The Third Encounter

Emma’s shy and handsome gentleman was Li Ruocheng, an international student in the same major and class as Su Yun, a compatriot and fellow townsman from Nanqing. Li Ruocheng had a fondness for Su Yun.

He was good-looking, fair-skinned, and of average height for an Asian man, but he wasn’t sociable and rarely spoke. Aside from necessary participation in class, he seldom uttered a word outside of it.

After Su Yun partnered with Li Ruocheng for an interpreting assignment in class, something seemed to stir in Li Ruocheng; he began to pursue her.

His methods were rather traditional—writing love letters, with lines of romantic French phrases. Su Yun, upon receiving them, could only marvel at his eloquence, but felt nothing more.

“Ruocheng, you’re not my type. Don’t waste your time on me,” Su Yun rejected him directly.

Li Ruocheng was silent. Su Yun wondered if she had been too blunt.

Just as she was about to say something else, he spoke seriously, “What kind do you like? I can change, I can learn.”

Su Yun pressed her index finger to her temple, searching for words. “You’re great. You’re too gentle. I like guys with a temper, who curse and raise hell. You can’t learn that, and you don’t need to change. You’ll find someone you truly love.”

Li Ruocheng was a little shocked—he hadn’t expected that reason. He pondered whether Su Yun was being honest or just brushing him off.

Was it really that women loved bad boys?

Still, Li Ruocheng didn’t persist. Occasionally, when interpreting work came up, he would invite Su Yun to partner with him.

Su Yun was happy to oblige. Setting aside everything else, she worked well with Li Ruocheng, plus it was a chance to gain experience and earn some extra money—a win-win situation.

This time, Li Ruocheng messaged her on WeChat, asking if she was free this weekend for a major expert lecture conference that required two interpreters.

Su Yun considered and agreed.

After school, Su Yun waited for Li Ruocheng at the campus gate—he had said he would bring her some materials related to the interpreting assignment.

She nearly buried her face in her scarf; the spring chill lingered, her skin felt numb, and she was cold.

Her phone rang. Su Yun thought it was Li Ruocheng’s message. Braving the cold, she took it out to check.

It was a WeChat message, but not from Li Ruocheng—from someone named Mian, whose profile picture was a sunrise by the sea, apparently a drawing.

“Are you a student at Flower City University?”

The chat box carried this question. Who was this? Looking at the time, she saw the addition was last night—she had initiated it herself.

Who was it…? How did he know which university she attended?

Su Yun glanced around, and a car drove up and stopped beside her. The rear window rolled down, revealing a face that was both familiar and strange.

The man smiled and greeted her, “Model student, we meet again.”

He was dressed smartly, looking sharp; beside him sat a woman whose face Su Yun couldn’t see, only catching a glimpse of flawless, beautiful legs.

In this weather, wasn’t she cold?

Su Yun had no desire to respond; she didn’t want any further entanglement with this man.

“You were quite enthusiastic last night,” He Mian continued with a smile.

“What do you want?” Su Yun was anxious.

“Why did you leave without saying goodbye? I have a gift for you. Come pick it up, same place as last night.” He Mian deliberately slowed his words on the last sentence.

“No need,” Su Yun refused.

“I’ll be waiting for you. By the way, my name is He Mian. You can call me Mian.” He Mian spoke as he pleased, gave Su Yun a wink, then rolled up the window and instructed the driver to go.

Through the rearview mirror, he saw a boy approaching Su Yun. He Mian curled his lips, indifferent.

“Do you know Su Yun?” the woman beside him spoke, in flawless American English. She didn’t understand Chinese and had just seen He Mian and Su Yun chatting spiritedly, so she was curious.

“You know her?”

“Yes, she’s my classmate—excellent grades. The boy who walked up to her is also outstanding, seems to be pursuing her. They’re the acknowledged dream team in class.”

He Mian said nothing, touching his chin as he gazed out the window, white clouds drifting across the sky.

Su Yun? Scenes from last night flashed in his mind—the softness of her body; truly, her name fit her.

—

Li Ruocheng greeted Su Yun, handing her the materials and speech content.

“Who were you talking to just now—a friend?”

“Not someone I know, just asking for directions.”

No sooner had she spoken than her phone vibrated. She received a picture on WeChat. Su Yun glanced at it and quickly shut her phone, saying to Li Ruocheng, “Ruocheng, thank you. I’ll head back now. Goodbye.” With that, she turned and left.

“Hey…” Li Ruocheng watched Su Yun’s departing figure with reluctant affection; he had wanted to invite her to dinner.

But Su Yun was in no mood to eat—she feared she’d run into a madman.

The image just sent by He Mian showed her lying completely naked on a bed, lower body covered by a quilt, upper body exposed, posture seductive. She took one look and couldn’t bear to look again—that was the so-called gift!

Even worse, he had sketched it as a drawing. Su Yun was both ashamed and furious—no wonder he was so confident.

If this sketch got out, she’d rather find a block of tofu and dash her head against it.