Chapter 31
This name and the information came so suddenly. Ji Ting instinctively recalled the image of Shu Xiao turning her head to call her name during their school days, as well as her elegant handwriting on her notebook.
She also remembered how her ponytail lightly brushed across Tan Yucheng’s desk, gliding over the notebook with his bold and flamboyant handwriting.
Ji Ting instinctively raised her eyes and looked toward the table not far from the main entrance. A tall figure sat with his back to the door, playing with a lighter in his hand resting on the armrest.
Ji Ting glanced for a few seconds, then looked back at her phone and began typing a reply.
Ji Ting: Shu Xiao, long time no see. It’s New Year’s Eve tonight, a bit busy. What’s up?
As she was typing, another message quickly followed.
Shu Xiao: Long time no see, Ji Ting. Yes, tomorrow is New Year’s Day, and your shop just opened, right?
Ji Ting: Yes.
Shu Xiao: Wishing you prosperous business.
Ji Ting: Thank you.
Shu Xiao: Here’s the thing, I need a little favor from you.
Shu Xiao: I’ve been assigned by the school to teach at Li University. The school’s dormitories are full, so we need to rent a place outside for a while. I’m not familiar with Li City and have never been there, so it’s very unfamiliar to me. I’ve looked at some houses online, but the pictures don’t seem real. I’d like to ask you for help. Could you look at some houses for me when you have time?
She took a long time to type, and when the message arrived, Ji Ting was stunned. Leaning against the counter, her fingers paused and hovered over the keys for a long time.
Before she could reply, Shu Xiao sent another message: I know it’s a lot to ask, but after thinking it over, you’re the one I’m most familiar with. Zhong Yu isn’t in Li City, so she can’t help me.
Back in their school days, Shu Xiao was closer to Zhong Yu, and only occasionally talked to Ji Ting. It was after they climbed the wall together that their relationship became closer.
During those years, Shu Xiao often turned around to call Ji Ting’s name.
Whenever Ji Ting looked up, she would meet Shu Xiao’s beautiful eyes, and beside her, Tan Yucheng would be dozing off with his arm propped up.
Shu Xiao had more familiar people she could ask, but she chose Ji Ting.
Ji Ting’s fingers were still on the keyboard, and it took her a long time to come back to her senses from the message.
She replied: I can help you check the houses, but I’m quite busy these days. It might take a few days. Can you wait?
Shu Xiao: No problem, it’s not urgent.
Shu Xiao: Thank you, Ji Ting.
Ji Ting: You’re welcome.
After sending the message, Ji Ting looked up. The entrance was bustling with people coming and going. Around her, she could hear the sounds of ice being scooped and the printer printing orders. She put her phone back into the counter. Just then, a customer came in, peering around as if looking for something. Ji Ting focused on him and asked, “Hello, do you need any help?”
The customer looked up, scratched his head, and smiled as he asked, “Is there a restroom here?”
Ji Ting smiled and pointed outside, saying, “Turn left as you exit, and you’ll find one behind Songshan Academy.”
“Okay, thank you.” The customer turned and left immediately, walking steadily at first but breaking into a sprint as soon as he was outside. Ji Ting smiled. Xiao Wan glanced at the tablet and said, “Our neighborhood is trending.”
Ji Ting leaned over to look.
[Li City 1981 Cultural District]
There was also a “limited entry” tag trending. A drone had done a full promotional video, capturing the sunset over the large model in Ji Ting’s shop and the large, cute lucky cat. The entire district’s lights formed the shape of “1981” from a distance, with the crowds bustling below, creating a lively scene.
Xiao Wan looked at the orders and laughed, “Sister Ting, one drink each isn’t enough for them.”
Ji Ting saw that Long Kong’s table had ordered more coffee in different flavors, plus two servings of chocolate mousse. The coffee needed to be made, but the chocolate mousse was ready.
Ji Ting grabbed a tray, took out two servings of mousse from the fridge, and headed out.
Ji Ting immediately noticed that Long Kong had switched places with Feng Yingying. He was leaning in, talking to Tan Yucheng, who was no longer leaning back in his chair. Tan Yucheng’s long fingers were playing with a lighter, and he was sitting forward, listening to Long Kong.
In this position, his collar was slightly open, giving him a wild look. His suit jacket was draped over the chair Ji Ting usually sat in.
Ji Ting glanced at him for a few seconds, then walked over and placed the mousse on the table. It was ordered by Yu Xi and Meng Jia. Yu Xi was dragging Meng Jia into playing Werewolf, but Meng Jia was impatient and wore a look that seemed to say, “So what if I’m the werewolf?” making Yu Xi feel frustrated.
Tan Yucheng noticed her arrival and pulled a chair closer.
Ji Ting sat down next to his suit jacket. He was tapping an unlit cigarette on the table and answering Long Kong, basically saying he wasn’t going to take over his dad’s company anytime soon.
He wasn’t interested.
Long Kong clicked his tongue twice and said, “Some suffer from drought while others drown in abundance.”
He wished his family had a company where he could just lay back and do nothing. The daily grind of being a general manager was exhausting, with overtime, trips, and dealing with so-called superiors. How wonderful it would be if he had a company to squander.
Tan Yucheng let out a light snort.
Ji Ting, holding her now slightly cold coffee, leaned back in her chair, listening to their conversation. Her gaze fell on his profile, and she remembered the message she had received. Shu Xiao’s name once again touched a nerve.
When the new coffee arrived, Tan Yucheng had an extra latte. He turned his head, catching Ji Ting’s gaze. She was just about to take a sip, her eyes meeting his under the neon lights, a mix of colorful lights creating a surreal scene.
Tan Yucheng noticed her light green work uniform and her bare, fair legs despite the cooling weather.
He moved his throat slightly and asked, “What are you looking at?”
Ji Ting’s eyelashes fluttered, and she shook her head. “Nothing.”
Tan Yucheng grabbed the extra coffee and pushed it toward her. “Drink this.”
Ji Ting was slightly taken aback and asked, “Why?”
“I ordered an extra one.”
Ji Ting didn’t think much of it. She placed her own cup back on the table and took the hot latte he handed her, feeling the warmth in her fingertips. After giving her the coffee, Tan Yucheng turned back to talk to Long Kong, lighting a cigarette and biting it.
At some point, Feng Yingying had been moved to the other side. She sat there with flushed cheeks, feeling a bit embarrassed, so she leaned back in her chair and focused on the Werewolf game in Meng Jia’s hands, not daring to look this way. Yu Xi was quite adept at the game, but Meng Jia was very impatient, occasionally muttering.
“You useless idiot…”
Yu Xi thought for a moment and said, “Missy, can you be a bit more patient? Whether you’re a werewolf or a villager, you lack patience… I’m dizzy.”
Long Kong laughed and said, “She’s more suited for Candy Crush.”
Meng Jia snapped, “Get lost.”
As the night progressed, more people flooded into the cultural district. The nearby apartment lights were all on, and from a distance, many residents could be seen coming out onto their balconies, waiting for the final countdown, ready to join in the celebration.
At the bar in the middle, the DJ had been spinning records all night. Wearing headphones, he was incredibly patient. The invited DJ wore a baseball cap and black gloves, dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, occasionally hyping up the crowd with his hoarse but powerful voice.
This was a celebration for the young and everyone alike.
In the final ten minutes, Long Kong raised his coffee and smiled, “To us.”
Ji Ting lifted her warm cup, while Yu Xi, Meng Jia, and Feng Yingying leaned in to clink glasses with him. Tan Yucheng picked up Ji Ting’s untouched, now cold coffee and leaned in for a casual toast.
Long Kong said with a smile, “To a better year ahead for all of us.”
Yu Xi responded with a cheerful, “Cheers!”
As they set their cups down, the outdoor LED screen on the second floor of the bar flickered, switching from a scrolling display to numbers. Drones instantly rose into the air, and everyone at the scene stood up.
The LED screen began displaying the number 10.
The DJ, holding the microphone, pierced the night with his hoarse voice: “10, 9, 8,…”
Ji Ting looked at the LED screen. Behind her, Tan Yucheng also stood up, extinguishing his cigarette before rising. Ji Ting tilted her head back, waiting for the final second. Her occiput bumped into Tan Yucheng’s shoulder, causing her to pause and turn her head.
The final second completed.
The DJ shouted, “Happy New Year—2024! Wishing everyone good health and prosperity!”
Tan Yucheng lowered his gaze, meeting her eyes amidst the cacophony of cheers and celebrations. His voice deep and lazy, he said to her, “Happy New Year.”
Ji Ting looked at him in the dim and noisy lights, softly responding, “Happy New Year.”
“Boom!”
A large drone firework exploded in the sky.
1981
Then came the drone fireworks filling the sky. They were somewhat different from traditional fireworks but still lively enough. The lights reflected on Ji Ting’s and Tan Yucheng’s faces. In this tiny space, they saw each other’s faces in their eyes. Ji Ting’s heart was pounding. She turned her head and looked at the massive fireworks in the sky, and Tan Yucheng raised his eyes to look as well.
Her hair brushed against his shoulder. With one hand in his pocket, he stood as steady as a rock.
“Happy New Year, Tingting—” Yu Xi happily turned around, hugged Ji Ting, and Meng Jia pursed her lips, wanting to do something as well. She squeezed over, her eyes on Tan Yucheng, saying, “Happy New Year, Tan Yucheng.”
Tan Yucheng glanced casually at her and grunted.
Meng Jia gritted her teeth.
Ji Ting hugged Yu Xi and smiled, saying, “Happy New Year! I hope you meet a good person in the new year.”
“Definitely! You too!” Yu Xi was very excited.
Ji Ting smiled and patted her. As she glanced up, she saw Lu Hai not far away, holding a girl and standing there, giving her a slight smile. They were celebrating New Year at the neighboring shop.
Ji Ting was slightly stunned but smiled back at him.
Tan Yucheng raised his eyes and also noticed Lu Hai. His eyebrows raised slightly.
After the revelry, it was time to disperse. The guests who had flocked in were now leaving in batches. Cars drove by as Ji Ting saw off Meng Jia, Yu Xi, Long Kong, and Feng Yingying. Then she began directing Xiao Wan and the others to tidy up the tables and chairs. The tables and chairs placed outside needed to be brought back in and arranged near the large model of the sunset. The entrance to the neighborhood was secure, so there was generally no risk of theft, as long as they managed the tables and chairs properly.
Xiao Wan and the others had been busy all day and were very tired. Ji Ting gave each of them a big red envelope, and upon receiving the envelopes, they worked even harder to clean up. Finally, Xiao Zhou and apprentices from the main store also came over to help. This year’s New Year celebration at Zhuoyue wasn’t as bustling as the cultural district.
After closing up the shop and pulling down the door, after Xiao Wan and the others left, Ji Ting held roses in her arms and carried a few gifts. Looking back, she saw a black SUV parked opposite her shop. Tan Yucheng leaned against the car door, arms crossed, watching her.
They were separated by a scattered crowd on the street.
After a few seconds, Ji Ting walked towards him. Tan Yucheng uncrossed his arms and opened the passenger door. Ji Ting stepped up into the car, holding quite a few things in her arms. Tan Yucheng reached out his hand towards her.