Chapter 4 — "No Fate Tonight"

Soft music filled the dimly lit space. Although the English lyrics were unintelligible, Lin Xiaowen still found herself humming along as she wiped glasses behind the bar.

“Xiaowen, I’m really sorry,” Su Mo said apologetically, placing the last tray of glasses on the counter. “The bar’s packed tonight, my brother didn’t show up again… It’s almost three and we’re still not done!”

This small bar was tucked away in a quiet spot, far from the noisy bustle of those places popular with young crowds. Here, it was much more suited for those seeking a tranquil refuge, a place that offered solitude without the sting of loneliness.

“It’s fine,” Lin Xiaowen replied with a smile, dimples appearing in her cheeks. “You can’t handle all this alone when Su Nian’s not here. It’s no trouble for me to stay a bit longer.”

“By the way, is it all right for you to be out so late? What about Ranran? Don’t you need to pick her up?” Su Mo asked, picking up a cloth to help dry the glasses.

“Ningning called to say Ranran’s already asleep. I won’t fetch her tonight,” Lin Xiaowen said, and couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her daughter’s peaceful slumber. That little rascal of hers!

“That’s good then!” Su Mo nodded, just as her phone rang.

“Hello? Yes… Yes?” Su Mo’s eyes widened in surprise as she listened, then she suddenly shouted, “What? Where is he… That damn Su Nian! He just can’t stay out of trouble unless he stirs something up every time…”

Hearing this, Lin Xiaowen paused her work and looked over, puzzled.

Su Nian was Su Mo’s twin brother and part-owner of the bar. Unlike his cheerful, lively sister, Su Nian was slow to warm up and rather reserved—steady, if you put it nicely, but in truth, he could be maddeningly sluggish.

When Su Mo hung up, her face was a picture of impatience and agitation. She untied her apron with an exasperated huff. “I must’ve owed him in a past life. Every time, I have to clean up his mess…”

“What’s wrong?” Lin Xiaowen asked.

“It’s nothing, I just have to step out for a bit…” Su Mo tossed her apron onto the bar. “Xiaowen, hand me my bag. You can leave the cleaning for now—go home!”

“Do you want me to go with you? It’s awfully late,” Lin Xiaowen said, handing her the bag, worry evident in her voice.

“No need… I’ll be fine on my own!” Su Mo gave her a complicated look, then added, “Don’t forget to check the circuit breakers before you leave. I’m off!”

With that, she strode out, heels clattering, almost running. Lin Xiaowen shook her head with a smile—truly a woman as swift as the wind. When she glanced at the time, it was already half past three.

The circuit box was in a corner near the storeroom. The lights were dim and, afraid of the dark, Lin Xiaowen groped her way over, heart pounding.

“Main power… off…”

With a click, everything was plunged into complete darkness. Lin Xiaowen swallowed hard and turned to leave.

Suddenly—

She heard someone’s heavy breathing, very close by.

The silence was abruptly charged with a strange, eerie tension. She froze, the hair on her neck standing on end, holding her breath.

She’d heard stories of perverts hiding in bar corners, waiting for the last stragglers to leave, to steal booze or ambush staff as they locked up…

Could she be so unlucky as to meet one herself?

The breathing grew louder—right by her ear. Her hand shook around her phone. With no other choice, she forced herself to cough loudly and, trying to steady her racing heart, called out, “Who’s there? Come out…”

The breathing paused for a moment. Lin Xiaowen thought, Maybe it’s his first time—rookies always get nervous.

She gathered her courage and raised her voice, “Come out. We’re closed. My colleague’s waiting for me outside… If you don’t show yourself, we’ll call the police…”

A clatter.

A bottle fell to the floor, thudding but not breaking.

Every muscle in Lin Xiaowen’s body tensed. Gritting her teeth, she raised her phone, shining its light toward the source of the noise.

There, sprawled across the sofa in a booth, was a man dressed head-to-toe in black, as if dead to the world.

His hair was a wild mess, face hidden. One arm dangled to the floor, long legs drawn up and pressed together.

Lin Xiaowen frowned.

“Hey, you! I’m talking to you…”

The messy head stirred, then went still again. Only the breathing gradually became more even.

Lin Xiaowen let out a sigh. Just a drunk. It wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

She stepped closer and raised her voice, “Sir, please get up and go home. We’re closing.”

No response.

“If you don’t get up, I’ll…” She hesitated—calling the police would be disrespectful to a patron, and it hardly seemed worth bothering the officers over this.

With a sigh, she used her phone’s light to tap his back. “Sir? Sir…”

“Get lost… You’re noisy!” the man muttered, swatting her hand away impatiently.

Annoyed, Lin Xiaowen raised her voice, “Get up! It’s morning already. If you want to sleep, go home!”

He didn’t budge. His stubbornness set her temper flaring. She gave him a sharp kick.

“Ah… damn…” The man tumbled to the floor, clutching his back and gasping.

“Awake now?” Lin Xiaowen huffed. “I was being nice, telling you to go home, and you tell me to get lost? Rude! You deserved that kick!”

“You vicious woman…” He looked up, and through his bleary eyes took in Lin Xiaowen, who stood, hands on hips, radiating righteous indignation.

“It’s you again…” Cheng Yishu propped himself up and squinted at her. “You crazy woman… addicted to kicking people, are you?”

“Excuse me?” Lin Xiaowen was taken aback. “Do I know you?”

He was good-looking, but his temper wasn’t great, and he seemed a bit unhinged.

Cheng Yishu couldn’t be bothered with her and only shook his throbbing head, which made him even dizzier and more nauseous. He didn’t recall that the last time they’d met, he’d been wearing a mask.

“If you’re awake, leave. I need to lock up,” Lin Xiaowen said, shooting him a glare before heading out.

By nearly four in the morning, the streets were deserted, and the city felt peaceful and safe.

After a while, Cheng Yishu finally staggered out, swaying at the door. The cold air hit him and he immediately felt the urge to vomit. Clinging to a streetlight, he retched violently until he felt better.

Lin Xiaowen locked up, gave him a dismissive glance, then hopped onto her “Happy Lamb” electric scooter and rode down the road.

In her rearview mirror, she caught sight of his tall figure slumped against the pole. Suddenly, he vanished.

She stopped, puzzled, and looked back—only to grimace in disgust.

Sure enough, Cheng Yishu was sprawled in the fresh pile of his own vomit, sleeping soundly.