All for it, Jennie packed her stuff and left without another thought.
She had just moved out of the dorms when she received a call from Vickie. She went out in great delight.
The pair arranged to meet up in a hotpot restaurant.
The finely-furnished hotpot restaurant was different from the common-priced ones on the streets. Not only did the restaurant have fresh ingredients, but the atmosphere and taste were also first class.
Because it was Jennie’s first experience at such a place, she was rather ill at ease when entering. Her tensed body finally relaxed after a waiter led her to the second floor and into a private room where she saw Vickie sitting.
“Sis!” she cried while making her way over with a smile.
Vickie lifted her chin and met her gaze as she happily greeted Jennie, “You’re here! Come take a seat.”
Jennie complied and took a seat on the opposite side. There were already quite some ingredients brewing in the pot in front of her.
Vickie used the chopsticks to put some meat into the pot and said, “Let’s eat and then talk.”
With a nod, Jennie took her chopsticks and picked a cooked bamboo shoot to take a bite.
“Hmm, smells good!” She gasped in admiration with squinted eyes.
Vickie took a glance at her and smiled. “Have some more if it’s good.”
She then served her a piece of blanched meat.
Jennie made herself at home and began to help herself while persuading Vickie at the same time, “Sis, you should eat too.”
“Sure.”
The duo intimately and peacefully had a meal together. The aroma of the hotpot wafted against their faces, wrapping them up in the moment’s indulgence that left all the troubles and worries of the outside world behind.
It was more or less an hour later when they were finished with their meal.
Vickie asked the waiter to clear the table of the pot and tableware before ordering a pot of tea to wash down the greasiness.
She then leaned back against the chair and took a look at Jennie on the opposite side. Having eaten her fill, the latter had a satisfied look on her face. “Jennie, I’m leaving.”
Dumbstruck, Jennie stared at Vickie in surprise.
“Leave? Where to?”
Vickie contemplated for a while before replying, “I’m going to Country F, but I might take a trip around the country.”
The country she referred to was China.
Jennie frowned. For some reason, she had a bad feeling about it. Unable to hold her tongue, she asked, “Why do you have to go? Isn’t this place great?”
Vickie grinned faintly. Sinking into her seat in a laid-back manner, she placed her right arm onto the table and ran her tender fingers across the cup in her hand. There was sort of an unspeakable free and easy presence to her.
Undoubtedly, what she had done was not a good thing, and in a way, she had broken the law, but she refused to admit that these offenses were a crime.
After all, even if she was a killer, she would only kill those within her circle. These people did not have clean hands. They had more blood on their hands compared to her.
The path that she was on was like a steel wire. Everybody wanted to squeeze their way up on it, but it could only manage a handful. Someone had to take the plunge.
Everybody wanted a piece of the pie. Someone would make the move if she did not. It was either her or them who would kick the bucket in the end, hence this road was not for the softhearted. There were times she had to be ruthless.
However, she would never raise her fist or corrupt the innocent ordinary people.
This was Vickie’s principle and where she drew the line. Nonetheless, she had no intention of telling or explaining this to Jennie.
It might be a good thing if Jennie were to really mistake her to be that kind of person. That way, Jennie would at least be wary and build up a defense wall, becoming conscious of what was right and what was wrong.
Not everyone was cut out to see the gray areas in the world. If possible, she hoped that Jennie would forever remain as she was, retaining a clear distinction between black and white and seeing only light and hope underneath the sunlight unlike her, who only walked in darkness, focusing on the abyss and being swallowed by the void.
The burden on Jennie’s shoulders seemed to grow heavier while Vickie kept a tight lip on the matter.
At the same time, she was filled with unbearable regret and blame. Vickie was so good to her. She had helped her and had her best interests in mind, yet here Jennie was, hurting her with words.
The phrase “bite the hand that feeds you” must be referring to her.
With that in mind, Jennie lifted her chin and took a glance at Vickie.
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