“I was distracted as well, lady, and owe you an apology for my clumsiness.”

He had learned Mandarin from one of his first tutors in college, who had been a Ph.D. student from Shanghai. They had hit it off, and Jason’s interest in Sun Tzu led him to take Mandarin as an elective for two semesters, and he had used it with Lee and a few of Lee’s friends. Urasmian’s spell apparently worked for old memories as well, as he had no trouble trotting out his somewhat limited Mandarin even though he hadn’t used the language for a few years.

She appeared both surprised and, if anything, became even more wary because of his use of Mandarin.

“You know who I am?” She asked, looking concerned and backing away a little more.

The heavies seemed to tense up and move as if getting ready to block him or perhaps take him down.

He shook his head, reverting to English.

“Only that you are a very attractive young lady who I nearly flattened by not watching where I was going. I feel I owe you something for my stupidity. Lunch, perhaps?” He smiled broadly.

Such open flattery and broad invitation rarely worked in these sorts of situations, as he well knew, but then this would be his only opportunity to get to know her, he surmised, having no idea who she was or where she was from. At college, you could at least get some idea of a girl’s timetable and could plan “chance” meetings based on that information. Not that his tactics had led to him getting anywhere most of the time, but the poor results were not so much a reflection of how effective the tactic was, but rather his low appeal to women!

She looked up into his face, puzzled and a little uncertainly.

“You really have no idea who I am?”

He shook his head. “None whatsoever.”

He paused, deciding his best approach. Hmmm. Oblivious ordinary male or someone awake on all accounts. She looked rather studious and very serious.

“You are obviously someone of importance given the guard dogs giving me the eye.” He tilted his head slightly, noting her eyes widening at his admission of noticing her guards. “Having two fellows watching my attempt at picking you up is a bit intimidating, I will admit, but fortune favors the brave, and you are very pretty.”

He kept smiling at this blandishment, hoping she would decide it was funny or at least so pathetic she felt she had to take pity on him. She even smiled slightly at his words which was something at least.

“So, you are trying to pick me up, are you?”

“I am now.” He replied promptly, catching her by surprise.

“It’s not every day a pretty girl literally throws herself into my arms.” He twitted her, still smiling.

She looked affronted at this.

“I did not throw myself into your arms!” She admonished him but then saw the twinkle in his eyes. “You, you are laughing at me.”

“No, I am trying to make you laugh. If a girl laughs, you’re half the way to first base.” He said blandly, watching her reaction closely as it was likely she did not know the term.