With the painful lesson still fresh in her mind, Qian Duoduo made up her mind that she could no longer continue down the path of being single. The situation around her was complicated, and she was just afraid of the worst-case scenario. At least she would have a man to use as a shield.
Even if she's overthinking it, at least next time she gets drunk, there will be a legitimate man to pick her up and take her home, so that she won't be in that embarrassing situation again, right?
With that thought in mind, she readily gave him the address, and Yiyi giggled across the table, "Is it Ye Mingshen?"
Qian Duoduo nodded, "I'm leaving early later."
"No problem, no problem. I hope it will be a success this time. I'll be waiting for your good news."
Temporarily putting aside those messy thoughts, Qian Duoduo's attention returned. After listening to Yiyi's words, she couldn't help but sigh, "I also want to succeed in one fell swoop, but strangely enough, even though it's impeccable, I just feel bored."
"Then what does it mean to not be boring? To see someone and feel sparks fly, to want to pounce on them and become one with them? Miss, that's something you should be worrying about ten years ago, okay?"
Sparks flew, and she longed to pounce and merge with him—another man's face naturally appeared in her mind, his youthful skin glowing, his fine sweat glistening, his breath hot with desire—suddenly, her mouth went dry, and Qian Duoduo's cheeks flushed red. "Huh? Why are you blushing? Are you hot?" Yiyi asked curiously.
"Um, is air conditioning free here?" Qian Duoduo asked, slightly embarrassed, and quickly changed the subject. "By the way, that Ye Mingshen, he seems to be in a hurry to find someone to marry. Is there something wrong with him?"
"He's already thirty-five or thirty-six. Men can have an aging crisis too, okay?"
"What age crisis do men have? I think they love to spend their whole lives wandering in a sea of flowers."
"You're such a whiny woman," Yiyi said, sticking out her tongue. "Who doesn't like pretty things? Don't you drool when you see a handsome guy?"
The same man's face flashed through her mind again. Qian Duoduo was annoyed, wiping her drool? Some people just wanted her to be torn to pieces.
"Since neither party can look at only one person for their entire life, then why do people get married?" Putting aside that hateful face, Qian Duoduo continued to ask.
"It's just a matter of mutual benefit. If you recognize this before marriage, you'll naturally live in peace for a lifetime." Yiyi answered quickly, then stroked the mink collar of her coat resting on the sofa armrest. The mink fur was glossy black, and her fingers were white and smooth. Such beautiful things together always seemed almost unreal. "That's how I see it. Who knows what others think?"
I already knew that, and that's what I admire about you. Qian Duoduo bit her finger. "If you hadn't told me back then, I would have found someone with the same interests long ago, and I wouldn't be in this mess today."
"Hey, you're still biting your nails now." Yiyi reached out and patted her. Qian Duoduo has this bad habit of biting her nails when she's upset, so her nails have always been cut short since she was little, for fear of attracting attention if she stretched them out like a dog chewing on them.
"You're talking about me? You bite your lip just like me. What happened this morning? Look at all the cuts on your lips." We've been friends for over ten years, who doesn't know who? Qian Duoduo knows all of Yiyi's bad habits by heart.
Touching her lips as if trying to cover up her lie, Yiyi stuck out her tongue, "The beaded necklace I wanted was bought by someone else. I'm so upset about it, I couldn't sleep all night last night."
Knowing she was joking, Qian Duoduo laughed and her mood improved. She continued, "Why didn't you make a move sooner?"
"Because there's another one I really like, I couldn't decide between the two. It wasn't until someone else bought it that I realized I still liked the previous one the most. Sigh." The two had been friends since childhood, and their jokes were always perfectly in sync. To emphasize her point, Yiyi even pretended to wipe the corner of her eye.
"It's all your fault. Why didn't you wait for me? If you had waited a few years until I was rich, I would have married you. You bought two skewers at once without even having to call to report it."
Yiyi, with her excellent singing and acting skills, rushed over and hugged Qian Duoduo's arm, acting coquettishly, "Honey, if I marry you, how could I bear to spend your hard-earned money? Of course, I won't take a single string of coins; I'll save wherever I can."
"Don't you feel bad about spending Steve's hard-earned money?" Qian Duoduo chuckled.
"I felt bad about it, so I didn't buy them all on the spot, which is why I feel so terrible now." Yi Yi sat up straight and answered, half-truthfully, which made Qian Duoduo frown.
Wanting to chat a little longer, the café door opened, and a man walked in wearing a beige knitted sweater over a light blue shirt, with thin-rimmed glasses that gave him a scholarly air. He didn't look around, but walked straight towards them.
It was Ye Mingshen. Yiyi saw her first and deliberately praised her, "Duoduo, you look so feminine today, it's rare to see you like that."
"Didn't I say I had a date tonight? Even a female monkey should know to groom herself before completely winning over Mr. Monkey's heart, right?" Qian Duoduo always spoke directly.
Yi Yi was drinking coffee when she heard this and almost spat it out, disregarding her ladylike image. Her eyes widened. "Who are you brushing fur for?" "It's my honor." Before Qian Duoduo could even speak, a very gentlemanly interruption came from above. When she looked up, she met Ye Mingshen's face. This time, it was Qian Duoduo's turn to almost spit out her coffee.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After watching Qian Duoduo and Ye Shenming leave, Yiyi lazily picked up her bag and walked out.
Standing at the intersection waiting for her driver to bring the car over, it was already March, and the wind on the streets of Shanghai was still biting cold. She tucked her chin into her fur collar. Across the street was one of the city's most luxurious shopping areas, a place she frequented and knew like the back of her hand. But today, she had no desire to cross it; she just wanted to go home as soon as possible and hide in her room alone.
The shock of the hallucination still lingered. She reached her hand out of her coat pocket; the long lambskin gloves were a bit of a hassle to remove, so she carefully pulled them off finger by fingertip, finally revealing her hand completely to the cold air. The wedding ring fit perfectly, the diamonds intricately arranged, rose gold embracing platinum, encircling it twice.
So dazzling! When she first saw it, she loved it so much that she would hold it up and examine it all day long. She would spread her fingers and look at it, and it would reflect the light of the sky and lamplight. Even in the darkest night, as long as there was a glimmer of light, it would shimmer and shine.
A car slowly pulled up along the curb in front of her. She withdrew her hand, opened the back door, and got in. As soon as she closed the door, she realized something was wrong.
How foolish of her! Although it's the same car model, the interior has been modified to be extremely luxurious, and the color scheme is completely different. She actually managed to miss another car on the street. She really shouldn't be wandering around today.
"I'm sorry, I admit my mistake." She apologized, then reached for the door again.
With a deep, crisp click, the car started moving. The person in the driver's seat didn't turn around, but answered with just two words, brief and powerful: "That's right." She saw that long-lost face in the rearview mirror, then covered her mouth with both hands. The glove she had been holding fell to her knees, and the ring was still glowing.
As the car sped up, the man glanced back at her. His lips were still thin as knives, and his eyebrows were still bright and beautiful. It turned out that miracles really did exist in the world. Eight years had passed, and he hadn't changed a bit. It was terrifying that Feng Shuang had actually let him go.
Ye Mingshen clearly heard the conversation between the male and female monkeys, but his self-restraint was impeccable. He walked to the car and opened the door for Qian Duoduo in a gentlemanly manner, without saying a word, and his expression remained calm and natural.
Qian Duoduo was too listless to talk much. After such an exciting night, all she really wanted to do was find a place to heal.
Ye Mingshen drove a standard silver Volkswagen sedan, with a black wool coat hanging on the back, clearly befitting a university professor.
He drove steadily and calmly, and before speaking, he would smile at her with a gentle, warm smile.
"Duoduo, what do you want to eat?"
Qian Duoduo had a momentary illusion. His words and actions were completely natural and familiar. Even though they had only gone on their second date, she felt as if she had been living with this man for twenty years.
Or does this mean that if she chooses this man, this way of getting along can be guaranteed to remain the same for twenty years?
Is this what she's looking for? Confused, she suddenly sees the boss's smiling face, like Santa Claus's – it's Oscar time.
Life is a play, and I've already played out this lonely role. A new scene must begin. Now that I've accepted him as the best candidate for my future partner, I have to do everything properly. Otherwise, how can I reach the other side step by step?
Having figured this out, Qian Duoduo smiled and acted like a lady, saying, "You can decide."
The words were gentle and graceful, and paired with Qian Duoduo's radiant smile, they created a rare and charming scene. Ye Mingshen, who had been focused on the road ahead, glanced at her while driving and returned the smile as a matter of course.
For a moment, their laughter warmed the atmosphere in the carriage, but Qian Duoduo knew in her heart that it was still chilly. She didn't have the ability to read other people's minds, so after laughing, she lowered her head and continued striding confidently down the path of feigning being a traditional lady. What's wrong with being a traditional lady? Traditional ladies are easier to marry off.
Ye Mingshen skillfully navigated the city's narrow streets, finally parking the car in a quiet alley. Around the corner was a detached building with no sign in sight. Qian Duoduo looked puzzled as she got out of the car.
“This isn’t my home. Even if it were Monkey Planet, we’re not at this point yet, are we?” He reached out and pushed the door open, turning back to smile at her.
It turned out he remembered it clearly. Even with his thick skin, Qian Duoduo was embarrassed for a second and turned his head away, pretending not to hear.
The small building used to house a Korean restaurant. The owner, a Korean, was running in and out serving dishes. The air was filled with the aroma of grilled meat, and the few small tables were packed with people grilling meat, drinking, and laughing loudly in Korean—the atmosphere was very lively.
There was no menu. Ye Mingshen held up two fingers to the owner, who was wearing a blue apron. The owner nodded and smiled from afar and then darted into the kitchen.
Qian Duoduo sat down in the chair he pulled out. "Are you familiar with this place?" "Not really, I just came here once with a friend."
Qian Duoduo imitated him by holding up two fingers, asking curiously, "Does that make him understand?" "I just told him that a few guests had arrived." "What do you want to eat?" "The boss decides every morning."
That was a brilliant answer. Qian Duoduo began to look expectantly at the small kitchen with the curtain hanging in the room, amidst the aroma of meat filling the room.
Two plates of various meats were served, accompanied by bright green lettuce leaves, with a generous amount of sauce in two different colored dishes.
Ye Mingshen brushed oil onto the baking tray, using the tongs with practiced ease. The slices of meat were a vibrant red, cut evenly thick, and sizzled as they were placed on the grill, turning white in the blink of an eye. Qian Duoduo, who had spent the entire day sharing a small cake with Yiyi in the café, now felt her mouth watering uncontrollably, unable to maintain her ladylike demeanor any longer.
She wanted to take the skewers and work on it herself, but Ye Mingshen provided a full set of gentlemanly service. He brushed two layers of sauce on the slices of meat, rolled them into lettuce leaves, and then handed them over. His fingers were long, but his nails were very square, which made them look even more appetizing against the bright green lettuce.
No, no, Qian Duoduo corrected herself in frustration. Of course, the most delicious thing was the flavorful and aromatic Korean beef. How could she be so hungry that she was delirious?
The boss's personal recommendation was indeed extraordinary. With one bite, the slightly charred aroma of the grilled meat, the crispness of the lettuce, and the rich and flavorful sauce made Qian Duoduo purse her lips, squint her eyes, and praise with a "Mmm."
"Delicious?" "A delicacy from heaven, it feels like paradise."
Ye Mingshen laughed, "So easily satisfied?" Delicious food makes people relax, and Qian Duoduo had had enough of the day's troubles. She propped her head up and smiled, "It's not that easy, but it's rare to enjoy a moment, so I temporarily forgot about everything else."
"You have a lot of worries?" "Who doesn't?" "For example?" "Work, age, parents' expectations." "Age counts as a worry?"
“Of course it’s different for men.” Qian Duoduo also picked up the barbecue tongs and followed his example. “There’s still pressure, but a little later.” Ye Mingshen smiled.
"A little later? How long is that?" "Would you consider a 45-year-old unmarried man?"
“Hmm—” The atmosphere was relaxed. Qian Duoduo looked at the ceiling and then grinned. “If I’m not a virgin, there’s another prerequisite: I’m also already over forty.”
Ye Mingshen laughed heartily, a rare occurrence for him. "One of the premises? And the second?"
The sizzling meat on the plate filled the air with its aroma. The conversation gradually turned joking, and Qian Duoduo, completely relaxed, added with a quick glance, "Or maybe we'd fall in love at first sight, our eyes meeting and sparks flying. Of course, I'd accept him unconditionally." His smile faded slightly, then he casually bent down to wrap another piece of meat for her, handing it to her before wiping his hands with a tissue, his movements slow and refined. "Sparks like that are hard to last, don't you think?"
Qian Duoduo was filled with regret. She hadn't touched a drop of alcohol tonight, and she had even forgotten her original intention of pretending to be a lady. How useless she was.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was quite late when she got home. Qian Duoduo looked up and saw that the light in her living room was still on, and her eyes twitched involuntarily.
Ye Mingshen had already walked around to his side to open the door. It was winter, and the neighborhood was quiet with dim lighting. When Qian Duoduo got out of the car, he even reached out to steady her, saying, "Watch your step."
Worried that her mother might still be waiting upstairs to scold her, Qian Duoduo smiled and said goodbye, her voice a little hurried, "I had a lot of fun today, thank you, I'm going up now."
As she walked into the building, she didn't hear the sound of a car starting behind her. Qian Duoduo glanced back as she walked, and Ye Mingshen was still standing there. He smiled slightly when he saw her turn around before lowering his head and opening the driver's side door.
Next time, remember to ask this man if he received a proper gentleman's education in England—if there is a next time.
When the elevator doors opened, Qian Duoduo was still looking down to fumble for her keys. The doors were suddenly pulled open in front of her, and her mother's smiling face appeared. "Duoduo, you're back!"
Qian Duoduo was flattered and overwhelmed, having not seen her mother's warm and gentle smile in a long time. "Mom, you're still up so late?"
As her daughter hung up her bag and took off her coat, Mrs. Qian asked, "How was your date?" "A date?" She then remembered what she'd said before leaving at noon, "Did you see it?"
"Nonsense, she's been observing from the window for ages." "I couldn't see clearly." Qian Duoduo said helplessly. Well, the women of the Qian family are all straightforward.
"Yiyi introduced him; this is only the second time I've met him." "What does he do?" "He's a university professor." "Really? Just like your father." Mrs. Qian clasped her hands together. "That's wonderful."
“They teach economics, how are they the same? And what’s so good about them?” “Teachers are good, what do you know? They have stable jobs, they won’t mess around, and they take care of their families. Just look at your dad.”
"Mom, this is only our second date." Why does she say it like she's getting married tomorrow?
"The second time is good, it means you had feelings for each other after the first meeting. Keep it up." Mrs. Qian patted her daughter's shoulder and went into her room with satisfaction.
Qian Duoduo sighed as she watched her mother's retreating figure. After entering the bathroom, she felt utterly exhausted and didn't even have the strength to take a bath.
She still had to keep working; it was what she loved. She hadn't been promoted yet, but doing her job well was what she needed to do right now. Thirty-year-old Qian Duoduo still believed that hard work pays off.
But marriage—thinking of Ye Mingshen's last smile, so perfect it was as if it had been measured with a ruler, a university teacher, a stable job, his goal in dating was to find a business partner to marry, which coincided with her own thoughts, what else could she be dissatisfied with?
And then there's Xu Fei, who seems to have fallen from the sky. She clearly sees her own expression in the mirror suddenly become somewhat ferocious, then utterly dejected. What to do? The new director is that ridiculous junior from back then who foolishly tried to invite her to dinner, while she's now this foolish senior who, after drinking, inexplicably kissed her boss.
Okay, those aren't the worst or most shameful things. The worst and most shameful thing is that the next morning, while still fully conscious, she couldn't control her brain's instinctive reactions and kept thinking about that kiss. Qian Duoduo, who had principles, had completely ruined herself with her own hands.
Qian Duoduo looked at herself in the mirror and smiled bitterly. Finally, she took a step back and sat on the toilet seat without moving for a long time. Her elbows were bent on her knees, and she finally cupped her face in her hands.
What to do? They have to meet eventually. Monday morning is the regular meeting. Even if she applies for an external transfer now, even if she clings to the former director and begs to leave China with her, it's too late. With her face still buried in her hands, she groaned. Qian Duoduo, a woman of principle, was too ashamed to face anyone.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When a person can't think of any way out, Qian Duoduo calls Yiyi before going to bed. It rings for a long time before being answered. Yiyi's voice is a bit strange, as if she is restless but trying her best to calm down, so she speaks in short, abrupt words.
Qian Duoduo asked, puzzled, "Yiyi, what are you doing?"
"I'm busy, can I call you later?"
The more she listened, the more something seemed off. Glancing at the small clock on the bedside table, Qian Duoduo suddenly realized something, her face turning red. Then, feeling rather embarrassed, she said, "Steve's back? I'm so sorry, I disturbed you. I'm hanging up now."