“What’s wrong with standing? Isn’t it just a little harder? When did you become so fussy?”
Emily’s tone brimmed with disappointment.
“I thought you were kind and considerate, but I didn’t expect you to be so shallow! You’re embarrassed just because you’re not in business class? You’re going to ruin everyone’s mood?”
I listened to her words, the irony cutting deep.
Shallow?
Shallow about a business-class ticket on the high-speed rail.
She’d never know that I didn’t truly need that ticket. I just wanted to go home with her, to share that trip together. With one call, my mother could buy not just one seat, but the entire train.
But I didn’t want to explain.
I only wanted to see what little drama she and her delicate “green tea boy” could pull.
I stayed silent for a few seconds, but to Emily, that silence seemed like guilt and surrender.
Her tone softened, though still condescending.
“Okay, stop it. I know you’ve been wronged. I’ll go to the movies with you later to make it up to you, okay?”
“Hurry up and see if you can still get a standing ticket. Jason and I will be waiting for you at the exit.”
I could almost picture her face, convinced she had generously calmed me down.
“No thanks,” I said evenly.
“What do you mean by no thanks?” Emily was taken aback.
“I mean, you keep the tickets. I’ll handle the return trip myself. You don’t need to worry about it.”
My tone stayed calm, without emotion. “Liam! Do you really have to act like this?” Emily’s voice sharpened again.
“Can you stop being so childish? How are you going to fix this on your own? You couldn’t even grab it, so what, you’re going to fly back?”
Fly? I sneered silently.
Yes, I really did fly back.
I took a deep breath to steady myself.
“What I mean is, I understand. I’ll figure it out myself. Just take good care of Jason.”
Hearing what sounded like my concession, Emily’s tone softened fully, carrying a trace of satisfaction.
“That’s better. Be good, stop making trouble.”
“Now, hurry up and buy a ticket. Standing isn’t a big deal. Don’t be such a baby.”
“I’ll get Jason something to eat first. He’s been sulking all day and still hasn’t cheered up.”
“Okay.”
I didn’t want to say more.
“Alright, hanging up. We’ll talk later.” She rushed to end the call.
I slowly began packing the things I would take home for National Day. I had just closed a suitcase when my phone buzzed again.
It was Emily.
I raised an eyebrow and answered without a word.