Crossroads

Chapter 290

When fate turned sour, it felt like a cascade of misfortune crashing down all at once.

Carrying two bags of garbage to dispose of on the ground floor, Stephanie noticed quite a few male neighbors stealing glances at her as she rode the elevator. She felt self–conscious and uncomfortable the entire way.

Underneath her long, dark green wool coat, she only wore a light purple silk nightgown. It was winter, and though she thankfully hadn’t completely lost her wits, she remembered to throw on a long coat. The modern style and color of the coat made her look even more radiant, with rosy lips and bright eyes. Despite her appearance, she felt deeply troubled.

She had no money, no phone, and no bra. Worse, she had forgotten to bring her keys.

Stephanie wondered if other renters faced such ridiculous mishaps. Glancing down at her feet in shabby flip–flops, she couldn’t help but sigh.

She walked through the complex, feeling utterly embarrassed and questioning how she had managed to get through the past few years.

Maybe the slight fever was clouding her mind.

For the first time. Stephanie fastened every button of her coat before seeking help from the property management. But her bad luck hadn’t run its course.

“Miss, I’m new here and don’t know where the spare keys are. Could you wait a bit?” said the new property manager.

“How long do I have to wait!” she looked at him and asked instinctively, crossing her arms and pulling her coat tighter in embarrassment. “Could you call someone? I’m in a bit of a bind.

Though the young manager didn’t understand her predicament, since it was a request from a beautiful girl, he agreed to resolve it as quickly as possible, even shyly offering her a seat in the property office to wait.

“No, thank you,” she replied, deciding to wait in her apartment instead.

Seeing a group of returning office workers waiting for the elevator at 10 PM, Stephanic wisely decided to take the stairs to avoid the crowd

down at her chest and sighed

and a lazy cleaning lady.

so she took her time, but her

snack and wouldn’t return for at least an hour.

they enjoyed themselves too much, she might end up spending

to my rescue?” In moments of crisis, she

in thought and not watching her step, she suddenly

Stephanie felt her mind growing even duller. The stairway lights cast a hazy, yellow glow, and she couldn’t be sure if he was a

voice was abrupt and familiar, low and

was unsure whether it was fear or shock, as she exclaimed, “Why are you here?” Her eyes

her. He turned and continued walking

her left and saw her room,

from 502!” she recalled, her tone

displeased by her calling him a

stopping about 16 feet from

intense gaze made her uncomfortable, but she mustered

his response. She had suspected the resident above her might be someone she knew, and she had considered it might be him, but it was only a guess

heart surged with an indescribable emotion, nervousness, confusion, and a hint

taking out his key to open bis

are you living here?” she pressed, his indifference making

him would randomly choose to live in this old apartment complex. He could have taken over the

now. She didn’t have the confidence to

to you!” There seemed to be a thin veil between her and the truth, and she desperately wanted to know. She shouted his name,

off guard, yet she was the

pushed open the door of 502 ignoring

with his sharp, cold eyes, asked, “Do you want

like mocking if she had been pushed to tears by

cared about

thought flashed through her mind. It seemed that she never understood him. She couldn’t grasp his

and likely never would

watching him. This man seemed so distint from her