The advice to remain quiet was Wang Ren's strategy for Cao Shi, and then she began to work alone. She visited Shen Xue's shop and made inquiries everywhere. There was no murder, no hatred, yet an inescapable sense of conspiracy hung in the air.
For this, Wang Ren felt a touch of joy. While the flavor of peaceful days was rich, it lacked the invigorating kick of something spicy. Deep down, Wang Ren relished being manipulated; it made her feel that the world she inhabited was extraordinary.
Having scouted the area and biding her time, Wang Ren wanted to see what mettle this woman had, daring to provoke her.
An opportunity presented itself when Gao Xiaojuan felt unwell and went to rest alone in the west wing. Wang Ren inquired and learned that Li Jiu was not present; he was helping Shen Xue unload goods. Wang Ren went there and saw Li Jiu and Shen Xue from a distance.
The goods were from out of town, not much, packed in silk bags. Li Jiu acted as a laborer, sweating profusely. Shen Xue helped Li Jiu wipe his sweat and offered him water, her eyes sparkling, as affectionate as lovers.
Wang Ren was somewhat puzzled. Li Jiu was usually indifferent to Gao Xiaojuan but seemed more willing to show smiles to Shen Xue. In terms of appearance, Gao Xiaojuan and Shen Xue were equally matched. Gao Xiaojuan had a high nose bridge and an imposing presence, her every move exuding the boldness of Western women. Shen Xue, however, possessed the charm of an Eastern woman, tall and slender, yet gentle as flowing water in temperament.
They busied themselves with unpacking and stocking shelves until evening. Only then did Shen Xue link her arm with Li Jiu's, leaning half her body onto his shoulder, and go with him to a street-side hot pot restaurant for dinner. Amidst the bubbling broth and rising steam, the two faced the rich soup, one wiping the other's sweat, the other tucking the other's sleeves, their intimacy evident.
In March in Beijing, the temperature difference between day and night was significant. A gust of wind made Shen Xue feel cold. Li Jiu took off his coat and draped it over her. Shen Xue's feigned reluctance to accept it made Wang Ren, watching from afar, chuckle.
And so, Li Jiu walked ahead, with Shen Xue following closely behind like a little bird.
Suddenly, Li Jiu stopped. Shen Xue, who had been looking down, nearly bumped into him. She paused and looked up at Li Jiu timidly. Li Jiu's sword-like eyebrows rose. "Did you tell Gao Xiaojuan that Chinese men prefer chaste women?"
"Was I wrong?"
Li Jiu remained silent, grabbing Shen Xue's wrist. Shen Xue looked up at him, her eyes full of affection, her breathing quickening. But within seconds, Shen Xue's expression contorted. She violently wrenched her hand from Li Jiu's grip and asked unwillingly, "What are you doing?"
"Who sent you?"
"No one. Did I say something wrong? How could that Gao Xiaojuan be worthy of you? She's been with who knows how many foreign men..."
*Slap*
Li Jiu struck Shen Xue, sending her flying a considerable distance. "Go back and tell your master that if there's anything, they should come for me."
...
After speaking, Li Jiu roughly pulled his coat from Shen Xue's shoulders, put it on with a stern expression, and turned to leave. The direction he took was directly across the street, towards where Wang Ren was eating large dumplings.
"Senior Sister, did you see anyone?"
"There was a man with a Phoenix automatic camera."
Wang Ren could not fathom why Cao Shi, harboring resentment over Li Jiu and Gao Xiaojuan's relationship, would attack Wang Zeyii. What did Wang Zeyii have to do with it? Wang Ren summoned Wang Zeyii's wife to her room and gently persuaded her. It was then that Wang Ren learned that Cao Shi had inexplicably beaten Wang Zeyii while they were drinking, resulting in seven stitches on his head and the forfeiture of his bonus for the month.
Understanding the cause and effect, Wang Ren went to the east wing and saw Cao Shi sitting on the bed. She asked earnestly, "You hit Wang Zeyii?"
"Yes."
"Why did you do that?"