Newborn 1927

Yang Jiefang led Liu Yamei to the pre-booked Western restaurant. He gentlemanly pulled out a chair for her, and only sat down opposite her after she was settled. Perhaps because they were both Chinese, the waiter who served them was also Chinese. After ordering, Liu Yamei said, "Such a romantic dinner, how can it be without wine? How about a bottle of red wine?" Yang Jiefang smiled wryly, "I'm not much of a drinker." Whether before or after his rebirth, Yang Jiefang wasn't much of a drinker, much less a smoker. Liu Yamei said, "This is a rare opportunity! Have a drink with me, I haven't had one in ages. Red wine isn't very strong, you won't get drunk." Yang Jiefang reluctantly ordered another bottle of red wine.

Then, the two began to chat. Liu Yamei graduated from Xiangya Medical College in Changsha. At that time, there was a saying in China, "Peking Union Medical College in the North, Xiangya in the South," representing the highest level of medical care in the country. Xiangya Medical College was even rated by the United States as the best medical school in China. Liu Yamei had studied in the United States and was a member of the Yale-in-China Society. This made Yang Jiefang secretly determined to bring this woman into his field hospital.

The food and drinks were served quickly, and the two raised their glasses for a light clinking. Liu Yamei downed her wine in one gulp, swirling the glass in her hand—her meaning was clear. Yang Jiefang said, "Is this how you drink red wine? Isn't it supposed to be savored?" Yang Jiefang didn't usually drink and knew nothing about wine culture; he was just talking nonsense. Liu Yamei laughed, "San Yazi, I've already finished mine. It's not gentlemanly of you to be dragging your feet!" Yang Jiefang had no choice but to finish his wine in one go. To be honest, the wine tasted astringent, and Yang Jiefang didn't find it particularly delicious. He really didn't know where its fame came from.

Liu Yamei was very talkative and had progressive ideas; in short, she had a Chinese face but an American soul. She had married an American against her family's wishes, thinking she had married for love, but married life made her feel like she was in a cage, having lost her freedom. Not long after, she divorced. She then returned to China, but couldn't stand her mother's nagging, so she came here alone. She was a skilled doctor and a sociable person, very popular with the British ladies.

Their conversations extended far beyond that, covering a wide range of topics, from domestic to international, they could discuss anything. Since his rebirth, Yang Jiefang had been surrounded by many women, but these women's thinking was confined to this era, and they had never achieved a true connection with him on a spiritual level. When interacting with these women, he always felt like he was wearing a mask, that it wasn't his true self. But in his conversation with Liu Yamei, he experienced a special feeling, as if he were finally being his authentic self. He could speak freely, expressing his true thoughts without needing to feign anything.

Before they knew it, the two had finished a bottle of red wine. Yang Jiefang realized that he could actually drink quite a bit. Although he was a little dizzy, he was still relatively conscious. Liu Yamei wanted to open another bottle, but Yang Jiefang quickly stopped her, saying, "Sister, I've never drunk so much before, I really can't drink anymore." Liu Yamei laughed, "You invited me to dinner today because you wanted me to make a house call, right? If you make an exception and drink another bottle with me, I'll make an exception and make a house call too." How could Yang Jiefang refuse? He just reminded her, "Sister, if I get drunk and embarrass myself, don't laugh at me!" Liu Yamei replied, "If you really get drunk, I'll take care of you." Although red wine isn't very strong, you can still get drunk if you drink too much, let alone someone who can't hold their liquor. The two clinked glasses a couple more times, and Yang Jiefang was completely drunk and passed out.

When Yang Jiefang woke up again, he was lying on a comfortable large bed, covered with a soft, thin blanket. This was normal, but what was abnormal was that he was holding a soft body in his arms. The texture was smooth and delicate, and as an experienced man, Yang Jiefang knew, of course, that he was holding a woman. Suddenly sensing something was wrong, he opened his eyes and looked closely, only to see Liu Yamei smiling at him. Yang Jiefang lifted the blanket and saw that both of them were indeed naked. Yang Jiefang couldn't remember what had happened after he got drunk the night before. He looked at Liu Yamei awkwardly and said, "Sister, what's going on?"

Liu Yamei scolded, "What are you pretending for? Isn't it obvious what happened?" Yang Jiefang said, "I think I drank too much last night." Liu Yamei replied, "I know." Yang Jiefang continued, "I don't know what I did while I was drunk; it wasn't my intention." Liu Yamei said with a half-smile, "So you're saying you don't want to take responsibility, and you're going to deny everything after you've done your job?" Yang Jiefang smiled bitterly, "Sister, I have a fiancée." Liu Yamei asked, "Is your fiancée prettier than me?" Yang Jiefang replied, "They each have their own merits; it's hard to say. But it's not about who's prettier; the problem is I can't explain it to her!" Liu Yamei said, "Fiancée? That means you're not married yet. You can't even explain that? Then we're a real married couple now! Tell me, how are you going to explain this to me?" Yang Jiefang countered, "How do you want to explain this?"

Liu Yamei replied, "Don't worry! I won't force you to marry me, but when I miss you, you have to come and stay with me for a few days. Is that too much to ask?" Yang Jiefang retorted, "Not too much? Sister, what kind of person do you take me for?" Liu Yamei explained, "My man! Don't think I'm a casual woman. Actually, you're my second man. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll also be my last man. The reason I got divorced was because married life was like a cage, not the life I wanted. But after the divorce, I realized that women really can't live without the nourishment of love. So, I need a man. Who told you to come to me like this? Actually, you're not losing out. Having a virtuous wife at home and a romantic one outside, isn't that the life you men want? We're getting what we need now, isn't that great? Don't look down on me because I'm older! I understand what I should understand; and I can pretend not to understand what I shouldn't."

Yang Jiefang understood. This woman didn't want marriage, but love—a relationship not aimed at marriage. That's incredibly progressive! Yang Jiefang continued, "Why did you choose me? With your looks, you must have many suitors." Liu Yamei reached out and stroked Yang Jiefang's face, replying, "There aren't many men I find attractive. I'd rather stay single than settle. A handsome, sweet-talking, romantic, and charming young man like you is exactly my type. Is that answer satisfactory?" Yang Jiefang laughed, "Since you've said so, it wouldn't be normal for me to refuse." He suddenly realized that his deliberate attempts to please her last night had been a bit too much.

Liu Yamei smiled charmingly and said, "That's right! My dear brother, you drank too much last night and didn't enjoy yourself enough, did you? How about you enjoy yourself now?" Yang Jiefang shook his head and said, "I'm afraid I can't." Liu Yamei asked curiously, "Why?" Yang Jiefang smiled bitterly, "I had my foreskin removed not long ago, and it hasn't fully healed yet." Liu Yamei was taken aback at first, then suddenly lifted the blanket and examined him carefully. Sure enough, there were signs of tearing at the suture site, making it unsuitable for strenuous exercise. Then, she laughed and chuckled, "I never expected this! You look like an expert, but you're actually a novice, and I got the first taste!" Yang Jiefang was utterly frustrated.

Liu Yamei quickly dressed, covering her alluring body. Then, she found a first-aid kit and said, "Lie still, I'll take care of you." Yang Jiefang lay down as instructed, letting Liu Yamei apply the medicine. Liu Yamei was very careful. After applying the medicine, she got up and said, "This is my home, you should rest here today! I have to go to work, I'll cook you something delicious when I get back." Yang Jiefang got up and dressed, saying, "Sister, I came here to discuss business, and the deal isn't finalized yet, how can I lie here motionless?" Liu Yamei came over to help him dress, saying, "Okay, I won't interfere with your business. Remember to come back for dinner after you're done. I'll be waiting for you!"

In this era, coal was commonly used for cooking in cities, and lighting a stove was a time-consuming task. There wasn't time to make breakfast, so Liu Yamei went out and bought two breakfasts, which she ate with Yang Jiefang. While she was out buying breakfast, Yang Jiefang looked around. This was her residence, a suite in a Western-style building, not luxuriously decorated, but very tastefully furnished. This woman had a considerable income and knew how to enjoy life.

After breakfast, Liu Yamei quickly tidied herself up and headed out to work. Yang Jiefang didn't linger and went out with her. As they left, he glanced back, carefully memorizing the house number. Yang Jiefang's matter wasn't urgent, so he took Liu Yamei to the hospital first.

Watching Liu Yamei enter the hospital, Yang Jiefang turned around and found Yan Donglai beside him. Yang Jiefang said irritably, "Weren't you supposed to secretly protect me? Is this how you protect me?" Yan Donglai looked puzzled, unsure what he had done wrong. Yang Jiefang continued, "Last night I had someone get me drunk and you didn't come to my rescue. You just watched that woman take me away. Luckily nothing bad happened. If it had been a female assassin, would you have been able to save me?" Yan Donglai was a little embarrassed. He knew Yang Jiefang couldn't drink, but he never expected he couldn't even outdrink a woman.

Yan Donglai replied, "That woman last night wasn't a female assassin." Yang Jiefang said seriously, "Special operations are very covert. Didn't I teach you about disguise? To get close to a target, a man can disguise himself as a woman, and a woman can disguise herself as a man. An assassin never wears the word 'assassin' on his face. He will always appear beside the target in an identity you can't imagine, at an unexpected time, and in a way you can't imagine." Yan Donglai was confused and asked, "Then how do we defend against it?" Yang Jiefang replied, "You have to be wary of anyone and anything that appears near the person you're protecting. Even their bedmate is no exception."

Yan Donglai asked, "Is this really appropriate? Like last night, you were having a good time, and then the brothers barged in. Isn't that a bad idea?" Yang Jiefang couldn't help but laugh and cry, saying, "Why don't you understand what I mean? What I mean is, a good hunter often appears next to his prey in the guise of prey. Some female assassins will approach their targets by sacrificing their looks and then strike when the target is off guard. Something unusual is bound to happen, you know? I only met her yesterday, and we're not even close enough to be in bed together yet. If anything seems amiss, you guys should step in and stop it. Don't take any chances!"

Yan Donglai inwardly scoffed, "This is a classic case of getting the better deal and then complaining!" He replied, "Actually, the brothers have been keeping an eye on things outside the whole time. Didn't they notice she had ill intentions? If she really did, she could have had her fun first and then made her move. Wouldn't it be a shame to miss out on such a beautiful woman?" Yang Jiefang said seriously, "If you have that kind of thought, you'll die from a woman sooner or later."

Yan Donglai, however, didn't care at all, saying, "We only have one worthless life. If that day ever comes, dying under a peony flower will be a romantic death. Little Master, tell me, did you enjoy it last night?" Yang Jiefang was speechless. Putting aside the fact that he was drunk last night and didn't feel anything, in these kinds of things, whoever takes the initiative enjoys it, regardless of gender. His first time after transmigrating was being forced into a relationship, which was incredibly frustrating.

Yang Jiefang then asked, "Have you found anything about the person I asked you to investigate?" Yan Donglai replied, "I found some information. This Qi Xiaobao wears a suit and tie to work, and after get off work he changes into something else and spends the night on a fishing boat by the sea. There's an old fisherman on the boat, surnamed Wang, whom Qi Xiaobao calls Grandpa Wang. That Grandpa Wang also has a grandson and a granddaughter; the grandson, Wang Dahai, is about the same age as Qi Xiaobao, and the granddaughter, Wang Xiaoxi, is about fourteen or fifteen years old, not yet an adult." Yang Jiefang asked, "Are there only four of them on the boat?" Yan Donglai replied, "The fishing boat isn't big, it can't accommodate too many people, so we've only found the four of them so far. This Qi Xiaobao is quite popular and gets along well with the other fishermen around! After he went back yesterday, he went to several fishing boats. They were far apart, so I don't know what they talked about. It seems everyone likes him, calling him 'Xiaobao, Xiaobao' from afar."

Yang Jiefang laughed and said, "Luckily, his surname isn't Wei. Is there any other news?" If this is all the information we've gathered, it's really not worth mentioning. Yan Dong replied, “We asked around among the fishermen. Qi Xiaobao is an orphan, raised by Grandpa Wang, who treats him even better than his own grandson. When Qi Xiaobao wanted to go to school as a child, Grandpa Wang didn't hesitate and took his grandson fishing every day to support his education. Qi Xiaobao is very smart; he can speak not only Western languages ​​but also Japanese, Russian, and Korean. I don't know how he learned them. He works for a foreign company and earns a good salary, but apart from wearing a suit and tie to work, his clothes after get off work are no different from those of ordinary fishermen. He gives his entire monthly salary to Grandpa Wang, who then helps those struggling fishermen. Qi Xiaobao also has a group of fishermen brothers around him. They don't usually show off, but everyone considers him their backbone. Once, a fishing bully caused trouble for those fishermen, and it was Qi Xiaobao who stepped in and resolved the situation. Little Boss, this guy reminds me a lot of you. What are you planning to do next?”

Yang Jiefang said, "Of course, I want to recruit him." Yan Donglai said, "I'm afraid this person won't be easy to subdue." Yang Jiefang, however, became interested and said, "As long as the method is right, there is no one who cannot be subdued. You have hunted with Sun Zhiyong before, so you should know that to catch prey, you need to have a good understanding of it. Hearsay is too superficial. Let's go to the seaside, I want to go aboard the fishing boat myself and take a look."