Chapter 12.1 (2/2)

He made a sound of acknowledgement, seeming not to mind the pain. Rather, he stared at me as if he had encountered something unbelievable, muttering, ”It seems that you really aren't her. She would never do something so cra.s.s, or conduct herself in such a vulgar manner. Ai, seems like she really did die. Nothing in the world can replace my star of hope. She has already fallen.” Then he plopped onto the ground and, disregarding appearances, burst into tears.

I couldn't make heads or tails of this foreigner and thought that it was best to keep my distance. Reflexively, I cursed at him in French, spitting out a ”bâtard fou“3 as I ran off. By evening, I had already tossed this matter into the back of my mind.

3 bâtard fou means “crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d”, thanks Google Translate.

Tonight, Yin Li had a private gathering to attend. Because of his car accident, many people with various motives paid a visit. And this was also the first time Yin Li had taken the initiative to include me in his circle.

However, my mood wasn't very good because the amount of women fawning over him was overly excessive. But what was really upsetting was that I unexpectedly saw the woman who had blown a kiss at Yin Li from her Porsche that day at the hospital. Like always, she was wearing a red dress. This time it had a deep v-neck, revealing the s.e.xy line of her cleavage. Her eyes glittered and her figure looked well-maintained. It was obvious that she had great confidence in her body.

When I drew closer, I saw her face more clearly and begrudgingly admitted that she was indeed a very attractive woman.

”Chen Qing Yan's wearing red again today. Had I known earlier, I wouldn't have worn the same color. This sort of woman is really the enemy of all womankind. Wherever she goes, she attracts all the attention.” Sure enough, after paying attention to my surroundings, I found that many of the female guests were discussing her.

”She clearly rushed over here for Yin Li. I heard that its been months since he contacted her, she's probably gotten impatient by now. Even if she's the daughter of a big real estate mogul, so what? They still can't be compared to the Yin family. She's just here to see Yin Li's expression, really it's all one-sided on her part.”4 The girl who spoke made a gesture with her pinkie5 and then shared a smile of tacit understanding with her friend.

4 The original text uses 倒贴, which refers to when the woman financially supports her man. It's sort of looked down on in Chinese society b/c the man is typically supposed to foot the bill for everything… (buying a house, etc.) The gossips are essentially criticizing Chen Qing Yan by saying that she's doing all the work in her “relations.h.i.+p” with Yin Li.

5 比个小拇指 (make a comparative gesture with one's pinkie) is used indicate that you're looking down on someone, or sometimes also means that two people are dating.

But most of these sentiments could probably be considered as coming from a maiden's jealous heart. The woman in question carried herself elegantly and looked completely at ease. Though she was the topic of many rumors, she didn't look the least bit worried. On the contrary, she was completely in her element, having everything go her way.6 Furthermore, she wasn't like the other girls who were anxiously trying to squeeze their way next to Yin Li. At the moment her lips were curled in a small smile at precisely the perfect degree, giving her a sumptuous and regal air that was very fitting on her. The male guests in front of her were all staring at her, their faces drunk with infatuation.

6 The original text uses 左右逢源, meaning “striking water left and right”. It describes when someone has everything go their way; benefits from both sides.

I was still digesting the kiss she blew at Yin Li that day. My mood soured, as if it was plunged into a jar of pickles. Unfortunately, no matter how critical my eyes were, every movement and gesture she made was the definition of perfection. As it so happens, these sorts of women were adept at reading the atmosphere and knew exactly what part to play at exactly the right time. When they should show off, they showed off. When they should construct the image of an imposing, not-to-be-crossed, well-bred young lady, they were extremely outstanding. It really gave me a sense of crisis.

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