Winter makes way for spring .
The trees that lost their leaves over winter are starting to grow new leaves again . These Ginkgo trees line either side of the road leading to the university dormitory block for the girls . Underneath the trees, students are standing in groups, catching up with one another about what happened during the holidays . There are also couples in the more secluded spots, cuddling and displaying their affection for each other . After, the romantic spring season has arrived .
Jian Yao’s roommates have not returned to the campus, so she has the room all to herself . She spends her day reading, surfing the net and recording the details of working with Bo Jinyan on a journal . It was a one in a lifetime experience . She wants to keep a note of everything that has happened .
———
Jian Yao is lying in bed when Fu Ziyu calls .
“Your voice sounds funny . Are you ok? Do you have a toothache? Or is your face swollen because someone hit you?” asks Fu Ziyu .
Jian Yao tries not to laugh . She has a whitening mask on her face . It’s hard to talk when you don’t want to open your mouth .
“Mask! What’s up?” She answers .
Fu Ziyu is amused . He turns to Bo Jinyan and says: “Hey Bo Jinyan, she sounds like a sheep . It’s kinda whiny but it’s cute . Do you want to listen to it?”
Bo Jinyan answers :”Why would I want to hear her distorted voice?”
By this time, Jian Yao has removed the thin piece of sheet from her face: “Hey, I didn’t answer the phone to get mocked . ”
Fu Ziyu laughs and tells her the reason for the call:”Let’s have lunch together . I’ve found a flat for you . ”
“I’ll treat you . Come over to the campus . There’s a restaurant nearby that does a nice fish dish . ”
———
There’s a lot of small eateries around the campus . Yao picked a restaurant that does a good lamb and fish casserole . It’s a popular choice amongst the students .
- Does he own suits of any other colour? Jian Yao wonders . At least he looks good in a black suit . Hang on, why should she care what Bo Jinyan wears .
•
They stand at the entrance, waiting for a waiter to show them to their table . Bo Jinyan takes a look around . The place is filled with the smell of chilli, fish and lamb .
“They source their fish from the fish market every morning . It’s guaranteed fresh . And the lamb is from Mongolia . ” Jian Yao looks at Bo Jinyan, “Have you tried this before?”
Bo Jinyan take a glance at her . He doesn’t answer her question .
Jian Yao passes the menu to Fu Ziyu: “Is there anything else you want to order?”
Fu Ziyu asks the waiter: “Can we order a steamed fish as well?”
“Sorry, we specialises in lamb and fish casserole . The kitchen prepares the food in the morning . We don’t have any whole fish fillets left . The portions are quite large, it should be more than enough for the three of you . ”
It’s a pleasant meal . Jian Yao and Fu Ziyu did most of the talking . Bo Jinyan will add a sentence or two occasionally, but it’s always in his arrogant and inconsiderate manner . They are used to his style by now, so they just laugh it off . When Bo Jinyan leaves the table to take a phone call outside, Fu Ziyu says jokingly to Jian Yao: “What’s wrong with us? Why are we friends with Bo Jinyan? Do we like to bring torture upon ourselves?”
- A Friend?! Bo Jinyan? Jian Yao thinks to herself . They are friends now .
——
Jian Yao notices that Bo Jinyan did not touch the fish and lamb casserole . He didn’t eat from the beef dish either .
Jian Yao: “Why…?”
“He doesn’t eat red meat . ” Fu Ziyu knows what she is about to ask: “He was on a six months cannibal hunt in California a couple of years ago . He stopped eating red meat after that case . ”
Jian Yao“I’m sorry… . ”
“Never mind . He also likes vegetables . See, he finished this whole plate by himself!” smiles Fu Ziyu . “ In his line of work, he comes across a lot of very disturbing sights at the crime scenes, especially during the time when he assisted the FBI investigation . He is used to them now, but it’s because of accumulated experience . The first time he was at a crime scene, he threw up too . ”
——
After lunch, Fu Ziyu brings them to a beautiful apartment building on a quiet cul de sac .
The three bedrooms apartment Fu Ziyu found for Bo Jinyan is on the first place . It has a very minimalist feel . A palette of neutral and grey colours makes the place cold and uninviting . There is a big 2metres x 2 metres bed in the master bedroom, covered in black bed linen . Bo Jinyan takes a look around and nods: “Yes, I like this place . Thank you . ”
“We are going to your apartment next . ” says Fu Ziyu to Jian Yao .
“Mine? In the same building?”
“Of course, then you can look out for one another . ” Fu Ziyu whispers in her eyes: “I think it’s safer for you to have a male friend living close by . ”
Bo Jinyan overheads this statement . He has a smile on his face . Jian Yao is not sure what the significance of this smile . Proud? Pride? What is he proud of anyway? That he’s a man, and not a weak and vulnerable woman?
——-
“This neighbourhood is probably outside my budget…”
“Take a look inside first before you decide . ” Fu Ziyu pushes her into a small studio apartment on the second floor . It’s neatly furnished . A little chandelier hanging from the ceiling adds a nice feminine touch . There’s two small orange sofas in the middle of the room . There’s a tatami bed next to the window . In the other side of the room is a clawed foot bathtub, with soft pink drapes around it . Jian Yao can already imagine how relaxing it will be soaking the tiredness away after a hard day’s work . This place is perfect for her .
“How much is this studio?” She knows it’s not going to be cheap but it’s worth the extra rent . Fu Ziyu tells her how much the rent is . She makes a quick calculation in her head . “OK! I’ll take it . ”
Bo Jinyan looks around her apartment . He takes a look at the views outside the window: “Wow, you’ll never see a sunrise through these windows . ” It looks into the wall of a tall neighbouring building .
Come on, at the price she is paying, she can’t expect a sea view too!
He walks to the clawed foot bathtub . He looks at it for ages, and then uses his fingers to examine the surface . Jian Yao thinks it’s weird that a man would stare at her bathtub for such a long time . She walks over and tries to draw him away: “There’s nothing special to see here . ”
“Why are you blushing?” Asks Bo Jinyan .
It’s not something Jian Yao expects him to say . She subconsciously touches her face . It’s … a little hot .
“Don’t be shy . " His eyes flashes her a haughty glance: “Woman feels the need to be naked sometimes . To be freed from the restraints of clothing . You express that when you are alone . It’s normal human behaviour . ”
Jian Yao face is bright red now . But perhaps they have spent enough time together by now . She comes back with her counterattack: “Is this what you read from your psychology books? That’s just theories ‘on paper’, you have no idea how woman actually thinks or behaves . ”
-
Jian Yao spend the next few days decorating her apartment . She looks forward to her first day of work .
Bo Jinyan has been busy too . He bought a car - a Grand Cherokee . They met each other at the lobby a few times . Apparently, Bo Jinyan works mostly from home . He does not need to go to the office every day .
-
Jian Yao works for a company calls ClearWorld - a well-known international trading company . It’s not easy to get an internship there, but her good grades helped her to secure the job .
On Monday morning, Jian Yao takes the subway to work . The company is in a building located near the embassy district, next to all the high-end shopping malls, entertainment and bars .
It is a magnificent building . Everyone is very well-dressed . They all look like they are very busy . The atmosphere here is quite intense . Jian Yao has heard rumours about an employee who died suddenly of fatigue due to over working . There’s also a story that a girl committed suicide recently because she can’t take the pressure of working here anymore . Jian Yao doesn’t know if they are true . But everyone does look like they are in combat mode and ready to ‘fight’ .
Jian Yao reports to the sector that is responsible for automotive parts . This is one of the smaller divisions within the sales department . To her relieve, her reporting manager is quite nice, and her colleagues are friendly and helpful . They are all around the same age as her, so it’s easy to get along with them .
———
Weekend .
It’s been a week since Jian Yao started work . It’s been a busy week . She is happy to relax in her little apartment .
There’s a knock on the door . It’s a courier package for someone calls Simon .
The courier guy says to Jian Yao: “ I called Mr . Bo . He is not home at the moment . He said to leave this package with you . ”
- Simon? She didn’t know he has an English name .
- Simon . It’s a nice name . It suits him .
Just before dinner time, there’s another knock on the door . It’s Bo Jinyan .
They just look at each other . She passes him the parcel . She expects him to leave straight away . But instead, he walks in without an invitation . He starts inspecting the house . Then he takes a seat on the sofa and opens the parcel . It’s a document file . He starts going through the file .
Jian Yao leaves him to do his own thing . She goes back to the kitchenette to prepare her dinner .
Winter makes way for spring .
The trees that lost their leaves over winter are starting to grow new leaves again . These Ginkgo trees line either side of the road leading to the university dormitory block for the girls . Underneath the trees, students are standing in groups, catching up with one another about what happened during the holidays . There are also couples in the more secluded spots, cuddling and displaying their affection for each other . After, the romantic spring season has arrived .
Jian Yao’s roommates have not returned to the campus, so she has the room all to herself . She spends her day reading, surfing the net and recording the details of working with Bo Jinyan on a journal . It was a one in a lifetime experience . She wants to keep a note of everything that has happened .
———
Jian Yao is lying in bed when Fu Ziyu calls .
“Your voice sounds funny . Are you ok? Do you have a toothache? Or is your face swollen because someone hit you?” asks Fu Ziyu .
Jian Yao tries not to laugh . She has a whitening mask on her face . It’s hard to talk when you don’t want to open your mouth .
“Mask! What’s up?” She answers .
Fu Ziyu is amused . He turns to Bo Jinyan and says: “Hey Bo Jinyan, she sounds like a sheep . It’s kinda whiny but it’s cute . Do you want to listen to it?”
Bo Jinyan answers :”Why would I want to hear her distorted voice?”
By this time, Jian Yao has removed the thin piece of sheet from her face: “Hey, I didn’t answer the phone to get mocked . ”
Fu Ziyu laughs and tells her the reason for the call:”Let’s have lunch together . I’ve found a flat for you . ”
“I’ll treat you . Come over to the campus . There’s a restaurant nearby that does a nice fish dish . ”
———
There’s a lot of small eateries around the campus . Yao picked a restaurant that does a good lamb and fish casserole . It’s a popular choice amongst the students .
- Does he own suits of any other colour? Jian Yao wonders . At least he looks good in a black suit . Hang on, why should she care what Bo Jinyan wears .
•
They stand at the entrance, waiting for a waiter to show them to their table . Bo Jinyan takes a look around . The place is filled with the smell of chilli, fish and lamb .
“They source their fish from the fish market every morning . It’s guaranteed fresh . And the lamb is from Mongolia . ” Jian Yao looks at Bo Jinyan, “Have you tried this before?”
Bo Jinyan take a glance at her . He doesn’t answer her question .
Jian Yao passes the menu to Fu Ziyu: “Is there anything else you want to order?”
Fu Ziyu asks the waiter: “Can we order a steamed fish as well?”
“Sorry, we specialises in lamb and fish casserole . The kitchen prepares the food in the morning . We don’t have any whole fish fillets left . The portions are quite large, it should be more than enough for the three of you . ”
It’s a pleasant meal . Jian Yao and Fu Ziyu did most of the talking . Bo Jinyan will add a sentence or two occasionally, but it’s always in his arrogant and inconsiderate manner . They are used to his style by now, so they just laugh it off . When Bo Jinyan leaves the table to take a phone call outside, Fu Ziyu says jokingly to Jian Yao: “What’s wrong with us? Why are we friends with Bo Jinyan? Do we like to bring torture upon ourselves?”
- A Friend?! Bo Jinyan? Jian Yao thinks to herself . They are friends now .
——
Jian Yao notices that Bo Jinyan did not touch the fish and lamb casserole . He didn’t eat from the beef dish either .
Jian Yao: “Why…?”
“He doesn’t eat red meat . ” Fu Ziyu knows what she is about to ask: “He was on a six months cannibal hunt in California a couple of years ago . He stopped eating red meat after that case . ”
Jian Yao“I’m sorry… . ”
“Never mind . He also likes vegetables . See, he finished this whole plate by himself!” smiles Fu Ziyu . “ In his line of work, he comes across a lot of very disturbing sights at the crime scenes, especially during the time when he assisted the FBI investigation . He is used to them now, but it’s because of accumulated experience . The first time he was at a crime scene, he threw up too . ”
——
After lunch, Fu Ziyu brings them to a beautiful apartment building on a quiet cul de sac .
The three bedrooms apartment Fu Ziyu found for Bo Jinyan is on the first place . It has a very minimalist feel . A palette of neutral and grey colours makes the place cold and uninviting . There is a big 2metres x 2 metres bed in the master bedroom, covered in black bed linen . Bo Jinyan takes a look around and nods: “Yes, I like this place . Thank you . ”
“We are going to your apartment next . ” says Fu Ziyu to Jian Yao .
“Mine? In the same building?”
“Of course, then you can look out for one another . ” Fu Ziyu whispers in her eyes: “I think it’s safer for you to have a male friend living close by . ”
Bo Jinyan overheads this statement . He has a smile on his face . Jian Yao is not sure what the significance of this smile . Proud? Pride? What is he proud of anyway? That he’s a man, and not a weak and vulnerable woman?
——-
“This neighbourhood is probably outside my budget…”
“Take a look inside first before you decide . ” Fu Ziyu pushes her into a small studio apartment on the second floor . It’s neatly furnished . A little chandelier hanging from the ceiling adds a nice feminine touch . There’s two small orange sofas in the middle of the room . There’s a tatami bed next to the window . In the other side of the room is a clawed foot bathtub, with soft pink drapes around it . Jian Yao can already imagine how relaxing it will be soaking the tiredness away after a hard day’s work . This place is perfect for her .
“How much is this studio?” She knows it’s not going to be cheap but it’s worth the extra rent . Fu Ziyu tells her how much the rent is . She makes a quick calculation in her head . “OK! I’ll take it . ”
Bo Jinyan looks around her apartment . He takes a look at the views outside the window: “Wow, you’ll never see a sunrise through these windows . ” It looks into the wall of a tall neighbouring building .
Come on, at the price she is paying, she can’t expect a sea view too!
He walks to the clawed foot bathtub . He looks at it for ages, and then uses his fingers to examine the surface . Jian Yao thinks it’s weird that a man would stare at her bathtub for such a long time . She walks over and tries to draw him away: “There’s nothing special to see here . ”
“Why are you blushing?” Asks Bo Jinyan .
It’s not something Jian Yao expects him to say . She subconsciously touches her face . It’s … a little hot .
“Don’t be shy . " His eyes flashes her a haughty glance: “Woman feels the need to be naked sometimes . To be freed from the restraints of clothing . You express that when you are alone . It’s normal human behaviour . ”
Jian Yao face is bright red now . But perhaps they have spent enough time together by now . She comes back with her counterattack: “Is this what you read from your psychology books? That’s just theories ‘on paper’, you have no idea how woman actually thinks or behaves . ”
-
Jian Yao spend the next few days decorating her apartment . She looks forward to her first day of work .
Bo Jinyan has been busy too . He bought a car - a Grand Cherokee . They met each other at the lobby a few times . Apparently, Bo Jinyan works mostly from home . He does not need to go to the office every day .
-
Jian Yao works for a company calls ClearWorld - a well-known international trading company . It’s not easy to get an internship there, but her good grades helped her to secure the job .
On Monday morning, Jian Yao takes the subway to work . The company is in a building located near the embassy district, next to all the high-end shopping malls, entertainment and bars .
It is a magnificent building . Everyone is very well-dressed . They all look like they are very busy . The atmosphere here is quite intense . Jian Yao has heard rumours about an employee who died suddenly of fatigue due to over working . There’s also a story that a girl committed suicide recently because she can’t take the pressure of working here anymore . Jian Yao doesn’t know if they are true . But everyone does look like they are in combat mode and ready to ‘fight’ .
Jian Yao reports to the sector that is responsible for automotive parts . This is one of the smaller divisions within the sales department . To her relieve, her reporting manager is quite nice, and her colleagues are friendly and helpful . They are all around the same age as her, so it’s easy to get along with them .
———
Weekend .
It’s been a week since Jian Yao started work . It’s been a busy week . She is happy to relax in her little apartment .
There’s a knock on the door . It’s a courier package for someone calls Simon .
The courier guy says to Jian Yao: “ I called Mr . Bo . He is not home at the moment . He said to leave this package with you . ”
- Simon? She didn’t know he has an English name .
- Simon . It’s a nice name . It suits him .
Just before dinner time, there’s another knock on the door . It’s Bo Jinyan .
They just look at each other . She passes him the parcel . She expects him to leave straight away . But instead, he walks in without an invitation . He starts inspecting the house . Then he takes a seat on the sofa and opens the parcel . It’s a document file . He starts going through the file .
Jian Yao leaves him to do his own thing . She goes back to the kitchenette to prepare her dinner .
