Chapter 30: Unexpected Encounters and Lingering Scents

“Yes, if only mosquitoes would go extinct.”

She blamed the mosquitoes.

Glancing over, she noticed her older sister was already preparing to leave.

It seemed her sister had woken up, washed, and returned to the room to quietly await Qian Xidong’s awakening.

‘To have slept so soundly was truly a miscalculation,’ she thought.

Qian Xidong yawned softly, then hastily tidied her bedding.

Upon returning from her wash, she saw her sister dressed in a low-cut brown dress, the lingering marks from last night starkly visible.

It was impossible to wear a scarf in summer.

In the heat of the moment, she hadn’t considered the consequences.

“Let’s just have some bread for breakfast; I’m heading to work now.”

The holiday sunlight had already pierced through the lingering darkness.

Although she had called it ‘simple,’ the breakfast consisted of toasted bread with eggs, milk that was still warm, and a small bowl filled with salad lightly dressed in vinaigrette.

The thought of last night’s ‘ill-intentioned’ milk filled Qian Xidong with profound embarrassment.

The sunlight filtering through the curtains seemed to melt her, and merely being in the warm room made her feel utterly restless.

***

Qian Surou, as always, immersed herself in the day’s vibrancy.

During moments of respite at the café, her mind would wander, constructing elements for her illustrations.

These elements would manifest as a paint-peeled slide, a rusted swing, an oval house resembling an ice castle, or the distant chime of a clock marking time.

In these mental scenes, she often found herself one of the two main characters within the painting.

A sense of familiarity washed over her.

Perhaps it stemmed from childhood memories of playing in a park, memories that were neither profound nor entirely reliable.

While passing a newly built park after work, a high-flying ball suddenly hurtled towards her, accompanied by the excited shouts of children.

Her knee instinctively stopped the ball, a reflex she hadn’t realized she possessed, as her memories contained no instances of playing soccer.

As if to test this newfound ability, Qian Surou kicked the ball, sending it soaring in a beautiful arc back onto the green field, though she herself nearly stumbled.

Indeed, she was clearly not cut out for sports.

This time, another familiar client arrived.

Miss Yan still appeared reserved.

Qian Surou could confidently surmise that when it came to romantic pursuits, Miss Yan was quite inept, yet in friendly conversation, she was remarkably easygoing.

Perceiving a lingering youthful innocence about Miss Yan, Qian Surou deduced that she had likely secured a suitable job immediately after graduation, probably in a profession that didn’t demand extensive social interaction.

A brief inquiry confirmed her guess: a surgeon.

Her exact words were that she spun like a top from morning till night, only to collapse into bed upon returning home.

Yan Miqing lamented to her that despite working at a well-compensated private hospital, she was also involved in collaborations with numerous non-profit international hospitals.

During her training phase, as a member of the reserve team, she constantly shadowed and participated in surgeries with the main team.

This meant that during the period of accumulating experience, she was no less burdened than a fully qualified doctor.

Now, however, she was finally enjoying a hard-won vacation.

Taking pity on her client, and noticing her lack of familiarity with recreational activities, Qian Surou proactively suggested taking her horseback riding at a stable.

Although Qian Surou herself could no longer ride, like an injured athlete who can still coach, guiding a beginner was no problem at all.

‘Compassion can also be a form of love,’ Qian Surou thought slyly, deciding to offer patience and a touch of affection, much like one would care for an injured animal or a small bird.

***

With the new semester fast approaching, Qian Surou finally resolved to inform Meng Hanjing of her intention to resign.

After all, her work wasn’t indispensable, and her clients had all been exceptionally friendly.

Meng Hanjing agreed to her request, but there remained one specific client she still needed to meet.

‘One who walks by the river often cannot avoid wet shoes,’ she mused.

Qian Surou deeply understood the veracity of that folk proverb.

The meeting location was left to her discretion, so Qian Surou first went to the hospital to visit her mother.

On the edge of the plaza, a flashy sports car, its engine sputtering unpleasantly, came to a halt.

“Get in.”

The woman, wearing sunglasses, leaned one arm on the car door and smiled faintly.

Holding a large bouquet of roses, she calmly met the gazes directed at her from all around.

She immediately regretted not wearing a mask.

Yet, wearing one would have been equally peculiar.

Qian Surou felt fortunate that they were both women, making it less likely for their interaction to be misconstrued from an awkward perspective.

After a momentary hesitation, she still got into the car, upholding her trust in Miss Meng, and besides, she knew Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“Hello, Miss Xie.”

Qian Surou greeted her.

She was then abruptly presented with a bouquet of red roses, their petals glistening with dew and sparkling translucently in the sunlight.

It evoked thoughts of their likely journey through a flower market, the description ‘delicate and dripping with beauty’ fitting them perfectly.

However, the intense fragrance emanating from the blossoms made Qian Surou uncomfortable.

Indeed, Miss Xie Yun herself was as overwhelmingly fervent as the roses, making Qian Surou yearn to flee the scene.

“…It seems you don’t care much for red roses.”

The eyes, framed by dark makeup, flicked towards the rearview mirror, and her luscious red lips quivered slightly, forming an ambiguous smile.

“No,” Qian Surou murmured, clutching the roses.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed a pair of red high heels beneath the passenger seat, while Miss Xie herself wore dark driver’s shoes.

It appeared safety was a priority for her.

“My apologies.

I was so intent on expressing my feelings that I forgot flowers should complement a lady’s temperament.

Compared to vibrant red roses, I believe ‘Louis XIV’ would suit you better, Miss Qian.”

Qian Surou still hadn’t quite adjusted, her gaze somewhat vacant.

The ‘Louis XIV’ rose symbolized nobility and authority.

Indeed, some had jokingly used such words to describe her own face, likely due to her deep-set features, which often made her seem unapproachable.

Regardless, both types of roses were meant to convey intense affection, making them unsuitable as a gift for a first meeting.

Even under the guise of being ‘lovers,’ Qian Surou still found it somewhat offensive.

While it was certainly inappropriate to judge others based on stereotypes, the Miss Xie before her undeniably exuded the aura of someone who had ‘dabbled in many flowers.’

Her skin was meticulously cared for, and her rose-red hair, with its permed ends, cascaded over her shoulders.

Her slightly tilted head, combined with a blazer paired over a lace dress, lent her an air of languid nonchalance, amplifying her casual demeanor.

A trendy corded pendant adorned her neck, and luminous pearls graced her earlobes.

A rather heavy perfume, distinct from the sweet scent of red roses, clung to her, assailing her nostrils and causing a slight dizziness to cloud her mind.

Finally, her somewhat deliberate, lingering tone of voice was utterly suggestive.

“Miss Qian, may I choose the location for our date?”

Beneath her long, thick lashes, an invasive gaze pierced through Qian Surou.

Despite the consultative tone, Qian Surou had no real choice in this relationship, which felt neither genuine nor equitable.

She could only offer a petal-soft smile in acquiescence.

“Don’t be too nervous, Miss Qian.

The place I’ve chosen is a little secluded, but it’s not far from the city center, and it’s certainly not a hotel.

However, if a beauty like yourself, Miss Qian, would be willing to join me for a drink after work, I would be absolutely delighted.”