Romantic Collaboration

Part 9

19

Two months after our engagement, Bai Ze, who had remained quiet since causing a huge scene at the engagement banquet, suddenly started stirring up trouble again.
This included, but was not limited to, tearfully reflecting on his past immaturity in front of our mutual friends, sending me flowers daily, and even making bold statements about wanting to pursue me again.

I was speechless, regretting for the first time that after wandering through so many flowers in the past, I had allowed myself to get entangled with one.

Jiang Jia mocked me, "I told you when you two started dating, you'd have to deal with this clingy boy eventually."
I had a headache, and Bai Ze's pursuit was like a fire that kept burning stronger. Just as I was about to take more drastic measures to quickly sever ties, Bai Ze suddenly quieted down.

Thinking it over, I decided to ask Ji Ming Chen about it.

"Not much," Ji Ming Chen said after sipping his coffee. "He's interning at a company owned by a friend of mine, so I let him experience the harsh realities of entering the workforce."

Me: ......

"What's wrong?" Ji Ming Chen's voice softened. "Are you feeling sorry for him?"

I didn't reply and took the coffee from his hand, sipping it before exclaiming in surprise, "Baby, why does this coffee taste sour?" [1]

Ji Ming Chen turned his face away.

Suppressing my laughter, I sat on his lap, wrapped my arms around him, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Ming Chen. No, I don't feel sorry for him. I only care about you."

Ji Ming Chen's dimples faintly reappeared, and I kissed them. "Baby, you're the cutest!"

The cutest Ji Ming Chen held me in his arms and kissed me for a full twenty minutes, until I was out of breath.
What I hadn't expected was that just as I had solved the "white moonlight" issue, Ji Ming Chen's "cinnabar mole" began to stir trouble.

Lin Yao sought me out.

We arranged to meet at a café, and I hurried over after work.

The first thing she said as I sat down was:

"Miss Wen, you're enjoying Ming Chen's maturity and gentleness. But have you ever thought that all the gentleness he shows you was something I taught him?"

20

I picked up my coffee but hadn't even had a sip before I burst into laughter.

Lin Yao's face darkened. "What are you laughing at?"

"Miss Lin, before I met you, others described you as both insecure and arrogant."

I took a sip of coffee. "I used to wonder how such contradictory terms could apply to one person. After meeting you today, I finally understand."

"Indeed, how could I ever compare to someone like you, who was naturally born into wealth and status?" Lin Yao sneered. "If I had your background, would it even be your turn?"

"Did Ji Ming Chen not face everything with you? He fought against his once-harmonious family for your sake, made countless efforts for you. And in return, what did you give him?"
I calmly answered for her. "You stole the fruits of his hard work, betrayed his loyalty and love, and left him with nothing but blatant betrayal."

"Are you incompetent, Lin Yao? You were the top student in the city's college entrance exams, earned scholarships for both your undergraduate and graduate studies in Germany. If we set aside all external factors, I even admire you greatly."

"I never comment on other people's relationships because love is hard to judge from the outside."

I put down my coffee. "But today, Lin Yao, your words really made me feel that Ji Ming Chen didn't deserve this."

"Ji Ming Chen's maturity and gentleness weren't taught by you; they are part of his nature. He was born gentle."

I continued, "He has a stronger sense of empathy than most people. His family's good upbringing pruned his rough edges, and life's hardships made him reflect on himself. The man he is today owes thanks to no one but himself, for never giving up during his lowest moments."

Lin Yao's face turned pale, and she stayed silent.

"In this relationship, the one who suffered the most was always him. Deep down, you should be well aware of that." I picked up my bag and stood up. "Goodbye."

As I walked out of the café, I felt an inexplicable mix of emotions.

My phone vibrated. A message from Ji Ming Chen, pinned at the top, popped up with a cute cat emoji wagging its tail, asking why I hadn't come to pick him up from work yet.

I smiled. Today, I got off work early and had promised to pick him up.

I replied to his message and stopped by the florist next door to order a bouquet of white roses.

I could already picture the delighted expression on that big cat's face when he saw the roses, even before I had given them to him.

________
Footnote:

[1] This joke plays on the Chinese phrase "eating vinegar (吃醋)," which means feeling jealous, especially in the context of romantic relationships.