Chapter 33 – Love and Jigsaw Puzzles

In the afternoon, just as Bian Ji stepped out of the headquarters building, he pulled out his phone and messaged Qiao Yuan: [Brother Yuan, how was court?] Soon, Qiao Yuan replied: [Just finished. Although there wasn’t an immediate verdict, Attorney Yan was impressive; it doesn’t seem like there’ll be major issues.] Bian Ji filtered out and focused on the phrase “Attorney Yan was impressive,” excitedly responding with a voice message: “Fantastic, Brother Yuan! Where are you? Why don’t we gather tonight?”

His voice was clear and loud, accidentally broadcast through the speakerphone, evoking a sense of vigor reminiscent of old-century radio broadcasts.

Yan Ankuo was nearby, coincidentally with excellent hearing, naturally caught the conversation. He walked up to Qiao Yuan and nonchalantly asked, “Is that Chief Attendant Bian?”

Qiao Yuan hastily pocketed his phone, nodding and saying, “Yes,” but then realized there was no need to panic; talking to Bian Ji wasn’t illicit, so he confidently showed the chat screen and said, “Xiao Bian mentioned that he just got out of class and wondered if we should meet up.”

Yan Ankuo was skeptical, tilting his chin towards the phone, “Saying he wants to bring me along?”

“…” Qiao Yuan, who spent more time dealing with planes than people and lacked Bian Ji’s eloquence, was momentarily at a loss for words, “Ah, he didn’t say that, let me ask him.”

So, right in front of Yan Ankuo, he typed: [That, do you want to join Attorney Yan? He’s here too.] Bian Ji’s name suddenly changed to “typing…” Yan Ankuo watched the screen, where after a long input, only two words were sent: [Up to you.]

Qiao Yuan was perplexed, looking up for advice, “Xiao Bian said it’s up to me.”

Yan Ankuo had no intention of rescuing Qiao Yuan, remaining indifferent, “Mm, then it’s up to you.”

“Do you want me to go?” Qiao Yuan, never one for smooth talking, was nearly at a loss, “Sorry, I’m not sure about your current situation.”

Even the least perceptive could discern something was amiss — these two had definitely encountered some issue recently, otherwise, everything wouldn’t seem so odd — whether it was a verbal spat or romantic entanglement, Qiao Yuan didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire, deciding to pass the responsibility back to Bian Ji: [Let me discuss it with Attorney Yan.] Yan Ankuo, thus sold out, remained unperturbed, patiently awaiting Bian Ji’s reply.

Bian Ji quickly typed: [Okay, when you ask, don’t mention me; just say you want to meet up.] Yan Ankuo raised an eyebrow, self-mockingly saying, “It seems Chief Attendant Bian is avoiding me.”

Qiao Yuan rubbed his forehead, thinking Bian Ji had brought it up too late.

Yan Ankuo looked at Qiao Yuan’s phone screen, his expression suddenly becoming serious, the smile on his lips vanishing in an instant.

“Since that’s the case, let’s forget it.” Yan Ankuo patted Qiao Yuan’s shoulder, alluding to something, “I won’t disturb your mood tonight.”

Qiao Yuan hurriedly spoke up for him, “How could it be, did something happen between you and Xiao Bian? From what I gathered, he wanted to see you but feared you wouldn’t want to meet him, hence he asked me to keep it secret.”

Yan Ankuo tugged at the corner of his mouth, “We have no misunderstandings. It’s precisely because we’ve been open with each other that our current positions are awkward.”

Qiao Yuan was puzzled, “Hmm?”

“That’s all, Captain Qiao. Rest well before the judgment comes down, don’t rush.” Yan Ankuo tidied up his documents and bag, nodding in farewell, “Goodbye.”

“Today, I’m particularly grateful to you,” Qiao Yuan hesitantly said, “You really won’t join us?”

Yan Ankuo shook his head, “No, I have things to attend to at home.”

Worried about burdening Qiao Yuan, he opened his own WeChat, showing him a mountain of new messages, saying, “Mei has called me several times.”

“Alright, then I’ll treat you to dinner another day.”

“Goodbye, Captain Qiao.”

After bidding farewell, Yan Ankuo finally opened the message interface, seeing Yan Fanxuan’s consecutive WeChats, three-quarters of which were about Bian Ji, with only a few sporadically inquiring about his court appearance.

Yan Ankuo kept a stern face, replying with a quoted “good,” though it was unclear whether he was truly happy.

New messages from Yan Fanxuan soon arrived: [Brother, are you done?] Yan Ankuo: [Mm. Focus on your classes.] Yan Fanxuan: [Classes ended early!] Yan Ankuo: [Has the teacher left?] Yan Fanxuan: [Chief Attendant Bian left long ago, carrying something in his hand, looked like he had plans.] Yan Ankuo: [Understood.] Turning off his phone, Yan Ankuo realized he had been standing at the elevator entrance for ten minutes, yet the wretched Lincoln hadn’t shown up. He paced restlessly around the parking lot, finding the car fragrance uncomfortable upon entering the vehicle, placing it in a box to discard later.

Bian Ji specifically brought a snowflake crisp gift box to celebrate with Qiao Yuan.

The three met at a hotel under the airline’s umbrella near the airport. Nie Hang, fresh off a flight, still dressed in his pilot uniform, hurried over with long strides, offering concern to Qiao Yuan before sitting down, “What about the case?”

As the party involved was choosing dishes, Bian Ji answered for Qiao Yuan, “Don’t know, the verdict will be announced later, but it shouldn’t be the maximum compensation.”

“Wonderful!” Nie Hang unbuttoned his uniform jacket while raising his glass to drink, “Brother Yuan, congratulations.”

Qiao Yuan handed him the menu, “Thanks. Let’s order first, I’ve already ordered Australian lobster, what else do you want to eat?”

“Wow, extravagant, Boss Qiao.” Nie Hang didn’t decline his hospitality, ordering a wild yellow croaker, “That’s enough, can’t eat much more.”

The table was a large round rotating platter, with the three blocked from each other’s view by a decorative flower arrangement, able to see each other only by sitting straight. Nie Hang sat up, asking Qiao Yuan, “How was the court?”

Qiao Yuan spared no effort describing how perilous the opposing side’s surprise evidence was, how Attorney Yan turned the tide, how he cross-examined, leaving the other side speechless.

Since Attorney Yan was mentioned, Nie Hang couldn’t help but ask, “By the way, why didn’t he come today?”

“Attorney Yan said he had other matters,” Qiao Yuan paused, choosing to admit his mistake, “But sorry, I wasn’t supposed to mention you, but he saw it.”

“What?” Bian Ji, anxious, forgot to pour water, “Then he… did he say anything?”

“I sensed he might be a bit upset,” Qiao Yuan truthfully relayed, “Perhaps misunderstood something, assuming you were avoiding him.”

Bian Ji fell silent, seriously pondering.

“Hold on, hold on!” Nie Hang, having been stationed abroad for too long, was clueless about the situation at the table, raising his right hand to pause, “What’s going on?”

Although Qiao Yuan could guess, he couldn’t explain for the party involved, merely gesturing towards Bian Ji, “Ask him.”

Bian Ji, who originally planned to focus solely on eating fish, didn’t expect the topic to suddenly shift to him. He had to put down his chopsticks, summarizing his situation in a few words.

“It’s nothing, just discussed some emotional topics recently, suddenly feeling…” Bian Ji thought of an imprecise analogy, “Maybe we’re two puzzle pieces that don’t fit together.”

Nie Hang was confused, “What do you mean?”

“Our professions, personalities, views on love, nowhere do they align,” Bian Ji explained, “He’s the type who thinks far ahead, so he posed this question to me, then asked if I was prepared… to share social circles, life, and souls with him.”

“But you know, I can’t consider these things,” Bian Ji bitterly smiled, “Given my work and experiences, I don’t have the conditions to think about such things, and I still haven’t figured out how to solve it.”

Nie Hang didn’t quite understand, “Before you’re even together, he thinks so much?”

“In the past, I also felt it wasn’t necessary,” Bian Ji accurately analyzed himself, “I don’t like worrying about things that haven’t happened yet, but since feelings involve two people, given that he’s a risk-averse person, I can’t avoid delving deeper, right?”

Qiao Yuan frowned, “But, I don’t think he meant to avoid risks.”

Bian Ji was curious, “Hmm?”

Qiao Yuan cleared his throat, saying, “Today, he specifically asked me about you, if he didn’t have thoughts for the future, he wouldn’t frequently mention you everywhere. On the contrary, I feel that his questions to you weren’t avoidance, but fear.”

Bian Ji was puzzled, “He’s afraid?”

“Yes, afraid you’ll change your mind, afraid it’s just a passing whim, afraid you’ll leave after getting close.” Qiao Yuan earnestly analyzed, “To my knowledge, Attorney Yan is very meticulous, accustomed to controlling the pace, everything has a schedule, probably including romance — so, he may fear being with someone like you… how to put it, someone who can’t be planned for?”

Bian Ji bitterly smiled, “Then I have to think even clearer, what if we really don’t fit together?”

“You can think all you want, but don’t freeze him out,” Qiao Yuan furrowed his brow, utterly perplexed, “Besides, is it absolutely necessary for you to be two perfectly matching puzzle pieces to be together?”

Bian Ji was taken aback, “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“You’re going to be in a relationship, not playing jigsaw,” Qiao Yuan repeated, spreading his hands, one up and one down, on the table, “Personally, I think him laying out the Lin Yu matter to you was to tell you: there are no identical puzzle pieces, everyone needs adjustment, and results aren’t guaranteed to be good.”

Bian Ji recalled the story that began in university, convinced that Qiao Yuan’s words held truth.

“You’re right,” Bian Ji humbly accepted the advice, “I’ll think about it more carefully.”