By the time dinner was over, it was past midnight. Standing outside the Old Farmer's Stew Restaurant, everyone said their goodbyes. Rui Xiaodan, Ouyang Xue, and Xiao Yawen then drove to Xiao Yawen's apartment. The bustling Beijing nightlife continued to pulse, with brightly lit restaurants and bars attracting night owls. The streets, now quieter, were wide and beautiful, with tiny snowflakes shimmering in the streetlights, adding a unique charm.
Arriving at a residential complex called "City New Village," Xiao Yawen parked the car near Building 26. They took the elevator to the 18th floor, and Xiao Yawen unlocked the door to her apartment.
A warm, cozy atmosphere greeted them as they entered, instantly making them feel relaxed and comfortable. The apartment, about 30 square meters, was efficiently decorated with minimalistic lines, creating a sense of openness. Apart from essential furniture, a computer, and a TV, there were no extra items, making the small space feel both warm and tranquil.
They hung their coats on the rack by the door. With only two pairs of cotton slippers, Xiao Yawen gave them to Ouyang Xue and Rui Xiaodan, opting for plastic slippers herself. She then took out a new blanket and a duvet from the storage under her bed.
"You two take the bed," she said. "Each with a duvet. I'll sleep on the sofa with a blanket. The heating here is good, so it's not cold."
Rui Xiaodan protested, "We need to leave in a couple of hours anyway. Let's just stay up and talk."
While making the bed, Xiao Yawen replied, "Sure, I'll make some coffee. Whoever gets sleepy can go to bed."
Ouyang Xue insisted, "Xiaodan needs some sleep. I don't have work tomorrow, but she does, and she has to drive on the highway in this snowy weather. My driving skills aren't up to par for such conditions."
"Exactly," Xiao Yawen agreed. "Xiaodan should rest. You and I haven't had a chance to chat properly since we only talked about renting houses on the phone back then."
Rui Xiaodan smiled, "It makes me feel spoiled, kicking you both out to take the bed. But I'm really not sleepy; I can't sleep even if I lie down."
Ouyang Xue was firm. "You need to rest."
Xiao Yawen added, "Any criminal investigator knows how to sleep anywhere, anytime. You've been trained to sleep on command."
Rui Xiaodan flopped onto the soft bed. "Alright, I'll give it a try."
After setting up the bed, Ouyang Xue and Xiao Yawen went to the living room, closing the bedroom door behind them.
Xiao Yawen prepared the coffee set on the coffee table, including the coffee pot, beans, cups, spoons, and sugar cubes. She filled the pot with water, connected the heater, and started the brewing process with practiced ease.
"White-collar women really do things differently," Ouyang Xue remarked, "You have a sense of style and taste."
Xiao Yawen laughed, "It's not about taste, it's about saving money. I usually don't drink coffee alone, only when friends or colleagues visit. Cafes are too expensive. I need to save money for rent. My place is small; there's barely room for guests. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
Ouyang Xue admired the apartment, "It's a nice place, cozy for one person."
"Yes, but it takes half my salary to afford this little space," Xiao Yawen replied.
"Where are you from?" Ouyang Xue asked.
"Wuhan. I came to Beijing for university and stayed. I'm the youngest and a girl, so my family didn't expect much from me. I just go wherever life takes me," Xiao Yawen said.
Ouyang Xue inquired, "Why didn't you stay in Germany when you visited Xiaodan in Frankfurt?"
"I had a work visa, not like Xiaodan's residency. It expired. I studied German, thinking I'd move there since Xiaodan's mother was there and could help me settle. But by the time I finished studying, I changed my mind," Xiao Yawen explained.
"Why?" Ouyang Xue asked.
"Immigration laws in Germany are stricter now. Even if I could go, what then? The only option would be studying, then returning to work here. Marrying a German for residency isn't worth selling myself. It's better to work and save money here and eventually start my own business," Xiao Yawen answered.
Ouyang Xue nodded, "I didn't know much about you before tonight. I admire how you spoke to Han. You didn't put on any airs."
Xiao Yawen smiled, "Empty hands have nothing to flaunt."
The coffee finished brewing, filling the room with its rich aroma. Just then, the bedroom door opened, and Rui Xiaodan emerged.
"Why are you up? Couldn't sleep?" Ouyang Xue asked.
"I smelled the coffee and had to come out," Rui Xiaodan said.
Xiao Yawen fetched another cup and poured Rui Xiaodan a coffee. With Rui Xiaodan back, the atmosphere relaxed.
Xiao Yawen took a sip of her coffee and asked, "Ouyang, you're two years older than me, right?"
Ouyang Xue laughed, "I'm 29 this year. That's my actual age, not the Chinese traditional age."
"Why aren't you married yet?" Xiao Yawen asked.
"You're not married either," Ouyang Xue retorted.
"I'm waiting for someone who can sweep me off my feet," Xiao Yawen replied.
"What do you mean?" Ouyang Xue asked.
"The only people who try to impress me are those interested in me. If they can't impress me, I won't be fooled. Romantic feelings are rarely genuine; being fooled means pretending it's real," Xiao Yawen explained.
Ouyang Xue laughed, "I think you'll stay single forever."
"And you?" Xiao Yawen asked.
"Marrying is about finding a partner for life. If I can support myself, I don't need to sell myself," Ouyang Xue said.
Xiao Yawen replied, "It's not just about material support; there's also an emotional aspect."
Ouyang Xue responded, "You said emotions are mostly fake. I may not be highly educated, but I understand marriage. Even parents can't always be relied on; why would a man support a woman? Because she offers something in return. I've seen movies where the man works hard and the woman enjoys it. Women fear third parties because their value decreases while another's increases. Marriage is pointless if it can end. The only benefit is a share of the man's wealth."
Xiao Yawen exclaimed, "You have a sharp view!"
Ouyang Xue added, "The thought of a man being with me while eating my food and wearing my clothes disgusts me."
Xiao Yawen laughed, "You should ask Xiaodan. She has experience."
Rui Xiaodan interjected, "I haven't said a word. Don't drag me into this."
Ouyang Xue insisted, "You're the only one with experience. Who else should we ask?"
Rui Xiaodan replied, "You still think of marriage as about support. You see men as unreliable and don't want to risk your survival for companionship. Practical needs come before romance. When women no longer need to exchange sex for resources, and men don't need to provide resources to conquer women, then you'll want intimacy."
Ouyang Xue said, "By then, it'll be too late."
"Why?" Rui Xiaodan asked.
"I'll be past menopause," Ouyang Xue replied.
They all burst into laughter.
Xiao Yawen said, "Speaking of relationships, I have a joke about words. It has a derogatory version and a complimentary version. Today, I'll share both."
Rui Xiaodan laughed, "Yawen may be a proper lady, but her jokes are legendary."
Xiao Yawen picked up the coffee companion bottle, like a storyteller tapping the table, and said, "The derogatory version: 'Jian' (奸) means wicked, composed of 'woman' (女) and 'do' (干). A woman doing it is wicked; a woman done is also wicked."
They all laughed heartily.
Xiao Yawen continued, "The complimentary version: 'Ge' (歌) means song, composed of 'brother' (哥) and 'owe' (欠). A brother's voice is a song; a brother owed is also a song."
Rui Xiaodan and Ouyang Xue laughed uncontrollably. Rui Xiaodan said, "That's quite a joke. You're a top student from the Police Academy, and this is what you use your knowledge for."
Xiao Yawen replied, "Let's switch to something more refined and true. Have you seen Ding get angry? I bet you haven't, but I have. It's truly something."
Ouyang Xue asked, "Big Brother can get angry?"
"Once, Ding met an old acquaintance who invited him to dinner. This guy, originally a techie, turned into a music critic, sporting a ponytail and beads, trying hard to impress Ding with highbrow talk. Ding listened quietly, saying little. When we left, Ding gave him his contact numbers," Xiao Yawen began.
She continued, "Ding didn't have a business card, so I wrote down the numbers he dictated. From his mobile to landline, from Beijing to Berlin, from his driver to his assistant, seven numbers filled three pages. The guy grew impatient and left with a contemptuous look. I was puzzled and asked Ding if we were that pretentious. Ding's response almost made me fall out of the car."
Ouyang Xue eagerly asked, "What did he say?"
"Ding said, 'That way, he feels superior,'" Xiao Yawen concluded.