Chapter 2.1 (1/2)
Deep in the Act
Translator: Kotoni
Editor: Isalee
First Published on Chaleuria
Chapter 2.1
Fang Chi hung up, feeling somewhat stifled. He took off his gla.s.ses and got up from his seat to open the window on the southern side of his office. He had just spoken with Zuo Linlin on the phone - a ballerina with bright eyes shaped like slightly elongated almonds that curved charmingly upwards at the corners. She was fair, had a dimple on her cheek, and liked to smile. One could always catch the refres.h.i.+ng scent of citruses or mint on her long luscious hair, and her tall, slender figure was a perfect fit with his physique.
She was also his ex; Fang Chi frowned at the thought.
They had met in the States and dated for over a year - an impressive record for Fang Chi. Together, they travelled all over America - skiing in Colorado, sunbathing in Florida, and horse-riding in Texas - until he returned to China for her sake…
His secretary knocked on the door and called to him with a gentle, detached voice, ”Dr. Fang.”
”Come in,” he answered, turning around.
Secretary Feng opened the door, donning a light blue dress for the day. ”It's time for your third appointment for today. Mr. Lin Guoqiang is here.”
Fang Chi nodded in acknowledgment. ”Tell him to wait for another ten minutes.”
Exhausted, he closed the window and returned to his table. A single sheet of paper lay by the phone, completely covered with detailed notes of his conversation with Zuo Linlin. Right in the center was a single name circled in red: Gao Zhun1.
Her current lover.
Fang Chi put on his gla.s.ses again, propping his chin against clenched fists as he recalled her complaints on the phone, ”He's not being himself. He is… a sensitive soul, very gentle and… artistic. I mean, he is elegant… sophisticated…”
”Mm.” Fang Chi had absolutely no desire to hear about just how good this man was. ”So, what's bothering you?”
”He doesn't sleep.”
Fang Chi picked up his notepad. ”Do you know why he isn't sleeping?”
”He seems to be afraid of the dark. Sometimes he gets nightmares.”
”What else?”
”He's stopped driving out of the blue, and even refuses to set foot in the parking lot.”
Car - Fang Chi noted the detail down and marked it with an asterisk. ”Was he involved in an accident?”
”No, he wasn't. He doesn't shop or go to the movies with me anymore. He keeps breaking cups and stares into s.p.a.ce while watching TV…”
”How long has he been like this?”
”Over a month. Charles, I'm really at my wit's end. I wouldn't ask for your help otherwise…” There was a quiver in her voice; she sounded as if she had started to cry. ”I want this relations.h.i.+p to work… I want to stay with him, I really do. I'm willing to do whatever it takes!”
”Anything else?” Fang Chi prompted in irritation.