"What's wrong with you? Don't look so surprised." Ran Jing was standing at my doorstep, looking at me triumphantly. It would be impolite not to express surprise at a beautiful woman like her paying a visit to my home.
I remained at the doorway, continuing my "surprise." Ran Jing, however, took the initiative to slip into the living room from under my arm. She then went into the kitchen, carrying two bags of stuff. I finally noticed her presence and her request.
"Sorry for the trouble, but I'm heading out." Without waiting for me to react, she left. As I closed the door, I couldn't help but wonder what Ran Jing had left in my fridge. The urge to peek was strong.
Suppressing the desire, I decided to distract myself by showering. As I sat on the couch, feeling relaxed after freshening up, curiosity about Ran Jing's belongings overcame me once again.
"Thirsty, I'll get a drink from the fridge." I reasoned with myself. Opening the fridge, I found various cosmetic products, stockings, and more. Ran Jing had stored these items here for some reason.
"If I accidentally touch these things while reaching for a drink, pick them up, and tidy them, would that be considered snooping?" I mumbled to myself, justifying my actions. I scolded myself for overthinking and proceeded to peek anyway, knowing I was alone and no one would find out. Who doesn't have a bit of curiosity? Moreover, she had left her things in my fridge, and only asked me not to touch them, not to refrain from looking.
After persuading myself, I opened the plastic bags, only to find various cosmetic products and stockings, nothing that caught my interest.
"If I reach for a drink now and accidentally touch these things, causing them to fall, I'll pick them up, rearrange them, and it wouldn't count as snooping, right?" I continued to muse, scolding myself again for finding excuses. Since I couldn't think of a valid reason not to peek, I went ahead and did so.
The next day, Ran Jing visited again, breathless as she handed me two blankets. "Look, what a lovely sunny day today. And you're still sleeping. Can you put these blankets out on your balcony to air? I don't have space at home." She handed me the blankets and attempted to leave.
This time, I wasn't as polite. I grabbed Ran Jing's arm, initiating our first intimate contact while she was fully conscious. "You left your things here. When are you planning to take them back?"
"When my fridge is fixed."
"Do you actually need these things?"
"Yes."
"Let me tell you about my routine. I'm usually asleep before 2 PM, and my most alert hours are from 10 PM to 5 AM. Please use your items during that time. Also, I travel frequently, so when I'm away, I'll let you know in advance, including the duration of my absence. Can you agree to that?" Despite Ran Jing's infinite allure, sleep held an irresistible charm over me. Requesting this shouldn't be considered excessive. At least I could see Ran Jing during clearer moments when I was more witty and humorous, possibly winning her favor.
"Why so troublesome? Just give me the keys." Ran Jing made a suggestion that made my heart race. The motive behind my excitement was too complex to untangle in my mind. I vaguely felt that such a relationship seemed to only occur when men and women reached a certain stage. Was Ran Jing intentionally heading in this direction? I shook my head to dismiss the thought. I wasn't a particularly dazzling person, and even if I had some inner qualities, they were yet to be discovered. Ran Jing didn't know me well enough to understand those qualities, so I was merely a friend with "utilitarian" value to her.
"Is that okay?" Ran Jing looked at me, lost in thought. Her casual remark had set my heart aflutter.
"Uh, okay." In that prolonged moment of hesitation, I couldn't think of any reason to refuse, so I agreed.
"You're such a good person." Ran Jing gave me an approving smile and left. I was now labeled as "a good person," a term that carried deep implications. Those labeled as such should usually give up any fantasies about beautiful women, but that person wasn't me.