Turn left and Turn Right
It is said that people are accustomed to one foot deep and shallow kick. So if in the wilderness without a goal to walk, one will always be back to the origin. If so, starting with a starting point, a left and a right away, may eventually meet again.
But the premise of this proposition is: A, in the wilderness, B, there is no goal.
I am finally going through the “progress” of drawing the line
Zheng Xie interaction with the new girlfriend started too logical.
When he came back, he was hara.s.sed by his cousin Qiang Wei day and night. Qiang Wei is a freelance with no regular schedule and her husband is not around most of the time. After getting up in the morning, she have been calling her dearest cousin on the phone, whether at the time, Zheng Xie could be in a meeting or still asleep. She beat around the bush, hesitantly, garrulously and sentimentally to the extent of forcing Zheng Xie to beg for mercy: “Elder sister, you let me be happy.”
30 minutes later, Zheng Xie received a large volume of email.
He glanced at the open email, the first page is a long line of directory with dozens of names. His mouse hover over the few words of introduction and the two inches of photograph. And then click a thousands of words attached to the countless photographs.
This is a “People Yearbook” with “Lady’s Directory” from his city. Zheng Xie picked up and study a little. The brief introduction is very short, such as “x.x.x, a female, 26 years old, personality and lively, cheerful, love sports”.
Details may be more complicated with detailed resume including kindergarten, personal interest and hobbies. Also include specialty and the kind of food to favorite color and their favorite movie star. Some even come with his elders reviews. A aunt said: “this is a good girl, good hearted, respect for the elderly.” B Boyle said: “not fragile, forthright personality, like a boy.” Finally there is cousin Qiang Xie recommendation: “This kind of girl no need to be coax giving peaceful mind. If not suitable to be partner in life, can also be friends.”
Zheng Xie is drinking water while browsing the mail. When he saw this section, he choked on the water.
For the sake of his own safety, he wrote and email back to Qian Wei, adding a few word of comment: “Please pick a few and arrange for me when you have time.”
Zheng Xie does not believe the view of cousin Qiang Wei. From the beginning of the year, his cousin dating requirement for him have been reduced to “as long it is female.” And he is worried that this list that is sent by his cousin has already gone way off the subject.
His memory in this area is always bad. So he drop a few line to his secretary Wei to help him to vent through and pick a few.
Secretary Wei is very efficient in her work. In the afternoon, holding a stack of papers for Zheng Xie’s signature, there is also a very thin piece of paper. “The e-mail you forwarded to me, I have screened it and picked five, President. I have streamline the information.”
Zheng Xie look at the first page and laughed: “Su Ren Ran? You must have been mistaken.”
“Ren Ran has a great personality. Didn’t you just return with Ms Xiao?”
“Who said so. This time I want to seriously find a girlfriend, once and for all. Bothering her is tiring but would not be as tiring as rejecting Qiang Wei, isn’t it?”
Wei Zhi Xin is smiled carefully, not daring to say a world. Ren ran is her good friend.
Zheng Xie turned over the edge while continuing to explain, so that his secretary don’t think that he did not want to meet her friend. “I have eaten with Ms Su twice. She does have a good personality. But she is He He’s good friend. If I go and hooked up with her, don’t you think that it feels like “luan lun”?”
In the novel, the author used the word “luan lun”. A quick search online, I found the meaning of Luan Lun – 乱伦 (Traditional: 亂倫) which is define by Chinese Yabla app as incest / inmmorality / depravity / fornication.
Luan Lun? Wei Zhi Xian see a few crows flapping while flying above her. She racked her brain for a long time to understand what this have to do with “Luan Lun.” However, she dare not interrupt.
Zheng Xie has high efficiency. While talking, it only take him a minute to turn over more than a dozen pages, each page more than 10 lines. Then his gaze landed on a piece of paper in the middle filled with a few words for a few seconds. He then pulled it out and asked Wei Zhi Xian: “This one.”
“This is the young lady that you have met before.” Wei Zhi Xian looked at him and whispered, “The one that you returned the scarf.”
“Oh, no wonder I felt a little familiar.”
“That…..”
“It’s her then. Help me to get in touch with her and make an appointment.”
Thus, Zheng Xie and Yang Wei Qi began their smooth interaction.
Yang Wei Qi have a good family background, a good education, good looks, good figure, a good mind and a good heart, totally impeccable. She was very easy-going, not fragile, insightful, not nonsense. Not blindly attached to him, unlike her generally eloquent and opinionated career, most of the time with Zheng Xie, she remains quiet.
She don’t wear heavy make-up, don’t dye her hair, no colourful nails and do not use strong perfume. Even when secretly dating, her clothes are very light coloured. Except she often drove the bright red car.
Yang Wei Qi said, she drives it to work daily as combatants. Bright colors can enhance morale. She always wear brightly for work. The first time they met, she did not managed to change after work.
In short, this woman would not make people feel impatient.
Zheng Xie asked her to dinner first. Strangers meeting again, they managed to get along well.
Later, she invited Zheng Xie back for dinner, of course, Zheng Xie paid for the dinner. So she invited Zheng Xie to have ice-cream.
The interval between the second and third date is only a matter of few days.
At the time, there was hesitation in the mind of Zheng Xie. It seems to be wrong somewhere but he could not find the reason. Perhaps Yang Wei Qi indeed is different from his previously a.s.sociated women. She gave him a feel of familiarity and rea.s.surance. Therefore, he is very respectful and treat her well while dating.
And she is different from the previous women, meeting both side for a few hours, will call or send text messages, going all the way to “kill”, the proactive stance is too obvious. Yang Wei Qi does not pester him. If she calls him when he is busy, she will ask him to call her back when he is free, and she will never call him again.
This woman, does not care and very modest. Whichever it is, it is better than proactively throwing herself at him.
Zheng Xie is not able to tolerate women who are takes their own initiative. He always felt that intelligent women who likes a man, will only think of a way to arouse the attention of the man, letting him come and make the move on her, rather than losing themselves on the man.
Zheng Xie can be a male chauvinist and large paternalism but when it comes to the relationship between men and women, he is very conservative.
There is a dinner party in the evening. As usual he will get Wei Zhi Xian to accompany him to attend the dinner together. But Secretary Wei is down with a bad flu and stuffy nose. So he sent her home early.
He had not seen Xiao He He for a few days. This girl has been very hard working recently, when contacting her, her respond is: “I am working overtime.”
“This evening dinner is not bad. The place I am taking you has a super Thai Chef on-site producing delightful delicacy.”
Then He He say Shi Lin is back this time with a promotion project for pupils. Their company are partnering up for this project with pressing time.
Hearing Shi Lin name, Zheng Xie no longer insist, then he thinks of Yang Wei Qi.
Yang Wei Qi is also working overtime, so no time to dress up. Zheng Xie accompany her to buy them.
“I usually dress accordingly to the recommendation in the magazine or wear black. So the probability of error is very small. But my boss always say that I’m not creative.” Yang Wei Qi stood in front of the rows of hangers with her eyes growing dim, honestly confessing that she do not understand fashion, although she is always in designer clothes.
Zheng Xie pulled out two dresses: “These two pieces suits your personality. Which one you like?”
“Pale yellow. What do you think?”
Zheng Xie hesitated: “I think it is okay but you should try the sky blue one….”
Yang Wei Qi took the dress and put it in front of her, then said with a small smile: “I will take the sky-blue one. Just this one. No need to waste time.”
She did not fight with Zheng Xie over the payment but insisted not to let him buy any jewelry. She only wore her original necklace and watch. And she did not have pierced ears so she do not wear earrings.
Her pendant shape is very common, a small abacus with the abacus beads are moveable. But Zheng Xie knew the price of the pendant. That every fine sapphire beads are genuine. To ensure of the color coordination, they use one piece of good materials to make it into many small beads. Really very a throwaway.
Yang Wei Qi see him looking at her pendant and smile: “It is very naive?”
“No, very good.” The eyes remain at the chest is very rude, so Zheng Xie turned his eyes away.
Zheng Xie recognized the pendant, only because the handmade pendant is from the city master hand. He made a total of three, green, red and blue and these are masterpieces. Because of the nature of the modeling and the ridiculous price, it is only exhibited after the master’s death.
He He once loved the pendant and vowed it to be the goal of her life. Zheng Xie later offered to buy it for her. He He rejected it, saying that he destroyed her life ambition.
Zheng Xie did not force her to accept it, only said that when she had enough money. Don’t know when from which corner of the world, he found the pendant so he bought it in advance. Just waiting for the time to sell it to He He at double of the price.
He He always complaint that Zheng Xie is a profiteers. But she has always had poor memory, so long time after, she forgot about the whole thing. In fact, if it is not because Yang Wei Qi is also wearing the same thing, Zheng Xie has also forgotten about it.
Yang Wei Qi said: “I know that there is a total of three, but I only got two of them. I tried to find out about the other buyer. I hope that she wants to part with it but the seller refuse to disclose the customer information. It is also better this way. Just do not know who has the same habit like me, but can be friends. I paid higher price just to get these two sets, and was laughed at by my friends for several years.”
Zheng Xie bowed and smiled, remaining silence.
He finally understood why yang Wei Qi gives him the sense of familiarity.
Many of her hobbies and likes are similar to He He, including those dishes that they ordered when they went of dates. On their second date, she wore a patchwork skirt. When she stands in front of a pile of clothes, she is so dazzled that she do not know which one to choose. Perhaps in the detailed information that Cousin Qiang Wei shared also indicated that: “she was interested in painting in her childhood, and in x.x.xx year, she had won the 2nd prize in the City’s Children’s painting Invitational Cup.” His impression of the compet.i.tion is very deep because He He won the 1st place in the compet.i.tion. Also her biggest win.
When both of them attended the dinner together, they inevitably encounter acquaintances. The Acquaintances also recognized Yang Wei Qi and is very surprised to see both of them together: “Yo, a few days gone, the universe has changed.”
The man has always had a mouth filled with oil, so Zheng Xie simply chooses to keep quiet. In the meantime, Yang Wei Qi gracefully said: “We are friends.”
“So it is just friends.” Acquaintance pat Zheng Xie on the shoulder. “Hurry up. When sending invitation, don’t forget your childhood buddy.” Zheng Xie gave him a shove.
Yang Wei Qi shyly said: “I apologies, usually joked too much.”
“As long as you don’t mind.” Zheng Xie very gentlemanly smile.
Shi Lin always believe that some talented people must have defects in other hidden places, just like his own.
He grew up as a good student, top in school. Teachers and students praised him for his excellent character and learning att.i.tude. He is a mathematical genius, even won awards in writing. He is top in his culture cla.s.s, excellent in sports and even excel in his schoolwork. He has lots of hobbies, chess, calligraphy and painting with no barrier.
He has different honors from Zheng Xie who always looks cold, polite enthusiasm but increasingly indifferent alienation. In contrast, Shi Lin is gentle with friendly and warm smile. Others even more exasperating is that he also has good looks.
In short, in school Shi Lin is all-round perfect developed student. In the society, he has the ability and political integrity to be a high-quality leaders.
When Shi Lin harbors any feelings, he believes that things are equal. The gains will lose as well as waxing the deficit rule. He has always been careful in finding their weakness.
He had previously did not find their true weakness, since he has always used the shortest possible time to overcome them. But now he knows that he can be at the most vulnerable when it comes to chasing girls.
Although he does not have a strong family background like Zheng Xie’s family, but because of his warm smile and easygoing personality, there are many girls that likes and chase after him. So many years in the past, from domestic to foreign counties, he had wholeheartedly dodge the coming of “peach of spring”. He had been busy studying, hence his chasing the female instinct has completely degraded.
Shi Lin stared at the computer screen while on the side is looking at the heavily immersed in work Xiao He He. Deep inside himself shallowing mourning.
He never believed in love at first sight. But Xiao He He also have what it seems to be unforgettable traits. The last time he met her was seven years ago. If it is not Zheng Xie’s reminder, he did not remember having met this girl before, which is the best description.
But that day, he was bored and had nothing to do. So approached this girl who gave him a comfortable feeling for a short chat and then out of courtesy, sent her home. Then he wanted to see her a second time.
It is not easy to see her the second time. He tried to make appointment several time before he finally succeeded. And then he found himself was more comfortable with this girl than the previous experience. So he wanted to see her the third time, which is harder to make appointment the third time.
Shi Lin reflected on himself for a while. It seems that he is making the usual mistakes that men usually make. That is, the more you want, the more you can’t get it. The more you want to see, the more you can’t see.
He despite himself. The result of the more he wants to avoid the “铁树开花”, the chances of it coming to him is higher.
铁树开花 (pin yin: tie shu kai hua) – Chinese idiom that say : the iron tree bloom. Meaning: a highly improbable or extremely rare occurrence
The purpose of Shi Lin trip back home this time is to carry out the study on children’s behavior and need the expertise in drawing people to cooperate.
He was recommended by a friend to a company who allegedly acting style and design that are suitable to his taste. And the owner of the company recommended a few candidate to work with him on the project. Xiao He He so happen to be one of the recommended candidate.
Shi Lin does not want to believe that their fate is not successful.
He finally had the opportunity to observe Xiao He He. With his knowledge in studying people, he soon concluded that Xiao He He does indeed has a character that attracts him, not a temporary attractions of his.
She obviously looks very ordinary, small nose with small face. Thin body bone, when thrown into the heap will completely be difficult to find. But he knew that she is very different from the other women.
Her fresh, sweet, polite and amiable, like 邻家小妹 that people want to get closer to. But once the person step into her safe zone, she would become alert just like a cat.
邻家小妹 (pin yin: pin jia xiao mei) means younger sister from neighborhood / next door
She looks forever happy, right, simple and pure. When she does not speak, she only smile slightly but taking a deeper look into her eyes, there are contents that one cannot read, just like hidden secrets.
She can stumble and may be sloppy but when she made out things, it becomes clean and beautiful, full of aura and creativity.
She is not noisy and once people have different opinions, she chooses to immediately shut up. Unlike the women in his industry where they will contend for the merits as they refuse to lose to the man. She is a daughter of modality, soft but not necessarily is obedient but has her own opinion.
In short, she has a clear and transparent look but is also a confusing pet.i.te woman.
Shi Lin studied it from the front, back and side. Each view demonstrated the feasibility of him together with He He. The more he thinks it is worthwhile to look into developing it further. Pity the expertise in him, often want to subtly from the beginning when, but suddenly projected him in the clear eyes with no place to hide. The clear unstained dust in the eyes, even he felt that you want to meddle a very dirty idea.
This evening, after meeting with his crew, he found He He in their research labs working overtime, so naturally went over to her. By the time they finished, it was only seven o’clock. When he sent He He back, he asked: “You should not have eaten. Where do you want to go to eat?”
“I’ve eaten.” Shi Lin disbelief what she said and then added: “Eat a bowl of instant noodles, it is still early.”
Shi Lin smiled: “Are you deliberately make me feel guilty?”
He He replied with a smile: “Otherwise, you treat me to ice-cream. All the debts from before are all written off.”
“Such a good and considerate girl. I owe you several meals. Only treating you to something so cheap?”
“I am not a considerate person. I want to take you to the best place to rip you off.”
The ice-cream shop is expensive and has a strange style. Strange grid floor, plaid wallpaper, decorative three-dimensional lattice everywhere, walking into it feels like a maze, dizzy…..
He He asked him: “Do you eat ice-cream?”
“I do not eat. Where got man who eats ice-cream?”
“What a pity. Then I cannot order the banana split.”
“Why? Just order it.”
“How can? I cannot finish it all alone.”
“Eat as much as you can.”
“Knowing that it would be waste but also deliberately waste. This is a shameful behavior.” He He said with a frown.
“You have just said that coming here is already a waste. So it does not make much of a difference.”
“Not the same ah. The store selling expensive is the character of the store but I could not finished and waste it is the question of my character.”
Shi Lin looked amusedly at her serious look and ordered the banana split for her: “Whatever you cannot finish, leave it for me to eat.”
He He has a cute look when she is eating, like a small animal with a satisfied look. Shi Lin quietly drinking water, turning from time to time to look elsewhere so that he does not appear too rude. Turning in another corner of this dazzling lattice cage sits, Zheng Xie with Yang Wei Qi.
Meantime, on the other side.
Zheng Xie leans back against the chair. His hands gracefully study the crystal gla.s.s bowl full of water while knocking about it with a fork to observe it sounds. After a while, put his dingers across the gla.s.s and observed his own fingerprints through the magnifying gla.s.s.
Yang Wei Qi look on at the funny scene in front of her. Obviously he is playing like a child but with his dignified posture and quiet look, Zheng Xie’s childish gesture looks gives the solemn sense of scientific experiments.
She accidentally blurred out her thoughts: “I rarely see men having a good time playing while concentrating on the cup.”
Zheng Xie gently raised his lips: “I have rarely seen a woman in the night eating such a big bowl of ice-cream so happily.” In fact, he had only known one other woman who does. Woman? His mind flashed back to the word again.
“Actually I am not always so degenerate.” Yang Wei Qi dig into the huge bowl of banana split in front of her and forcefully dig a tablespoon into her mouth before saying: “Today is the case where I am extremely depressed about something so I need this to cool down.”
“The last time you said that because you had a happy thing, so eat ice-cream to celebrate.”
“You really don’t understand women.” Yang Wei Qi had something in her mouth so was a little vague when speaking. She half-blocked her mouth with a napkin and swallowed: “Happy and depressed all need to vent, typically is the same such as money as well as self-flagellation.” She looked at Zheng Xie and said: “You really do not want to eat? It taste really good. Brings back the memories of childhood. I have not touch that part.”
“Ever since I had gastritis after eating ice-cream in my childhood, I never touched it again.”
“Your illness may not necessarily be from it but could just be coincidence.” Yang Wei Qi added with admiration: “Your ability to resist temptation is too strong.”
Shi Lin waited until they were about to leave before heading over to Zheng Xie to greet them. Both Zheng Xie and Yang Wei Qi also happen to get ready to leave.
Because it is some of their first time meeting, so there is polite introduction. He He is introduced and Zheng Xie said: “This is Xiao He He.” He He who kept her head down and looked up towards Yang Wei Qi with a shy smile. Zheng Xie stop for a while before adding, “my sister.”
Yang Wei Qi eyes flashed with a little surprised, seem like searching in her memories. Then she smiled and gently hold a grip on He He’s hand: “Nice to meet you, He He. Your name is special.” She turned to face Zheng Xie and looked at the two, “In fact, both of you really look a little bit alike.” The rest of them whom are present laughed.
Shi Lin sent He He home as planned. Before leaving, Zheng Xie seems to have something to say to He He but refrained. He He looked back at him, he paused and said the sentence: “Do not stay up too late. Go to bed early. Your black ring around your eyes has darken.”
While driving, Shi Lin thought back about the sentence and laughed: “Its one thing. That guy, what has nothing to do with his appearance, but did not expect that he can play parents role so well.”
He He lowered her head and smiled: “He had a habit of posing as my parents in front of me.” She looks out of the window gla.s.s that reflects like a mirror, looking at her face and said: “I really look alike him?”
Shi Lin turned and glanced at her: “The most alike is your ears. Both your earlobe shape are almost identical.”
He He puff and laughed.
Shi Lin added: “Don’t you believe? Many couples that have lived for a lifetime, the appearance will be more and more alike. You and Zheng Xie probably have been together for a long time, stand together, gives the feeling for a real brother and sister, very coordinate.”
“Oh.” He He do not know what to say, think for a long time and say: “The young lady today has very good temperament. Very kind. Gives the real n.o.ble lady feeling just like in the movie. Don’t you think?”
“Did not pay too much attention.” Shi Lin just discover another advantage of He He, She is full of goodwill and appreciation, not like the others, often rejected. “I just did not think that Zheng Xie will actually be willing to accompany women to this place. He never liked to obey others, others only obey to him.”
“He likes the cup here.” He He answered without many thoughts to it.
Shi Lin suddenly wanted to aske Zheng Xie questions about women but he soon realized Zheng Xie’s three months girlfriend experience which does not fit him. So he immediately dismissed the idea.
Three months. He thought for a moment, from his memory, Zheng Xie’s girlfriends since secondary school as well as when he was overseas in the foreign countries, none has indeed lasted over three months. Zheng Xie has a strong principles. As a student, he had once inexplicable joked: “Fresh period of three months.” Later this has become the indisputable truth and tough guide in Zheng Xie’s later life. He is truly admirable.
He probably does not care, shook his head and shared his thought: “I think this Miss Yang will be an exception.”
“Do you think Zheng Xie is serious this time?”
“Ah. Intuition. This Ms Yang, is just the kind that Zheng Xie would appreciate regardless of physical appearance or personality.” He He said with the tone of an expert solemnly.
Shi Lin want to faint. He is aware of one thing, He He with very few words would often lost interest in a topic of conversation. But with the exception of Zheng Xie. Like now, she is more focused on the future of Zheng Xie than Zheng Xie himself.
“Do you know your favorite type?” Shi Lin asked casually in a tone as relaxed as possible.
“Me?” He He froze for a moment, did not expect the subject to differ to this direction. “As long as it is not like Zheng Xie.” She replied casually.
“Uh?”
“Otherwise, I will never have power in my life.”