Two bowls full of congee was placed on the table just as Chi Sying waddled out of her room. She looked like a zombie with dark eyes, black hair that looked like a rats-nest and a sickly expression. The week had been stressful for her and Lu Ming wanted to do something nice to make it better.
"Is this all for me?" Chi Sying asked as she sat at the table, marvelling over the food and hot tea.
"Of course!" Lu Ming replied cheerily and whizzed around their small kitchen in a frilly blue apron.
"You are amazing," Chi Sying whimpered and began eating. "Why are you so cheery today? You often make breakfast but you even cooked jianbing [1]."
"I can finally pay you back!"
In the recent months, Lu Ming had struggled to pay her share of bills. The apartment was rent-free since the building was owned by the Chi family and they generously gave a suite to Chi Sying. However, there were still electricity, water and groceries to pay for. Art didn't provide a sturdy income like a career in accounting or medicine but Lu Ming was persistent and determined to succeed. Days of no work turned into weeks, no one willing to give her work and when a painting buyer came along, she ruined it with a stupid mouth. This had forced her to loan from Chi Sying two weeks ago.
"Huh? Speak clearly. My head feels like it will explode."
Lu Ming sat down excitedly, joining Chi Sying to eat. "Remember when I applied to do that art mural for that themed restaurant? I did the interview-"
"And was convinced you didn't get it," Chi Sying finished, recalling Lu Ming's self-doubt. "Let me guess..."
"I got it! They called me this morning to say I got the job! They loved my design and want me to start as soon as I can! I am going down there after breakfast to do a base coat of paint on the wall!"
"Shhh," Chi Sying whispered and nursed her head. "Congratulations. I promise I will express my happiness for you when I am less hungover."
"I lawk ford ta it," Lu Ming said through a mouth full of congee.
In a hurry, she stood up, threw off her apron and dashed to the shoe shelf near the front door. There were several rows of square spaces for a variety of shoes. There were black flats, nude sandals, red high heels and other bold types. Of course, none of them were owned by Lu Ming. She kept her three pairs of shoes at the bottom and grabbed her comfy cream runners.
"Are you wearing that?!" Chi Sying exclaimed and winced at the volume of her own voice.
The outfit was Lu Ming's favourite. She wore her worn painting denim overalls, a bright yellow shirt of her childhood cartoon and a black bow headband that went around her two braids. There were a few frays on the overalls and her lace-up shoes were dirty but other than that, there was nothing 'wrong' with it. However, Chi Sying had a different fashion style and was aghast by the ensemble.
"I can't wear something nice. I will be painting," Lu Ming explained. "Text me if you need anything when I am out."
"Give me a new head and working stomach!"
Lu Ming laughed. "I will if you do the dishes!"
And with that, she left the apartment with a skip in her step.
The first destination of the morning was a quaint cafe a few blocks down the road. The front wall was made of rough bricks with two large, black framed windows on either side of the mosaic door. Inside transported Lu Ming to another world; vines completely covered the ceiling and in every corner were beautiful flowers of differing species. The tables were metal, looking like they belonged in a garden, and were all completely filled with people. 'Fleurir' was a popular cafe, themed around flowers and attracted people from far away. Most of the food either looked like a plant or contained edible flowers.
Lu Ming walked up to the counter, looking at the fresh desserts in the glass cabinet and squinting at the black menu on the wall. A handsome man in his mid-twenties, with thick eyebrows and hazel hair, approached the cashier. In his right ear, hidden by his messy hair, was a small earring of a sun which caused much alarm to the conservative nature of many customers. Meanwhile, his outfit was professional; he wore black trousers, white buttoned top and a green apron with the cafe logo sewn on. Lu Ming melted under his gaze.
"Good morning Ming," Chi Hao Chen, Chi Sying's older brother, greeted warmly. "I feel like we haven't seen each other in weeks."
"I didn't want to disturb you," Lu Ming mumbled, unsure how to talk to Chi Hao Chen. Especially with your date."
Chi Hao Chen's face dropped. "Chi Sying told you."
"You should know she loves to gossip," Lu Ming replied lightly, trying to be cheerful.
The truth about Chi Hao Chen's secret girlfriend was revealed last week. They had been dating for two months without telling anyone but the signs were there. The time Chi Hao Chen spent with Lu Ming slowly diminished from a few times a week to brief encounters at the cafe. It broke Lu Ming's heart. They were supposed to be best friends yet now they acted like acquaintances. According to Chi Sying, the new girlfriend hated Lu Ming and so Chi Hao Chen avoided her. It hurt but Lu Ming was too afraid that if she spoke up about it, her friendship with Chi Hao Chen would be ruined. As always, she tried to be a people pleaser.
"How can I help you today?"
Lu Ming grinned, swallowing her feelings so she wouldn't be a bother. "I need your expertise. I want a sweet treat that is simple and plain in appearance yet tastes amazing. Something with vanilla. It needs to look like I didn't put much effort in."
"Who are you trying to impress?"
"My new employer."
Chi Hao Chen beamed, his eyes shining. He looked like a proud parent. "You got a job?"
"I got a job," Lu Ming said and returned his smile. "I was thinking we could all have dinner tonight to celebrate. I'll buy everything."
"Oh." Chi Hao Chen's face fell. "I can't tonight."
The lack of explanation meant he was with his new girlfriend. As always. Lu Ming ignored the ache in her chest and tried to be rational. He had a girlfriend. Of course Lu Ming couldn't be so involved with his life now. It was perfectly natural that he was busy most of the time. At least she had Chi Sying; she was loyal to a fault and swore to never leave Lu Ming's side.
"How much will this cost?" Lu Ming asked and focused on her order instead.
While waiting for the concoction of sweets to be packaged, she observed the people in the cafe. People watching had become a habit; she was always shy and anxious, too scared to make friends because of her ability, so she she spent her time noticing others actions. There were the cafe regulars in the corner - all middle-aged housewives - that spent hours gossiping about the neighbourhood and swooning over the young, attractive waiters. Then there were businessmen with their eyes glued to their phones and always in a disgruntled mood about the day. Lu Ming's gaze went over all of them, never lingering more than three seconds. After last night, she was sick of bizzare sights and sought a break from the madness. However, she was helpless against her impulse.
A man on the other side of the room caught her eye. Like her, he was waiting for his order, but there was some strange aura coming from him. The longer Lu Ming stared, the darker the world became around her. The man's skin turned black but unlike her usual visions, it was not a smoke mirage but looked like his true skin. Even his eyes morphed into glossy, black almonds except for a pure white iris. It was nightmarish and Lu Ming felt fear twist her stomach. Blood rushed in her eyes and he returned her gaze, some amusement or excitement in his eyes. It was if-
"Ming!" Chi Hao Chen shouted and Lu Ming snapped out of her trance. Any longer and she would have been an embarrassment and spouting nonsense like a crazy lady.
"Thank you," Lu Ming said and shook off the unnatural coldness that made her skin crawl. Carefully, she grabbed the cardboard handle of a decorative box. "What did you pick?"
"The desserts are today's special. I can guarantee your new boss will love it."
"What would I do without you," Lu Ming said rhetorically and gave Chi Hao Chen a sincere, warm smile. Apparently it was too much.
He cleared his throat. "I need to get back to work."
Just like that, Lu Ming was pushed aside and reminded about the distance in their new friendship. Yet, she refused to let it get her upset. She had a new job! There was no time to be upset. Keeping upbeat, she left the cafe but felt a chilling stare follow her out the door.