“Hong Kong’s paparazzi are too powerful. I need to maintain a safe distance, or I’ll be on the headlines with you tomorrow: ‘Widow’s New Love Exposed.’ I don’t want to become famous overnight because of you,” Ou Xueman said matter-of-factly.
“You…” Di Xihuang walked away angrily, disappearing from her sight.
Ou Xueman pursed her lips behind him, “Hmph, just because you have long legs.”
Whenever seeing the endless traffic jam crawling at a turtle’s pace, she marveled at how this tiny place called Hong Kong could accommodate so many people.
The car finally seemed immobilized. The man beside her, in a bad mood since leaving, looked increasingly gloomy, his face as dark as charcoal.
Ou Xueman had opened and closed the car window countless times.
Closing it made the stuffy air unbearable, while opening it brought exhaust heat directly to her face. She felt trapped between the two.
Noticing her discomfort, Di Xihuang’s thick eyebrows remained furrowed as he irritably honked the horn, receiving ticket after ticket from the police officer.
“Stop honking,” Ou Xueman said, covering her mouth with a tissue. “You’ll just be fined for noise pollution.” She looked at the officer, wondering if he had a penchant for writing tickets.
Still angry, Di Xihuang ignored her advice. “Shit,” he hit the steering wheel hard, earning yet another ticket.
Ou Xueman glanced around, recalling a nice accessory shop in the area eight years ago, where the owner designed unique pieces. She wondered if it still existed.
Di Xihuang took out his phone, making an angry English call. She gestured that she was going out.
Before he could react, she left the car, searching for the small shop based on her memory and moving leisurely through the crowded street.
“It should be around this corner,” she muttered.
Peeking around the corner, she saw the familiar, though faded, signboard. Its design immediately struck her, reminiscent of meeting an old friend. She walked towards it happily.
Pushing open the glass door, the familiar bell sound was followed by the shopkeeper’s warm greeting, “Welcome!”
The soft reddish light and medieval castle decor transported her back to carefree times eight years ago.
“Hello,” Ou Xueman smiled at the shopkeeper.
“Feel free to look around. All our accessories are specially designed, and we only make one of each, so they’re truly unique. Great for yourself or as a gift,” the shopkeeper said warmly.
The shop was small but filled with seemingly endless items.
“I’m looking for a gift for a man. Do you have any recommendations?” Ou Xueman asked.
The shopkeeper pointed to some items on display, “These are all good, especially this tie clip.”
At first glance of the tie clip, Ou Xueman felt that only Di Xihuang’s temperament could embody its essence. The tie clip, carved and inlaid with black crystal in the shape of a scepter, exuded steady majesty and mysterious unpredictability, reminiscent of his gaze, as dark as the crystal.
When she returned to where he was parked, she found that the law enforcement personnel had significantly increased, and the front of the long queue seemed to be moving.
Before she could fully sit in the car, she heard his voice suppressing his anger, “What are you doing at this time?”
Ignoring his displeasure, she stuffed the wrapped gift into his arms, “Here, your gift.”
Di Xihuang was stunned, his anger instantly extinguished. After a moment, he carefully asked, “Did you buy a gift for me?”
Ou Xueman didn’t answer, looking ahead to see if the vehicles were moving.
Although happy, her mouth was still tense, “Is this like hitting you with a stick and then giving you candy?”
Frustrated, she added, “Hey, I’m giving you a birthday gift, and you’re treating it like donkey liver and lungs. Fine, forget it, take it back.”
How could he return a gift that might be her last for him? “You’ve already given it, how can you take it back?”
Ou Xueman didn’t care and started a tug-of-war with him in the car, like two carefree children. Just when this rare, pleasant moment was happening for them, it ended with an inexplicable kiss.
They didn’t know who touched whose lips first; it was just a light brush, but it was a spiritual shock. Ou Xueman was stunned, staring at him, forgetting she was still in his arms.
They quietly looked at each other, feeling their hearts beating wildly.
Time seemed to stop, outside noise disappeared, and the air between them became clear, filled with their unique fresh fragrance. Their bright eyes flickered with images of each other, so real and warm.
No one knew who initiated it first, but the distance between them closed. Their starry eyes gradually shut as they drew near. He could feel the soft fragrance from her red lips, his heart eager to taste, yet afraid his impatience would ruin their rare moment.
Suddenly, an urgent knock on the car window shattered the tender atmosphere.
The window lowered, revealing a man in a Hong Kong police uniform with a rogue-like smile. Leaning down, he said, “Old classmate, look at you getting angry. I, the Police Commissioner, had to personally come to help you resolve your troubles.” His gaze shifted to Ou Xueman.
Di Xihuang, already filled with suppressed anger from being interrupted, noticed the man’s provocative stare at Ou Xueman, fueling his rage. “Li Minji,” he said through gritted teeth, his voice as cold as ice, lowering the temperature of the heated air.
“Li Minji?”
Ou Xueman was surprised. Could this be the legendary former head of the Flying Tiger Squad? She was even more shocked at Di Xihuang, as Li Minji had just called him an old classmate. She hadn’t expected Di Xihuang to be connected to Hong Kong’s high-ranking officials.
“Hi, beautiful,” Li Minji casually greeted her.
Before Ou Xueman could respond, Di Xihuang interjected, “I’m driving now, or we’ll cause another traffic jam.” He then closed the window and followed the slowly moving convoy.
“Hey, you’re ringing the bell and then not wanting the monk!” Li Minji exclaimed, appearing nothing like a Police Commissioner and leaving his subordinates stunned.
On the phone, Tong Yifeng let out a long “hmm,” which eased Ou Xueman’s anxiety. “However, Xuanxuan, Zhen Sheng is actually quite a good person. As the saying goes, a long road reveals a horse’s endurance, and true character is seen over time. He has been with you for so many years, and his character is commendable. I’m at ease with him; you’re not young anymore…”
“Brother Yifeng, when did you become a matchmaker? Alright, I won’t talk to you anymore; I’m meeting friends for dinner.”
Ou Xueman knew if she let him continue, he would go on like an uncontrollable flood, so she said a few more words and hung up.
Having family members caring for her across the ocean made her feel never alone. She put her phone away and returned to the restaurant, but paused at the entrance upon seeing a couple kissing. A closer look stunned her – it was Di Xihuang and Tian Mu Xianghui. Anger surged from her lower abdomen, though she didn’t stop to ponder why.
Suddenly, Tian Mu Xianghui was pushed away, stumbling back and gazing desperately at the cold man before her. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Ou Xueman and her expression turned icy.
Ou Xueman, with a cold demeanor, walked past them, saying, “I saw nothing, you can continue.” She tossed her hair stylishly, leaving behind a unique fragrance as she entered the restaurant.
“Xueman,” Di Xihuang started, sensing her misunderstanding and wanting to explain, but Tian Mu Xianghui held him back.
