The Gate of Rebirth: Chapter 5

After an indeterminate amount of time, Manager Luo stopped his rambling, walked outside, and lit a cigarette.

Suddenly, Xiao Hong tossed a paper ball at Xiao Ming, who appeared to be lost in thought. As Xiao Ming turned around, she teased, "Homesick? I saw on your application that you're from Jiangbei?"

"Yes, that's right. But I'm not homesick at all." Xiao Ming's decisive tone caught her off guard.

"Then are you missing your girlfriend?" Xiao Hong stared intently at his face, watching for any change in expression.

Xiao Ming was startled by her bluntness. "No, I've never had a girlfriend..." He blushed, and Xiao Hong burst into triumphant laughter.

"Does your village have a village belle?"

"I don't mean anything by it. I just mean, which girl in your village do you think is the prettiest? Or, is there any girl back home you have a crush on?"

Xiao Ming felt flustered. Growing up, the boys and girls in his village had always played together, catching fish, digging for cicadas, and helping with farm work.

No one had ever paid attention to such things. As the children grew older, some were sent to school by their families while others went away to work. By the time they reached adolescence, they were essentially scattered to the winds.

"Hmm, I think I've... forgotten." It was the first time a girl had ever asked him such a question. He felt incredibly awkward, unable to find the right words to explain his feelings.

He sheepishly scratched the back of his head and fell silent. Just as Xiao Hong was about to press him further, Manager Luo’s voice drifted in from the shop floor.

"Mother Chen, why are you here so early today? There's no business!"

A plump woman, roughly forty years old, walked into the Dairy Cow KTV. As the glass door swung open, Xiao Hong greeted her, "Long time no see, Mother Chen!"

Mother Chen lowered her head and smiled at Xiao Hong. Xiao Ming hurriedly called out a greeting as well, but perhaps his voice was too quiet, as she didn't look his way. It wasn't until she walked past him that she looked up, gave him a brief nod, and headed toward the back door.

She must be heading to the living quarters, Xiao Ming thought, feeling a sudden surge of nervousness. In that brief moment of eye contact, he had not only noticed her fair skin, full figure, and charming features, but also a scent—different from Xiao Hong's perfume—that seemed to linger around him. He felt suddenly ill at ease.

"What’s the matter, Xiao Ming? Taken a shine to Mother Chen?"

"No, no! I just... she reminded me of a relative back home... or maybe... someone else... I can't quite recall..."

Xiao Ming was clearly failing to cover up his clumsy lie. Xiao Hong laughed gleefully.

"I'm a bit thirsty. Do you want something to drink?"

"Sure, Mr. College Student. So you know how to bribe me to keep my mouth shut?" Xiao Hong persisted.

"No, that's not it..."

Xiao Ming tried to explain, but Xiao Hong cut him off. "Just buy me a milk tea! Consider it the price for my silence today!"

Relieved, Xiao Ming exhaled. "What flavor would you like? Green tea?"

Xiao Hong froze. "I give up. I am absolutely defeated! Any flavor will do."

Xiao Ming touched the thousand-plus yuan in his pocket and headed out. As he stepped through the door, Xiao Hong couldn't help but mutter to herself, "He really is hopelessly countrified!"