smoke like fire

There was a note on the door, scrawled Ihavemoved.The signature at the end is Jaspe. Reed.I tore off the note hard.

I opened the door and went in, and immediately saw a space in the wall of the living room. In addition to yesterday’s dinner, there was also a pile of books, newspapers and magazines on the coffee table, and a few clothes were thrown on the sofa. It was in a mess everywhere, as if it had experienced a melee .I threw my backpack on the ground and hurried to the room to look.Fortunately, nothing was lost, except for a book on sociology.Don't know why Jaspe took it.

"Bastard! Damn—" I cursed, falling back on the bed.

Just as he was about to close his eyes, someone knocked on the door.I should have ignored it, but the knocking was too loud to be ignored.I struggled to get up to open the door.

Standing outside the door was a typical old American lady, proud and snobbish, looking for trouble.This is my landlord, she lives on the first floor.I half-closed the door and said with a smile, "Mrs. Longman, what's the matter? Why didn't you call, and came upstairs?"

Mrs. Longman looked at me through the glasses with her small eyes.She said, "I've had at least five phone calls! You and the other gentleman haven't picked up even once."

I said, "Oh, I just went to class. What's the matter?"

"I decided to raise the rent," she said.

I froze, and immediately protested: "But it's written in the contract that within one year it won't—"

She cut off my words and took out a piece of paper, "It also says that if prices rise sharply, I have the right to increase—"

I stared wide-eyed, looking at a line of English words drawn with a red pen on the paper, and was speechless for a while.I really have to hate Jaspe even more.It was he who introduced me to live here.At that time, I was in a hurry to find a house, and I didn't think too much about it.

She pursed her lips slightly and said, "I guess you forgot, it doesn't matter, I don't mind."

I listened to her nagging about the reasons for the increase.I just perfunctory until she finally left.I slammed the door and immediately decided to move.

Before that, I called Jaspe first.

It rang several times and didn't answer.I cursed at the phone, but I had no choice but to hang up.

That bastard - Jaspe I met at a student event at Columbia.He's gay, and so am I.He is a medical student.Frankly speaking, the appearance is not what I like, but the figure is really good.I probably drank that day, and I was so distracted anyway that I forgot that he was a very jerk.

Before coming to the United States, I already knew myself very well.All my life I will only like men.My family was very unforgiving about this matter. My parents, brothers and sisters all blamed me, and the environment was unfriendly in all aspects, so I decided to go abroad.I have applied for a scholarship, so I don’t have to worry about tuition fees, but my relationship with my family is at a standstill, and I have to find a solution for living expenses.Since the first semester, I have been doing three tutoring jobs at the same time.

I took out my wallet and looked through it, but there wasn't much money in it.There are not many in the bank, and the rent that Jaspe didn't keep him will all be charged to me.Moving is really difficult now.But without moving, it is almost unbearable for a day.The next day I went to school to have a good class, so I went to the nearby bus stop to read the rental notice.

While watching, someone called me, "Ethan!"

I turned my head, and it was Honey, an American girl in the same class.I said, "It's you, what are you doing here?"

Honey pointed at the girlfriend behind, and smiled, "Go to dinner, how about you? Do you want to go together?"

I shook my hand and said, "Goodbye."

Honey didn't leave, but looked at the stop sign, "Hey, are you looking for a house?"

Before I could speak, a girl walked by and shouted something very loudly.Since I speak Chinese, I can't help paying attention.It was Zhang Haixian who was also from Taiwan in the class.

In front of her, a tall, thin boy with black hair turned his head.It is an oriental face, clean and handsome.Zhang Haixian walked towards him and handed him something.The boy took it and smiled.

Honey said beside him, "It's the exchange student."

I asked blankly, "What exchange student? From the class?"

Honey smiled and said, "You don't know? I came here the day before yesterday, ah! It seems like you are from Taiwan."

I was stunned and saw Zhang Haixian leaving with the boy.I asked, "Is Halle familiar with him?"

Honey looked at me, smiled and said, "How do I know? Are you familiar with Halle?"

I can't help but roll my eyes.As we all know, Zhang Haixian is a very strange person.It can't be said that it is a maverick, but it is strange anyway.I am in the same town as her, but we have not talked more than one sentence in the same class until now.No one should talk to her except the professor.

Honey is laughing.He dragged me to eat together again, but I still declined.The girlfriend who was with her urged her a few times as if she was unhappy, and then she left.

I stayed here again, tore off two or three notes and left.I'm going to get something to eat.There are many fast food trucks nearby, one of which sells Mexican tortillas, with grilled meat and vegetables inside, and red hot sauce, which is delicious and delicious.Mainly also very cheap.

I walked over to the dining car.There are quite a few people buying today, and there is already a queue.I was taken aback when I saw the person in front of me.It was the boy just now.

He probably sensed that someone was coming up from behind, so he turned his head to look.I think it really suits my appetite.Of course, it is also because of seeing the people in my hometown that I feel kind.

I immediately greeted each other in Chinese: "Hello."

He seemed startled at first, but he looked at me and said with a smile, "Hello."

As I spoke, I stretched out my hand, "I knew you were from Taiwan just by your accent. What a coincidence, so did I. My name is Qiu Yisen."

He shook my hand and said, as if embarrassed, "My name is Cheng, Cheng Jingcheng."

When I asked him how to write it, he seemed to be taken aback, and suddenly took out a certificate from his coat pocket.Unexpectedly, it was his student ID card from a domestic school.I glanced at the photo above and nodded.Tell him again: "By the way, my English name is Ethan."

I spelled it to him.Cheng Jingcheng nodded, smiled and said, "Oh."

I also laugh.But in the future, I will often lament this paragraph, which is really self-inflicted.

If time went back, I would definitely not strike up a conversation with Cheng Jingcheng.Or think differently.He is not as innocent as he appears to be.It's not that he's bad, he's definitely a good guy.But it's hard to provoke.It's like a piece of candy, you will be addicted to it if you eat it, and you will get tired of it, but the sweetness is too short.It's good to be friends with him, but it's too tiring to be a lover.Thankfully it never happened.

He is different from me.But at the time, intuition seemed useless.Later, I learned that he does not resist men, and women also continue to do so.One of the two aspects is replaced by the other, and some of them can't even talk about feelings.

That day, while buying enchiladas, I caught Cheng Jingcheng and chatted interestingly.He was standing on the side of the street eating cakes with me, very casually.He was going to stay here for a year, and asked him to choose courses, some of which overlapped with mine.He ranks high in domestic schools and departments.He is fluent in English and can respond well to non-general spoken English.I was surprised and said, "You should have applied directly to study in a university in the United States in the first place."

Cheng Jingcheng just laughed.I asked him, "By the way, have you found a place to live, how about your roommate?"

Cheng Jingcheng said, "I live by myself now."

After eating the last bite of the pancake, I asked, "Then are you looking for a roommate?"

Cheng Jingcheng seemed startled, looked at me and smiled.

Then go back with him.Take the subway, he doesn't live near the school.On 36th Street, near Times Square, the top two floors of the apartment.Downstairs is the living room kitchen and a study.There are three rooms upstairs.The master bedroom is at the end of the corridor.I looked and chose the first room on the nearest stairs.

It was unbelievable to live in such a nice place.The transportation is also convenient, the subway station is nearby, and you can take Line [-] directly to the school.

Cheng Jingcheng counted my very little rent.Pretty much just utility bills.He said: "I don't know what the general market is."

I told him.He nodded, but didn't adjust the price either.He doesn't have to sign a contract either.The house belonged to his family, and he said that he was renting it himself, so he was exempted.

I couldn't help asking about his family, but he said a few words, but it was very vague.I don't ask too many questions, the future will be long.Anyway I became his roommate.

On the day of the negotiation, I first said to go back and clean up, and then I went to the door to think about it, and I still confessed: "I want to tell you something, I am gay."

Cheng Jingcheng looked calm.He said, "Okay, I see."

I am silent.At that time, the country was not as open as it is now, and it could be said to be very malicious to comrades.Although foreign countries are not completely friendly.But unexpectedly, his reaction was almost indifferent.Thinking about it, I took out the apartment key, "If you back out now, I'll accept it. Anyway, there is no contract. I will find another house."

Cheng Jingcheng seemed surprised at this, he said: "Don't be so serious." After a pause, "I only have one question, will you bring someone back to spend the night?"

Of course I said no.Besides, with such a handsome landlord, it is simply unreasonable to find someone to go back.But then I realized that it was impossible to be with him.Otherwise, I will be angry every day.

After moving there, there were no major problems in getting along.There is only one thing, Cheng Jingcheng doesn't know how to cook.The cost of eating out every day is staggering. Usually, I will do it when I have time, otherwise I will find cheap food from the dining car.I dragged him to the supermarket and met Zhang Haixian there.

It was Zhang Haixian who came to say hello first.Of course it was Cheng Jingcheng.It was the first time I saw Zhang Haixian's appearance very carefully, she was very ordinary, no different from the young girls nowadays.But I definitely don't want to deal with it.

Zhang Haixian ignored me and left after talking to Cheng Jingcheng.

I asked about the relationship between Cheng Jingcheng and Zhang Haixian.He said he met through the Taiwan Alumni Association.I never deal with those people.Of course they're nice, it's just me who hates them.

When I walked back to the apartment, I said, "I see that Halle is always looking for you, maybe he is interested in you?"

Cheng Jingcheng laughed, but didn't answer.

I took the opportunity to ask, "What kind of person do you like?"

Cheng Jingcheng seemed to be absent-minded, and said in his mouth: "I don't know, just be pleasing to the eye."

I was silent, and asked again, "Have you ever handed over a partner?"

Cheng Jingcheng nodded.I thought about it and said, "Don't cook, I don't need tutoring tonight, let's go to the bar to have fun."

The bar I went to was called wiwi, which was in Greenwich.There are men and women in the bar, straight and gay.Seeing men and men, Cheng Jingcheng didn't seem surprised either.I ordered a drink and casually talked about things in the circle.Then another drink was called.He drinks well.

After a while someone came to say hello.It was an American boy named Oliver who had a good time.He drank with us, and his eyes became more and more interesting.Beauty is present, of course not rejected.There is a dance floor here, and Oliver invited me to jump down, my body clinging to each other, it was like a thunderbolt.

After that, I stopped dancing and moved my position.I've always been satisfied with the restrooms here, they are clean and smell good.It's just that there are too few compartments.

Back at the bar, Cheng Jingcheng was still there.But there was a woman sitting next to him.The two are chatting.Seeing me coming back, the woman seemed lost and smiled ambiguously.

When she walked away, I asked, "She was flirting with you, why did she leave?"

Cheng Jingcheng laughed and said, "Maybe she thought we were together."

I laughed.He said, "What about Oliver?"

I said, "He left earlier, let's go too."

Walking out of the bar, he suddenly asked, "Did you and Oliver do it just now?"

I almost choked on my saliva.I looked at him, inexplicably embarrassed.He did laugh.After taking another two steps, I asked, "Have you ever kissed a man?"

He didn't speak, but still laughed.I didn't catch him and kiss him.I think he probably only likes women.Later, I learned that he had an ambiguous female partner in Taiwan.I joked with him and clarified my relationship with Oliver.He doesn't seem surprised.I found out later that I still missed him.

One day happened to be Friday, and then went to wiwi.I go down to the dance floor and leave him at the bar.I hugged a boy in front of me and looked over at him, and he was kissing a white man.

When Christmas was approaching, Cheng Jingcheng told me that a friend of his was coming to New York during the holidays, and that the other party and a classmate were going to live with him.I have no opinion, but I am curious about his friend.

Living with him for a period of time, I noticed that he often chatted with someone on the Internet at night.Once when we were writing a report together in the living room, he happened to walk away, and I pretended not to look at his computer, and there was still a dialog box on the screen.The name of the conversation partner is signed by Kuan Yi.He asked, "What's your friend's name?"

He said, "Oh, Zhao Kuanyi."

I still have something to say, so I won't say it after thinking about it.

Two days before Christmas, I saw that Zhao Kuanyi.She is tall, thin, and very beautiful.Those facial features are not exactly the appearance of oriental people.The hair was dyed blond again, showing the color of the eyeballs even more, not completely black.Unexpectedly, it is such a type.I didn't know what to be surprised or what kind of mood to be.

He smiled lazily, and greeted Cheng Jingcheng, but he didn't introduce his classmates, and he didn't look at me.Talk to Cheng Jingcheng and go upstairs together.I looked towards the boy who was left behind.It was a Latino boy.He didn't seem to mind, and smiled.But there is a hint of loneliness in the smile.I can understand.

After going upstairs, Cheng Jingcheng introduced to me.Zhao Kuanyi nodded to me with a calm expression.He called his classmate.I also introduced it, said a few words casually, and went upstairs to rest with his classmates.

I asked Cheng Jingcheng, "Have you known him for a long time?"

Cheng Jingcheng said, "Well, we've known each other for almost ten years."

I was silent, and then asked, "Is he?"

Cheng Jingcheng didn't speak.He must know what I mean.He then smiled and said, "You don't have to think about him, he doesn't have many girlfriends."

I have no words.Because in fact, what I want to ask more is him—are you?

Later I told him that Zhao Kuanyi's classmates should be comrades.He didn't seem surprised, but was silent.

Frankly speaking, I really don't know how to describe Zhao Kuanyi.Or because the discussion is not deep enough.He is a bit indifferent to unfamiliar people, but I feel that sometimes he and his classmates are not very warm.But Cheng Jingcheng has always been very close.

One day I used an excuse to drag that Latin boy out of the house.Me and the boy named Lucas drank half a dozen beers outside the supermarket.He asked me about Cheng Jingcheng.I smiled and turned to ask Zhao Kuanyi.He laughed.He said what a good person Zhao Kuanyi is.I think it's because I like it.I suddenly wondered what Cheng Jingcheng was thinking.

Back at the apartment, I don't know what Cheng Jingcheng and the others talked about, one was silent and the other was happy.Zhao Kuanyi hugged Lucas and said to go to the bar.The smile was so colorful that it was almost impossible to watch.In the few days he's been here, I've never seen him smile like this.Never ever.I couldn't help but look at Cheng Jingcheng.He just looked at Zhao Kuanyi.

Then they all went to a nearby bar.

Probably during the holidays, there were many customers in the store, and the atmosphere was high, and everyone drank a lot.When I noticed Cheng Jingcheng, he was already lying on the bar.I saw him drunk for the first time.I helped him up, but he walked very unsteadily, and even I couldn't walk well.Someone helped me and took Cheng Jingcheng there.It was Zhao Kuanyi, he said he would do me a favor, and carried Cheng Jingcheng behind his back.It took me a while to react.

Zhao Kuanyi walked all the way with Cheng Jingcheng on his back.The bar is not far from the apartment, and you have to walk a few blocks.Besides, it had snowed before, so I walked more slowly.I followed, and so did Lucas.I don't talk to him.On the other hand, Zhao Kuanyi didn't know what song he was humming.

The next day, Zhao Kuanyi and the others left early in the morning.

Cheng Jingcheng got hungover and didn't mention a word about the night before.He didn't mention it, and neither did I.At the bar that night, I saw Zhao Kuanyi kissing a man.

He still chatted with Zhao Kuanyi on the Internet at night.One day I couldn't bear it anymore and asked him, "Do you like him?"

He didn't answer me.One day after New Years, in a restaurant, I overheard Honey talking about him.He is dating Zhang Haixian's roommate.Zhang Haixian's roommate is in the School of Journalism, she is quite famous, she is a very beautiful American girl.

Honey said: "It seems that Halle didn't know. I ran into them kissing downstairs in the dormitory yesterday. I heard that they ran away screaming. I don't know how late I went back. Her eyes were so red this morning. She probably hid in the quilt and cried. one night?"

Everyone laughed together.What was said later, I stopped listening and walked out.Passing the library, just saw him, only him.I called to him and asked casually.

He didn't ask how I knew, but he didn't deny it.I asked again, "How did you know Allison?"

He said, "Zhang Haixian introduced us to each other."

I was silent and asked, "Do you like her?"

He seemed to be taken aback for a moment, smiled and said, "I like it."

I just realized that some people even deceive their own feelings.

A year later Cheng Jingcheng returned to Taiwan.

He and Allison had only been in a relationship for a month.The separation was suggested by Allison, downstairs in our apartment.He didn't keep it.As for me, I have always been friendly with Cheng Jingcheng.After he left, I did not move.He came to the US again after graduating from college, and I went to the UK to study hairdressing.

After getting my degree, I went back to Taiwan once.The atmosphere was very different four years ago and four years later.Probably because of the long time, the family has never accepted it until it is out of sight, so it softens.Even reluctant.I used to be the most favored when I was at home. I have never been away from home for such a long time, not to mention working hard.How lucky I am, I thought.Some people in the circle spend their entire lives without being understood by their family members.

My parents have brothers and sisters to take care of me, so I don't care about it, but I don't want to do a standard job.At that time, I was invited to go to London. I became interested in hairdressing by chance, so I stayed to study art while preparing to apply for schools.After I won the award, I went back to Taiwan. At that time, Cheng Jingcheng had already got his MBA and went back to work.

I was going to open a store and asked him for his opinion, but he didn't say anything, he just made an investment.In the future, my hair salon will seem to be his love confession room, and he will always talk about sleeping with someone or someone or breaking up.

He deals with men and women.When I thought he had nothing to do with anyone, he came one day, as if annoyed.He sat next to me, lit a cigarette, and said, "We're in bed again."

I'm speechless.But he knew the target was Ye Wenli who had been mentioned before.The other party is on the same side as him, and no one wants to be seen through.Besides, it's the same company.But the more you have to hide, the more you can't avoid it.I raised my eyebrows and said, "Don't tell me it's because I was drunk again."

He doesn't speak.I can only give him a blank stare.I looked at him, put my arms across his shoulders, and said, "Forget it, I've done everything, he's not ugly, and you won't suffer."

Cheng Jingcheng laughed.At this moment, the office door opened suddenly, and it was my boyfriend who came.It probably looked like we sat together very close and left immediately.

Because of his friendship with Cheng Jingcheng, there have been more than one quarrels.I've tried everything to coax them, but it's really annoying to argue about this again, so I just broke up.Cheng Jingcheng has met all the people I dated in the past. After that, he seemed to have a feeling and avoided meeting my boyfriend every time.

But Milton, who later dated again, inevitably quarreled because of him.Frankly speaking, every time I persuade him to settle down, I also think about it.But Milton is young and doesn't understand the relationship between me and him. Every time I care about it and add many differences, we still split.

Regarding Zhao Kuanyi, Cheng Jingcheng rarely took the initiative to talk about it.Usually because I asked.I don't think he doesn't want to say it, because he is too used to keeping secrets.

I know they're pissed off.The reason had something to do with a Miss Zhao, who was later found out to be Zhao Kuanyi's mother.He was vague.I think he is sympathetic.Or envy such a desperate pursuit of love.

After all these years, I still remember that night during the Christmas holidays.I never tell him.I don't think they fit at all.One is too gentle, the other is too decisive.

Yet they ended up together.It was not going smoothly, but after several twists and turns.

The second time they broke up, I didn't know until much later.

It was rainy and windy at that time, and I didn't take it seriously when I saw Zhao Kuanyi's clarification report.Later I found out that Cheng Jingcheng had taken over his father's company.Seeing him talking at the press conference as usual, he doesn't seem to be sad in the future, and he hasn't been as drunk as before.

But how not to be sad?I didn't ask him this time.Can't export because of asking.I think, they really have too many inappropriateness, it's good to separate them.Pain is enough once.

I went to buy a bouquet of roses.

Back home, Glenn smiled and said, "Hey, how do I buy flowers?"

I said, "I bought it when I saw it."

Glenn picked up his coat and put it on, saying, "I've got it all done, it's about time to go out, otherwise I won't be able to make it." Pointing to a paper bag, "Just take the wine."

I got the wine and Glenn got the other bag and we headed out together.I sat in the driver's seat and watched him put on his seat belt before driving.

Glenn was the last boyfriend I ever met and became my fiancé last month.Originally, I was a non-marriageist, probably as I got older, and many people around me were getting married, so I was distracted, and I agreed when I was proposed.Besides, Glenn is very particular, bought a ring in advance, and proposed on the London Eye.Who can say no.

Glenn said at this time: "Wait a minute, you guys drink first, and I will take care of the food."

I said, "Obey."

Glenn smiled at me.

We soon arrived at our destination, walking a little up the Zhuzi Lake in Yangmingshan, where a private restaurant has recently opened.There are four bosses, out of land or money.One of them is Glenn's friend, who asks Glenn to test dishes and act as a consultant.

There are too many unexpected things in this world, and Zhao Kuanyi is also on the boss list.

At that time, I went to the restaurant with Glenn, and I was surprised to see Cheng Jingcheng and him there. Of course Glenn and Cheng Jingcheng knew each other, but they had never met in the restaurant.

I think, it really is evil fate.

Today is the birthday of the wife of one of the bosses, and the restaurant is closed for a day to hold a birthday party.When Glenn and I arrived, everyone was almost there. Glenn checks into the kitchen, and I uncork the wine I brought.I was drinking and talking with someone, and when I looked out, I saw Cheng Jingcheng.

He was outside in the garden, with his hands in his coat pockets, standing under the plum tree, looking at Zhao Kuanyi and talking.Of course I couldn't hear them talking.But it's nothing more than beautiful love words, otherwise the smile on the corner of the mouth wouldn't be so soft.

I suddenly felt that they were actually very suitable.

They walked here together.Probably seeing me, he raised his hand.I raise my wine glass.I thought, wait, maybe I can tell him a long time ago.

(it happened...end)