bChapter /bb202 /b

    I left the house that night. Josh wasn’t there because the windows of his house were dark.

    I was already in the waiting hall at the train station when Philip called me.

    I didn’t choose to take a ne. Instead, I took a train this time.

    Although it would take two more hours, I liked the feeling of being on the ground. It was

    more steadier than floating in the air.

    “Zoe, the car is fixed. Where are you? I’ll drive it to you.” Philip’s voice was warm and

    healing.

    I looked at the people in the waiting hall who were buried in their phones and said calmly,

    “Leave it in the auto repair shop. I’ll go there and drive it myself.”

    Philip was silent. I continued, “I know that auto repair shop.”

    The Dolton family’s cars were maintained in a fixed repair shop, where I knew.

    “The car repairman said someone tampered with your car.” Philip’s words made me pause.

    Of course, I also felt guilty because I was the one who made someone do it.

    “Really?” I feign surprise.

    “Zoe, has anyone driven your car?” Philip asked me again.

    I knew he was worried about me. I pursed my lower lip, trying to think of an answer to his

    question.

    Then Philip added, “The person who touched your car didn’t want to harm you. He just wanted to cause you some trouble. Fortunately, your car broke down when you came home. It might have been a little troublesome if you were outside.”

    I didn’t need to find any more excuses since he had said so. I said, “I got it.”

    On the other end of the line, Philip was silent for seconds and said, “Are you outside? It sounds a little noisy.”

    “Yes.” It was all I said.

    08:48 Fri, 22 Aug

    Philip could tell I didn’t want to talk more, so he said softly, “Then be careful.”

    He hung up, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

    ?.63%b[ /b

    +38

    I’d been watching videos saying people should learn to subtract. iOne /iof them was to reduce

    unnecessary social interactions and favors. Now I seemed ito /iunderstand.

    I thought, “Favors and social interactions can be tiring. The more one cares about me,

    more tired I am.‘

    However, I texted Jasmine, telling her I was on a long trip.

    the

    Unsurprisingly, Jasmine did not reply. I suddenly understood why Jasmine had never fallen

    in love.

    Jasmine said she was so busy that she didn’t even have time to answer the phones. No one

    wanted to date her.

    Even if she dated one, one might endure it for a while but not for long. After all, the dopamine secreted by love required both parties to stay together and grind together.

    It was better not to start than to separate in the end.

    I said Jasmine was like an ostrich, but now that I think about it, she had her reasons.

    I took thest train to Tideport. Of course, my destination was Bisia in Tideport to visit

    Josh’s sister.

    It was my whim. It was also the most direct way for me to learn more about Josh.

    I admit I was attracted to Josh. However, I’d been hurt by love once. I wouldn’t start easily. I have to take the initiative if I want to start.

    It was midnight when I arrived at Tideport. I didn’t go to the small courtyard where I was born. I was afraid Holly would ask me to stay. Instead, I went to the hotel to sleep.

    I arrived at Bisia at 10 a.m. the next day. After asking around, I found Josh’s house.

    When I stood outside the courtyard, I regretted it before I even entered.

    I regretteding toote.

    08:48 Fri, 22 Aug

    63%

    The small house with a courtyard was simply the love home in my dream. There were trees, flowers, grape arbors, and a swing. The house in the courtyard was built with green bricks. and gray tiles. There was a corridor. The colored lights were hanging along the corridor, swaying gently in the wind.