In the days that followed, Chen Yifan (Evan) pretended as if nothing had happened and spent time with Lin Meichi (Michelle).
They were both busy during this time, but they were careful to try to return to the way they were when they first met. At the same time, Evan also wanted to forget about what happened with Cindy.
In the bustling city with towering skyscrapers and flashing neon lights, Evan and Michelle both work at the same advertising company. However, they belong to different departments and work on different floors, so they don't have frequent interactions with each other.
However, recently the two of them had more interactions due to a large project, and as a result, they experienced various ups and downs.
Evan sat in his spacious, stylish office, unable to help but think back to that night with Victoria.
His mood is like a sinking stone, always with a sense of weightlessness.
He rubbed his temples, wondering if he could forget that thing, especially when he had just regained harmony with Michelle.
At the same time, Michelle stood in the coffee area on another floor, her eyes revealing a hint of melancholy.
She picked up her coffee, took a deep breath, and pondered whether she should accept Evan's proposal to get back together. It seemed like their emotions collided in different times and spaces. Although they both tried to go back to the past, they both understood that things could never be the same as before.
Evan picked up the phone, took a deep breath, and finally dialed Michelle's number.
"Hey, Michelle, I think we should find some time to talk." Evan's voice carried a kind of nervous but carefully disguised calmness.
"Yeah, I feel the same way," Michelle knew exactly the weight behind Evan's words.
"How about we go eat ramen together after work? We can have a good talk there," Evan tried to lighten the mood with a casual tone.
"Okay, that's settled then," Michelle responded curtly, but inside, it felt like she had knocked over a bottle of ink, with darkness and uncertainty filling her mind.
In the evening, the two of them walked out of the office and entered the city under the neon lights.
There were people coming and going on the street, but Evan only felt Michelle's presence.
"Would you like to have dinner together tonight?" Evan tried to say, wanting to return to the simple happiness they had when they first met.
Michelle hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Sure, how about this ramen shop?"
They walked into the shop and ordered two bowls of pork bone ramen. The white steam in the soup framed Michelle's face, making Evan unable to help but recall the moment they first met.
"Actually, there's something I've been wanting to ask you," Evan gathered his courage.
"Oh? What's the matter?" Michelle put down her chopsticks.
"How about... how about coming back to live with me again?" Evan's voice was trembling.
Michelle paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Let me think about it, okay?"
In that moment, Evan just wanted to completely forget about what happened with Victoria.
He feels that as long as Michelle is willing to come back, everything will be as wonderful as before.
However, a month has passed.
Chen Yifan (Evan) stood in front of the wide floor-to-ceiling window, his eyes fixed on the city night view outside.
As the lights come on, this city looks surprisingly peaceful, in stark contrast to the turmoil within him.
The skyscrapers and bustling streets are the city's relentless expression of ambition, yet he is searching for an exit in his own emotional maze.
The one-night stand with Victoria that happened a month ago has been weighing heavily on his mind.
He really wants to tell Michelle, but every time he thinks about how it might make her even more disheartened, he gives up.
Lately, it seems that the distance between him and Michelle is growing. Michelle has been avoiding him, and when Evan suggested that Michelle move back in with him, she always dodged the question.
This makes Evan feel very helpless. He is well aware that Michelle hopes they can move towards marriage, but he has always found it difficult to take that step.
Deep down in Evan's heart, there is a lot of conflict. He cannot fully release his guilt towards Michelle, yet he longs to find a refuge where he doesn't have to bear responsibility and pressure.
So, his phone once again slides to Victoria's contact information, and he dials her number.
At this moment, his finger hesitantly pressed the dial button.
"Hi, Victoria, are you free? I want to see you," Evan's tone revealed an indescribable nervousness.
Victoria seemed to smile on the other end of the phone, her voice soft and charming: "Of course, I'll be right over."
Victoria pushed open the gate of the residential area where Evan lived.
The spacious apartment was elegantly decorated with simple furnishings, thick carpets on the floor, and some abstract art hanging on the walls.
"The solid wood bookshelf is filled with various books and some small trinkets, displaying the owner's exceptional taste."
"Hi, please come in and have a seat," Evan maintained his usual calm demeanor, smiling as he invited Victoria to sit on the sofa.
Victoria walked into Evan's apartment wearing a tight black dress. Her long hair fell smoothly over her shoulders as she sat down and smiled at Evan, saying, "Long time no see, how have you been?"
Evan was momentarily captivated by her beauty and presence. He said, "Hmm, doing okay, thanks. And you?"
"I'm also doing well, thank you for the invitation," Victoria smiled as she walked into the room and sat on the sofa opposite Evan.
The atmosphere between the two is clearly relaxed, and they both understand the purpose of tonight. There are no responsibilities, no restraints, only pure desire and temporary satisfaction.
"What would you like to drink?" Evan walked to the open bar and opened a bottle of red wine.
"Red wine is fine," Victoria replied.
Evan brought over two glasses of red wine, handed one to Victoria, and then sat down. His gaze met Victoria's, and his heart warmed.
The atmosphere between the two is clearly relaxed, and they both understand the purpose of tonight. There are no responsibilities, no restraints, only pure desire and temporary satisfaction.
Evan walked over with two glasses of rich red wine and sat down next to Victoria. He felt that everything was much simpler in this atmosphere.
Victoria elegantly took a sip of red wine and then said, "Actually, I've always wanted to ask you, why do you call me? Do you feel lonely?"
Evan took a deep breath and said, "I want to find someone who won't pressure me."
Victoria smiled at him and gently bit her lip, "I understand. I often feel the same way. People always push you to do this and that, to become what they expect. But here, in this space, we can temporarily forget those worries."
Evan's heart raced as he gently placed his hand on Victoria's, their eyes locking together.
At that moment, Victoria stood up, walked over to Evan, and placed her hand on his face, giving him a gentle kiss.
"I won't pressure you to do anything, Evan. Here, you can completely relax," Victoria's words carried a kind of liberating charm, making Evan feel a rare sense of relaxation.
Evan's heart warmed, and he gently responded to her kiss, his fingers naturally entwining in her long hair. For a moment, both of them were immersed in this pressure-free desire, as if in this moment, all worries and constraints had disappeared.
However, at this moment, Evan's phone suddenly vibrated. He couldn't help but sneak a glance and found that it was a message from Michelle. But he decided to ignore it for the time being and gently put the phone back in his pocket.
Victoria seemed to sense something and asked, "Who was that?"
"Not important," Evan responded lightly, redirecting all his attention back to Victoria.
Victoria smiled, seemingly satisfied with his response.
They quickly embraced each other with passion. In that moment, Evan forgot all his worries and stress. He no longer needed to face Michelle's desire for marriage or his own fear of commitment.
Afterwards, Evan sat on a stylish chair, looking somewhat uneasy.
His heart sought balance amidst the chaos, like a slight but increasingly high wave on a Ferris wheel.
On his phone screen, a long string of text had already been typed out, but he just couldn't bring himself to press "send." It was a message to Michelle, an explanation and apology.
Victoria walked into the living room wearing a slim black dress with a matching black down shawl draped over her shoulders. Her long hair hung loosely, and her lightly made-up eyes and lips made her look even more alluring. She smiled as she walked over and sat down next to Evan.
"Victoria asked, 'You seem to have something on your mind. Is it still Michelle that's worrying you?' Evan pursed his lips and quietly placed his phone on the coffee table. 'Actually, I've been thinking about our relationship and the situation between me and Michelle.'"
Victoria reached out and gently touched Evan's face, "You don't have to think so much. Life is about living in the moment. Besides, we both understand that marriage is just a social institution, a choice people make for a sense of security. With me, you won't have any pressure."
With this touch from Victoria, Evan felt a warm sensation, as if it temporarily diluted his worries. He gazed at Victoria, and it seemed like the barrier in his heart instantly crumbled.
"Yes, maybe you're right. I need to relax and have a stress-free space," Evan finally said.
Upon hearing this, Victoria felt a wave of satisfaction. She knew her plan was working and that she had already captured Evan.
She elegantly stood up and pointed to a beautiful bottle by the window, "That bottle looks lovely, why don't you buy me an identical one?"
Evan took a look at it. It was an exquisite bottle, elegantly designed, and definitely expensive. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Sure, no problem."
In this way, it was as if a balance in Evan's heart had been disrupted, and a pursuit of fleeting pleasure began to erode his once steadfast heart.
After a while, Evan walked Victoria to the door and kissed her passionately once again when they said goodbye.
"See you next time," Victoria said with a smile, then turned and walked away.
When Evan closed the door and returned to the empty house, he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.
He took out his phone, opened Michelle's message, and saw the words: "Good night, go to bed early."
A complex emotion surged in Evan's heart, and he suddenly realized that he might be getting deeper and deeper into a dangerous game.
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