I woke up to find it was already past 8 p.m. My head was pounding, and my body felt weak. Qian Mi was gone. I was alone in the room, the door shut tight.

　　I noticed a glass of water on the table. I picked it up and drank. It was sweet; it was honey water. I felt a warmth inside. She was really thoughtful.

　　I walked out, carrying my handbag and the shopping bag that held the pair of pretty children's shoes—the pair I couldn't forget.

　　"You're awake!" The driver, Mr. Ma, was standing by the door and greeted me quickly as I emerged.

　　"Is she already gone?"

　　"The boss left over an hour ago. She asked me to tell you she had something to do and had to leave first. She said you'll meet again next time. If you woke up later, I was to book a room for you at a nearby hotel. If you woke up before ten and wanted to go back, I must drive you home."

　　I nodded. "I have to get up early for work tomorrow. Thank you very much."

　　Manager Tang from the front desk saw us off. I could still see her waving as the car drove away, a smile on her face, welcoming me to come again next time.

　　Mr. Ma is a handsome young man who knows I am a married woman and never crosses the line. He has driven me home many times before. Each time, he would play some music and drive in silence, occasionally sharing his own family troubles with me.

　　This time was no different. I told him the new address. He nodded to show he understood, then said nothing more. However, upon hearing the destination, a look of surprise unconsciously appeared on his face.

　　He drove very steadily. The soothing, pleasant music filled my ears, and I felt drowsy. It was like traveling through a dark tunnel, completely alone. Turning right, turning left, going straight ahead... Houses, lights, streets, and pedestrians flashed quickly before my eyes and vanished just as fast when I didn't pay attention. A thought arose on its own: before I step into the house, it doesn't exist there; it was just part of the scenery. Perhaps I am no longer Wei Zhou. Perhaps… I never was.

　　The car stopped in front of an old apartment building. Mr. Ma quickly got out to open the door for me. The surroundings were dim. The sound-activated light in the hallway flickered weakly, then went out quickly.

　　"Thank you, Mr. Ma. It's so late, and you've taken the trouble to bring me back. Please head back early and get some good rest. Drive safely, and have sweet dreams!" I smiled and thanked him.

　　Mr. Ma hesitated for a moment, then took a business card from his pocket. "Zhou… Sister Zhou, this is my number. If you need any help, just call me anytime. I'll be there for you, no matter what." He stammered slightly, and his face turned a little red.

　　I took the card, looked at it, and waved at him. "I understand. Thank you. You're such a warm-hearted kid."

　　He stared at me, his eyes full of tenderness and pity.

　　I smiled at him and walked towards the building. Just as I was about to enter the hallway, his determined voice came from behind: "I know everything about you. Everything. I'm not a kid anymore, and I will definitely protect you!"

　　This was a small apartment of less than 30 square meters, with one room serving as both living room and bedroom, and no kitchen. The bathroom was small, equipped with just a water heater and a shower head. The place wasn't renovated; the walls were somewhat dark and cracked, giving a heavy feeling. Fortunately, I like cleanliness and keep things orderly. Therefore, it didn't look shabby but rather had a sense of tranquility and comfort.

　　I like being alone because in these moments, there is only me. If you cannot be free in the ordinary, you can never be free. Names, family, jobs, friends, achievements, credit cards… these identities are fragile and short-lived. When they become unfamiliar and disappear, will we question who we really are? Can we dare to face the anxieties within?

　　In fact, people chase careers, achievements, and love, and keep themselves busy with all sorts of activities, all just to escape from the one person they don't want to face. Because a person always only has to deal with themselves!

　　I turned on the light and walked into the bedroom. There was a bed, neither large nor small. Opposite the bed was a desk with several tools, some practical dictionaries, and a laptop related to humanities and geography. This laptop was my most valuable asset, given to me voluntarily by my ex-husband, for which I am grateful.

　　Hanging above the desk is a scroll with the words: "The Way of heaven is to benefit others and not injure." From a purely calligraphic perspective, these seven characters are mediocre and not beautiful. But it is the only relic left to me by my grandfather, so I have always treasured it. My ex-husband didn't like these characters and thought it was shameful to hang them at home. So it wasn't until I moved here last month that these words saw the light of day again.

　　I sat on the bed for a while, then turned on the bedside lamp. Under the light stood an exquisite picture frame with a photo of me and my daughter. She was holding me tightly, her round little face rosy, her eyes seeming able to speak, shining with a smart, lively, and happy light.

　　I love her very much, and so does my ex-husband. When he proposed taking all the property, as our daughter preferred to live with him, I agreed without a second thought. After all, raising a child requires money, and it won't be a small amount.

　　I asked her what the talisman was. She said it was given to her by a Taoist priest from her village. She said the priest was an "immortal being," and whenever she sees him, tears always stream down her cheeks.

　　I stared at her, incredulous. She quickly told me the priest's story to convince me. She said he had been meditating in a cave since childhood, and during one meditation, he died. But he came back to save sentient beings because he thought all people on Earth were trapped in a "sea of suffering." He was so compassionate that just hearing his voice would melt one's heart.

　　I was quite surprised because I thought that if someone believes the world is a "sea of suffering," the suffering must originate in his own heart. He would need to save himself before he could save others.

　　My mother-in-law was somewhat excited and seemed to radiate a holy light. I nodded understandingly and agreed to her request.

　　Why does my mother-in-law cry when she sees that person? She cries because she cries, and that is the reason. There has never been any problem in my mind.