhere to be seen. Panicking, she straightened up and scanned the crowd, but the faces around her were all unfamiliar. The bus stop was nothing like the modern ones she remembered. Just a simple metal sign listing the routes. The pedestrians’ outfits also disoriented her: low-rise miniskirts, ultra-short shorts, fabrics in eye-searingly bright colors.

Walking down the street, the reality of being thrown back ten years hit her harder. Most men had buzz cuts or heavy bangs, while women sported center-parted straight black hair or permed blond locks. She stood there, dazed, suddenly overwhelmed by a crushing sense of isolation as if the whole world had abandoned her.

Then someone bumped into her, growling, “What the hell are you standing here for? Blind or what?”

Qu Ange’s first instinct was to call for security before remembering she had none. Indignant, she shot back, “You’re the one who ran into me!”

The stranger fell silent, sizing her up instead. Qu Ange’s nerves prickled until she felt a familiar grip on her arm and caught the scent of Xu Mi’s shampoo. Relief washed over her as she turned and said, “Where did you go just now, Xu Mi?”

The moment she spoke, she noticed the unopened bottle of water in Xu Mi’s hand. Shame and joy tangled in her chest. She had gone to buy water for her!

Perhaps realizing Qu Ange wasn’t alone, the stranger vanished. Qu Ange clung to Xu Mi’s arm, beaming. “Thank you, baby.”

Xu Mi finally snapped. “Don’t call me baby.”

Unfazed, Qu Ange chirped, “What’s the big deal? You’ll get used to it… Is that water for me? You’re so thoughtful.”

Before she could finish, Xu Mi twisted open the cap, took a sip, and screwed it shut again, making no move to hand it over. She also pulled her arm free from Qu Ange’s grasp. Qu Ange’s face fell, dragging out a whine: “Baaaaby—”

Suppressing the urge to twitch, Xu Mi strode ahead along the sidewalk. Qu Ange tugged at the back of her shirt. “Baby, let me have a sip…”

After weighing the options between being nauseated to death and giving Qu Ange some water, Xu Mi decided to prioritize her mental health first: “Stop calling me ‘baby,’ and I’ll give you the water.”

Qu Ange thought for a moment and said, “Hmm, alright then.”

Xu Mi sighed in relief and handed the water to Qu Ange, who took a big gulp before smiling and asking, “Then can I call you ‘sweetheart’ instead?”

Xu Mi’s expression froze, and she turned away expressionlessly, walking off. Qu Ange followed, chattering nonstop, “Sweetheart, slow down. Sweetheart, let’s go to the square there are more people there.”

Soon, they arrived at the commercial street. Qu Ange immediately started calling out to passersby, “Hey, handsome, want to buy a flower? Pretty lady, how about one?”

Perhaps because of her beauty, many people responded with friendly smiles, though few actually bought flowers. By the time they reached the square, she had sold three roses at ten yuan each. As for Xu Mi, too shy to call out to strangers, she hadn’t sold a single one.

Xu Mi found it strange. When had Qu Ange’s skin grown so thick? This was meant as a compliment, as it was clear that selling things on the street required a certain boldness. She watched as Qu Ange effortlessly struck up conversations with strangers, unfazed even by cold shoulders though most people responded, even if they didn’t buy anything, exchanging a few words with her.

In the past, Qu Ange had been outgoing too, but she would hesitate when it came to talking to strangers, let alone peddling goods in public. Once, the two of them had spotted a piece of clothing at a night market but were too embarrassed to haggle. They circled the stall seven or eight times before finally giving up. The Qu Ange of today would never face such a dilemma. Was this the growth she had achieved in just half a year?

Thinking this, Xu Mi couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy. Qu Ange had put in so much effort just to break into the entertainment industry and act. It seemed their connection was nearing its end.

Perhaps Qu Ange’s sudden return to win her back was just a fleeting moment of clarity before the end.

The more she dwelled on it, the sadder she became. Just then, Qu Ange suddenly grabbed her arm and said, “Let’s find a spot to set up our stall. How about those steps over there?”

Xu Mi looked down at her arm, feeling tiny electric currents dancing beneath her skin. She realized Qu Ange still had an unparalleled pull on her as long as the other woman was by her side, she could never truly let go.

Why did she love this person? Maybe it had been love at first sight when Qu Ange walked through the crowd toward her. Or perhaps it was because, in a new environment, Qu Ange had been the only one to extend such warm friendliness, making her unconsciously reliant. One thing was certain, this feeling had taken root in her heart many years ago and, over a decade, had become a part of her life. But perhaps some people were destined to meet yet never meant to be. If so, their current bond was like drinking poison to quench thirst only adding to the pain of the inevitable parting.

Xu Mi followed Qu Ange to the steps, where Qu Ange took the flowers out of the plastic bag and arranged them in a row before starting to call out, “Freshly cut flowers, cheap sale, cheap sale! Ten yuan per stem, thirty yuan per bouquet. If you encounter love, don’t hold back.”

After saying this, Qu Ange lowered her voice and turned to Xu Mi, saying, “Baby, isn’t my slogan pretty good?”

Xu Mi: “…”

The tangled thoughts in her mind were suddenly disrupted a bit. Xu Mi realized there was now a major issue: Qu Ange seemed a little not quite normal.

Was it because the penalty fee was too high, and though she hadn’t shown it outwardly, she was already breaking down inside?

But, “If you encounter love, don’t hold back” that was indeed a pretty good line.

Clearly, others thought so too, as someone came over and said, “Beautiful lady, I feel like I’ve really encountered love.”

Qu Ange replied, “Then buy some flowers quickly.”

The person laughed and said, “But what if the other person doesn’t accept them?”

Qu Ange said, “Whether they accept it or not is their business. You can’t force it. But you should still show your own stance.”

Hearing this, the person bought a bouquet and handed it to Qu Ange, saying, “Then I’ll give them to you.”

Xu Mi raised an eyebrow and looked at Qu Ange, who didn’t seem flustered at all. Instead, she smiled graciously and said, “Sorry, handsome, but I can’t accept them because…”

She took Xu Mi’s hand. “I already have a girlfriend.”

Xu Mi stared wide-eyed at Qu Ange, momentarily forgetting to pull her hand away. The flower buyer was also stunned before laughing awkwardly. “My bad, my bad. I should’ve noticed.”

With that, they took the flowers and walked away.

Xu Mi stood frozen, her heart pounding wildly.

Though same-sex marriage had been legalized for several years now, same-sex couples were still a minority. When people saw two girls together, their first thought was usually “best friends.” In the past, when the two of them had gone out together, Qu Ange had never openly acknowledged their relationship in front of others only a few close friends knew. Xu Mi’s heart raced uncontrollably, and she thought again of what the other had said that morning.

—”Let’s get married.”

So… if they got married, would she no longer have to feel so insecure, no longer have to worry about being left behind?

She wanted to pull Qu Ange aside and confirm once more. Confirm that this wasn’t just a passing whim, that she wasn’t being tricked. But just then, someone suddenly asked her, “How much for the flowers?”

As if her drifting soul had been yanked back to reality, Xu Mi paused before answering, “Roses are ten yuan each.”

The two of them were in the middle of a bustling sale when a security guard suddenly came over and told them they couldn’t sell there. They were shooed to the side of the street, and business dwindled. The air was thick with the mingled scents of barbecue, gasoline, and leaves a vibrant summer night. As they passed a phone store, Qu Ange stopped in her tracks.

She had a problem right now: she wanted to buy a smartphone.

But she didn’t dare bring it up to Xu Mi.