Rose Lock - Chapter 58

It was night, and several people stood in Gong Ma’s room, the atmosphere solemn.

That official’s son had already been taken to the police station and was now locked up in prison.

“Qian’er, you’ve had quite a scare tonight, go back to your room first.” After understanding the whole situation, Gong Ma spoke, asking Kou Qian’er to return to her room first.

Kou Qian’er stood by, glanced at the expressionless Hua Manyi, and seemed hesitant to speak, but then remembering something, she bowed and withdrew.

Only the two were left in the room. Seeing the atmosphere fall silent, Hua Manyi took the initiative to speak, “Gong Ma, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”

“Wait.” Gong Yan called out to her, “Tonight’s matter is all thanks to your timely discovery, otherwise—”

“Otherwise Kou Qian’er would have been bullied right under your nose.” Hua Manyi took over the conversation coldly, her eyes fixed on her without blinking, momentarily stunning Gong Yan.

Hua Manyi realized her emotions were out of place, making her look like a jealous woman, and she turned away awkwardly, “I’ll go back now.”

After returning, Hua Manyi sought solace in alcohol. She should have realized that in a place like this… in this world… no one would be eternally favored or always adored. When a newcomer arrives, the old one must make room.

The more she drank, the worse she felt. Hua Manyi collapsed onto the leather sofa, the cold light illuminating her, leaving her feeling vulnerable and helpless.

Knock, knock, knock

Not long after, someone knocked on her door. Hua Manyi struggled to get up and open the door. When she saw who it was, it was Kou Qian’er.

“What are you doing here?” Hua Manyi looked her up and down dismissively, her eyes indifferent, only her cheeks showing a slight flush from the red wine.

Kou Qian’er had changed out of the clothes she wore for practice during the day, now wearing a simple qipao. Her dark hair fell from both shoulders to her chest, making her look delicate and pitiable. She hadn’t interacted much with Jiang Yin, but she immediately noticed that this outfit was similar to what Jiang Yin used to wear.

Not to mention a woman like Gong Ma, who would likely be even more prone to seeing things and rekindling old feelings.

“Sister Manyi, you seem to have been drinking.” Kou Qian’er originally intended to come over for a formal thank you, but she didn’t expect to encounter such a situation.

Hua Manyi’s expression turned colder, “My drinking is none of your business. Who are you to me? Why are you trying to control me?”

Kou Qian’er was rendered speechless. “Qian’er didn’t mean to control you, Sister Manyi. Qian’er just came to thank you for helping me today. If it weren’t for you—”

“Stop. I’ve received your thanks. Go back now.” Hua Manyi was already in a bad mood, so she didn’t let her continue and was ready to dismiss her.

But Kou Qian’er showed no intention of leaving. She fiddled with her fingers, “Sister Manyi, can I come in and sit for a while?”

“…”

Kou Qian’er looked at her with wide eyes, filled with a plea that was hard to refuse. “…Can’t I?”

…

Half a minute later, Kou Qian’er sat cautiously on the soft sofa, holding the hot water Sister Manyi had poured for her. She exclaimed, “Sister Manyi, your room is so big.”

The bed also looked so soft.

Hua Manyi glanced at her, carried her wine glass to the brass gramophone, placed the needle on the record, and soon music emanated from the large horn speaker.

“You’ve looked enough. It’s time for you to go back to your own room.” Hua Manyi was preparing to send her away.

Kou Qian’er was a little anxious, and the hand holding the hot water cup involuntarily tightened. “Sister Manyi, but I haven’t finished my water yet…”

Perhaps due to her urgency, the hand holding the cup clenched tightly. The scalding temperature transferred through the cup wall, making her cry out in pain.

Clang, the cup dropped to the floor, hot water splashed everywhere, and Kou Qian’er’s palm was burned red.

Hua Manyi frowned and was about to go over and pull the person away when the door suddenly opened. A tall figure swiftly swept in, pulling Kou Qian’er out of the shattered and dangerous area before Hua Manyi could.

“Why are you so careless?” The woman’s seemingly (blaming) but genuinely caring words pierced through, causing Hua Manyi’s hand holding the wine glass to tremble slightly.

She had only been back for two days, and she was already so attached to Kou Qian’er…

Kou Qian’er shook her head, pulled her hand away from Gong Yan’s grasp, looked back at Hua Manyi, and then back at Gong Yan’s stern face, “Gong Ma, I’m fine.”

“I’ll take her to see a doctor.” Hua Manyi forced a smile, stepped forward, and pulled Kou Qian’er over, “After all, she was burned in my place.”

Kou Qian’er was led out the door blankly, looked back at Gong Ma, confused, and it wasn’t until she sat in the rickshaw Hua Manyi had called that she realized she had caused trouble.

“I’m sorry…” She slightly turned to Hua Manyi to apologize.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Hua Manyi sat languidly, watching the scenery quickly receding ahead. She just didn’t want to see that woman being kind to Kou Qian’er.

Kou Qian’er wanted to say something more and opened her mouth, but at that moment, the rickshaw wheel ran over a small stone, causing a jolt. Due to her side-sitting posture, she almost fell backward, but a hand instantly grabbed her.

“Sit still.” Hua Manyi reminded her with an indifferent expression.

Kou Qian’er quickly covered her chest in fear, moved her bottom closer, and carefully leaned towards Hua Manyi, “That scared me just now. Thank goodness for you, Sister Manyi.”

Hua Manyi: “…”

At the clinic, the doctor quickly examined Kou Qian’er and applied medicine. Kou Qian’er wanted to pay, but Hua Manyi had already paid first. She could only follow her out with gratitude, “Sister Manyi, you really shouldn’t have spent so much.”

As they walked, Kou Qian’er suddenly bumped into Hua Manyi’s back. She paused, looked up, and was about to ask, “Sister Manyi, what’s wrong?”

“You stand here and don’t move. I’ll be right back.” Hua Manyi glanced at her, her eyes complex, then turned and walked to the street corner, looked around, opened a car door, and got in.

The person inside was Gong Shulan, wearing an expression that was certain Hua Manyi would come.

“Miss Manyi, have you made up your mind?” Gong Shulan sat in the back seat, looking at the reflection of the person’s face in the rearview mirror. This time, she was confident.

Hua Manyi pulled out a cigarette from her bag, lit it, appearing practiced and composed. Images of Kou Qian’er and Gong Ma kept appearing in her mind. She admitted she was jealous, experiencing an unfamiliar panic and fear. It was the same feeling as when she was little, forced by unavoidable deference to watch as her favorite toy was taken away by a relative’s child, only this time it wasn’t a toy, but a living person.

“You’re right, I regret it.” Hua Manyi thought back to Gong Shulan’s previous words and gave a self-deprecating smile.

The condition of making Gong Ma like her—how tempting that was.

Gong Shulan: “Since you’ve decided, then let’s cooperate happily. In Lu Nian’s house, you only need to pay attention to one thing for me…”

…

Kou Qian’er was waiting boredly on the street corner until a shadow fell over her. She saw the familiar high heels, looked up in surprise, and called out “Sister Manyi.”

Hua Manyi couldn’t understand her happiness, or perhaps the child was too simple, just like she herself had been, easily moved by a little kindness.

But every time she met those eyes so similar to Jiang Yin’s, Hua Manyi couldn’t feel happy. It was like a thorn stuck in her throat.

Kou Qian’er looked at her inscrutable eyes and asked with confusion, “What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

As she spoke, her vision went dark. She saw a hand gently covering her eyes. Kou Qian’er didn’t react, standing there blankly, blinking her eyes. Her long eyelashes brushed against Hua Manyi’s palm.

“Sister Manyi…” Kou Qian’er slightly opened her mouth, “Why are you covering my eyes?”

“Because…” She didn’t have the courage to look directly.

“Because what?” Kou Qian’er pressed.

Hua Manyi took her hand down, her expression returning to her usual aloofness, “Nothing. Let’s go back.”

“Oh…” Not getting an answer, Kou Qian’er was a little unhappy but still obediently followed behind.

The next day, Hua Manyi went to Lu Nian’s house for English lessons as usual. Downstairs, she ran into Kou Qian’er and Gong Ma next to her. The two were laughing and chatting, with Fang Yu also nearby. Perhaps Kou Qian’er’s dance practice had yielded results in the past few days, earning praise, and the long-unseen smile had also appeared on Gong Ma’s face.

“Sister Manyi, where are you going?” Kou Qian’er spotted Hua Manyi, who was outside the group, instantly. Her question drew the attention of the others, whose gazes all fell on Hua Manyi.

“Just going out for a bit.” Hua Manyi glanced at Gong Yan, intending to brush it off.

However, Xiaoxiao was outspoken and immediately blurted out, “Sister Manyi is going to learn English.”

Kou Qian’er realized and offered thoughtful care, “I see. Then please be careful on your way, Sister Manyi.”

“Mhm.” Hua Manyi felt an inexplicable guilt, dared not look at Gong Ma, nodded vaguely, turned, and went out to call a rickshaw.

In the dance hall, Xiaoxiao was still talking to Kou Qian’er, the topic shifting to Kou Qian’er’s future placement. Fang Yu didn’t want to make assumptions or decisions on her own, so she asked Gong Yan.

“Gong Ma?” She called several times without a response.

Kou Qian’er followed Fang Yu’s gaze and saw Gong Ma’s lips tightly pressed, staring at the doorway with an unfathomable expression.

Kou Qian’er also called out once, which snapped Gong Ma back to attention, but she merely threw out a “Keep practicing” and went upstairs.

Meanwhile, Hua Manyi was studying at Lu Nian’s house. During a study break, Lu Nian invited her to have a glass of red wine. Hua Manyi’s mind turned, and she readily accepted.

If she could get Lu Nian drunk, she could take this opportunity to look around for clues.

“Yiyi, this wine has a high alcohol content, you shouldn’t drink too much.” Lu Nian was a little worried.

But Hua Manyi insisted she not put it away, “I study so hard; when it’s time to relax, I should relax properly. Come, drink more, you drink too.”

Lu Nian shook her head helplessly, “Alright, you have learned quite a lot these past few days. It is time to balance work and rest.”

Hua Manyi drank until she was flushed and slightly tipsy, and Lu Nian in front of her began to look blurry. “Lu Nian, am I drunk?”

Lu Nian helped her up and gently said as she walked her to the room, “Yes, you’re drunk. I’ll help you upstairs to rest.”

“But why aren’t you drunk?” Hua Manyi stumbled, leaning on the railing, trying to stay sober, “Why?”

Lu Nian chuckled as she helped her onto the bed, “I’m not sure, but I’ve never been drunk since I was little. The doctor said it might be due to my physical constitution. Alright, you rest first. I’ll call the Fenghai Dance Hall and ask them to send someone to pick you up.”

Hua Manyi didn’t respond, resting her head on the pillow and falling asleep.

Lu Nian tucked her in, walked to the telephone, and dialed a number.

Ah Qiang at the bar answered the phone, “Sister Manyi is drunk? I’ll call Xiaoxiao to go pick her up right now.”

Kou Qian’er, passing by, heard this and immediately volunteered, “Brother Qiang, how about I go? Sister Xiaoxiao is still busy. I’m free right now, and I can pick up Sister Manyi.”

Ah Qiang thought about it and agreed to Kou Qian’er, giving her the address. Kou Qian’er rushed upstairs, grabbed some spare change and a small handbag from her room, and prepared to go downstairs. However, she was moving too fast and bumped into Gong Yan in the hallway.

“Gong Ma, I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.” Kou Qian’er quickly apologized.

Gong Yan took a leisurely drag from her cigarette and frowned at her flustered appearance, “Why are you so reckless?”

Kou Qian’er lowered her head, looking anxious. Without thinking much, she blurted out, “Sister Manyi is drunk outside. Brother Qiang asked me to go pick her up.”

“Drunk?” Gong Yan sneered upon hearing those words, “A songstress drinking outside? You must have misheard.”

The singers and dancers of Fenghai were never allowed to get drunk outside during the day, and even if they did, it could only happen within the dance hall.

Kou Qian’er was new and didn’t understand the rules. “But Brother Qiang told me. He said she was drunk at the home of someone named Lu Nian. That person is quite famous, a female lawyer. He told me I could ask passersby if I couldn’t find the way.”

“Lu Nian?”

Kou Qian’er heard Gong Ma repeat those two words and nodded, “Yes.”

Gong Yan’s expression immediately darkened, “She really dares.”

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