Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
When she said that, Lu Jia’er instantly realized she was being too abrupt. Unfortunately it was not easy to take back your words. Once water is spilt, you can never retrieve it.
Jin Xiangdong was a master at not betraying his emotions. A latent light had flashed in his eyes before they returned to normal. He looked over Lu Jia’er’s face, wondering if she was serious or not.
Lu Jia’er was looking into his eyes with astonishment, curiosity and expectation. She hadn’t been interested in a person at first sight like this in a long time, much less in a man.
Although he already knew all of Lu Jia’er’s personal information extensively, he understood that it was only after people got along for some time that they would start to know each other. So, after thinking for a few seconds, Jin Xiangdong answered, “I am hard to pursue!”
“Hard to pursue? So am I to understand that this means it is still possible to pursue you?” Lu Jia’er interpreted.
Gazing at her, Jin Xiangdong said, “The odds are most certainly against you!”
“I like to challenge myself!” Lu Jia’er said.
Jin Xiangdong kindly reminded her. “Life is short. Time is precious. Don’t squander it.”
His cold but low and deep voice entered Lu Jia’er’s ears, it felt like pleasant classical music and served to multiply her interest in him.
Not only because he was Jin Xiangdong, but also because he was handsome. The most important reason was that she couldn’t read his heart completely. Even if she had used her knowledge of behavioral psychology, his thoughts were still beyond her perception at the moment.
So in just a few minutes, Lu Jia’er had concluded that he was a very special man which evoked a strong desire within her to explore his unique facets.
However, such straightforward dialogue for their first meeting might scare him off and make it so that she would be unable to explore his ‘specialness’ further.
“Time is really precious and we should not squander it.” Jia’er smiled. “Mr. Jin, I’ve taken liberties and spoken to you improperly. The rumors about you are widespread. Hence, when meeting you in person, I was curious as to what sort of reaction a genius like you would have when faced with a sudden, outrageous statement.”
Jin Xiangdong looked at the smile on Lu Jia’er’s face. “Was that a psychological examination?”
Lu Jia’er did not respond directly, but smiled at him instead.
Jin Xiangdong wasn’t bothered and answered himself, completely undistracted from his train of thought. “But I thought it was real!”
When Lu Jia’er heard this she blinked and felt chastised. She smiled bashfully. “You thought my falling in love with you at first sight was real?”
“Yes!” Jin Xiangdong nodded.
Lu Jia’er couldn’t help laughing and then boldly answered, “If it was real, would your answer change?”
“Professor Lu,” Jin Xiangdong looked her in the eye. “Would you like me to change my answer?”
The questioned Lu Jia’er felt as though she were being teased. Shyness surfaced on her face unconsciously. She quickly shifted the topic. “Please allow me to introduce myself. Lu Jia’er, Visiting Scholar at B University!”
“AI Project Director of BUA Technology, Jin Xiangdong. You can also call me Ace!”
…
Half an hour later, the two drove to a Japanese restaurant.
They pushed the door open and entered the store that was playing Aoi Teshima’s Sayonara no Natsu’s soothing and warm melodies. The coolness in the room dispelled the summer heat of every guest who came in.
Entering a booth, the two sat down face to face and Jin Xiangdong asked Lu Jia’er to order.
“Japanese-style raw beef, signature cheese rolls, and a thick cut salmon…” Lu Jia’er was skilled in ordering food.
Afterward, Lu Jia’er handed the menu to Jin Xiangdong and said: “Mr. Jin, please order a few more.”
Jin Xiangdong said, “I’ll just leave it up to you. By the way, please call me Ace, I insist.”
Lu Jia’er ordered two more dishes before she closed the menu and looked at Jin Xiangdong opposite of her as she teased. “Ace! Noble! First class! You’re just like the name!”
“This name was given to me by my father!” Jin Xiangdong explained.
“Your father was clearly a visionary.” Lu Jia’er praised.
“I will pass on your words to my father.” Jin Xiangdong said.
Lu Jia’er smiled while Jin Xiangdong changed topics and cut to the chase. “Professor Lu, did the invitation from our company not meet your requirements?”
“No. I am simply not qualified!” Lu Jia’er said.
“Professor Lu, you are being too modest!” Jin Xiangdong said.
What Jin Xiangdong had said was correct. Lu Jia’er was being too modest. Although only 25 years of age, she was the youngest Assistant Professor at B University. She had earned her place in the field of Behavioral Psychology, not only in China, but also the world. In the words of her graduate tutor, Professor Han. “She’s a psychology prodigy.”
However, Lu Jia’er was quite clear that she was not a prodigy at all and that she was just different from ordinary people.