ATC 05

Chapter 5

Kyoto

Never before had a dinner made Jiang Wanju so restless.

Jiang Wanju had never heard Bai Qing talk about his background; she only knew from colleagues and friends that he came from an extraordinary family.

Nowadays, love was rarely pure. Jiang Wanju examined everyone who pursued her very strictly, weighing pros and cons. Some might criticize this as being too pragmatic—but she didn’t care. Jiang Wanju knew she would never throw her heart fully into loving someone. In her eyes, notions like “true love above all” or sacrificing work for a man were the most foolish things.

She only engaged in relationships that benefited herself—emotionally satisfying, or offering other advantages.

Her relationship with Bai Qing was, for the most part, a form of entertainment.

It sounded absurd, but their first encounter was almost like a scene from a drama—except the main couple was Bai Qing and his ex-girlfriend. Bai Qing’s ex complained that he didn’t understand romance or surprises. During a heated argument, Jiang Wanju happened to pass by. She had no impression of Bai Qing, but he called out to her, his gaze fixed on the employee badge around her neck. He stared for a long time, like a prisoner seeing the key to the cell.

Bai Qing glanced at his watch and asked Jiang Wanju, “Is it time for the meeting?”

Jiang Wanju assessed the situation and replied, “Yes. Director Hannah has been waiting for you.”

Hannah was Jiang Wanju’s boss: strict with others but lenient with herself.

“I’ll head over right away,” Bai Qing said.

His ex, hearing their conversation, finally stopped pestering him and let Bai Qing leave.

Jiang Wanju carried a stack of materials and followed Bai Qing for quite a while before hearing him say, “Thank you.”

She immediately waved it off.

She didn’t think much of the incident—only later, during lunch, someone mentioned Bai Qing, saying he had finally ended things with his ex. Their love story was more turbulent than a pilgrimage: at one point, they broke up three times in a month, only reconciling briefly when his ex came to the office.

But this time was different. It was a real breakup. Bai Qing’s ex had called the company reception to make a scene for over a month, but it didn’t change anything.

Bai Qing’s attitude was resolute.

The whole affair had caused quite a stir. Jiang Wanju sipped her hazelnut latte and nibbled on her egg and tuna sandwich, treating it as a joke.

A week later, after work, Jiang Wanju ran into Bai Qing in the company lobby.

His current residence was close to her school, so it made sense when he offered her a ride. A week later, she agreed to his proposal.

Dating within the same company wasn’t ideal, so they kept it as a secret, underground romance.

During the second week of dating, Jiang Wanju met Bai Qing’s family.

Oh, and also Chen Zhouren, long absent from her WeChat contacts, quietly lying there.

Bai Qing’s other cousins treated Jiang Wanju with a polite distance—neither cold nor close. She didn’t eat much but smiled and toasted with Bai Qing’s family lightly, clinking cups. Things only got lively after a little wine, though Bai Qing drank very little. Eventually, a cousin deliberately forced him to either drink or kiss Jiang Wanju.

Bai Qing tilted his face, and the kiss landed lightly on her cheek.

The cousin protested, wanting a “real” kiss, but Chen Zhouren intervened with a smile, stopping him.

Jiang Wanju, wiping her cheek, looked up at Chen Zhouren. Between them, smoke rose from the table. He asked Bai Qing with a smile, “How’s work been lately?”

Jiang Wanju looked down, paying little attention to Bai Qing’s reply, her tissue pressed against the spot Bai Qing had kissed. At first, it didn’t feel like much, but now it strangely felt uncomfortable.

She had drunk more than usual. Normally she didn’t touch alcohol, but tonight was an exception. Bai Qing had booked a nearby hotel. Jiang Wanju understood the implication and didn’t resist—after all, dating, holding hands, kissing, hugging, and even sex were natural. She didn’t mind.

Besides, it was Christmas, and she had prepared not to return to school. Perhaps alcohol could temporarily numb the nerves, preventing overthinking.

Dinner ended. Others left quietly, while the mischievous little cousin secretly slipped something into Bai Qing’s hand before leaving. The usually stern Bai Qing smiled and lightly tapped the cousin’s shoulder.

After everyone left, Bai Qing asked, “Camille, do you want to go for a walk or rest now?”

“Let’s rest,” Jiang Wanju said after thinking.

He seemed pleased with her answer. Picking up her coat, Bai Qing naturally draped it over his arm and held her shoulder with the other hand.

They stepped out of the courtyard. The alley was long and narrow, surrounded by old residences. Not far away, Chen Zhouren was chatting with the little cousin. The dim light cast long shadows on the ground, overlapping Bai Qing and Jiang Wanju.

The alley was too narrow for a car; they had to walk out first.

Then, unexpectedly, Bai Qing’s ex appeared, standing in front of his car. After a year-long relationship with fifteen breakups, she looked tearful and asked, “Are you sure you want to end things with me for good?”

She looked as fragile as ice in an early spring river, as if a breeze could shatter her.

Jiang Wanju didn’t speak. Noticing Bai Qing tense up, she let go of his arm and stepped aside politely. “You two continue. I’ll wait over there.”

Bai Qing didn’t stop her.

Jiang Wanju disliked chaos and awkward scenes. She valued dignity, both hers and others’. Leaving space for them to talk, she walked to a regular house where a streetlight was broken, standing in the dark, idly scrolling her phone.

It was already 11 p.m.

Her high heels had rubbed her ankles sore. Expensive didn’t necessarily mean comfortable—fit mattered most. She regretted not retrieving her scarf earlier; the cold wind crept along her neck. She wished for a cup of hot water, but no shops were nearby.

A hand offered her a cigarette. Looking up, Jiang Wanju saw Chen Zhouren’s familiar face.

“Smoke?” he asked.

Jiang Wanju wrapped herself tighter. “No.”

Chen Zhouren smiled, put away the pack, and said, “Bai Qing probably won’t continue dating tonight. I’ll take you back to school first.”

She paused two seconds, then asked, “Can I have a cigarette now?”

“Didn’t you say you don’t smoke?”

“I can learn.”

He handed the cigarette to her lips. She leaned slightly, biting the filter, her lips brushing Chen Zhouren’s fingers. He said nothing, just watched her hair, thick and beautiful, the faint scent of preserved plums drifting in the cold wind.

He taught her how to hold the cigarette. After several attempts with the lighter, it finally ignited. Jiang Wanju took a harsh inhale, coughing and tearing up, unsure what to do with the cigarette.

Chen Zhouren casually took the remaining cigarette, puffing the part she had already smoked.

Something she disliked felt so leisurely and pleasant in his hands.

Chen Zhouren looked down at her tearful face and smiled, his shallow dimple visible. “Don’t force it. If it doesn’t suit you, don’t push it.”