Chapter 19
Tan Yucheng leaned against the back of the chair, locking eyes with her, while his eyebrows slightly raised. “Do you think I want to?”
Ji Ting twirled the spoon in her fingers.
She whispered, “Let’s talk about it when you decide to.”
Long Kong observed the situation, knowing it was difficult to intervene in Tan Yucheng’s affairs. His attitude was rather ambiguous. He sighed softly and winked at Ji Ting. Ji Ting held her bowl quietly, eating her meal without meeting Long Kong’s gaze.
After finishing the fried rice, Ji Ting also poured herself some beer to drink. Beer lacked the punch of whiskey, so she remained fairly sober, listening to their conversation with a straight face and occasionally interjecting.
Long Kong drank a lot and his face turned red.
When they dispersed, the night market was still bustling with activity. The second half of the night had just begun, and many people arrived on heavy motorcycles for supper. As night fell, the weather remained hot and dry. Ji Ting, having drunk beer, felt quite warm. The three of them descended the steps, and the called driver waited beside Long Kong’s car. Long Kong held the car door and gestured for Ji Ting to get in with him.
Tan Yucheng stood behind Ji Ting, one hand in his pocket, impossible for Ji Ting to ignore. She held a small bag and smiled, “I’ll go with Tan Yucheng’s car. You live far away, it’s out of the way.”
Long Kong realized this was true and said, “Alright, Brother Cheng, I’ll go.”
“Yeah,” Tan Yucheng replied.
Ji Ting walked with Tan Yucheng to the side, allowing the driver to drive away. After Long Kong’s black sedan departed, Tan Yucheng tossed the car keys to another driver. Ji Ting got into the car and bent over to sit down.
The air inside the car was filled with the smell of alcohol. Ji Ting leaned against the seat back.
Tan Yucheng sat on the other side, leaning back lazily.
The black sedan drove towards Zhuoyue. The nightlife in Li City was just getting started. A gentle breeze brushed through the branches, lightly sweeping over the car roof. They arrived at the underground garage of Zhuoyue and parked in a dimly lit spot.
After the driver left.
Ji Ting was embraced around the waist by Tan Yucheng’s large hand. She sat directly on his thigh, instinctively reaching out to wrap her arms around his neck. Tan Yucheng opened his eyes and looked at her. Ji Ting’s shoulders tensed slightly as they gazed at each other in the dimly lit garage.
His palm pressed against her waist, radiating intense warmth. Ji Ting’s voice was soft, “What are you looking at?”
Tan Yucheng replied casually, “I’ll look at whatever you’re looking at.”
Ji Ting pursed her lips.
Her heart raced. He sat confidently, and Ji Ting struggled to keep herself from falling into his embrace, so she supported herself with her arms around him. After a moment, he lifted his chin and kissed her lips, which had been fluttering and flushed in front of him.
His arm reached behind and touched the zipper.
His palm touched her skin, wandering. Ji Ting trembled slightly from the kiss, needing to support herself with one hand on the leather seat.
Her other hand rested on his abdominal muscles, feeling their strength, which left her confused. Her shoulder strap slipped down, and her eyelashes caught droplets of water.
She shrank her shoulders as his fingertips clasped her neck, roaming downward and then kissing her neck, forcing her to tilt her head back. After a while, she lowered her head and kissed his thin lips again, softly murmuring. The man sat up a little straighter.
There wasn’t enough space in the back seat.
Ji Ting, hugging his neck in confusion, whispered softly, “Shall we go upstairs?”
Tan Yucheng opened his eyes, pressed his lips against hers for a few seconds, then smiled and whispered in her ear, “Still not ready today.”
Ji Ting’s arms tightened.
Facing him up close, her eyes were filled with tears. She gritted her teeth and said, “When will you be ready?!”
Tan Yucheng relaxed back into the chair, looking at her in this state, and chuckled lightly.
Pulling her closer, he said, “Next time.”
Ji Ting’s ears felt warm. She relaxed into his embrace, smelling the fragrance on his neck, and said, “Help me zip up.”
Her breath sprayed onto his neck.
Tan Yucheng raised his hand, found the zipper pull, and gently pulled it up. Ji Ting’s delicate shoulder strap slipped down, her collarbone and shoulder connecting in a line. Tan Yucheng hooked his fingertip on that strap and smoothly pulled it back onto her shoulder.
Ji Ting blushed so deeply that her skin turned crimson. She recalled her intention to change into this dress before going out, seemingly revealed fully in his fingertips. By now, the shoulder strap had obediently returned to her shoulder. As her breathing rose and fell, it softly pressed against his firm chest, creating a faint heat in the hidden space of the car’s backseat.
Ji Ting leaned on his shoulder and straightened up. “Then I’ll get off.”
Tan Yucheng leaned against the back of the chair and nodded.
*Click.* He opened the car door, his voice slightly hoarse, “Go to bed early.”
“Mm.”
Ji Ting slid off his thigh, stepped out of the car. Her already tousled hair added a touch of disarray. She brushed it aside, clutching her small bag as she walked towards the stairwell.
Tan Yucheng watched her back. He paused in his motion to call the driver, then decided to get out of the car instead. With a backward sweep, he closed the door and followed behind her. He kept his eyes on her as she entered the elevator lobby.
The allure in her eyebrows had not completely dissipated, her skin so fair it seemed like it could drip water, with faintly visible marks of redness that hinted at something more. This sight was not entirely safe.
Ji Ting stepped into the elevator and noticed him following. She lifted her gaze, “Hmm?”
Tan Yucheng leaned against the elevator wall lazily, tapping on his phone, “Just keeping you company.”
Ji Ting whispered softly, “I’m going home, not for a stroll.”
Tan Yucheng teased, “I’m dispersing the scent of alcohol.”
Ji Ting responded with a soft, “Oh.”
The elevator reached her floor.
They stepped out, one after the other. Ji Ting opened her apartment door, glancing at him briefly. Tan Yucheng watched her enter, lit a cigarette, and said, “Good night.”
Ji Ting replied, “…Good night.”
She closed the door behind her as she entered.
She placed her small bag on the shoe cabinet, changed her shoes, and headed straight to the bathroom to wash her face. When she lifted her face, she saw herself in the mirror: fair skin, eyes glistening with moisture, and lips so red they seemed to drip blood. Coupled with the mistiness in her eyes, there was a captivating charm about her.
No wonder he escorted her to the door.
Ji Ting blushed. She tied up her tousled hair, unable to escape the slight traces of his recent kisses on her neck. Ji Ting closed the bathroom door behind her with a backward sweep of her hand, grabbed her nightwear from above, and took a hot shower.
After the hot water washed over her, she changed into her nightwear. Ji Ting tidied up and looked at herself in the mirror again, noticing that some of that allure had dissipated.
She blow-dried her hair.
Ji Ting made herself a cup of milk tea and went back to her room to sleep.
The next morning, Ji Ting finally checked her phone and saw a message from Long Kong sent last night.
Long Kong: [Ji Ting, are you asleep?]
Ji Ting replied as she finished getting ready: [I went to bed right after I got back last night.]
Long Kong quickly replied: [Ah, so I didn’t message you again later, guessing you were asleep.]
Ji Ting: [Smiling face]
Long Kong: [Haha, that emoji of yours makes you look like an old person.]
Ji Ting: [You go away.]
Long Kong: [Even though I can handle a lot of beer without getting drunk, my stomach feels bloated now. Not comfortable.]
Ji Ting: [Take it easy today then.]
Long Kong: [Just lounging in bed.]
Ji Ting: [Smiling face]
After finishing up, she applied concealer, put on her shoes, and headed downstairs towards the shop. Her phone buzzed again, and she picked it up to check.
Long Kong: [Ji Ting, Brother Cheng’s situation is tricky. But since you’re so close to him, keep an eye on him more. Hopefully, he’ll find a girlfriend soon.]
Ji Ting’s fingertips paused.
She didn’t reply immediately. Everyone knew she was close to Tan Yucheng, but no one would think they had any possibility together, including, perhaps, herself, despite the murky and unresolved nature of their current relationship.
She replied to Long Kong with a simple “Hmm” and then tucked her phone into her bag. Stepping into the sunlight, she entered “Sunset”, where Xiao Wan was preparing an iced Americano for a customer.
The shop was already busy with white-collar workers from nearby offices coming in early for coffee. Ji Ting went into the break room, put on an apron, and proudly brought out the freshly made desserts, placing them in the display case.
Shortly after, three customers ordered take-away lattes, and Ji Ting took over Xiao Wan’s spot.
Xiao Wan quickly finished eating her unfinished mixed noodles, scooping some into a small bowl for Ji Ting, “Sister Ting, I saved you some.”
Ji Ting smiled and replied, “Alright, thanks.”
It was a morning with quite a few customers ordering take-out, and the shop had made plenty of beautifully packaged croissants, perfect for grabbing on the go. Many customers bought a cup of coffee and took a croissant with them, having it as breakfast.
In the afternoon, they prepared some afternoon tea sets. Ji Ting received a video call from the contractor at the branch discussing renovations for a while. Afterwards, she returned to the shop and saw Xiao Wan sitting at the bar counter with a female customer wearing glasses, reading her Palm reading.
Xiao Wan waved at Ji Ting, “Sister Ting, would you like to come over and see? She’s really good at it.”
Ji Ting put the book the guest took back into the bookshelf and glanced over, “Miss, what did you see?
Xiao Wan covered her mouth and said, “She says I’ll have a lot of romantic encounters next year.”
Ji Ting chuckled softly, “That sounds nice.”
Xiao Zhou heard this and immediately put down the cloth, and hurried over. She pulled up a chair next to the Miss, and extended her hand, saying, “Miss, please take a look at mine too.”
Miss Lu Xingyao adjusted her glasses. She solemnly held Xiao Zhou’s hand, examining it attentively. This scene attracted Zhang Yang and his apprentice to come over and join in the excitement.
Even nearby customers curiously peeked over, making the atmosphere lively all of a sudden. Ji Ting served a dessert to a customer and placed it on her table, then stood aside watching Lu Xingyao.
After a while, Lu Xingyao spoke about the direction of Xiao Zhou’s marriage, pointing towards the south.
Xiao Zhou covered her mouth, clearly pleased. She hoped to stay in the south as she liked the city of Li City.
It was quite serious but also somewhat playful.
Zhang Yang also sat down for the palm reading session. The fortune teller mentioned that he would have a romantic encounter this year, which was in progress. Zhang Yang widened his eyes, scratched his head, nodding under the gaze of everyone.
Ji Ting raised an eyebrow. “So, have you had any recent developments?”
Zhang Yang blushed slightly. Wasn’t it obvious?
Ji Ting chuckled and said to Lu Xingyao, “Well, you should start charging now.”
“I’ll take a look at yours.” Lu Xingyao grabbed Ji Ting’s hand unexpectedly. After examining it, she looked up at Ji Ting and said, “There are countless paths ahead of you, but you will choose the hardest one.”
Ji Ting’s heart skipped a beat.
The rest of the group all looked at Ji Ting. Ji Ting pursed her lips and said, “Not very accurate.”
“Is that so? Whether it’s accurate or not, that’s for you to decide.” Lu Xingyao smiled warmly. Ji Ting withdrew her hand and glanced at her palm. Lu Xingyao was indeed enthusiastic, leaning close to Ji Ting and explaining, “The love line starts from the base of the little finger, goes horizontally across the palm to the base of the index finger at the junction of the Mount of Jupiter and the middle finger…”
“How about reading the peach blossom line?” Xiao Wan asked eagerly.
Lu Xingyao proceeded to explain that to Xiao Wan as well.
The shop suddenly became livelier.
Ji Ting glanced at her palm but didn’t join the commotion. She returned to the counter. A lively atmosphere was good for business. As the sun set, Lu Xingyao left, leaving behind a business card for the shop.
She ran a nail salon business and had just opened one on the second floor. Many customers in the shop took her business card. She smiled at Ji Ting and said, “We could collaborate.”
Ji Ting smiled back at her. “Sure, let’s discuss it next time.”
“Goodbye.”
Lu Xingyao pushed the door open and left.
Xiao Wan walked over and exclaimed, “She runs a nail salon! That’s impressive. She’s really good at business. All our shop’s customers have added her on WeChat. She mentioned she has a male nail technician in her salon too. Wow, I’m definitely going to meet him.”
Ji Ting smiled faintly.
Later that evening, something happened at the shop. Zhang Yang scolded his apprentice, who had been caught eating a lot of chocolate while making cakes. Zhang Yang opened the chocolate tonight and found that more than half of it was missing. The bakery was his domain, and he noticed even the slightest sugar shortage. The apprentice had just been hired a few days ago.
At this moment, he stubbornly denied it.
Zhang Yang was worried that the apprentice might be stealing from the shop. He discussed it with Ji Ting and they decided to conduct an inventory check earlier than planned.
Ji Ting agreed.
It was necessary to take stock and assess the losses.
So, that night Ji Ting was busy until half past ten. When she returned to her apartment, she quickly took a shower, dried her hair, and sat down on the carpet. She opened her computer and entered the inventory results.
The doorbell rang at that moment.
Ji Ting got up barefoot to answer the door.
Tan Yucheng was dressed in a black shirt and a suit jacket, carrying a laptop in his hand. He was loosening his tie, with a hint of fatigue in his eyebrows. When Ji Ting saw him, the phrase floated through her mind:
“The hardest path.”
Tan Yucheng raised his hand, holding a bag of cream puffs, signaling for her to take it.
Ji Ting snapped out of her thoughts, reached out to take the bag of cream puffs from his fingertips, and stepped back a bit, asking, “Why are you here so late?”
“Just got off work.” His voice was low and lazy, with a faint smell of alcohol on him. Ji Ting immediately understood that he had probably been socializing tonight. Tan Yucheng loosened his tie and unbuttoned his jacket.
Ji Ting watched him change his shoes, walked back to the coffee table with the cream puffs, and poured him a glass of water.
Tan Yucheng placed his laptop and jacket on one corner of the sofa, took the water glass handed by Ji Ting, and she tucked her hair behind her ear, sitting cross-legged and saying, “We did inventory at the shop today.”
Tan Yucheng unbuttoned his shirt, leaving the collar open, holding the water glass and taking a sip. “Inventory before the end of the month?”
Ji Ting opened the bag of cream puffs and said, “The apprentice under the manager ate some chocolate secretly, so we did a comprehensive inventory just in case.”
Tan Yucheng grunted in acknowledgment, leaned back, and played the water glass.