Victor had wanted to revisit the building in the Lake Garden where he had once resided, but Alice's interruption led the car to drive by without stopping.
He fell silent, choosing not to engage in conversation or harbor any ill feelings towards her.
After being scolded, Alice found herself in a calmer state and refrained from speaking to him.
Experience had shown that reminiscing about past relationships, especially between them, was not advisable. One with a volatile temper and the other with a tendency for untidiness, they were not a suitable pair for nostalgic reflection.
Soon, they arrived at the Sunlight community next door. While not far from the university, Sunlight was three shades older than Lake Garden. The buildings here were not as tall, standing only sixteen floors high, with a denser arrangement of houses.
In this community, the unit downstairs presented a minor inconvenience with its four somewhat steep steps, adorned with elegant marble that exuded a sense of sophistication. However, the grand appearance didn't make moving luggage any easier.
Upon disembarking from the bus, Victor effortlessly carried several suitcases without a second thought about the past, entrusting them all to Alice to transport in a single trip via the not-so-spacious elevator.
Upon reaching the tenth floor, Alice retrieved her phone to check a message detailing that her housemates resided in 1001, a three-room apartment where Anna occupied the second room.
The atmosphere inside the house was eerily quiet, as if devoid of any occupants. Alice proceeded to bring in the books, locating the second bedroom before opening the door.
As Victor descended to retrieve additional items, Alice busied herself with storing the books before returning to guide the suitcases into the room.
The weight of the suitcases, burdened with numerous belongings, proved challenging. Upon reaching the bedroom, Alice inadvertently released her grip, causing one suitcase to careen into another, resulting in both collapsing to the floor in a clatter.
Engrossed in the task of reassembling the luggage, Alice found herself occupied in the aftermath.
The weight of the suitcase was truly burdensome, and as Alice struggled to lift it, she eventually managed to prop several suitcases against the wall to secure them, leaving her thoroughly exhausted.
Amid the summer heat, the absence of air conditioning in the room quickly made it stifling. After enduring a few moments of the sweltering atmosphere, Alice succumbed to the heat and stuffiness, prompting her to open the window.
However, the view outside revealed a narrow street illuminated by dim lighting, with no breeze to offer respite in the afternoon heat. Remaining outside only intensified Alice's discomfort, causing her to feel increasingly overheated with a constricted chest.
Seeking relief, she retreated back into the bedroom, passing through the bathroom on her way. With the intention of cooling off, she approached the sink to wash her hands.
Yet, the water flow in the aged neighborhood was erratic. Upon twisting the tap, a sudden burst of water gushed out, catching Alice off guard as it sprayed across her.
Momentarily bewildered, she regained her composure, releasing a sigh filled with raw emotion before breaking into a smile; she was now refreshingly drenched.
Shaking her shirt to rid it of water droplets, she then left the bathroom, realizing that the waist of her skirt had also become soaked. With a moment's hesitation, Alice attempted to close the bedroom door prematurely before reentering to remove her shirt.
Using the dry portion of the shirt, she dabbed at her skirt to dry it off. Deciding that she could don the shirt later since it wasn't chilly, Alice proceeded with her impromptu cooling-off routine.
As she wiped, the familiar sound of footsteps approached the door, which was then pushed open by a foot, revealing the figure of Victor holding a book.
He glanced up as he entered, encountering a captivating woman leaning against the desk, clad only in a delicate silk camisole that exposed her slender collarbones and gleaming white shoulders.
Her head slightly bent, the woman's graceful neck arched as she seemed uncertain of what to do next. Against the dim backdrop of the bedroom, her white skin contrasted strikingly with the black suspenders, resembling a luminous pearl in the subdued light.
Upon noticing him, the woman lifted her eyes, her mesmerizing gaze meeting his gaze leisurely.
Observing the man's stunned expression and halt, Alice arched her eyebrows slightly and inquired, "What's the matter? Haven't seen my body before?"
Victor remained silent.
Alice ran her fingers through her hair and averted her gaze.
Victor stood in place, his voice slightly strained as he asked, "Why are you undressing?"
She met his gaze once more and replied, "What do you think?"
Silence lingered.
With deliberate enunciation, the woman stated, "Perhaps, to seduce you?"
After a few moments of eye contact, Victor tugged at his lips emotionlessly, as if disregarding her entirely, and then strode past her to casually place the book on the desk behind her.
Another set of footsteps approached, and a girl peeked in through the doorway.
Upon glimpsing the scene inside, she hesitated briefly before offering a forced smile and addressing Alice, "Are you the new classmate who just moved in?"
Before Alice could respond, the girl continued, cautioning, "We are all female students in this house. It's fine if you bring your boyfriend to help with the move today, but please refrain from... um, intimate activities in the house, especially during daylight hours."
Alice was left speechless.
Victor gazed out silently as the other individual received his cool demeanor, then turned to address Alice, "It seems we've had a bit of an awkward encounter. It's quite normal. You can have a word with your boyfriend. This rule is standard. If you want to continue, you can use the stairwell. He doesn't seem too pleased."
Alice was left speechless by the exchange.
The classmate then retreated into the bedroom across the hall, shutting the door behind her.
Alice turned her attention back to Victor.
Their eyes met, and they held each other's gaze for a prolonged moment before she burst into laughter. "Are you displeased? It's just a regular rule, similar to those in school dormitories—no boys allowed."
Silence hung between them.
Victor, wanting to speak, fixed his gaze on her, his throat constricting with unspoken words.
Finally, he faltered, questioning, "Well? Why not put your clothes back on? Aware of the rules?"
She nodded with a wry smile, peeling off the damp fabric of her shirt.
Victor turned to exit, presumably vexed and at a loss for words.
As Alice finished dressing and made her way downstairs, she found that Victor had efficiently brought everything in for her, holding the lift door open for her to join him on the way back up.
Upon reaching the room's entrance with the items, Victor paused slightly, his earlier irritation evident. "Take them in. I'll wait by the door," he instructed curtly.
Alice glanced at him.
Their gazes locked, a silent exchange unfolding in the dimly lit building. After a moment, he averted his gaze without a word.
Alice raised her chin, "The stairwell is this way."
He emitted a soft grunt, flashing a derisive smirk.
Raising an eyebrow, Alice continued, "What's amusing? Either head downstairs or join me in the cooler stairwell. Don't linger here and risk getting overheated."
She studied his profile intently, her voice taking on an air of intrigue, "Victor has certainly evolved over the years. Once rigid, now surprisingly considerate."
His forehead twitched in response to the situation.
Having had her fun, Alice decided to stop bothering him with further banter and proceeded to carry her belongings inside.
Meanwhile, Victor made his way downstairs.
Upon reaching the ground floor, he pressed the lift button and waited. As the lift doors slid open, another man emerged. Casting a curious glance at Victor, the man then headed towards the adjacent unit, 1002, occasionally eyeing the open door of 1001 across the way.
With one foot already in the lift, Victor noticed the man's lingering gaze and slowed his movement slightly. As the man entered his own apartment, Victor briefly peered over in that direction before idly checking his phone while waiting for Alice.
...
After about ten minutes of moving various items into the bedroom and nearly succumbing to heatstroke, Alice emerged to find Victor still patiently waiting outside the door. Impressed by his endurance, she hurriedly greeted him before rushing downstairs, concerned he might faint.
However, once inside the lift, the confined space proved uncomfortable for Alice. As she fanned herself, she noticed the man behind her, standing motionless like a steadfast mountain. His slightly damp hair fell across his forehead, reminiscent of a spirited student post-game. Despite his calm demeanor, a soft and gentle aura seemed to emanate from him, stirring unexpected emotions within her.
Suppressing these thoughts, she sighed softly, "Moving in this scorching summer is truly challenging. The lack of air conditioning and poor ventilation in the building make it stifling. I appreciate my housemate's help."
In response, Victor remarked, "The neighbor across the street seems to be a man. He kept staring at the door. Tell your classmate to be cautious when entering and exiting."
Perplexed, Alice stared back at him.
After a brief moment of eye contact, she chuckled lightly, "I take back my previous comment about you."
Victor gazed at her and asked lazily, "What comment?"
Aware of his deliberate inquiry, Alice replied, "You've conveniently forgotten? That works too."
As the lift arrived at their destination, Alice swiftly stepped out.
The sun was setting, casting a vibrant red hue across the ground floor as a gentle breeze began to stir, though the lingering heat persisted.
Victor settled down on a bench located in the flowerbed diagonally across the street.
Meanwhile, Alice, feeling parched, leaned into the car window and swiftly placed an order for takeout and water delivery via her mobile phone.
Opting for a shop outside the neighborhood, the delivery boy soon emerged from around the building corner with the requested items. Alice waved him over, and he approached, handing her a bag containing several bottles of water.
Expressing her gratitude, Alice retrieved two bottles for herself, placing the remaining two in the car before offering one to Victor, who initially declined, claiming he wasn't thirsty.
Raising an eyebrow, Alice insisted, "You must be thirsty in this heat."
Reluctantly, Victor acquiesced.
Impressed by his endurance, Alice couldn't help but notice the sweat on his brow and sideburns, urging him to drink.
Just as Victor was about to respond, Alice, with a hint of impatience, interjected, "Take it. Why are you being so awkward? Do you want me to feed you?"
Caught off guard, Victor mulled over her words, his mind reeling from the sun's effects, rendering him momentarily speechless.
With a sly smile, Alice teased him, "Victor Miller, it's been four years, and you still exude the same confidence as your twenty-five-year-old self who weathered the trials of academia."
Feeling a mix of emotions, Victor reached for the water, taking a long swig while seeking approval from Alice, "Is that better?"
Alice unscrewed the cap of the bottle, tilted it toward him, and handed it over, remarking softly, "Certainly not. I'm still thirsty."
Refusing her offer, Victor insisted with a wry smile, "Drink mine. I have plenty. No need to waste it."
Puzzled by his behavior, Alice gazed at him intently, questioning, "Are you unwell, Victor?"
Reassuring her, Victor replied, "I'm not unwell. I'm perfectly healthy. Just drink it."
Alice spat out a mouthful of blood, a gesture filled with unexpected shock and confusion.