Vermilion Bird’s car drove smoothly at a moderate speed along the road at night. The radio was playing a song. Vermilion Bird’s fair, pretty index finger tapped a quick beat on the driving wheel.0

When she tapped the 298th time, she grabbed her phone with a hand and picked two everyday photos from her photo album to make a post on her social media.0

Half an hour later, Vermilion Bird arrived at Room 5001 of the White Lake Hotel.0

The door wasn’t locked. Vermilion Bird opened it and entered to see Qilin sitting on the sofa, watching a late-night show for New Year’s Day.0

“What a coincidence. I was watching it too,” Vermilion Bird said.0

“It’s not as good as it was in the past. When I was little, I always watched the show with my parents.” Qilin picked up the remote control and turned...0