Chapter Five: To think there could still be such a pure soul in this world.

After confirming Zhang Fan’s identity, the beautiful woman was surprisingly shy. Her pure, lovely face flushed like a sunset glowing across the horizon, the color spreading all the way to her earlobes. She did not even dare to meet Zhang Fan’s gaze, turning her head away in bashfulness. Though she was dressed as a mature, intellectual beauty, at this moment she acted like a little girl, her breathing growing noticeably rapid.

"Zhang Fan, d-do you remember a girl from middle school who wore black-rimmed glasses, had long bangs, and always wore black clothes?"

Zhang Fan and Zhao Tiezhu both fell into their memories. But as men in their thirties, they understood that memories from middle or high school were simply too distant. Unless it was someone they were very close with or someone they had a grudge against, it was basically impossible to recall. They would even forget the names.

Zhang Fan looked apologetic. "I’m sorry, that was twenty years ago. Who are you?"

Seeing that Zhang Fan did not remember her, the girl was not saddened; instead, she became even more shy, keeping her head lowered. "Oh, it’s only natural that you wouldn't remember someone like me. Back then, my parents were extremely strict. They didn't allow me to speak to boys and forced me to focus entirely on my studies."

She gathered her courage and looked at Zhang Fan with a face so beautiful it was breathtaking. "I am Zhu Qing'an. Do you remember me now?"

Zhang Fan brainstormed, and before long, a vague, silent figure came to mind. His eyes lit up with great surprise as he looked Zhu Qing'an up and down. Zhao Tiezhu was also stunned, staring at her.

"You’re little An? My god! You’ve changed so much! I remember back then, because your style was so dowdy, the girls in class used to bully you. Once, they dragged you into an alley to harass you, and Brother Fan and I happened to be passing by. Brother Fan beat them up, right? If I recall correctly, he beat them so badly they were hospitalized with fractures that very night, and a few of them even transferred schools."

Zhu Qing'an’s face turned bright red as she nodded gently. "Yes, that's right. I still remember what happened that day. I was so terrified, but Zhang Fan descended like a hero and saved me. Ever since then, everyone thought I was Zhang Fan’s girlfriend, and they were all too scared to bother me again." At this, she beamed with joy and couldn't help but laugh.

Zhang Fan smiled as well. "Old classmates reuniting—come, sit with us and have a drink."

However, Zhu Qing'an did not dare sit on Zhang Fan’s side; instead, she chose to sit next to Zhao Tiezhu. She still didn't quite dare to look at Zhang Fan, tilting her head slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with agitation. "Z-Zhang Fan, are you married now?"

At the mention of his failed marriage, Zhang Fan sighed. "Yes."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qing'an looked dazed, and her eyes turned red almost instantly. She grabbed onto Zhao Tiezhu’s thigh, her fingernails digging deep into his flesh.

Zhao Tiezhu was speechless, forced to endure the intense pain, his face contorting in agony. "But, I just got divorced today. She cheated on me."

Zhu Qing'an was ecstatic. She looked up at Zhang Fan, trembling with excitement. "You're divorced? Really? Oh? No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so happy. I just, I just..."

Zhao Tiezhu was on the verge of tears. *My lady, take it easy! I'm a grown man, not exactly delicate, but I can't take this kind of pinching!*

Zhang Fan looked at Zhu Qing'an with curiosity. "Just what?"

Zhu Qing'an couldn't bring herself to say the rest. She pulled a business card from her chest, her heart racing, and took off in a hurry. As she rushed away, she left behind only one sentence: "Zhang Fan, I have some business to attend to. When you're free, please, p-please give me a call."

Her graceful figure vanished without a trace. Zhang Fan was left bewildered and confused. Still, he picked up his phone, noted the number, and gave her a call.

Zhu Qing'an, hiding in a corner, quickly memorized the number as it rang, crouching on the ground and wiping away her tears. *Brother, I’ve finally found you! Ever since you graduated high school, I’ve been looking for you for so many years. I even tried to find you at university, but you were never there. I never expected to see you again. And you’re divorced. How could she bear to divorce a man as good as you?*

Another woman walked over, bowing respectfully. "Director Zhu, the Chairman wants you to come over immediately. It's urgent."

Zhu Qing'an instantly reverted to her usual aloof demeanor, radiating a powerful presence. One would never guess she was the same shy little girl who had been at a loss for words in front of Zhang Fan. Although her eyes were still a bit red, her assistant dared not ask. She gave a curt nod and took one last look at Zhang Fan. "Take me there."

...

Meanwhile, Zhang Fan looked at Zhao Tiezhu in surprise. "What was that all about?"

Zhao Tiezhu clutched his forehead. "Seriously, Brother Fan? You can't tell? It’s obvious. Your heroic deeds back then left an indelible mark on that girl’s heart. She was just too shy to face you; when she heard you were divorced, she almost shouted out in joy."

Zhang Fan made a sound of disbelief and took a sip of his drink. "No way. To be honest, I really don't believe such pure love exists in this world anymore. Plus, I haven't seen her since high school graduation. How could she like me?"

Zhao Tiezhu gave a bitter laugh and rolled up his pant leg, pointing helplessly at the marks on his leg. "See for yourself. She almost pinched me to death when she was talking to you just now."

Seeing the bruises on Zhao Tiezhu’s leg, Zhang Fan fell silent. After a long while, he shook his head. "She really is a rare, good girl to be so pure about a relationship. But I just got divorced, and I don't want to talk about love. I need to focus on taking care of my daughter first."

Zhao Tiezhu drank in silence beside him.

...

Haishi International Airport. Liu Yan, filled with excitement, held up a sign and waited at the arrivals gate. When she saw a Caucasian man, she waved frantically. "John! I'm over here! John!"

The blonde man named John heard the familiar voice and looked toward Liu Yan. They locked eyes and both broke into smiles. John, acting the part of a refined gentleman, walked over and hugged Liu Yan affectionately around the waist. "My dear, I’ve missed you so much. Even though we’ve been in a confirmed relationship online for five years, seeing you in person feels different. But, what happened to the bruises on your face?"

Liu Yan hugged John back and kissed him hard on the lips. "I-I told you, my ex-husband is a man who loves domestic violence. My dear, I’ve already divorced him, but he won't stop pestering me. I don't know what to do."

John’s expression turned serious immediately. "It’s okay. We’ll go to the embassy right now and register our marriage. Once we're married, you'll be an American citizen, and you can get our green card."

Liu Yan nodded repeatedly, whispering sweet nothings in John’s arms. A strange glint flashed in John’s eyes, though he quickly returned to his gentlemanly, sympathetic facade. "Yes, we can head back to the States tonight. Yan, what about your daughter? We can take her with us."