Chapter 51: The Temptation of a Gentle Haven

Zhang Lizhen applied to withdraw 800,000 yuan. Like Qian Caiying, she left no idle funds in her stock positions, which made Director You’s face darken with displeasure. But these matters no longer concerned Zhang Long. He tidied up briefly, set out for the southern suburbs to pick up Luo Man after work, and planned to have dinner and a date together—only he hadn’t anticipated what was to come.

...

“Cough, cough.”

In the dormitory, Luo Man lay on her bed, pale and weak, occasionally coughing softly.

“You can’t just skip the hospital,” Zhang Long said, frowning slightly. It was his first time in the girls’ dormitory, but he had no mind to look around—catching a cold and simply toughing it out with a few pills, could that really work?

“I’m fine,” Luo Man coughed again, her tone feeble. “I rarely get sick. It’s just the change of seasons in November—I didn’t keep warm enough and caught a cold. I’ll be fine after some sleep.”

“But you have a fever,” Zhang Long said, a note of reproach in his voice. “It’ll clear up faster with an IV at the hospital. Just taking antipyretics won’t work.”

“Get up, let’s go!”

But Luo Man didn’t want to move. She just wanted to sleep it off, insisting stubbornly, “I’m not going. I’m really fine—by tomorrow morning I’ll be well.”

“I’ve never had an IV for a cold or fever, ever since I was a child. My immune system can handle it.”

“I’m not lying to you.”

True or not, seeing how determined Luo Man was not to go to the hospital, Zhang Long stopped insisting. “Then rest for a while. I’ll go buy some food.”

“What do you want to eat?”

People with fevers and colds usually have little appetite, and Luo Man was no exception.

In the end, Zhang Long bought two servings of congee and a large bag of assorted fruits and brought them back to the dorm. He didn’t have much appetite himself; like Luo Man, he just ate enough to stave off hunger.

“Here, open your mouth.”

The lean pork congee was a bit hot. Zhang Long blew on it gently to cool it down, feeding Luo Man mouthful by mouthful. The two of them took turns, one spoonful each.

Their roommates and colleagues returned from work and, seeing the scene, could only cover their faces in exasperation.

...

“Manman, I’m jealous,” one of the roommates quipped after Zhang Long left. After all, it wasn’t proper for him to stay too long in the girls’ dormitory—a two-bedroom apartment with partitions, shared by six women. After spreading enough ‘dog food,’ he made his exit.

“Ugh, me too,” another roommate and a close colleague from next door teased, their eyes full of mischief as they looked at Luo Man.

“Then why don’t you go brush your teeth?” Luo Man, her face flushed with illness, rolled her eyes weakly. “Which one of you sold me out? The place was such a mess and you just let him in—how embarrassing.”

Girls’ dorms aren’t always cleaner than boys’ dorms, and this one certainly wasn’t.

There were snack wrappers on the table and floor, clothes and underwear strewn across the beds—remnants from her roommates—all of it had been seen by Zhang Long. Though he hadn’t said anything, it was mortifying. Most of the mess wasn’t Luo Man’s, but living in the same room, she couldn’t escape association.

“So what if it’s embarrassing?” her roommate replied, unconcerned, picking up the black lace she’d changed out of the night before and deliberately waving it in front of Luo Man with a mischievous grin. “Your boyfriend must have seen this, right? Did he take a good look?”

“You’re shameless,” Luo Man muttered, cheeks reddening as she turned away.

“Oho, getting shy?” The roommate laughed. “Seriously, Manman, your underwear is way too conservative. Men like something more sexy and alluring. You should change your style. When you’re feeling better, let’s go shopping for new ones on Sunday—you’ll be more attractive.”

Luo Man leaned back against the headboard and closed her eyes. The sexier it was, the more expensive, and she didn’t have money to spare for that.

“Fine, forget I said anything,” her roommate shrugged, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. “If your boyfriend ever gets lured away by some other woman, don’t blame us for not warning you today. Want me to test him for you? Give me his address, let me try.”

“As if!” Luo Man suddenly opened her eyes and glared at her.

...

“This is a bit boring,” Zhang Long thought to himself as he rode back toward the Bund. The date had been ruined by forces beyond his control; even if he wasn’t afraid of catching her cold, Luo Man would never have allowed him to stay. If he really caught her illness—well, that would be trouble.

“Young man, something on your mind?” The driver, noticing Zhang Long’s absent-minded air, struck up a conversation. “Heartbroken over love? There are so many flowers in the world—why fixate on just one?”

“Cough, no, not really,” Zhang Long replied awkwardly, not used to such enthusiasm. Most taxi drivers he’d met were quiet; he hadn’t expected such a talkative one this time.

“I get it, I get it,” the driver said, eyes never leaving the road as he chatted on. “When you’re lost or stuck—maybe the person you like doesn’t like you back, or things just aren’t going anywhere. In my experience, a candlelit dinner and a little wine sets the mood. Works like a charm. Try it next time.”

Zhang Long nearly broke out in a cold sweat. The driver’s imagination was running wild—thinking he was brooding because he wanted to sleep with Luo Man but she wouldn’t let him. Ridiculous.

Thankfully, the city was vast. The odds of meeting this driver again were slim, so let him talk as he pleased. In one ear, out the other.

And so, with the driver dispensing romantic advice and Zhang Long responding with the occasional “uh-huh,” they eventually arrived at the Bund. He got out and said goodbye.

Truth be told, after all that nonsense, his frustration had dissipated quite a bit.

“Hey, the usual trim?”

It was still early—eight o’clock. Passing by a hair salon in the commercial strip near his apartment, Zhang Long glanced inside and, for the third time, went in for his regular cut.

The cheapest option—thirty-eight yuan.

...

“Sir, you live nearby and come to our shop often. Why not get a membership card? It’s a great deal…”

Lounging in the chair with his eyes closed, enjoying a dry wash and scalp massage, Zhang Long listened to the shampoo girl’s sales pitch. But he’d never get a card—never, ever.

“Our card works for haircuts on the first floor and massages upstairs, too. Great discounts—fifty percent off, just five thousand yuan.”

The deal sounded tempting, and for a moment Zhang Long considered it, but ultimately dismissed the idea. A real man doesn’t compromise so easily, especially on unnecessary spending.

“Would you like to try it?” the shampoo girl asked, her nimble fingers pressing and kneading his scalp and neck, gentle and relaxing.

“You work so hard—coming here for a shoulder and neck massage or a full-body spa every week would not only help you relax but also relieve your stress…”

Oh dear, the massage was getting more intense, the allure of comfort growing stronger. This was the third time he’d come without signing up for a membership—how aggravating.

“Is it free?” Zhang Long suddenly asked. “If it’s just a trial, it’s free, right? Then I’ll try.”

Free? In your dreams. The shampoo girl rolled her eyes sharply. Even trial sessions cost money—maybe a discount, but never free. Dream on, wanting a free service in broad daylight. Speechless.

Next time this guy comes in, she decided, no more dry washes or complimentary massages—just a quick rinse and done.

“All done, sir.”

She tossed the towel onto Zhang Long’s head—he could dry it himself. No more free service for a thirty-eight yuan trim.

“I’ll have to stop coming here…” Zhang Long thought half an hour later as he left the salon, glancing back at the sign and shaking his head. From now on, if he did come, it’d just be for a wash and cut—no more dry washes or massages. Who would keep offering free extras without a card?

Persistence is key, girl, don’t you know? If three times isn’t enough, try five—maybe after ten or so, I’d be moved to get a card. Pity she didn’t understand.

Bzzz, bzzz.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

Zhang Long glanced at the screen—and was stunned.