A Kiss in the Dark

Liu Wei's heart was still racing, the memory of Zhang Yan's unexpected kiss replaying in her mind. Her frustration grew, not just because of the kiss itself, but because she couldn't quite recall what he had whispered to her last night. The words seemed to slip through her fingers, like trying to hold onto smoke.

Trying to push the thought away, she grabbed her car keys and headed out of her bedroom. But as she walked past the refrigerator, something caught her eye — a note stuck to the door. In bold handwriting, it read: "Please transfer the money, number is TF7985Sef. It's the rent. Thank you."

Liu Wei's annoyance flared instantly. Her younger roommate didn't even bother with honorifics! As the elder, she felt a slight sting of disrespect. She couldn't believe that on top of everything, she was being spoken to so casually in her own home.

She let out a sigh, crumpling the note in her hand. "This day is just getting started," she muttered to herself.

Zhang Yan's phone buzzed again, and he glanced down at the screen. The message read, "This is the rent I paid you." The contact name was simply "Tenant." Zhang Yan frowned slightly. He set his phone aside, his thoughts still tangled up in the events of the previous night.

Looking across the coffee room, he saw Chen Wei, his best friend and confidant, sipping his coffee. Zhang Yan leaned in a bit closer, his voice low. "Hey, since you're my best friend, I need to ask you something…"

Chen Wei, noticing the seriousness in Zhang Yan's tone, nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

Zhang Yan hesitated, his mind racing. "Do you think… if someone was drunk, they would remember being kissed?"

Chen Wei blinked, taken aback. Then, his face broke into a grin. "Wait, Zhang Yan, are you serious? Did you actually kiss someone?" He leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Was it a girl or a boy? And do you like her? Since when did you start liking anyone? You've never dated in your life!"

Zhang Yan opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say a word, the door to the coffee room swung open, and Liu Wei walked in. Zhang Yan's breath caught in his throat, and the room seemed to freeze.

Liu Wei's gaze swept over both of them, and she paused, sensing the tension in the air. "Am I interrupting something?" she asked, her voice calm but with an unmistakable undertone of curiosity and annoyance.