Chapter 7 : Unboxing

If a person’s heart were a sealed gift box, then opening each unknown box would be a secret gamble.

What flavor and color lay buried within, whether it was cold or scorching, and what it weighed.

Was it a chilled cheese mille-feuille from the fresh-keeping layer, or a block of raw meat sealed in the freezer, never to see the light of day?

Fresh, sweet, and sour juices, rotting, moldy leftovers, alcohol that numbed the nerves, soda that soothed the heat.

Spicy, bitter spices.

Highly addictive drugs.
—Jiang Yanlin didn’t mind trying any of them.

So, after many nights that followed, when Jiang Yanlin was finally willing to look back and analyze herself, it wasn’t hard to find the true catalyst and starting point.

Péi Wanyi was the most exquisitely packaged gift box of all.

Expensive, soft silk was wound around a beautifully colored box, tied into a flawless bow, and placed high up, out of reach, showcasing her arrogance.

In a time she would never admit, Jiang Yanlin probably, maybe, from the very first moment she saw Péi Wanyi.
—Wanted to completely unbox her and see what was inside.

That night, Miss Péi did not end up playing the role of a designated driver.

Because she had drunk an entire cocktail—sharing only one sip with Jiang Yanlin.

With both of them having had alcohol, neither could be the driver.

So, before leaving the restaurant, Miss Péi had already called for a designated driving service and obediently sat in the back seat herself.

As for Jiang Yanlin, she didn’t care who was driving; it wasn’t her money anyway.

“Where do you live?”
Péi Wanyi fastened her seatbelt and asked the person sitting to her left.

Jiang Yanlin gave the name of a subway station. “Here is fine, thank you.”
Her politeness was almost deliberate.

Péi Wanyi raised an eyebrow, asked no more questions, and gave the location to the driver.
The car quickly set off towards the destination, the journey silent.

Jiang Yanlin hadn’t touched alcohol in a long time because she was actually slightly allergic to it.
It wasn’t a severe reaction, but her face would flush quickly and fade slowly.

Even now, her cheeks were still a little hot. She had to open the car window, letting the wind mess up her hair.
The city’s neon lights flew past the window, blurring into halos and bringing a hazy dizziness.
She leaned against the window, her thoughts slowing, stretching out infinitely.

Jiang Yanlin thought about many things, yet it felt as if they all just drifted by.
‘Taking a taxi late at night is expensive, and going home alone isn’t very safe. I never stay out late with people I don’t trust and then go home by myself. ’
‘When it comes to my own safety, what does it matter if I take a ride from someone I dislike? ’
‘But… do I dislike her? ’
‘She is arrogant, and she is condescending. ’
‘But she is also one of the rare few who isn’t fooled by my facade. ’

The citrusy taste of alcohol still lingered faintly on her lips and teeth.
Jiang Yanlin narrowed her eyes, casually brushing away the strands of hair blown wild by the wind.
The wind made her mind even more sluggish. She moved back to the middle of the seat and raised the window a little.
The other person’s body heat was close at hand. Inadvertently, Jiang Yanlin saw the car’s rearview mirror.
In it, her eyes met hers.

The scent inside the car was faint, and with the wind, the characteristic smell of leather was almost gone.
Jiang Yanlin didn’t like that smell, which was why she didn’t drive.
But now, she smelled more, a jumble of scents.
It was indescribable, inexplicable, a catalyst for softer nerves.
Jiang Yanlin was a little tired, even sleepy.
In the silent gaze, she relaxed, letting her body lean against the warmth of the other person.
Before closing her eyes, Jiang Yanlin whispered:
“Wake me when we arrive, thank you.”
Using the most polite tone to gloss over the crossed boundary.
From action to word, a thorough exploitation.
—And Péi Wanyi did not refuse.

Resting her eyes on the way, Jiang Yanlin almost fell asleep for real.
Fortunately, Miss Péi was a woman of her word—even if it was a task she had passively accepted, she did wake her up when they reached the subway station near her home.
Jiang Yanlin opened her eyes to see a face just inches away.
She paused, only coming back to her senses when she saw her own reflection in Péi Wanyi’s eyes.
This act of “reciprocity” perfectly showcased Miss Péi’s etiquette.

Jiang Yanlin got up from her cleanly, grabbed her things, and got out of the car.
Before leaving, she leaned down to say goodbye to the person inside, her tone a complete departure from her earlier politeness.
“Call me to let me know you’re home safe, okay? Good night.”
As she spoke, she even bid farewell to the designated driver.
Péi Wanyi was a little surprised by her thoughtfulness but played along with a composed expression.
“I know. I’ll definitely call you. Good night.”

After the car drove away, Jiang Yanlin turned and walked towards her apartment.
It was close, and she was home in ten minutes.
Her energy completely drained, she immediately stripped and showered, did her skincare, dried her hair, and went to bed.
Her phone automatically switched to “Do Not Disturb.” Jiang Yanlin had never intended to wait for any call.
—They both knew there would be no call.

The next day, Jiang Yanlin woke up a bit late.
She turned off notifications for all her chat apps, planning to stay home, play games, and watch movies.
Her already limited social energy was severely overdrawn. Before the next busy period arrived, she needed to recharge.
And it was time to press pause on certain people she had been in contact with too much.
She needed to take some time, to think things over slowly.

Unfortunately, some people gave Jiang Yanlin no such opportunity.
After shutting herself in to rest for a whole day, just as she was about to go to the convenience store downstairs for some yogurt after her workout, she received a call from El.
She hadn’t replied to his messages all day, so he had no choice but to call.
Jiang Yanlin was a bit speechless. This was exactly the type of person she disliked the most—proactive to the point of having no boundaries, disturbing her life and plans.
But she accepted that people were multifaceted. Besides, El would never be categorized into her “fish pond,” so he didn’t need to meet those conditions he didn’t possess.

The reason for the call was simple: he was worried because she hadn’t replied. He also wanted to thank her for her help again; the restaurant was now fully booked for the next month. He had hired more staff and planned to seize the opportunity to work hard.
Jiang Yanlin said it was just a small favor. He had paid, and she had done her job; there was no credit to be taken.
But clearly, that wasn’t El’s main point. He was mostly testing her attitude. The mere fact that she was willing to answer his call was enough to make him breathe a sigh of relief.

Jiang Yanlin was getting tired of this push and pull.
In the short four or five days she had known him, he had already brought many changes to her life. Jiang Yanlin didn’t dislike a life full of variables, but there had to be a limit.
It only takes a moment to go from decision to action. Jiang Yanlin didn’t continue his topic, directly seizing control of the conversation.
“…If you really want to thank me, could you do me a favor?”
She leaned against the arm of the sofa, looking boredly at her freshly trimmed fingernails. Her voice was gentle, but her face was devoid of emotion.

El was delighted and quickly asked over the phone:
“I’ll definitely help you. What is it?”
Jiang Yanlin feigned hesitation, as if she was a little embarrassed.
El reassured her, saying that whatever the request, he would try his best if he could do it.
Then she said softly:
“I was wondering, do you know what kind of girl Mavis likes?”