By the point he was getting back from Harbin, temperatures in Beijing had dropped but once more.

She had truly left the home one hour early however ended up being two hours late. It boiled right down to just one motive for this case: Buddy Jia He, as soon as extra, had had a bit incident of scraping the automotive whereas she was driving. When she arrived on the parking storage, Yi Wenze was, unexpectedly, within the midst of an interview. A-Qing, seeing the automotive driving over, helped her to again the automotive right into a parking spot after which took her by the arm, instructing, “Look ahead to a bit. There are folks from the media within the automobile.”

Figuring out that she was within the mistaken, Jia He nodded. “Why is he doing an interview within the parking storage?”

“We had initially organized to do it in an hour, close to the China World Commerce Middle”—A-Qing hintingly waggled her brows—“however since we have to head over to the tv station very quickly to do an interview on a TV discuss present, we didn’t have sufficient time. The reporter due to this fact drove right here to the airport as an alternative.”

Jia He felt much more that the mistaken she had dedicated was atrocious. Taking a look at her watch, she requested, “So is there sufficient time now?”

A-Qing additionally glanced at her personal watch. “We have to go now. I’ll go hurry them.” Saying this, she straightaway went into the automobile. Earlier than lengthy, two folks got here out. Simply as Jia He was about to go over and climb in, somebody hesitantly referred to as her identify. Turning round, she noticed that it was the journalist who had simply gotten off the automobile, and what was extra, this particular person surprisingly was an outdated highschool schoolmate of hers.

That lady, whereas placing away her voice recorder, strode over to say whats up. “You’re right here choosing somebody up?”

Jia He wished to shake her head, however then the thought got here to her that that if she hadn’t come to choose somebody up, why would she even be right here? Due to this fact, she nodded. “Sure. What about you?”

Taking a pair extra quickened steps over, that lady took ahold of Jia He’s arm. “I got here to interview Yi Wenze.” After Jia He gave an “oh” in reply, the girl pointed at an individual behind herself and launched, “That is my colleague. Hey, yeah, so the place are you working these days?”

“I’m a screenwriter.” Jia He shot a look on the entrance of her automotive the place she had scraped it, then additionally peeked at that different automobile. A-Qing had simply gotten out, however catching sight of the scenario right here, she turned again round and stated one thing into the automobile.

“A screenwriter?” The particular person earlier than Jia He smiled. “The very best could be in case your movies make it massive after which someday I can interview you.”

Jia He brushed over this with a cursory response. “Certain. If you write about me, keep in mind to make me sound like I’m Wenquxing[1]descended into the world.”

The particular person in entrance of her grinned and gave her a pat on the shoulder. “Overlook that. That’s not ‘in’ these days. The very best could be if I write that you simply had been a bit gangster woman once you had been a teen, day-after-day hanging out and making your approach on the streets, however then after a jaunt overseas someplace, you had a heaven-sent encounter once you got here again and a well-known director gave you some recommendation.”

Jia He checked out her with an embarrassed expression. Remembering that Yi Wenze had a program that he wanted to move to, she hurriedly put an arm round that lady’s shoulder and interrupted, “I can’t discuss anymore. After I get the possibility, I’ll come discover you and we will go have a meal. I’m in a rush to go decide somebody up now.” With these phrases, she locked the automotive, turned, and strode within the route of the elevators.

Solely when she noticed that that they had pushed away did she exhale in reduction after which double again.

A-Qing was standing in the back of the automotive, signaling madly at her with facial expressions, however although A-Qing’s face was already contorted right into a lump, Jia He nonetheless didn’t discover—till she got here round from the automotive’s again finish and noticed Yi Wenze, bent on the waist, analyzing the automotive…

Uh-oh. She made a hand sign at A-Qing to step away for a second. Then slinking over, she slid her arms round his waist from behind him and fawningly nuzzled her face towards his again. “Welcome residence, my love.” Ugh, so tacky. However there was no higher time than now to make use of a magnificence entice[2].

Earlier than she even obtained to see his face, he had taken the automotive key away from her and towed her into the automotive.

When the important thing was stabbed into the ignition, he lastly turned a glance on her. “What number of years has it been because you discovered to drive?”

“I discovered again after I was in college.” She counted. “Numerous years.”

“Any further, simply don’t drive.” With a look at his watch, he stated, “If you might want to exit, I’ll drive you. If I’m not in Beijing, you may simply take a taxi, or in the event you actually discover that inconvenient, we’ll rent a driver.”

The nook of Jia He’s lips slowly turned downward. What was meant by “one sentence shall pronounce your life or your loss of life”? This.

Whereas she was nonetheless racking her mind, making an attempt to redeem the scenario, Yi Wenze unexpectedly leaned sideways, lined the again of her neck together with his palm, very simply closing the gap between them, and gave her a particularly lengthy, lingering kiss. As a result of that they had simply been outdoor for a short while, their lips had been chilly. This kiss, although, was infused with warmth.

The whir of the automotive’s warmth was quite noisy. He had considerably caught her off guard, and he or she may solely oblige and attempt to sustain with him. When his hand finally launched her, she was eventually capable of murmur, “You’re not scared that somebody would possibly see us.”

However earlier than the phrases had fully left her lips, she sensed him drawing himself proper as much as her. This time from straight in entrance of her, he sealed her lips as soon as extra, his place completely obstructing the lights that had been sweeping previous in entrance of their automotive. In the long run, whereas he was serving to her to lock her seat belt, he acknowledged, “Give me your driver’s license.”

… What was a magnificence entice?! Thiswas a real-deal magnificence entice!

So, to his success, Jia He handed over that hard-earned driver’s license of hers. Watching as Yi Wenze offhandedly slipped it into his pocket, she couldn’t assist secretly mourning a bit for it. Yi Wenze or driving—she couldn’t have them each. Let it’s, let it’s.

When the automotive drove out of the parking storage, lastly, the nook of his lips slowly was a smile.

On account of her mistake, there actually was not sufficient time to go residence first, and he or she may solely accompany Yi Wenze to the downstairs degree of the tv station. She had initially stated she would wait within the automotive, however A-Qing knowledgeable her that this discuss present program could be very lengthy, and so she nonetheless ended up being dragged upstairs with them. The discuss present’s host occurred to be contained in the dressing room, and when she noticed Yi Wenze she instantly stepped up and shook his hand. “Instructor Yi, it’s been two or three years since we final noticed one another.”

Giving her hand a light-weight shake, Yi Wenze smiled. “My apologies. Site visitors was a bit congested on the best way right here.”

With a smile, the feminine host stepped apart to let him into the dressing room. “Your single this time is solely wonderful. It’s been just a few days, however all of the younger ladies right here on the station have already made it their ringtone, both the Cantonese model or the Mandarin one. I’m about to go nuts right here. It doesn’t matter whose cell phone I name, it’ll nonetheless be that tune.”

She definitely was deserving of being a celeb discuss present host. Although Yi Wenze didn’t like making small discuss, he nonetheless couldn’t keep away from obliging her and saying a couple of phrases himself. Finally, when Yi Wenze took a seat, Jia He stood beside him and watched the make-up artist give a token fix-up to his hair and magnificence it. Previous to this, she had solely ever seen the ultimate product when Yi Wenze stepped out after having his hair and make-up performed, and had by no means watched the precise course of. She had thought it will be very attention-grabbing, however she found that there actually was nothing value watching.

Whereas that feminine talk-show host was nonetheless in entrance of the mirror making minor changes to her hair and make-up, he was already ingesting water and ready.

What did it imply to be “endowed with pure magnificence too laborious to hide[3]”? This.

Thar night once they had been again residence, Jia He personally cooked some noodles for him.

As she rested her chin on her palm, watching him eat the noodles, she tried as greatest as she may to make use of the warmest, gentlest voice to ask, “Does it style good?” Leisurely pulling her over and sitting her down beside himself, Yi Wenze picked up some noodles and introduced them proper as much as her lips.

The sauce had a really sturdy aroma and flavour. Jia He moved in shut and had a chew. When she lifted her head once more, about to say one thing, Yi Wenze spoke first, asking in a nonchalant voice, “Does it style good?”

Jia He answered, “Mm-hmm,” the matter of eager to drive tossed to the again of her thoughts and forgotten.

When he went to bathe, Jia He eventually opened up her pc, placed on headphones, and commenced taking good care of her work-related emails. It was the midnight, however she had unexpectedly obtained greater than ten emails. She learn by all of them one after the other till, on the finish, she felt a bit like she would possibly go loopy with frustration. With Tune of Yong’an’s excessive rankings, many scripts that she had accomplished and handed off two or three years in the past however had by no means been filmed, had been now coming again to her with requests for revisions, as they had been in preparation to kick-off taking pictures.

These had been all works of her creation, so she may solely carry by to the very finish on her duty for them. However there have been rather a lot and numerous scripts, aaaah.

Jia He’s eyes had been crimson from trying by all of those, when she heard the ring of her cell phone. To her shock, at this late-night hour, it was her mother calling. Given a fright at this, she shortly picked up the decision. Within the telephone, her mother was freaking out and crying, “Oh no, Daughter, your dad’s mind is all confused. All he is aware of is to name your identify.”

“Huh?” Jia He pressed a hand towards her chest. “Don’t be troubled. Can he nonetheless stroll? Nonetheless transfer? Have you ever referred to as 120[4]but?”

“I’ve referred to as already.” On that finish, her mother was nervously jabbering away nonstop. “Previous man, don’t be troubled. If there’s something, we will simply say it. Don’t be troubled.”

Jia He’s coronary heart was quaking in panic merely from listening to this. “When the ambulance arrives, get into it first after which textual content me the identify of the hospital. I’m going to drive over proper now.” She hung up the decision proper as Yi Wenze stepped out after ending his bathe. Seeing her frenziedly throwing on her garments and, after snatching up her cell phone, frantically dashing for the door, he instantly grabbed her and pulled her again. “Look ahead to me to dress. We’ll go collectively.”

Jia He’s thoughts was in a state of turbulence. With these phrases of his, she jumped in shock. “Why are you going?”

Yi Wenze swiftly pulled out a button-up shirt. Whereas he was fastening it up, he had her seize his pockets and automotive key. Scurrying busily about together with his directions, Jia He didn’t give her mom one other name till they had been contained in the automotive. Unexpectedly, although, the one who answered was not her mom and as an alternative was Mumu. “Huge Sis, cell’s with me. When 120 emergency response will get right here, I’ll ship you a textual content to let you realize the place we’re going.” With these phrases, she instantly hung up.

Her coronary heart hammering violently, Jia He turned a vacant gaze on Yi Wenze. Yi Wenze was beginning the engine and was about to start driving, however sensing her eyes on him, he instantly pulled her over to him and gave her a hug. “It’ll be okay.”

After saying this, he positioned a kiss on her brow. The warmth had solely simply been turned on and the automotive inside was frightfully chilly, however this one motion from him warmed her. Her icy arms of only a second in the past now truly had some feeling in them.

Her telephone immediately vibrated. It was Mumu’s textual content message.

By reflex, she acknowledged the identify of the hospital to him, however then she abruptly hesitated. “How about I simply drive myself there?”

That type of public place, she felt, was not appropriate for him to indicate up in.

Yi Wenze merely smiled. “Though it’s not precisely the perfect time to fulfill them, you continue to can’t deprive me of my proper as a boyfriend, proper?” Jia He gave an “mm-hmm,” seeming as if, because of this one sentence from him, her coronary heart was lastly capable of settle a bit.

By the point they arrived on the hospital, it was deep within the night time, however the primary corridor was nonetheless teeming with folks and there was additionally the sturdy odour of disinfectant. Jia He couldn’t be bothered to concern herself with the rest proper now, on the telephone asking for the ground after which, following Mumu’s directions, working to the emergency division. The whole approach, Yi Wenze stored tempo along with her, heading in with massive strides. Round them, there regularly had been folks stopping and whipping their heads round to see at them, virtually all gawking stupidly in utter disbelief.

Not till they had been proper outdoors the door of the emergency division did she immediately halt her steps, turning her head to take a look at Yi Wenze.

Yi Wenze didn’t converse. Calmly taking maintain of her hand, he pushed open the door for her.

That hospital room had been initially been stuffed with a din of voices, however as a result of the 2 had stepped into it, it immediately quieted down.

Jia He’s eyes scanned round, recognizing directly a mattress surrounded by folks three layers deep, all of them her varied uncles and aunts from each her mother’s and pop’s facet. She was nearly to stride over when she heard a shriek, startling her a lot that she practically fell onto her rump.

Mumu made a mad sprint over and clutched Jia He’s arms. “Why is my brother-in-law right here?”

Panting, Jia He cried, “What’s mistaken with my dad?!” Earlier than her query had completed echoing out, each particular person round each mattress had already turned his or her head towards her, each face sporting the identical expression, like a sticky rice dumpling was caught within the throat however no water could possibly be discovered.

Even Mumu was rattled from all of the stares, and he or she stammered, “N-Nothing… Simply, simply low blood sugar…”

“Low blood sugar?!” Jia He felt as if blood was speeding to her head. “Isn’t my dad excessive in all three, A,B, and C[5]?”

Jia He’s mother had simply come again from someplace and was now truly standing behind Jia He and Yi Wenze. She supplemented with a bit extra clarification. “I used to be scared to loss of life, Daughter. It’s okay now. Don’t be troubled. We had a CT scan performed, too. There’s nothing in any respect the matter together with his mind. The physician stated your dad simply took an excessive amount of of the drugs that’s used to scale back his blood sugar.”

Solely now was Jia He’s coronary heart set comfy, and he or she turned to look at Yi Wenze. Earlier than she even knew what she ought to say, although, she noticed her mother come nearer to them. Doubtless having guessed that this man whose again was to her was the “knock-off Yi Wenze” her daughter had been protecting hidden away, Jia He’s mother assumed a dignified air and punctiliously swept an assessing look over him.

After which, she fell fully silent.

His method earnest, Yi Wenze inclined his head and greeted, “Auntie, whats up. I’m Yi Wenze.”

Jia He’s mother stared blankly for a full 5 seconds. Lastly, she cleared her throat and patted him on the shoulder. “Xiao Yi [Little Yi], we gave you a scare. Oh my, our first time assembly you and it seems to be so embarrassing.” After she stated all this, she even gave a few laughs.

So gracious in bearing and extremely pure and poised.

All her uncles and aunts instantly went together with this, laughing as properly, after which they stepped away from the bedside. “Hurry, come over and see your dad.  He’s far more energized now after getting an IV.” House was made on the bedside for them. As Second [Maternal] Aunt helped her dad sit up, it was evident he had simply been patted awake, and blearily he leaned towards the pinnacle of the mattress.

A sense immediately hit Jia He, like she had been caught within the act of an affair, and he or she didn’t dare even to shift her toes.

Finally, it was Yi Wenze who first stepped as much as the mattress, and solely then did she tag alongside behind. Beside the mattress, Yi Wenze leaned over. “Uncle, whats up. How are you feeling now?” When he completed asking this, he even very naturally reached over and helped to place a pillow behind her dad’s again.

Groggily, her dad lifted his eyes to take a look at him, not saying a phrase. Quite, it was Jia He’s mother who came visiting in a couple of strides, pinched Jia He’s dad’s arm between her fingers, giving it a bit twist, and snapped, “Somebody’s speaking to you!”

“Huh?” Jia He’s dad was eventually pinched awake. “Not unhealthy. Actually, not unhealthy.” He even stretched and moved his arms round a bit bit. “Don’t fear. My physique is powerful and durable.” Nonetheless, after saying this, he was unable to withstand turning his head and murmuring to Jia He’s mother, “Now, this resemblance actually is an excessive amount of, isn’t it?”

This one sentence practically precipitated tears to stream down Jia He’s face. Gee, what on the earth?

A resemblance can’t be to this extent, you realize…

[1]文曲星Wenquxing is a Taoist deity. In Chinese language legends, he’s believed to manage educational luck. Extraordinarily achieved students had been typically known as “Wenquxing descended into the mortal world.”

[2]Within the Thirty-Six Stratagems, an historical essay containing quite a few stratagems for use in politics, diplomacy, and battle, one of many stratagems is the 美人计“mei ren ji,” which accurately means “entice of the attractive maiden,” in any other case often called “the sweetness entice”: to deliver down the enemy, ship a stupendous maiden to (often) the ruler or a senior chief of the enemy facet so he turns into so enthralled by her that he neglects his duties. A magnificence entice, due to this fact, is principally describing somebody who makes use of her magnificence to make issues work to her benefit.

[3]天生丽质难自弃. This line comes from Bai Juyi’s well-known poem 《长恨歌》Tune of Eternal Regretand, within the poem, describes the fantastic thing about Imperial Consort Yang (often known as Yang Guifei) of the Tang dynasty.

[4]In China, 120 is the emergency quantity for an ambulance and first-aid help.

[5]ABC is brief for A1C (a blood take a look at that measures common blood sugar degree), blood strain, and ldl cholesterol. When you’ve excessive ranges in all three of those, it’s known as 三高, which accurately means “three highs.”