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With just a casual remark from Zhou Xuanyu, Junxi found herself working overtime for an entire week. She had managed to complete more than half of the materials in her hands, and Galen remarked that for a newcomer to achieve such a level was quite impressive.
Throughout that week, Zhou Xuanyu showed up at the office rain or shine. He and Galen, along with the other executives, worked late into the night. Whenever time permitted, he would offer to drive her home. Occasionally, when other male colleagues got ahead of him, he remained silent.
None of them mentioned Lin Jingming again, but Junxi knew that this woman in a flowing white dress had never left Zhou Xuanyu's heart.
Speaking of Lin Jingming, she was indeed an unforgettable beauty with a gentle demeanor. Her features were delicately crafted, and her long hair cascaded down to her waist. She favored wearing simple white long dresses.
Beyond her beauty, her talent was equally astonishing.
She was the owner of the "Xiangyin" music studio in Qingcheng, proficient in no less than eight musical instruments, particularly skilled at playing the Gu Zheng.
The scene of the long-haired beauty gracefully lifting her skirt and sitting before the Gu Zheng was captivating just to imagine.
At that time in Qingcheng, many men pursued Lin Jingming; some were even driven to fury for her sake, yet she showed no interest in any of them. After all, a woman of such caliber would not settle for anything less than a match for herself.
Zhou Xuanyu first met Lin Jingming when Junxi was also present. She had been sent by her family to learn piano at Lin Jingming's "Xiangyin" studio.
At that rebellious age filled with defiance, Junxi had no desire to play the piano despite her father's hopes for her to master various arts. Consequently, she displayed a poor attitude towards the instructors at the studio.
Seeing Junxi's demeanor, Lin Jingming did not rush to have the teachers communicate with her; instead, she allowed Junxi to wander around the studio on her own.
Among all the instruments in the studio, Junxi ultimately showed a keen interest only in the Gu Zheng. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Jingming asked if she would be willing to learn it.
Junxi hesitated, fearing she couldn't go against her father's wishes. To her surprise, Lin Jingming effortlessly managed to persuade her father.
Thus began Junxi's formal lessons in Gu Zheng at "Xiangyin," personally taught by Lin Jingming. At that time, Junxi was unaware that Lin Jingming typically did not accept disciples; she was Lin Jingming's first student.
Junxi asked Lin Jingming why she was willing to teach her, and Lin Jingming smiled as she replied, "Because I felt a connection at first sight."
Lin Jingming preferred tranquility, while Junxi was more energetic. Their personalities didn't overlap much, yet as Lin Jingming said, they were indeed compatible.
Junxi's prickly temperament softened in the presence of Lin Jingming. Despite their ten-year age difference, they often reached a consensus on many things that were quite different in style. They were both teacher and student, as well as friends, and this relationship made Junxi feel comfortable, allowing her to learn Gu Zheng quickly.
On that day, Zhou Xuanyu came to the music store to pick her up, curious to see the master who could tame Miss Wen so effortlessly.
Junxi always remembered the brilliant smile that appeared on Zhou Xuanyu's face when he got out of the car and saw Lin Jingming. He unabashedly remarked, "She truly is as beautiful as the rumors say."
Lin Jingming had heard such extravagant compliments before, but she remained indifferent towards everyone. Yet, in that moment, she blushed.
This story illustrates that a woman's judgment of a man's charm or lewdness is solely based on looks.
As Junxi grabbed the sheet music to get into the car, Zhou Xuanyu pulled her back. Although his intentions were clearly not just about the music, he maintained a straight face and asked her, "You've troubled Teacher Lin all day; shouldn't we treat her to a meal?"
It was rare for Zhou Xuanyu to show such obvious ambition towards a woman he wanted to capture. Unfortunately, Junxi didn't understand at the time that this was love at first sight.
Later on, when she heard that Zhou Xuanyu and Lin Jingming were together, she still couldn't comprehend how someone's love could come so quickly and unexpectedly.
Wasn't love supposed to develop slowly like her feelings for Zhou Xuanyu, like a gentle stream?
There were no answers to these questions.
Even as she grew older and encountered more stories of love at first sight, meeting those men who fell for her instantly and became part of those tales, she still couldn't grasp or understand it.
Perhaps, as her mother said, women like Teacher Lin—who were both delicate and stunning—naturally carried love with them.
The business trip to Italy was officially scheduled, and before leaving, Junxi made a visit to the hospital.
Zhou Ziyan was quite unhappy about her being assigned a business trip so soon, especially since she was still an inexperienced newcomer. He openly declared that he would complain to his uncle. Junxi didn’t tell him that his uncle was actually the mastermind behind her assignment.
This was Junxi's first official business trip, and she felt a bit nervous as she packed her luggage, worried about forgetting to bring this or that.
Zhou Xuanyu came to pick her up for the airport, and as soon as he mentioned her suitcase, he frowned.
"Did you add bricks to this? Why is it so heavy?"
Junxi reached out to help him with it, smiling apologetically. "I stuffed in some documents and a few dictionaries."
Zhou Xuanyu nodded; as a translator, those items were essential. He opened the trunk of the car and before placing her suitcase inside, he confirmed with her once more, "Is there anything else you forgot to bring?"
"Your question isn’t very scientific. If I knew what I forgot, I wouldn’t have forgotten it," she replied confidently as she settled into the passenger seat.
Zhou Xuanyu paused for a few seconds, then turned his head with a slight smile. This girl always had such twisted logic, yet he found himself unable to refute her.
Once on the plane, Junxi focused on flipping through her dictionaries and electronic dictionary to continue working on her translation documents.
Galen had mentioned that these documents might be needed in Italy, and finishing them a day earlier would give Zhou Xuanyu an extra day to familiarize himself with the client.
The collaboration was nearly finalized, and Zhou Xuanyu's trip to Italy was intended to convey Hengfu Group's sincerity to the client.
This matter, while not particularly large, was significant enough that she couldn't afford to be careless.
In contrast to her tense state, Zhou Xuanyu appeared much more relaxed. He sat beside her, wearing headphones and watching the news. The beautiful Flight Attendant came in several times, trying to engage him in conversation, but he ignored her completely.
Suddenly, with a loud clap, Zhou Xuanyu frowned and slammed his tablet onto the table.
Junxi was startled and looked up at him; his expression was not good.
"What's wrong?" Junxi unbuckled her seatbelt and moved closer to him.
"Nothing." He averted his gaze, breathing somewhat heavily.
"Are you feeling nauseous?" she asked, reaching out to check his forehead. It wasn't hot; instead, it was cool and damp with sweat. She took the blanket that the Flight Attendant had brought in and gently draped it over him, then casually removed his headphones and took away his tablet. "You should rest for a bit. I'll wake you when we arrive."
Zhou Xuanyu remained silent, simply closing his eyes.
As Junxi put the tablet back in her bag, she glanced at the paused screen—it displayed a gruesome traffic accident. Her expression twitched slightly, and she quickly locked the screen.
The plane landed smoothly at Florence Airport in Italy.
Zhou Xuanyu hadn't actually fallen asleep; at some point, he opened his eyes and stared blankly out the window at the scenery outside.
"We're here," Junxi nudged him gently.
He stood up, grabbed her backpack, and walked ahead of her.
Junxi followed Zhou Xuanyu out of the airport, where a car specifically sent to pick them up was waiting at the entrance.
The driver spoke in pure Italian, and the authentic foreign atmosphere filled Junxi with excitement, as if she had been training for this moment for a long time. She eagerly engaged in conversation with the driver, using everything she had learned without stumbling over her words. However, when the driver curiously inquired about her relationship with Zhou Xuanyu, she hesitated for a moment.
"Is he your amore?" the driver guessed.
Junxi didn't rush to deny it. She turned to glance at Zhou Xuanyu, who had been silently gazing out the window at the scenery due to their language barrier.
"Yes, he is my amore."
Junxi replied with a mischievous smile. After all, Zhou Xuanyu couldn't understand her; indulging in the fantasy of being his girlfriend felt harmless.
"You two make a great match."
As Junxi was smiling, she suddenly choked on the compliment.
Although this statement was built on her lie, hearing it still moved her deeply.
Time is cruel; it made her grow up so hastily.
Yet time is also gentle; at least it has never made him grow old.
Florence was basking in bright sunshine.
The blue sky and white clouds under the sun collided with the vibrant walls of the city, deep green shutters, and deep red rooftops, creating a romantic and artistic atmosphere.
On the way to the hotel, she saw the most museums and churches of all sizes. These exquisite palace-like buildings perfectly embodied the city's reputation for "Western elegance."
"Isn't it beautiful?" Junxi exclaimed, instinctively tugging at Zhou Xuanyu's shirt hem a few times.
Zhou Xuanyu glanced down at the delicate hands resting on him; she was still the same as when they were children, unable to contain her excitement without holding onto him.
"Can we stay here for a couple of days after work? I can be your translator, for free," she turned her face towards him, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
The itinerary Galen provided was still in his computer bag. He remembered that after returning from Italy, he had countless meetings lined up.
He hardly had time to linger here for two days...
"Sure."
"Oh yeah!"
A sweet and satisfied smile spread across her face.
How long had it been since he had seen such a smile?
Zhou Xuanyu couldn't help but raise his hand, gently patting her head with infinite affection. Her fine hair brushed against his palm, soft and fluffy.
And she, lost in her happiness, didn't notice the tender emotion in his eyes.
They checked into Rocafort Hotel, with Junxi's room right next to Zhou Xuanyu's. After completing the check-in process, they each returned to their rooms to drop off their luggage, agreeing to meet for dinner later.
Perhaps it was due to the long journey or the effects of jet lag, but Junxi felt sore all over and fell into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
She woke up to find that it was already dark outside, and the discomfort in her lower back had not eased at all despite having taken a nap. Something felt off, and after checking the time, she suddenly realized what was wrong.
She rushed to the bathroom and, sure enough, her relatives had come to visit.
Junxi's menstrual cycle had always been her monthly nightmare; the cramps often left her unable to even stand. Recently, she had been so busy that she completely forgot about it. There were no supplies in her suitcase to accommodate her relatives' needs.
The sharp, cramping pain in her lower abdomen began to hit her in waves. She leaned against the sink, contemplating her options before reluctantly deciding to call Zhou Xuanyu.
It took a while for Zhou Xuanyu to answer the phone, and his voice sounded hoarse; he must have been catching up on sleep.
"Xuan Yu Uncle..."
Junxi had the words on the tip of her tongue but hesitated, unsure how to start.
"Just say it."
"Um, well, you know... that thing... you know what I mean?"
"What thing?"
Perhaps it was because he was still half-asleep, but Zhou Xuanyu's response was slower than she expected.
"Oh come on, it's my period!" Junxi blurted out in a rush.
Zhou Xuanyu paused for a few seconds before suddenly understanding: "You forgot to bring supplies?"
"Didn't bring it," Junxi said helplessly.
Zhou Xuanyu paused for a few seconds, looking stunned. "I reminded you not to forget anything."
His tone carried a hint of frustration, and before she could respond, he muttered to himself, "Such a big suitcase..."
"I didn't know it would be this coincidental."
He fell silent, and she could hear faint sounds on the other end, as if he was getting dressed.
"Hello?" Junxi called out lightly.
"Wait," he replied curtly before the call ended.
Despite the discomfort in her abdomen, she couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
About ten minutes later, Zhou Xuanyu knocked on the door.
He stood there holding a shopping bag, his expression somewhat awkward. It was understandable; a big man searching for such items in a supermarket would likely attract attention.
When he handed the bag to Junxi, he didn't say a word.
"Thank you," she said, turning and rushing to the bathroom. Once she closed the door and caught her breath, she finally noticed that Zhou Xuanyu had stuffed an entire bag full of boxes.
She opened the bag and took a glance inside, instantly feeling both amused and exasperated. This man must have bought every brand from the supermarket shelves.
It was no wonder; even as a woman, she wouldn’t know which of these foreign brands of sanitary pads were any good.
After rummaging through for a while, she paused when she picked up one of the boxes. Within seconds, her face turned a deep shade of red.
She opened the box and confirmed that what was inside was definitely not what she wanted.
Oh my! The clueless Zhou Xuanyu had actually bought a whole pack of condoms from the shelf!
“Junxi! Are you okay?”
Perhaps noticing her prolonged silence, Zhou Xuanyu called out from outside.
“I’m fine.”
Junxi placed the condoms on the sink and quickly tidied herself up before stepping out of the bathroom.
Zhou Xuanyu stood at the door, looking at her face, which was half flushed and half pale, and couldn’t help but feel concerned.
“Get some sleep. When you wake up, I’ll take you out to eat.” He gently supported her arm and led her to the bedside, pulling back the blanket she had twisted into a mess.
Junxi sat down at the edge of the bed, pouting as she looked at him. “It hurts too much to sleep.”
“What should we do then?”
He frowned, worry evident in his eyes.
She rarely found him so worried that he didn't know what to do, and in that moment, Junxi suddenly felt energized. She cradled her small belly, flopped onto the bed, and while sobbing, tried to scare him: "Xuan Yu Uncle, it hurts so much! I think I'm going to die from the pain!"
Zhou Xuanyu sat down on her bed and pressed down on her shoulders.
Her body was indeed a bit cold; there was no faking that.
Zhou Xuanyu's brows knitted even tighter. He had heard of women fainting from severe menstrual cramps, but since he had never encountered a woman who suffered so much during her period, his experience in this area was quite limited.
"Hang on, I'll go get you some medicine," he said as he prepared to stand up.
"Don't!" Junxi grabbed his arm tightly. "You can't just take medicine randomly; it can lead to dependency, and then you'll want to take it every month."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
This wouldn't work, and neither would that; Zhou Xuanyu was starting to feel anxious.
Junxi snuggled into his arm, just like when she was little and insisted on resting her head on his lap whenever she was sick.
Zhou Xuanyu watched as this little woman nestled against him like a wildcat, the sweet scent from her growing closer. Soon, he was enveloped in softness. Though his hands remained still, his heart raced wildly.
"I'm cold," Junxi looked up at him, innocently blinking her eyes.
Zhou Xuanyu let out a soft sigh and tightened his embrace around her.
"Does it happen like this every month?" he asked.
"Mm."
"Have you not taken your medicine?"
"Mm."
"Then what have you been doing?"
Junxi pointed to her lower abdomen. "I just put a hot water bottle there and hold it."
"Isn't there a way to cure it?"
"There is, but it's quite difficult."
"What?" he asked quickly.
Junxi buried her head in his arms, remaining silent.
Zhou Xuanyu turned her face towards him, making her look at him. "You'd rather endure this pain?"
"Mm."
"What exactly is the solution?" His tone became a bit firmer.
Junxi thought for a moment, then raised her hand to pull his head closer and whispered gently in his ear, "I need to find a man to have a baby with me."
"Cough!" Zhou Xuanyu straightened up, feeling a bit awkward as he cleared his throat.
Junxi found it amusing, yet she dared not laugh, fearing he might think she was being ridiculous.
"Stop talking nonsense and get some sleep," Zhou Xuanyu said, patting her forehead and awkwardly looking away.
She knew it—he must think she was just being silly.
The night in Florence was beautiful. The curtains in her room were half-drawn as she lay in his arms, watching the shimmering flow of cars and the deep blue night sky… everything felt like a dream, except for the warmth of his body, which felt so real.
Junxi thought to herself that she finally understood what Xu Zhimo meant in "A Night in Florence" when he wrote, "Close your eyes and die in your embrace, how beautiful."
Indeed, how beautiful.
Zhou Xuanyu could feel the girl in his arms breathing steadily, as if she had fallen into a light sleep.
Her hand rested on her own abdomen, the fabric wrinkled under her grip. He didn't know how much pain she was truly in; he only felt heartache. Aside from her earlier exaggerated remark of "I'm going to die from the pain," she hadn’t made another sound since.
He lifted his hand and tucked her messy hair behind her ear. Her delicate features had shed their youthfulness, becoming even more enchanting. Even though he tried to see her as a child, he could no longer deceive the stirring feelings within him.
Suddenly, Junxi moved, her slender arms wrapping around his waist like vines.
A fire ignited at his waist, flickering up and down, consuming him entirely. It burned away all his rationality.
Zhou Xuanyu lowered his head and gently caressed Junxi's lips. The red hue on her lips grew more vibrant under the heat of his fingertips.
He moved closer and closer...
"Mm..."
She murmured softly.
Zhou Xuanyu was startled awake, regaining his senses in the final moment before kissing her.
She was Junxi.
He couldn't take advantage of her vulnerability.
Gently, Zhou Xuanyu laid her down on the bed, tucking the blanket around her. But as he turned to leave, Junxi grasped his sleeve.
"Don't go..." she mumbled, still half-asleep, yet she could feel his presence slipping away from her side.
Don't go.
Once, she had held him back like this.
Back then, she needed him even more than she did now. But he left, without even having the chance to say goodbye.
Zhou Xuanyu crouched down at the edge of the bed. He didn't pull his hand away; instead, he let her hold onto it, even though the position was somewhat uncomfortable for him. He didn't want her to feel uneasy.
He had promised he wouldn't leave again.
Junxi slept soundly until dawn, and when she woke up, all the discomfort she had felt was completely gone.
Zhou Xuanyu was not in her room. She looked around but didn’t see him. Getting out of bed, she stretched in front of the window, and suddenly, she heard some noise coming from the bathroom.
Turning around, she saw Zhou Xuanyu walking out. Water droplets were still on his face, clearly indicating he had just washed it.
"Wen Junxi, what is this?" Zhou Xuanyu raised a box in his hand, its lid torn open, and the contents inside were precariously shaking.
Junxi was startled and covered her mouth, momentarily speechless.
"I asked you what this is!" Zhou Xuanyu raised his voice.
Junxi composed herself and shrugged. "You bought it yourself; why are you asking me?"
"I bought it?" Zhou Xuanyu looked incredulous.
"It was mixed in with the bag you gave me. If you didn’t buy it, did the supermarket give it to you for free?"
Zhou Xuanyu fell silent.
Yesterday, he had rushed to a nearby supermarket but couldn’t find what he needed after searching everywhere. The language barrier made it difficult to communicate, and he felt like he was going crazy.
Fortunately, he encountered a staff member who spoke English, and she helped him locate the right shelf.
The shelves were filled with an array of women’s products. He didn’t know which brand was good and felt too embarrassed to take his time choosing. In the end, he picked one item from each brand without realizing that some "strange" items were mixed in as well.
It was only when he went into her bathroom to wash his face that he nearly lost his temper upon seeing them.
Zhou Xuanyu casually tossed the box of condoms towards the trash can.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
Junxi tried to stop him, but he grabbed her arm instead.
"Do you need it?" Zhou Xuanyu glared at her.
"Of course I don't need it."
"Then why keep something you don't need?" He replied irritably.
Junxi blinked. She didn't need it, but maybe he did.
However, she didn't dare to say that to him.
The Italian clients were particularly pleased with Zhou Xuanyu's personal visit to Italy to discuss the details of their ongoing collaboration. The day's meetings went exceptionally smoothly.
After work, Gino, the person in charge from the Italian side, took them to dine at IL-PALAGIO. Located on the first floor of Palagio at the Palazzo della Gherardesca, IL-PALAGIO is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Florence. The restaurant features vaulted ceilings and elegant decor with rich Italian charm, and dining there offers a charming view of the hotel garden.
Gino had a very good impression of Junxi. He mentioned that he had only met two young and beautiful Chinese girls who spoke Italian so authentically and seductively—one was Junxi, and the other was his wife.
Gino having a Chinese wife surprised both Junxi and Zhou Xuanyu.
As they were talking, a woman in a black jumpsuit walked through the glass door of the terrace towards them. She had beautiful brown curls, but her face was distinctly that of an East Asian woman.
With an elegant smile directed at Junxi and Zhou Xuanyu, she approached Gino.
Gino stood up, wrapping his long arms around the woman's slender waist.
"This is my amore, her Chinese name is Lanxin."
When Gino pronounced the two characters for Lanxin in Chinese, it came out with a strong Italian accent, making it hard to discern.
Lanxin shot Gino a playful glare before turning to Junxi and the others with a smile. "I've been trying to teach him for years, but he still can't get it right. Let me correct him: my name is Lanxin, with 'lan' meaning orchid and 'xin' meaning heart. I am the manager of this restaurant, so if you have any suggestions or feedback after your meal, please let me know."
Zhou Xuanyu and Junxi introduced themselves in turn and shook her hand.
When Lanxin shook Junxi's hand, she suddenly asked, "Are you the Junxi from 'The Mountain Has Trees,' the one who doesn't understand the heart of the beloved?"
Junxi nodded. "Yes."
"That's quite a heart-wrenching line. I wonder if Miss Wen also has someone in her heart who doesn't understand her feelings?"
Junxi paused, unsure how to respond.
With Zhou Xuanyu present, either answer would be inappropriate.
She glanced at Zhou Xuanyu, who was thoughtfully stirring his Italian soup.
Realizing that her question had put Junxi in an awkward position, Lanxin quickly apologized. "I'm sorry; I just have a deep love for studying classical Chinese poetry. If you don't want to answer, that's perfectly fine."
Junxi winked at Lanxin and said, "It's a secret. When the opportunity arises, I'll tell you quietly."
Lanxin smiled knowingly.
Gino invited Lanxin to sit down and join them for the meal, and she gladly accepted. With an additional translator at the table, Junxi felt a wave of relief wash over her.
In the middle of the meal, she confidently stood up to go to the restroom, no longer worried that the two men who didn't speak the same language would fall into an awkward silence.
"Miss Wen has the beauty of a youthful girl and a grace that transcends her age. Mr. Zhou has truly struck gold," Lanxin remarked as she watched Junxi's departing figure, unable to resist praising Zhou Xuanyu.
Zhou Xuanyu smiled and said thank you.
He glanced in the direction of the restroom, but Junxi had already disappeared.
"Madam, I have a question I'd like to ask you."
"Mr. Zhou, there's no need to be polite. Please go ahead."
"What does 'amore' mean in Italian?" he asked.
Lanxin looked at Gino and smiled, "It means lover; it's a term for a beloved."
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