Jian Yao leans on the wall that faces his bed room door. She knocks gently on the wall.

It’s been three months. 

He appears a lot the identical.  He’s sitting on his mattress, working.  When he hears the knock, he appears up and sees Jian Yao.  He places down the stack of paperwork in his arms and walks towards her.  

Jian Yao remains to be carrying her apron and lengthy rubber gloves.  Her lengthy hair casually tied again. There’s even a little bit of stain on her cheeks.  

Bo Jinyan walks up near her.   She will odor the laundry scent from his clear, white shirt.

His eyes sparkles. With a shallow and boastful smile, he speaks with the deep voice she has not heard in months: “Liar.”

Jian Yao feels as if her coronary heart has missed a beat.  Her cheeks begin to burn.  However she calms herself down shortly.  

– Keep in mind, he held your arms simply to allow you to lie down on the killing machine.  There have to be a ‘non-romantic’ motive for all his suggestive gestures.   

So she asks: “What do you imply?”

Bo Jinyan solutions proudly: “Clearly, you already deal with this condo like your own home.”

He comes again to see her cleansing the home, even having her lunch right here.  So he assumes she has lastly ‘come to her senses’ and decides to maneuver in with him. 

Simply as she is about to elucidate the entire state of affairs, he factors to the desk: “Current.  It’s on the desk.” 

Current?

Jian Yao walks over to the desk.  Subsequent the stack of paperwork, there’s a small rectangular field.  It’s blue in color with a white ribbon round it.

She takes her gloves off and opens the field. 

–

Jian Yao holds the field and stroll out to the lounge. Bo Jinyan is sitting on the couch consuming the flower tea.   

She is quiet.  So he speaks first: “ So, do you prefer it?” 

Jian Yao solutions honestly: “Sure, it’s very good.” She appears within the field: A platinum necklace with a heart-shaped pendant, trimmed with diamonds.  It’s glowing brightly underneath the lights.

“However ……” she didn’t get to complete her sentence, as a result of Bo Jinyan instantly takes out his cell phone.

“Susan, she likes the reward.  Goodbye.” He tells the particular person on the opposite facet, then places the cellphone apart.

Jian Yao asks: “Who did you name?”

Bo Jinyan stands up from the couch: “FBI Behavioural Evaluation Unit Assistant.  She selected the current.  She insists that I name her after you obtain the current. She desires to know what your reactions can be.”

– In order that’s how the current took place.  He requested his assistant to purchase a gift on his behalf.   That particular person will need to have misunderstood her relationship with him.  Subsequently the current is an costly heart-shaped diamond necklace.

Jian Yao offers the necklace again to him: “Thanks, however it’s too costly, and it’s not vital.”

Bo Jinyan lifts his eye to take a look at her: “Simply because the current is from me, you need me to be accountable for reward change too?” 

Jian Yao: “……” That’s not what I imply! 

Bo Jinyan stands up: “. If there’s a drawback with the current, contact Susan immediately.  Right here’s her quantity.  However do it later.  We’re assembly Fu Ziyu for dinner now.”

——

Fu Ziyu is ready within the restaurant. He sees the 2 of them stroll via the doorway.  He offers a them little wave.   

They stroll over, Fu Ziyu places out the cigarette that’s in his hand.  He offers Bo Jinyan a hug.  

“Welcome again.” Fu Ziyu says softly.

After the hug, Fu Ziyu goes again to his seat. 

Bo Jinyan stays standing.  He appears pensive.  All of the sudden, he takes an enormous step, his tall physique approaching Jian Yao. Earlier than she will react, he bows his head, stretches out his arms to wrap her tightly in his arms.

“Thump, thump ……” Jian Yao can hear her personal racing heartbeat. 

In comparison with him, she is petite.  She sees an enormous patch of white color in entrance of her.  It’s his shirt.  A facet of her face rests on his chest.  

“What..?” Jian Yao requested softly.

He loosens his grip and says frivolously: “I forgot to hug you earlier.”

Jian Yao: “…… Thanks.”

Jian Yao appears up and sees a humorous expression on Fu Ziyu’s face. 

She offers him a shrug. – Relax. It’s Bo Jinyan.  Don’t learn into it.  

–

Fu Ziyu is accountable for ordering the meals. He orders a mixture of meat and fish dishes.   Bo Jinyan doesn’t appear to thoughts.  Jian Yao takes observe.  Oh, so it’s alright to have dishes with pink meat when she is eating with him sooner or later.  Despite the fact that he received’t contact it, he doesn’t thoughts seeing them there.

She actually desires to know what occurred when Bo Jinyan was in US, However Jian Yao isn’t certain if she ought to ask.  However she doesn’t must, as a result of Fu Ziyu brings up the subject: ”Have you ever discovered the man?”

Bo Jinyan shakes his head.

Jian Yao is sipping the soup, quietly listening.

Fu Ziyu asks: “Will you be going to US to help with the investigation, or keep in China to try to discover him??”

He solutions: “Sadly, I cannot take part within the investigation of this case.”

Fu Ziyu thinks for a second and says: “Due to your id?” 

“Yeah…” ..

Jian Yao appears at Fu Ziyu. Puzzled.  Fu Ziyu explains the state of affairs to her. 

Bo Jinyan assisted the FBI previously due to his affiliations with Maryland College.  Now that he’s now not a professor there, and the truth that he accepted the publish of the guide for the Ministry of Public Safety in China, the FBI feels it’s inappropriate to incorporate him of their investigations  as a result of it’s a matter of nationwide safety. 

Jian Yao appears at Bo Jinyan and frowns: “However this man is coming after you. How can they minimize you out of the investigation loop?”

Bo Jinyan appears at her: “Oh, they won’t ‘minimize me out of the loop’. The Chinese language officers negotiated with the FBI on my behalf.  After a month of dialogue, the 2 nations have reached an settlement.  I’ll help in sure facets of the operation… because the sufferer.”

Fu Ziyu asks:  “Then, how are they going to method this case?”

“The FBI will ship a workforce over right here.  Their investigation will, after all, be carried out underneath the supervision of the authorities. If vital, the Chinese language police will help.  The Municipal Public Safety Bureau can be accountable for sufferer safety, i.e., defending me. “

Fu Ziyu asks one other query: “Will your cellphone, e-mail, in addition to resident be monitored?” ,

Bo Jinyan solutions arrogantly: “Do you suppose I’ll conform to that?”

Jian Yao takes a have a look at him.  It have to be very irritating.  To be excluded in an operation when the felony is clearly upsetting him.   

–

By the point they return to the condo, it’s previous 8pm. 

It’s a shiny star-studded night time. The cool breeze appears to blow away the stress and worries and relaxes those that are strolling on the road.   

Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan are standing exterior his condo. Jian Yao asks: “Do you wish to see Chen Mo?”

Bo Jinyan nods, and add a dry joke: “I hope he’s nonetheless alive.” 

Jian Yao: “…… he’s doing tremendous.”

As soon as they enter the home, they see Chen Mo clawing towards the doorway.  Bo Jinyan walks over and places him on his palm: “He’s placed on weight.”  ,

– Such a tiny distinction. 2 grams. Can he truly really feel it?  

Bo Jinyan then turns round and appears at her: “Let’s go.”

Jian Yao wonders: “The place?”

Bo Jinyan raises an eyebrow: “Downstairs, to sleep. “Do you not intend to maneuver in with me?  Chen Mo can keep right here.  He appears to have tailored to this new setting very effectively.  It’s the primary time he’s gained weight in 10 years.”  

– Ah. Liar…  She remembers his phrases from this morning.

Jian Yao reaches her arms out in direction of him. 

His wrist is grabbed.  The itchy feeling… is right here once more.

Jian Yao begins strolling, pulling him alongside.  When she reaches the primary door, she turns the knob and opens the door.  Then she walks behind him and push him exterior, identical to how he handled her three months in the past.  

Bo Jinyan quietly turns to take a look at her.

“Goodbye Bo Jinyan.  No, I’m not transferring in with you.”

She smiles, and closes the door in entrance of his face. 

She turns and walks to the couch.  However after a couple of steps, she turns again and appears via the peephole.  Bo Jinyan remains to be standing exterior.  He appears to be pondering.  After some time, with none expression on his face, he heads to the elevator.  Quickly the door opens and he walks in.  

Jian Yao walks to the mattress.  She lies down, takes out the necklace kind the field.  She watches it sparkles within the mild.  

–

Three days after Bo Jinyan has returned from US, Jian Yao receives a switch discover from her supervisor.  She is being transferred to the Buyer 3 division. 

Buyer 3 is among the largest division throughout the Gross sales Division. They generate much more income than the small division she is at present working in.  Jian Yao’s new function is the enterprise assistant, which is accountable for odd jobs, administration and logistic, secretarial issues.  Really, even a university graduate can be certified for the place.  Jian Yao doesn’t perceive why she is transferred right here.   

Jian Yao asks her supervisor what’s the motive for the switch.  The supervisor smiles apologetically: ”  The earlier assistant of Buyer 3 division died from a sudden sickness final month, and they aren’t capable of finding a alternative but.   Inside all the brand new interns, your efficiency is probably the most excellent. Subsequently, head workplace has determined to switch you to their workforce.  They’re an necessary division throughout the division.  Should you do effectively there, it can assist your profession progress.”

–

The automotive components division goes for lunch collectively. It’s the farewell meal for Jian Yao.

The supervisor isn’t there, so everyone seems to be extra relaxed. As a result of Jian Yao goes to Buyer 3 division, the subject of dialog naturally falls on the gossips and tales from that division.

A younger lady begins: “Apparently, they’re getting a brand new director.  I went go the Board workplace yesterday to gather some paperwork, and I noticed the chairman of the board personally sending him off.”

Everybody has heard rumours, however nobody is aware of who this new director is.  They start to ask questions.  Jian Yao is quietly listening.  In any case, the data is perhaps helpful for her new publish.   

The lady shakes her head: “How would I do know… however -!” She laughs:. “the director appears very good-looking. Tall and good-looking.”

Everyone laughs.  Somebody says: “Possibly that’s the fiancé of the Chairman, not the director” 

Jian Yao has solely seen the picture of the Chairman in promotional supplies.  Yin Ziqi, daughter of the previous chairman.  She is 29 years previous.  Has a fiancé.  A wealthy younger man who’s the inheritor to a big multi nationwide company. 

The lady thinks for a second: “Mmm… Don’t suppose so.  Chairman’s fiancé is meant to be a easy speaking charmer.  This new director appears form of …useless.”

Somebody provides shortly: “Don’t scare Jian Yao.  That’s her future boss!”

——

After lunch, Jian Yao packs up and stories to her new division.

As she steps into the workplace, she will see the distinction between a core and marginal division.  It’s a a lot greater workplace.  Even the employees’s workplace desks are a lot greater than these in her division. In her earlier workplace, solely the supervisor has a desk this measurement.    

Most desks are empty, There’s two individuals in the entire workplace.

Jian Yao walks over: “Hiya, I’m Assistant Jian Yao, beginning work in Buyer 3 division at this time.”

One man and a woman turns round to take a look at her.

Her feminine colleague is in her late 20s, with wavy hair and large eyes.  She attire fairly casually, in a bohemian model costume.  There’s a black jacket hanging on again of her chair. 

She nods to Jian Yao and introduces herself: “Hello.  I’m Dan Shen Wei, Gross sales Supervisor.”  Then she turns to the younger man subsequent to her: “Pei Ze, handle her.” Then she goes again to work.

Pei Ze appears a few years youthful than Dan Shen Wei.  He’s carrying a straight black go well with.  He has a child face with an enthralling smile. He stands as much as greet Jian Yao: “Hello, I’m Pei Ze.  I’m additionally one of many Gross sales Supervisor.  Don’t thoughts Dan Shen Wei…  Takes time for her to heat as much as new individuals…”

Shen Dan Wei offers him a pleasant swears with out trying up: “Fxxx you, Pei Ze.” 

– They appear nice sufficient to work with.  Jian Yao has an excellent first impression of her new colleagues.

Pei Ze continues: “The others have gone for a gathering, to satisfy our new director.  The 2 of us are engaged on an pressing proposal so we stayed behind.  You’ll meet the remainder of the workforce quickly.”

Jian Yao nods.

(one thing further)  – story behind the reward

Bo Jinyan is on the cellphone with Fu Ziyu.  “She cleans your condo each weekend.  She is so good.  I wish to transfer in along with her too.”

After he places down the cellphone, he remembers the fishing rod he gave her as a thanks current for the fish.  He remembers Fu Ziyu phrases.  Present appreciation.

Does it imply he ought to get her a present this time too?

Despite the fact that he’s been excluded from the investigation, he nonetheless has some authority throughout the organisation.  

He calls the division assistant: “Assist me to purchase a present.”

Susan: “Properly, who’s it for?”

“A woman.”

– That is attention-grabbing. Professor Bo has by no means purchased any lady a present.

Rigorously, she asks: “Is it for a younger lady?”

“Sure.”

–  Oh my god! A girlfriend? Susan takes the chance to ask additional: “What stage of the connection are the 2 of you in?”

Bo Jinyan raises his head. He thinks about it and replies: “She is my assistant.  We can be residing collectively very quickly.”

Susan is surprised.  That is unbelievable information.  It’s a well-known incontrovertible fact that Bo Jinyan is an ‘iceberg’.  He’s by no means had a woman buddy. There’s a hearsay that he’s nonetheless a virgin on the age of 26.  Properly, he’s lastly…

Susan says timidly: “However… such an necessary reward… it’s best to select it your self.”

Bo Jinyan growls at her: “What makes you suppose I’ve time to waste on one thing so trivial?  Simply purchase one thing. Something. “

Susan: “…”