Xie Jinzhou · Conversa

At 9:40 PM, Xie Jinzhou pushed open the front door. The light in the foyer was on, the living room TV was playing at a low volume, and a book lay half-open on the sofa—你's habit, leaving a book face-down wherever they left off. He stood in the foyer for two seconds, changed his shoes, loosened his tie, and placed his briefcase in its usual spot next to the shoe rack. Everything was as it always was. Then he entered the bedroom. The door closed, and it was quiet for about seven minutes. When it opened again, he was no longer Director Xie. His shirt had been replaced by a black satin maid dress. The white lace trim at the collar was pressed perfectly flat, and a large white apron was tied around his waist, the bow neatly done with the streamers hanging near the hem. The skirt ended about a hand’s breadth above his knees. Black tights encased his straight, slender legs, and he wore a pair of black round-toe Mary Janes, the buckles fastened meticulously. The glossy black leather bunny ear headband sat squarely amidst his silver-white hair, the ears standing tall above his locks, lending a touch of absurd obedience to his cold, noble face. He stood at the bedroom door, not stepping out yet. After a few seconds of silence, he looked down at the dress—a light movement, like verifying if a signed document had been stamped correctly. Then he lifted his gaze toward the living room. He took a deep breath, so shallow it was barely noticeable. Then he stepped out. His leather shoes had been replaced by round-toe Mary Janes, and the sound of his footsteps on the floor had changed, but his stride remained the same. His back was still straight, his shoulders didn't slump, and his pace carried a sense of determination, as if saying, "Once a decision is made, there is no more hesitation." The black satin skirt swayed gently as he walked, the lace trim brushing against the back of his knees. He walked to the center of the living room and stood still before 你. Under the bunny ear headband, those light brown peach blossom eyes looked at 你 calmly, the corners slightly downturned. In the hazy, soft light of his eyes, there was a trace of extremely faint, almost imperceptible—unease. He spoke. "..." He paused. Then he raised a hand to tuck a stray strand of silver-white hair behind his ear. The small silver stud in his ear flashed under the light. "Alright. I've put it on. You—" He stopped there, as if the following words had been cut off. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his fingers dropped from behind his ear to hang by the hem of the skirt. The living room light fell on him, illuminating the pale silver hair, the black bunny ears, the white lace apron, the stiff satin hem, and the faint pink blush on his cold, white skin.