Chapter 85 Between Dawn and Dusk
The weekend after the party ended, Beijing was hit by a thorough rain, which washed away the summer heat and filled the air with the fresh scent of earth and plants.
Song Zhiyi resumed her daily work at the Translation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Life seemed to have returned to normal, but certain details were clearly different.
On Monday morning, Song Zhiyi got up at six o'clock as usual, washed up, changed into comfortable sportswear, and prepared to go out for a morning run. She was slightly taken aback when she opened the dormitory door.
Huo Yanli's car was parked quietly downstairs. He leaned against the car door, dressed in casual sportswear, carrying two paper bags. When he saw her come out, he straightened up, the morning light outlining his tall and straight figure behind him.
"Good morning," he said, his voice particularly clear in the quiet of the morning. "I was passing by and brought you breakfast. I thought you might not have time to prepare it."
Song Zhiyi walked up to him and looked at the paper bag in his hand. It wasn't takeout from a high-end restaurant, but a package from a well-regarded breakfast stall nearby, the food still faintly steaming.
Song Zhiyi took the paper bag, the warmth of which soothed her palms. "Thank you." She paused, "Actually, I could have handled it myself."
“I know,” Huo Yanli said naturally, “but I just happened to be passing by, so I brought it along. It’s no trouble at all.”
He always attributed his kindness to "just in passing" and "it's no trouble," as if that would lessen her burden. Song Zhiyi silently accepted his kindness, and that unfamiliar warmth quietly resurfaced in her heart.
"Going for a run?" Huo Yanli looked at her sportswear.
"Yes, half an hour."
"I was just about to get some exercise too, want to join me?"
This wasn't a question, but more like a suggestion. Song Zhiyi looked up at him and saw his calm expression and gentle gaze. It was just a morning run; there seemed to be no reason to refuse.
"good."
The two jogged side by side along the tree-lined path outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs compound. Their pace was slow, maintaining a consistent rhythm. The streets were quiet in the early morning, save for birdsong and the rhythmic sound of footsteps. Occasionally, a familiar neighbor or colleague would pass by, casting a friendly glance, to which Song Zhiyi would nod slightly in acknowledgment.
After finishing her run, she returned downstairs. Huo Yanli didn't suggest going upstairs, but instead took another bag from the car and handed it to her: "Here, this is for you too. It's some snacks for my colleagues in the office."
The bag contained individually wrapped, exquisite pastries, just enough for the number of people in her translation team.
Looking at the pastries, Song Zhiyi suddenly understood his intention. He was helping her integrate into the group in his own way, but he did it subtly, leaving her with enough dignity and choice—she could share or not, it was entirely up to her.
"Thank you." This time, her thanks were more sincere.
"You're welcome." Huo Yanli glanced at his watch. "I'm going to the company. If you need to work overtime tonight, let me know."
Instead of saying "I'll come pick you up," he said "Let me know," handing the initiative back to her.
"good."
---
During the daytime on weekdays, they are all busy with their own things.
But Huo Yanli's messages always appear at the right time, not frequently, not disturbing, but like a stable link.
"The weather forecast says there will be thunderstorms this afternoon, remember to bring an umbrella."
"I saw an in-depth report on the current state of education in South Sudan. I'm sending it to you for reference."
"Ji Yun said his mother wants to invite you to her home for dinner this weekend. It depends on your schedule, you don't have to force yourself."
Song Zhiyi's replies are usually brief, but she always responds.
"The umbrella is in the office. The report has been received, thank you."
"Please thank Aunt Ji for me. She should be free this weekend afternoon."
Their conversations gradually expanded from purely routine reporting to a wider range of topics. Huo Yanli would discuss with her the practical problems he was encountering with the international charitable foundation he was preparing, and Song Zhiyi would offer advice from the perspective of international organization operations and local experience. When Song Zhiyi encountered a tricky translation problem involving specialized terminology in a particular field, Huo Yanli would use his connections to help her find reliable reference materials.
One evening, Song Zhiyi was at her desk working on an urgent document to be translated—the clauses of a new international arbitration mechanism. Several concepts were overlapping and poorly defined, and even after consulting several documents, she still felt they weren't precise enough.
She stared at the computer screen, her finger unconsciously clicking on Huo Yanli's chat window. Their last conversation was in the afternoon; he had asked if she was coming home for dinner, and she had replied that she had to work overtime.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she typed: "Are you busy? I have a legal term I'd like to ask about."
After sending the message, she felt a slight pang of regret—it was so late, he was probably already resting, or perhaps she should ask a colleague about such a technical question. But it was too late to retract it.
Just as she was about to close the chat window and continue her research, Huo Yanli replied: "No rush. Go ahead."
This was followed by a voice call request.
Song Zhiyi paused for a moment, then answered the call.
"Hello?" Huo Yanli's voice came through the receiver. The background was very quiet, and it seemed that he was also in the study.
“Sorry to bother you.” Song Zhiyi cut straight to the point, briefly describing the context of the term and her confusion.
Huo Yanli listened quietly without answering immediately. The faint sounds of typing and turning pages came through the receiver. "Wait a moment," he said. "Let me jot down some key points... I remember Zhou Mubai handled a similar cross-border investment arbitration case a while ago, which involved the interpretation of similar clauses. I asked him to send me the core precedents and theoretical analyses he referenced at the time; it should be helpful to you."
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for Mr. Zhou?" Song Zhiyi asked.
"No, he owes me a favor," Huo Yanli said casually. "Besides, he's always been interested in these kinds of professional issues. You continue working on the other parts, and I'll have him organize it and send it to your email within half an hour."
"Okay, thank you."
After hanging up the voice call, Song Zhiyi looked at her phone screen, and that unfamiliar feeling of being able to rely on someone became clearer. Twenty minutes later, her email notification sounded. It was an email forwarded by Huo Yanli, with Zhou Mubai's organized materials attached. The materials were clear, concise, and highlighted the key points, and even included a brief background explanation.
She opened the file, and the difficulties that had been troubling her suddenly became clear.
---
Over the weekend, Song Zhiyi went to the Ji family as promised.
Mrs. Ji held her hand and thanked her profusely, warmly inviting her to stay for dinner. Ji Yun and Huo Yanli were also present. At the dinner table, Mrs. Ji kept serving Song Zhiyi food, and the conversation ranged from health and wellness to embarrassing stories from Ji Yun's childhood, creating a relaxed and homely atmosphere.
Song Zhiyi didn't say much, but she listened attentively, occasionally responding with a few words, her face always bearing a gentle expression. Ji Yun joked around, while Huo Yanli quietly peeled shrimp, naturally placing a small plate of peeled shrimp next to Song Zhiyi.
This action was noticed by Ji's mother, and a gratified smile appeared on her face. She said to Song Zhiyi, "Zhiyi, Yanli used to seem so cold, but now he finally knows how to care for people. We are relieved that you are both doing well."
Song Zhiyi looked at the plate of peeled shrimp beside her, then glanced at Huo Yanli. He was drinking soup with his head down, as if his actions just now were nothing out of the ordinary.
"Mmm," she responded softly, picking up a shrimp and putting it in her mouth. It was very fresh and sweet.
On the way back, Song Zhiyi looked at the night view outside the window and suddenly said, "Aunt Ji is a very nice person."
"Yes, she's always been like that, very kind-hearted." Huo Yanli gripped the steering wheel. "She likes you a lot."
Song Zhiyi remained silent. The feeling of being liked and accepted was not unfamiliar to her (the children on the battlefield had also given her their purest trust), but being genuinely loved by her elders as "Huo Yanli's wife" in this family atmosphere was a new experience.
"Next weekend," Huo Yanli's voice interrupted her thoughts, his tone more deliberate than usual, "my alma mater is having a centennial celebration, an alumni reunion dinner. The invitation... states that I should bring a companion."
He paused, glanced at her quickly to the side, then turned back to look at the road: "If you have time and are willing... I'd like to invite you to come with me."
The car was quiet for a few seconds, with only the low hum of the engine.
Song Zhiyi didn't answer immediately. She recalled that in the past, Huo Yanli had also required her to attend events as his spouse for various reasons, but those were mostly due to contractual obligations or pressure from elders. His tone was always businesslike, or tinged with impatience. But now, his invitation carried a cautious inquiry and respect.
"Is it an event that you have to attend?" she asked.
“It’s not strictly necessary. But… it’s an important celebration at our alma mater, and many teachers and old friends will be there.” Huo Yanli’s voice was steady, but his fingers on the steering wheel tightened slightly. “I want them to meet you.”
It's not "we need your presence," but rather "I want them to meet you."
Song Zhiyi clearly heard the difference.
Outside the window, the city lights resembled a flowing galaxy. Inside the car, the air conditioning provided a comfortable temperature, and the air was filled with a faint, crisp scent that belonged to Huo Yanli's car, now mixed with a very faint smell of her usual fabric softener.
Over this period of time, the breakfasts delivered on her way in the early morning, the timely answers she gave late at night, and the natural care she showed at the dinner table—these little things have silently seeped into her regular and independent life. Like fine rain seeping into the soil, it leaves no trace at first, but over time, one realizes that the depths have been moistened.
She remained aware of the five-year agreement and still prioritized ideals and responsibilities over personal feelings. But the human heart is not unyielding; the warmth of daily interaction will eventually leave its mark.
"Okay." She heard her own voice, still calm, but no longer so decisive in drawing a line. "If work allows, I can go."
Huo Yanli's profile seemed to soften for a moment in the light and shadow reflected in the car window. He didn't say anything more, only giving a soft "hmm".
But the quiet atmosphere in the carriage had subtly changed. It was no longer just comfortable; there was now a faint, unspoken warmth.
The car drove smoothly toward the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dormitory. The destination remained the same, the people traveling with them remained the same, but the meaning of this journey seemed to have changed from simply "sending them back" to a prelude to "going home together."
Although they each still have their own space, and although there is still an agreed-upon deadline for the future, at least at this moment, on this short journey together, they share the same tranquility and the same gentle expectation directed towards the future.
The alternation of day and night, the mundane routines of daily life.
There were no raging waves, no resounding vows.
There was something there: the warmth of breakfast, the tacit understanding of sharing information, a plate of peeled shrimp, and a peaceful invitation about the future.
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