Chapter 2-4
4
When Qiao Ruo arrived at the hotel room, He Yajun was already waiting there. The room was warm and inviting. He had not only adjusted the lighting to an ambiguous level beforehand, but also unexpectedly prepared flowers, Western food, and red wine.
The message she sent that morning was both an impulsive act triggered by Qiao Min's questioning and an outpouring of longing for He Yajun after their unexpected encounter at the hospital. Saying such explicit things to the man she had admired for years and had only recently started dating seemed somewhat inappropriate, but she wasn't afraid or regretful. She was determined to let go that night and savor every second she spent with him.
However, upon entering the room and being enveloped by the romantic atmosphere he had deliberately created, and realizing that all of this was a prelude to what was to come, she couldn't help but feel a sense of retreat, yet she didn't know what she was afraid of.
She steadied herself, glanced at the red wine on the table, and smiled: "This is the first time I've stayed in a hotel in my hometown. I didn't expect that in our small city, the development of hotels has far exceeded the standard of ordinary accommodation, and they even provide these things."
"Don't laugh at me, but I brought all of this myself," He Yajun said with a smile, taking off her coat and hanging her coat and bag in the open wardrobe. She then invited her to sit on the sofa. "How is it? Do you like it?"
She felt a deep affection in his gaze, and her heart skipped a beat. She slightly avoided his gaze and nodded, "It's fine."
He sat down next to her: "Then I'll assume you like it. Can we have some red wine?"
She wasn't interested in drinking, but he had made careful preparations for her sake. No matter how foolish she was, she wouldn't be foolish enough to refuse his offer at this time.
"I can drink a little."
He rolled up his shirt sleeves, let the wine sober up, poured a shallow layer into each of two wine glasses, handed one to her, and gestured for her to take a sip. She obediently took a sip, pursed her lips, and said, "It's quite delicious."
He took a sip too, and frowned slightly: "Looks like you and my mom have similar tastes."
She looked at him, puzzled. He put down the wine and turned to explain, "Actually, I rarely drink red wine. I can't even remember the last time I drank it. I took this bottle from my mom's wine cabinet because I thought it would taste good."
His candor surprised her, but also made her feel relaxed: "If you hadn't told me, I would have thought you were a pro, always using this approach to make women happy."
"I've never coaxed another woman like this before. In previous relationships, my girlfriends would prepare these things. I didn't bring candles this time, but I think I've learned the rest quite well."
She was both amused and exasperated: "You really aren't worried at all that I'll get angry."
Are you satisfied with my honesty?
She completely relaxed and leaned back: "Satisfied, very satisfied."
"I'm glad you're satisfied," he said, taking her hand. "Are you feeling any better now?"
She paused, then said, "I'm feeling much better."
Is it because of your father's illness?
"Part of it is because of him."
“I mentioned to my uncle at noon that you were my high school classmate and asked him to keep an eye on your father’s condition. He’s an expert in digestive system diseases, very experienced, and a skilled surgeon. He told me that the possibility of your father having cancer is relatively small, so there’s no need to be too anxious.” He paused briefly, then smiled. “He promised me that he would pay close attention to your father.”
Qiao Ruo hadn't expected him to help her with this matter. She had thought that to avoid trouble, he wouldn't mention her in front of her relatives.
He Yajun raised an eyebrow: "Why does your expression look even more serious? I thought you would be a little moved."
Aren't you worried that your uncle will become suspicious?
"He wouldn't assume that a classmate is my girlfriend just because I did something for them. He probably thinks you just happened to find out about our relationship and that's why you asked me to ask him to do it."
"That's good."
“You just said you’re unhappy, partly because of your father, so what’s the other reason?” He put his arm around her shoulder, closing the distance between them. “Tell me, maybe I can cure your unhappiness.”
“Actually… it’s nothing,” she thought. Although he seemed very tolerant, bringing up Qiao Min now would only make them both unhappy, so she decided to let it go. “Maybe it’s because he’s now unemployed and is a little anxious about the future.”
"If it's because of work, then I think you don't need to worry at all. Dentists are a very sought-after profession."
She sighed deeply: "After working so busily for so many years, suddenly stopping makes my body feel uncomfortable. Once I get used to it, maybe my mindset will improve."
“Hmm, it’ll be better in a few days,” he released her shoulder, stood up, walked around the table, sat down opposite her, picked up his knife and fork and began to cut his steak. “I haven’t had dinner yet, have some with me.”
“Okay.” She picked up her knife and fork and began cutting her steak.
Just before dinner, she received a call from him asking if she wanted to have dinner together. If it were another city, she would have readily agreed, but they were in their hometown, a small city where they could easily run into acquaintances. She didn't dare risk jeopardizing their hard-won relationship, so she declined, saying she needed to spend time with her parents. This date had been on her mind ever since she sent that WeChat message that morning. The thought of meeting him filled her with a secret anticipation and excitement. To make her staying out all night seem plausible, she lied, saying she was going to have dinner, karaoke, and watch a movie all night with a high school classmate. After lying, she was terrified her parents would find out, so she ate dinner with a lot of anxiety, barely managing a few bites before rushing out the door, not having eaten her fill at all.
He Yajun cut the steak first, pushed the plate in front of her, told her to eat first, then switched her plate with hers and continued cutting the steak.
She didn't stand on ceremony with him and ate one bite after another. Although the beef was a little cold, the taste after being drizzled with black pepper sauce was still very tempting.
They ate quietly, and when it was almost time, he picked up his wine glass, took a sip of red wine, and suddenly said, "My dad wants a divorce."
Qiao Ruo paused in her hand holding the cup and softly hummed in agreement.
"You don't seem surprised at all. Did your sister tell you?"
“Yes,” she looked up at him, “maybe it’s karma. She was forced out by another woman, and your father is very protective of that woman. He filed for divorce, and she probably has no choice but to agree right now.”
He Yajun's eyes remained unchanged. She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "You hate her a lot, don't you?"
"Your sister?"
"Um."
He shrugged. "I wouldn't say I hate her. I know exactly what kind of person my father is. If I were to hate anyone, it would be my father. As for your sister, she's just a stranger to me. I admit, when she first came to my house looking for my mother, I really disliked her. But she's someone I haven't touched in my life since then, so I can't keep wasting time thinking about her. That night you said you wanted to apologize to me, but I stopped you because I neither hate her nor think you need to live with the burden of her mistakes."
Qiao Ruo remained silent.
"However, I'm starting to dislike her a little again now."
Qiao Ruo gave a wry smile: "Is it because she demanded that your father leave with nothing?"
He Yajun shook her head: "That's between the two of them, it has nothing to do with me. I'm more concerned about you right now. I'm thinking, if it weren't for your sister and my father, I would be holding your hand and taking a walk outside right now."
His expression was warm, not like he was joking. Faced with him like this, she found herself powerless to resist. Even if he was just saying those words to make her happy, she felt sweet enough.
"Ya-jun, thank you."
He smiled, seemingly understanding the meaning behind her "thank you": "So, how are you going to thank me?"
She gazed at him adoringly, tilted her head back and drank the entire glass of red wine, then stood up, walked around the table, and stood beside him.
He adjusted his sitting position so that he was completely facing her, with no other obstacles between them.
How do you want me to thank you?
He looked up at her, his eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light, drawing her in irresistibly. He took her hand, but with little force; she only felt his fingertips gently caressing her palm. The stirring in her palm pulled her closer, making her heart waver like a small boat adrift on a turbulent sea, directionless. In her moment of bewilderment, he suddenly released her hand, wrapped his arms around her waist, and with a slight pull, drew her towards him.
Without needing any words, she understood what he meant. She instinctively supported herself on his shoulders, straddled him, and kissed his lips.
Although she was physically experienced, she still had little idea of what to do next. The only thing she was sure of was that the sudden fear she felt when she first entered the room had disappeared.
"Hold me tight," he whispered in her ear, picked her up, and strode quickly to the bedside, placing her on it.
She opened her eyes and met his gaze, her heart pounding even harder. Unable to bear the eye contact, she turned her face away.
"What, want to back out?" He chuckled softly, gently pinching her chin to make her face him again.
She gazed at his face, and suddenly pulled her arms around his neck downwards, pressing their bodies even closer together.
"Only a fool would go back on his word." She tilted her chin up, letting his lips land perfectly on hers.
Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, accompanied by one passionate kiss after another, she was quickly engulfed by an unfamiliar and irresistible force, arriving at a place she had never been before, yet which had already made her lose herself.
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