It was the dead of winter, bitterly cold, and rain was pouring down in sheets.
Xu Zhiyuan sat in her car, the heater warming her from head to toe. Outside, people hurried along, miserable as they huddled against the rain. The contrast between them and her couldn’t have been greater.
Her pale hands rested quietly on the steering wheel. Through the windshield, her luminous peach-blossom eyes[1]A traditional Chinese description of attractive eyes, often characterized by softly curved contours and a naturally alluring expression. The term is a poetic beauty metaphor rather than a literal … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3729627_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3729627_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); watched the couple by the restaurant entrance, standing with their arms around each other.
The man looked drunk, leaning most of his weight on the petite woman beside him. Several times, she nearly buckled under him, stumbling before he steadied her with an arm around her shoulders.
Xu Zhiyuan had been parked outside the restaurant for as long as the two of them had been entwined. She watched them coolly, with no intention of getting out to interrupt, until the woman happened to glance sideways and met Xu Zhiyuan’s gaze through the car window. Supporting the man unsteadily, she began making her way toward the car.
A knock sounded on the window. Xu Zhiyuan lowered it without hurry, and a gust of cold, rain-laden air rushed into the car.
“Miss Xu, I’m sorry to bother you so late. Mr. Shen is drunk and keeps insisting you come pick him up.”
The woman was Zhao Xiaoxiao, Shen Jianian’s secretary. She had only just graduated from university and had no impressive credentials, but her impoverished family background and inspiring life story had prompted Shen Jianian to make an exception and hire her six months earlier, keeping her by his side.
As it turned out, Shen Jianian’s judgment had been sound. Over the past six months, Zhao Xiaoxiao had made rapid progress. She was deft and confident in her dealings with people, and she and Shen Jianian had become increasingly in sync at work.
Of course, all Xu Zhiyuan knew about this came from Shen Jianian himself. She had never been particularly interested in Zhao Xiaoxiao and had only the vaguest impression of her. It was only now, seeing her at such close range, that the woman came into focus.
She had delicate, pleasant features and a sweet, soft voice. Rain streamed over her head, but rather than making her look bedraggled, it gave her a delicate, vulnerable beauty—the sort that stirred a desire to protect her.
Xu Zhiyuan studied her for only a few seconds, then ignored what she’d said. A glance toward the back seat told Zhao Xiaoxiao to help Shen Jianian into the car.
Shen Jianian was a big man. It took Zhao Xiaoxiao considerable effort to get him settled in the seat. All the while, Xu Zhiyuan watched coldly from inside, making no move to get out and help.
Shen Jianian had been thoroughly drunk, but the rain had sobered him up a little. When he caught the sweet, distinctive scent of Xu Zhiyuan in the car, his half-lidded eyes finally opened, and a trace of a smile appeared in them. “Yuanyuan[2]An affectionate nickname formed by repeating the final syllable of Xu Zhiyuan’s given name. Repeating a syllable is a common Chinese way of creating familiar or endearing nicknames. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3729627_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3729627_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, what took you so long? I’ve been waiting ages.”
Xu Zhiyuan’s voice was flat. “It was raining. Traffic was bad.”
Only then did Shen Jianian seem to notice the downpour outside and Zhao Xiaoxiao, standing hunched against the cold beside the car. His brow creased. “Why are you just standing there? Get in. Or are you waiting for me to invite you?”
“Oh,” Zhao Xiaoxiao replied, bending to get in. But before she could even touch the seat with her backside, a voice stopped her.
“Secretary Zhao, take a cab. We’re not going the same way.”
Zhao Xiaoxiao froze halfway down for a couple of seconds, then hurriedly backed out of the car.
She hadn’t even said where she lived. Xu Zhiyuan’s claim that they weren’t going the same way was just an excuse to avoid giving her a ride.
Shen Jianian hadn’t expected Xu Zhiyuan to say that. Seeing Zhao Xiaoxiao’s rain-soaked hair plastered to her forehead, he suddenly thought Xu Zhiyuan was being heartless.
“Yuanyuan, it’s pouring out there. Where’s she supposed to find a cab right away? It won’t hurt to take a little detour.”
Xu Zhiyuan didn’t budge. “I’m in a hurry. I don’t have time to waste on the road.”
She wasn’t exactly making that up. She had been preparing a piece for an upcoming design competition, and even when Zhao Xiaoxiao had called her just now, she’d still been working on the drawings.
Shen Jianian knew that too. He rubbed his temple in frustration, then offered what he considered a generous compromise. “Then let her get in. You can drop her at the subway station or somewhere in the city where there are plenty of cabs. That’s fine, isn’t it?”
As he spoke, he shifted over and motioned for Zhao Xiaoxiao to get in.
This time, Zhao Xiaoxiao didn’t dare move again so readily. Her dark eyes cast a tentative glance toward Xu Zhiyuan.
“Why are you looking at her? I told you to get in, so get in.”
Even after Shen Jianian said that, Xu Zhiyuan still wouldn’t give in. The already quiet air inside the car turned several degrees colder. Zhao Xiaoxiao felt it too. With her delicate fingers on the door, she sensibly started to close it.
“No, thank you, Mr. Shen. You and Miss Xu should go home first. I saw a few cabs drive by just now. I should be able to get one soon.”
She shut the door. Before she could even step back to the curb, Xu Zhiyuan floored the accelerator. The tires splashed muddy water from a puddle, soaking half of Zhao Xiaoxiao’s trousers.
Both Xu Zhiyuan and Shen Jianian saw it clearly from inside the car. Anger surged through him. Zhao Xiaoxiao was his secretary. Xu Zhiyuan treating her like that was no different from slapping him in the face[3]In Chinese social culture, the concept of “face” refers to a person’s dignity, reputation, and social standing. Being figuratively slapped in the face means suffering humiliation or … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3729627_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3729627_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
“Xu Zhiyuan, what’s the harm in letting someone ride in this lousy car? Do you really have to be so heartless?”
Xu Zhiyuan turned the steering wheel with both hands. “I only picked it up last month. It cost just under three million yuan[4]The yuan is the basic monetary unit of China’s currency, the renminbi (RMB), commonly abbreviated as CNY. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3729627_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3729627_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, all in. You call that a lousy car?”
Shen Jianian was so angry his nostrils flared. A layer of fury shadowed his handsome features. “Am I talking to you about whether the car is good or bad?”
“Then what are we arguing about?”
Compared with Shen Jianian’s fury, Xu Zhiyuan was unnervingly calm. Unfortunately, Shen Jianian wasn’t clearheaded enough to notice. All he could think about was standing up for his little secretary.
“Zhao Xiaoxiao came out with me for a business dinner. She’s a young woman, it’s late, and it’s pouring outside. Do you think it’s right to leave her there alone?”
“That’s not my concern. You brought her out, and she’s your employee. I have neither the need nor the responsibility to look after her.”
“You’re my fiancée. What’s the difference between my employee and yours?”
Xu Zhiyuan gave a faint laugh. “There’s a huge difference. And you do remember we’re only engaged. Whether we’ll even make it to the marriage registry[5]In China, a couple must formally register their marriage with the appropriate civil affairs authority to become legally married. An engagement alone does not establish a legal marriage. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3729627_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3729627_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); is still up in the air.”
Shen Jianian was so taken aback he could barely catch his breath. “What’s that supposed to mean? You don’t want to marry me anymore? Xu Zhiyuan, I think your parents spoiled you rotten. You’ve got that arrogant, selfish Young Miss[6]The Chinese expression “daxiaojie” literally means “eldest young lady” and traditionally refers to a daughter of a prominent or wealthy household. In modern speech, it can … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3729627_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3729627_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); attitude through and through!”
The moment Shen Jianian finished speaking, the car slammed on the brakes. He lurched, nearly tumbling off the back seat. Once he’d managed to sit upright, he glared at Xu Zhiyuan. “What the hell are you doing? Are you crazy?”
Xu Zhiyuan ignored him and shifted smoothly into reverse. Zhao Xiaoxiao watched as the Porsche that had just driven off came speeding back toward her. Before she could figure out what was happening, its tires rolled through the same puddle and splashed her all over again.
She stared down in shock at her drenched trouser legs, her expression looking even more miserable than if she had been crying.
Shen Jianian was hardly faring any better inside the car. After several hard brakes, he was on the verge of throwing up what little was in his stomach. He braced himself against the seat, still gasping for breath, when he heard the car door click.
Xu Zhiyuan’s smile had vanished. Her voice was icy as her beautiful peach-blossom eyes met his in the rearview mirror. “The Young Miss isn’t just arrogant and selfish. Most importantly, she never coddles anyone. You’re so worried about your little secretary? Fine. I’ll do you a favor. Get out and join her in the rain.”
In the middle of that torrential downpour, Shen Jianian hadn’t thought Xu Zhiyuan would actually have the heart to kick him out of the car. He stood by the roadside, watching the rear of her car disappear, then kicked the curb. “Fuck!”
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