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墨書 Inktalez
In the bustling city of Shanghai, the traffic at the toll booth was a river of headlights flowing endlessly. Shen Du lightly pressed the brake, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples; the prolonged focus had left a hint of fatigue etched between his brows.
As he waited in line, he picked up his phone and casually scrolled through the screen. A minute ago, Yao Nian had sent him a message:
"Uncle Shen, have you arrived?"
Shen Du smiled and snapped a photo of the toll booth sign with "Shanghai" prominently displayed, sending it back to her. Unlike the tranquil and serene Huabei, Shanghai was alive with towering buildings and dazzling lights; the nightlife here was just beginning to stir.
Inside a café on a bluestone road, the air was filled with the aroma of freshly ground coffee, accompanied by soothing jazz music and the sound of ice being crushed. The café had a charming name that added to its allure.
A girl sat on a high iron stool, her chin resting on her palm, looking pensive. Yao Nian watched as the barista poured frothy milk into a shot of espresso, skillfully swirling it to create a delicate snowflake pattern that soon emerged in the cup.
Xu Jiayi took the coffee from the barista and, before Yao Nian could fully appreciate it, took a sip that obliterated the intricate design.
"On such a hot day, did we come out just for you to daydream?"
Sighing, Yao Nian appeared less than enthusiastic. "I just didn’t want to be alone."
"But your dad is back now, right?" Xu Jiayi shot back.
Yao Nian glanced at her. "I’d rather be alone."
Xu Jiayi crossed her legs and clicked her tongue. "So what if Shen Du is back? It’s not like you can’t see him again. Why are you acting like this?"
Yao Nian struggled to articulate her feelings. It felt as though someone had taken residence in her mind, constantly wondering where he was, what he was doing, and if he would think of her at any moment.
She pushed the pistachio Basque cake towards herself; its matcha green exterior exuded a refreshing vibe while its soft creamy interior was complemented by crunchy bits of pistachio.
"I have to ask you something," Yao Nian said as she stirred the crushed pistachios in her cup, the spoon clinking against the glass with a cheerful jingle.
"Do you have someone you like?"
Xu Jiayi swung her legs playfully. "Are you talking about falling in love at first sight like you did with Uncle Shen?"
Yao Nian cleared her throat, correcting her, "Who said I fell in love at first sight? Do I look that shallow to you?"
Xu Jiayi stared at her seriously and nodded, "You do."
Yao Nian replied, "Don't you think Uncle Shen is handsome? He kind of looks like that Japanese actor... what was his name?"
Xu Jiayi suddenly slapped the table, "I remember now! Nakajima Yuto!"
"Isn't he the one who acted in 'Legal High'?" Yao Nian recalled. Last summer, she and Xu Jiayi had binge-watched that show together, and she had commented on how good-looking the actor was and wondered why he wasn't more popular.
"Exactly! Oh? Uncle Shen is a lawyer too, right? I bet he works out regularly; otherwise, it's hard to maintain such a physique at his age."
Seeing Xu Jiayi's thoughts spiraling out of control, Yao Nian impatiently tapped the table twice. "If you can't understand the question, I might have to teach you a thing or two about self-defense."
Xu Jiayi laughed uncontrollably. "You talk about love at first sight; I can fall for ten guys just on a subway ride through the university town!"
Yao Nian sighed, tapping her fingers rhythmically on her cup noodles.
Xu Jiayi continued, "I used to think you weren't interested in guys at all. It seemed such a waste for someone with your looks. I never expected you to like older men."
She liked Shen Du; it just so happened that he was slightly older than her.
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