The next day, I was up by 6 o’clock in the morning. Dali was still hungover and our other roommates were still sleeping. I tried to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake them up. I wouldn’t know what to tell them if they asked me where I was going.

I stood in front of my closet for a long time and finally decided on a sweater that I thought would make me look cool, then put on my jeans and sneakers and styled up my hair with some gel I found. I then caught myself in the mirror and thought I looked even nerdier than usual, so I washed my hair and re-styled it again. It took me a long time until I was satisfied, and when I stepped out of the room, it was already seven o’clock.

I took a cab to the Golden Dragon Mall and arrived there at about half past seven. I waited until I saw Xiaotao rushing there with hurried steps at eight o’clock sharp—she was punctual to the second!

I almost didn't recognize her at...