Ji Yi realized something and continued to search through the metal tree. Then she saw possibly the Korean, English, French... and the familiar Chinese words for "happy birthday."
So the words I can't read are the different translations for "happy birthday"?
With that thought, Ji Yi pulled out her phone and took a few photos. She put the pictures through a translation app and it was just as she thought - they all read "happy birthday."
Did He Jichen... give me a tree full of lipstick with birthday wishes?
Her mind was so preoccupied with the tree filled with lipstick that she didn't realize He Jichen had already stepped out from the washroom and was standing behind her.
"I wanted to mail it by air back to your house in Beijing, but I never thought you'd come over here, so I asked Chen Bai to set up these decorations at the last minute."
When she heard that, Ji Yi quickly turned around to look at the man behind her. That was when she realized he only asked to get some coffee to stall for Chen Bai.
"I know you're upset over your mum's injury, so I got a few extra lipsticks for you."
By that, does he mean he's trying to cheer me up from ages ago when I got hurt?
He had to make Ji Yi suffer for a bit for her own good, and although it may have implicated her mum, he hadn't meant for that to happen.
When she learned the truth, she decided to forgive him right away, but she never imagined he actually kept the matter close at heart...
Ji Yi's heart suddenly started to tremble softly.
She thought He Jichen finished speaking, so she was taken aback when he said: "I hope this is the last time I have to give you lipstick."
I told him before: Women love to be given lipstick when they're mad. If one tube of lipstick can't resolve the issue, then two. If two can't resolve the issue, then give the woman a whole set! He said he hopes this is the last time he'll have to give me lipstick. Is he telling me he won't ever upset me again?
Ji Yi's heart raced violently as her gaze into He Jichen's eyes quivered.
The room was incredibly silent.
Under the lights of the metal tree, Ji Yi stared unwaveringly at He Jichen.
Having finished his monologue, He Jichen made his way towards Ji Yi.
As he drew closer to her one step at a time, Ji Yi could feel her heart jump like lightning, like it could leap out from her throat at any time.
When He Jichen paused in front of Ji Yi, her entire body shivered for a moment like she'd been electrocuted. She withdrew her gaze from He Jichen and silently retreated into the washroom and slammed the door shut.
After locking the door, she leaned into the wooden door then placed her hand over her racing heart going "bang bang bang" in her chest. She took deep breaths to calm herself down.
When her heart rate returned to normal, Ji Yi straightened up and walked over to the sink.
She turned the tap on and splashed a handful of cold water on her face. Looking in the mirror, she stared at herself for a long time. She suddenly realized why she stood outside He Jichen's office and eavesdropped on his conversation with Chen Bai then hid in the alley behind the office, crying from heartbreak ages ago.