Chapter Twenty-Six: Reluctant to Call Your Name
Han Mo escorted Emma, who was staying at a nearby hotel, back to her place. As he turned around a corner, he noticed items scattered beside a car, and the vehicle itself rocking slightly. A wicked smile played on his lips as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes, took one, then put it back. Lighting up, he crouched on the edge of a flowerbed and smoked.
Time passed, minute by minute. By his feet, a small pile of cigarette butts had accumulated—ten or so. Glancing at the parked car, which had finally grown still, he walked over unhurriedly to gather up the things lying by the car, dropping them into a bag. He knocked on the window and asked in a low voice, “Boss, where to now?”
He Zheyu cracked the window open a little and replied, “Take her back to the university. She has an early class tomorrow.”
Han Mo grunted in assent, got in, and drove in the direction of the campus.
Perhaps she was exhausted; Mo Qinghan had already fallen asleep, curled on her side with her head resting on He Zheyu’s lap. Strands of hair fell across her pale face, veiling it in a way that made her look all the more ethereal, beauty half concealed.
When they arrived at the university, He Zheyu did not wake her immediately. He gestured for Han Mo to keep quiet, and both men rolled down their windows in unspoken agreement. He Zheyu considered pulling a cigarette from the jacket draped over Mo Qinghan, but decided against it for fear of waking her. Instead, he motioned for Han Mo to light one and hand it over. Thus, the two men sat in silence, smoking quietly in order not to disturb the sleeping woman. They communicated only with glances and gestures.
After a while, He Zheyu’s leg grew numb, and he shifted inadvertently. Mo Qinghan stirred and opened her eyes, and, realizing she was still in the car with He Zheyu, sat up at once. She smoothed her tousled hair, a touch embarrassed. “Sorry—I fell asleep and you didn’t even wake me when we arrived.”
He Zheyu’s face softened with affection. “You looked so peaceful that I couldn’t bear to wake you.”
Mo Qinghan handed him back the jacket that had covered her, slipped into her own coat, gathered her things, and opened the door to get out. She turned to Han Mo and said apologetically, “Sorry to keep you so late.”
Han Mo smiled. “No trouble at all. It’s all part of the job.”
Mo Qinghan said nothing more. She waved goodbye to the two men in the car and hurried toward the campus. Watching her figure gradually disappear into the night, a look of happiness spread across He Zheyu’s face. Han Mo, observing this, grinned and said, “Boss, you only ever smile when you see Miss Mo.”
When Mo Qinghan reached the dormitory, she found the doors already locked for the night—it was past eleven. However, she had a good relationship with the dorm manager, Aunt Wang. Because of her part-time job, she sometimes returned late, and Aunt Wang would always let her in, often reminding her to take care of herself no matter how tired she was. In return, Mo Qinghan would sometimes bring fruit as a token of gratitude.
She knocked softly and called out in a low voice, “Aunt Wang, could you please open the door?” After a few calls, a woman of about fifty appeared, dressed in pajamas and a thin coat. She opened the door and asked, “Why are you back so late?”
Mo Qinghan scratched her head guiltily. “We had a lot of customers at the restaurant tonight, so I finished late.”
“Come in quickly, then.”
After thanking the dorm manager, Mo Qinghan slipped quietly into her room, careful not to disturb her three sleeping roommates. She tiptoed in and set her things down without a sound.