The car was driving very slowly.
Or is it just my imagination?
Weiwei didn't dare to look in Qi's direction. Since leaving the restaurant, he hadn't said a word. Not that Weiwei wanted to hear any more than she already did.
It's partially my own fault. Life is hard and complicated as is – attachments only make it more complicated. I shouldn't have encouraged him. I should've said no to his invitations. Why am I so gullible?
Weiwei suppressed a sigh.
She knew she played a big role in getting closer to Qi. She wanted him to get closer, because he brought rare traces of joy into her life. Was it worth it? Is it better to have a brief time of your life and then pay for it forever, or not to experience the joy and exhilaration of attraction at all?
Weiwei didn't have a definitive answer to that question.
"I'm sorry about today," Qi said at last. "I just want you to know that nothing of what you heard just now is true. I've never had any feelings for Ms. Wu, let alone shared a bed with her."
Weiwei felt too overwhelmed to reply.
Why are you telling me all this? You don't need to explain anything to me. Who am I to explain it to?
"I suspected that she went to my room that night, but the guard only mentioned your name when I asked the following morning, so I was hoping I was wrong," he cleared his throat. "Thanks, by the way, for helping me get home that night, I really appreciate it."
They drove in silence for another few moments.
Qi glanced at Weiwei again. "I'll take you home. I'm sorry for the rush, but I guess I'll have to pack up before midnight."
Pack up? Oh yes, that's what that woman said.
Weiwei thought about it.
Am I being too selfish? Qi is going through so much right now, he lost his job, he quarreled with his grandfather, and I only think about my little problems.
She stirred uncomfortably in her seat.
"Are you really going to move out?"
Qi shrugged. "It sounds like I don't have a choice."
Weiwei tried to remain calm listening to his stoic voice. She couldn't understand how he could say such things so seemingly casually.
"Do you believe that your grandpa would actually kick you out of your home like that?"
Weiwei glanced at Qi, who nodded sadly. "Yes, that's very much what he'd do given the circumstances. I have a voicemail waiting on my phone, and I'm pretty sure that's what it's about."
"Isn't that pretty extreme to do to a grandson?"
"He is pretty extreme." Qi looked straight ahead at the road. "Sometimes I think I understand that he's doing things for what he considers my own good. But sometimes–"
Weiwei was waiting, but Qi never finished the sentence.
I think I know what he meant. Where is the limit? If you hurt someone for their own good, does it stop being for their own good?
The sun had already set, and the street lights were whooshing by as they drove. As upset as Weiwei felt, the evening made her feel even sadder.
"Where are you going to go?" she said.
Qi shrugged again. "To a hotel, I suppose."
"Would you have too many things to take to a hotel?"
"I don't need all of my things. They can keep most of them."
"Wouldn't it be better to go to a friend's place?"
Qi glanced back at Weiwei. "I don't think I have many friends who would be excited about me staying with them under the circumstances."
Why? Because of his pride? Or because of his friends' shallowness? Or because of his grandfather's influence?
Weiwei didn't ask Qi the questions that filled her mind. Instead, she blurted out, before she gave it proper thought:
"That's not nice of them. I wouldn't say no."
Weiwei felt the car swerve slightly and bit her lip.
What did I just say?
"Do you mean-"
It's too late to take it back now.
"You can stay at my place," Weiwei said trying to sound as indifferent as she could.
"I- I-," Qi visibly struggled for words. "Thanks. I don't think that would be convenient for you." He glanced at her and shook his head. "I mean, if it's not too troublesome." Weiwei tried hard to suppress her blushes while he gesticulated. "Only for a day or two, until I sort things out, of course."
"Not a problem," mumbled Weiwei.
Then she bit her lip a little harder. What have I just done!