Gloves - Chapter 49

“…” It had been an hour, and Wang Shili had been discussing Shang Zhuoxi the entire time.

“Do you often get approached in English?” Wang Shili’s gaze was incredibly innocent.

“…”

“So, do you consider yourself more Chinese or Canadian?” Wang Shili seemed to enjoy hearing about Shang Zhuoxi’s mixed Chinese-Canadian heritage. However, Shang Zhuoxi had no desire to answer any more questions.

“Why aren’t you talking, Shang Zhuoxi? Do you prefer China more or Canada? And why did you become a doctor despite being so tall? Oh, and…” Wang Shili reached out and tapped Shang Zhuoxi’s glove, reminding her to respond.

“If you continue asking these boring questions, I’ll leave,” Shang Zhuoxi sighed helplessly. It wasn’t just Wang Shili; many people had asked her the same questions countless times. Even her patients had asked repeatedly. She didn’t understand why people liked to ask such things when it was simply about her face looking different from the average Asian person.

“Alright, Shang Zhuoxi, I can see you’re not in a great mood,” Wang Shili thought that maybe talking about something interesting would cheer Shang Zhuoxi up, but all she heard were the troubles caused by Shang Zhuoxi’s appearance and accent.

“I’ve said so much, don’t you think it’s your turn now?” A mischievous glint flashed in Shang Zhuoxi’s blue eyes. Friends should be fair, and she wanted to get to know Wang Shili as well.

“Me?” Wang Shili pointed at herself.

“Mmm.” Shang Zhuoxi pursed her lips and continued, “You know, I have no interest in ordinary people.” Her lips had a moist sheen to them, and the coffee hadn’t dulled the color of her lip gloss. For some reason, Wang Shili suddenly remembered what Shang Zhuoxi looked like the first time they met.

“Hey? Are you spacing out again?” Shang Zhuoxi said with certainty. The last time she had caught Wang Shili zoning out was when she was placing her order.

“Huh? Was I spacing out? No, no,” Wang Shili quickly averted her gaze from Shang Zhuoxi’s lips, widening her eyes and looking earnestly into Shang Zhuoxi’s eyes.

“Not yet? Then tell me, what’s going on in your head?” Shang Zhuoxi tilted her head curiously, a classic expression of raised eyebrows and confusion. She leaned towards Wang Shili, shortening the distance between them, ensuring that the person in front of her would only focus on her.

“This is the second time you’ve been absent-minded. If you continue to be so inattentive, I… I’ll start feeling a bit hurt by this hour of my time wasted. And if there’s a third time…” However, as Shang Zhuoxi was speaking, Wang Shili’s gaze once again drifted away. Shang Zhuoxi reached out and lightly tapped Wang Shili’s cheek with her index finger, the cool sensation of the glove snapping the dazed person back to reality.

“Oh, Shang Zhuoxi… I’m… I’m listening to you, continue speaking. Oh no, it’s my turn to speak. I…” Wang Shili put down her utensils, rubbed her forehead, glanced at Shang Zhuoxi, and immediately blushed, lowering her head. She didn’t dare to look into those piercing eyes, as if through them, she could see another version of herself, like a floating self in the sky.

“Well… it’s occupational hazard. Yes, occupational hazard! In our line of work… the most important thing is eye contact, yes, eye contact…” Wang Shili said in a fluster, clumsily picking up her fork again, making the porcelain plate clink.

“Oh? In your line of work?” Shang Zhuoxi raised an eyebrow, “Do all flight attendants like to space out while staring at people?”

“Mmm, mmm.” Wang Shili nodded vigorously, her hair falling loose from behind her ear, as if only in this way could she make the other person believe her.

Shang Zhuoxi leaned back, relaxing into the soft chair, and observed the visibly uncomfortable flight attendant across from her. The nervousness radiating from Wang Shili brought a unique sense of pleasure to Shang Zhuoxi.

“Oh? So, it seems like I need to teach you… how to be a flight attendant,” Shang Zhuoxi said with interest.

“How to be a flight attendant?” Wang Shili suddenly looked up, surprised. Could it be that you have done research on flight attendants?

“Uhm~ It’s getting late, and I still have some things to attend to at the hospital. Do you want to go somewhere or head home? I can give you a ride,” Shang Zhuoxi suggested, raising an eyebrow towards Wang Shili’s wristwatch.

“Hey, Shang Zhuoxi, are you in such a hurry to get rid of me? You haven’t answered my question from earlier,” Wang Shili spoke up, standing up as Shang Zhuoxi got up as well.

“Do you really want to know?” Shang Zhuoxi’s lips curled up, and she leaned in close to Wang Shili’s ear, asking, “Tonight, come find me.”

Tonight, go find her? Oh my, she! Is! Asking! Me! It finally hit Wang Shili after Shang Zhuoxi had left. She excitedly stomped her foot, slapped her own face, and couldn’t stop smiling. She needed to change into a more beautiful outfit and put on some glamorous makeup. This feeling was even more nerve-wracking than going on a date with her ex-boyfriend.

Wang Shili was curious about Shang Zhuoxi, and she was also filled with anticipation. She enjoyed being with Shang Zhuoxi, even though she didn’t seem like an easy person to approach. But it was precisely because of that, Wang Shili felt that she was special in Shang Zhuoxi’s eyes. She couldn’t help but admit it—Wang Shili enjoyed the envious glances from others when she was with Shang Zhuoxi. After all, Shang Zhuoxi was truly exceptional in every aspect. Haha, truly out of this world. Wang Shili chuckled at her own thoughts.

It was just a casual remark from Shang Zhuoxi, as she had no idea about the specifics of being a flight attendant. It was just a mischievous thought that crossed her mind at that moment. If Wang Shili didn’t show up, Shang Zhuoxi would naturally have a peaceful evening. But if she did come, tonight would become quite interesting.

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“…Can you help me find a ticket for Thursday morning at eleven o’clock? Hmm…” Shang Zhuoxi held her phone in one hand and unbuttoned her white coat with the other.

“…Hmm, alright… I understand.”

With a lot on her plate recently, Shang Zhuoxi just wanted to release the pent-up negative energy at the gym. It seemed like she had completely forgotten about a certain flight attendant.

“Hey, Director Shang, wait! Wait!” Tu Yi hurriedly walked towards the elevator, his waist swaying in a way that could rival a woman’s. The weather was getting hotter, and he couldn’t run or let himself sweat. He always believed that unless he had just finished exercising, it was impolite to let others see sweat dripping down his face. The elevator doors, which were about to close, opened again, and Tu Yi continued, panting:

“Long legs walk fast… huh…” Thankfully, I’m also 180cm tall~

“Tu Yi, are you coming in or not?” Shang Zhuoxi glanced at Tu Yi’s hand blocking the elevator door frame and then noticed his more refined makeup. Was he in a hurry for a date? They had an elevator in the nurse’s office, so why rush for this one?

“Director Shang, you’re going to the gym, right?” Tu Yi pointed to Shang Zhuoxi’s new shell-toe shoes.

“So?” So, what are you up to?

“Director Shang, give me a ride. It’s completely on your way!” Tu Yi fluttered his eyelashes at Shang Zhuoxi, almost earning himself a glare.

“But then again, Director Shang, why do you need to go to the gym with a figure like yours? I, Tu Yi, am very picky when it comes to women. Someone as exquisite as Director Shang would be top-tier even among supermodels, you know.” After getting off the elevator, Tu Yi continued to flatter Shang Zhuoxi from behind. When he mentioned supermodels, Shang Zhuoxi stopped and turned around, giving Tu Yi a deadly glare. In an instant, he knew he had stepped on a landmine.

“Oh, hehehe, not a supermodel, Director Shang, not a supermodel!” Supermodels don’t have breasts, right? I’m sorry.” Tu Yi laughed awkwardly, and if he looked in the mirror, he would see that his face at that moment resembled Wang Nima from a comic strip.

Having offended the queen, Tu Yi dared not say another word after getting into the car.

Shang Zhuoxi, with her hair tied up, looked even more three-dimensional. Tu Yi silently stared at the reflection of her blue eyes in the rearview mirror, his mind drifting away…

…Shang Zhuoxi’s sweat-soaked deep collarbone, fair yet incredibly toned arms, and those two well-defined hip lines that started from her pelvis and extended upwards… If only he could… Tu Yi swallowed hard, but thankfully, Shang Zhuoxi’s words pulled him forcefully out of his imagination.

“I suppose you’ve made plans with another muscular man, haven’t you?” Shang Zhuoxi glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Most people who go to the gym and still put on makeup have ulterior motives, or at least don’t intend to break a sweat. Besides, after working with Tu Yi at the hospital for these past few years, whether as a leader or a friend, Shang Zhuoxi had a pretty good grasp of Tu Yi’s taste.

“Oh, Director Shang, you’re so clever,” Tu Yi replied, and then, as if remembering something, he opened his makeup bag, took out a mirror, and quickly checked if his makeup was still intact.

“Yes, I want to leave a lasting impression on that man!” The phone on Tu Yi’s leg lit up, and he exclaimed excitedly, “He said he’s waiting for me at the entrance. I want him to see me stepping out of this Maserati, not a taxi! And then, well, we’ll have our ‘and then’.” Tu Yi’s expression turned a bit aggrieved as he continued, “Director Shang, do you know that I always put on my best makeup for every date? Those taxis really diminish my aura. Oh, Director Shang! Stop the car, we passed by. Stop! He’s right there.” Tu Yi stared outside the window, so engrossed in talking that he failed to notice the person flying by right under his nose.

“Tu Yi, can you please stop startling me like that?” Shang Zhuoxi suddenly slammed on the brakes, reversed the car, and slowly pulled over to the side. She waited for a moment, but the person in the back seat didn’t immediately open the door. Instead, they calmly packed up their makeup bag, straightened their posture, adjusted their clothes, took a deep breath, and then elegantly opened the car door like a lady. Shang Zhuoxi was truly amazed. This person was completely different from the one who was excitedly holding their phone earlier. Tu Yi walked towards that person, and as Shang Zhuoxi focused her gaze, she realized that the muscular man at the entrance of the revolving door was none other than the instructor from the gym downstairs. Shang Zhuoxi was surprised. She had never imagined that this “macho man” who had once made unwanted advances towards her had such a taste. Looking at Tu Yi’s proud and confident figure, she had to admit that Tu Yi had his own charm. Shang Zhuoxi shook her head and smiled. Indeed, nothing in life is set in stone. Maybe An Chujie didn’t truly love Qi Ruan after all. Perhaps one day, she would fall in love with Shang Zhuoxi again.

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“Chujie, can you believe how scatterbrained I am? I only remembered to tell you about this important matter now.” He slapped his wrinkled forehead in frustration. He truly had forgotten about it.

“It’s alright, Mr. Li. I have some free time, and actually, someone mentioned it to me a few days ago. A man named Hu Jinze. I was prepared for it,” An Chujie recalled the man’s face.

“Oh, really? He already spoke to you? Little Hu is one of J’s subordinates. He will be accompanying you to the charity event. Chujie, you’ll be quite busy this year. Are you ready for it?” Mr. Li placed his hands on An Chujie’s shoulders.

“Mr. Li, don’t worry. I actually quite enjoy being busy,” An Chujie replied. Increasing her workload and constantly working were the only ways she could distract herself from the painful memories and people that plagued her mind.