Morning and Evening

Chang Ming’an remembered a red mole on his chest, like a drop of blood from his heart. In Chang Ming’an’s childhood apartment building lived a Miss He, who was the eternal topic of conversation for everyone. She always wore a well-fitting cheongsam, embroidered with colorful patterns, perfectly outlining her curves, the hem revealing a glimpse of her snow-white calves. She always walked home in high heels in the stairwell at night, the “knock knock” waking others from their dreams.

Years later, Chang Ming’an returned to his old apartment. He heard a sound coming from the hallway. It was He Mu, dressed in a cheongsam, bathed in a soft glow under the streetlights, alluring and captivating, yet her long, arched eyebrows also revealed a touch of heroism. “You…you are…” He Mu looked at Chang Ming’an suspiciously, then finished his sentence, “You’re a man.”