Chapter 54
A meeting stretched into the early afternoon and was set to continue later. When it finally paused, everyone began ordering food. Tan Yucheng sat down, turned his laptop around, and found his inbox overflowing with year-end summaries from the management team.
He opened them and browsed casually.
Chen Fei approached with his phone and asked, “Brother Tan, what do you want to eat? Let’s order together.”
Tan Yucheng glanced at the screen, ordered a beef rice bowl, while the others were discussing what drinks to get. Tan Yucheng looked around at the people in the conference room and took out his black phone.
He transferred 3,000 yuan to Ji Ting via WeChat.
Tan: Thirty-two cups of coffee.
After sending this, he gestured for Chen Fei to inform everyone.
Chen Fei responded with a “hey,” stood up, clapped his hands, and said, “No need to order drinks; brother Tan is treating. Let me know what type of drinks you want, and I’ll handle the order.”
Everyone cheered up instantly.
They had been so busy these days and were about to order coffee, so this was perfect timing.
The part-time workers and apprentices hadn’t come to the shop today. Only Xiao Wan, Xiao Zhou, Zhang Yang, and Ji Ting were there. Sunset was also wrapping things up. Ji Ting treated them to lunch, ordering from Yonghe Private Kitchen. It satisfied Xiao Wan and Xiao Zhou’s preference for stewed soup, while Zhang Yang ordered the shop’s goose meat. The four of them gathered at a table on the sofa.
During lunch, they also discussed where to eat with the branch store in the next few days.
Just then, Ji Ting’s phone rang.
She looked at it and saw a message from a black profile.
First, it was the money transfer.
Then, it mentioned thirty-two cups of coffee.
Following that were the types of coffee and the quantities: American, cappuccino, latte…
He rarely placed orders for her via WeChat, so this was a first, and it was a large order. Ji Ting instinctively put down her chopsticks, grabbed a notebook and pen, and started writing down the types of coffee.
Zhang Yang peered over and asked, “Got an order? Which company?”
Ji Ting wrote quickly and replied, “Yancheng.”
“Wow, that’s a huge order,” Xiao Wan said, surprised.
Ji Ting wrote fast and said, “Let’s do it now. Thirty-two cups. We’ll deliver them later.”
“Got it.” Xiao Zhou, still munching on a chicken leg, removed his disposable gloves to wash his hands. Xiao Wan and Zhang Yang also stood up and went to the counter. After washing their hands, they began to work. Xiao Zhou took out a bag of coffee beans and opened it with scissors, saying, “Tan Yucheng personally placed the order with Sister Ting, so we can save on platform fees.”
Zhang Yang added, “But you’ll have to deliver it yourself.”
Xiao Wan replied, “Delivering it ourselves isn’t a problem; it’s so close.”
Xiao Zhou agreed, “Exactly.”
Zhang Yang shrugged, “Alright, I see you’re all eager to see the handsome guy.”
Ji Ting finished writing the types and split the order into two copies, handing one to the counter staff and keeping the other. She calculated the amount on the computer—it was over 1,500 yuan.
She replied to Tan Yucheng.
Ji Ting: 1024
She received the money and transferred 1,976 yuan back to him.
Tan Yucheng did not accept the amount but inquired.
Tan: Have you eaten?
Ji Ting: Just eating. How about you?
Tan: I ordered food.
Ji Ting: Hmm.
Tan: I heard you received flowers this morning?
Ji Ting was taken aback: How did you know?
Tan: If I want to know, I can find out.
Ji Ting: …
So mysterious and cryptic.
Ji Ting didn’t reply to him. She put down her phone and got up to help behind the counter. They each had to make eight cups, and Xiao Wan asked curiously, “Did everyone on the fourth floor order?”
“There aren’t that many people on the fourth floor, probably just the management team. I heard that Yancheng has rented out from the fifth to the eighth floors. At this rate of expansion, Yancheng will need to build its own skyscraper,” Zhang Yang explained. Zhang Yang knew more since he kept in touch with Xiaoyan, who had been hired after the last interview.
“Wow, Tan Yucheng will definitely become a big shot sooner or later.”
Zhang Yang looked at her infatuated expression and said, “He’s already a big shot.”
Xiao Wan grinned.
Ji Ting finished making seven cups and turned to package them. The others finished one by one. Zhang Yang went to the break room and brought out a large basket used for handling big orders. Ji Ting placed the coffee in the basket, handed the car keys to Zhang Yang, and sent him to the underground parking lot. Ji Ting, Xiao Wan, and Xiao Zhou arranged the coffee and carried it to the door. When Zhang Yang’s car arrived, they loaded the coffee into the trunk.
Xiao Wan and Xiao Zhou had to help carry the coffee since the basket couldn’t hold everything, so they had to carry some by hand.
After the car drove off, Ji Ting returned to the shop, covered the food on the table with lids, and moved her portion to eat.
Yu Xi texted her: I’m so swamped.
Ji Ting: Hmm?
Yu Xi: We had year-end meetings yesterday and arranged duty schedules for the New Year. I originally planned not to go back this year and avoid blind dates, but my mom cried on the phone and insisted that I come back. I softened up and took a leave today.
Ji Ting: Auntie misses you.
Yu Xi: She wants me to marry back to Nan’an, but I don’t want to. Everywhere is the same, whether it’s Nan’an or Li City.
Ji Ting knew she was hurt by Zhu Zhan and had lost hope.
Ji Ting: We’re still young. Don’t rush.
Yu Xi: I’m not in a hurry. There are people pursuing me, but I’m not interested.
Ji Ting: Hmm.
Yu Xi: By the way, after the other night, did any men add you on WeChat? [Sneaky]
Ji Ting paused.
She remembered the classmates who had added her yesterday and replied: Yes.
Yu Xi: Hehe, I guessed it.
Yu Xi: When I got that dress, I immediately thought it would suit you. My frame is a bit bigger, so it doesn’t fit me, but it should fit you perfectly.
Ji Ting: The dress is at the dry cleaners. I’ll return it to you later.
Yu Xi: No need. You can keep it and wear it.
Yu Xi: Ugh, I’m busy again. You don’t know, we just promoted a new floor manager yesterday and had to temporarily promote someone. That person was under my supervision before, and now they keep asking me about everything… It’s driving me crazy. I need to get back to work.
Ji Ting replied with: Okay.
Yu Xi didn’t respond further.
At the end of the year, there was not just the end-of-year dinner for the two stores, but also year-end bonuses, red envelopes, team-building activities, payments to suppliers, proper storage of coffee beans, and a thorough cleaning of the two stores.
After the large-scale holiday break in the office buildings near Zhuoyue, the store continued to handle tasks gradually. During this time, Qiu Dan called Ji Ting to inform her that Aunt Xiao and Uncle Tan had arrived in Li City and planned to spend the New Year together with both families.
She advised Ji Ting to finish up quickly and head home early.
Ji Ting agreed.
However, on the morning of New Year’s Eve, Ji Ting received a call from the branch store manager saying that a fire inspection needed to be conducted at the Cultural Street area because it was a repurposed old factory district.
The inspection had to be completed before the New Year so everyone could go home for the holiday.
So, Ji Ting had to rush to the branch store.
She waited for the inspection, which lasted until the afternoon. After the inspection was completed, she watched the inspector leave before pulling down the roll-up door and locking it. She noticed the fortune cat beside her in the transparent house, its little paw swaying back and forth.
Before leaving, the branch store manager had adorned the fortune cat with pink and blue rose bouquets.
Ji Ting approached the fortune cat, bent down, and said, “Hello there.”
The fortune cat looked back at her with a blank expression.
Ji Ting smiled, then turned, opened the car door, and drove to Tianyu. She parked the car and saw the black sedan beside her. Ji Ting got out of the car, took the elevator upstairs, and arrived at the door.
She rang the doorbell.
Within a second, the door opened, and Tan Yucheng, adjusting his tie, stood in the doorway. He tilted his head to look at her. Ji Ting was momentarily taken aback, noting his formal attire as they locked eyes for a few seconds.
Tan Yucheng’s voice was low and lazy: “Aren’t you coming in?”
Ji Ting snapped back to reality, nodded, and walked inside to change her shoes. The house was quite noisy; the two mothers were cooking in the kitchen, and the two fathers were chatting at the kitchen door. Ji Ting changed into her indoor shoes and asked Tan Yucheng, “Did you just get back too?”
Tan Yucheng responded with a hum, loosened his tie, took off his coat, and hung it on the coat rack.
Ji Ting walked to the small living room, removed her coat, and draped it over the arm of the sofa. She also placed her small bag beside it. The chatter and clamor of the parents continued in and around the kitchen, creating a lively atmosphere.
The small living room, by contrast, was quiet.
Tan Yucheng rolled up his sleeves, poured a glass of water, and returned to hand it to her. Ji Ting took it; the glass was warm, while her fingertips were a bit cold. She took a sip and glanced at him, asking, “Do you still have social events today?”
Tan Yucheng stood in front of her, tall and broad-shouldered. He glanced at her and said, “I dropped off a client at the airport.”
Ji Ting responded with an “oh”.
She carried the glass towards the kitchen to join the conversation.
Tan Yucheng did not follow her but sat on the sofa, next to the armrest. The sleeve of his shirt occasionally brushed against her coat, which emitted a faint, pleasant fragrance.
He looked down and continued replying to messages.
Ji Ting entered the kitchen, where the two fathers were discussing how to prepare the chicken for dinner. They decided to steam it, which Ji Ting liked, especially the large chicken legs. She leaned in and said, “Sounds good. I like it.”
The two fathers were startled. They turned around and saw Ji Ting, dressed in a loose sweater and skirt, smiling at them. Ji Lindong gave her a small glare and asked, “When did you arrive?”
Ji Ting smiled and said, “I came in a while ago. You didn’t notice?”
“It’s so noisy in the kitchen, how could we hear?” Ji Lindong glanced at his daughter and asked, “Where’s Yucheng? Didn’t he come in just now?”
Ji Ting paused and looked towards the small living room. “Over there.”
Ji Lindong looked in that direction.
He saw Tan Yucheng sitting on the sofa, absorbed in his phone. He turned to Tan Hui and asked, “Is the company still keeping him so busy?”
Tan Hui nodded, “Fu Yan hasn’t been to the company for almost a few months.”
“Really? Is everything left to him?”
Tan Hui nodded again, “This afternoon, he also took a client to catch a flight.”
“He’s really working hard. If he’s this busy now, won’t your company be overwhelmed once it’s listed?” Ji Lindong asked Tan Hui. Tan Hui sighed, “The arrow is already on the string, it must be released.”
“Let’s not talk about that anymore.”
Tan Hui turned to Ji Ting and asked, “How about it? Steamed chicken—does that work for you? Look at how your Aunt Xiao and your mom are arguing.”
Ji Ting smiled and said, “Sounds good.”
Tan Hui addressed the two women in the kitchen, “Did you hear that? Ji Ting wants steamed chicken. It would be best to add some scallion oil for extra flavor.”
“Heard it,” Qiu Dan replied while plucking the chicken feathers.
Xiao Xi, smiling, took some scallions and said, “Then let’s not argue. We’ll make what Ji Ting likes.”
Ji Ting smiled with her eyes and continued sipping her water.
The two mothers had been busy in the kitchen for a while, and with the two fathers chattering outside, by the time it got dark, the New Year’s Eve dinner was ready. Ji Ting placed her cup down and went into the kitchen to help with serving the dishes. When she came out, Tan Yucheng was at the table, dressed in a rare white shirt today. He rolled up his sleeves and set out the bowls and chopsticks from the small blue container.
Ji Ting approached and placed a dish on the table. His arm reached over to place the chopsticks beside her, carrying a faint scent of tobacco and ebony.
The collar of his shirt had the same scent that night.
Ji Ting went back to the kitchen to help the two mothers with the dishes.
Tan Hui brought out two bottles of wine, uncapped them, and began to pour.
Ji Ting washed her hands and sat down next to Tan Yucheng. She looked at the wine, not particularly interested in drinking it.
Tan Yucheng had a bottle of juice on his side. She whispered, “Can you get me some juice?”
Tan Yucheng glanced at her, then looked over and fetched the juice. He opened the lid and poured a glass for her, reminding her, “This is red wine; it won’t get you drunk.”
Ji Ting nodded but still insisted on taking the glass of juice.
Tan Yucheng realized what she was doing.
His eyes narrowed as he looked at the woman beside him.
Since he might take advantage of her if she got drunk, she was avoiding any chance by not drinking at all, wasn’t she?
He tightened his jaw slightly and averted his gaze.
The parents didn’t notice this exchange. Ji Ting could drink whatever she wanted without their objections or pressure. As usual, before the meal, the four parents gave Ji Ting a red envelope, saying, “Even if you’re not married yet, you can still get a big red envelope.”
Ji Ting accepted it as she did in previous years and said, “Thank you, Aunt Xiao, Uncle Tan, Mom, and Dad.”
The four parents smiled warmly.
Qiu Dan was relieved to see that Ji Ting wasn’t affected by Fang Yu’s situation. The dinner was cheerful and harmonious. Tan Yucheng casually placed a red envelope next to Ji Ting. She was drinking her juice and noticed the envelope. When she looked up, Tan Yucheng gave her a cold glance before shifting his focus and picking up his chopsticks to eat the ribs.
Ji Ting pursed her lips.
This man looked displeased.
She glanced at the red envelope. She had received similar envelopes in past years.
She didn’t know when it started, but it seemed to have begun from the first year they had New Year’s Eve dinner together. The two families had prepared red envelopes for them. Xiao Xi and Tan Hui had given Ji Ting a larger envelope, saying that girls should be pampered more. Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow and smiled. Later, he had also given Ji Ting a red envelope, lazily saying, “You should be pampered.”
Since then, whenever they had New Year’s Eve dinner together, both sets of parents would give her a red envelope, and Tan Yucheng would also give her one.
This habit continued to the present day.
She’s twenty-nine.
Ji Ting paused, but decided to accept it anyway and placed it with the other red envelopes.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the room had the Spring Festival Gala playing. The two fathers, in high spirits, brought out the mahjong table from the entertainment room and announced that they wanted to play mahjong. Xiao Xi was in the small living room video-calling to wish people a happy New Year. With one person missing, Qiu Dan pulled Ji Ting to join the game.
Ji Ting was a novice at this game. Last year, in the hot spring village, she was thoroughly beaten.
As she sat down, she remembered the embarrassment of not winning a single game last year. She instinctively turned to glance at Tan Yucheng, who had been one of the main culprits.
Tan Yucheng was leaning against the counter, looking at his phone. He met her gaze and raised his eyebrows.
Ji Ting was silent for a few seconds, then didn’t say anything. She turned back and started drawing tiles.
The two fathers played their tiles seriously, and Qiu Dan glanced at Ji Ting, asking, “Have you improved your mahjong skills this year?”
Ji Ting looked at her mother and said, “Who knows.”
The two fathers and Qiu Dan all laughed. Last year, Ji Ting’s losses had been quite amusing for everyone. Though she was a gentle and quiet girl, she had a competitive streak. Losing to Tan Yucheng the most, she had been unusually frustrated, which had entertained the four parents greatly. The two fathers were also in the mood to tease Ji Ting.
They dealt the tiles to Ji Ting.
Ji Ting loved to “pung” (a mahjong term for taking a tile to complete a set). Whenever she saw a tile, she would go for it, even if it meant breaking up other sets. She looked at the tiles on the table, hesitating between discarding a 9 of bamboo or an 8 of bamboo, as she had just drawn a 7 of bamboo.
Tan Yucheng put away his phone and walked over to Ji Ting’s side, his hands in his pockets, looking down at her as she hesitated.
Ji Ting’s fingers hovered between the two tiles.
Tan Yucheng reached out, his sleeve brushing against Ji Ting’s cheek as he took the 9 of bamboo from her hand and discarded it without giving her a chance to react.
Ji Ting only realized what had happened when she saw that there were already two 9’s of bamboo tiles on the table. She understood that calling an 8 of bamboo would still give her a chance. With Tan Yucheng standing beside her, his long fingers occasionally brushing against the stray strands of her hair as he subtly guided her. Ji Ting gradually started picking up on the trick.
Xiao Xi finished her video call and came over to take her place.
Ji Ting quickly gave up her spot to Xiao Xi.
Xiao Xi smiled and asked Ji Ting, “Have you improved this time?”
Ji Lin Dong, while arranging the tiles, said, “Tan Yucheng taught her a few things, so she’s learned a bit. It’s much less fun this year.”
Ji Ting sighed.
Xiao Xi laughed and said, “Ji Ting is naturally smart.”
Tan Hui responded, “Last year, you all just bullied her.”
“Who bullied her?” Xiao Xi shot Tan Hui a look, then smiled and put her arm around Ji Ting’s shoulder, asking, “Why don’t you continue playing, Ji Ting?”
Ji Ting shook her head and said, “No, Aunt Xiao, you play.”
Just then, her phone rang.
She said, “I’ll check my messages.”
She walked over to the coffee table, picked up her phone, and sat down on the sofa. There were many New Year messages, including likes and well-wishes for a New Year’s post she had made. The post featured the lake outside Tianyu, beautifully lined with lanterns. Ji Ting replied to the messages, including one from Shu Xiao.
It was buried under messages from Yu Xi.
Shu Xiao: Happy New Year, Ji Ting.
Ji Ting replied: Happy New Year.
Shu Xiao: I just had dinner at the hotel. It’s very quiet here with not many people around.
Ji Ting realized.
She was spending the New Year alone in Li City.
She instinctively glanced over at Tan Yucheng, who was standing with his arms crossed, talking to Tan Hui and occasionally glancing at Tan Hui’s tiles. Xiao Xi was saying that he shouldn’t help his dad cheat, and she planned to win a few rounds against Tan Hui tonight. Tan Yucheng gave a light snort.
Ji Ting shifted her gaze back to WeChat and replied to Shu Xiao: This year, there’s an escape room with a New Year’s event on the second floor of Zhuoyue. If you’re free, you can check it out. It’s quite lively, and many students from Li University are staying there for the New Year.
Shu Xiao: Really? It’s my first time hearing about it.
Ji Ting: Yes.
She continued replying to Yu Xi and Long Kong. About ten minutes later, Shu Xiao sent her another message.
Ji Ting was taken aback and opened it.
Shu Xiao: Ji Ting, are you at Tianyu? I brought some food and am at the entrance of Tianyu’s neighborhood. It’s really lonely alone, so I came to find you. Can you come down?
Ji Ting paused for a moment.
Shu Xiao also sent her a picture of a convenience store at the entrance of Tianyu.
Ji Ting remained quiet for a few seconds.
She looked over at the man and called out, “Tan Yucheng.”
Tan Yucheng looked up, and after making eye contact with her, he walked over. His tall frame blocked the light as he looked down at her. Ji Ting looked up and said, “Shu Xiao is at the neighborhood entrance.”
Tan Yucheng asked, “What is she doing here?”
“She said she was lonely spending the New Year alone and brought some food to find me.”
Tan Yucheng raised his eyebrows slightly but did not respond.
Ji Ting thought of the message she had sent to his phone and wondered how he had reacted. She grabbed her coat from the sofa armrest and said, “I’ll go down and meet her. I’ll be back up soon.”
She put on her coat, tucked her phone into her pocket, and headed for the door.
Tan Yucheng watched her leave without stopping her and said, “Come back soon.”
Ji Ting stepped outside, paused, and glanced back at him.
Tan Yucheng bent down and started peeling an orange. Ji Ting turned away, went downstairs, and walked toward the neighborhood entrance. Tianyu was quite quiet for the New Year, with only a few stores open. Ji Ting saw Shu Xiao at the convenience store entrance. Shu Xiao smiled as she approached, carrying a large bag of food. The weather was cold, and she wore a brown scarf that made her face appear smaller.
Shu Xiao looked behind Ji Ting but didn’t see anyone else. Her fingers tightened, and her expression showed some disappointment. Ji Ting led her to a seat outside the convenience store and asked, “Where’s your mom? Isn’t she coming back?”
Shu Xiao shook her head. “She won’t be coming back. She said she’s fine now and told me to return to New York.”
Ji Ting was momentarily stunned.
Shu Xiao clasped her hands in front of her and spoke in a low voice, feeling somewhat dejected. “I don’t know if he still hates me. Why does he always ignore me?”
Ji Ting listened, feeling a bit lost.
Looking at Shu Xiao, Ji Ting saw her eyes were red.
Shu Xiao looked up at Ji Ting and said, “I regret leaving like that. If I had tried harder, resisted my mom, maybe I could have stayed and gone to college with him.”
Images from the party flashed through Shu Xiao’s mind. She wasn’t envious of Ji Ting, but she was very envious. She felt that Feng Yingying was right—if she hadn’t left, things wouldn’t be this way today.
She wouldn’t be so far from him.
Ji Ting remained silent.
She only reached for a tissue on the table and handed it to Shu Xiao.
Shu Xiao took it to wipe her tears, then looked up at Ji Ting with tears still in her eyes. “I heard about Fu Yan and Wen Nanxi’s story. Didn’t Wen Nanxi also leave Fu Yan that year? But they eventually got back together.”
“Couldn’t I also?” Shu Xiao asked, looking at Ji Ting with a pleading expression.
Ji Ting gazed at Shu Xiao’s hopeful eyes, unsure how to respond. Her fingers tightened. That summer, there were many rains, but only one brought out a rainbow.
She said, “Why don’t you try again?”
Not far behind them, Tan Yucheng casually put on a long coat, the collar of his white shirt standing up, and stepped into the shadow beside the convenience store, holding Ji Ting’s scarf in his hand.
He had heard Ji Ting’s words.