A Touching Love Story
It was a weekend, and I was about to lie down for a nap when my phone rang. Groggily, I answered it and immediately sensed Ding Lili’s anxiety and tension: “Pan Wei, you, you need to come over quickly. My house was robbed last night.”
Ding Lili was my colleague; we had been working face-to-face for more than six months. We were both drifters in the city, and I had been racking my brains trying to find an opportunity to get closer to her. This seemed like the perfect chance.
“Were you not home last night?” I asked as I hurriedly got dressed.
“Unbelievable! I went to my friend Chen Li’s company to hang out last night, and Chen Li insisted I stay over. Who knew that when I came home this morning, I found my place in a mess. Even two pairs of brand-new socks were stolen.” Ding Lili’s speech became so rapid that I could barely understand her.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be right there.” While comforting her, I rushed downstairs, hailed a taxi, and arrived at Ding Lili’s rental in ten minutes.
The place was indeed in disarray. Ding Lili paced nervously around the room, tears welling in her eyes but she was making an effort not to let them fall.
“Did you lose anything valuable?” I asked as soon as I entered.
Ding Lili shook her head lightly. “Just over 80 yuan and some small items.”
“Did you call the police?” I inquired.
“Would the police care about such a small matter? If I were to call the police, would I need to call you?” Ding Lili seemed a bit annoyed.
“If nothing valuable was stolen, just think of it as avoiding a bigger misfortune. How about I treat you to lunch to calm your nerves?” I suggested, looking into her eyes.
“You men only care about money and possessions. But what good is money if my first love is gone? Can you find it for me?” As soon as Ding Lili finished speaking, tears streamed down her face.
“Wait, your first love is gone? How could a thief steal your first love?” I was puzzled by what she meant.
“It’s the letters my first love wrote to me. I kept them in a delicate wallet, and the thief took them.” I finally understood. She had lost her first love’s letters. I felt a bit smug inside but didn’t dare show it. Women are emotional beings; if you rub salt into their wounds, they might hold a grudge forever. So, I tried to appear very concerned: “Lili, were those letters really that important to you?”
Ding Lili nodded and shook her head. “You know, even though he left me for Australia quietly, I still can’t forget him. Love and hate are inseparable. I love him, but I hate him even more.”
“Then what’s the point of keeping those letters?” I still didn’t get it.
“I don’t know, but I know those letters contained love. I just can’t forget that love.” Deep in her emotions, Ding Lili was in tears.
“Don’t be too sad. Even though those letters are gone forever, there are still many things worth cherishing. For instance, I can write letters for you, ones you’ll love to read.” I began to comfort her gently.
“Can your letters compare to his?” Ding Lili bluntly rebuffed me. She was almost mad, clearly inviting me over only to insult me. Could I swallow this humiliation? “Ding Lili, what’s so great about your first love? What did he do for you to deserve such devotion? I don’t believe I can’t move you.” I left her standing alone in the room, storming out in anger.
However, before I reached downstairs, I quietly returned. A real man doesn’t easily give up.
After the theft incident, I pursued Ding Lili fervently, writing her a love letter every week, each several thousand words long, surpassing even Marx’s letters to Jenny. Ding Lili soon became captivated by my love and agreed to marry me during the National Day holiday.
Just as we sent out the wedding invitations, Ding Lili claimed her place had been burgled again. “What did the thief take this time?” I dared not look into her eyes.
“The love letters you wrote to me. I was planning to publish them, but that wretched thief took them all.” Ding Lili spoke earnestly.
“Enough with your tricks. I’m not falling for it again.” I pulled Ding Lili into my arms and said fiercely.
“If you don’t find those letters, I won’t marry you,” she resisted playfully.
“You dare? I’ll be your most precious treasure for the rest of your life. You’ll only have me to cherish.” Laughing, we fell onto the sofa together.
“Are you two too open? Have you already…?” Chen Li suddenly appeared. Ding Lili quickly pushed me away and tidied her hair.
“Have you been robbed again?” Chen Li asked with a mock-serious face. Ding Lili just smiled.
“Chen Li, thanks for being such a great matchmaker.” I bowed deeply to Chen Li, leaving Ding Lili dumbfounded.
It turned out that Chen Li and my sister were college classmates. Ding Lili had a crush on me but was too shy to confess, so she conspired with Chen Li. Chen Li came up with the robbery idea. Two months after the incident, Chen Li couldn’t keep the secret any longer and told me everything. I then realized I had been tricked by the two girls. However, I never told Chen Li that their plan actually worked better than they intended—I was thrilled to play along.
In front of Chen Li, I deliberately asked Ding Lili, “Tell me, what did the thief steal that time?”
Ding Lili smiled slyly: “Don’t you really know? The thief stole my timidity in waiting for you.”
I suddenly understood that love could also involve a little trickery…
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
