Remembering Li Chuan: Chapter 2
So, this chapter has some more exposition, but the ending is certainly... memorable ^u^ I can't wait to get to the juicy parts.
By the way, I didn't do this in the first post, (though I probably should've) but you can go through ~this~ tag for the chapters ^^
2
I arrived at the bus station and realized only then why Ling Qing was willing to give up this job… 5 pm was rush hour, and if you’re lucky enough to manage to get the bus you want by 5:25, then you reach your stop by 6 pm, and are cutting it real close.
I catch the 5:25 bus, and it starts off sluggishly. As I look around, I see that every person on board looks frazzled and tired. I look out the window, and for the first time, I try to size up Beijing in earnest. Actually I watched the news broadcast every day, and personally thought that I was pretty familiar with Beijing. But when I got here, I discovered that everything was all so strange to me. The strange buildings, the strange pedestrians, the strange advertisements, the strange vehicles, the strange landmarks, each thing that I thought was so familiar was so strange, and was quietly marching into an even stranger direction.
In the north, in autumn, the day darkens quickly. You only have four hours of natural light between dawn and dusk.
I arrived at the Starbucks café, which was situated on the first floor of a luxury high-rise. What was strange was that even though it was rush hour on the road, there weren’t many pedestrians out on the streets. The parking lot in front of the building had about 20 spaces, all of them occupied. I paused for a moment outside the front door, quickly rearranged my hair and my skirt, and satisfied that I still looked presentable enough, pushed open the door.
The café was not too big, and was very peaceful, with only a quiet hum of conversation. Inside, the servers all wore black jasper aprons, regardless whether they were a guy or a girl. A male student with a badge that said Rosalind Tong came over to receive me. He looked about my age, not very tall, a bright smiling face, a very amiable appearance overall.
He politely put out a hand, “How are you, Xie… Xiaoqiu, right? I am night shift manager, the people all are called me Xiao Tong.”
“How do you do, Xiao Tong.”
“Your resume is very well written. You actually did not need to write it in English, Mandarin would’ve been fine. Boss does not understand English. Tonight there are four people this shift, including you. You are going to S university?”
I nod.
“I go there too. I’m an English Major, second year. You?”
“English Major, freshman.”
“Really? Today was orientation day, how come I didn’t see you?”
“Perhaps you saw me, but didn’t pay much attention.”
“Ha-ha! Which dorm do you live in?”
“Northern dorm.”
“Northern dorm? That’s the farthest to the school gate. Must be quite troublesome, living so far out. Have you bought the textbooks yet?”
“Mmm, real expensive.”
“It would’ve been good if you’d met me sooner. I have the old textbooks, they’re entirely the same, and since I do not like studying, they’re basically new… I’d’ve given all of them to you.”
I was heartbroken, remembering the 140 bucks I had just spent.
“How would you like your coffee? 1 He stands in front of the cash register, working, and then suddenly simultaneously spoke in English. When I turn my head to look, a smiling foreigner was standing on the other side of the counter.
“Double cream one sugar.”
“Sure.”
I was unable to stop myself from being infatuated. His English accent was different from mine, he sounded like the guy on “Crazy English 2.
“Here we speak English at every opportunity. Boss does not approve of us chatting with the visitors. Only if there aren’t many customers then you can chat, but you can’t fall back in your work.”
Then, he introduced to me three other people who work here, some of whom are leaving since their shift is over. Amongst the people working the same shift as me is a girl named Ye Jingwen. She was a Chinese Language Major.
The cafe work is not difficult, the first step is to familiarize yourself with using the coffee maker, then with the menu, the back of which has the preparation methods of each of the drinks. Xiao Tong tells me that even though there are a lot of drinks on the menu, the customers tend to drink only a few kinds, and that it’s pretty easy to pick it all up in a shift. In addition, all the coffee cup sizes have special names, and instead of calling them large, medium and small, you call them venti, grande, and tall.
I change into my work clothes. Ye Jingwen is casting sidelong glances absent-mindedly out of one corner of a window. She is slender, to the point where she resembles those stereotypical images of a junkie. Xiao Tong tells me that she’s from Nanjing, and her parents are both professors, and so she doesn’t have to worry about food and clothing, and works at this job mainly so she can come here and practice her English. I was a bit perplexed… wasn’t she in the Chinese department? What was the use of practicing her English? Xiao Tong says that she came from a highly competitive high school. She had originally planned to take the Beijing University entrance exam, but she didn’t get in, and instead was enrolled in “M” University. Normally, after you’re accepted into a university, you should take a break. But she was used to a lot of work and stress and hadn't slowed down. So she went to cram school and took TOEFL and GRE tests from levels 4-6. It was only after she got her results that she saw that if you were in the Chinese department, it was harder to get a visa, and harder to study abroad. So then she started working here. Firstly, she can practice her English. Secondly, she tries to become friends with foreigners, especially ones who could help her go abroad. But our boss does not let employees chat with customers. Therefore, she always looks sad and frustrated.
Actually, what moves me most about Ye Jingwen her beautiful pair of daydreaming eyes. As soon as I see her, I remember the beautiful maiden characters in ancient novels. Her eyes are energetic, frantic, big. Slim lips, somewhat chapped. Long hair, a pearl hairpin. Light lipstick, light perfume, even her posture is so slight, it feels like she could fly away and vanish at any. Two hours into my shift, she and I have only exchanged a “Hi”.
The cash register is pretty easy to use, and I was always interested in electronics, so I manage to master it pretty quickly.
“You should take the seat of honour as the rookie who learnt the ropes the fastest.” Xiao Tong comes over to me, smiling with satisfaction. A customer leaves, leaving a table with some plates, and seeing Jing Ye standing dazed behind the cash register, Xiao Tong tells me to go there and clean up. When I come back, Xiao Tong whispers to me “Don’t mind that she is giving you the cold shoulder. Xiao Ye 3 is actually a good person. Today her crush has come, now she will pine over him from afar.” As he explains this to me, he points to a table placed between in a nook between the windows and the wall.
I can only see a little more than a silhouette in the direction of Xiao Tong’s finger. He’s wearing a suit, and sits dedicatedly at his laptop.
“But he’s Chinese guy.” I smile and say.
“Filthy rich.” He tells me softly.
By the time it’s 9, the customers reduce gradually. The guy at the nook table, although he wears a suit, makes no move to get up. Even dressed up formally, he seems to be treating the café as his personal office.
Xiao Tong tells me that half year ago, when this guy had appeared at the café for the first time, Xiao Ye had fallen in love with him. She didn’t even hesitate to change her class timings for him. Even if you didn’t count Xiao Ye, all the girls working here have a crush on this guy. As long as he’s in the café, the girls will be absent-minded the whole time, and the number of errors at the cash register will increase exponentially. At times like those, Xiao Tong would be the only employee functioning normally.
I laugh despite trying not to: “Really?” I ask.
“Here all the girls constantly hope that he comes, and I'm the only one who doesn't. First off, whenever he comes, my workload doubles. However on the other hand, he does come with his advantages- he's a big tipper. Especially when the girls stand dazed, pining over him, they usually hand me over the tip, for covering for them.
The café had simple menus for lunch and supper, mainly sandwiches and fruit salads. But the customers normally come to the counter to purchase their coffee, so normally they don't tip, especially the Chinese.
“Do customers even tip over here?”I asked.
“Not very frequently. Some of the more senior customers need coffee delivered to their tables, and so they may sometimes leave tips, but apart from that, no.” Xiao Tong went on, “Apart from him, of course. Every time he comes in, he leaves a huge tip, and therefore we are also glad to serve him. As soon as he comes in, one of us goes to him to ask him what he wants, and then serve him.”
“Why? Doesn't everyone here queue to buy coffee?”
“It's not very convenient for him, what with his leg and all.”
“Oh.” I finally note the black walking stick leaning against the table. But his build looks like a normal guy's, not giving any special indication of illness.
“How inconvenient is it?” I also asked.
“Not too inconvenient, only the right leg is slightly lame.”
“Maybe it's only a temporary wound.” I said.
“It's not. He always parks in the parking space reserved for the physically disabled. A BMW SUV.”
“What does it matter if it's a BMW SUV?”
“Only the rich can afford that car, and only the rich can afford the amount of petrol that such a vehicle burns.”
“Ah.”
“He always wants a skinny latte. If you see him to enter, don't go up to him to greet him, let Xiao Ye do that. Xiao Ye is of the senior staffers, this is her privilege”, he said, as he chuckled.
“Which skinny latte? There are many types of Lattes on the menu.”
“He likes Vanilla.” Just as he said that, Xiao Ye whizzed past, and urgently whispered: “Today it isn't Vanilla, today it's a hot coffee, Venti.” Xiao Ye was soon behind the counter once again: “Xiao Tong, help me by working at the cash register, I have to make the coffees.”
Just then, a large group of customers entered, and Xiao Ye obviously couldn't leave the counter, even though she was loathe to miss an opportunity to serve the young man, and her visage appropriately twisted into an expression of agony and frustration. It was a face praying for a saviour.
Young Tong smiled evilly: “Today you're really being too over-the-top,” he said, “so I will let Xiaoqiu serve the coffee... don't be too heartbroken though, I'll let you have the tip this time.”
The coffee is quickly made, and I carry it to the table nestled in the nook. I don't want to disturb him, so I plan to quietly place the coffee on his table and leave. However, he is very perceptive, and raises his head when I reach the table.
When I look into his face, I see the looks which I previously thought were only possible for supermodels to have, the ones for those perfume ads that graced the giant billboards- filled with youth and beauty, the definition of the immortal gods of the heavens come to life. My whole being is in such a daze that I forget to breathe. My mind suddenly decides that Beijing indeed one of the most beautiful cities, no, places, on earth 4. As my mind has temporarily shut down, my hand gently shakes, boiling hot coffee splashes, splattering over my fingers. The sudden great heat shocks me, and my hand convulses hard, splashing even more coffee on my hand as the cup falls out of my grip. The cup hits the table first, going on to splash down his front, and then rolls all over the ground, spreading the remaining coffee on the floor.
“I' m ...... terribly sorry, Sir!”In my panic, I had spoken in English.
I have no idea how or why I was spewing English all of a sudden. Perhaps I didn't want to reveal my bumpkin accent when I spoke Chinese. Bottom line was, there was a huge stain on the front of his snow white shirt. And his blue tie had also turned brown.
He knit his brows, but had yet to speak a word.
“Sorry, I am ... an intern. Have you been scalded?”
“I am all right.” He answered. His voice was very low and deep, very interesting to listen to.
I opened my mouth, wanting to speak, but Xiao Ye was already standing, flushed, by my side: “Sir, we are so very sorry, have you been scalded?”
He shook the head.
I lowered my head only to see coffee still running down his pant leg. Xiao Tong looked at me disgruntledly, bringing some cleaning equipment, and stood at the table.
“Sir, I am so sorry for this to happen. If convenient, please bring the dry cleaning receipts to us for reimbursment.”
“No need. The coffee falling is my fault, it has nothing to do with this Miss. Right?”
As soon as he says that, Xiao Ye and Xiao Tong turn to look at me in tandem, faces completely puzzled.
My jaw falls open, and I croak out: “Thank you sir for your your kind intentions, however, the coffee falling was indeed my fault. Next time, I will pay... more attention.”
Even as I say this, my heart twists, and I am unable to stop myself from looking at Xiao Ye... would I even have a “next time”? But Xiao Ye was obviously satisfied at my grovelling.
I hurriedly try to clean up the area. Xiao Ye insists that we must replace his coffee. He declines.
He closes his laptop, packs it in his briefcase, and then takes up his walking stick to stand.
“Please be careful, the ground is very slippery.” I said softly.
He walks to the entrance, and pushing the button for the automatic doors, soon exits.
Actually he doesn't walk all the slowly at all, it was only that his gait has a slight stiffness to it.
I turn around to look at the table, and there lies a 50 dollar bill. Xiao Tong pockets it without hesitation.
This is the first time I have made such a mistake, and I immediately go to apologize to Xiao Tong, completely ashamed of my behaviour.
“It's ok, you are not first the first person to spill coffee on him. Relieve your tension, and don't tell Boss. And the next time you see a handsome man, you must remain calm.” Then he bends down to whisper in my ear, and says, partly in jest: “I'll give you advice that you'll listen to if you're a smart girl: Do not waste the time on him. He hasn't looked at a girl even once 5.”
1 OK, everything with this different font is said in English.
2 I personally did not know what this was either (must be a mainland thing), but from the nice girl next to me who I corralled in to help, this is apparently China’s answer to Bill Nye the science guy, but for English.
3In chinese, to make a nickname, Xiao + any-one-syllable-from-the-first-name is used. Either that, or add “Ah” in the place of Xiao.
4She starts comparing Beijing's beauty as the most beautiful of all the cities, but decides that no, it's one of the most beautiful places on earth, city or not.
5In Chinese, the implication is somewhat more clear, that he bats for the other team.
[Comments:]
So, how did ya'll like this chappie? I found the description of Mr. Mystery Guy a bit... like, the expectation has been built so high, how can a human be that perfect?
By the way, I didn't do this in the first post, (though I probably should've) but you can go through ~this~ tag for the chapters ^^
2
I arrived at the bus station and realized only then why Ling Qing was willing to give up this job… 5 pm was rush hour, and if you’re lucky enough to manage to get the bus you want by 5:25, then you reach your stop by 6 pm, and are cutting it real close.
I catch the 5:25 bus, and it starts off sluggishly. As I look around, I see that every person on board looks frazzled and tired. I look out the window, and for the first time, I try to size up Beijing in earnest. Actually I watched the news broadcast every day, and personally thought that I was pretty familiar with Beijing. But when I got here, I discovered that everything was all so strange to me. The strange buildings, the strange pedestrians, the strange advertisements, the strange vehicles, the strange landmarks, each thing that I thought was so familiar was so strange, and was quietly marching into an even stranger direction.
In the north, in autumn, the day darkens quickly. You only have four hours of natural light between dawn and dusk.
I arrived at the Starbucks café, which was situated on the first floor of a luxury high-rise. What was strange was that even though it was rush hour on the road, there weren’t many pedestrians out on the streets. The parking lot in front of the building had about 20 spaces, all of them occupied. I paused for a moment outside the front door, quickly rearranged my hair and my skirt, and satisfied that I still looked presentable enough, pushed open the door.
The café was not too big, and was very peaceful, with only a quiet hum of conversation. Inside, the servers all wore black jasper aprons, regardless whether they were a guy or a girl. A male student with a badge that said Rosalind Tong came over to receive me. He looked about my age, not very tall, a bright smiling face, a very amiable appearance overall.
He politely put out a hand, “How are you, Xie… Xiaoqiu, right? I am night shift manager, the people all are called me Xiao Tong.”
“How do you do, Xiao Tong.”
“Your resume is very well written. You actually did not need to write it in English, Mandarin would’ve been fine. Boss does not understand English. Tonight there are four people this shift, including you. You are going to S university?”
I nod.
“I go there too. I’m an English Major, second year. You?”
“English Major, freshman.”
“Really? Today was orientation day, how come I didn’t see you?”
“Perhaps you saw me, but didn’t pay much attention.”
“Ha-ha! Which dorm do you live in?”
“Northern dorm.”
“Northern dorm? That’s the farthest to the school gate. Must be quite troublesome, living so far out. Have you bought the textbooks yet?”
“Mmm, real expensive.”
“It would’ve been good if you’d met me sooner. I have the old textbooks, they’re entirely the same, and since I do not like studying, they’re basically new… I’d’ve given all of them to you.”
I was heartbroken, remembering the 140 bucks I had just spent.
“How would you like your coffee? 1 He stands in front of the cash register, working, and then suddenly simultaneously spoke in English. When I turn my head to look, a smiling foreigner was standing on the other side of the counter.
“Double cream one sugar.”
“Sure.”
I was unable to stop myself from being infatuated. His English accent was different from mine, he sounded like the guy on “Crazy English 2.
“Here we speak English at every opportunity. Boss does not approve of us chatting with the visitors. Only if there aren’t many customers then you can chat, but you can’t fall back in your work.”
Then, he introduced to me three other people who work here, some of whom are leaving since their shift is over. Amongst the people working the same shift as me is a girl named Ye Jingwen. She was a Chinese Language Major.
The cafe work is not difficult, the first step is to familiarize yourself with using the coffee maker, then with the menu, the back of which has the preparation methods of each of the drinks. Xiao Tong tells me that even though there are a lot of drinks on the menu, the customers tend to drink only a few kinds, and that it’s pretty easy to pick it all up in a shift. In addition, all the coffee cup sizes have special names, and instead of calling them large, medium and small, you call them venti, grande, and tall.
I change into my work clothes. Ye Jingwen is casting sidelong glances absent-mindedly out of one corner of a window. She is slender, to the point where she resembles those stereotypical images of a junkie. Xiao Tong tells me that she’s from Nanjing, and her parents are both professors, and so she doesn’t have to worry about food and clothing, and works at this job mainly so she can come here and practice her English. I was a bit perplexed… wasn’t she in the Chinese department? What was the use of practicing her English? Xiao Tong says that she came from a highly competitive high school. She had originally planned to take the Beijing University entrance exam, but she didn’t get in, and instead was enrolled in “M” University. Normally, after you’re accepted into a university, you should take a break. But she was used to a lot of work and stress and hadn't slowed down. So she went to cram school and took TOEFL and GRE tests from levels 4-6. It was only after she got her results that she saw that if you were in the Chinese department, it was harder to get a visa, and harder to study abroad. So then she started working here. Firstly, she can practice her English. Secondly, she tries to become friends with foreigners, especially ones who could help her go abroad. But our boss does not let employees chat with customers. Therefore, she always looks sad and frustrated.
Actually, what moves me most about Ye Jingwen her beautiful pair of daydreaming eyes. As soon as I see her, I remember the beautiful maiden characters in ancient novels. Her eyes are energetic, frantic, big. Slim lips, somewhat chapped. Long hair, a pearl hairpin. Light lipstick, light perfume, even her posture is so slight, it feels like she could fly away and vanish at any. Two hours into my shift, she and I have only exchanged a “Hi”.
The cash register is pretty easy to use, and I was always interested in electronics, so I manage to master it pretty quickly.
“You should take the seat of honour as the rookie who learnt the ropes the fastest.” Xiao Tong comes over to me, smiling with satisfaction. A customer leaves, leaving a table with some plates, and seeing Jing Ye standing dazed behind the cash register, Xiao Tong tells me to go there and clean up. When I come back, Xiao Tong whispers to me “Don’t mind that she is giving you the cold shoulder. Xiao Ye 3 is actually a good person. Today her crush has come, now she will pine over him from afar.” As he explains this to me, he points to a table placed between in a nook between the windows and the wall.
I can only see a little more than a silhouette in the direction of Xiao Tong’s finger. He’s wearing a suit, and sits dedicatedly at his laptop.
“But he’s Chinese guy.” I smile and say.
“Filthy rich.” He tells me softly.
By the time it’s 9, the customers reduce gradually. The guy at the nook table, although he wears a suit, makes no move to get up. Even dressed up formally, he seems to be treating the café as his personal office.
Xiao Tong tells me that half year ago, when this guy had appeared at the café for the first time, Xiao Ye had fallen in love with him. She didn’t even hesitate to change her class timings for him. Even if you didn’t count Xiao Ye, all the girls working here have a crush on this guy. As long as he’s in the café, the girls will be absent-minded the whole time, and the number of errors at the cash register will increase exponentially. At times like those, Xiao Tong would be the only employee functioning normally.
I laugh despite trying not to: “Really?” I ask.
“Here all the girls constantly hope that he comes, and I'm the only one who doesn't. First off, whenever he comes, my workload doubles. However on the other hand, he does come with his advantages- he's a big tipper. Especially when the girls stand dazed, pining over him, they usually hand me over the tip, for covering for them.
The café had simple menus for lunch and supper, mainly sandwiches and fruit salads. But the customers normally come to the counter to purchase their coffee, so normally they don't tip, especially the Chinese.
“Do customers even tip over here?”I asked.
“Not very frequently. Some of the more senior customers need coffee delivered to their tables, and so they may sometimes leave tips, but apart from that, no.” Xiao Tong went on, “Apart from him, of course. Every time he comes in, he leaves a huge tip, and therefore we are also glad to serve him. As soon as he comes in, one of us goes to him to ask him what he wants, and then serve him.”
“Why? Doesn't everyone here queue to buy coffee?”
“It's not very convenient for him, what with his leg and all.”
“Oh.” I finally note the black walking stick leaning against the table. But his build looks like a normal guy's, not giving any special indication of illness.
“How inconvenient is it?” I also asked.
“Not too inconvenient, only the right leg is slightly lame.”
“Maybe it's only a temporary wound.” I said.
“It's not. He always parks in the parking space reserved for the physically disabled. A BMW SUV.”
“What does it matter if it's a BMW SUV?”
“Only the rich can afford that car, and only the rich can afford the amount of petrol that such a vehicle burns.”
“Ah.”
“He always wants a skinny latte. If you see him to enter, don't go up to him to greet him, let Xiao Ye do that. Xiao Ye is of the senior staffers, this is her privilege”, he said, as he chuckled.
“Which skinny latte? There are many types of Lattes on the menu.”
“He likes Vanilla.” Just as he said that, Xiao Ye whizzed past, and urgently whispered: “Today it isn't Vanilla, today it's a hot coffee, Venti.” Xiao Ye was soon behind the counter once again: “Xiao Tong, help me by working at the cash register, I have to make the coffees.”
Just then, a large group of customers entered, and Xiao Ye obviously couldn't leave the counter, even though she was loathe to miss an opportunity to serve the young man, and her visage appropriately twisted into an expression of agony and frustration. It was a face praying for a saviour.
Young Tong smiled evilly: “Today you're really being too over-the-top,” he said, “so I will let Xiaoqiu serve the coffee... don't be too heartbroken though, I'll let you have the tip this time.”
The coffee is quickly made, and I carry it to the table nestled in the nook. I don't want to disturb him, so I plan to quietly place the coffee on his table and leave. However, he is very perceptive, and raises his head when I reach the table.
When I look into his face, I see the looks which I previously thought were only possible for supermodels to have, the ones for those perfume ads that graced the giant billboards- filled with youth and beauty, the definition of the immortal gods of the heavens come to life. My whole being is in such a daze that I forget to breathe. My mind suddenly decides that Beijing indeed one of the most beautiful cities, no, places, on earth 4. As my mind has temporarily shut down, my hand gently shakes, boiling hot coffee splashes, splattering over my fingers. The sudden great heat shocks me, and my hand convulses hard, splashing even more coffee on my hand as the cup falls out of my grip. The cup hits the table first, going on to splash down his front, and then rolls all over the ground, spreading the remaining coffee on the floor.
“I' m ...... terribly sorry, Sir!”In my panic, I had spoken in English.
I have no idea how or why I was spewing English all of a sudden. Perhaps I didn't want to reveal my bumpkin accent when I spoke Chinese. Bottom line was, there was a huge stain on the front of his snow white shirt. And his blue tie had also turned brown.
He knit his brows, but had yet to speak a word.
“Sorry, I am ... an intern. Have you been scalded?”
“I am all right.” He answered. His voice was very low and deep, very interesting to listen to.
I opened my mouth, wanting to speak, but Xiao Ye was already standing, flushed, by my side: “Sir, we are so very sorry, have you been scalded?”
He shook the head.
I lowered my head only to see coffee still running down his pant leg. Xiao Tong looked at me disgruntledly, bringing some cleaning equipment, and stood at the table.
“Sir, I am so sorry for this to happen. If convenient, please bring the dry cleaning receipts to us for reimbursment.”
“No need. The coffee falling is my fault, it has nothing to do with this Miss. Right?”
As soon as he says that, Xiao Ye and Xiao Tong turn to look at me in tandem, faces completely puzzled.
My jaw falls open, and I croak out: “Thank you sir for your your kind intentions, however, the coffee falling was indeed my fault. Next time, I will pay... more attention.”
Even as I say this, my heart twists, and I am unable to stop myself from looking at Xiao Ye... would I even have a “next time”? But Xiao Ye was obviously satisfied at my grovelling.
I hurriedly try to clean up the area. Xiao Ye insists that we must replace his coffee. He declines.
He closes his laptop, packs it in his briefcase, and then takes up his walking stick to stand.
“Please be careful, the ground is very slippery.” I said softly.
He walks to the entrance, and pushing the button for the automatic doors, soon exits.
Actually he doesn't walk all the slowly at all, it was only that his gait has a slight stiffness to it.
I turn around to look at the table, and there lies a 50 dollar bill. Xiao Tong pockets it without hesitation.
This is the first time I have made such a mistake, and I immediately go to apologize to Xiao Tong, completely ashamed of my behaviour.
“It's ok, you are not first the first person to spill coffee on him. Relieve your tension, and don't tell Boss. And the next time you see a handsome man, you must remain calm.” Then he bends down to whisper in my ear, and says, partly in jest: “I'll give you advice that you'll listen to if you're a smart girl: Do not waste the time on him. He hasn't looked at a girl even once 5.”
1 OK, everything with this different font is said in English.
2 I personally did not know what this was either (must be a mainland thing), but from the nice girl next to me who I corralled in to help, this is apparently China’s answer to Bill Nye the science guy, but for English.
3In chinese, to make a nickname, Xiao + any-one-syllable-from-the-first-name is used. Either that, or add “Ah” in the place of Xiao.
4She starts comparing Beijing's beauty as the most beautiful of all the cities, but decides that no, it's one of the most beautiful places on earth, city or not.
5In Chinese, the implication is somewhat more clear, that he bats for the other team.
[Comments:]
So, how did ya'll like this chappie? I found the description of Mr. Mystery Guy a bit... like, the expectation has been built so high, how can a human be that perfect?