– CP | Chapter 5

I spent two days feeling dejected.

I didn’t contact him, and naturally, he disappeared without a trace. Just like that, he’d smoothly rid himself of me.

On the third morning, I switched to a different shade of lipstick and carefully shaped my eyebrows.

At work, I received plenty of compliments and surprised reactions.

That got me thinking.

If there was nothing wrong with my appearance, then what had made this supposed player give up the prize right in front of him?

At that point, it wasn’t even anger anymore.

It was curiosity.

My pride had been challenged.

Of course, that was just the excuse I used to go back.

I wanted to know why he didn’t like me.

Growing up, whenever I gave a boy a signal, he’d eventually fall for me. The only variable was how shy he happened to be.

Had I done something wrong that night?

With that in mind, I messaged him again:

So what happened? You gave up before the meat even reached your mouth?

This time he replied quickly.

What?

Let’s meet. I have something to say.

A long while passed before he responded.

He was still acting as if everything were genuine.

Sister, I’m busy. I’d like to see you too.

How busy? Too busy to eat?

When he didn’t answer, I pressed further.

Just take the time for one meal.

I honestly didn’t expect much.

To my surprise, he agreed.

I have a meeting tomorrow at one. I get off work at eleven-thirty. I’ll be downstairs at your place at twelve. Sounds good?

By now I barely believed anything he said.

I’ll just take a taxi to your office. Save yourself the trip.

No need. I’ll pick you up. It’s just a shame we won’t have enough time for a proper meal.

I sneered internally.

Stop pretending, you fraud.

Haha.

—

The next day I slept until ten-thirty.

After washing up, I checked my phone.

No messages.

So I turned on my computer and watched a drama.

At exactly eleven-thirty, the familiar ding-ding notification sounded.

I froze for a moment.

Taking a deep breath, I picked up my phone.

Just got off work. Sneaked out behind my boss’s back.

I frowned.

What kind of trick was this?

Would he suddenly claim he’d been dragged back to work halfway here?

Or say he’d gotten stuck in traffic?

When he messaged that he’d arrived at my apartment complex, I stared at the screen for a moment.

Then I ran a hand through my hair and hurried downstairs.

Calling it a “complex” was generous.

It was really just a row of buildings.

I lived in the furthest one.

A few steps later, I spotted his Cadillac parked boldly at the entrance.

Black.

Shiny.

Annoyingly shiny.

I was wrapped in a black coat, completely bare-faced.

Standing there with my arms crossed, staring at the reflective passenger window.

The image wasn’t hard to imagine.

He hadn’t liked me when I’d dressed up.

Today’s chances were even worse.

I didn’t open the door.

He didn’t get out.

After a moment, the door opened from the inside.

Still the same Han Che.

Still smiling innocently.

“I can’t get out. The traffic police might see me.”

Fine.

The road really was too narrow.

I climbed into the car and shot him a cold look.

He asked,

“Why are you unhappy? Because I’m late? Traffic was a little bad.”

I hadn’t even realized it was already twelve-ten.

Fine.

“Counting your drive back, we’ve only got twenty minutes.”

“Yeah.” He looked around. “What can we eat in twenty minutes?”

His eyes landed on a noodle shop.

“Noodles?”

I shook my head and pointed toward a small wooded area in a nearby park.

“Pull over there. I want to talk.”

He didn’t object.

His gaze lingered uncertainly on my face.

I kept frowning.

Part of me wanted to slap him.

But he hadn’t actually done anything terrible to me.

Or maybe I was angry because he hadn’t done anything.

Damn it.

How pathetic.

—

A large tree stretched over the roadside.

He awkwardly parked beneath it.

After shutting off the engine, he leaned out the window to inspect the position.

“Damn,” he muttered.

“Parked like crap.”

From inside the car, I couldn’t even tell.

I didn’t understand men’s pride in their driving skills.

I was still trapped inside my own thoughts.

“Han Che.”

“Hm?”

He leaned a little closer, though his face remained turned toward the window as he continued worrying about the parking job.

I asked coldly,

“Is Han Che really your name?”

The winter afternoon was bright and clear.

Bare branches cast shifting shadows across the window and onto my face.

My eyelashes blinked slowly.

As if each blink might expose a hidden deception.

“Yeah.”

“Not some fake name you use to pick up women?”

I stared him down.

One eyebrow lifted.

“What do you mean?”

“If you’re not interested in me, you should just say so.”

I took a breath.

“It’s only a game. I can handle rejection. There’s no need to keep stringing me along like this, as if I’m chasing after you.”

I was furious about the expectations and feelings I’d wasted over the past two weeks.

He tilted his head and leaned lazily against the window.

His eyes traveled across my face.

Confused.

Then understanding.

The sunlight shifted between us.

For a while, neither of us spoke.

Finally, he broke the silence.

For the first time, he called me by name seriously.

“Lin Wen.”

I rolled my eyes.

I refused to admit that hearing him say my name made my ears tingle.

“I had a really good time that day.”

His gaze lowered.

His fingers fidgeted against the steering wheel.

“You’re the kind of woman who’s stunning at first sight. More beautiful than I imagined. Slim, gorgeous…”

He paused.

“But do you know something?”

His voice softened.

“I’m not good enough for you.”

The moment those words landed, my facial muscles visibly twitched.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He’s not good enough for me?

I was a girl from the north.

No house.

No car.

An ordinary job.

Aside from youth, I had nothing.

Compared to him, our situations weren’t even close.

What a ridiculous excuse.

Seeing my disbelief, he sighed heavily.

“Do you know what ED is?”

Silence settled over the car again.

The soundproofing was excellent.

Only an occasional horn drifted in from outside.

Carefully, he glanced at me.

“Do you know what ED means?”

I shook my head.

Another sigh.

“Erectile dysfunction.”

He paused.

“In other words… I can’t get it up.”

I blinked.

The righteous fury I’d built up for exposing a scumbag instantly deflated.

“Then…”

“You asked me before how long it’d been since my last relationship.”

He spread his hands.

“I didn’t answer because I was afraid you’d keep asking questions.”

Another pause.

“Truth is, I haven’t dated anyone in five or six years.”

“Because of… that?” I chose my words carefully.

“Yeah.”

He nodded.

“Everything starts out fine. But once things reach that stage, it’s over.”

His laugh was bitter.

“So I got scared.”

He looked at me.

“If you weren’t so pretty, cute, and interesting, maybe I would’ve tried dating you anyway and seen whether you could accept me.”

His eyes drifted away.

“But you’re too good.”

There was something painfully awkward about hearing a man confess something so personal.

“I see…”

He rubbed his forehead with a self-deprecating smile.

“I didn’t expect to confess like this. I wanted to leave you with a better impression.”

I lowered my eyes.

My mind had gone blank.

The atmosphere inside the car felt heavy.

I didn’t know what to say.

A lock of hair slipped across my face.

Just as I lifted a hand to fix it, he reached over and tucked it behind my ear.

His hand didn’t leave immediately.

Playfully, he brushed the edge of my ear.

Trying to lighten the mood, he grinned.

“Don’t look so serious. At least I’m handsome.”

I couldn’t help smiling.

“Yeah. You’re rich too. And you have that apartment overlooking the lake.”

My attempt at encouragement probably sounded clumsy.

He laughed.

“When you put it that way, I don’t sound too bad.”

His tone was casual.

As though he’d already accepted this part of himself.

I bit my lip.

Then glanced at the time.

“Oh my God! It’s twelve-fifty!”

I stared at the dashboard clock.

“You’re going to be late for your meeting!”

I hadn’t realized we’d spent so long talking.

“It’s fine.”

He looked at me seriously.

“At worst, I’ll get yelled at.”

The gentleness in his eyes made my heart soften.

“But I need to go.”

I scratched my head awkwardly.

“I rushed out and forgot to lock my door.”

That was true.

Though part of me worried he’d think I was making excuses to escape.

“I’ll walk you back.”

“No need. It’s just around the corner. A few steps.”

I unbuckled my seatbelt.

My hand touched the door handle.

Then a thought flashed through my mind so suddenly that my heartbeat stumbled.

I froze.

Slowly turning around.

Han Che was looking at his phone.

It had vibrated twice during our conversation.

Noticing my movement from the corner of his eye, he smiled.

Reaching out, he brushed aside the loose hair on my forehead with casual intimacy.

“What is it?”

I looked at him.

“I have a question.”