A Love Letter from Lhasa 25

Chapter 24: Su Limin’s Gentle Trap

01
The character design office was heavy with tension. Except for Emily, everyone frowned at Tang Huaimin. He sensed the unfriendly atmosphere and went to the water cooler to brew tea. Someone whispered behind him:
“I heard this guy is no ordinary person; Old Hall brought him from the streets…”

“Are they talking about me?” Huaimin feigned ignorance and returned to his desk.

A pop-up on his computer from Emily read:
"Tang, everyone is talking about you. The new draft you designed was sent to the whole department. The meeting just now discussed it. Your creativity outshined them all, so Director Su asked them to redo the designs, which made them unhappy. In short, they can’t stand seeing you perform better. Don’t worry; the boss supports you, and I’m on your side. –Emily"

Looking up, Huaimin saw Emily making a face at him. His intuition screamed: “This is serious!” He felt uneasy: “What the heck is going on? I just followed Director Su’s instructions, yet caused such a stir. Who did I offend?”

02
Before leaving work, Su Limin called Tang Huaimin to dinner:
“Company Japanese restaurant, let’s discuss business over Japanese cuisine. Can you come?”

Huaimin hesitated: “Can I give you my answer in five minutes?”
Su Limin smiled teasingly: “Ah, so you’re a member of the Fearful Husband Association.”
“Just reporting, mutual respect!”
“Alright, waiting for your reply.”

Huaimin called Annie, telling her about the dinner.
“Don’t drink! You still have an hour’s drive back.”
“I know! Leave a light on for me in the living room.”
“I will. Go handle business.”

Huaimin packed his briefcase, put on his suit, shut down his computer, and left.

At the restaurant, they sat cross-legged at a small square table. The waiter brought a hot pot, sashimi, thin Wagyu slices, a basket of fried food, and two small bottles of sake.

Su Limin picked up a bottle, about to pour Huaimin a cup. He stopped her:
“Driving back later, I can’t drink, sorry.”

A hint of disdain flashed on her face: “Your wife warned you? Fine, a gentleman is never forced.”

“Today, I’m in a very good mood!” Su Limin asked: “Do you know why?”
Huaimin shook his head, smiling.

Su Limin squinted mysteriously: “You brought me good luck! Come, eat!”
“You mean my animation draft?” Huaimin thought of the work he finished in two days.

“Yes! Old Hall wasn’t wrong. You alone equal half a team. Compared to my B- and C-level animators, they’re useless!”
“Thank you for your trust, Director. But I worry…” Huaimin felt uneasy, fearing ostracism from senior colleagues.

Su Limin: “Worried about seniors resenting you?”
Huaimin nodded.
“Think positively: not envied means mediocrity! And with me here, no one dares bully you.”

“Director, I…” Huaimin hesitated.
“There’s no one here; just call me Limin. I’m two years older, feels closer, no hierarchy.”
Huaimin shyly: “Okay, Limin.”

“I showed your draft and CD to Minister Smith; he highly praises your ability.”
Huaimin moved: “Thank you, Limin.”

“According to company promotion policy, training lasts 3–6 months. Smith agreed I can complete your training in the shortest time, making you a C-level animator. But more importantly… we’ll team up for the Greater China A3 project!” Su Limin detailed her agreement with Smith.

“Greater China A3? What’s that?” Huaimin asked.
“It’s the next major animated film after Mulan and Kung Fu Panda, targeting Greater China audiences.”

Huaimin nodded: “I understand, but the project sounds huge.”
“Hundreds of millions in investment—of course it’s big.”
“I just joined the company; I’m inexperienced, I worry…”
“Why? Worried senior animators won’t respect you?”
“Yeah.”

“Ha! In highly competitive companies, the best opportunities go to the most capable. Old Hall personally discovered us. This is my fifth year; I’m chief examiner. Honestly, your skill surpasses mine!”

“Limin, that’s pressure!”
“Life is simple: endure, strike, or get out. Don’t think I’m just a reckless female boss; in the workplace, use strategy and adaptability.”

Huaimin scratched his head: “Your words are worth ten years of study!”

“Back to the A3 project. We’ll work together from this project. Learn from me; I’ll rely on your support. Brothers and sisters, win-win! Cheers!” She raised the sake bottle, drank three cups; Huaimin politely returned one.

“From now on, you’re my little brother. We share meat and soup together.” Three cups down, Su Limin’s mature charm and flushed cheeks made Huaimin feel dizzy.
“Thank you, Limin!” He couldn’t tell if he was moved or enchanted.

“Next Wednesday, come with me to Seattle to meet our company’s master Glen Keane. That’s my birthday too.”
Huaimin nodded, excited to meet the retired animation master.
She hinted I should give a gift… what should I prepare?

“What birthday gift would you like, Limin?”
“The Alishan tea and coffee you sent earlier are enough.” She added: “The chef here is also from Osaka, handpicked by Old Hall. His skills are superb.”
Huaimin nodded: “Fresh ingredients, well paired.”

03
Huai-Min’s car arrived at his home around 10 p.m. The lights in the living room and Annie’s study were on. Huai-Min knew Annie was still busy with her thesis and was waiting for him.

Entering the living room, Annie came forward to hug him and helped him take off his suit jacket and briefcase. Huai-Min sat on the sofa, removed his shoes and socks, and leaned back, staring blankly at the vase on the coffee table.

Annie hung his suit on a hanger, placed the briefcase on the table, and sat beside him. “What’s wrong, Huai-Min?”
“Something happened at the office today…” Huai-Min said, his expression weary, speaking in a dull tone.
“Did it upset you?”
“It’s about the new draft I worked on last weekend. Director Su praised it, but many senior colleagues were displeased with me.”
“They’re upset over that? Aren’t they being a little petty?”
“Because Director Su thought their work was unsatisfactory and asked them to redo the design.”
“So they took it out on you?”
“Yeah,” Huai-Min nodded wryly, then continued, “Director Su invited me to discuss work. She said she wants to team up with me for the Greater China Project A3, and also take me to meet animation master Glen Keane.”
“That sounds like Director Su truly values you and is eager to mentor you,” Annie smiled. “Hall guided you in at the start; Director Su is actively nurturing you. Both are benefactors in your life. As for those colleagues who are dissatisfied, if you stay humble and get along with them, their impression of you will gradually improve.”

Annie’s gentle words eased Huai-Min’s mind. He reached out to hug her. “Annie, I’m so glad I have you.”
“This weekend we’ll pick cherries together. I want to make some jam. You can help by taking the jars from the storage room and cleaning them.”
“Sure. Next Wednesday, Director Su is taking me to Seattle to meet Glen Keane. I might be gone for three days.”
“Remember to request leave from the language center,” Annie reminded.
“I will. Next Wednesday happens to be Director Su’s birthday. What should I get her?”
“Just cherry jam. Elegant yet inexpensive.”

04
In the business class cabin, Huai-Min was working on storyboards on his laptop.

Suli-Min leaned over. “What are you working on, Min-Di?”
“The assignment you gave me.”
“Oh! That’s not urgent; you can finish it within two weeks.”
“But you said last week it should be done in one. I was worried I couldn’t finish.”
“Business trips don’t count. Put the laptop away, listen to music or play games, relax a bit.”
“All right.” Huai-Min closed his laptop.

Suli-Min asked, “Want to play Monster Battle together?”
“Sure, though I rarely play video games, so I might be slow.”
She smiled. “Me too; I rarely play them.”

She opened the screen on the back of her seat and leaned close. Huai-Min’s face and hands brushed against her hair, and her subtle scent deepened his memory, making him increasingly distracted…

05
The taxi drove toward the Bay Villa area, passing a gated entrance with guards. Luxurious villas appeared, scattered on gentle slopes behind the coastline, each with beautifully landscaped gardens.

The driver said, “This is a paradise for the wealthy. Many rich and famous people own property here.”
Huai-Min asked, “These villas must be expensive?”
“Of course. At my income, even if I didn’t eat or drink, it would take over a hundred years to afford one. Even if you could buy it, the living costs are enormous.”
“What do you mean by high living costs?”
“This area has a full security system, armed guards around the clock. Just that alone costs about $10,000 per month, according to my friend.”
Huai-Min nodded, “That’s indeed expensive.”

The taxi stopped at a villa. Suli-Min and Huai-Min got out, greeted by the butler. “The master is waiting in the hall. Please come in.”

Inside, the high-ceilinged hall had Nordic decor with a vintage elegance. Suli-Min extended her arms to hug Glen Keane cheek-to-cheek, then Glen shook Huai-Min’s hand.

Glen smiled, “So, Su, this is the magic artist Hall mentioned?”
“Yes! Uncle Glen, this is Tang, Disney’s future golden key.”

They sat on the sofa facing each other. The maid brought coffee.

“Thanks for visiting often, Su. You’re here about the Greater China Project A3, right?”
“Yes! Uncle, you always know things in advance,” Suli-Min said with a smile.

Glen took out his pipe and packed it with tobacco. Suli-Min lit it for him.

“After Hall received Smith’s written report, he called me for advice.”
“I want to bid for this project. Uncle, can you give some advice?” Suli-Min asked.
“I’ve reviewed Smith’s materials. My advice: go for it,” Glen said, then asked, “Tang, will you go fishing with me?”

Huai-Min froze, then immediately realized, “It’s my honor, Master.”

06
Glen’s villa stood on a small terrace along a narrow bay. Suli-Min and Huai-Min followed Glen down stone steps to the cliff by the water. Huai-Min helped set up fishing gear, baited hooks with shrimp, and cast into the water.

“Fishing is my main pastime. Waiting for the fish tests your patience and intellect—it’s really fun!”
“Master, I used to live in the mountains and was used to casting nets in streams.”
“Oh? That’s like ShowHand—winner takes all,” Glen smiled.
“ShowHand?”
“It’s pure luck, no skill needed.”

Glen asked, “Tang, are you married?”
“Just married. My wife is pursuing an art doctorate at Berkeley.”
“Your wife must be exceptional,” Glen said softly. “Your supervisor Su is still single. Smart women are like fishbones—hard to soften, often deliberately overlooked by men. Haha!”

Huai-Min chuckled inwardly at the metaphor, thinking Glen not only wise but also possessing a childlike heart.

07
At a seaside hotel balcony, Suli-Min and Huai-Min sat across a small round table, drinking red wine. The dishes—smoked salmon, fish roe, red wine veal steak—were local seasonal delicacies.

“I’ve spent my birthdays alone these past years,” Suli-Min sighed.
“Your family?” Huai-Min asked.
“My mother, who raised me alone, passed away from cancer the year I joined Disney.”
“Your boyfriends didn’t come?”
“Boyfriend? Ha! After two or three dates, they just wanted me in bed. Typical white guys.”

“So you’ve stayed single?”
“Yes! Being single suits me. I’ve never been promiscuous, so I’m not a social nuisance.”

Huai-Min said thoughtfully, “Sometimes fate requires a bit of luck.”

Suli-Min suddenly asked seriously, “Before marriage, how many girlfriends did you have?”
Huai-Min froze, then said, “Just one. But I wronged her.”
“You wronged her? You played with her and abandoned her?”

Huai-Min explained, “No. I never played with her. She’s a good girl, career-minded, grew up with me like childhood friends. Sometimes lovers, sometimes like siblings. I broke up with her sincerely when I met my wife, but she wouldn’t accept it.”

Suli-Min asked sharply, “Have you considered her pain? If the roles were reversed, would you resent the woman who hurt you deeply and left?”
Huai-Min shook his head, tears welling. “I don’t know. I really feel sorry for her.”

Suli-Min’s expression softened. “Min-Di, I know you’re not heartless. Let’s switch to a lighter topic.” She handed him a handkerchief to wipe his tears.
“Don’t cry, silly boy. Raise your glass and drink with me.”

They clinked glasses and drank.

08
A drunken couple lay entangled on the balcony lounge. Huai-Min woke with a hangover, rubbing his temples, realizing Suli-Min was draped over him, breathing evenly as if asleep. More shocking: his shirt was open, pants down to his calves, underwear on his right thigh. Suli-Min wore only a sheer nightdress, no panties.

The shock immediately sobered him. Guilt-ridden, Huai-Min carefully shifted her off him, adjusted her body, got dressed, grabbed a blanket for her, and left a note: “Min-Di: I went out for a walk. Don’t wait for me for breakfast.”

Suli-Min, now awake, smiled mischievously, thinking, This boy is such a gentleman. If he had ill intentions, he would have taken advantage of me. I need to manipulate his relationship with his wife—bad girl role is tricky!

09
By the cliff, Huai-Min smoked—a habit when he was extremely frustrated. He stared at a pod of whales chasing fish, trying to recall the events of the drunken night, but his mind was blank. He muttered to himself, touching himself: “Little buddy, last night… nothing happened, right?”

Suli-Min approached with a trench coat. “Min-Di, put this on, don’t catch a cold.”

Huai-Min didn’t take it, instead walking toward the cliff.
“Min-Di, don’t…” she hurried after him.

Stopping, he said coldly, “I did have the sudden urge to jump.”
Suli-Min quickly comforted him: “Even if something happened last night, we’re adults. It was mutual, no moral judgment.”
“I still feel guilty,” he admitted.
“Then what do you want me to do? Okay! I admit I was tempted and gave in.”

Huai-Min realized his emotions had gone overboard. “Sorry, Senshi. My mind went astray.”
“Put this on! No more playing house. Let’s go back for breakfast.”