Since Frank can communicate in English without any problem, why did he claim in his emails that he has a heavy accent?
He mentioned this right at the beginning when they first started corresponding.
At that time, he and Huo Fanjin probably didn’t expect to meet at IPhO, right?
This rules out the possibility that he lied to achieve certain goals in the competition.
After all, no one can predict the future so precisely. Even if they plan ahead, they wouldn’t do it years in advance.
Therefore, it is highly likely that pen-pal “Frank” genuinely has poor English and a heavy accent, rather than it being a lie.
But the current “Frank” clearly has no accent, yet still needs a translator. Maybe he doesn’t want to, but has to fit the characteristics of pen-pal “Frank.”
So—
It’s highly probable that these two Franks are not the same person!
Understanding this, Jiang Fuyue’s gaze turned cold.
The other party went through all this trouble and impersonation, surely their motives are not simple!
…
Frank returned to the bathroom area, only to find that Jiang Fuyue had already taken a shortcut and arrived before him.
The two nodded at each other in acknowledgment.
Frank wasn’t interested in the translator, especially not one who looked so conservative and plain.
Is she forty years old?
Her hat covered her eyebrows, her sunglasses hid her eyes, and she wore a dull-colored, generic casual outfit, completely hiding any body curves.
Frank looked away after a single glance.
Thinking about Huo Fanjin’s bright and lively appearance, she was indeed a beautiful Oriental doll…
But she wasn’t the best.
The best one was her teammate, Jiang Fuyue, with her long legs, slim waist, and outstanding posture, exuding a combination of fiery allure and cold wildness—now that was perfection.
Frank’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his eyes showed a deep light, more intense than when he was facing Huo Fanjin.
Jiang Fuyue didn’t know that the person next to her was fantasizing about her, but she could keenly sense the ambiguous, hormone-laden atmosphere.
She discreetly moved two steps away.
Soon, Huo Fanjin came out.
Frank looked at the time and suggested, “Since we’re not going to the stream, how about I treat you to dinner?”
Jiang Fuyue translated accurately this time.
Huo Fanjin agreed right away: “Sure! Thanks for treating us.”
Jiang Fuyue translated the “thanks for treating us” into “as long as we don’t leave the hotel, it’s fine.”
She truly worried like a mother.
Frank seemed to have expected this and immediately replied, “Don’t worry, we won’t leave. There’s another restaurant in this hotel.”
Five-star hotels naturally have more than one restaurant.
The place where the participating teams usually eat is called the “buffet restaurant,” usually the lowest meal standard, while the place Frank was taking them to was a paid restaurant where you order your own dishes.
He was generous, showing that his family was well-off.
When he asked Huo Fanjin what she wanted to eat, he was gentle and gentlemanly, even considering the translator, Jiang Fuyue.
His manners couldn’t be faulted.
Initially, Huo Fanjin was quite satisfied, but seeing the prices on the menu, she couldn’t help but frown.
It wasn’t that Miss Huo couldn’t afford it, but…
“Captain,” she turned to Jiang Fuyue, “I find this a bit strange.”
“What’s strange?”
Frank couldn’t understand Chinese, so the two chatted openly, without any reservations.
Huo Fanjin said, “Frank mentioned in his emails that he works part-time at fast-food restaurants during holidays because his family conditions aren’t very good. But now… could he be putting on a show? I’d feel bad spending his hard-earned money… but Frank doesn’t seem like the vain type. Maybe he just wants to impress me? Look, that plate of foie gras costs three figures in euros.”
Jiang Fuyue responded, “If he wants to treat, just enjoy the meal.”
“Is that really okay?”
“Don’t worry, it won’t bankrupt him.”
“…Oh.” Though Huo Fanjin’s judgment wasn’t the best, she was obedient!
This pleased Jiang Fuyue very much.
Frank asked, “What are you two talking about?”
Jiang Fuyue replied, “Miss Gretta hasn’t tried our local cuisine, so I’m explaining it to her.”
No wonder Gretta was puzzled yet nodding. Frank was reassured.
Soon, the food cart was brought in.
The restaurant staff enthusiastically served the three of them, and after receiving a tip from Frank, said “Enjoy your meal” and tactfully withdrew.
At the table, they chatted a lot more.
Frank discovered that Huo Fanjin knew how to eat German cuisine and was quite familiar with table manners.
It was as if she had received professional training.
And such training is not something every family in China can afford.
Therefore, Huo Fanjin’s background must not be simple, which made him a bit nervous, making him even more cautious—
“This restaurant’s mint dew is famous. I got a glass for you. I’ll fetch it myself. Please wait.”
Frank’s gaze was gentle, filled with affection.
Jiang Fuyue sat up straight instinctively. Here it comes!
It’s difficult to tamper with food delivered by the waiter, as everyone eats it. But personally fetching a drink only for Huo Fanjin is much easier to manipulate.
Jiang Fuyue translated to Huo Fanjin, “He said he needs to use the restroom.”
Huo Fanjin: “?” Why does he need the restroom again?
Is he constipated?
Thinking this, but keeping a smile, she nodded: “Go ahead.”
Jiang Fuyue translated to Frank, “She said, ‘Okay, thank you.’”
Frank left his seat and soon returned with a blue-green drink, placing it by Huo Fanjin’s hand, looking a bit like a cocktail.
He then gave a lengthy explanation in German.
Huo Fanjin didn’t understand, so she just smiled, but her sense of unease grew stronger.
In fact, meeting in person wasn’t as good as corresponding via email.
Though Frank’s spoken English was poor, his writing was fine.
At least Huo Fanjin didn’t feel any communication barrier; now, she couldn’t understand a word he said. He didn’t know Chinese either. They might use a translator for now, but if they were to pursue a long-distance relationship, would they need an online translator every time they video chatted?
Not only would it be troublesome, but it would also feel awkward.
After all, dating is a matter between two people. Having a translator feels like a third wheel.
Today was manageable because she was familiar with Jiang Fuyue. But with an unfamiliar translator…
The thought was too much; just thinking about it made her toes curl in embarrassment.
Frank spoke a long sentence, which Jiang Fuyue translated to: “He said he has digestive issues. Eating or drinking makes him need the restroom, and it takes a long time. Because his stool is too hard, he had to flush many times and washed his hands thoroughly. This blue cleansing water is proof.”
Huo Fanjin was stunned, as if struck by lightning.
Is he sick?
Who talks about their bowel movements like that?! And brings cleaning water in a cup?!
Suddenly, the last bite of top-grade steak on her plate didn’t seem so appetizing.
