Chapter 5: Beijing(4)

No dinner had ever made Jiang Wanju feel so restless.

She had never heard Bai Qing talk about his family background before, only learning from colleagues and friends that he came from an extraordinary lineage.

These days, relationships were rarely pure. At the very least, Jiang Wanju scrutinized every suitor, weighing the pros and cons. Some might criticize her for being too pragmatic—so what? Jiang Wanju never believed in loving someone with all her heart. In her eyes, all that talk about “true love above all” and sacrificing a career for a man was the height of foolishness.

She only pursued relationships that benefited her—whether it was emotional fulfillment or other advantages.

However, her relationship with Bai Qing was more of a pastime than anything else.

Ironically, their first encounter had played out like a scene from a romance drama—except the male lead and female lead were Bai Qing and his ex-girlfriend.

Bai Qing’s ex had been arguing with him, accusing him of being unromantic and incapable of surprises. Right in the middle of their fight, Jiang Wanju happened to pass by. She had no impression of Bai Qing, but he suddenly called out to her, his gaze locking onto the employee badge hanging around her neck—staring at it as if a prisoner had just seen the key to his cell.

Bai Qing glanced at his watch and said to Jiang Wanju, “Is it time for the meeting?”

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Kkydt Eydfw ypplpple vbl pkvwyvksd yde alrzkle, “Zlp, Pkalnvsa Tyddyb byp clld oykvkdt qsa usw qsa y obkzl.”

Tyddyb oyp Kkydt Eydfw’p pwrlaksa—”pvaknv okvb svblap, zldkldv okvb blaplzq.”

Jyk Ckdt pyke, “R’zz cl aktbv vblal.”

Tlyakdt vblka nsdhlapyvksd, Jyk Ckdt’p lm-tkazqaklde qkdyzzu pvsrrle rlpvlakdt bkx yde zlv bkx zlyhl.

Kkydt Eydfw, bszekdt y pvynj sq esnwxldvp, qszzsole Jyk Ckdt qsa y zsdt vkxl clqsal bl qkdyzzu pyke, “Mbydj usw.”

Fbl kxxlekyvlzu oyhle kv sqq. “Ls dlle.”

Fbl eked’v vbkdj xwnb sq vbl kdnkeldv wdvkz zyvla, ewakdt zwdnb, obld pbl shlablyae rlsrzl vyzjkdt ycswv Jyk Ckdt. Grryaldvzu, bl bye qkdyzzu casjld wr okvb bkp lm qsa tsse. Mblka alzyvksdpbkr bye clld xsal vwacwzldv vbyd vbl fswadlu vs vbl Elpv, sdnl plvvkdt vbl alnsae sq calyjkdt wr vball vkxlp kd y pkdtzl xsdvb—lynb vkxl vlxrsayakzu alnsdnkzkdt obld bkp lm pbsole wr yv bkp sqqknl.

Jwv vbkp vkxl oyp ekqqlaldv. Rv oyp alyzzu shla. Tkp lm bye clld nyzzkdt vbl nsxrydu’p qasdv elpj qsa shla y xsdvb, xyjkdt y pnldl, ulv Jyk Ckdt alxykdle qkax.

The whole thing had caused quite a stir. Jiang Wanju sipped her hazelnut latte, biting into her egg and tuna sandwich, treating it as nothing more than a bit of workplace gossip.

A week later, after work, she ran into Bai Qing in the company lobby.

Since he lived close to her university, it was only natural for her to accept his offer of a ride.

Another week passed, and Jiang Wanju agreed to his proposal to date.

Still, office romances were tricky, requiring discretion. So they kept it under wraps—a secret relationship.

By the second week of dating, Jiang Wanju met Bai Qing’s family.

Oh, and there was also Chen Zhouren, who had been lying quietly in her WeChat contacts for ages.

Bai Qing’s cousins and siblings treated Jiang Wanju with a subtle politeness—not exactly cold, but not warm either. She didn’t eat much, smiling as she raised her glass at Bai Qing’s request, toasting his family with a gentle clink.

As the alcohol flowed, the atmosphere became livelier. Bai Qing, however, barely drank, which led to his younger cousin deliberately putting him on the spot—daring him to either take a drink or kiss Jiang Wanju.

Bai Qing turned slightly and pressed a light kiss to her cheek.

His cousin jeered, dissatisfied, demanding a redo.

It was Chen Zhouren who finally stepped in, smiling as he put an end to the teasing.

Jiang Wanju was wiping her cheek with a napkin when she heard Chen Zhouren’s voice. She looked up at him across the table, past the curling steam of the dishes. He was smiling as he asked Bai Qing, “Work going well lately?”

Jiang Wanju lowered her gaze, not paying attention to Bai Qing’s response. She pressed the napkin against the spot on her cheek where Bai Qing had kissed her.

She hadn’t felt anything in the moment, but now, inexplicably, she felt uncomfortable.

She had also drunk a little too much.

Jiang Wanju rarely drank, but tonight was an exception. Bai Qing had booked a hotel nearby, and she knew what that meant. She didn’t resist the idea—after all, it was the natural course of things. Dating, holding hands, kissing, hugging, sleeping together—it was normal. Desire was human nature, and Jiang Wanju didn’t shy away from it.

Besides, it was Christmas. She had already planned on not going back to her dorm.

Maybe the alcohol would help dull her thoughts, keep her from overthinking.

When dinner ended, everyone discreetly took their leave. The playful younger cousin even slipped something into Bai Qing’s hand before leaving. Bai Qing, usually so composed, actually smiled, lightly punching his cousin on the shoulder in response.

Once everyone was gone, Bai Qing turned to her. “Camille, do you want to go for a walk, or rest now?”

Jiang Wanju thought for a moment. “Rest.”

Bai Qing clearly liked that answer. He picked up Jiang Wanju’s coat. She had only worn a jacket without a scarf, so he naturally draped it over his arm while his other hand rested on her shoulder.

They walked out of the courtyard house into a long, deep alley lined with old residential homes. Not far ahead, Chen Zhouren was chatting with the younger cousin under the dim yellow lights. His tall figure cast a long shadow on the ground, overlapping with Bai Qing and Jiang Wanju’s silhouettes.

The alley was too narrow for cars, so they had to walk out before driving.

That was when the unexpected happened.

Bai Qing’s ex-girlfriend was waiting by his car. This woman, who had dated him for a year and broken up with him fifteen times, stood there with red-rimmed eyes and asked, “Are you sure you really want to cut ties with me for good?”

She looked as fragile as ice floating on an early spring river, as if the slightest breeze could shatter her.

Jiang Wanju said nothing. The moment she sensed Bai Qing’s body tensing up, she quietly loosened her hold on his arm and took a step back, politely saying, “You two talk. I’ll wait over there.”

Bai Qing didn’t stop her.

Jiang Wanju disliked noisy confrontations and awkward situations. She valued dignity—both her own and that of others.

Giving them space to talk, she walked over to a regular residential house nearby. A streetlight there was broken, leaving her in the dark as she absentmindedly scrolled through her phone.

It was already 11 p.m.

The high heels she had worn today were beginning to chafe at her ankles. Expensive didn’t necessarily mean comfortable—shoes were all about fit.

She regretted not asking for her scarf back earlier. Now, with the cold wind slipping through the gaps in her collar, her neck felt bare and chilled. A warm drink would be nice, but there wasn’t a single shop in sight.

Just then, a hand extended a cigarette toward her.

Jiang Wanju looked up and saw Chen Zhouren’s familiar face.

He asked, “Smoke?”

Jiang Wanju pulled her coat tighter around herself and replied, “I don’t.”

Chen Zhouren chuckled, slipping the cigarette back into its pack. Then he said, “Bai Qing probably won’t be able to continue your date tonight. I’ll take you back to your school.”

Jiang Wanju was silent for two seconds before asking, “Can I have that cigarette now?”

Chen Zhouren raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you say you don’t smoke?”

“I can learn.”

Chen Zhouren brought the cigarette to Jiang Wanju’s lips. She leaned in slightly, biting down on the filter, her lips unintentionally brushing against his fingers. He remained silent, his gaze lowering to her thick, beautiful hair. The cold wind carried a faint scent of dried plum from her strands, drifting gently into his lungs.

As she held the cigarette between her lips, Chen Zhouren flicked the lighter a few times. She didn’t know how to inhale properly. When the flame finally caught, Jiang Wanju took a deep drag—too deep. She choked instantly, coughing so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Holding the cigarette awkwardly, she had no idea what to do next.

Chen Zhouren took the half-smoked cigarette from her hand with ease, placing his lips where hers had been, and took a slow, practiced drag.

What she disliked, he enjoyed effortlessly—unhurried, at ease.

Looking down at her tear-streaked face, he chuckled, the faint dimple on his cheek appearing.

“Don’t force it,” he said. “If it doesn’t suit you, there’s no need to push yourself.”