Bai Huijing laughed. “Not really. You don’t have the face of someone who’d get dumped.”

“…”

She almost forgot – the butterfly-like man in the floral shirt before her was ultimately a sucker for looks, which was the reason they became acquainted in the first place.

After a brief rest at the hotel, Bai Huijing brought Tang Man downstairs for some local cuisine. Then the group of four headed to the supplier’s home.

One look told it was the residence of a wealthy person – evident from the moment they entered. It was a massive villa with a swimming pool in front, lined with coconut palms bearing several coconuts.

Bai Huijing plucked a few, asking the supplier to open them. They sat on the veranda, eating coconuts and chatting. This supplier had done business with Bai Huijing several times before, so they were quite familiar. For the locals, a few transactions were enough to be considered friends, let alone someone as sociable as Bai Huijing.

After finishing the coconut water, they made their way to the office, where other gem traders were lounging nearby, already at the price negotiation stage of a deal. This place felt like a temporary trading floor.

The supplier led them into the office, closing the door before placing a pile of goods on the table. Drinks were also prepared on the surface.

The table held a desk lamp, a gemstone measuring instrument, and a small flashlight – fully equipped for gem assessment.

“Go ahead and bring out whatever you’ve got.”

Sri Lanka was a major producer of blue sapphires, with the saying that 90% of Sri Lankan land sat atop gemstone deposits. News reports often featured stories of Sri Lankans digging up billions worth of gems from their own backyards. The figures might be exaggerated in recent years, perhaps forgetting to specify the rupee currency, but it still highlighted Sri Lanka’s abundance of gemstones from the sidelines.

The supplier brought out a box containing stacks of sealed bags and placed them on the table. Bai Huijing couldn’t help but smile. “Looks like you really have goods.”

Tang Man, seated nearby, grew bored after a while and leaned against the window, gazing outside. The coastline stretched endlessly in the distance, a long white strip against the azure sky reminiscent of a delicate blue sapphire.

She heard laughter erupt behind her and turned to meet Bai Huijing’s gaze, raising an inquiring brow about the commotion.

Bai Huijing held a blue sapphire, shaking his head at the gem trader, conversing in the local language Tang Man couldn’t understand. But she could tell the trader had said something about her.

In the end, when they emerged, Bai Huijing had acquired a pile of gemstones, having parted with a crate of cash. This collection of stones cost him around five to six million rupees, as it included an exquisite blue sapphire weighing thirteen carats – that one sapphire alone was extremely valuable, not to mention the addition of several “pigeon’s blood” rubies from Mozambique.

After getting into the car, Bai Huijing took out a sapphire and handed it to Tang Man, saying, “Today, the supplier gave me this decent sapphire on account of you. You should like it.”

Tang Man recalled the laughter she had overheard when leaning against the window earlier, realizing it must have been about her.

She accepted the sapphire from Bai Huijing. It wasn’t very large, only around one carat, but its clarity was perfect, the green lush and the fire exceptional. She held it against her wrist for comparison. “It could be made into a brooch.”

She had always loved the green of sapphires, conveying a sense of melancholic vitality.

However, she disliked rings, so her jewelry consisted mostly of brooches, necklaces, and a few bracelets – all collected for her by Bai Huijing.

“That one’s a bit too small then. Next time, I’ll find a larger one for you,” Bai Huijing said.

Tang Man responded with an “mm,” toying with the sapphire in her hand as she turned her head, leaning against the car window to curiously regard her companion. “What did that gem trader say earlier to make you so happy?”

Bai Huijing glanced at Tang Man before averting his gaze, his eyes lazily resting on a spot outside where the sea breeze wafted in, and a few locals could be seen fishing by the shoreline.

“What could he have said? Just complimented your good looks.”

His tone was characteristically nonchalant, carrying an indifferent, carefree air that made his words seem offhand, not meant to be taken seriously as mere flattery.

Tang Man caught on, giving him a glance but too lazy to dwell on it further. Clutching the sapphire, she said, “Thanks. Next time you’re back in China, I’ll find a good place to treat you.”

The sapphire wasn’t particularly valuable – at most a small fortune – so Tang Man accepted it. Refusing would only embarrass the giver.

Bai Huijing casually responded with an “mm,” not attaching any importance to it. Afterward, their group returned to the hotel for dinner, after which Bai Huijing took her around to nearby bars, unique beachside stalls, and even introduced her to an owner who frequently closed his beachside shop to go fishing.

Due to her presence, Bai Huijing extended his intended three-day stay to a week.

It was a wild week. The other two companions left for Beruwala first, while the two of them remained in Colombo, roaming everywhere. Bai Huijing was an excellent host, familiar with many great spots, some even introduced by locals he had done gem business with.

By the time they boarded the train to Beruwala, they were both somewhat dazed from the week’s hectic pace and irregular sleeping patterns.

On this train ride, Tang Man experienced the coastal railway, rumored to have been the filming location for an animated movie. The train passed along the shoreline, close enough to see the waves lapping against it. Gazing out the window felt like gliding over the sea itself.

The creaking sounds of the vintage train competed with the crashing waves in the distance. Seated there, one could almost smell the distinct ocean breeze, as if prolonged exposure to such places instilled a natural sense of romance.

Bai Huijing sat across from her as a vendor hawked fruits – a typical Sri Lankan with deep-set features, dark skin, carrying a sack brimming with fruits and deftly wielding a small knife to slice and bag them, sprinkling on the local seasoning powder.

Tang Man bought a portion, taking a bite before raising her brows slightly. It tasted like an apple coated in the Kang Shi Fu instant noodle seasoning – peculiar but worth trying once.

Gazing at the boundless ocean, Tang Man plucked a slice of the specially sauced fruit, and suddenly, all her troubles seemed to dissipate. Spending time in such places allowed one to reconcile with oneself. This was her second baptism, the first being at a monastery in Motuo where she sat on the high platform, hearing the distant chanting while glaciers loomed beyond, making one feel so insignificant that all worries became trivial.