Rose Lock - Chapter 16

Ian was stunned, as if doubting her own ears. She asked again uncertainly, “You really don’t recognize her?”

Gong Yan lowered her eyes, her gaze sharp and compelling, and she still gave the same answer.

“I don’t recognize her.”

Old Fu stood next to her, his expression unchanged, his heart unfluttered.

Ian encountered this situation for the first time, wondering if her investigation had gone wrong. “I apologize, Madam Gong, I might have disturbed you today.”

Gong Yan, with her extraordinary composure, raised her wine glass to toast her, indicating it was fine. If Ian didn’t mind, she could have her driver take her back. Ian quickly declined, saying it wasn’t necessary, while her opinion of the woman in front of her grew even better. Such a big blunder, and she had completely misunderstood the situation, making her feel extremely apologetic.

After the person left, Old Fu stood behind Gong Yan, following her gaze towards the lady disappearing through the iron gate, and asked with confusion, “Madam, why did you say you didn’t recognize Miss Hua Manyi just now?”

Gong Yan hugged her chest with one arm and took a sip of red wine. “Old Fu, when did I ever say I don’t recognize Hua Manyi?”

Old Fu was momentarily taken aback, unable to figure out which sentence was wrong. “But the person on the scroll clearly…”

“The woman on the scroll is very beautiful, I don’t deny that, but did the other party say that was Hua Manyi?” Gong Yan’s red lips curved up.

Ian asked who the woman in the painting was. No matter how much the painting resembled her, as long as it wasn’t named, she, Gong Yan, didn’t recognize any Tom, Dick, or Harry.

It was then that Old Fu realized there was absolutely nothing wrong with her statement. He looked at Gong Yan again and couldn’t help but give her an internal thumbs-up.

…

During this month, Hua Manyi received hand-drawn envelopes every now and then, and the hand-drawn pictures on them were never repeated. Sometimes they were grand and magnificent buildings, sometimes they were lush and vibrant wild flower bushes, gorgeous blooming rose gardens, or even a poodle on the side of the road…

Because the artwork was too good, she couldn’t bear to throw them away. In the end, Hua Manyi specifically got a box to store them. As for the content of the letters… she would look at them when she learned English one day. After all, it wasn’t good to keep troubling Doctor Ma.

A month later, the injury on her foot healed, and she could finally wear high heels again. She got dressed up exquisitely, pulled Xiao Xiao along, and planned to go shopping on the street to relax. Otherwise, she felt like she was going to mold during this month.

“Xiao Xiao, come take a look, this scarf is really beautiful.”

“It is quite nice. If you like it, Sister Manyi, just buy it.”

“Shopkeeper—” Hua Manyi was about to pick it up to pay, when suddenly the other end of the scarf was touched by a slender, pale hand. She paused and looked up, and when she saw that fragile, fair face, many scenes and sounds uncontrollably surged into her mind.

— Madam Gong, the flowers you sent are beautiful, I like them very much.

— Madam Gong, could you help me unclasp my necklace? It seems to be tied a bit tightly…

Hua Manyi froze, but the other party let go of the scarf and apologized, “I was presumptuous. Miss, you saw it first.”

The shopkeeper stood nearby and smiled, saying, “If both Misses like it, I have more in stock here. Both Misses don’t need to push it away.”

Saying that, he had someone pack them up separately. Hua Manyi watched the other person smile shallowly and pay, “Thank you, Shopkeeper.”

Xiao Xiao, unable to stand by, nudged Hua Manyi with her elbow, finally snapping her back to reality so she could quickly pay.

“Miss Manyi, are you looking at me because there’s something on my face?” Jiang Yin’s smile was like a gentle spring breeze. Since they were standing close, Hua Manyi realized that this singer truly possessed a glass-like fragility, as if she would shatter with a touch, making people want to hold and protect her. When she wasn’t smiling, her brows carried a faint, subtle melancholy air, making her look pitiful and lovable, making people wish they could offer the whole world to her just to win a smile.

“No.” Hua Manyi shook her head.

Jiang Yin covered her mouth and chuckled softly, “There’s a coffee shop ahead. Could I have the honor of inviting Miss Manyi for a cup?”

Hua Manyi looked at her face and, under a sudden impulse, nodded, “Sure.”

They ordered a cup of latte. Jiang Yin took a sip and asked, “Miss Manyi, aren’t you curious why I know your name?”

Hua Manyi belatedly realized it. Oh right, why would she know her name was Hua Manyi? They had never spoken before. “Why do you know what I’m called?”

“Miss Manyi, are you always so adorable?” Jiang Yin really didn’t expect the other party to follow up and ask the question again.

Hua Manyi blinked, picked up her coffee and took a sip to hide her embarrassment.

“Miss Manyi’s name is known throughout the streets and alleys, and I am the singer at the Paramount. Technically, we are also competitors in the same field…” The implication was that it was not surprising at all that she knew her name.

“Miss Manyi looks very young, and her singing is good, which is very enviable.” Jiang Yin looked at Hua Manyi, stirring her coffee. Her words contained a hint of subtle melancholy, and her placid eyes held an emotion that was hard to decipher.

“You flatter me, Miss Jiang Yin, you are more outstanding than I am.” So many people stopped for her, were captivated by her.

They sat in a window seat. Outside was a small flower garden. Looking out, they could see various pedestrians walking on the street.

Jiang Yin chatted with her for a few minutes, mentioning that she had an evening party tonight and finally had a chance to come out for some fresh air. Hua Manyi agreed that it was a coincidence; she also came out for some air. She had been stuck in Fenghai for almost a month, so of course she needed to get out.

Hua Manyi was still dwelling on what her relationship with Mama Gong was, when the other party suddenly whispered. She looked up, following the other person’s line of sight, and saw a Ford car had just stopped at the coffee shop entrance. The familiar profile in the car window made her recognize who it was immediately.

“She’s here to pick me up. Miss Manyi, I might have to excuse myself.” Jiang Yin looked very apologetic.

The woman entered the coffee shop and came to their table. It was then that Hua Manyi realized that the evening party she mentioned was one she was attending with Mama Gong.

“A-Yan, could I go to the restroom first?” Jiang Yin stood up and pleaded, looking at Gong Yan.

“Yes. Do you need me to go with you?”

“No, A-Yan, you can keep Miss Manyi company here.”

After getting permission, Jiang Yin followed the attendant to the restroom.

In this corner, only she and Mama Gong, and the standing Xiao Xiao, remained. Xiao Xiao bowed and greeted, “Mama Gong.” Hua Manyi woke up from Jiang Yin’s “A-Yan,” and then saw Mama Gong casually and languidly sit down in front of her, her demeanor extraordinary.

“Mama Gong…” After the words left her mouth, Hua Manyi didn’t know how to continue. Suddenly, she remembered the warning from that day, telling her to report to her wherever she went. Without thinking much, she spoke, “I went to the Clothiers today with Xiao Xiao and ran into Miss Jiang Yin. She invited me to have coffee.”

“Mm.” The woman opposite her gave a light, noncommittal sound.

She was a woman of few words, a stark contrast to her attitude towards Jiang Yin.

Hua Manyi sensitively felt the difference and was a little wronged, but then she scoffed internally. She, Hua Manyi, was just a small dancer, essentially a small employee of this big boss. What right did she have to demand the same treatment as others?

Jiang Yin… was truly different from her.

“Excuse me, are you Miss Hua Manyi?”

A male voice suddenly sounded by her ear. Hua Manyi and Gong Yan looked up simultaneously. The person was an attendant from the coffee shop, currently holding a tray. Because she was seated, she couldn’t see what was on it.

“I am. What is it?”

The attendant smiled and placed the exquisite dessert from the tray in front of her. “Miss Hua Manyi, this is a chocolate truffle left here for you by a lady. She asked us to bring it out for you to taste if we saw you come in.”

“Huh?” Hearing the word “left,” Hua Manyi immediately thought of the letter from a month ago. Looking at the very tempting truffle, she swallowed hard and asked a question that spoiled the moment.

“Is this still edible? It’s been here for a month.”

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