Chapter 13

Chapter 13

At that moment, another young man caught up and immediately grabbed Han Jiming. "What were you doing just now? Running wild like a runaway stallion—"

Before he could finish, his eyes landed on Xu Meng.

Her face was flushed red from running, and a fine layer of sweat glistened on the tip of her nose, making her look even more stunning.

Jiang Nan wasn’t someone who had never seen pretty girls before, but at that moment, he found himself unable to look away. He felt like every inch of her was perfect to him—so much so that his legs nearly went weak. No wonder Han Jiming had just played the hero to save the beauty.

Damn, how’d Han Jiming grab such a golden chance?

"Hey, nice one! How dare he hit a woman in broad daylight?" Jiang Nan blustered, suddenly embodying the spirit of justice.

"He’s my adoptive father," Xu Meng declared loudly. "Sorry, everyone. He was just stepping in to help, thinking I was being chased and harassed by some thug. Please bear witness—it’s all settled now. He was just doing a good deed."

This was to prevent Xu Jiefang from twisting the story and possibly reporting it to the police.

When it came to disciplining his daughter, Xu Jiefang had the upper hand—parents could even claim it was an accident if things went too far.

But Han Jiming had beaten Xu Jiefang severely in full public view. Back in the '90s, during the Yanda (Strike Hard) policies, there was a risk of Han Jiming being labeled a hooligan and getting into unnecessary trouble.

Xu Jiefang immediately grew smug, still shouting, "She’s my daughter! I can beat her to death if I want!"

At that, Jiang Nan also rushed over and kicked Xu Jiefang. "Pathetic loser! All you know how to do is beat women and kids at home, huh? I can’t stand people like you."

Xu Meng massaged her forehead in frustration. One hothead was bad enough—why did another have to show up? And this guy looked even more reckless.

"Stop, he’s doing it on purpose." Xu Jiefang wasn’t exactly a genius, but he wasn’t clueless either. By provoking Han Jiming here, he could end up with a few bruises, while Han Jiming could land in real trouble.

And with the Han family’s status, such incidents could easily be exploited.

Xu Meng remembered—in her past life, Han Jiming had gotten into some trouble and was later shipped off abroad by his family for a few years until things blew over.

If, in this life, his "exile" was triggered by dealing with scum like Xu Jiefang, she’d be pissed beyond belief.

———

"Come on, let’s go to the hospital," Han Jiming said.

"..." It was just a bruise. Xu Meng didn’t think it was a big deal. "I’m good, really. I’ll just dab some iodine on it when I get back."

Han Jiming’s face twitched slightly. "I think I twisted my ankle."

Xu Meng: "..."

Jiang Nan picked up on the vibe. "Jiming, who’s this? Aren’t you going to introduce us?"

Pfft. Real quick to throw a kick earlier, huh?

Han Jiming ignored him, resting his hand on Xu Meng’s arm. "Give me a hand."

Jiang Nan: "I’ll help you."

There was a hospital nearby. After registering at the surgery department, the doctor examined Han Jiming’s injury first, pressing his ankle. "Nothing serious. Just avoid strenuous activity for a few days. Use some medicated oil when you get back. If you’ve got some at home, no need for a prescription. If not, I’ll write you one."

Han Jiming motioned for the doctor to prescribe one, then pointed at Xu Meng. "Doctor, maybe you should check her too. She took a hit earlier."

Xu Meng quickly said, "I’m fine, really."

This kind of scrapes and bruises was nothing unusual. In the past, she wouldn’t even bother going to the hospital for something like this.

The doctor looked over and saw the bruise on her knee. It wasn’t too serious, so he prescribed a bottle of arnica oil as well. “Miss, you’re too skinny. Eat more meat, or you might become anemic. Have you ever had a blood test before? Would you like to check?”

Xu Meng shook her head. She was just naturally pale with little color in her skin. “I’m fine, I just can’t gain weight.”

In her past life, she hadn’t been anemic, and in this life, she certainly wouldn’t be either.

Han Jiming pressed his lips together, thinking for a moment, but insisted the doctor prescribe some iron supplements.

When she was younger, she used to play around Shijia Hutong often. Feng Yanwen would teach her some manners. Families like the Hans weren’t pretentious—they were politely courteous to everyone. But if you thought they treated you specially, you’d be wrong. He spoke to everyone this way, always polite. The higher a family’s status, the more this tended to be the case.

After getting the medicine, it was already quite late—the sun was setting, dinnertime approaching.

Xu Meng hesitated briefly, then offered politely as they left, “Thank you for today. When you’re free, can I buy you dinner?”

Han Jiming: “Really?”

Xu Meng: “Huh?”

Han Jiming scoffed. “So you were just saying that casually, huh? About treating me.”

Xu Meng: “I was afraid you wouldn’t accept.”

Please. Who did Han Jiming think he was? There wasn’t a meal he hadn’t tasted—why would he need hers?

Han Jiming scrutinized her serious expression, then seemed to genuinely consider the offer, as if actually thinking about where to eat. It made Xu Meng a bit embarrassed—she really had just been being polite earlier.

“If you’re free, you can pick the place.”

“Anywhere?” Han Jiming said. “But how would I find you? Can’t keep bumping into you on the street.”

“I live near the train station now.” Xu Meng gave a rough description of her current place. “But I can’t afford anywhere too expensive.”

Han Jiming suddenly laughed, a slight dimple forming at the corner of his mouth. His voice was gentle, like coaxing a pet, low and magnetic. “Alright, I’ll let you know when I decide. Why don’t you play with Xiao Wuer (Han Lingling’s nickname) anymore? Did you two fight?”

Xu Meng: “We ended up at different schools later, so we rarely saw each other.”

Han Jiming: “But Xiao Wuer still remembers you. You should visit her when you’re free—she’s mentioned you to me. There are plenty of kids in our family, but few she gets along with. She’s quite interesting. Right now, my sister-in-law has her grounded—no leaving the house or TV. I remember when you used to play with her, she wouldn’t constantly beg to go out.”

Mentioning Han Lingling made Xu Meng less tense.

Truthfully, as Xu Meng grew older and understood things better, she gradually realized the gap between her and the Han family. Some places Han Lingling frequented were too expensive for her—she couldn’t always let the other girl pay.

Xu Meng claimed she was too busy with school a few times, and later, Han Lingling made other friends, so their relationship slowly faded. But Han Lingling was actually a good person—even when they ran into each other later, she still greeted her warmly.

Looking back on their childhood friendship now, Xu Meng felt it was a pity they’d drifted apart.

Since the conversation had reached this point, Xu Meng naturally invited them to stay for dinner.

Han Jiming didn’t refuse. They picked a casual diner. At first, Xu Meng worried they might not be used to such a place, but both men seemed completely comfortable. With Jiang Nan around, no meal could ever be dull—he kept the conversation lively, quickly warming up the atmosphere. As they talked, they even realized they had played together as kids.

Jiang Nan joked, “How could I forget someone as pretty as you?”

His admiration was obvious in his look.

“I was in elementary school back then—I look different now.” Xu Meng had changed a lot. Honestly, someone who hadn’t seen her in years would have trouble placing her.

“Heh, if I’d met you sooner, I’d have asked you out.”

Xu Meng stayed quiet.

Han Jiming scowled and dropped a piece of braised beef into Jiang Nan’s bowl. “Can’t even eat without you running your mouth? She’s in the same grade as Han Lingling.”

Jiang Nan snorted. “So she’s in her third year?”

Xu Meng nodded. “Last semester of senior year.”

Xu Meng didn’t read too much into it—some guys just liked teasing girls, and she’d met plenty like that in her past life. She was numb to it by now.

But if you thought their friendliness meant they were interested in you, that was overthinking it. There was a difference between liking your face and liking *you*. Han Jiming’s crowd all came from the same world—they wouldn’t mix with someone like her.

“I’ll go settle the bill,” Xu Meng said, standing up.

“No need.” Han Jiming got up and handed over the money. “Just get me back next time—it’s not like we won’t see each other again.”

Jiang Nan glanced at Xu Meng, then at Han Jiming, starting to get the picture.

Playing the “owe me one” card—classic move. One favor led to another.

Then Han Jiming added, “Let me walk you back.”

Oh great, now he’s ditching me. Just earlier, he claimed to have a sprained foot, but now he was acting perfectly fine.

Xu Meng, caught off guard, asked, “Is that okay?”

“Gotta burn off that meal anyway. Walking there and back will cover today’s exercise.”

Yeah right, ‘burn off that meal.’ Jiang Nan gave Xu Meng another look—she was seriously good-looking, no wonder Han Jiming treated her differently. But they’d just agreed to check out a car together, and now he was blowing him off. Pretty or not, he couldn’t understand it.

Jiang Nan had a lot to say but kept his mouth shut, suddenly falling silent.

After the three left the restaurant, Jiang Nan took the hint and bailed first.

Han Jiming nodded and started walking toward the train station.

Watching them leave, Jiang Nan shook his head. “Could go either way. I don’t think Han Jiming is that shallow, but then again, he’s never played chauffeur for a girl before. Maybe he’s just being a white knight.”

Xu Meng and Han Jiming walked toward the train station.

From here, her place wasn’t far—close enough to call it a post-meal stroll.

Xu Meng was still holding the stack of maps she’d bought earlier. Han Jiming glanced at her. “Here, I’ll take those.”

“No need, they’re not that heavy.”

After Xu Jiefang left, Xu Meng had gathered up the maps.

Some were dirty from being stepped on, and a few had been swiped in the chaos, but most were still there. She couldn’t just throw them away.

But Han Jiming snatched them from her anyway, surprised by their weight.

Why did she always have a ton of stuff on her?

Xu Meng, reading his expression, laughed. “That’s life weighing you down.”

Han Jiming couldn’t help but chuckle. “Last time I saw you, you were hauling watermelons around.”

Xu Meng grinned. “My empire’s growing now!”

Han Jiming seemed even more amused by her, his shoulders shaking slightly.

Xu Meng lowered her head. "No choice, I have to earn a living."

The smile in Han Jiming's eyes faded. "I remember you used to live near the big locust tree?"

From what he'd overheard earlier, the man had ranted about her moving out with her adoptive mother, so she must be living elsewhere now. Most young girls wouldn't need to worry about making ends meet, yet both times he'd encountered Xu Meng, she'd been peddling goods.

"Yeah, I just moved out with my mom."

"Where are you two staying now?"

"At first we stayed with a classmate, but now we've rented a place." Xu Meng didn't want to say too much, afraid she might annoy him.

Han Jiming nodded. "Be careful about safety. The area around the train station might not be the safest."

Xu Meng shook her head. "Honestly, it's all the same. Not much difference."

Han Jiming fell silent for a moment. He'd grown up in a traditional courtyard house in Shijia Hutong—a historic Beijing neighborhood—where only a few families lived nearby and the wide gates could accommodate horses passing through. But he wasn't some sheltered aristocrat; near Shijia Hutong were the communal housing compounds built after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Tiny courtyards housed dozens of families together. Most of Beijing's post-1949 housing compounds were constructed during the early days of liberation, creating similar crowded environments.

Noticing his silence, Xu Meng stole a quick glance at Han Jiming.

He was truly handsome—rarely did men possess such delicate yet masculine features. He was also very tall. At just 1.6 meters (5'3"), Xu Meng only reached his chin. He must be over 1.8 meters (6 feet). Born during the famine years, even in northern China, few grew to his height. Walking beside him gave her an intimidating presence, but also a sense of security...

Sensing Han Jiming had noticed her gaze, Xu Meng quickly lowered her eyes.

But Han Jiming chuckled. "Looking at me?"

Xu Meng shook her head, her cheeks growing warm.

She looked so confident, yet her courage was so small.

Han Jiming turned his face toward her openly. "Then get a good look, so you won't fail to recognize me next time."

Xu Meng: "..." Was he referring to how she hadn't recognized him the first time they met?

How petty—he's still holding a grudge.

When they reached the alley entrance, Xu Meng refused to let him escort her further.

Girls her age were shy. If people saw her walking with a man, it might start gossip, which would be bad for her reputation.

"Take care getting home."

"Mhm."

She took the maps back, holding them in her arms as she walked into the alley. It was a narrow lane, barely wide enough for a pedicab to pass through. During the Qing dynasty, this area housed working-class residents. During the Japanese occupation, many original inhabitants fled, and refugees moved in, throwing up shacks and expanding randomly. That's why the whole area was chaotic—the alleys narrower than usual, the paths more tangled. Xu Meng was out of sight after just a few steps.

By the time she brought the maps home, it was almost dark.

Xu Meng was glad it was nighttime now—otherwise, if Feng Yanwen saw her, it would only cause needless worry.