[Matriarcado] Amante do Futuro

On a stifling, oppressive day that only began to cool in the late evening, Gu Xinyao returned home in clothes already soaked through by sweat more times than she could count. It was one o’clock in the morning. As she opened the door, darkness greeted her; the emptiness of the lifeless apartment pressed upon her exhausted body, and a wave of inexplicable despair surged in her heart. Her parents had left her ten years ago; for a decade, she had never stopped searching for a glimmer of happiness, yet it was that simplest happiness which proved to be the hardest to attain. Once she understood this, she no longer focused all her attention on the pursuit of happiness, but let things take their course, pouring herself instead into her work.

She had worked for five years now, diligent and conscientious, and finally, her efforts bore fruit. A year ago, she was promoted to chief engineer of her company’s power department, with a clear increase in her salary. These days, she had everything except a happy family—she could be said to lack nothing else—yet still, happiness eluded her.

Entering the apartment, she switched on the wall lamp and closed the door behind her, shutting out both the stifling heat and the chill. Once again, she told herself to persevere—happiness was not far ahead. It was as if she had wandered through the desert; she collapsed bonelessly onto the sofa and, on a whim, switched on the answering machine.

Beep—

“Xiao Gu, it’s been years. I’m back. Let’s catch up sometime.” The high-pitched male voice made her ponder for a long while, but sh