The music playing in the car was "If I'm Not In Love With You," a track from the soundtrack of the movie Indecent Proposal.
In this moment, with such a song playing, the first feeling that enveloped Hu Xiu's heart was not surprise, nor awkwardness, but... tenderness.
On a rain-soaked road carpeted with plane tree leaves, a man brimming with affection suddenly leaned out of the car window to kiss the girl he adored, cradling her jaw in his hand. The rain wove a soft haze over the scene, with light and shadow perfectly framing the two figures in the moment—
One had to wonder if any audience wouldn't be moved by such a scene, especially when the one kissing her wasn't someone she disliked, but rather shone brightly in every aspect...
To have love served promptly on a delicate platter to someone starved and chilled—to refuse such an offering would be to invite misfortune.
Lost in a daze, she felt Pei Zhen wipe the raindrops from her face with his hand: "It's really too cold. I can't let you go back like this."
He opened the car door, took off his black overcoat, and wrapped it around Hu Xiu: "Wait for me in the car. I'll be back soon."
"But my clothes are still wet..."
"It's fine. It's just a coat." Pei Zhen, wearing a black sweater, turned back before crossing the street and smiled at Hu Xiu in temporary farewell: "If you don't accept this, what I did earlier would count as workplace harassment. I'll leave the car keys with you. I won't be long."
Hu Xiu slipped into the car. The air conditioning was strong, and soon the doors locked and the music stopped. She gazed out the window.
Every year when the plane trees in Shanghai began shedding their leaves, painting the ground gold amid the rain, romance had always felt distant and unrelated to her. This year, however, was different—this faint stroke of luck even made her wonder if some great misfortune was soon to follow.
Pei Zhen's overcoat was stiff and textured, carrying his body warmth. There was a faint scent of perfume, so subtle yet unmistakable to Hu Xiu: BVLGARI's Petits et Mamans, a talcum-powder-like fragrance, sweet and distinctly feminine—the same scent Lee Donghae used. In the stories of his past relationships, Lee Donghae was undoubtedly intertwined.
A karmic cycle of fate.
After waiting for forty minutes, handling work on her phone and watching the scenery, Pei Zhen opened the car door, letting in a chill as he slid into the driver's seat: "You must be freezing? Let's head back to the hospital now."
"Clearly, you're the one who's freezing."
"The embassy was warm. The interviewers are quite sensitive to cold—they had the air conditioning cranked up."
"Did it go that smoothly?"
"Of course, I had the Invitation—you forgot I'm here for an exchange."
As the car started, the same song began looping again. Pei Zhen pressed the accelerator, his tone seemingly relaxed but betraying a hint of restlessness that Hu Xiu could detect.
Age was a valuable thing; subtle emotions could be easily perceived. Pei Zhen was nervous about the impulsive kiss, steeling himself to broach a topic and ease his discomfort. She remained silent, waiting to hear what he would say. Changing the subject would seem too deliberate, revealing unease; retracting the kiss would embarrass the girl; following up with a confession, only to be rejected by Hu Xiu, would make it impossible to continue their friendship as if nothing happened. How would Pei Zhen—so clever and decisive in his role at the hospital—resolve his own impulsiveness? Hu Xiu was genuinely curious.This was precisely why she had never confessed her feelings to Diao Zhiyu. No matter which path she chose, she would always be the one passively waiting for the outcome. Now, with Pei Zhen, she found herself in the active role, and it stirred a somewhat mischievous delight within her.
"I need to ask you for a favor."
What novel approach was this?
The car happened to stop at a red light. The necklace hanging against Pei Zhen's chest beneath his black sweater swayed slightly as he leaned over, his body bridging the space between the driver's and passenger's seats. He drew close to Hu Xiu but quickly returned to his position, handing her a folder. "Please give this to Li Ai for me."
"You must persuade Li Ai to accept treatment. I'm begging you. Lately, I can't bear to see any more patients refusing treatment. If he's struggling with the surgery costs, I'll find a way to help him."
"Thank you. We'll contribute to the expenses too. He's helped me so much in Shanghai, always there when I needed him, like an older brother. I won't stand by and watch him face amputation."
"That puts my mind at ease. And—" Pei Zhen let out a long sigh. "Impulse is the devil. I'm too tense right now. If that move just now made you uncomfortable, it would've been outright harassment. Once we get to the hospital, you won't report me, will you?"
As he finished speaking, he sneezed from the cold, frantically searching for a tissue. Watching Pei Zhen's slightly agape mouth and his nervous, trembling breaths, Hu Xiu found him somewhat... endearing.
She could have played innocent in that moment, but feigning ignorance didn't seem important. When she was with Pei Zhen, every expression on his face came alive because of her. The stern, furrowed mask he wore at the hospital had been cast aside, replaced only by admiration and warm smiles directed at her.
The best way to respond now seemed to be facing it openly, and truthfully, she wasn't all that tense.
"If reporting you came with a reward, I might consider it. But in most cases, reporting your superiors or colleagues doesn't end well—so I can keep this secret for you."
Pei Zhen focused on driving but chuckled at her words. "You're really clever."
"You... why are you helping Li Ai? Is it because... of me?"
"I'd love to say it's because of you, but I can't lie—it's a doctor's instinct.
I've seen too many patients give up on treatment. Life is so fragile; the earlier it's detected and treated, the more freely one can live.
It's only when you're gravely ill that you realize how precious it is to live freely. Li Ai must understand this better than any of us. If I can offer even a little help, I won't hesitate."
As they neared the hospital, Pei Zhen pulled over at the entrance. "You go in first. I'll park at the nearby mall. There are no spots here, and it's fortunate I drove today so we can split up. I couldn't have managed all this without you."
As she got out, Hu Xiu ran into her senior colleague emerging from the administration building after a meeting. Predictably, before the end of the day, the entire hospital would know that Hu Xiu had returned with Pei Zhen in his car. The story had already evolved from Hu Xiu running an errand for Pei Zhen to the two of them being seen together everywhere, even accompanying each other to the embassy.
Hearing the gossip, Hu Xiu frowned. Her senior colleague was excellent in every way except for her tendency to exaggerate. All the rumors she had once listened to were now being repaid with interest.The most taboo thing in a hospital is office romance—not because it affects work, but because one’s hard-earned efforts may ultimately be dismissed as "climbing the ladder by relying on a man."
Sure enough, the next day at the office, Hu Xiu’s senior colleague found an excuse to send her out into the hallway.
While loitering in the corridor, she vaguely overheard several senior staff discussing plans to transfer her to an assistant role next to the vice president’s office. The head nurse was also in the room, mentioning that Reconstructive Surgery had specifically requested Hu Xiu to serve as a dedicated departmental translator. There was only one regular position available, and Chen Yang, who had been at the hospital for three years, had put in his share of effort, if not achieving remarkable success.
Her senior colleague spoke rapidly, yet her words remained clear: "Hu Xiu’s competence is one thing, but Dr. Pei Zhen genuinely appreciates her. Is Reconstructive Surgery really short-staffed? If they wanted a translator, it’s not like they couldn’t find one or get approval for a hire. Look at Chen Yang—he has no one to rely on, and he never gets the regular position, year after year. Feeling sorry for him is pointless."
Pei Zhen waved to her from a distance. Spotting him, Hu Xiu turned and hurried into the restroom, thinking, "Speak of the devil—just what I was trying to avoid."
When she emerged, Pei Zhen was gone. Director Cai stepped out of her office and said to Hu Xiu, "Xiao Hu, we’re switching your placement. The office needs a male staff member, so you’ll be moving next to the vice president’s office."
She didn’t have much to move. As Hu Xiu packed her things, the office fell into a heavy silence. She wasn’t angry, though—she simply saw herself as a pot of lucky bamboo, adaptable and resilient.
Once her belongings were settled next to the vice president’s office, her senior colleague invited her out for milk tea. Hu Xiu mused about the complexity of human nature—office politics were like a floating world painting: one moment people were gossiping, the next, they might be trying to win her over.
"Xiao Hu, you’ve been spending quite a bit of time with Dr. Pei lately, haven’t you?"
"Not really, I just helped him deliver some documents." That’s all you need to know, Hu Xiu thought.
"There’s something I’m not sure I should say. Doctors are different from us. Most of us in administration don’t have a medical background, but you and I at least have some solid skills. Still, you need to be careful in the office."
"Honestly, I don’t quite get it. At the hospital, we’re all colleagues—it’s just work. Why is everyone so sensitive?"
"Because it’s Pei Zhen. The doctors in this hospital fall into two categories: Pei Zhen, and everyone else. Everyone is excellent and hardworking, squeezing 48 hours out of every 24. But there’s only one person who’s handsome, privileged, naturally gifted, and sharp-minded—and that’s Pei Zhen. You have to admit he’s good-looking, right?"
"His looks have nothing to do with me… What I mean is, even if he attracts a lot of attention at the hospital, that doesn’t mean I have to pay him special notice. We all rely on our abilities to get things done. Helping each other as friends is just part of the job. If getting a regular position depends on how much attention Dr. Pei gives me, I might as well become his housekeeper."
"Don’t say things like that. Here, have some coffee." Her senior colleague bought two cups of coffee and handed one to Hu Xiu. "You can say that around me, but don’t let the head nurse or Director Cai hear you."
Hu Xiu pursed her lips, thinking, "I said it precisely for you to hear—you’ll find a way to pass it on to them anyway."
That evening, as Hu Xiu stepped out of the hospital, she shivered in the cold. Someone waved from a car window—it was Pei Zhen. When she slipped into the passenger seat, a gust of chilly wind swept into the car, making them both sneeze at the same time. They exchanged a smile.Pei Zhen started the car: "You caught a cold too? My fault. Want something warm to eat? My treat..."
"Just fellow sufferers. I probably caught it earlier - if anything, I might have been the one who infected you."
Of course it was from sleeping on that camp bed at Li Ai's coffee shop with Diao Zhiyu. Young people, always pushing their limits.
"I know a decent place that should hit the spot right now."
The car drove straight to Lujiazui. Jade36 at Shangri-La, turning right after exiting the elevator and walking down the long corridor, climbing three steps to reach the warm yellow lighting and melodious jazz music. With Christmas season decorations already up, the two settled by the window. The place wasn't crowded, the atmosphere exceptionally tranquil, with an endless view of the Huangpu River and the classic Bund corridor beyond the window - Shanghai's signature scenery.
Hu Xiu increasingly felt she'd fallen into a trap. This was no casual meal - what should have been a simple dinner had taken on the atmosphere of a marriage proposal. Pei Zhen, it's just helping you retrieve some documents, no need for all this.
The arrival of bread basket, lobster bisque and foie gras with popping candy made Hu Xiu nervous. If he confessed today after kissing her yesterday, in this setting, she wouldn't know what excuse to use to refuse. This was really forcing her hand.
Yet Pei Zhen browsed the menu unhurriedly, his movements natural, his table manners impeccable - refinement that seemed innate.
The manager himself came to attend to Pei Zhen. Standing beside their table with a slight bow, he exchanged a few familiar words with Pei Zhen - clearly a regular here.
The manager softly inquired about drinks, his gaze briefly sliding over Hu Xiu with slight discomfort and curiosity. Hu Xiu noted this - someone who'd witnessed things was sizing up the new companion brought by his regular customer.
Pei Zhen asked considerately, "Feel like some wine? We could have a glass, I'll drive you home."
"I'm not really much of a drinker."
"Today's my birthday. I apologize for bringing you here without warning. I've never really made friends at the hospital, and I particularly wanted to celebrate in a nice environment... to prove I'm special."
These words stuttered repeatedly in Hu Xiu's mind. Like subtitles out of sync with the video, it took her a moment to understand - for all his excellence, Pei Zhen might be... profoundly lonely.
Unable to find comforting words, Hu Xiu said, "If you want to enjoy yourself properly..."
"I can drink with you. After all, you got your US visa and are going to America as a researcher - that's worth celebrating too."
After several rounds, just as the steak was served, Hu Xiu saw Pei Zhen cover his face: "My god, I never expected you to hold your liquor so well."
"Not really. It's just that during my gap year after resigning, my alcohol tolerance improved dramatically."
"In college, after watching plays at small theaters, I'd habitually have a drink. Alcohol is a kind of hallucinogen too, helping you linger in the dream of the play."
"Small theaters... how romantic."
"Nanjing University's small theater has its traditions. Translation work can be quite dull with many frustrations, so I always sought distractions. I often visited the Pioneer Bookstore too. Don't you have any frustrations?"
"Regarding research projects and academic work, no. If I had to name one - gaining weight if I indulge a little, does that count?"
Pei Zhen laughed: "I genuinely struggle with weight control. When I gain weight, it shows on my face immediately - it's really difficult."
In their tipsy state, their swaying souls reflected in each other's eyes, very likely merging into one.Hu Xiu was amused by his words. When she looked up again, her vision wavered like an unsteady camera lens—the face across from her drifted in and out of focus as she leaned against the glass with a silly grin. "I never realized how profound translation could be until I saw you interpreters at work. Watching you back then, I thought: how nerve-wracking must this be? Such intense concentration—if it were me, I’d probably be frantic with frustration."
She wagged a finger. "But that simply won’t do. The most essential quality for an interpreter is a steady mindset. If we panic, both sides end up lost, and impatience only makes the atmosphere tense."
"As bridges of communication, our emotions must remain stable. Over all these years—and I’m not boasting—I’ve never made a single mistake in translation."
"How do you manage it?"
"I’m not sure myself. Perhaps it’s that—people are always led by fate to where they truly belong." The phrase sounded familiar, though she couldn’t quite place it.
"You really are more interesting than most of my colleagues at the hospital. The moment I saw your name, I knew you were special. But now—" Pei Zhen’s mind went momentarily blank. "I need to find a designated driver."
A sweet, slightly intoxicating atmosphere flowed between them. Watching Pei Zhen frown at his phone, Hu Xiu felt a sense of familiarity and comfort in the air. He must rely deeply on this kind of connection too.
Where exactly did she resemble his ex-girlfriend? What stories had unfolded in this restaurant that made his breath mingle so peacefully with the air here, his gaze tender and lingering as he looked at her, half-drunk yet fully present?
If she didn’t ask, she would never know.
During a lull as dessert was served, Hu Xiu checked her social media feed. Diao Zhiyu had posted a picture of a crescent moon with the caption "I-s."
She had seen a moon of the same shape when she left REGARD earlier.
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