[NW] Baobei Baobei Chapter 6

“My name is Jiang Moxiu, and I’ve lived in Boston since I was a child”. When a flicker of recognition showed in Baobei’s eyes, Jiang Moxiu raised his brows and nodded, “Boston”.

“...” Baobei’s mouth gaped open, as she pointed at the man. “Brother Moxiu!”

Relief washed over him. “I’m glad you still remember who I am”.

“Why are you back? Where’s Mojie? Is he back too? Why didn’t you tell me earlier! I still felt that you looked familiar, and your name rang a bell, but it’s really you!” She still had the cheek to push the blame to him. “Didn’t you settle down in the United States, what brings you back this time?”

Beobei had dug a hole for herself.

Once some men had identified their targets, they would have a clear idea on how to conquer their targets. They were strong executors, and would attack once they locked onto them. Jiang Moxiu was a typical businessman. He assessed this situation he was facing. He had waited for so many years, and no longer had the patience to slowly seduce this girl. Also, he understood Baobei, and knew that she would not be startled by this. Hence, he decided to be forthcoming.

“In fact, I really miss some people. So I’m back”. This man looked seriously at the young girl, a faint smile on his lips. He knew how to mesmerize others, and he was putting his skills to good use in front of this young girl.

His words were so ambiguous. Baobei’s heart skipped a beat, but did not read between the lines.

To an experienced, mature woman, his words were straightforward enough.

“Okay, Baobei, are you attached?”

Baobei unconsciously shook her head.

“Anyone that you are interested in?

She shook her head again.

The man smiled, satisfied with her responses.

“Then I’m back at the right time.”

Baobei was still confused. Why did it matter to him that she was not attached, or had anyone that she liked?

“Baobei, would you consider becoming my girlfriend?”

Finally, Jiang Moxiu took Baobei’s phone from her, and saved his number in it. He then saved her number into his phone.

Baobei returned to her dorm in a daze. Before she alighted the car, Jiang Moxiu had given her a box of cakes, as if he had known beforehand that they would meet in school. Cough! The critical point was not the cakes, but the kiss he had left on her forehead.

This man was very, very direct.

Even if Baobei had not understood his previous hints, she could feel it clearly with that final kiss. His chilly lips stayed on her forehead for close to five seconds. No matter how aloof Baobei was, once she put together his words and actions, she could guess his intentions.

All of a sudden, Baobei felt nervous. She has a suitor, after nineteen years! Although he might be a little old … hmmm … twenty seven years of age … seems fine …

Her three roommates had already started gossiping before she returned. The moment she stepped in, the three of them looked up with a sly smile.

“Baobei, I just realised how indecent your name is!” Shi Xiaoxi smiled crudely. “Who was that man with the BMW? That flirtatious look when he called your name! there’s definitely something going on between the two of you!”

“And he brought gifts!” Shi Xiaoxi grabbed the cake box. When she opened it, she shouted piteously, “It’s tiramisu ... Take me away …”

Fang Jie joined in the teasing. She raised Shi Xiaoxi’s chin and lowered her voice, “Baobei, take me away…”

“Go away!” Baobei snatched the tiramisu back. Tiramisu was her favourite dessert. It appeared that this Brother Moxiu did not come unprepared. Within a span of five days, and over three meetings, he had already made his intentions towards Baobei known.

There was no confession yet, but his actions were enough to stir Baobei’s heart.

Black-bellied, and was even taking liberties with her.

Jiahui walked towards Baobei and touched her forehead. Baobei stared at her bewilderedly.

Jiahui grinned, ‘Xia Baobei, to think that you would also encounter such a situation”.

“I heard that love is like a bout of fever. The ones who are incurable will get married, when they recover, a breakup is inevitable. Those who are obsessed are those in the midst of a fever. Our Baobei is having a fever”.

When Jiahui made her conclusion, the three roommates broke into laughter.

“Madness!” Baobei was at a loss for words, and only managed to squeeze one word out. It was as if Jiahui’s assessment was correct, there were times where Baobei could not refute their words. This was retribution!

“I think that BMW guy is pretty good. He’s so handsome, and he’s tall and rich. When he was standing just now, I took a close look, he has a good body, and his butt is perky and elastic…”

“Wait! You’ve touched it before, what elastic?” Baobei was in disarray.

“Tsk! Didn’t I take the backseat across the driver’s seat just now? I observed his butt, and I guarantee that it must be elastic!” Shi Xiaoxi scoffed.

“Shi Xiaoxi, you are so perverted, if this were the ancient times, you would have been thrown into a pig cage and drowned!” Baobei calmed, and regained some of her fighting power.

Jiahui put her hand on Xiaoxi’s shoulder. “Although I didn’t get to see him in the flesh, from their words, he does seem like a good catch. I would advise you to be decisive and make him yours. If he doesn’t flirt with you, then you should take the initiative. Madam White intentionally used rainfall to cheat Xu Xian of his umbrella, Zhu Yingtai tried to trick Liang Shanbo into marrying her “sister”, the Seventh Fairy blocked Dong Yong’s path, the Cowherd stole the Weaver Girl’s clothes when she was showering. [1] The underlying theme behind all these stories are: the start of a great love requires someone who is willing to play the hooligan.”

“What are all of you thinking about? We grew up together, in my heart, he’s just an older brother”. Baobei pushed them aside, and returned to her desk. Her heart was in a mess.

“Woah! Older brother!”

“Childhood sweethearts!”

“Loverboy! Loverboy!” The three started raving again.

“Don’t be silly. Jiang Moxiu is a true blue rich man, while I’m just a commoner. Why would he like me?” Young lady, the man had already confessed, how could you still be saying such irresponsible words? Of course, this was only meant to placate her roommates. Baobei’s voice was getting smaller.

Fang Jie asked, “Then what do you think his type is?”

“Pretty ones”.

“And you are not pretty?”

“Mature ones”.

“You’re so old fashioned! Men nowadays like youthful lolis”.

“A career woman”.

“He’s powerful enough, he doesn’t need to keep a tigress at home”.

Her roommates refuted everything she said, so Baobei gave up. “How would all of you know how he thinks?”

Her words were full of resentment.

“Come, let me tell you the truth.” Xiaoxi took Baobei’s hand seriously. “A career woman, in my impresion, is someone confident and talented. But a confident woman might not necessarily be pretty; look at Sister Feng. A talented woman might not be attractive too; look at Abbess Miejue.”[2]

Baobei rolled her eyes, ignoring her.

These people were unaware of the situation, and were making a fuss over what they saw as a rare gem. But Baobei was different. To her, while she was propositioned, the other party was someone she had never expected.

Baobei couldn’t sleep that night, no matter how much she tossed and turned.

Oh beauty, oh handsome, oh troubles! Baobei wrung a corner of the quilt, shaken.

She met Xia Tian for lunch the next day. He had just returned from S City on Wednesday, and wanted to deliver some items to Baobei.

Baobei waited for Xia Tian at the entrance of the Administration Block. A short while after classes had ended, a flashy Hummer stopped in front of Baobei. Baobei was surprised, as the window wound down to show Xia Tian in the driver’s seat.

“Did you change your car?” Baobei was in shock.

“How can it be? It’s Liu Shao’s.” [3] Xia Tian grinned, as he gestured for her to get in. This little brat Xia Tian was doing well in Beijing. Not only did he get closer to his brother-in-law, he even got to know his brother-in-law’s buddies. From his connections with them, he was able to drive a different car every few days.

After Baobei was buckled in, Xia Tian leaned over and pinched her cheeks. “It’s only been a few days since we’ve met, and you’ve become more skinny!”

Xia Tian was also at a loss. He always felt that his second sister was like his own daughter, and he had to constantly worry about whether she was living well. He could ignore anyone’s messages or calls, except for Baobei. When it came to her, he would put everything down and place her needs first. Especially when he heard of anyone who wanted to pursue his sister, he would be like a father being apprised of others coveting his daughter, he would want to beat them up whenever he heard such rumours.

“Go away!” Baobei slapped Xia Tian’s hand away.

“Let’s go! I’ll bring you out for a nice meal!” Xia Tian decided to bring Baobei to eat her favourite Japanese cuisine.

Baobei ignored him, and turned to examine the bags in the backseat, taking stock of the items.

“Everything’s there right?” Xia Tian was proud of himself. His sister would always ask him to bring the same things, and he would almost have to clear out their kitchen everytime.

“You’ve cleared the basic mission”. Baobei was pleased.

“Will it kill you to compliment me for once?” He smiled.

These days, all Baobei had encountered were relationship-related issues. Hence, when she saw Xia Tian, she became curious about his relationship status.

“Xia Tian, are you attached?”

“Nope.” He answered coolly.

Baobei normally did not think too highly of her brother, but he was actually a good catch. Even the way he was driving was so handsome.

“Not even once?”

Xia Tian gave his sister a look, as if saying, “Are you kidding me?”

“So, you’ve been attached?”

“Many times”.

“Why didn’t I know about it?”

“Should I have let you know?” He laughed.

“But you’re not just playing around like those rich kids right?” Baobei was most concerned about this. In actual fact, she knew that given their family background, there were many girls who were chasing him even from kindergarten, how could he have not been attached before?

“Our mother has said before, I should be studying first. So far, I haven’t had the chance to play around”. Xia Tian was no lowlife.

“That’s better”, Baobei mumbled.

“But…”

[1] References made to Chinese legends and folklores - Legend of the White Snake, Butterfly Lovers, Legend of Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy, and The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

[2] Sister Feng (凤姐): an Internet celebrity known for her excessive actions and comments.

Abbess Miejue (灭绝师太): a fictional character from Louis Cha’s novel “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sable”.

[3] Liu Shao (六少) - Similar to San Shao, no name given, but referring to the “number six” mentioned in the chapter 4.