Chapter 16: The Sixteenth Cup of Coffee
Before the atmosphere could get too awkward, Jiang Ying quickly grabbed the box from the table and headed for the door, speaking rapidly, "I'm tired, I'm going to bed now. You should rest early too."
Yun Xian watched her go, smiling and lowering his head.
It had indeed been a colorful day.
After washing up, Yun Xian lay on the bed. He wasn't very sleepy and didn't feel like taking any sleep medication tonight. He felt a bit aimless.
Remembering Jiang Ying mentioning her identity as a freelance artist, he opened Weibo, a platform he rarely used, and searched for her name.
A direct search for "Jiang Ying" didn't yield anything, so he tried typing in "Sunset Orange."
There were a few people with the same name, but it wasn't hard to find her.
Yun Xian clicked on the Weibo profile with the bio "Welcome to my spiritual world" and began scrolling through her posts.
Most of the posts were re-shares, but occasionally there were original works. These posts showed her own artwork.
Yun Xian didn't know much about the fan art community, but from an outsider's perspective, and with a new boyfriend filter, he thought Jiang Ying's art was really good. The lines were smooth, the proportions were perfect, the characters detailed, and the colors harmonious. It was obvious that she had solid artistic skills.
As he scrolled through the comments, they were all full of praise. Yun Xian couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, much like a father seeing his child get a gold star at kindergarten.
There were occasional comments visible only to fans, with an image of a meme and a caption saying, "You know what I mean."
What did that mean? Was this some sort of code?
Puzzled, Yun Xian frowned and clicked on the comments.
"Oh my God, my respect for you has skyrocketed!"
"Thanks, Rolls, this is so hot."
"I'll go first as a salute."
"Got here as soon as I heard the news."
"When I saw 'Three Protect One,' I knew Sunset Orange had done it again, hehe."
Yun Xian: ???
It's just a meme of a Shiba Inu, right?
Seeing the words "Long Image" at the bottom right, Yun Xian clicked on the image and scrolled down.
He kept scrolling until he reached the end of the post. After three identical memes, he finally saw something different.
The image seemed upside down, so Yun Xian turned his phone 180 degrees.
When he saw the content, his hand trembled, and the small black square fell off his phone, hitting his nose with a sharp "pop."
Yun Xian groaned in pain, picked the phone up from his face, and rubbed his nose.
After taking a breath, he looked at the phone screen again, speechless.
So, this was the famous "Three Protect One"?
—
The next morning at 9 AM, Yun Xian and Jiang Ying were ready to head back.
Jiang Ying walked out of her room with her suitcase, and Yun Xian was already waiting for her at the staircase.
"Why aren't you wearing glasses today?"
Before Yun Xian could respond, Jiang Ying noticed something strange on his face and quickly asked, "What happened to your nose?"
Yun Xian touched the bruise on his nose. "It's nothing, I didn't hold the phone properly and it hit me."
Jiang Ying stood on tiptoe to examine his injury. There was a bruise on his nose and some swelling. She sighed lightly, "What did you do to hurt it this badly?"
Yun Xian rubbed his nose and looked away. Just then, the elevator arrived, and he took her hand as they stepped in. "Nothing, just a little slip of the hand."
It was a sunny morning, and the sun was a bit blinding. Yun Xian pointed to the storage box in the front seat and said, "Jiang Ying, can you pass me the sunglasses?"
"Okay." She opened the box, which didn't have much in it—just a black sunglasses case, a folder, and a bottle of medicine.
The medicine bottle looked like some kind of supplement. Jiang Ying glanced at the label and casually asked, "Are you taking melatonin?"
Yun Xian hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yeah, I have a bit of insomnia."
Jiang Ying took the sunglasses from the box and handed them to him. "Is it because of stress?"
"Used to be, but it's much better now."
"When I was doing my thesis, I had trouble sleeping and took it too. The next morning, I'd feel dizzy. Does that happen to you?"
Yun Xian shook his head. "I'm fine."
Not wanting to continue the topic, Yun Xian picked up on something she had said earlier, "I noticed that many of your platform IDs are 'Sunset Orange.' Is there any particular meaning behind it?"
Jiang Ying responded, "When I was younger, I changed my name. I used to be Jiang Mu Cheng because my dad said I was born at sunset, and the sunset that day was orange, very beautiful."
Yun Xian repeated the name, "That's a beautiful name. Why did you change it?"
"When I was around six or seven, I went swimming at the reservoir. I swam too far while my dad wasn't paying attention and nearly drowned. If my dad hadn't noticed and come after me, I might have been swept away somewhere." Jiang Ying rubbed her left shoulder, "I have a long scar there from hitting a rock. I've covered it with a tattoo now."
Yun Xian frowned after hearing this, unable to hold back, "How could you be so reckless as a child? Do you realize how dangerous that was?"
Jiang Ying pouted, "You don't have to scold me. I've already been scolded by my whole family for that. Later, my grandmother consulted a fortune-teller in the village, who said my name was unlucky, so my family changed it."
"Well, you survived, so there's always good fortune to follow."
Jiang Ying sighed a little, "But I still like the name 'Mu Cheng.' That's why I use 'Sunset Orange' as my online nickname everywhere."
Then, she suddenly realized something, "How do you know all my IDs are 'Sunset Orange'? You only have my WeChat, right?"
Yun Xian had no way to deflect and could only admit, "I looked at your Weibo."
Jiang Ying gasped and covered her mouth to stop herself from cursing. "What did you see?"
Yun Xian answered truthfully, "Your art. It's really good."
"You didn't follow me, right? You didn't open it and look at it?"
Yun Xian remained silent.
Jiang Ying felt a pang of disappointment.
Yun Xian glanced at her, "Sorry, should I not have looked at your Weibo?"
Jiang Ying shook her head. Since it was a public platform, anyone could see it, and it didn't make sense to restrict her boyfriend from looking.
She mumbled, "I just didn't want you to think..."
Yun Xian added fuel to the fire, "You really don't have to care about the persona in front of me. It's already collapsed."
Jiang Ying frowned and whined, turning her head to rest on the cushion. "I'm not talking about it anymore. I need to take a nap."
Avoidance was her skill, after all.
Yun Xian took a jacket from the back seat and draped it over her. He adjusted the air conditioning and gently rubbed her head. "Sleep. I'll wake you when we get there."
The road back to Xicheng was the same, yet something felt different this time.
When they reached her home, they waved goodbye. As Jiang Ying took a few steps, she turned back, stood on tiptoe, and kissed Yun Xian on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."
Yun Xian pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick hug. "See you tomorrow."
Finally, before spring ended, they had entered the romantic chapter.
—
Summer was approaching, and Yun Xian decided to replace some of the plants in the coffee shop with new greenery. The flower shop delivered several pots, and Su Cheng was in charge of moving the flowers while Zhao Xinrou directed the process.
The two were debating whether to place a large monstera at the door or near the bar. Yun Xian, seeing them arguing endlessly, finally said, "Let's put it by the door."
"See, I told you, you have to listen to me." Zhao Xinrou took a bunch of roses, trimmed the stems, and placed them in a vase.
Su Cheng, unable to argue with her, watched her carefully trim the stems and took the scissors from her hands. "Let me do it."
Yun Xian, holding a cup of Americano, smiled meaningfully at them, teasing, "Su Cheng is really good at caring for others. I wonder which lucky girl will end up with him."
Su Cheng glanced at Zhao Xinrou without saying anything, and Zhao Xinrou, pretending she didn't hear, continued packing the wrapping paper.
After a while, Zhao Xinrou remembered something and asked Yun Xian, "By the way, boss, hasn't Jiang Ying been absent for a couple of days?"
Su Cheng recalled the time Yun Xian had coldly called him out of the kitchen after talking to Jiang Ying and how his face looked afterward. Was it over between them?
Yun Xian read the worry in their eyes and put down his cup. Standing up, he walked to the front desk. "She's been busy with work. She's probably getting off soon."
After finishing wrapping a pink litchi flower, Yun Xian grabbed a thin piece of paper, used it to wrap the flower, and tied a nice bow with some ribbon.
"Xiao Zhao, pack a piece of red velvet cake for me."
"Oh, sure." Zhao Xinrou quickly took a piece of red velvet cake from the display case. It was a new creation from Su Cheng, and it had sold well. There was only one left now.
Yun Xian took the packaged cake and said to the two, "Put this on my tab. If there are no customers tonight, you guys can go home early."
Su Cheng asked, "Hey, boss, where are you going?"
Yun Xian raised the roses and cake in his hands. "I'm picking up my girlfriend from work."
It was timed perfectly. When he arrived downstairs, he saw Jiang Ying walking out.
Today, Yun Xian hadn't driven. He stood under the dim streetlights that had just turned on.
Jiang Ying spotted him from a distance, waved, and ran toward him.
Yun Xian opened his arms and steadied her. "Are you hungry?"
"I'm starving." Jiang Ying hung on him, "I just finished revising the plan all day, and it finally got approved."
Yun Xian rested his chin on her head, the sweet citrus scent filling his nose. "Your boss is crazy. You've been working overtime for a week."
"It's okay, I'm off early today. The main problem was that the updates and offline events all came together, and soon I'll have to go to Shencheng for business."
Yun Xian let go of Jiang Ying, handing her the roses and cake. "You've worked hard. Let's go eat."
This was probably the magical ability of a lover—to heal all the fatigue and unhappiness in life.
Jiang Ying took the roses and cake with one hand and held Yun Xian's hand with the other. "I want some Shengjian Bao."
"Alright, Shengjian Bao."
This place was an old brand. Jiang Ying had been coming here to eat since she was little. The shop had been renovated twice and was now twice the size it used to be.
Jiang Ying and Yun Xian sat at a table by the window and ordered two bowls of red bean porridge and a basket of Shengjian Bao.
While waiting for the food, Yun Xian mentioned next month's plans. "I have to go back to Beijing at the beginning of next month. I'll probably be gone for a while."
Jiang Ying asked, "Is something going on?"
"My little brother is taking the college entrance exam. I thought I'd go back and help him relax after the exam."
Jiang Ying nodded, "Tell him to work hard."
Yun Xian smiled, "He doesn't need to worry. He's always been steady."
Jiang Ying asked again, "Does he have any places he wants to go? Does he want to visit Xicheng?"
Yun Xian looked at her and just smiled, saying nothing.
Jiang Ying cleared her throat and explained, "I mean, places like Shencheng or Jinling... You can consider it."
Yun Xian replied, "Alright, I'll ask him."
As they ate, the conversation naturally shifted to his younger brother, Yun Qian, who was eighteen.
According to Yun Xian, Yun Qian was his miniature version, both in appearance and character.
Jiang Ying was curious about him.
Yun Xian said, "I raised him. As an older brother, it's natural."
Jiang Ying asked, "You raised him? Were your parents very busy?"
"It's one reason. Plus, they divorced early, and my brother and I stayed with my mom." Yun Xian said this without any change in expression.
Jiang Ying felt a little awkward, biting her Shengjian Bao, unsure whether to continue the conversation.
Yun Xian understood her hesitation. "Ask whatever you want. I'm your boyfriend, you should know more about me."
Jiang Ying carefully opened her mouth, "So, what about your father? I just feel that for a woman, raising two children alone must be really tiring, so..."
Yun Xian didn't answer immediately, seeming to think about how to explain.
"My dad works in geology, often on field trips. He's been to many places. He was in Hubei when I was born and in Shaanxi when my brother was born. We rarely saw him, and sometimes he would leave home after just two days." Yun Xian's tone was calm, as if he was just talking about his family. "My mom was a high school Chinese teacher. When they first met, she was a literature-loving girl, and he was a traveler with a love for mountains and rivers. It's hard not to be attracted to each other."
Jiang Ying put down her chopsticks and listened attentively. "So, what happened? Why did they separate?"
Yun Xian smiled, saying only two words: "Reality."
Chapter 17: The Seventeenth Cup of Coffee
Love is the time spent under the moon and flowers, everything beautiful and wonderful.
But marriage is not. In the face of reality, love is the quickest thing to wear out.
"After my brother was born, my mom was in a deep depression for a long time. Not long after that, they got divorced. When they were handling the paperwork, my dad wanted to take me with him. He even said he was planning to stay at the school and teach, and he'd reduce his time away. I remember my mom was very calm at that moment. She said one thing: 'We've argued so much, and I just wanted you to spend more time with me and the kids. Why, after the divorce, does that condition suddenly seem so easy to fulfill?'"
Jiang Ying didn't know what to say to comfort Yun Xian. She could only hold his hand and gently rub his hand with her thumb.
"I don't blame my dad. He has his own dreams and ambitions. He's been to so many places and always brought back souvenirs for me and my brother, telling us stories about his travels. But he wasn't a good father. He never came to a single parent-teacher meeting, didn't even know what class I was in."
Yun Xian placed a Shengjian Bao in Jiang Ying's plate and said, "You and my dad should get along well. You both like to travel around the world."
Jiang Ying chewed the crispy skin and said, "It would be so boring staying in one place. Plus, there are so many interesting places in this world."
Yun Xian nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's true."
Jiang Ying asked, "What about your mom? How is she now?"
"She's fine. She's still teaching at the school."
Jiang Ying grew a little concerned. "Is she a strict teacher? My high school Chinese teacher was really scary. I still remember how she scolded people."
Yun Xian raised an eyebrow. "From what I know, her students are pretty scared of her."
Jiang Ying gasped, muttering, "Well, that's not good."
Yun Xian wasn't sure what to say, so he reached out and tapped her forehead. "Are you already worried about the mother-in-law relationship?"
Jiang Ying quickly covered her forehead, denying, "Not at all!"
Yun Xian tried to ease her worries. "You really don't need to worry about that. If my mom knows I'm in a relationship, she'll probably put you on a pedestal."
Jiang Ying puffed up her cheeks, pretending to take it as a joke.
But, thinking about it, she and Yun Xian had just started dating. Meeting the parents was still far away, so worrying about it now really wasn't necessary.
Her brief moment of worry passed quickly, and she took a spoonful of red bean porridge, savoring the sweetness that spread across her tongue. It was better to enjoy the present.
—
When Li Zhicheng finally gave the signal that they could leave work, Jiang Ying felt like she was seventeen again. The first math class of the morning was long and dull. She counted down the minutes on her watch, anxiously waiting for the bell to ring.
When the bell finally rang, the whole world seemed brighter.
"Go wash up and get some rest, everyone. Good job," Li Zhicheng yawned lazily while speaking to the employees. "When we get to Shencheng, I'll treat you all to a nice meal."
To coincide with the summer sale and June's comic exhibition, they had updated two chapters of the main storyline. The schedule was tight, and the task was heavy. Plus, there were many adjustments to make based on player feedback. By the time everything was finalized, the whole office felt completely drained.
Zhou Qingqing couldn't hold on any longer and had fallen asleep on her desk. Jiang Ying covered her with a blanket and packed up her things, getting ready to leave.
It was still only 10 AM, but after staying up all night, she had passed the tired point and could no longer feel the exhaustion. However, her mind was still alert.
When Jiang Ying arrived at Yun Bian, Su Cheng was squatting outside the door, smoking.
"What are you doing here?" Jiang Ying asked him.
"Jie, you're here?" Su Cheng jumped up immediately, taking the cigarette out of his mouth, looking like he'd seen a ghost.
Jiang Ying glanced into the store. "I just finished, and I came here to grab something to eat."
Su Cheng scratched his head. "Oh, okay."
Jiang Ying saw him blocking the door and found it amusing. "What's wrong? Don't want to let me in?"
"Uh, no, it's just that... Jie..." Su Cheng didn't know how to explain and started tugging at his own hair in frustration.
Jiang Ying grew suspicious of his strange behavior, and she stopped smiling, directly asking, "Where's Yun Xian?"
Su Cheng replied, "He's inside, playing..."
Before he could finish, a shout full of anger came from inside the room.
"Do you treat me like a person? Do you know how it feels when you and Yun Qian have always said that if you hadn't had us, life would have been better? How do you think we feel?"
"For these twenty years, if you weren't happy, weren't fulfilled, did I ever feel happy?"
"You're right, having me was the biggest mistake you made, and I agree with you."
"I hope I didn't exist, more than you and your ex-husband."
Jiang Ying, hearing those words, felt as though she'd been struck by lightning. She was frozen in place, not knowing whether to move forward or retreat.
The person who was now shouting in despair, like a trapped animal, was the most gentle person she had ever known.
She had never imagined that Yun Xian would say something like "I wish I didn't exist."
Su Cheng quickly pulled Jiang Ying out, closing the door behind them. He lowered his voice, "The boss just got a call, sounds like it was from his family. Probably something happened. They started arguing after a few words, but every time he gets a call from home, his mood isn't great."
Jiang Ying immediately decided, "I'll go see him."
"Jie," Su Cheng stopped her, "Don't go in just yet. He's really upset. Let him be alone for a while."
Jiang Ying opened her mouth but couldn't say anything. She sighed heavily, crossed her arms, and leaned against the door. She held out her hand to Su Cheng. "Cigarette, give me one."
Su Cheng hesitated, then pulled a cigarette and lighter out of his pocket and handed them to her.
Jiang Ying took the cigarette and was about to light it, but she suddenly remembered she had told Yun Xian she was trying to quit smoking. She quickly snapped the lighter shut and rubbed her hair in frustration. "Forget it."
Not long after, Yun Xian came out of the room and called for Su Cheng. "Su Cheng, I'm going to Beijing for a few days. If anything comes up, call me."
Su Cheng quickly replied, "Okay."
Yun Xian hurried to the door and saw Jiang Ying standing there. After a moment of surprise, his displeasure faded, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He asked, "What are you doing here?"
Jiang Ying didn't answer his question and directly asked, "You're going back to Beijing? What happened?"
Su Cheng, seeing the situation, went back inside, leaving them alone to talk.
This was hard to explain, so Yun Xian just said, "Something happened at home. I'll tell you later. I have to head to the airport now, I'll talk to you when I'm back."
"Yun Xian." Jiang Ying grabbed his arm without hesitation, "I'll go with you."
When he didn't respond right away, Jiang Ying held his hand again, softening her tone. "I'm not trying to interfere with your family matters. I just want to be there for you, maybe I can help. Let me go with you, okay?"
Her face and the way she looked at him seemed to hold a kind of magic. The heaviness that had been around him thinned out in an instant. Yun Xian raised his hand and touched her cheek, feeling his heart tighten. He nodded, "Okay."
It took about 40 minutes to reach the airport. Jiang Ying drove, and Yun Xian was on the phone with different people, asking the same question every time: "Is Yun Qian with you?"
After going through all the contacts in his phone, Yun Xian finally put down the phone and leaned back in his seat, exhausted.
Jiang Ying glanced at him and asked, "Did your brother run away from home?"
Yun Xian responded weakly, "He's been struggling with his studies lately, and he had a fight with my mom. Today, the teacher called saying he skipped class. We don't know where he went."
Jiang Ying tried to comfort him. "He's old enough to know what he's doing. Maybe he's just tired and needs a break."
Yun Xian rubbed his temples. "I know."
Seeing how upset he was, Jiang Ying didn't push the topic further. They hurriedly booked the next available flight, and by the time they landed, it was already past two in the afternoon.
After checking the security footage at the entrance to the neighborhood, they saw Yun Qian had walked in the opposite direction of the school this morning, but it was hard to track where he had gone.
This morning, Xia Zhi had back-to-back public lessons and hadn't had time to check her phone. Yun Qian's homeroom teacher, Teacher Tao, thought he was sick for not coming to school. Given his usual good performance, no one would have expected that he had skipped class.
When Xia Zhi realized her younger son hadn't gone to school, her first instinct was to call Yun Xian.
In her eyes, Yun Qian's sudden rebellion was half because he was learning from Yun Xian, while Yun Xian's rebellious nature was inherited from Yun Chengfan. Unable to bear the pressure, he avoided reality, weak and shameful, just like the three of them.
The mother and son argued for a while before sitting in the police station, each on opposite sides, refusing to speak, indifferent as though they were strangers.
Jiang Ying stood beside Yun Xian. Meeting the parents for the first time was already a nerve-wracking experience, and with the awkward atmosphere, she felt even more uneasy.
When the officer heard it was a high school boy, he felt a little relieved and asked, "Does this kid usually have any places he likes to go? Not wanting to go to class, he's probably at an internet café, right?"
Xia Zhi shook her head. "He wouldn't go to an internet café. His ID's at home, and he doesn't have a phone. Where could he go?"
Yun Xian calmly spoke to the officer, explaining, "He usually stays at home or goes to school. I've called all the relatives and friends I know, and no one's seen him. He doesn't go to many places by himself, and he only has a few hundred dollars on him. Could you check the surrounding surveillance?"
The officer nodded, still writing down notes, "Checking will take time. Maybe he'll come back on his own soon."
Jiang Ying tugged at Yun Xian's sleeve and quietly asked, "Does he have any hobbies? Maybe he likes astronomy and might go to a museum, or he likes basketball?"
Yun Xian lowered his head, not saying anything.
Jiang Ying thought he hadn't heard her and continued, "When someone's in a bad mood, they often go do something they enjoy. Maybe he just needs a place to vent."
"Jiang Ying." Yun Xian finally raised his head. The light from above cast shadows on his face and shoulders, highlighting the dark circles under his eyes and the weariness in his brows. "Yun Qian... doesn't seem to have any hobbies."
Or rather, he wasn't allowed to.
Anything unrelated to studying was considered a waste of time. Whatever he liked, it was always met with, "We'll talk about it after the college entrance exam. Your main task right now is to study." Over time, those interests and hobbies, the things that used to bring joy, lost their power.
In the long silence, the light shifted, and Yun Xian's entire body fell into the shadows. He finally remembered that his younger brother used to be interested in flying machines.
When was it that Yun Qian stopped talking to him about space exploration and spacecraft, those far-off and endlessly fascinating topics?
It seemed like it was one weekend when Xia Zhi took the two brothers to the bookstore. Yun Qian excitedly picked up a book called Vast Universe.
It was a thick book, filled with specialized and difficult knowledge for a child his age, but just the pictures made Yun Qian eager to read it. He didn't understand what went into making a manned spacecraft; he just couldn't resist the allure of the universe.
But that book, which he cherished so much, was never brought home. No matter how he insisted and described how interesting it was, Xia Zhi shut him down with, "Will you ever need that knowledge for your exams?"
That day, Yun Qian didn't argue. He quietly returned the book to the shelf. Xia Zhi, pleased, patted his head and said, "How about I take you and your brother to have pizza tonight?"
As for whether Yun Qian cheered up afterward, Yun Xian couldn't remember.
Maybe he forgot about it quickly. After all, he was just a little kid.
"Isn't it pitiful?" Yun Xian asked in a hoarse voice. "Not even having anything he likes."
He seemed to be talking about Yun Qian, but it almost sounded like he was talking about himself.
Chapter 18: The Eighteenth Cup of Coffee
Tracking the surveillance footage was exhausting. The more time passed, the more impatient Xia Zhi became. Her initial concern slowly turned into frustration, and she finally couldn't hold it in any longer, muttering under her breath, "He's so old and still so reckless, just causing trouble every day!"
Yun Xian didn't have the energy to respond. His eyes were glued to the screen, desperately trying to spot his brother's familiar figure among the crowd.
His younger brother had always been sensible and independent, familiar with his surroundings. That was exactly why Yun Xian was more worried now. No one knew where he would go, what he would do, or what his mental state was like at the moment.
Almost an hour had passed. Yun Xian took off his glasses and rubbed his sore eyes. Jiang Ying took a bottle of eye drops from her bag and handed it to him.
Yun Xian accepted the small black bottle and softly asked, "Are you tired?"
Jiang Ying shook her head. Her body was exhausted from the sleepless night and the travel between two cities, but her mind was still on edge, unwilling to relax.
In the meantime, Xia Zhi had answered a few phone calls. She was not only the head of the grade but also in charge of an advanced class, so there was a lot to deal with.
Jiang Ying stood up to pour a cup of water, flashing Xia Zhi a small smile as she placed the paper cup next to her.
Xia Zhi had been busy all day, and she hadn't had the chance to attend to other matters. She pulled Jiang Ying over and apologized, saying, "I'm so sorry, making you come all this way just to accompany us."
Jiang Ying smiled and shook her head.
Xia Zhi's phone rang again, and upon seeing that it was Yun Qian's homeroom teacher calling, she quickly answered.
"Hello, Teacher Tao… Oh, he's back at school? That's great, that's great. We'll head over right now."
Yun Xian heard this and breathed a sigh of relief. He stood up and apologized to the officers, "Sorry for taking up your time."
The officers waved it off. "It's our job. Just make sure you have a good talk with your kid!"
Yun Xian nodded repeatedly and walked out quickly.
Jiang Ying and Xia Zhi followed him, rushing back to the school.
In the office, Yun Qian, who had been missing all day, was sitting quietly on a single sofa with his head down.
Yun Xian stopped at the door and took a few deep breaths to steady himself.
Seeing the parents had arrived, Teacher Tao stood up and made space for them. "The child has already admitted his mistake. If you need to talk, go ahead. Yun Qian has always been excellent."
Yun Xian nodded. "Thank you, teacher."
Jiang Ying stood behind Yun Xian, unsure of his thoughts. She was trying to figure out how to stop a potential confrontation, but then she saw him step forward, gently placing his hand on his brother's head and softly asking, "Have you eaten? Are you hungry?"
Yun Qian seemed a little surprised. He shook his head blankly. His school uniform was too big for him, hanging loosely on his thin frame. His features resembled Yun Xian's, but they were softer and more youthful. Maybe because he knew he was in trouble, he sat quietly, waiting for whatever was to come.
"Let's go home for today. You won't be attending the evening self-study. I'll excuse you from it with the teacher," Yun Xian said, picking up Yun Qian's schoolbag. He even joked, "You ran away from home but still brought so many books. Your image as a studious kid is intact."
Yun Qian blushed at his words, unsure whether Yun Xian was teasing him.
Xia Zhi stood by, finally speaking up, "Take him home. I still have two classes left to teach." She turned and left without looking back.
Jiang Ying let out a silent breath. This family was really hard to figure out.
On the way back, Jiang Ying thought that Yun Xian would interrogate his brother, but he didn't say much except asking whether they wanted to eat something. He only casually mentioned beef noodles.
Yun Qian probably thought he was going to get a harsh scolding for his bad behavior, but no one yelled at him, which made him even more anxious.
He glanced cautiously at Yun Xian, who was absorbed in selecting food on a delivery app.
"Brother, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Jiang Ying couldn't help but laugh. "You actually want him to scold you, huh?"
Yun Xian found this amusing as well, pinching his brother's cheek. "Yeah, you've got the nerve to skip school, but then come back to school. Aren't you a coward?"
Yun Qian grimaced and covered one side of his face, muttering, "I didn't want to skip school."
Yun Xian asked, "Then what did you want to do? The world is so big, did you want to go see it?"
"I just… didn't want to go to school," Yun Qian said, his voice growing smaller.
—
"Did you do well on the exams? Did you finish your homework? I've lost all sense of those things. Teacher Tao told me there's only half a month left until the exams. Just hold on a little longer. It'll be over soon. But for me, whether it's a year, half a month, or tomorrow, it's all the same. I've become numb. I can't pay attention in class. I feel nauseous just looking at test papers. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Sitting in class just feels painful. I feel like I'm suffocating."
After speaking, Yun Qian rested his head against the window, staring blankly at the buildings passing by. After a long pause, he added, "Brother, do you think I'm crazy? But I really feel so terrible."
Yun Xian's fist clenched tightly, then loosened. He patted Yun Qian's shoulder.
How should he comfort his brother?
Should he tell him that the future is long, and none of this matters?
But when Yun Xian looked back at his own thirty years, all he saw was a long period of pain. He couldn't find anything worth looking forward to, to give his brother hope.
When Yun Qian was two years old, their parents divorced. He had no memory of a complete family.
But Yun Xian did. He had witnessed a harmonious and happy home fall apart.
Whenever his parents fought, he would always hear phrases like "I sacrificed this and that for this family," as if their existence was constantly depriving his parents of their happiness and brightness.
He worked, studied, and lived in silence.
Why did he resign? Why did he leave Beijing?
Because one day he realized that he no longer had any emotions.
He stayed up all night, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
In a half-dream, half-awake state, Yun Xian always saw himself trapped underwater, sinking deeper, unable to see the sun, or breathe fresh air.
Almost dying, his blood slowed, his pulse weakly thumping, clinging to the last trace of life.
How could one live when even breathing hurts?
Yun Xian suddenly choked, his throat burning.
As he struggled to speak, someone else spoke for him.
"Life is indeed tough, day after day. You'll always have worries. But, no matter if tomorrow is sunny or rainy, there will always be something that will make you happy."
The tree branches outside the window flashed past. The evening sun cast a soft glow on Jiang Ying's face. In the fading light, her voice was gentle and calm, like the early summer breeze, wrapped in the sweet scent of cherries, brushing past the busy people of the day.
"I've worked overtime for a whole week. It's been almost thirty hours without sleep, but when I think about the hot beef noodles waiting for me, I feel so happy."
She smiled, the kind of smile that was so contagious. "See? Happiness is really that simple. As for those painful and bad memories, when they're over, you'll realize they're just that – just a phase."
After Jiang Ying finished speaking, she turned around and found both brothers staring at her.
She awkwardly cleared her throat and turned away to avoid their gazes. "What's up? Did my motivational speech make you sick?"
Yun Qian quickly shook his head. "No, no. I understand what you said. Thank you."
Even the usually quiet driver couldn't help but give her a thumbs up. "Little lady, what you said is really good!"
Yun Xian smiled as he looked at Jiang Ying for a while. After a moment, he turned his gaze back to Yun Qian and asked the question that had been on everyone's mind all day. "Where did you go today?"
Jiang Ying immediately added, "Yeah, where did you go? Did you eat anything good?"
Yun Qian succinctly summed up his day of skipping school. "I just randomly took a bus and went around most of the city. I ended up at a second-hand bookstore and finished reading The Three-Body Problem."
Yun Xian then remembered that after Yun Qian's phone was confiscated, he borrowed a copy of The Three-Body Problem from a classmate. One night, he didn't realize how late it was and ended up reading until 2 AM. Summer Zhi found out, and the next day she searched his room thoroughly, gathering up anything unrelated to studying.
That time, Yun Xian also got scolded for helping his brother hide things, and their mom warned him not to cover for him.
Yun Qian must have been feeling uncomfortable about it, knowing he was so close to finishing the book, only to have it taken away.
Yun Xian asked, "How did it end?"
"I don't know." Yun Qian lowered his head, looking unexpectedly dejected. "I don't know why, but I kept getting distracted while reading. I kept thinking about where others were in their exams, which unit they were revising. When I finally forced myself to finish it, I realized I didn't remember anything."
"So you went back to school in the end?"
Yun Qian scratched his forehead. "It's a little embarrassing, but when I saw the school sign, I actually felt more relieved than I've felt all day."
Yun Xian sighed, frustrated. "So you're saying you're embarrassed? The first time I've seen a runaway come back and confess."
Jiang Ying immediately shot Yun Xian a look, signaling him to keep quiet, and then smiled at Yun Qian. "A student's matter is never an escape. We're just saving a spot for future battles. Besides, avoiding things isn't shameful. I love avoiding things."
Yun Xian chuckled. "You're good at comforting people."
Jiang Ying shot him another look, and Yun Xian, sensing it, kept quiet, gesturing for her to continue.
Jiang Ying adjusted herself and continued, "But avoiding things doesn't solve the problem. You can temporarily isolate yourself to think about what to do, or distract yourself to adjust your mood. But once you're adjusted, you have to face what you need to face."
After encouraging Yun Qian, it was Yun Xian's turn to lecture him. He took on the role of the older brother and said seriously, "I'm not scolding you because I know you've had it tough, and I know you're sensible. But what you did today was wrong. You made everyone worry about you all day."
Yun Qian obediently admitted his mistake. "I know, it's my fault."
Seeing his sincere attitude, Yun Xian nodded in approval and asked, "Do you regret it now?"
Yun Qian didn't hesitate. "No, at least when I took the first step, I felt relieved."
"The college entrance exam isn't something to be afraid of. You've always done well," Yun Xian said as they arrived at their destination.
It was already past 5 PM, and the summer sun was still dazzling. After a couple of days of rain, today the air was clean, and the sky was a bright blue with clouds floating by.
Yun Qian finally showed his first smile of the day, his eyes brightening up as if the weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He truly felt light and ready for the challenge: "I get it. I've gotten through so many tests already. What's one more exam?"
As the atmosphere shifted to one of enthusiasm, Jiang Ying raised her hand: "Not to kill the mood, but the terrifying exams in college are still coming."
Innocent high school student Yun Qian looked up with wide, innocent eyes and asked a question that made both of them laugh and stay silent: "Isn't college supposed to be for fun?"
Not wanting to scare the exam takers, Yun Xian handed over the backpack and house keys. "You go upstairs first. The food delivery should be arriving soon. You can eat if you're hungry."
Yun Qian asked, "Where are you guys going?"
"To buy some daily necessities for your little Jiang sister. She's staying at our place tonight."
Once Yun Qian went upstairs, Jiang Ying suddenly realized something and felt embarrassed. "Actually, I can stay at a hotel if you prefer."
Yun Xian glanced at her. "Why are you shy?"
Jiang Ying opened her eyes wide and raised her voice in mock indignation. "I'm not shy!"
Yun Xian pointed at himself, then at Yun Qian, who was heading upstairs. "You sleep in my room, and I'll sleep in Yun Qian's room. It's more convenient for you to stay here if we're going to the airport tomorrow."
"Oh, I see." Jiang Ying nodded, trying to cover her embarrassment as she stepped away, but before she could even take a step, Yun Xian grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"What's wrong? Didn't you say you were going to the supermarket?"
"First, we need to do something."
Before she could respond, Yun Xian was already pulling her towards the hallway.
The sun was setting, and the lights had not yet turned on. The hallway was dark and empty, amplifying every small sound, which seemed to echo in their ears.
Jiang Ying was gently pushed by Yun Xian, and her back hit the cement wall.
The rough sensation scraped against her back. She shifted uncomfortably, but Yun Xian interpreted her movement as an attempt to escape.
Perhaps because Yun Xian had always been gentle and unthreatening, when he took both of her wrists and held them above her head while wrapping his other arm around her waist, his lips descending on hers, Jiang Ying's heart hung in the air, and she felt a tension she had never experienced before.
Chapter 19: The Nineteenth Cup of Coffee
Such a forceful and overt display of desire from Yun Xian instantly ignited the sparks within Jiang Ying's body, crackling all the way through.
The pleasure that surged in their minds was shared between them. It wasn't the first kiss, but it was the first time it was so intense and lingering, as if all their desires would spill out the next second. Beneath their feet, they stood on clouds, and behind them was an endless ocean. In their eyes, all that remained was each other, placed delicately on their hearts.
Yun Xian pressed his lips against Jiang Ying's, occasionally giving a gentle bite. When Jiang Ying felt the pain and subconsciously tried to push him away, he would release her and then coil his tongue around hers, tenderly invading and conquering.
Just as Jiang Ying was on the verge of losing her breath, Yun Xian finally withdrew, calling a ceasefire.
The lipstick remnants smeared at the corner of his lips, and the soft reddish hue made Jiang Ying feel embarrassed, unable to look him in the eye.
Yun Xian raised his hand and wiped the glossy shine from her lips with his thumb, then rubbed his own lips with the back of his hand. "Why is it so sticky?" he asked.
Blushing, Jiang Ying averted her gaze, reaching into her bag to pull out a tissue and hand it to him. "I applied lip gloss."
Yun Xian took the tissue, folding it a few times to wipe off the unknown mixture of saliva—his or hers—and the sticky gloss from his hand.
Jiang Ying pulled out another tissue and dabbed at the corner of his lips, then couldn't resist complaining, "Why do you always like to make surprise attacks?"
Yun Xian pinched her cheek but didn't explain the moment that stirred him. Instead, he simply said, "Couldn't help myself."
He took another half-step forward, pressing her even closer, then lowered his voice, asking, "Did you wear makeup today?"
"Strictly speaking, I did it yesterday."
Yun Xian asked again, "It seems like you also applied some on your neck?"
"Of course, otherwise there'd be a color difference. Do you think I wore it too long...?"
But before Jiang Ying could finish her sentence, Yun Xian tugged at her collar slightly. She was wearing a loose T-shirt today, so a large portion of her shoulder was exposed.
Yun Xian caressed the tattoo on her left shoulder, then lowered his head, using his teeth to bite the strap and shift it aside.
For a moment, Jiang Ying nearly forgot how to breathe, her heart hanging in mid-air, swaying.
Yun Xian gently nipped and nibbled at a patch of skin on her shoulder, his force increasing gradually. The combination of pain and the itch of his hair brushing against her made Jiang Ying involuntarily let out a soft moan.
His golden-rimmed glasses still rested neatly on his nose, but the look in his eyes was wild and passionate.
Her whole body felt numb and tingly, and Jiang Ying reached up to touch his face.
Yun Xian grabbed her hand and placed it on his waist, pulling her closer as his delicate kisses continued, bringing a hint of pain with each one.
When it was all over, another red mark appeared beside the red rose. Yun Xian kissed the swollen spot and adjusted her collar back into place.
They both lingered in the aftermath, reluctant to part. Jiang Ying, sensing Yun Xian's unusual mood, finally caught her breath and asked worriedly, "What's really going on?"
Yun Xian hugged her tighter, hesitated between dismissing her concern or being honest, and after two seconds, chose the latter. "I didn't want you to follow me here and suffer."
Jiang Ying touched his back and replied softly, "Mm."
"I didn't want you to see my family. I can be open with you about everything, but not this. I can talk about it sometimes, but facing it directly… sometimes I don't even want to do that, let alone bring you into it."
Yun Xian paused for a few seconds, as if considering how to begin.
"My mother gave up pursuing a master's degree and married my father because she was pregnant with me. Later, she often said that if she hadn't had me, her life probably wouldn't have turned out this way. When Yun Qian was two, they divorced, and there was a long dispute over custody. She raised me and my brother on her own, which was really tough, so I've always gone along with her. But slowly, I felt like she was a shackle. I didn't have things I liked or didn't like to do, only things I should or shouldn't do. Work was tiring, and dealing with her when I got home was even more tiring."
Yun Xian let out a light sigh. "Sometimes I honestly don't know who owes who."
Jiang Ying asked Yun Xian, "Do you remember when we first met?"
Yun Xian nodded. "Yeah, it was your birthday. Why?"
Jiang Ying looked at him earnestly and said, "Meeting you was the only good thing that happened that day, so Yun Xian, thank you for existing in this world."
Before Yun Xian could respond, the sound of footsteps came from the hallway. Jiang Ying immediately pushed him away and took a step back, urging him, "Hurry up, hurry up."
In an instant, the tenderness was gone. Yun Xian smiled helplessly and followed her.
As they walked out of the building, Yun Xian noticed that the back of Jiang Ying's white T-shirt had brushed against the wall and gotten dirty. Feeling guilty, he touched his nose and then took off his jacket, draping it over her shoulders.
Jiang Ying, puzzled, asked, "I'm not cold."
Yun Xian pointed to the back. "Your shirt's dirty."
Hearing this, Jiang Ying widened her eyes, twisting her body to inspect the stain while grumbling, "You really picked the worst place."
Yun Xian could only smile apologetically and pushed her along. "I'll wash it for you, I'll wash it."
By the time they returned from the supermarket, they found that Yun Qian had fried two eggs for them.
After a busy day, they hadn't had lunch yet. Jiang Ying could already smell the broth and rubbed her stomach, her hunger undeniable.
Yun Xian noticed that she hadn't eaten much of the noodles but had devoured the eggs quickly. "Do you want more eggs?"
Jiang Ying shook her head. "No, I'm good… Or maybe I'll take a bite of yours?"
Yun Xian smiled, taking the egg she hadn't touched and placing it into her bowl. "I saved this for you."
Yun Xian was always considerate in the small things, remembering others' preferences. He had played the role of an older brother for so long that it had become second nature to him to let others have the better part.
But seeing him like this, Jiang Ying didn't feel entirely comfortable, especially after having been so close to his family today.
She wanted Yun Xian to be the one being pampered for once, not always so understanding and making others feel heartache.
Noticing that Yun Xian seemed distracted, she chuckled and pinched his earlobe, saying, "What are you thinking about? Eat your noodles."
She took a small bite of the egg and happily chewed, returning the rest to Yun Xian. "Your little brother made these, shouldn't you try them? Little Qian's eggs are better than mine."
Yun Xian replied, "He can only do this."
Jiang Ying picked up two pieces of braised beef from her bowl and gave them to him, ruffling his hair. "Our dear big brother worked hard too, eat more meat."
Yun Xian raised his hand and lightly flicked her forehead with his fingers. "Are you pampering a kid?"
Jiang Ying shook her head. "Pampering my boyfriend."
Yun Xian smiled and rubbed her head.
After dinner, Yun Xian cleaned the table, and Jiang Ying wandered around the living room.
Almost every family has a wall of honors, filled with certificates and awards accumulated over the years, and whenever guests come over, that wall always becomes a point of interest.
Jiang Ying's family had one too, though it wasn't filled with many, and the highest honor was just a class "Good Student" award.
Now, standing before a whole cabinet of certificates and awards, she truly realized what a scholar's growth history looked like.
She casually picked up a few, National Math Competition Second Prize, Physics Competition First Prize, Morning Star Cup Essay Competition Second Prize... The top two rows were Yun Xian's, the lower rows belonged to his younger brother Yun Qian. From childhood to adulthood, almost every subject was represented, and there was a full stack of "Excellent Student" and "Outstanding Class Leader" awards, all neatly arranged by year.
Jiang Ying couldn't help but exclaim, "This is terrifying."
She turned to the man wiping the table in the dining room and sincerely said, "Your family's genes are so strong."
Yun Xian glanced at the cabinet nonchalantly. "There are plenty of filler awards in there too. My mom even put my kindergarten origami competition First Place in it."
Jiang Ying carefully placed the certificates back in their place and, when Yun Xian wasn't looking, silently clasped her hands together and prayed.
"Jiang Ying."
Hearing Yun Xian call her from the kitchen, Jiang Ying quickly walked over.
Yun Xian shook his hands dry, picked a cherry, and fed it to Jiang Ying, handing her the plate. "Take this to Yun Qian and ask if he wants water or a drink."
The cherry was sweet and sour, and Yun Xian had already removed the pit. It was delicious.
"Okay," Jiang Ying said, taking the plate, but couldn't resist reaching for another cherry.
Yun Xian slapped her hand away. "I saved a plate for you, don't steal the high schooler's."
Jiang Ying giggled and took the cherries to Yun Qian.
The door wasn't fully closed, so Jiang Ying peeked inside and saw Yun Qian sitting on a chair, lost in thought.
She gently knocked on the door. When Yun Qian looked up, she placed the fruit plate on the table. "Your brother bought cherries, try them, they're really sweet."
Yun Qian politely thanked her. "Thank you, Sister."
Jiang Ying asked, "Are you thirsty? Do you want water or a drink?"
"No, I'm fine," Yun Qian replied.
"Okay, then keep studying," Jiang Ying nodded and said, walking towards the door.
She hesitated for a moment but turned back and said to Yun Qian, "When I was little, I fell off my bike once, my left arm nearly dislocated, and I had several scratches on my body. I cried and went home to find my mom. Guess what she did?"
Yun Qian stared blankly and shook his head, guessing, "She comforted you?"
Jiang Ying smiled, "She hit me, scolded me while taking me to the hospital."
Yun Qian was stunned. "What?"
Jiang Ying smiled and said, "Weird, right? Later she told me that she was so scared she didn't know what to do, so in a panic, she just thought to hit me. Sometimes, parents just don't know how to express things properly. When they scold you, it might not be because they blame you, but their love for you is unquestionable."
Jiang Ying didn't know how much of this Yun Qian would understand, but she smiled and added, "Don't think too much. Just focus on your studies," before gently closing the door behind her.
Yun Xian and Jiang Ying didn't want to disturb Yun Qian. Each with a pair of headphones, they settled on the couch and started a movie on their phones.
Zhang Zhi came back at eight o'clock, holding a thick stack of test papers, still maintaining her dignified teacher's demeanor.
She bypassed Yun Xian and directly asked Jiang Ying, "What did you have for dinner?"
Jiang Ying answered, "Beef noodles."
Zhang Zhi turned to Yun Xian with dissatisfaction, "You didn't take her out to eat something better?"
Jiang Ying quickly explained, "No, no, I said I wanted noodles. It's what I wanted."
Zhang Zhi grabbed Jiang Ying's hand and asked, "Have you been to Beijing before?"
Jiang Ying obediently replied, "A couple of years ago, I came with a friend for a few days."
Zhang Zhi said, "There are so many fun places in Beijing. Next time, let Yun Xian take you out more, since he's such a free spirit."
Yun Xian hesitated, as if about to argue that being a coffee shop owner didn't equate to being free, but then thought better of it.
Seeing Zhang Zhi walking towards Yun Qian's room, Yun Xian quickly got up, "I've already talked to him. Don't affect his mood anymore."
Zhang Zhi turned around, shaking the folder in her hand. "I'm just bringing him the test papers from tonight's quiz. Can't I do that? Am I the villain in your and your brother's eyes?"
Jiang Ying, sensing the tension, was caught in the middle, unsure of how to act. Luckily, they were all exhausted from the day, so there wasn't much energy for any more confrontation.
Zhang Zhi seemed to just be delivering the papers, and soon she returned from the room.
Jiang Ying knew the mother and son needed to talk, so she used the excuse of taking a shower and retreated to Yun Xian's room.
Once only the two of them were left in the living room, Yun Xian and Zhang Zhi both realized they had never truly sat down to have a proper conversation. In this seemingly ordinary moment, neither of them knew where to begin. It was as if they were strangers.
Yun Xian turned on the TV, muting the volume. The sports announcer on the channel was waving his arms excitedly, calling attention to the crucial moment, the ball soaring through the air, and everyone's eyes on that one spot.
Yun Xian realized he had already watched this live broadcast, reaching for the remote to change the channel.
"Do you always think I don't understand you?" Zhang Zhi asked softly, sitting on the single chair.
Yun Xian froze his hand on the remote.
"You know my shoe size, what I like and don't like, what kind of temper I have. No one understands me better than you."
"Do you really understand?" Yun Xian's tone was calm but firm. "What I like, what makes me happy, what makes me sad. Do you really understand?"
He turned to face Zhang Zhi. "I don't know if Yun Qian thinks the same way, but sometimes I feel like I'm just your student."
He paused, then added, "Not even as good as your student."
Something in Zhang Zhi seemed to snap. She furrowed her brows, raising her voice, "What are you saying? Everything I've done has been for your good. Have I ever cared about any student like this? Do you know how much pain I went through to give birth to you two?"
"I know," Yun Xian breathed heavily, "But how many times have you repeated the same thing in front of us? You sacrificed this, you lost that, you gave everything for this family. You never tire of saying it, but I'm tired of hearing it."
Yun Xian controlled his emotions, his voice tight. "You think I resigned from my job on a whim, you think Yun Qian skipping school today was reckless, but do you know... how suffocating it is to stay in this house?"
Zhang Zhi clutched her chest, gasping for air, unable to respond.
She looked at Yun Xian, feeling both close and distant at the same time.
She remembered when Yun Xian had first learned to walk, standing still and letting go of his hand. He had wobbled a few steps before looking back for her, stumbling toward her arms.
Why, as he grew older, did he want to escape from his parents, from the family?
Zhang Zhi didn't want to argue with Yun Xian. He had rarely come home, and she didn't want a repeat of the last time when they parted in anger, and Yun Xian didn't even come back for the New Year.
Forget it, forget it, she thought. She often said that Yun Chengfan wasn't a good father, but now she realized her own score wasn't looking any better.
There was a long silence in the living room. When the evening drama on the movie channel was about to begin, Zhang Zhi pushed up her glasses and asked Yun Xian, "When are you leaving tomorrow?"
Her tone was as normal as usual, as if nothing had just happened.
Yun Xian answered in a hushed voice, "Eight in the morning."
"Get some rest. You and Xiao Jiang are both tired." After that, she grabbed her stack of test papers and returned to her room.
Jiang Ying had been eavesdropping behind the door for a while. Finally, when she heard Zhang Zhi go back to her room, she quietly stepped out.
Seeing her emerge, Yun Xian asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just wanted to let you know I've finished showering, you can go ahead," she said with a yawn.
Yun Xian took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, bloodshot. "If you're tired, go to bed first."
Jiang Ying nodded and returned to her room. "You should rest early too."
Yun Xian's bedsheets were deep blue. The room had only a black office desk and a wardrobe, nothing else.
Jiang Ying lay in the bed, closed her eyes, and sleepily heard someone enter the bathroom, the sound of the wardrobe opening and closing. Just before her mind went blank, she suddenly remembered her phone was still in her bag in the living room and she had forgotten to set an alarm.
She forced herself to get up, squinting, and saw Yun Xian spreading a blanket on the couch.
"You're sleeping here?" Jiang Ying asked, rubbing her hair.
"Mm, Yun Qian's little bed won't fit both of us. He has to wake up early for school tomorrow."
She hesitated. "But the couch is cramped too."
Yun Xian said, "It's fine, just for one night. You go to sleep first."
Jiang Ying rubbed the back of her neck, feeling conflicted, but decided not to let her boyfriend, who had worked hard all day, suffer. "Don't sleep on the couch. ...And when you come in, remember to turn off the lights."
With that, she grabbed her bag and hurried back to her room, deliberately leaving the door open.
Behind her, Yun Xian paused, folding the blanket and letting out a helpless laugh before folding it neatly again and turning off the lights, heading into the bedroom.
The click of the switch echoed in the darkness.
The blanket lifted slightly, and Jiang Ying felt Yun Xian lying down beside her. She turned to wrap her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest.
Yun Xian adjusted their position, making her more comfortable on the pillow.
"If you can't sleep, I can talk to you," Jiang Ying's voice was soft and tired, even gentler than usual.
Yun Xian asked, "Do you remember the wish you made last birthday?"
Maybe because she was too tired, or maybe because she truly forgot, Jiang Ying thought for a moment and then shook her head. "What did I wish for?"
"You said that none of your previous wishes had come true, so you just hoped that anyone who couldn't sleep tonight would get a good night's rest." Yun Xian kissed her forehead. "Your wish came true. That night, I slept very well."
Before drifting off to sleep, Jiang Ying murmured, "Then I'll leave all my wishes for you from now on."
Chapter 20: The Twentieth Cup of Coffee
Perhaps because something was on her mind, Jiang Ying woke up around five in the morning. Seeing Yun Xian still asleep beside her, she turned off the alarm on her phone, got out of bed quietly, and washed up.
There was already some noise in the living room. Jiang Ying walked out and saw Zhang Zhi busy in the kitchen.
"Auntie."
When Zhang Zhi saw her, she smiled. "Up so early? Come have breakfast."
Jiang Ying nodded, and on the table was a bowl of white porridge with some small dishes. She wasn't sure when Zhang Zhi had woken up to prepare it.
Outside, a bird on the tree chirped a couple of times and then fluttered away.
Jiang Ying took a small sip of the porridge, feeling warm and comfortable in her stomach.
When the clock in the dining room showed 5:40, Yun Qian walked out of his room, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
He walked to the table and handed his test papers to Zhang Zhi. "I'm done, take a look."
Zhang Zhi didn't take it, instead scooping a bowl of porridge for Yun Qian. "You should check your own test papers. The two lessons you missed yesterday didn't cover anything major. It should all be things you know. Just review the exercises, and if you don't understand anything, go to the office and ask the teacher."
Yun Qian rubbed his eyes again, thinking he wasn't fully awake yet. In the past, Zhang Zhi would always check every piece of homework and exam paper.
Seeing this, Jiang Ying quickly pushed the porridge in front of Yun Qian. "Put the papers away and have your breakfast."
Yun Qian finally came to his senses. "Oh, right."
Zhang Zhi glanced up at the clock. "Has Yun Xian woken up yet?"
Jiang Ying quickly explained, "He stayed up late last night. It's fine, let him sleep a little longer."
Zhang Zhi sighed and shook her head. "Xiao Jiang, don't be so nice to him. He looks impressive, but he has his flaws. If you get married, you'll have to put up with a lot. Don't spoil him."
Jiang Ying choked on a bite of porridge.
Yun Qian interrupted, "Can you stop talking like that about your own son?"
Zhang Zhi sat up straighter. "I'm allowed to talk about my own son."
Yun Qian muttered, "Finally, my brother gets a girlfriend, and you're going to scare her away."
Zhang Zhi snorted. "If anyone's going to scare her away, it's you, skipping school and being a bad influence."
Mother and son were bantering back and forth. Although it was a playful argument, it had been a long time since they had spoken so much to each other.
On the way to the airport, Jiang Ying remembered the lively breakfast table and said to Yun Xian, "Auntie seems a little different today."
Yun Xian asked, "What's different?"
Jiang Ying puffed her cheeks and thought for a moment. "It seems like... she's become cuter?"
After the last spring rain, the weather gradually became hot. The sun was glaring outside, the sky cloudless, and the grapevine in the yard bore fruit.
At Yun Bian Café, there was a new staff member—Yun Qian, who had just finished his college entrance exams and was now working part-time.
At the end of June, Jiang Ying was on a business trip in Shanghai for a two-day comic convention. Little World had a booth at a themed restaurant.
Jiang Ying wore her work badge and secretly found time to slack off.
The customers entering the café were all young girls, dressed in pretty dresses and wearing delicate makeup.
Jiang Ying watched the group of girls and sighed to Yun Xian, "Youth is wonderful, long live youth."
Yun Xian chuckled softly on the other end of the phone. "Why are you getting all melancholic at a comic convention?"
Jiang Ying asked, "Is the café busy?"
"Not too bad. Xiao Qian works quickly, so I'm enjoying a more leisurely day. How about you? Not busy? Still have time to call me?"
"I'm not busy. There are handsome waiters here, what else do I need to do?" Jiang Ying was suddenly animated. "Let me tell you, the cosplayer we found this time is amazing, super handsome. Oh, you know what cosplay is, right? It's role-playing."
There was a brief silence on Yun Xian's end. "Really?"
"Really. I'll send you the photos."
After hanging up, Jiang Ying sent Yun Xian the photos she had sneakily taken.
The cosplayer portraying Jing Ying was handsome, with delicate features, wearing a shirt and slacks, with gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a scholarly yet rogue vibe.
When Jiang Ying took the photo, he was standing at the front desk taking an order from two customers.
Half a minute later, she received a message on her phone.
[Shan Mountain: Fake.]
Jiang Ying burst out laughing.
[Sunset Orange: I don't think it's inferior to the real thing.]
After that, Yun Xian didn't reply. Just then, something came up for Jiang Ying, so she put her phone away and got to work.
To her surprise, the next day she received a call from Yun Xian, saying that he was standing outside the exhibition hall.
"Do you have a ticket? How did you get in?"
Yun Xian didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Which direction are you in? I'll come find you."
Jiang Ying gave him the directions, and within a few minutes, she saw him walking towards her from a distance.
She quickly jogged over and breathlessly asked, "What are you doing here?"
Yun Xian, one hand in his pocket, glanced into the shop and said casually, "I'm here to expose counterfeits."
Jiang Ying was speechless and amused. This man could be so childish when it came to jealousy.
She asked him, "So how did you get in?"
Yun Xian held up his work badge in front of her. "Li Zhicheng gave it to me."
Jiang Ying looked at him suspiciously. "Since when did you become so close to my boss?"
Yun Xian pushed up his glasses, cleared his throat, and said, "Actually, when I told you I came to Xicheng because of a friend, that friend was Li Zhicheng."
Before Jiang Ying could process this, Yun Xian added, "He's my college classmate and my current roommate."
Jiang Ying: ...
"Then why did you tell me you weren't familiar with him?"
Yun Xian poked her forehead. "If I told you I was friends with your boss, would you feel comfortable around me?"
Jiang Ying nodded but then suddenly jumped up. "You didn't tell him the things I said about him behind his back, did you?"
Yun Xian chuckled, asking, "Do I look like the kind of person who would do that?"
Jiang Ying breathed a sigh of relief.
Yun Xian's gaze shifted to a young man not far away, and he teasingly threatened, "But if you provoke me with others again, I might have to report it."
Jiang Ying crossed her arms over her chest, taking a deep breath. Why did it feel like she was suddenly at a disadvantage in this relationship?
She wrinkled her nose and gave him a pitiful look. "You hid it from me first, and now you're threatening me. I know, I've been wronged."
Yun Xian smiled helplessly and pinched her cheek. "So you're acting now?"
Jiang Ying took advantage of the situation, throwing her arms around his neck and hanging onto him. "Then you can't report me. Li Zhicheng gets scary when he's angry."
Yun Xian held her steadily, giving in to her playful charm. "I really have no way of dealing with you."
After work in the evening, Yun Xian and Jiang Ying decided to revisit some old places.
They boarded a sightseeing bus, following the same route, sitting in the same seats, and listening to the same song on the headphones.
Jiang Ying suddenly remembered something and asked Yun Xian, "Why did you want to kiss me back then?"
Yun Xian's gaze shifted from the bustling street to Jiang Ying, and after a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Cherries, oranges, strawberries, roses, or maybe smoke or alcohol. I wanted to know what you tasted like."
The summer sun lingered in the world, and in the evening, the sky remained bright.
Jiang Ying leaned forward and smiled as she kissed Yun Xian.
"I'm not just one flavor."
Recently, Yun Xian had taken up bartending. One evening, after Jiang Ying finished work, she arrived at Yun Bian Café to find him busy in the kitchen, surrounded by various glassware.
Jiang Ying jumped onto the counter and asked, "You're not bored with the café already and thinking of opening a bar, are you?"
Yun Xian didn't answer, carefully placing a mint leaf into a glass before pushing the drink toward Jiang Ying. "Try it."
Jiang Ying cautiously raised the glass. The drink had a gradient effect, with orange blending into pink, and ice cubes floating. The scent of orange mixed with whiskey.
She took a small sip through a straw and commented, "It's good, but it could use a stronger alcohol taste."
Yun Xian leaned against the table with his arms crossed. "This drink is called 'Sunset Orange.'"
Jiang Ying looked up, stirring the drink in her glass, and half-jokingly said, "Well, I'll have to charge you copyright fees for that."
Yun Xian smiled and continued cleaning up the glasses. "I've been planning to make some alcoholic drinks. This is one of them."
Jiang Ying jumped off the counter and helped him tidy up. "Boss Yun, why don't you consider letting me invest in your business? We'll all make money together."
Yun Xian glanced at her while wiping a glass, his tone flat. "As for investing, I'd rather not."
Surprised by the rejection, Jiang Ying pouted, "Are you serious? I've tasted your new drinks, helped you paint the pictures on the wall, even tried to comfort you when you couldn't sleep. And now I can't even invest in your business? This is such a loss for me!"
"It is a bit of a loss," Yun Xian mimicked her tone, "But I guess I'll just make you the boss's wife, and you'll get everything for free."
He paused and added, "This way, I won't even have to pay copyright fees."
A few seconds later, Jiang Ying, belatedly realizing, asked, "Were you just proposing to me?"
Yun Xian took the glass, admiring the color he had carefully created.
The bright orange hidden with soft pink was like a sunset—calm yet full of warmth.
Just like Jiang Ying.
"Do you like Yun Bian?"
"Yes."
"Then, would you accept this as my engagement gift?"
Author's note:
The story is complete! I hope to dedicate this to all those who suffer from insomnia. See you in the next one, and thank you for your love!