A Guide to Wasting Life

In September, during a spontaneous getaway, Xu Nianzhu met someone. He wandered into her camera’s frame unexpectedly in front of a temple with gray tiles and yellow walls. Later that day, they crossed paths a second time in a cozy bar on the other side of the district. That night, under the influence of alcohol, Xu Nianzhu rested her chin on one hand, propped her elbow on the table, and looked at the boy sitting across from her-his face flushed despite not having touched a drop of alcohol. Teasing him, she smiled and asked, “Why are you blushing?” Her unguarded movement so effortlessly unlocked the door to his heart. On the ride home, seeing her flustered after teasing him only to trip h...