As dusk approached, the sky was tinged with a thin layer of red, beautified into a rouge-like coquettishness.
Li Qiao and Ma Ling finished work and walked together to the bus station, chatting about food—from which street's noodles tasted best, to the most fragrant pies, with the latter speaking authoritatively on the topic.
Li Qiao inquired about the exact addresses, silently memorizing them, planning to find time to visit them with Qin Jin.
Since it was rush hour, the bus was crowded, and they were separated in the throng, halting their conversation.
After a while, Ma Ling got off first, and Li Qiao said goodbye. As she turned around, she felt someone touch her buttocks; turning her head, she saw a dark-skinned auntie.
She assumed it was an accidental brush.
She didn't think much of it.
After alighting from the bus, she discovered the change in her pocket was gone, and the face of the auntie on the bus gradually came to mind.
