The bell above the door jingled, and Qing Yun looked up with her usual smile already in place.
The man standing at the counter wore a neat jacket, glasses balanced on his nose, and a nervous smile that made him seem more harmless than bold. He held a book in his hand—a romance novel, of all things.
"Sunny, right?" he asked, adjusting his glasses.
"That's me." Her tone was bright, warm, the same way it always was when she greeted customers.
"I came last week. You recommended this one." He held up the book. "Finished it in two nights. Thought I should come and thank you properly."
Qing Yun's smile widened. "I'm glad you liked it. Did the ending surprise you?"
"It did," he admitted. "Though, maybe I liked it because of how you described it. You made it sound better than the back cover did."
She laughed lightly. "Then I'll tell the publisher they should hire me for blurbs."
The man chuckled, leaning a little closer over the counter. "Maybe they should. Or maybe I should just keep asking you for recommendations. Though…" His voice dipped slightly, teasing, "I was hoping to get more than just books tonight."
Qing Yun tilted her head, still smiling. "More than books? I'm afraid I only sell words here."
"Not even a WeChat?"
She kept her tone airy, her smile easy. "I'd only end up sending you lists of novels. Isn't it more fun to come here in person?"
The man blinked, then laughed, scratching the back of his neck. "You're good. Fine, I'll take that as a challenge."
She nodded, eyes curved in polite amusement. "Please do."
It was all light, kind, harmless. To her, it was just part of the job—making customers feel welcome, making sure they left smiling.
She didn't notice the shadow by the doorway until she turned.
Gu Ze Yan stood there, framed by the glow of the street lamps outside. His expression was perfectly composed—elegant, calm, unreadable. But something about the way his gaze lingered on her, on the man standing so close to the counter, made her chest flutter strangely.
"Ah," she said, voice rising slightly. "Welcome."
The customer followed her gaze, glanced over his shoulder, then muttered something about returning next week. He waved politely at her before slipping out, the bell chiming again behind him.
Silence stretched in his wake.
Qing Yun tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and flashed her practiced brightness. "Mr. Gu. Books or Red Bean dish recommendations tonight?"
His gaze flicked over her, calm as water, though inside something sharp stirred. She was smiling—just as she always did. Bright, kind, easy.
The same smile she had given that man.
"…Books," he said at last, his voice even.
"Wonderful." She stepped out from behind the counter, moving toward the shelves with practiced ease. "New arrivals came in yesterday. There's one on technology trends—you might like it."
He followed her, his stride unhurried, but his thoughts weren't on the books. They were on the way her laughter had rung out so easily a moment ago. The way she leaned forward, listening attentively, as if the stranger's words had mattered.
It unsettled him, though he kept the feeling carefully buried. Perhaps this was just who she was. Kind to everyone. Warm to everyone. The brightness wasn't special.
Still, his chest felt oddly tight.
Qing Yun crouched to adjust a lower stack of books, humming softly under her breath. She didn't notice how his gaze lingered, tracing the line of her hair falling against her cheek, the faint crease of concentration between her brows.
"Here," she said, straightening and holding out a hardcover. "This one's been popular lately."
He accepted it, their fingers brushing briefly. The touch was nothing—barely there—but it lingered longer in his mind than it should have.
"Do you always recommend bestsellers?" he asked, his tone light but edged with something unspoken.
"Not always," she replied easily. "Only when I think they might suit the customer."
"So you think this suits me?"
She tilted her head, lips curving in that bright way again. "You'll have to read it to find out."
He bought the book without another word.
At the counter, she scanned the code, handed him the receipt with her usual grace. "Thank you for visiting. Please come again."
He looked at her, at the way her smile didn't waver. And for the first time, he wondered if he had mistaken its meaning all along.
Was it ever really meant for him?
After he left, Qing Yun lingered at the register, humming again as she arranged the day's receipts. She told herself nothing had changed. He came, he bought a book, he left.
But her heart still beat a little too fast from the moment she had turned and seen him standing there.
She shook her head, laughing at herself softly. Sunny, don't be silly. You're just tired. That's all.
Outside, Gu Ze Yan paused on the street, book under his arm. He glanced back through the window.
She was smiling again, humming as she worked, light falling over her like it always did.
And he stood there for a moment longer than he should have, before finally turning away.