Chapter 21: Side Story 1
The autumn of this year arrived suddenly. Last week, the sun was still shining brightly and hot, as if summer would never end. After a few days of continuous rain this week, the temperature dropped sharply.
When Jiang Ying finished work, the light rain hadn't stopped. It's said that the misty rain in the Jiangnan region is as beautiful as a poem or painting, but that's only in literature. Anyone who's lived in Jiangsu or Zhejiang knows how frustrating it is when the rain starts and the sun disappears for half a month.
Jiang Ying pulled her hoodie tighter and opened the umbrella as she stepped into the rain.
The rain didn't affect the good business at Yun Bian Café.
It was completely dark now. The little shop, nestled between high buildings and trees, shone with warm light, like a jar of honey or a night lamp.
With the sound of a bell, the glass door opened.
The receptionist instinctively raised her eyes. "Welcome to Yun Bian Café."
Jiang Ying waved to Xiao Ran.
He pointed to the kitchen. "The boss is inside."
Jiang Ying smiled and walked in that direction.
The new semester had begun, and Zhao Xinrou, now a senior and soon-to-be graduate, had a pile of things to do, so she quit her part-time job at the café.
Xiao Ran was a new employee Yun Xian had hired. She was a cold and aloof girl with short gray-blue hair who liked to wear oversized hoodies and cargo pants.
Some people speculated she was a lesbian, but no one dared to ask her about her sexual orientation.
She was always quietly making coffee at the bar, her long, slender fingers gripping the silver handle, and a tattoo of a burning flame on the base of her left thumb.
Such a beautiful, unique person, combined with her taciturn, cold persona, made her a heartthrob for straight women.
As a result, the topic of conversation among the girls at New Science Garden shifted from Yun Xian to the new mysterious barista at Yun Bian Café.
Jiang Ying lifted the curtain separating the kitchen, and Yun Xian was packing Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake gift boxes with Su Cheng.
When Yun Xian saw her, his lips immediately curled up. "You're here."
Jiang Ying replied with a small "Mm," took off her shoulder bag, and walked over to him, helping with the packing.
It was strange. Despite the two of them not displaying any overt intimacy, they seemed like an old married couple, but Su Cheng still felt a bit sour.
He cleared his throat and took a couple of steps to the side.
Yun Xian glanced at him and teased, "Do you understand what it means for the tables to turn? I used to feel this way watching you and Xiao Zhao."
Su Cheng couldn't stand being teased, feeling embarrassed. "We're not as clingy as you two."
Jiang Ying protested, "Who's being clingy?"
Su Cheng couldn't explain, "Just... clingy."
Yun Xian, knowing that Su Cheng and Zhao Xinrou had recently broken up and hadn't seen each other, could tell that seeing another couple was hard for him.
He put the gift boxes in paper bags, tied a pretty bow, and handed one to Su Cheng. "This one's for Xiao Zhao, take it to her."
Su Cheng accepted it. "Thanks, boss."
Yun Xian added, "You get a day off for National Day. Go out and have some fun with your little girlfriend."
As soon as Su Cheng heard this, his eyes lit up. "Holy!"
Yun Xian frowned, clearly displeased. "Call me 'bro,' not 'mom.'"
Su Cheng quickly shouted, "Thank you, Xian-ge!"
Yun Xian waved him off with a smile. "Go help Xiao Ran outside, we've got this covered here."
Su Cheng nodded and left.
The kitchen was left with just the two of them. Jiang Ying and Yun Xian packed the mooncakes together, working in harmony.
Jiang Ying casually chatted with Yun Xian. "When I first came in, all the young girls outside were craning their necks to look at Xiao Ran. It was such a funny sight."
Yun Xian responded with a curious "Oh?"
Jiang Ying continued, "So how did you find such a goddess? Watching her make coffee is truly a visual pleasure. She's the new secret to Yun Bian's success."
Yun Xian paused in his actions, then turned to look at Jiang Ying.
Their eyes met, and Jiang Ying instinctively took a step back. "What's wrong?"
Yun Xian shifted his gaze. "Nothing."
Jiang Ying could guess what he was thinking but decided to tease him.
"Hey, do you think she really is? Did you ever ask her?"
Yun Xian didn't answer. He reached up and flicked her on the forehead. It wasn't hard, but the skin on a girl's forehead was sensitive, so a red mark appeared immediately.
Jiang Ying let out a cry of pain, covering her forehead. "Why are you hitting me?"
Yun Xian asked her in return, "What do you think?"
Jiang Ying pouted and huffed, "Xiao Ran definitely doesn't hit people."
Yun Xian, amused, smiled and shrugged. He then pulled her into his arms and gently blew on the red spot on her forehead. "I really don't understand why you always want to provoke me. You know how much I care about you."
His words made Jiang Ying's heart tighten with guilt, and she immediately regretted teasing him. She shouldn't have provoked him like that. Yun Xian was upset, but in the end, she was the one who felt heartbroken.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him, her voice soft as she comforted him. "You're the best when you make coffee."
Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone all in that night, leaving her heart behind.
Yun Xian was easy to coax, and he didn't really mind. He kissed her forehead and asked, "Does it hurt?"
Jiang Ying shook her head, then quickly changed her mind and nodded. She acted all coy. "It hurts so much, but if you kiss me, it'll feel much better. How about kissing me a couple more times?"
She tilted her head, puckered her lips, and leaned in for a kiss. Yun Xian smiled, bending down to kiss her lips.
At that moment, the atmosphere was perfect. If they didn't act on it now, it would be a shame.
In public, they were always composed and respectful, but behind closed doors, they were a different story.
Just now, Su Cheng wasn't wrong. These two were indeed inseparable.
Outside, the café was lively. The sounds of conversation and laughter were occasionally interrupted by the clink of metal utensils and porcelain plates.
The kitchen was getting warmer, quiet, and intimate.
Yun Xian lifted Jiang Ying onto the table, tilting his head to kiss her lips. Jiang Ying wrapped her arms around his neck, moving with his breathing, their heartbeats gradually syncing.
Kissing was always pleasurable. Lips met, and the body and soul belonged to each other. This kind of intimacy was both simple and deeply passionate.
Having just been in the rain, Jiang Ying felt a chill, but now her face and neck were flushed with warmth. Sweat began to bead on her forehead. She felt hot, trying to pull down the zipper of her hoodie, but it hung halfway.
The business at the café had been even better since Xiao Ran started, and Yun Xian, as the owner, was naturally happy. But sometimes even Jiang Ying couldn't help but stare at her. Yun Xian had secretly been jealous many times already.
After a long kiss, Yun Xian held Jiang Ying, calming his breathing.
Jiang Ying put on her hoodie again, licked her lower lip, and asked, "What did you eat secretly?"
Yun Xian thought for a moment and smiled. "Rabbit pudding, the Mid-Autumn special edition made by Su Cheng. I just had a taste."
Jiang Ying hadn't eaten dinner yet, and just tasting a little sweetness made her crave more. "Is there more?"
Yun Xian shook his head. "It's all been distributed."
Jiang Ying sighed in disappointment.
Yun Xian patted her head. "How about another kiss? I heard kissing helps with hunger."
"Really?"
"I don't know. We can test it."
Seeing how seriously he was joking, Jiang Ying clenched her fist and playfully punched his chest, blushing as she pushed him away. "Hurry up and finish your work, then go eat!"
The Mid-Autumn Festival day was a cool, beautiful day, coinciding with the National Day holiday. Yun Bian Café was packed with customers from early in the morning.
When Jiang Ying woke up, Yun Xian had already left. He left her breakfast with a note saying, "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, Happy National Day, Happy every day."
The laziness of just waking up was completely dissolved by that note. Jiang Ying sipped her porridge and ate half a mooncake with double yolks.
She sent a message to Yun Xian, asking how the shop was doing.
Yun Xian replied that it was quieter now, and the streets were bustling, urging her to hurry and get up.
Jiang Ying sent him a playful emoji and began to get ready to head out.
Occasionally, on such holidays, Jiang Ying would take on a temporary job at Yun Bian Café—though she called herself a temporary worker, Su Cheng had long been calling her the "boss's wife."
Today, she woke up late and arrived at the café just in time for lunch. The morning customers had already left.
The rabbit pudding she craved was mostly sold out by the morning, and since Su Cheng had only made a limited amount, after posting on WeChat, many of the servings had already been reserved.
The milk pudding, shaped like a rabbit, had a chewy, sweet texture and was especially popular for its cuteness. Everyone loved it.
Yun Xian had saved two for Jiang Ying in the kitchen as a dessert after her meal.
In the afternoon, customers came specifically to buy it, but Xiao Ran repeatedly told them, "Sorry, it's already sold out."
As she ate a bowl of pudding, Jiang Ying grinned at Yun Xian. "The feeling of going through the back door is so nice~"
Su Cheng wasn't surprised anymore. Back when they weren't together, Yun Xian used to secretly hide things in the kitchen fridge for Jiang Ying.
After finishing his morning shift, Su Cheng took the rest of the day off. Before leaving, he patted Xiao Ran on the shoulder and said with a smirk, "I'm off now, you can stay here and play the third wheel for them."
Xiao Ran didn't see it that way. She thought the boss and his wife were a great match—both gentle people. When they were together, it felt comfortable, and sometimes, she couldn't help but smile when watching them.
In the afternoon, Li Zhicheng came in with a cat carrier containing an orange tabby named Duo Duo.
Seeing Jiang Ying in her apron, he clicked his tongue and pretended to scold Yun Xian. "What's my employee doing here working for your son?"
Jiang Ying just smiled and didn't respond, instead asking him what he'd like to drink.
Yun Xian smiled too, pointing at Jiang Ying. "She's not working, she's my boss."
Li Zhicheng raised his eyebrows. "Oh, so I'm the boss of your boss then."
Yun Xian crumpled up a piece of paper and threw it at him, laughing. "You really take advantage of everything."
The two of them, both in their sixties, still acted like children when together.
Jiang Ying ignored their playful banter and went to serve dishes to the customers.
Li Zhicheng put the cat carrier on the table and said to Yun Xian, "I've been out for two days. The cat's been left in your care."
Yun Xian looked him up and down, asking teasingly, "Where are you going? To see who?"
Li Zhicheng answered nonchalantly, "The moon, Chang'e."
Yun Xian wanted to say more, but Li Zhicheng stood up to leave.
"Afraid of traffic, I'll go ahead," he said.
"Alright, take care," Yun Xian replied.
That night, as he scrolled through his WeChat moments, Yun Xian saw Li Zhicheng's latest update: A table full of delicious food, with an unknown woman sitting across from him, her pink top and slender arms clearly visible.
Recognizing it was Zhou Yi, Yun Xian gave a soft "Oh" and liked the post.
The full moon of Mid-Autumn, coinciding with National Day, was the perfect occasion for reunion and happiness, and the best thing was to spend it with a loved one.
At eight o'clock, Yun Bian Café closed early.
Yun Xian poured two cups of lemon tea, placed three or four mooncakes on a porcelain plate, and set the wooden table and chairs in the courtyard outside the shop.
The night sky was dark, and the moon shone bright and golden. The surroundings were calm, with a cool breeze and the scent of osmanthus flowers in the air.
Yun Xian and Jiang Ying sat on the wooden chairs, looking up at the moon together.
In that moment, time seemed to slow down. Jiang Ying's eyes reflected the moon, her heart full of peace and contentment. She reached out her hand to hold Yun Xian's.
From spring to autumn, their time together had been neither long nor short, but thinking about all the days like this ahead, Jiang Ying felt a deep sense of anticipation for the future.
Yun Xian took out his phone from his pocket, operating it with one hand. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but after a while, he put it away.
Before going to bed that night, Jiang Ying flipped through WeChat, realizing he had been editing a moment post.
There were three pictures: the moon in the sky, mooncakes on the table, and their hands held together.
He wrote: "I used to like holidays because I had time off. Now I like holidays because it gives me a reason to go on a date with you."
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, let's watch the moon together again next year.
Chapter 22: Side Story 2
Part 1
The announcement came over the speaker: it was time to board.
Yun Xian took off his headphones and draped his coat over his arm. As he stood up, he glanced at the sky outside the glass window.
The weather was unusually good today, with a clear, blue sky and no clouds in sight.
Yun Xian had lived in Beijing for thirty years, studying and working here.
Perhaps because he was leaving, this familiar view that he had seen countless times before seemed especially beautiful today.
He silently said goodbye in his heart.
There was no attachment or reluctance, he said it with ease, and after saying it, he felt light.
The three-hour flight was smooth, with white clouds within reach, and thousands of meters above the ground, all communication was cut off. The troubles of the world seemed to be temporarily left behind.
Yun Xian dozed off for a while on the plane. He had been restless all night, but in the brief time, he managed to get a restful sleep.
The plane landed, and as Yun Xian stepped out of the terminal, he immediately spotted Li Zhicheng.
Li Zhicheng greeted him with a warm hug, patting his back. "You don't know how much I missed you!"
Li Zhicheng's hug was a bit too strong, and Yun Xian had no choice but to let him embrace him.
In Beijing, the weather had already turned to autumn by September, but after getting off the plane, Yun Xian realized that the summer heat in Jiangnan still hadn't faded, and it was a little muggy.
Li Zhicheng took Yun Xian's luggage. "Let's go. My mom has been busy all morning, just waiting for you."
Li Zhicheng was Yun Xian's college roommate, a native of Xicheng. After his postgraduate studies, he returned to the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region, and now he had his own game studio, which was quite popular among young people.
Last National Day, Yun Xian had visited Xicheng. Li Zhicheng's parents ran a mountain villa in Jiangnan, nestled between mountains and water. Many small surrounding towns had been developed into ecological parks, offering beautiful views and delicious food, attracting city dwellers for leisure and vacation.
Xicheng had a slow pace of life, beautiful scenery, and its urban development was also among the top in the country. It was an excellent place to live and visit.
"Have you figured out what you're going to do next?" Li Zhicheng casually asked while driving.
Yun Xian rolled up his shirt sleeves. "No, I'll take it step by step."
"Resting here is pretty good. There's nothing special, but it's a nice place to live. And we have a lot of beautiful women here. Maybe you'll even find yourself a love story in Xicheng." Li Zhicheng teased while driving, his eyes on the road. It was not the weekend, and the traffic was light.
Yun Xian laughed and scolded, "You should take care of your own lifelong matters first."
Li Zhicheng replied, "I'm busy with my career, no time for romance."
Yun Xian knew who Li Zhicheng was thinking about but didn't call him out. Instead, he casually asked, "Aren't you working today?"
Li Zhicheng answered, "Of course, I'm skipping work for you."
Yun Xian chuckled. "I'm so touched."
Li Zhicheng then asked, "Do you want to visit my studio in the afternoon?"
"Sure." When Yun Xian had come to Xicheng last year, he helped Li Zhicheng scout out a few places, but he hadn't seen the studio after the renovations were completed.
"I think you should just stay here and work with me," Li Zhicheng said half-jokingly.
Yun Xian took it as a joke and replied, "Not to mention I'm not interested in games for young girls, and I really never want to touch code again."
Li Zhicheng laughed softly. "Didn't you just get promoted? How's your boss been exploiting you?"
"No exploitation. He's busier than I am. He's been to three different places for work trips in one week. Now I drink less coffee, and my bag is always stocked with heart-protecting and liver-protecting pills."
Li Zhicheng asked, "What about your hair? You still have it, right?"
Yun Xian clicked his tongue. "Are you always this mean?"
Li Zhicheng laughed, and Yun Xian joined him.
Once their laughter died down, Yun Xian sighed and leaned back in his seat. "I just saw him like this, and if this is my future, I think I'll just be an escapee from reality."
Li Zhicheng nodded in agreement, then extended his hand to pat Yun Xian on the shoulder.
His eyes were still on the road, and his right hand carelessly reached over, accidentally poking Yun Xian's face.
Yun Xian slapped his hand away in disgust. "Focus on driving, stop groping around."
Li Zhicheng's family's mountain villa had a restaurant and a guesthouse, with an ecological park behind it that grew various fruits and trees.
Compared to the high-end hotels in the city, the mountain villa felt more like a guesthouse with an antique and charming décor.
Knowing that Yun Xian's friend was coming, Li Zhicheng's parents had prepared a table full of dishes.
The food was all home-cooked, using ingredients from the farm, simple yet delicious.
Li Zhicheng's father also brought out some homemade wine, made from sour plums, with a fragrant and refreshing taste, leaving a sweet aftertaste.
Li Zhicheng pretended to have an upset stomach and didn't drink, but Yun Xian couldn't refuse their hospitality. He ate a lot and had a few glasses of wine.
After eating and drinking his fill, Yun Xian stretched lazily in the warm afternoon breeze and felt a bit drowsy.
"How about going to your room and taking a nap?" Li Zhicheng asked him.
"No thanks," Yun Xian declined. He didn't nap during the day because he feared it would make it harder for him to sleep at night. "Your mom and dad still have to work. I won't disturb them. Let's go check out your company."
In the past two years, Xicheng's government had focused on the development of emerging industries and designated a new tech park in the southern part of the city as a key development area. Many young entrepreneurs had made this place their starting point for chasing their dreams.
After getting out of the car, Li Zhicheng pointed to the building in front of them and introduced, "In the end, I chose this place. It used to be a factory, but when it went bankrupt, it became wasteland. Now, the main building has been converted into office buildings, and my studio is on top. We have a law firm on the first floor, self-media operations downstairs, and a few creative companies."
Yun Xian nodded and followed Li Zhicheng upstairs.
It was nap time, and most of the people in the office were sleeping with their heads down on their desks.
This was different from where Yun Xian had worked before. His workplace was serious and oppressive, and everyone was focused on their own work, with nothing on the desks but files and office supplies.
In contrast, the cubicles here had a variety of styles. Some people had snack organizers on their desks, while others displayed rows of figurines on their computers.
He even noticed a pet cage with two hamsters curled up next to each other on wood shavings, looking like two soft, round rice balls.
In the quiet afternoon, they too were lazily snuggled together, asleep.
Yun Xian glanced around and smiled.
Working here seemed like it would be quite interesting. The air was filled with the scent of snacks.
Li Zhicheng entered his office to grab some files, and Yun Xian stood outside, careful not to disturb anyone.
Suddenly, the girl sitting at the desk in front of him gave a slight tremor, a reaction often seen when people move from light to deep sleep.
The tremor didn't scare Yun Xian, but it startled the girl herself.
She suddenly woke up and sat up straight, staring blankly ahead. Her gaze slowly moved upward and stopped on Yun Xian's face.
She had been sleepily dozing off, and a red mark was visible on her face from the pressure of her pillow. Her expression was dazed, and she hadn't fully regained her awareness yet.
Yun Xian looked back at her, standing still. He found it amusing and couldn't help but smile.
The girl stared at him for a few seconds, scratched her neck, and then lay back down, adjusting her position to continue sleeping.
Yun Xian lowered his gaze. Her work badge was pressed under her arm, and he could only see her name.
"Jiang Ying," he muttered.
That was a really nice name.
Yun Xian raised his hand and gently adjusted the blanket that had slipped off her shoulder.
After leaving the studio and heading downstairs, Yun Xian sighed and said to Li Zhicheng, "I really envy you."
Li Zhicheng asked, "What do you envy about me?"
A career that you pour your heart and soul into, a like-minded team, a life full of flavor.
And most importantly.
—A clear and bright future.
Yun Xian smiled slightly and said, "I envy you for being the boss."
Li Zhicheng clicked his tongue, slinging an arm around Yun Xian's neck. "Then come work with me. I'll make you my equal."
Yun Xian nudged him with his elbow. "Why not say you'll support me?"
Li Zhicheng stepped back and grinned. "Hey, Yun Xian, you've never had a relationship before, could it be that you have a secret crush on me?"
Yun Xian snorted, as though he had just heard a ridiculous joke. "Li Zhicheng, delusions are a disease."
The two of them laughed and walked out of the building. On their way to get the car, Yun Xian absentmindedly glanced at a building and stopped in his tracks. He turned to Li Zhicheng and asked, "Has this place been rented out yet?"
Li Zhicheng followed his gaze and said, "No, not yet."
The main building had been renovated, but the surrounding factory buildings were still abandoned. Last year, Li Zhicheng had brought him to the park, and Yun Xian had said these little factory buildings would be perfect for opening a shop.
This particular building was about two stories high, with a small open space behind it, two trees—bare and leafless in autumn, making it hard to tell their species, possibly pear or peach trees. The factory was right next to the office building, and very close to the west gate; just a few steps away was the street. The location was great.
For an office, the noise from the street was too much, and the space wasn't suitable, but for a café, bookstore, or small restaurant, it was perfect.
At that moment, the thought was just a fleeting one.
But a year later, walking past it again, seeing it still in ruin, the thought sparked like a flame in Yun Xian's heart.
The fire grew bigger, lighting up the surrounding darkness.
"Li Zhicheng, what do you think about opening a café here?"
Li Zhicheng casually responded, "Sounds good. What? You want to open one?"
"Yes, I do." Yun Xian's tone was firm, with an excitement he tried to hide.
Li Zhicheng thought he had misheard. "Huh?"
"I said," Yun Xian's skin was pale, and whether it was the effect of the alcohol or the afternoon sun, his cheeks were tinged with a soft red. His eyes were filled with a smile, shining under the bright sky and clouds, "I'm going to open a café here."
He hadn't smiled like this in a long time, and for the first time in ages, he was looking forward to the future.
"The name... let's call it Yun Bian."
Next Chapter:
Yun Xian spent nearly half a year transforming the abandoned factory into a brand-new place.
For the entire second half of the year, his energy was focused on Yun Bian and the café, though sometimes Li Zhicheng dragged him along for short trips around neighboring towns.
This life couldn't be described as his ultimate dream, but at least every day had something to look forward to, and he had new achievements each day.
He looked up and saw the light, no longer surrounded by the fog.
Li Zhicheng helped a lot with the café business. One week before the opening, Yun Xian hired two employees.
One was Zhao Xinrou, a quiet and delicate university student.
The process of hiring a pastry chef was more interesting.
At 2:50 p.m., a guy with a short buzz cut pushed open the door.
He wore a black graffiti tank top, cargo pants, black military boots, and was holding a motorcycle helmet in his arms.
He looked fierce and walked with an imposing attitude, giving off the impression of someone you wouldn't want to mess with, and it seemed like he was here to cause trouble.
Yun Xian was about to speak when he saw the guy grin and show a row of white teeth, the fierce look disappearing and instead looking a little silly.
The guy waved his hand and said, "Bro, hey!"
Yun Xian was stunned for a second before he snapped back and nodded at him. "Hey." He checked his phone and confirmed, "You are... Su Cheng?"
"Yep, that's me!" The guy's voice was loud. He then pulled out two boxes from his backpack. "I just made these, try them!"
Su Cheng made the trendy tin-can cakes, one flavored with cheese and the other with matcha.
Yun Xian looked at the presentation, giving it an eight out of ten in his mind. He grabbed a spoon and, under Su Cheng's expectant gaze, took a bite.
He didn't know much about desserts, his standard was simply whether it tasted good.
The cheese flavor was rich, the cake was soft, and it was sweet without being overwhelming.
Yun Xian nodded. "Not bad."
Su Cheng asked, "So, does that mean you're hiring me?"
Yun Xian didn't expect him to be so direct. He had planned to ask a few more questions and then have him wait for a response, but now it seemed unnecessary.
He smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm hiring you."
March 1st, Yun Bian Café officially opened.
No promotional events, no advertisements.
It was simply that young workers nearby gradually noticed that the run-down factory downstairs had suddenly been lit up with a warm yellow glow.
Within a week, discussions about the new café downstairs and its owner appeared frequently in WeChat group chats.
Li Zhicheng told Yun Xian about it, but Yun Xian didn't take it to heart. It didn't matter whether people came to see him or just to drink coffee. As long as Yun Bian's business was doing well, he was happy.
Yun Xian wasn't always at the café, and meeting him depended on luck. Most people could only admire him from afar.
Some brave ones asked for his WeChat, but he always politely declined with a warm smile.
Life gradually settled into a routine. Yun Xian liked Xicheng, but didn't think of it as home.
Even with Yun Bian, when he grew tired of this place, he could always pack his bags and leave.
He was like a lone boat, without roots, drifting in a foreign land.
Just as Yun Xian was getting used to his solitary life, romance came unexpectedly.
A rainy night, the air was damp.
The lights in the room were dim, a lyrical song played softly, and the air was filled with the scent of coffee. In the early hours, Yun Bian was Yun Xian's secret garden, a place he had created for himself.
"I've got the strangest feeling,This isn't our first time around."
He didn't expect someone to barge in.
And gently steal his heart.
Before meeting Jiang Ying, Yun Xian didn't believe in love at first sight.
He couldn't even remember when the last time he had a crush was. At thirty, love had long become something unnecessary for him.
But now, he was like a teenager, swept up in the sweet and sour waves of affection.
Yun Xian began to wait impatiently, holding his phone, hoping Jiang Ying would message him, asking if there were any cheese cakes left at the café.
If Jiang Ying were a little smarter, she would have noticed his affection by now.
Cheese cakes were the best sellers at the café, but no matter when Jiang Ying asked, Yun Xian would always say, "We still have some left."
She hadn't realized his favoritism.
She also hadn't realized that every instance where Yun Xian broke rules or acted out of character was because of her.
At the restaurant that time, Yun Xian had already seen Jiang Ying.
She was dressed beautifully and was with a stranger.
At first, Yun Xian thought it was a blind date, but after watching for a while, he realized the two of them seemed to already know each other.
Li Zhicheng across from him was enjoying his meal, but Yun Xian had lost his appetite.
Just as he lowered his head and raised it again, the atmosphere at their table became suddenly tense.
Yun Xian sensed something was wrong. He got up and hurried toward her, seeing from a distance that Jiang Ying had slapped the person across from her.
His heart sank, and he quickened his pace, rushing across half the hall to her side.
When he pulled her into his arms, Yun Xian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She was still challenging the person, and he couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
Outside the restaurant, on the stairs, Jiang Ying spoke calmly to him about her past grievances, her tone as if telling someone else's story.
Her face showed no more indifference, and Yun Xian could still sense the hurt in her words.
He couldn't think of any comforting words, only holding her wrist and gently blowing on her reddened palm, hoping to ease her pain.
That day, Jiang Ying smoked in front of him.
Yun Xian still remembered the smell of that cigarette, a mix of strawberry and orange.
Jiang Ying held the cigarette between her fingers, quietly inhaling and exhaling.
Yun Xian's gaze fell on her lips.
The white cigarette tip was moist, held between her teeth.
The smoke spiraled and then dispersed, her face a blur but also so clear.
Yun Xian stayed with her, silently smoking a cigarette with her, saying nothing.
The random thoughts that came to him were forcefully pushed aside.
In the end, he clenched his fist and held his breath, trying to calm himself down.
It was the first time he wanted to kiss her.
When Jiang Ying asked him to go to Shencheng for her ex's wedding, Yun Xian had originally been reluctant.
Because he couldn't understand Jiang Ying's thoughts, was he an ambiguous figure in her eyes, or just a good-natured tool for her?
So when Jiang Ying asked him, his first instinct was to reject her.
Ambiguity was like a flower growing in the mist—seemingly real, but it was always uncertain, a contest of testing and hiding, of losing control and restraint.
But it wasn't like this, and Yun Xian couldn't stay unaware of it.
Yun Xian was rarely so anxious, as he was usually calm and unhurried.
The small metal box in his hand opened and closed, his mind racing. If he rejected her, would Jiang Ying turn to someone else?
So he said, "Okay," making an excuse to himself—"It's just a return favor."
Perhaps more accurately, ambiguity was a game.
—A bitter yet sweet game.
On the wedding day, when they entered, Jiang Ying showed the invitation, and Yun Xian glanced at it.
It read, "Sincerely invite Miss Jiang Ying and her partner, Mr. Yun."
The fog that had clouded his heart dispersed, and Yun Xian coughed, quickly turning his head and secretly smiling to himself.
Confessing wasn't something he had planned, but he had already bought the perfume and had always wanted to give it to her, just never had a proper reason.
On the sightseeing bus, the kiss Yun Xian gave Jiang Ying was spontaneous but also long-awaited.
He had wanted to kiss her for a long time.
Human beings need intimate actions, to embrace and kiss those they love; it's instinctive.
So at the right moment, he cupped Jiang Ying's face and kissed her lips.
The moon hung over Yun Bian, their pupils filled with each other, their heartbeats gradually synchronizing.
The little boat swayed, anchored in a clear, peaceful heart-shaped lake.
Yun Xian had finally found his place.
"Signal lost, worldly troubles forgotten, to soar through the universe, to adventure and love, letting souls embrace above the clouds."
—This was the new meaning Yun Xian gave to Yun Bian after meeting Jiang Ying.
Author's Notes:
Before writing this side story, I asked for my friend's opinion. She said she wanted to see Yun Xian's perspective.
After finishing, I looked back and felt that this story of Yun Bian is now truly complete.
Thank you for your support, and I wish you all a happy life.
(End of the full novel.)