Chapter 9

Chapter 9: A Somewhat Familiar Man
Liang Youyun was on the verge of a breakdown from this phone call.
Her dress had no pockets, so her phone was in her bag; unfortunately, the music at the club was so loud that she couldn’t hear it ringing and missed the call for a while.
When she finally noticed the vibration in her bag and checked her phone, she found eight missed calls: the first two from unknown numbers, and the last six from Zhang He.
She immediately called him back, pushing her way through the crowd and rushing out of the bar.
The night breeze outside blew gently, carrying a few strands of rain that slid across her face, diluting the alcohol surging repeatedly within her.
“Oh, sister, Mr. Hu and his secretary are nearly frantic; they’ve even called me. They need you to provide some materials on your village-stationed work for tomorrow’s group presentation. It should highlight local characteristics and ethnic sentiments. Also, make sure to thoroughly cover the Party-building efforts, including your own insights,” Zhang He said in one breath.
“Seriously? Why is leadership assigning tasks during the holidays?” Youyun complained, annoyed.
“Beijing doesn’t even celebrate the Water Splashing Festival!”
“Why didn’t you contact me before? Now you’re pulling all-nighters to draft documents at the last minute.”
“The leadership has endless demands and a highly unpredictable schedule. Just stay on standby for whatever they need.”
“But I’m not in Mengla; I’ve come out here to enjoy myself!”
“Where have you been?”
“Jinghong.”
“That’s so far!”
“I came to Jinghong with Yuxiang to hit the clubs. We were halfway through dancing before I realized I had a phone call! Where am I supposed to get the materials now?”
“You went clubbing without me!”
Zhang He sighed with regret, “Even if you came back now, it would take two hours. Besides, it’s pouring rain here in Mengla. What can we do?… Alright, I’ll write it for you. Just send me the general outline of the village-enterprise co-construction project for Manle Village, and I’ll make up the rest.”
Youyun breathed a sigh of relief, her earlier irritation vanishing instantly. Secretly delighted, she said, “I knew I could count on you, sis! Thanks so much!”
After hanging up, Youyun searched through her WeChat history for previously shared work files, selected three representative documents along with two of her own academic papers, and sent them all to Zhang He.
The rain intensified, and feeling light-hearted, she finally looked up to admire the night view of Banna.
The bar was situated on a high slope; looking down, one could take in half of Banna’s lights, brilliant yet ethereal, as if heaven itself were hosting a grand celebration.
She couldn’t help but step forward, holding onto the marble railing to pause and gaze into the distance.
Jiang Muhe, not far from her, lit a cigarette.
He doesn’t usually smoke, but he habitually brings cigarettes when meeting friends, and when the mood strikes, he enjoys the hazy atmosphere they create.
He was entirely engulfed in shadow, his gaze fixed on Liang Youyun’s retreating figure. The way she spoke on the phone with irritation, then hung up with such ease, was so vivid that he let out a soft, unconscious laugh.
Smoke rings drifted slowly from his mouth and nose, blurring the scenery before him.
Jiang Muhe felt a long-forgotten flutter in his heart, reminding him of the day he enlisted in college—a mix of curiosity and excitement about an uncertain future.
Perhaps it was the nicotine acting up.
Liang Youyun gazed at the scenery for a while, then turned and walked toward the bar, brushing lightly past Jiang Muhe.
Jiang Muhe’s eyes followed her steps, watching helplessly as she ignored him and pushed open the door with effortless grace.
Perhaps he was just one among many passersby?
Hmph, an insignificant background character.
He took several deep drags; his already gaunt cheeks hollowed further. The half-smoked cigarette instantly glowed red-hot before ash fell, dissolving into the falling rain.
Liang Youyun had been gone for about fifteen minutes. The bar’s music had switched to folk songs, performed by a local band, with the lively and melodious beats of elephant-foot drums filling the air.
Youyun’s mind was still lingering on the handsome model from the fashion show earlier. Yet there were no handsome men on stage, nor was Yuxiang anywhere nearby. She returned to her own booth to check, but Yuxiang was still nowhere to be seen.
Just as she hesitated, a woman in the neighboring booth shouted in Dai language: “Bring me wine~ I want to drink~~”
Her voice was soft and slurred, clearly indicating she was heavily intoxicated and losing consciousness.
If it isn’t Yuxiang, then who could it be?
Liang Youyun sighed right where she stood, knowing there was no chance of taking her back to Mengla tonight.
She turned around and only then noticed that, besides Yuxiang, the neighboring table was occupied by three rough-looking men sporting tattoos, bushy beards, floral shirts, and wooden bead bracelets.
One of the men had already wrapped his arm around Yuxiang’s slender waist, caressing her exposed skin while leaning down to whisper in her ear, as the other two flagged down a waiter to bring another dozen beers.
Her temper flared instantly! Liang Youyun, swift as lightning, slapped the man’s hand away with a sharp “smack.” “What do you think you’re doing?”
The man froze instantly, his eyes widening as he stared at her. Realizing what had happened, he shot to his feet with a sudden jerk and demanded, “Who the hell are you? How dare you lay a hand on me?”
“You started it; this is my sister!”
Youyun, furious, tried to pull Yuxiang, who was already passed out drunk on the table, away. “Wake up, we’re going home!”
Yuxiang merely whimpered, lifting her head only to let it drop again, completely devoid of strength, insisting only that she wanted more wine.
But in an instant, three men had surrounded Liang Youyun, claiming that Yuxiang had lost at finger-guessing, and losers must drink; if her tolerance was poor and she got drunk, whom could they turn to?
The man who had been struck advanced step by step, grabbing at Youyun’s clothes. “I reckon your skin’s itching for a good thrashing! If you don’t apologize and down this entire case of beer right now, don’t even think about leaving this damn bar!”
Youyun retreated step by step, wildly swatting away the hand reaching toward her. “Get lost! If you dare lay a finger on me, I’ll call the police!”
“Go ahead, call them! Every cop around here knows me personally. You threw the first punch, so don’t act like you’re in the right. Even at the station, you’ll be the one apologizing!”
“There are surveillance cameras here. It was clearly you lot harassing us first!”
Youyun felt a pang of fear in her heart, not because she was in the wrong, but because the three men were so tall and fierce that she found them difficult to handle. Still, she had to bolster her own courage: “So what if the police officer is your acquaintance? Let me tell you, his rank might not even be as high as mine!”
“What position do you hold?”
“What official am I? Saying it might just scare you to death!”
The three men burst into laughter, spewing several vulgar remarks from their mouths.
Youyun hurriedly pulled out her phone, turned on the camera to record, pointed it at them, and deliberately said loudly, “Did you see that? These three men are sexually harassing us female compatriots, verbally insulting us, and behaving outrageously. This deserves a prison sentence!”
“What do you think you’re doing? Stop recording!”
The man snatched her phone. Before he could delete the video, Youyun leaped forward, trying to grab it back. But the man shoved her hard with his large palm; off balance, she stumbled backward urgently.
—In that instant, she felt as though she had leaned against a wall.
Busy turning to look back, it was a somewhat familiar man.
The eyes and the gaze felt familiar.
Once she steadied herself and turned to look at him again, that build and posture—her brain suddenly went “ding,” and she realized who he was!
Yet she dared not confirm it; she just stared blankly, momentarily speechless.
Jiang Muhe walked around Liang Youyun, stopped in front of the person who had snatched the phone, and politely patted his shoulder, saying, “Sorry about that. She’s a friend of mine. We’re all here to have fun; no need to get upset.”
“Who the hell are you?” The man’s tone noticeably weakened as he sized up the person before him: tall, with medium-length hair, sharp features, a black silk shirt tucked into jeans, and a straight-backed posture. The soft fabric clung to his frame, subtly outlining well-defined muscles. His sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, revealing forearms that radiated strength.
Someone coughed discreetly and muttered vaguely, “This guy’s trained, boss.”
Jiang Muhe smiled and said, “The bar manager is a good friend of mine. How about this—I’ll have him comp your bill and throw in two bottles of premium liquor for you.”
As he spoke, his hand casually trailed along the man’s heavily tattooed arm until it reached the wrist, where he suddenly twisted it with a sharp crack of bone. Numbness shot through the man’s entire body, leaving him frozen and staring in stunned disbelief.
Jiang Muhe still wore a warm smile, nodding slightly at the man.
The man found that smile utterly chilling; cold sweat broke out all over his body. Awkwardly forcing a grin, he handed the phone back to Liang Youyun.
This gesture was so subtle that no one present noticed it; everyone assumed the two had reached an understanding.
Only then did Jiang Muhe release his grip, lightly brushing twice at the man’s clothes: “Sorry about that; I’ve wrinkled your suit.”
Just then, Jiang Muhe’s friends arrived. Numerous and imposing, each looking far from approachable, they lined up behind him.
Yu Xiang, who had been lying face down on the table, suddenly lifted her head and mumbled drowsily, “Where’s the wine…”
Useless! Liang Youyun gritted her teeth. Seizing the moment as the situation turned in their favor, she yanked Yu Xiang up from her seat. “Let’s go, we’re going home!”
The commotion drew the bar manager over. The atmosphere eased slightly as both sides claimed it was all a misunderstanding, and several grown men shook hands to make peace.
Youyun supported Yuxiang for a few steps, then paused, turned around, and glanced back.
Jiang Muhe met her gaze.
Her expression was complex, conveying something indescribable.
Yuxiang retched a few times; Youyun had no time to think further—she absolutely couldn’t let this man vomit on her. They had to get out immediately!
Under the coconut tree at the entrance of the bar, Yu Xiang heaved and vomited everything out in one go.
“If you can’t hold your liquor, then don’t drink! Getting tricked like that without even realizing it—so foolish!” You Yun scolded while rummaging through her bag for tissues.
Just then, a handsome hand appeared before her eyes: well-defined knuckles, slightly prominent joints, and long, slender fingers, offering a stack of tissues. On the pure white, delicate surface were fine patterns; raindrops fell upon them, leaving damp traces.
You Yun looked up. It was him.
“Thank you.” She took it, unsure of what else to say beyond those words. Not daring to meet his eyes, she treated him as a complete stranger. “Thank you for helping us. Um… let me repay you for the drinks just now!”
“No need. It was nothing.”
Yu Xiang held onto the coconut tree to stand up; her dizziness had lessened, though she still felt a bit disoriented. She said to Liang Youyun, “Sister, let’s head back to Mengla. I’m so sleepy…”
“Alright, alright, I’ll call a car right away,” Liang Youyun replied, taking out her phone.
Jiang Muhe looked up at the sky as the rain began to fall harder.
“It’s hard to get a taxi during the holidays, and it’s late with rain pouring down. Why not stay overnight in Jinghong?”
“Uh… I’ll try calling first; maybe I can get one…” Youyun kept her head down.
“Are you heading back to Mengla? I’m going there too. Why not ride with me? It’s on my way,” Jiang Muhe interjected before she could speak.
His words unsettled Liang Youyun; she was pretending they were mere strangers, yet he acted like an old friend.
Yet for some reason, though she didn’t reply, her heart had already agreed to his offer. Unconsciously, she let down her guard against him.
She was not someone who easily trusted others, especially men, after having been hurt so many times.
In the days that followed, whenever she recalled this scene, her heart would inexplicably race; perhaps even she herself didn’t realize that some stirrings of affection had arrived sooner than she expected.
Jiang Muhe’s car was parked right outside the bar, just a few steps away.
He opened the rear door, and Liang Youyun helped Yu Xiang inside, but once Yu Xiang settled into the seat, she immediately lay down, as comfortable as if sleeping in her own bed, her face radiating contentment.
Youyun was speechless; with her like this, there was no way she could get into the car.
“Take the front passenger seat,” Jiang Muhe said, his voice low and deep. He stood right behind her, their bodies close together.
“Alright,” Youyun replied.
Jiang Muhe closed the rear door properly, then opened the front door, preparing to get in.
But Liang Youyun found her feet rooted to the spot; she disliked hiding and skulking, and even less could she pretend or put on a false show.
“Please wait a moment.”
She called out to him; he turned around and faced her.
“You… aren’t you the one who…” She parted her lips, her heart filled with unease, unsure how to voice that first explanation, “the one who saved people in the rainforest… Mr. Jiang?”
Jiang Muhe looked at her, her long hair cascading over her shoulders as raindrops fell, forming a thin mist on her bare skin.
A similar mist settled in his heart.
He offered a faint smile and reached out his hand first. “It’s me. Jiang Muhe—’Mu’ as in admiration, ‘He’ as in harmony.”
This was the first time he had formally introduced himself: candid, carefree, and somewhat…
In short, Liang Youyun detected something unusual in his eyes—an indescribable sensation that brushed against her heart, much like the light rain falling silently at this very moment, dense and fine, stirring an itch within her soul.
She exhaled softly, extended her right hand, and introduced herself: “I’m Liang Youyun. ‘Liang’ as in ‘pillar,’ and ‘You’ means…”
“I know.” His voice was gentle, the corners of his lips curling upward. “The rain is getting heavier. Let’s get in the car!”