Chapter 1
Translated by evienRose
Hii, this is my first project so I hope you enjoy this story. If there are any mistakes feel free to comment them and I will fix it as soon as I can. If there are any words or phrases you don't understand, let me know too and I will add a footnote :)
I will try be consistent with the updates, at least one chapter a week on Monday's (GMT +10) but please be patient haha...
Enjoy!
Du Ruo had sat on a hard seat for 33 hours. When she got off the train, her legs were swollen like steamed buns. When she walked a few steps, her feet tingled.
West Beijing Railway Station was crowded with people, comparable to the bustling scene of herding thousands of ducks back at her grandmother’s countryside home.
She was thin and delicate, like a bean sprout falling into a heap of ducks, carried along and swept up by the sea of people, dragged off the platform, and rushed to the station hall.
The cell phone in her pocket started vibrating and ringing. When Du Ruo took out her phone, someone next to her looked back and was surprised how someone in this day and age was still using a Nokia.
Du Ruo whispered: “Hello?”
“Where are you?” On the other end of the phone, the boy’s voice was a little impatient.
“I just got off the train.”
“I asked where are you!”
She looked around for signs: “The Hall. North Square Hall.”
“North 3rd District parking lot, Area A 0209.” The call ended as soon as he finished speaking. It was as if he went through a lot of trouble in making this call.
Du Ruo had met Jing Ming before.
Four years ago, the Jing couple went to the Southwest border to show their compassion to poor students of the area, and their son, Jing Ming, was brought along.
The fourteen year old boy was tall and slender, white and clean. Du Ruo and the other children looked foolish in comparison, dark and thin, and dared not approach him.
The good looking teenager seemed like an angel but only cared about playing with his iPad in the car. When finally pulled out of the car by his mother, he furrowed his brows, eyes full of disgust as he looked at his surroundings like it were garbage.
The original plan was to have a light meal at Du Ruo’s house, but Jing Ming refused, not even wanting to touch a glass of water, so the Jing couple gave up and left soon after.
When Jing Ming got into the car, a reporter from the TV station gave Du Ruo a bouquet of flowers and asked her to send it over. The boy sat in the car with a warning look in his eyes and she lost the courage to come forward. He then slammed the car door shut.
Du Ruo asked around for directions as she dragged her big heavy suitcase, and finally found the North 3rd District parking lot. Parked in Area A 0209 was a white car shaped like a tank.
Jing Ming looked slender, wearing a white shirt and jeans leaning on the hood of his car playing games. He was wearing sunglasses, with earphones plugged in as he chewed gum from time to time.
“Sh*t”
“Idiot”
“Don’t you know how to play!”
Du Ruo was sweating all over. With sweaty palms, she tightly gripped the handle of her suitcase and walked towards him.
Jing Ming shook his phone quickly with both hands. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone approaching. His face turned slighted. Covered by sunglasses, his eyes could not be seen clearly, and his expression felt cold.
He didn’t react at all until she reached him, then his brows twitched a little.
Behind his dark lens, the young man had wary eyes and gave her a glance up and down.
Her hair was damp with sweat, her shirt was wrinkled, her complexion was pale and she was embarrassed. He stared at her like she was an ugly duckling, lost and unwanted.
He finally remembered what he was here for. His game showed signs of decline. Frustrated, he said: “Not playing anymore, I’m leaving.”
He unplugged his earphones and stuffed them into his jeans pocket.
“Du Ruo Chun?”
Du Ruo replied softly: “I’ve changed my name.”
“Oh?” He lifted his eyebrows.
“Du Ruo.”
He raised the corner of his lips and thought, huh, Du Ruo?
Doesn’t it still look like Du Ruo? Well, whatever.
From his pocket, he took out the car keys and pressed it. The trunk popped open. He pointed with his chin and motioned for her to put the suitcase in.
Du Ruo didn’t say a word, walked to the back of the car with her head down and tried to pick up her suitcase, but couldn’t lift it. Forehead full of sweat, she flushed.
Jing Ming glanced at her, his eyebrows were deeply wrinkled and twisted into a frown. It was obvious he didn’t want to help.
He finally couldn’t bear watching any longer. He went over and snatched the luggage from her hand to throw into the boot. Unexpectedly, the luggage was so heavy he almost dropped it on his foot.
Jing Ming flushed and threw the luggage into the trunk, but couldn’t help clenching his teeth and cursing: “F*ck! It’s so heavy.”
Du Ruo explained in a low voice: “I packed some gifts for uncle and aunty.” [1]
Jing Ming responded with a burst of anger: “What gifts? Stones from your hometown?”
“......”
She stopped talking.
He stepped towards her and slammed the trunk shut. For a moment, his tall figure blocked the lights of the parking lot. But, from this distance he could smell the train fumes on her body and his nose wrinkled again in disgust.
Du Ruo didn’t realise and said flatteringly: “You… You’ve grown so tall.”
Jing Ming secretly mocked her clumsy flattery, and disdainfully said: “Have we met?”
“We have. Four years ago, aunty and uncle took you to our house.” [1]
“Don’t remember.” And said, “Don’t act like we’re close.”
Du Ruo shut up.
While driving out of the parking lot, the alarm in the car kept beeping. Jing Ming couldn’t stand it anymore and said: “Fasten your seat belt.”
“Hm?”
“Fasten your seat belt!”
She hurriedly pulled out the belt next to the seat and buckled it. She found that this man had an unusually bad temper and an extraordinary dislike for her. She didn’t understand what she’d done to instigate such treatment. The cramped sadness and embarrassment she felt was the same as when the reporters from the TV stations and newspaper agencies gathered at her home to bombard her with interviews, forcing her to give a speech of gratitude for being admitted into a prestigious college.
Fortunately, this being her first time coming to the capital, her excitement quickly grew, and her attention shifted to the scenery outside the window.
Summer had not yet passed, hence the cottonwood and sycamore trees on both sides of the road were flourishing. Under the blue sky, there were many high-rise buildings and overpass shuttles. As the car drove past the concrete buildings, wind blew through the window, feeling both hot and dry.
After reporting into school tomorrow, her new life in this city will begin.
In the best capital, the best university.
She was so filled with joy, it was hard to suppress her excitement.
Before that, she needed to visit her uncle and aunt in the Jing family. Her father passed away early, and her family was poor. Had it not been for the Jing family’s financial support, she would’ve dropped out of school to make a living in a small business in her village.
Although she felt embarrassed repeatedly expressing her gratitude in front of the camera during the interviews last month, she sincerely treasured their act of kindness in her heart.
The two people did not speak along the way.
Half an hour later, the car stopped in a residential area where there were old red-brick houses with tiled roofs. Nearby, was a row of small restaurants serving dishes like Guilin rice noodles, braised chicken with rice, Chongqing spicy noodles, and so on.
Du Ruo got out of the car and was lamenting on how the Jing family’s living conditions seemed ordinary, yet they were still willing to support her. Jing Ming locked the car door and walked towards a building on the side of the road.
She quickly followed and reminded him: “My luggage is still in the car.”
Without looking back, he continued walking and said: “Unnecessary.”
Du Ruo followed Jing Ming up the stairs, only to realise it was actually an internet cafe.
Jing Ming found a computer, put on headphones and started playing games.
He stared at the screen with bright eyes, his slender fingers flying rapidly across the keyboard, making the keys clack loudly. From time to time, he uttered a few profanities.
On the screen, characters were killing each other with chaotic bursts of light.
Du Ruo didn’t understand what was happening and had no interest, so she could only sit and wait.
After winning a round, he was in a good mood. He laughed and joked with his companions on the other end, then turned to see Du Ruo sitting next to him in a daze.
Without saying a word, he reached over and turned on her computer.
It was then that Du Ruo noticed the long, pale golden dragon-shaped pattern on the sleeves of his white shirt. The pattern winded from shoulder to cuff, intricate and magnificent, yet subtle and dim, only noticeable upon closer inspection. She also noticed a small square silver-grey embossing on the inner side of his shirt cuff, which was faint but added a finishing touch. Each button was made of cypress wood and intricately carved, revealing hidden beauty in the smallest details.
The fabric of the shirt had great texture, and it fit him extremely well. At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary white shirt, but upon closer inspection, there were exquisite details everywhere. It was a rare and quality item.
She lowered her head and hid the stray thread on the sleeve of her shirt.
Jing Ming continued playing his game.
Du Ruo had nothing to do on the computer. After a day of running around, she was tired. She let out a few yawns and unintentionally fell asleep, lying on the table.
Jing Ming glanced at her halfway through the game. She was quietly sleeping with a soft expression. Her eyelashes, like small brushes, hung down, dark and long.
On her screen was the official website of her school.
He withdrew his gaze with no expression.
In the virtual world, there was a fierce battle. Outside, the sun was setting, and the sky was dim.
Du Ruo had slept for an unknown period of time when someone nudged her shoulder.
She woke up in surprise and opened her eyes. Jing Ming took off his headphones, and she asked: “Is the game over?”
He handed her a hundred yuan and ordered: “Go and buy me a bowl of instant noodles.”
After speaking, he wore his headphones again.
Du Ruo glanced at the computer screen and saw that it was seven o’clock in the evening. She said nothing, stood up with the money and left.
Outside the window, the sky was already dark. Inside the internet cafe, were youths in rows wearing headphones, sitting in front of computers engaged in intense battles.
When Du Ruo got to the front desk, several girls were waiting in line so she joined the queue. While waiting, she inadvertently glanced at the mirror beside her and got startled.
In the mirror, she had greasy and messy hair, her cheeks looked pale and worn out, her body looked thin and weak, and she was wearing an overly loose white shirt and jeans. Despite being washed clean, its outdated style and cheap quality could not be hidden.
Du Ruo understood what that lingering emotion she couldn’t shake off since meeting Jing Ming was – – inferiority.
They were both wearing white shirts, both wearing jeans, but they were not the same. One was refined, while the other was ugly. They were clearly from different worlds.
He was so beautiful and handsome, he was shining. While she…
She recalled the way he frowned again and again along the way, and immediately felt ashamed of herself, wanting to disappear.
……
Du Ruo made two bowls of noodles and carried them back. She gave Jing Ming his bowl, placing ninety-five yuan under it.
Jing Ming picked up the noodles and started eating. He casually glanced at the remaining money and asked: “Only five yuan for two bowls of noodles?”
“This one's mine, so I paid for it myself.”
Jing Ming paused for a moment, and half a moment later, he curved his lips and smiled strangely. Without saying anything, he continued playing the game.
Du Ruo’s face instantly became flushed. She understood the meaning behind his smile.
Her money wasn’t really hers, but his family’s.
Jing Ming’s phone began to ring and kept ringing, but he ignored it and continued playing his game.
After he played enough, he went to the front desk to pay, walked out of the internet cafe, and went down the stairs. His phone rang again, and he answered it with an impatient tone: “I’ve picked her up….. What time is it? The train was delayed. What can I do about it?..... Alright, I’ll be back soon.”
He turned around and looked at Du Ruo, and said: “When we get home, you know how to answer?”
Du Ruo nodded repeatedly: “I know. My train was delayed.”
_______________________
[1] referring to Jing Ming's mum and dad
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