Request for Co-renting

It was late at night and I was sober. I zipped up my jacket, lit a cigarette, and walked on the street in a daze. My mind was filled with endless trivialities. I suddenly felt a little tired of my current life. I wanted to do something for my life, but I didn't know where to start, so I was even more confused.

I passed by a hotel and looked at the lights shining from dozens of windows. On this night, some people were enjoying themselves in their warm rooms, while others were walking on the streets, enduring the loneliness of the night.

However, it was precisely because of this contrast that the world seemed so three-dimensional and real. I should understand that this world was originally a complex contradiction. Loneliness and loss had to be borne by someone, so I didn't have to feel wronged or complain.

However, the moonlight tonight was so beautiful that loneliness had nowhere to escape. So, please turn off the power of the moon. I'm willing to endure loneliness, but it doesn't mean that I'm willing to expose loneliness to this world!

...

When I returned to my residence, I habitually stood downstairs and looked around. I didn't see Mi Cai's car. I went around to the opposite side of the building and looked around. The car was there. Mi Cai seemed to be used to parking her car here.

I crouched beside the car and smoked another cigarette before going upstairs. I stood at Mi Cai's door for a while before knocking on her door.

"Mi Cai, are you asleep?" I asked softly.

"What's the matter?"

"I want to talk to you."

Mi Cai replied as I expected, "There's nothing to talk about between us."

"At least let me thank you in person for tonight. I'm really grateful to you!"

"No need." Mi Cai still rejected me with three words.

"Yes, I do. I'll feel bad if I don't tell you!" Without Mi Cai's permission, I opened her door to thank her.

The lights in the room were still on. Mi Cai was sitting at her desk reading a book, or some information or documents.

Mi Cai seemed to be used to my rudeness and didn't react to my behavior of entering the room without permission.

I went behind her and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Mi Cai ignored me and continued to focus on the document.

I just stood there, thinking about how to tell Mi Cai that I planned to continue living here.

"Do you think it's appropriate to stand in a woman's room in the middle of the night?" Mi Cai asked coldly.

"I just wanted to thank you. I don't mean anything else." I hurriedly said.

"Then say it. After you're done, hurry up and leave."

"Oh..." I responded and asked in a fawning manner, "By the way, did you take your medicine tonight? I heard you coughing just now."

Mi Cai closed the document and frowned at me, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. I'm going to rest."

"This is what you asked me to say. If I say it, don't fall out with me." I quickly said.

"Then don't say anymore."

"That won't do. Words that are said are like water that has been poured out. If you want me to say it, of course, I have to say it…" After some thought, I finally said, "That... To tell you the truth, I don't want to move out at all!" After saying that, I subconsciously stood up straight and tried to use my mighty aura to suppress Mi Cai so that she would agree to my request not to move out.

Mi Cai looked at me and said calmly, "I told you you don't have to pay back the money you owe for the time being, so you have no reason not to move out."

"I said I don't want to move out at all. Don't you understand what I mean?" I raised my voice.

"But you promised me to move out more than once. Is promise so cheap in your eyes?" Mi Cai's words were cold, but her eyes were filled with anger.

"What's wrong with letting me stay here?" My words were also filled with anger. While Mi Cai didn't understand me, I didn't understand her either. There were so many people sharing a room in this city. Why did she ruthlessly chase me away time and time again when I relied so much on this room? Moreover, I felt that my character was very good when it came to sharing a room. I was a very safe partner to live with.

"Tell me what's good about it?" Mi Cai asked.

"Everything!" I thought for a moment and said, "With me here, if there's a neighborhood dispute in the future, I can easily help you settle it. I'm the tyrant of this district…"

"Don't be so childish, okay?" Mi Cai interrupted me.

I sneered, "You don't believe me, do you? You can go to other districts to take a look. Are there square-dancing aunties disturbing the people every night? Have you noticed any in this district where we live? Was it not? Let me tell you, although there is no property management in the community, I am much better than the property management."

"Even if what you said is true, it can't be a reason for you to continue living here. You have to move out." Mi Cai said firmly.

I was angry again, "What's wrong with letting me stay here? At the very least, if the water pipe is blocked or the light is broken, I can fix it, right? If it rains or something, even if you're not at home, I can still help you pack your clothes, right? For example, today, if you're sick, I can't just stand by and watch you die. I have to buy medicine for you and cook you a bowl of ginger soup… Why do you have to be so stubborn and make both of us unhappy?"

"I'm not unhappy."

Mi Cai's words made me choke. After a long awkward silence, she said, "Anyway, I don't want to move. I owe you so much money. I think it's more important to pay you back first than to move."

"Tell me, why is it more important to pay back the money first than to move?" Mi Cai asked unexpectedly."

I said without thinking, "I'll feel at ease after paying you back. But moving makes me feel helpless and empty. If it were you, would you choose to pay back the money first or move first?"

"If you move out of here, you can still move to other places to live. How can you say that you're empty and have no one to rely on?" Mi Cai continued to ask.

I looked around at everything in this house, and an indescribable emotion rose in my heart. Mi Cai didn't understand my feelings and longing for this house at all, so every time she chased me away, she didn't consider my feelings. But then again, I didn't have to think about it. No matter how much I missed her, I was still on my own.

I lit a cigarette to vent the loss and helplessness in my heart.

"Don't smoke in my room, okay?"

Mi Cai's words were filled with disgust, but this wasn't her fault. I was too presumptuous and forgot I was still in her room.

"Sorry, I'll go to the balcony to smoke," I whispered.

...

After smoking a cigarette on the balcony, I returned to the living room. However, to my surprise, Mi Cai wasn't in her bedroom at the moment. Instead, she was sitting on the sofa in the living room.

For the first time, she took the initiative to speak to me, "You haven't answered my question yet."

"You just asked me why I feel empty and helpless when I move out, right?"

Mi Cai nodded.

I sat down on the sofa opposite Mi Cai and closed my eyes. The countless days and nights I lived here appeared in my mind like fragments.

After a long silence, I finally said, "I moved in two years ago. The days when I first moved in were the darkest days of my life. I almost lost sleep every night… The reason why I couldn't sleep was because I had many thoughts on my mind. However, I couldn't tell anyone about these thoughts, but it was uncomfortable to keep them in my heart. Therefore, I treated the floor lamp, cabinet, wall clock, and even a mop in the room as my friends. I told them these thoughts that I couldn't tell others. Although they never responded to me, they were very patient. No matter how long I talked, they were very patient. Therefore, after I didn't say it out loud, I didn't feel so bad anymore. I was very grateful to them. They are my friends and support, so I don't want to leave. I love this house. Although it's very simple, it's the safest and warmest place in my world…!"

After I finished speaking, she looked at me with a complicated expression. I didn't know what this complicated expression meant. I just waited nervously for her to let me continue living here.