Volume 4 Chapter 22 (1/2)
Book 4 Chapter 22 – Conversation
”How are you doing today?” Tian Yan peeked out from behind the door. She grimaced and closed it behind her.
”Doing great. A personal chef, high-grade wine, feather duvet, and a beautiful girl that visits me from time to time. Am I dreaming?” Fu Bo stood up with a smile and welcomed Tian Yan into his room. He had already grown very attached to Tian Yan, who was one of the only two people that could remember him.
”Aren't you worried? You're a prisoner last time I checked.” Tian Yan was mesmerized by the white, radiant light that shone into her soul.
”I'm not worried about being a prisoner of this room. I'm worried about the thief who wants to steal my heart.” Tian Yan's smile made Fu Bo's heart race. Her pale irises conferred to her some kind of elfish beauty. It was something unusual, yet Fu Bo found it very attractive. He involuntarily sank into his habits of using his encyclopedia of pick-up lines.
”What are you talking about?” Tian Yan looked away from Fu Bo. Her entire neck gained a rosy tint.
”Why don't you sit down?” Fu Bo stepped forward and grabbed Tian Yan's hands. Witnessing Tian Yan's timidity was like drinking a delicious, aged wine. It was the first time he had felt this way in his life. He knew that she would remember him and every single world he says.
Tian Yan's first instinct was to shake off Fu Bo's hand, but the tingling sensation that ran between her fingers cut the thought off. She followed him to the sofa and sat down. It felt like a dream even after Fu Bo let go. 'We're holding hands…'
Fu Bo observed every detail of Tian Yan's reaction. He blamed himself for being far too rash, but there was something incredibly attractive about Tian Yan's innocence. This girl was completely different from those he met for a one-night-stand. Fu Bo once joked to Li Yiming around his guilt going away once he saw the sensual lingerie the girls wore, but his bitterness lingered well after the dawn of the second day.
”Uhm, May I ask for your name?” Unlike his usual self, Fu Bo asked a perfectly ”normal” question.
”Tian Yan.”
”Tian Yan?” Fu Bo was baffled. He stared straight into Tian Yan's eyes.
”It's Tian Yan actually, as in color.” Tian Yan hurriedly changed her answer. 1
”Tian Yan… beauty bestowed by the Heavens. A nice name. Your parents knew.” 2
”I… I don't have parents…” Tears glittered in Tian Yan's eyes.
”I… I'm sorry…” Fu Bo was suddenly at a loss for words. Seeing Tian Yan this sad made his own heart ache. He was seized with an urge to protect Tian Yan from every cruel thing in this world for the rest of her life.
”It's okay, it happened a long time ago…” Tian Yan suddenly felt the desire to share her past with the figure of light in her mind.
Tian Yan had been cruelly abandoned at birth by her parents, who were aghast by her appearance. A pa.s.ser-by found her on the streets and brought her to an orphanage. Despite having to endure her fair share of suffering, her luck changed for the better at eight years old, when Bing Shuai found her.
”My life has been a lot better even since meeting uncle Bing. He takes good care of me.” Tian Yan was torn when she talked about Bing Shuai. She had already realized that Bing Shuai's compa.s.sion was purely pragmatic, but his care and protection were real.
”You're my exact opposite then. My childhood was nothing but full of happiness. However, once I got into my second year of high school…”
The neglect that the world had showed toward both Fu Bo and Tian Yan drove the two closer and closer, and their discussion became much more personal. However, the pair failed to notice the man who had been listening at the door with a frown as he mulled over what he was hearing.
”Li Yiming? You're Guo Xiang's friend?” Guo Tai greeted Li Yiming with a warm grin and sat down facing him.
”h.e.l.lo uncle Guo. I am Guo Xiang's cla.s.smate. I'm sorry to bother you when you're so busy. I visited you once.” Li Yiming stood up to greet Guo Tai. He remembered the man being proud and aloof, just as anyone would expect from the CEO of a respectable company. 'What happened to him? Doesn't seem like a fitting behavior for his status.'