The supermarket corridor felt smaller than usual, the bright lights humming overhead. Lu Jingyan rolled her cart slowly down the aisle clothes and shoes neatly stacked. Li Man and Cheng Ciao trailed a few steps ahead, speaking too loudly, their voices dripping with pity and false concern.
"They really expect me to feel bad," Jingyan muttered under her breath.
Li Man's voice floated back: "We just said—it's easy to get carried away when your circumstances allow it."
Cheng Ciao added, "Yes, Jingyan, you should be grateful someone cares enough to look out for you."
Lu Jingyan turned, expression neutral but eyes cool. "Grateful that you choose my suffering as entertainment? How kind."
Li Man's lips curled in annoyance. "You don't have to be so… defensive. We're trying to help you."
"Let me guess," Jingyan replied softly, raising her voice so the few passersby nearby could hear. "Help as in telling me what I can or can't afford? How romantic of you."
Suddenly a light step approached from behind. Jingyan didn't need to turn; she already knew whose presence ripple through the tension.
"Did someone order drama with a side of delusion?" Leng Yumo called, stepping into view in chic weekend wear: a cropped leather jacket over a graphic tee, jeans, and sneakers. Her hair was loose, frames dangling from her neck. She stood tall beside Jingyan, arms crossed.
Li Man stuttered. "Yumo? What are—"
Yumo smiled sweetly. "I was just out to call and it's not up to three minutes. How nice. But I couldn't help overhearing. Your tones are… exquisite. Even when I am on call"
Cheng Ciao glared. "You have no right to speak—"
Yumo interrupted, calm, venomous. "None? Funny. I inherited the right to correct clowns wearing crowns that don't fit." She gestured to Li Man. "Your costume looks stretched."
Jingyan's lips curved. "You're late, talking to your boyfriend?"
"More like talking to yours" Leng Yumo said indicating her brother which Lu Jingyan understand
Li Man's expression twisted. "You'll apologize for this tone, Yumo."
Yumo's laugh was light but cutting. "I'd apologize for being real, but I've heard your version of fake sincerity already today." She pulled Jingyan closer. "We have better things to do than entertain autograph seekers for misery."
Yumo nudged her. "You repay me by letting them stew. Victory tastes better when silent."
And behind them, the corridor echoed with stunned quiet — their words sharper than any slap could have been.
Cheng Ciao huffed and gasped. "You always take positions. What do you even know about struggle?"
"You'll forgive me if I doubt your expertise," Yumo replied, voice steady. "Mistaking privilege for hardship is the easiest disqualification from credibility."
Li Man opened her mouth, but Jingyan shook her head. "Let her speak."
Yumo glanced at Jingyan as though checking a cue. Then, with crisp clarity: "Your concern is thinly veiled arrogance. You pretend benevolence when you pass judgment. You masquerade pity as superiority." She turned to Chang Ciao. "But you—making jokes about how she 'shouldn't buy things she can't afford'—you're more shameless than helpful."
The aisles felt heavier now; the few customers around watched, unsettled.
Jingyan gripped Yumo's shoulder. "Don't let them define you."
Yumo nodded. She stepped in front, giving Li Man a full glare. "Get out of our way. We'll take our groceries — and our dignity — somewhere where the spotlight isn't rented on others' pain."
Then she led Jingyan forward briskly. Jingyan pushed the cart, Yumo by her side, leaving Li Man and Cheng Ciao speechless, mouths open, stinging in silence.
As they turned the corner, Jingyan whispered, "Thank you."