Chapter 2 (2/2)

“Are you from Mars?”

She’d seen Mr. Cheng twice before. He was someone who wasn’t easily seen through by others. She felt he was more difficult to deal with than Zheng Xie. Never would have thought… So he had already gotten hitched. And he even chose to do it a second time. That woman must be a divine creature, worthy of being wors.h.i.+pped.

Because of her eavesdropping, she accidentally got herself pulled into the conversations.

“Hey, who’s the girl who came with Zheng Xie? Newly appointed?”

“She doesn’t seem like his usual type. All these years, his girlfriends have all been the same type. Supposedly, they’re like his first love.”

“Oh, I remember Zheng Xie had a G.o.d-sister. Is it her?”

“Should be. She doesn’t look bad. I heard Secretary Zheng likes her a lot, and she seems to have a decent temperament. If she catches your interest, why not go meet her?”

“Secretary Zheng? The provincial…(?) And her…?”

“You don’t even know who Zheng Xie’s dad is? You must be new here.”

(?) I a.s.sume Zheng Xie’s father holds some important position, with the t.i.tle of Secretary, but I’m not entirely sure what it is.

Xiao Hehe decided that once she left this party, she’d call Su Renran, to let her know that the gossip going around these socialites isn’t any better than their commoner gossip.

Hehe found a peaceful corner, and intently enjoyed her plate of food. At the same time, she looked around for Zheng Xie. Was he also partic.i.p.ating in, or just listening in on, this gossip too? She found him right away. He wasn’t far from her, standing in an inconspicuous spot, chatting with a beautiful woman.

Ay… She didn’t want to admit it, but even amongst the room full of glitz and glamour, Zheng Xie was still the most outstanding. He was slim, with delicate features. And although she usually complimented Zheng Xie for being an adonis, compared to all the feminine and fragrant men present, she actually felt that, regardless of his appearance, he gave off an indescribable masculine air.

I say “compliment,” but it was meant more as a backhanded compliment. And I used the word “adonis,” but the original phrase used was “xiao bai lian” (lit. small, white face). I think it’s often used in a sort of derogatory sense, for a handsome young man or “pretty boy.”

Zheng Xie also saw her, and said his farewell to the beautiful woman. Then he walked over towards her (Hehe), and picked up some food from her plate to eat.

Hehe saw that Zheng Xie was holding a cup of wine, and she was immediately angry. “Your stomach wasn’t well yesterday, and you had to get an IV drip. Now, you’re drinking? Are you looking for trouble?” She took the gla.s.s away from him, and downed it. Her concern was fake, and her last action was key to that. She just about choked.

It was because she’d felt guilty, so she drank the wine too quickly. So she choked, and started coughing. Zheng Xie helped pat her back, but he also laughed. “How come you haven’t grown at all? You couldn’t even act well as a wallflower. By the way, have you seen anyone you like? I’ll help you out.”

“No one’s even halfway decent. They’re no better than you, even. Just help me get something to drink.”

“Don’t say such emotionless things in public. Get it yourself.”

“I already took a lot of food. They’ll start noticing me. I’m just worried I will make you lose face.” Xiao Hehe put on a cheeky grin.

Hehe’s mentioned the idea of “face” before, and I didn’t really explain it. The internet does a fine job of it, if you’re unfamiliar with the idea. It sort of encompa.s.ses things like pride and honor, etc.

She was being very shameless now. Then she heard a smooth and deep, announcer-like voice from above. “Ah Xie, you’re still alive?”

“Ah” is basically a particle. It’s usually added in front of names, showing a sense of familiarity/closeness.

Zheng Xie turned around and smiled. “You’re still alive and well, so why should I be dead?”

What’s she supposed to say to that? These people aren’t young anymore, why do they speak without reserve? From Zheng Xie’s side, Xiao Hehe turned around. She came face to face with a pair of deep, clear eyes, and a gentle smile. It felt rather familiar.

The smile of his eyes deepened. “Zheng Xie, this is…?”

Zheng Xie dragged Hehe out from the darkened corner to a well-lit area. “This is my little sister, Hehe. You’ve met her before, I’m sure.”

“Hehe?” He squinted briefly, searching his memories. And then his eyes appeared clear, “I remember. I saw her at the farewell party, before you went abroad. So many years have pa.s.sed now, but Hehe hasn’t changed much. She still looks like a young girl. Ah Xie, we’re getting old.”

Hehe carefully looked to Zheng Xie. Seeing his blank expression, she gradually felt relieved.

The man who had been immersed in memories, hadn’t noticed the strange look that showed briefly on Hehe’s face. Gently, he said, “Hehe, you probably don’t remember my name. I’m s.h.i.+ Lin.”

“s.h.i.+ Lin? Like in Kunming?” Hehe repeated the name several times to herself.

“s.h.i.+, as in ‘time.’ Lin, with ‘rain’ and ‘forest.'”

Hehe mistakes his name to mean “Stone Forest” (石林 shílín), which is a natural stone formation near the city of Kunming in China. He clarifies by explaining the characters used for his name. Shí, from the word “time” (时光 shíguāng). Lín (霖), written with the characters for “rain” (雨) and “forest” (林).

“Mr. s.h.i.+.” Hehe quickly returned to normal, adjusting her posture, and extending her hand. After all, she’d had more than one lesson on social etiquette before. He shook her hand gently. His hand was cool and dry, not like all those other guys, with warm, sticky hands.

“No need for such courtesies. Since you’re Zheng Xie’s little sister, you might as well call me ge (older brother) as well.”

“s.h.i.+ dage.” Hehe glanced over to Zheng Xie. Since he didn’t show any objections, she decided to change her tone.”

“Ge” and “dage” both mean “older brother.” I think calling someone “gege” or just “ge” shows a closer relations.h.i.+p than “dage.” Or maybe the former just sounds cuter to me?

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