Chapter 18
When Ji Ting breathed a sigh of relief.
It was as if a hint of loss had been plugged. Beyond friendship but not yet lovers, she successfully positioned herself in between. Fortunately, the road ahead was blocked, but there was a retreat available, not yet a complete dead end.
She opened the door, concealing a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
Xiaowan was the only one who’s cleaning outside. Lifting the chair seemed a bit difficult for her. When Ji Ting walked out, she saw Xiao Wan struggling with a chair. Ji Ting stepped forward to help, exerting some force.
Xiao Wan turned her head and said, “Sister Ting, are you done chatting?”
Before Ji Ting could answer, Xiao Wan saw the tall and handsome guy walking out.
She blinked, smiled, and greeted, “Is Brother Tan Yucheng leaving?”
Tan Yucheng buttoned up his collar, broad-shouldered and long-legged, casually grunted and asked, “Just the two of you?”
“Yeah, the manager had something to do, so he left early.”
Tan Yucheng nodded.
Looking at the heavy chairs, he picked it up from the side placed on the ground and placed it on the table. Without hesitation, he went over and lifted the entire row of chairs. Xiao Wan’s eyes sparkled with admiration. Ji Ting glanced at him, straightened the chair in her hand, and walked over to tidy up the bookshelf.
After Tan Yucheng had set up the chairs for them, he rolled down his sleeves and said to Ji Ting, “I’ll head out first.”
Ji Ting placed the books neatly and grunted in acknowledgment.
They heard him push open the door and leave.
Blushing, Xiao Wan covered her face and exclaimed, “So handsome, Sister Ting! He’s so handsome and still doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
Ji Ting, standing on tiptoe to place the last book, looked up and replied softly, “Yeah.”
“It’s a pity I dare not approach him. He doesn’t seem easy to chase, so I’ll just wait to see who can knock him out.”
Ji Ting smiled gently.
Tonight, Zhang Yang and Xiao Zhou were absent. Several part-timers basically clocked out on time. Only Ji Ting and Xiao Wan were left to clean up, which took quite some time. The corners were particularly hard to clean, and they had to use a smart vacuum cleaner to get them thoroughly clean.
After finishing the busy work, Ji Ting took Xiao Wan to a Teochew noodle shop across the street for supper.
Returning to the apartment was considered late.
Ji Ting removed the concealer from her neck, her lips were still crimson, kissed off by him. After washing and drying her hair, she sat on the sofa lost in thought. Overnight, their relationship had undergone a new change.
It was really unexpected.
In the group where Meng Jia bet on whether she could win Tan Yucheng, no one had spoken for a long time. There were quite a few boys in the group who had good relationships with Tan Yucheng. They probably hinted indirectly or knew Tan Yucheng better than Meng Jia did, knowing that Meng Jia wouldn’t succeed, so they didn’t join in the teasing again.
Ji Ting had never placed a bet nor spoken up, and now it was even harder for her to speak up.
A notification chimed on her tablet.
Ji Ting opened it. A message came from a contact with a black profile picture.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Tan: [Asleep?]
She tapped her fingers and replied: [No.]
Tan: [Hmm.]
Tan: [Finished the whiskey last night.]
Tan: [Image]
Ji Ting clicked on the photo. It was a casual shot of a coffee table with an empty whiskey bottle on it. In the dim light, he was holding the bottle with his clear joints.
Ji Ting hesitated: [Are you asking me to compensate?]
Tan Yucheng chuckled softly: [You bet. Let me check the price.]
Ji Ting: […..]
The man on the other end burst into laughter.
Ji Ting gripped her tablet tightly, unsure how to respond. Her heart seemed to be speeding up, accompanied by a feeling and emotions that were different from before. Now, every sentence he uttered seemed to tease her.
It made her blush deeply.
At this moment, a message from Long Kong forcefully entered, saying to her: [Let’s have dinner together tomorrow night.]
Ji Ting replied: [You’re back?]
Long Kong: [Yes, finally back. Don’t mention it, this business trip nearly killed me. It’s been raining every day in Haicheng.]
Long Kong was the manager of a gaming company, originally from a technical background, and was quickly promoted. Now he was in charge of developing four games and was busy on weekdays, often traveling.
Ji Ting: [There hasn’t been a drop of rain in Li City.]
Long Kong: [That’s why Li City is the best.]
Ji Ting smiled.
Long Kong: [By the way, let’s go to night market tomorrow night.]
Seeing the name “night market” Ji Ting hesitated slightly.
Long Kong sent: [I’ve already talked to Brother Cheng about it.]
Ji Ting edited: [Okay.]
That also meant that he would be there too.
The next afternoon, Long Kong came to the shop first to find her. He carried some specialties he bought from Haicheng, and placed some pastries directly on the counter. Ji Ting was busy packing small cakes for customers. When she looked up, she saw Long Kong’s rugged smile.
“Busy, Boss Ji?” he said.
Ji Ting smiled and took the pastries to hand to Xiao Zhou. “You’re here just in time. You brought some specialties, how thoughtful.”
“Haha, can’t come empty-handed, right?” Long Kong laughed heartily.
After tying a bow on a small cake and handing it to a customer, Ji Ting said, “Have a seat, I’ll make you a drink. What would you like?”
“A latte.” Long Kong glanced at the counter where there were customers and didn’t want to obstruct them.
He turned and chose a seat by the window. The intense Li City sunlight poured warmly into the room, and he relaxed slightly, feeling that he had been too busy lately.
Ji Ting packed the coffees for the other two customers and the tiramisu bought by a young girl. After seeing off the customers, she turned to prepare the coffee. Xiao Zhou washed her hands, wiped them on her apron, and walked over to Ji Ting.
“Listen, this friend of yours looks like an athlete,” she whispered softly.
Ji Ting smiled and said, “He actually is a student athlete.”
“Oh, really? No wonder he looks so sunny and athletic.”
Ji Ting chuckled and glanced at Xiao Zhou. “Do you like him?”
Xiao Zhou shook her head and whispered, “I still prefer Brother Tan’s type.”
Ji Ting paused for a moment with her fingers.
There sure are a lot of girls who like him.
She chuckled, watching the coffee flow into the cup. Xiao Zhou wiped the water off the cup with a towel and said, “It’s just that Brother Tan seems hard to pursue, he’s too unique. I only dare to admire him from afar.”
Ji Ting lifted the cup. “So no one dares to make a move?”
Xiao Zhou nodded. “Yeah, if there were any chance, Xiao Wan and I would become love rivals in a minute, haha.”
Ji Ting chuckled again. She turned around, walked out from behind the counter, and placed the cup on Long Kong’s table. Then she sat down in front of him.
Long Kong stretched his body comfortably and looked at her, saying, “It’s really comfortable here. No wonder Brother Cheng likes coming here.”
Ji Ting leaned back in her chair, her eyes curved with a smile.
Her features bathed in sunlight, her skin delicate and fair, she looked very attractive. Long Kong sighed inwardly, thinking Ji Ting was also a beauty. It’s just that during their school days, Shu Xiao’s brilliance overshadowed Ji Ting’s quiet demeanor.
In fact, during their school years, Ji Ting was always on the confession list, but everyone only focused on Shu Xiao at the top of the list, overlooking Ji Ting.
Long Kong held his coffee and said, “Listen.”
“Hmm?” Ji Ting snapped out of her thoughts, meeting Long Kong’s gaze.
Long Kong smiled and said, “It’s nothing, just get ready. Oh, by the way, we might be drinking tonight.”
Ji Ting smiled and agreed.
Around half past five, as the sun gradually set, Ji Ting took off her apron. For convenience today, she wore a loose white oversized T-shirt and tight-fitting leggings, very casual attire.
Ji Ting returned to the lounge to fetch her bag. Seeing herself in the mirror, she hesitated for a moment, glanced at the small wardrobe, and inexplicably walked over, pulling out a suspender skirt.
She knew her own thoughts well but was too lazy to delve deeper, choosing to follow her heart.
After changing into the skirt, she let her waist-length slightly curled hair down, grabbed her small bag, walked out, and pushed open the door.
Long Kong stood at the doorway with car keys in hand. As he turned around, his eyes brightened slightly. “Tingting, you look so beautiful in this outfit.”
Ji Ting smiled and said, “Since you rarely treat, I’ll give you some face and accept your invitation.”
“…You make it sound like I’m stingy.” Long Kong muttered.
The two walked towards his sedan. As they drove off, only a trace of golden light remained on the horizon. Upon arriving at night market camp, night had fallen and the lights of night market were shining brightly, making it extremely attractive and eye-catching. Parking spots were scarce and required someone to guide them to find a place to park.
Long Kong got out of the car.
Ji Ting walked by his side, carrying her bag. Long Kong clicked his tongue twice and said, “Brother Cheng’s business is still booming here. Everyone must be coming for his face.”
Ji Ting smiled and nodded in agreement.
Walking up the slope with Long Kong, they reached the reserved spot near the edge of the hill, which was considered an excellent location. Ji Ting sat opposite Long Kong. The chairs were very comfortable and could recline. It wasn’t her first time here; she had been a few times before.
Long Kong picked up his phone and said, “I’ll text Brother Cheng. He’s probably inside.”
Ji Ting leaned back in her chair. The wind was strong, blowing her skirt hem around. A waiter approached and placed a pitcher of beer on the table. Just as Long Kong put down his phone, Tan Yucheng emerged with a plate of food in hand.
In the night’s darkness, his broad shoulders and long legs carried him to their table. His eyes met hers as she looked up at him.
He picked up a bottle of beer, his voice calm as he asked both her and Long Kong, “You came together?”
“Yes, I went to Tingting’s shop this afternoon. It’s really comfortable there. No wonder you always hang out there.”
Tan Yucheng held the beer bottle, effortlessly popping off the cap. His voice was casual, he said, “I haven’t been there all the time, just occasionally.”
Ji Ting’s eyes met his in the darkness of the night, and her ears turned slightly red. She withdrew her gaze, watching Long Kong peeling edamame. Yet she noticed Tan Yucheng’s hand gripping the bottle, his veins distinct. After opening several bottles of beer, Tan Yucheng tossed aside the bottle opener, pulled over a chair, and sat beside Ji Ting.
As he approached, a faint scent of tobacco and fragrance emanated from him.
Ji Ting hesitated for a moment.
Now facing him, her senses and nerves became particularly sensitive.
After he sat down, he picked up a beer, one for each of them, and handed it to Ji Ting, giving her a glance. “Want a drink?”
Ji Ting also glanced at him, taking the bottle from his hand. “Sure, cheers.”
He casually moved the edamame closer to Ji Ting’s side, along with a plate of boneless chicken feet. Ji Ting grabbed a disposable glove, put it on, and then reached for the chicken feet, bowing her head to start eating.
Her hair was loose, requiring her to hold it with one hand while chewing.
Across from her, Long Kong talked about Xu Xu, the irritable boss. He said, “Brother Cheng, you should manage Xu Xu. If it doesn’t work out, you and Fu Yan should just buy his company, and I’ll come work for you.”
Tan Yucheng poured himself a drink, listening, while the corner of his lips slightly curved. “I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Oh, if you don’t have that kind of money, who does?”
Tan Yucheng’s voice was lazy. “My family isn’t a bank.”
“But your family has money in the bank.”
Ji Ting chuckled softly.
They both glanced at her, and Ji Ting pursed her lips, looking at them. “You both make good points.”
Long Kong chuckled.
Tan Yucheng glanced lightly at her.
Ji Ting met his gaze for a moment before turning her head back, continuing to eat the chicken feet in her hand. The night breeze blew gently as she ate with her head lowered, the delicate straps resting on her shoulders, her collarbones as clear as a half bowl of moonlight, translucent and sparkling.
Tan Yucheng unintentionally glanced at her, his Adam’s apple bobbed, then he looked away, toying with his wine glass with his fingertips.
Ji Ting wasn’t in a rush to drink.
She snacked a bit and later had some fried rice. Tan Yucheng brought a bowl for her, and she scooped up a large portion of fried rice to eat. Long Kong ate lamb skewers.
In the evening breeze, Tan Yucheng clinked glasses with Long Kong. Inadvertently, his hand touched his phone and opened the Moments section. Shu Xiao had just posted a new update.
Long Kong squinted, turned off his phone, then looked at Tan Yucheng, casually asking, “Brother Cheng, when are you going to get a girlfriend?”
Ji Ting’s fingertips paused.
Tan Yucheng’s drinking motion paused slightly, and he glanced at Long Kong. “What? Anything on your mind?”
“Hey, I think Meng Jia is pretty good. She’s beautiful and full of enthusiasm, like a little sun, really suitable for you,” Long Kong suggested earnestly.
Tan Yucheng replied nonchalantly, “Not destined.”
“If you like her, give it a try,” Long Kong countered with another suggestion.
Shaking his head, Long Kong said, “Hey, she likes you.”
“If it doesn’t work out, Ji Ting, why don’t you introduce someone to him?”
Long Kong turned to Ji Ting, she paused, looking into Long Kong’s eyes. He winked at her, Ji Ting’s fingertips smelled of lemon, which was a little overbearing.
She understood Long Kong’s intentions, to confirm whether Tan Yucheng had abandoned Shu Xiao, and then see if he was interested in other women. It would indicate he had moved on.
But given the current situation,
Even if it wasn’t the current situation, Ji Ting didn’t know if she could say it.
She was silent for a few seconds.
She looked at Tan Yucheng, under the night sky, her eyes like water, she asked, “Do you want to?”