Summer #47

Don't Turn from Summer (莫负寒夏) by Ding Mo (丁墨)

Chapter 47

When Lin Mochen returns to his room at night, he receives a message on the phone from Xue Ning: “Jason, congratulations on your acquisition of Lot A. Wish you best of luck with your business in Lin City. See you for a cup of coffee together sometime?”

Lin Mochen replies, “Thanks.”

Xue Ning responds with a smiley face.

And that is the end of the conversation.

Deep into the night, Lin Mochen lies in bed with hands folded behind his head. About Xue Ning’s background, he gradually learned quite some. One has to say it’s totally incredible. This woman must be one of the most expensive and precious young lady in the country. But what’s about that? Lin Mochen snickers with a slightly twitched corner of his mouth. After all, he doesn’t want to have what he doesn’t love.

He just wants his Cinderella.

Sitting quietly for a moment, Lin Mochen remembers the call he received in the afternoon.

At the same time, in another room nearby, Mu Hanxia is also searching for this name in the computer.

It has to do with the little incident this afternoon. At the time Mu Hanxia didn’t feel good about the situation and she candidly asked if it was his ex-girlfriend.

Lin Mochen chuckled and said, “No, it’s not. Take it easy, there isn’t any woman in my past who could possibly threat our relationship.” After pausing a little, he continued, “It was my mother who called.”

......

She knows that he was originally from Lin City, went abroad at a young age and grew up in America. But he has a younger sister from the same parents. So she had a vague impression that his family might not get along very well. But now, after searching for his mother’s information, she finds out why.

HE[1] Qingling used to be a famous entrepreneur in Lin City who mainly ran business in real estates, apparel and some other fields. She was born in a business family and started her own business right after graduation from college. Her husband was her college classmate, a renowned professor of physics. But they were divorced due to incompatible personalities which resulted in he taking the son abroad and she staying behind in China with the daughter.

[Note 1: HE, is a quite a common family name in Chinese. It sounds similar to HER. Here I capitalize both letters in order to avoid possible confusion with the English word ‘he’ in some cases.]

HE’s enterprise was once the top three tax payers in Lin City but later went almost bankrupt due to investment failure as a result of strategic and operational mistakes. HE herself also went to live in a health care center due to personal health problems. Her enterprise gradually faded out from the public...

After reading some of the information, Mu Hanxia feels her heart ache for him. A boy in his teens and at a rebellious phase had to experience the breakdown of the family and move overseas with his father. No doubt he is now so proud and aloof.

Suddenly she stiffens and feels her heart beat faster, because her eyes rest on a row of words: “HE Qingling...mainly ran business in real estates, apparel and other fields.”

Real estates, apparel...

In her mind, she instantly sees the cold and indifferent Lin Mochen whenever he talks about his enterprise blueprint.

When doing apparel, he said, “I’m entering the apparel industry to grab the greatest portion of the profit.”

When entering real estates, he said, “What I look at is the great industry trend and the profit. Where the greatest profit is, where I’m heading for.”

......

But, what if it’s not just because of profit?

Everybody thinks this man has a cold heart with no sympathy, and is purely interested in business profit. But it’s not that he doesn’t have a heart, he just hides it too deeply. With his ability and sharp intuition, how can he not earn money at any industry he chooses to enter? But he just happens to have chosen apparel and real estates...no matter it is out of hatred or out of love.

Mu Hanxia’s heart softens and her mind suddenly wonders. What about in the future, if she and he are deeply in love, will he hide her so deeply in his heart?

Many feelings swell and tangle in her heart, sympathy, sweetness, and a sense of loss. She can hardly keep herself from rushing to his side, holding him tight and burying her face into his arms. But she manages to stop herself. Since this is not what he would gladly admit, she better pretends that she doesn’t know.

At length, she picks up the cellphone and sends him a message: “Mochen, good night and sweet dreams.”

Just looking at the slim text “Mochen” gives a feeling of special tenderness.

Sure enough, after a few minutes, he returns, “shall I come over now?”

Mu Hanxia stiffens and her face is instantly burning.

A few doors next, Lin Mochen is leaning in bed, staring at the phone screen in his hand, waiting for her response.

Mu Hanxia realizes he is serious, sending her an invitation as a mature man to a woman. She hastily responds, “No, no need! I’m already in bed. Good night!”

--------

A few days later, Lin Mochen still goes to visit HE Qingling, bringing Mu Hanxia with him.

The meeting place is a high-profile restaurant near the health care center. HE Qingling is already there when Lin Mochen and Mu Hanxia enter the reserved suite.

HE Qingling appears to be a lady who has taken good care of herself. In her fifties, she wears light and elegant make-up and is graceful and charming. She is slim and tall as Lin Mochen, who has also her facial features and is the same good-looking and proud.

The reserved suite has an inner room and an outer room and HE Qingling is seated in the inner room, seeing them through the half-closed door. Mu Hanxia whispers, “I’ll wait outside.” Lin Mochen nods and takes off his overcoat, handing it over to Mu Hanxia. He lowers his head and gives her a kiss, acting as if HE Qingling does not exist. When he’s done, he steps into the inner room and closes the door behind him.

Mu Hanxia sits down and waits quietly.

In the room, Lin Mochen relaxes himself and takes his seat opposite HE Qingling. “You wanted to see me. What’s it about?”

HE Qingling gazes at the strange yet familiar young man before her. He was twelve when he left. In her memory, the boy, hugging his younger sister Lin Qian in his arms, kept staring at her and said nothing. But there seemed to have tears in his eyes. How unyielding! How just like her!

Now he has grown into such a mature and reserved man. The graceful manners, excellent education, and proud personality, exactly the same as her when she was younger. If it’s not that he stirred up a fierce business battle in Lin City, HE Qingling won’t know he has already come back.

“hah...” HE Qingling laughs softly, “No matter what, I’m still your mother. Shouldn’t you let me know when you came back? You even told Lin Qian not to mention it to me?”

Lin Mochen also laughs a little without being agitated. He just says evenly, “Now you know I’m back. What’s it now?”

He is so calm, not exposing any of his feelings, which makes HE Qingling stiffens a little. She picks up the tea and takes a small sip. Then she suddenly changes the subject: “I heard your main business endeavors are in real estates and apparel?”

Lin Mochen’s eyes are darker. But he says nothing.

HE Qingling smiles and says, “Good choices. Why? The things I couldn’t do, you want to accomplish them for me? Get back my previous territory? How old are you now? Twenty six, right? Young and ambitious, after all.”

Lin Mochen snickers and he knocks his knuckles on the table from time to time. “Ms. HE Qingling, you seem to have thought too much and too high of yourself. I chose these two fields simply because there are great profits in them for now. Don’t regard me as your equal. I won’t get myself bankrupt. Lin City? Haa... What I’m going after is the national market. But this has nothing to do with you.”

HE Qingling is not provoked. Instead, after a short pause, she says with a faint smile, “So you came back and do this to give your mother a slap in the face? It doesn’t matter. I’ve lost my face long ago and no longer have it. But after all, you are my son. Since you’ve chosen it, better do it well. Don’t let others laugh at you.”

They are both quiet for a moment.

Then Lin Mochen stands up. There’s little for them to talk about and he has stayed too long already. But HE Qingling stands up at the same time and says, “You don’t need to go. I will go. Seems that you and your friend haven’t eaten yet. I won’t be an eyesore here.”

Lin Mochen doesn’t stop her and just stands quietly aside. HE Qingling puts on her overcoat. Then, she takes out a name card and puts it on the table before him, saying: “This is an old friend of mine, who is very influential in the banking system. Right now you are mainly doing the real estate business and want to have rapid expansion, money must be your short plate. He is really reliable. If I be your credit guarantor, he will give us some convenience. If you have any need, just give him a call.”

At these words, she pushes open the door and walks out, without waiting for Lin Mochen to respond.

Summer #46

Don't Turn from Summer (莫负寒夏) by Ding Mo (丁墨)

Chapter 46

After having lunch together, Lin Mochen drives her all the way out of the city.

Mu Hanxia asks curiously, “Where are you taking me?”

But what does he say? “Don’t know.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you want to go somewhere quiet and comfortable? When we see a good place, we’ll go.”

“Oh, sure.”

Driving north for a few miles, they see some green mountains and neatly lined up buildings. There’s a sign at the roadside: “Giant Panda Base of Lin City.” Mu Hanxia is instantly interested: “Shall we go take a look?”

To be honest, Lin Mochen has not the least interest or sympathy of any animal or pet. But since she wants to go, he makes the turn.

After parking the car and buying the tickets, they enter the panda park. It’s winter now and today is a workday, so there are very few people in such a big park. They are actually glad to be alone in the quietness, holding hands and walking slowly.

But pandas are not afraid of the coldness. When the two of them come to a small fenced-in garden, they see several pandas lying there. Mu Hanxia watches with great interest and makes “Yoyoyo” sound from time to time, trying to play with them. But they simply ignore her. Lin Mochen wraps his arm around her shoulders and watches with smiles.

Right then, a panda suddenly gets up and runs around the playground like crazy, tumbling and rolling on the ground sometimes. Mu Hanxia’s eyes widen at the sight, and Lin Mochen also gets attracted. The panda must be tired after running around and around. All of a sudden, it holds on to a tree nearby and shakes it with all its might, making leaves fall all over the ground,  just like what a hyper energetic young fellow would do. Finally Mu Hanxia can’t help but laugh out loud. Lin Mochen also chuckles, hugging her from behind and watching on with her.

After that, they go to watch other few pandas as well as baby pandas. The babies are golden colored with long tales, looking both like a cat and a baby bear. They are very cute and lively and are more nimble than the grownup ones. The two keep watching with great interest.

The base is built alongside the mountain and takes up a large area of land. They keep walking deeper but find there’s nothing but deep woods ahead. Even staff members can’t be seen.

The winter sun sets rather early and the sky is now turning grayish in the woods. Beneath their feet there are thick leaves and soft and cold soil. They hold hands and walk on slowly, neither of them saying anything for a while.

After some time, Lin Mochen pulls her to sit down on a meadow thickly covered with leaves and let her lean in his arms. Mu Hanxia looks up at his handsome face, his brand name overcoat, and the leather shoes, which are all so out of order with the surroundings. But he still accompanies her to the natural scenery that’s far away from the city.

She raises her face to kiss him. At the same moment, he grips her waist, lowers his head to kiss her, turning from the passive one into the aggressive one.

Mu Hanxia doesn’t know when it happened, but she is laid down to the meadow by him. He pins both her hands above her head with one hand, his long and slim body covering hers. She feels the turbulence of emotions in her heart, just like the silent but vast ocean. The gray sky, the dim wood, and the slightly cool wind, under which is his handsome and charming face. He looks so refined and elegant, but his kiss is so fierce. Her lips, neck, collarbones, and ears are all under his attack, inch by inch.

 His hand starts to fumble in from under her clothes, caressing her gently. When has Mu Hanxia ever got fondled like this by a lover? She feels both happy and nervous. Mumbling and faltering, her whole body shivers slightly in his arms. She wants to stop his hand, but her hands are locked by his and is totally unable to stop him. She lets out a moan and smiles appear in Lin Mochen’s eyes. But Mu Hanxia also sees the deep and dark color in his eyes. Is it the color of desire?

Why is he so evil today?

......

Is it that after being with him for so long that she now is smarter? At a certain moment, it dawns on Mu Hanxia why Lin Mochen treats her like this today.

He is thoughtful and calculating by nature. Didn’t he have the idea of measuring and comparing the affection between them at the very beginning? Later right after they established their relationship, she unexpectedly left for the business trip. Today he is so aggressive. It’s partly out of his real desire. For the other part, is he doing it deliberately? Deliberately getting more intimate, deliberately taking up more of her, both physically and emotionally.

The more she thinks about it, the more certain she is―he is weaving an emotional net to trap her deeper. But Mu Hanxia gazes at his black eyes, feeling all tenderness in her heart.

Because she has long been in the net, willing to accept every bit of him. No matter it’s his true loving heart, his ambitious heart, or his heart with private considerations.

Because she wants to be closer and closer day by day, penetrating the distance of time and space between them.

She reaches out and winds her arms around his neck. For the very first time in her life, she takes the initiative to kiss a guy’s neck, ears, cheeks... Nose tip against her nose tip, Lin Mochen chuckles and whispers, “So enthusiastic?” Mu Hanxia feels her face burning―she’s only responding to him, Okay?

But then, he catches her lips between his own and begins another kiss, his body seeming to be pressing a little closer.

Mu Hanxia is not totally naive and she senses the obvious change of his body. What a calculating one is this? Is this implication or seduction? Mu Hanxia’s whole body stiffens up. But she is well under him and can’t get away from it. Only her heart beats extremely fast, nuzzling with him quietly but intimately.

Lin Mochen doesn’t realize that his purpose of this little trip has been discerned by Mu Hanxia. He doesn’t stop enticing her and ‘harassing’ her until after a long moment, when he finally sits up and pushes her up with him. His coast is messy and her down jacket badly wrinkled. There’s some rosy color on his cheeks and hers are burning red. Gazing at her, he grins lazily. And so Mu Hanxia learns that apart from the decisiveness and ruthlessness while doing business, he also has such recklessness and sexiness when in love.

--------

Before leaving the base, Mu Hanxia goes to the bathroom. When she comes out, Lin Mochen is speaking with someone on the phone under the light-filtering tree.

She walks over sneakily, planning to hug him from behind, but hears him saying with a very cold voice: “... Yes, I’m back in Lin City. Ah...who are you to me? Why should I come to see you?”

Mu Hanxia lowers her hands and remains still and quiet.

In an instant he already hangs up. He turns and sees her.

Mu Hanxia: “Who’s it?”

Lin Mochen doesn’t answer. His expression doesn’t look good. He just grabs her hand and says, “Let’s go.”

Mu Hanxia then says nothing else.

There was a very good atmosphere between them before the call, when he was holding her long hair and kissing it. But now after getting into the car, he just looks straight ahead with a expressionless face and doesn’t say anything to her.

His mood apparently is affected by that call. And Mu Hanxia vaguely heard it was a woman’s voice.

The dark night slides by the window. He doesn’t notice her extreme quietness until after a long while. He turns his head and gives her a glance, “What’re you thinking?”

“Whose call was it?” She asks.

Lin Mochen is still silent.

She asks softly, “Was it your ex-girlfriend?”

Summer #45

Don't Turn from Summer (莫负寒夏) by Ding Mo (丁墨)

Chapter 45

The sunlight is clear and the winter wind is chilly.

Lin Mochen stands in front of the deserted farm field dotted with a few farm houses and large groves of trees. Beyond the field, in the mists, is the city.

Beside him there are two other people. One is the real estate manager Sun Zhi and the other is the owner of this lot. His name is Cao Dashen, a local resident in his 40s. He is overweight and the suit looks very tight on him. He appears to be fierce and rough with a pair of triangular eyes and a high nose bridge.

It was by chance that Sun Zhi learned Cao Dasheng intends to transfer this lot. He reported it to Lin Mochen. No matter from the perspective of price, location, or the difficulty of old house demolition and relocation, this is a good lot.

Smiling amiably, Lin Mochen says to Cao Daosheng, “Chief Cao, although this lot is big, it is in suburban area and right now is the winter of real estate industry. It will be very risky to develop this lot. I can’t easily make the decision to acquire this lot, I’m sorry.”

Rough as Cao Daoshen is, he is not stupid. How can’t he tell that Lin Mochen is trying to cut the price. He says with helpless frustration: “Chief Lin, I really have lost a lot with this price. If you really want it, better hurry up. There are many people who are after me for it!”

Lin Mochen smiles a little and gives Sun Zhi a glance. Sun Zhi receives his hint and puts his arm around Cao Daosheng’s shoulder: “Come on, Chief Cao, your favorite Australian lobsters are ready in the restaurant, the ladies from our public relations department are waiting to drink with you. Let’s talk more at the dinner table.”

Cao Daosheng’s eyes brighten up at these words. Sun Zhi continues: “Chief Lin has an appointment with Chief Rao from Rong Yue in the afternoon, so he can’t go. But it’s fine, let us talk and I will make sure you are well served.” Cao Daoshen doesn’t mind at all. The most important things are lobsters and beautiful girls. So he leaves with Sun Zhi, talking warmly to each other.

Lin Mochen is left alone, standing on the lot.

He does have an appointment with Rong Yue, but it doesn’t really prevent him from having lunch with them. That’s just an excuse. He hates to have lunch with people like Cao Daosheng.

Just like what he told Mu Hanxia earlier―he’s a businessman, but not a barmaid.

At the thoughts of Mu Hanxia, the scenery before his eyes seems to quiet down and soften up. Last night, they talked on the phone and she said she would be back in two days. A faint smile appears at the corner of his mouth.

Not far behind him is the state road, where comes the sound of a car pulling up. Somebody gets out of the car and there’s the sound of suitcase wheels rolling.

Lin Mochen slightly stiffens and turns to look over his shoulder.

Under the bare whiter poplar tree, with her tiny face exposed from the hat and scarf, she gazes at him smilingly, a suitcase in her hand. The taxi drives away behind her.

Mu Hanxia is also studying him who is standing in the grassy field. Still in black overcoat, with deep gray scarf and leather gloves, his figure seems more clear-cut and handsome. He is staring at her with deep and dark eyes. Mu Hanxia feels as if she can hear her own heart beating, strong but tender in the chest.

He comes over in long strides.

Mu Hanxia: “Jason, everything is going well in Beijing. No need to worry now.”

But he says nothing.

Mu Hanxia can’t help but smile again, and not without quite a bit of pride: “I finished everything sooner and came back earlier. They told me you are here, so I came to look for you...”

Before she can finish her words, she is pulled into his arms. Her face pressed against his sweater at the chest, Mu Hanxia’s heart, which has been quelled by distance for so many days, begins to be boiling hot again.

“Got more prowess now? Coming back without any notice in advance?” He says.

“Uhm...,” She looks up and sees the smiles swelling in his eyes. Then he lowers his lips to hers.

After being apart for so many days, this is a long and gentle kiss. They stand under the tree dappled with winter sunlight on them. Occasionally a leaf falls to the ground near their feet.

 His kiss is gentle but deep. A hand behind the back of her head, the other holding her slender waist, he chases her tongue, nibbling and inviting, taking total control and making her give up all her reserve and lose herself into his kiss. Mu Hanxia goes half blank by his kiss, her face burning. Not completely without grievance, she leans against his chest and says softly, “You said you would push the door open but you haven’t kept your promise. You didn’t come to see me during all these days.”

Lin Mochen actually feels his heart get so soft at the words, as soft as her sweet pink lips. He replies, “The collaboration with Rong Yue calls for extreme caution with every move. I didn’t come to you because I was afraid I would get distracted.”

This is the truth and is also words of love. Mu Hanxia nods slightly and says, “Mhm, fine, I forgive you.” It’s the first time that Lin Mochen heard her talk to him in such a sweet and soft tone. He chuckles and presses her harder into his arms.

Mu Hanxia: “What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing.”

Whenever you are not here, I’m as unmovable as a mountain, nothing can ever touch me.

Once you are here, my heart is like the grasses on the plain, moved by you quietly and effortlessly. It can’t calm down unless I have you.

--------

Holding her in his arms, he gazes at this land.

Mu Hanxia asks, “this lot looks good. Why would that person want to sell?”

“Because he doesn’t have the capability to develop it.”

“No capability? How did he get the lot in the first place then?”

Lin Mochen smiles and says, “You thought all lots are acquired based on capability? In the early years management of land lots was quite loose. There were many holes in policies, especially about the lots in small counties and towns like this one. Sometimes, a lot could be acquired without much cost if one could find useful connections and play some tricks. Otherwise, how do you think those early moneyless real estate business people got started? Hah, this Cao Daosheng only did some small individual business in countryside. He got this lot early on when he realized the opportunities in real estate industry and has kept the lot since. But he has no money for large-scale development. And he lost money in other businesses, so he wants to sell this lot now.”

Mu Hanxia nods. This sounds like a good opportunity.

“But...” Looking into his eyes, she says, “Currently we have invested a lot of money in the project with Rong Yue, which is well under way. If you want to acquire this lot, do we have enough money?”

Lin Mochen smiles slightly, “Summer, in the business world, not all opportunities show up right when you are ready.”

Mu Hanxia understands the reasoning, but she doesn’t want him to be burdened too much, even though he is so strong and confident in the business world right now.

Lin Mochen lowers his head and presses a kiss on her forehead: “We negotiate first. I will consider all the conditions comprehensively. About money, we’ll think about it when we are really going to acquire this lot.”

“Mhm, Okay.”

They get into his car. Mu Hanxia asks, “Do you have any arrangements in the afternoon?”

Lin Mochen doesn’t answer immediately. There are meetings with Rong Yue and the real estate project team in this afternoon which were scheduled earlier.

Then he smiles: “The main arrangement for today is to take a look at this lot. Now that is done, there’s no other arrangement in the afternoon.”

Mu Hanxia is instantly delighted: “Oh.”

“Where do you want to go?” He asks.

Mu Hanxia looks up at the extremely blue sky. Even those grayish clouds look so soft and lovely. She answers, “Any place is fine. Just go somewhere quiet and comfortable.”

He says, “Okay.”

Summer #44

Don't Turn from Summer (莫负寒夏) by Ding Mo (丁墨)

Chapter 44

However, Mu Hanxia hasn’t expected, and neither has Lin Mochen, that they have to stay apart for half a month, from the deep winter to almost the end of it.

The issues in Beijing, although not very difficult, are quite troublesome, demanding a lot of her energy. Besides, this time she comes here as a representative of Lin Mochen to keep things under control, which means greater responsibilities than before. So it’s even impossible for her to leave in the middle. And she just stays in Beijing and focuses on the work.

On Lin Mochen’s side, he has the Lot A project which is newly started and has too many things to deal with. This is the first real estate project that he runs in China, it’s needless to say how much energy he will invest. Furthermore, although the collaboration with Rong Yue has been agreed upon, and the communication has been rather smooth up to now, how can someone like Lin Mochen believe that Rong Yue, Rao Wei and even Zhang Yifang won’t hold any grudge against him? Therefore, even though he is amiable on the face, in fact he has commanded his people to be extremely cautious and don’t let any collaboration detail go with any possible problems, just to prevent being taken advantage of. As a result, the project is progressing very steadily under his control and profit is expected soon.

Mu Hanxia has just got a taste of being loved by the one who she loves so much and now she has to be separated from him by geographic distance. It’s like that a seed has been buried in the heart for so long and has just sprouted above the ground with the new leaves having almost covered all her heart. But then the nurturing sun and rain is blown away by the wind, and the new leaves just stay in her heart, hanging low and craving for nutrients. But still, the sprout is making every effort to grow taller. It makes her all so tormented. Sometimes she remembers that they are now together, but then she feels like it only happened in a dream.

And Lin Mochen? Since he has become so well known because of the battle, all kinds of relations and resources endlessly come to seek collaboration with him. Now everybody in the business circle of Lin City knows that it’s no other one than Lin Mochen who is riding on the crest of success. It also results in him working or socializing until very late into the night almost every day before he can go back to his room. Tired or slightly drunk, he checks the time and sees it’s past midnight or even one AM. Many times he takes out the cell phone and gazes at it for a long time but then puts it down, not wanting to disturb her at this late hour.

As a result, the two of them, one in the north and one south, get to talk in the phone only every three or five days. They can’t talk long even when they do get to talk. But whenever they do, it’s the happiest time of the day for Mu Hanxia, and it’s when her heart beats the fastest during the day. For Lin Mochen, it’s also the only time when his heart feels tender and happy after fighting in the business world for a whole day.

Sometimes it’s he who calls her and sometimes she calls him. Their communication usually starts like this―

Lin Mochen: “What’re you doing now?”

Mu Hanxia: “Just got home after work. Lying in bed. What about you?”

“Just finished dinner. There’s a meeting in a minute.”

“Jason, don’t wear yourself out.”

“Hmm, I know. Is it cold in Beijing?”

“Yes, quite cold.” She reaches out to touch the heater pipe by the bedside. She still lives in the apartment she rented before. “Ai, the heater isn’t that warm here.”

Then his tone cools down: “Haven’t I told you the key to my home is in the office drawer? Summer, I don’t like that you live with others at the rented place. Ahh, and at also a broken one.”

But Mu Hanxia says, “No, I’m not doing that. Your home is your home and mine is mine. No matter how shabby my home is, it’s still my home. I don’t want to borrow a place in your home.”

Then Lin Mochen becomes silent.

Mu Hanxia senses the change of atmosphere and adds quickly, “Hey, don’t be mad. Actually my current living condition is pretty good. Really. Besides, I’ve lived here so long, I’ve got attached to it...”

Lin Mochen, however, suddenly smiles and says evenly, “This is the last time. Wait until the situation in Lin City is stable and we are back in Beijing. Then you won’t be able to live wherever you want.”

Mu Hanxia’s heart skips a beat at the words, but she plays dumb: “What are you talking about...”

On the other end of the phone, although Lin Mochen is purposely tantalizing her, his own heart is also secretly bubbling with emotions.

Should he put down some of the work and fly to her in Beijing? This thought has come to Lin Mochen more than once, especially every time after they finish the call in the winter night, when his hand is cold but his heart so hot. He really has thought about it so many times.

But he is a person with very strong self-control and clear goals. Since the powerful enemies are close by his side, he won’t allow himself the slightest loosening or distraction. As a result, during the period of over two weeks’ time while she’s away, he simply hasn’t flied over to visit her for even once.

As for the reasons, it’s partially because of his career. Another big part is that Lin Mochen is too confident. He is confident in himself, and he is also highly confident about the affection that he has given his heart to. Even though they have just begun, even though they are not together for most of the time, and even though their relationship has temporarily made way for the development of the enterprise, Lin Mochen believes that this love will be will managed in the future. Everything will be under his control, naturally getting sorted out as time goes on.

He believes that they will have very good results.

--------

It is a few days after Mu Hanxia arrived in Beijing when she receives the phone call from Fang Chengzhou.

She asks with a smile, “Lao Fang, what’s up? Aren’t you super busy very day?”

Lao Fang also smiles, but he has brought her some ground-shaking news: “Xiao Mu, I have a former classmate, who’s a professor at University of New York. He’s been there many years and studies economics. A few days ago, I happened to have mentioned you to him and he’s very interested with you. If you want, you can apply to be his student at the University. Of course, the precondition is that your high school scores have to be good enough and you need to take the entrance exam. Also, you need to provide a paper that summarizes your work experience over these years.”

Mu Hanxia remains dumbfounded for a long moment before she replies, “I...Can I?”

Lao Fang says with smiles, “I don’t know. But do you want to give it a try?”

For a moment, Mu Hanxia can’t find her words. It feels like that a star that’s too far and up in the sky, which you have only dreamed about occasionally or tried to trace its shape with your fingers from the far distance, suddenly flies to your face, right in front of you. It feels like something that only happens in a dream.

Lao Fang tells her: “Don’t give up your dreams when you are young. You are still so young and you have a long way to go. If you don’t try to find your way forward, how would you know whether there’s better scenery out there? Xiao Mu, you could be someone with a more wonderful life. I have a feeling that your path will be much farther than what you have reached right now. But of course, if you do decide to give it a try and do succeed, then between love and studies, you will need to find a balance.”

...

Hanging up the phone, Mu Hanxia’s mind goes blank for a long moment. And then she digs out the suitcase that she has kept at home. As she is all alone, she has brought all the important diplomas and documents from Jiang City with her. Soon, she is sitting on the floor with all the stuff scattered around. She stares at them blankly for a long time. Then she lifts her head and leans against the bed. For a second, she doesn’t know whether she should cry or laugh.

This time last year, she was still in the supermarket, working as the lowest level store assistant. Everyday, she had to get up very early to catch the bus, move and sort the goods, and to greet each and every customer with smiles. In Weibo (a twittering service) and QQ space (a blogging service), those high school classmates were all so polished in college or at work. She always watches quietly and often leaves good wishes. But it wouldn’t be honest to say that she doesn’t envy them.

And now, after almost a year, since she started to work for Lin Mochen, she has hardly taken any days off, frequently working extra hours, business trips even common. It’s more tiring than in the supermarket and multiple times stressful.

She has finally had her path wider. To her, it’s an opportunity as precious as gold, presenting itself to her at this time. As long as she can grasp it and get admitted, her whole life will be flipped around and started over...

She sits there lost in thoughts for a long time before she picks up her phone again. The first number she finds is He Jing’s. Seeing her name and the familiar digits, she feels warmth in her heart.

Since she left Jiang City, they have contacted each other less often. But they still care a lot about each other. Now this comes up, apart from Lin Mochen, Mu Hanixa wants to share with her the most.

He Jing is still the chirping one: “Xia, missing me now?”

Mu Hanxia beams, “Can’t I call you if I don’t miss you?”

“Don’t speak nonsense. What I’m concerned most is how it’s going with that ruthlessly deflowering [1] guy Lin Mochen? You are not still working for him, are you?”

[Note 1: Not sure if this phrase is straightforward enough, but ruthlessly deflowering(辣手摧花) means doing bad things to a girl using ruthless methods. A good word to define Lin Mochen based on what he did early on.]

Mu Hanxia just smiles without saying anything. He Jing instantly senses something unusual and gets excited, “You are not...having conditions, are you?”

She hasn’t mentioned about them to He Jing Yet. Mu Hanxia beams and returns “hmm,” and then slowly tells every detail to her good friend.

...

When the part about love is told, and so is the part about the study opportunity, He Jing is so excited and says, “Xia, based on what you just said, although Lin Mochen is kind of cold and proud, he is really fond of you. I’m really really happy for you! And after all, he is a tall, handsome and rich guy. Doesn’t he have a few thousand million? Oh, my goodness. Haha, your good days are coming! Don’t forget me when you become a wealthy wife some day!” 

Mu Hanxia is amused by her and says, “What are you talking about? I’m not going to live on him. I more or less amount to something myself, OK?” They both laugh. After a moment, He Jing asks, “But about going abroad, what are you going to do? If you ask me, I think doing studies is second important. Better not let it affect your feelings toward each other. But from a different perspective, you will be even tough with a higher degree and will be even more valuable. Ai, I’m so torn.”

But Mu Hanxia says, “No need to feel torn. I told him once before that I wanted to go to America for studies someday and he said that I could go anywhere I wanted. He is supportive. He’s different from other people. He has a big heart and totally understands me and I also understand him. Even if I do go abroad in the future, I believe we’ll figure out a very good solution that keeps our relation intact.”

“Hey, way too cheesy now! So... Have you mentioned this to him?”

This time Mu Hanxia is silent for a moment. Then she smiles: “What to mention now? I have my own dignity even before him. What If I fail? I’ll wait until it’s time.”