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墨書 Inktalez
Junxi woke up early and took a taxi to Yatian. She had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, as every time she closed her eyes, she saw Zhou Xuanyu with blood all over his neck.
The faint sound of his muffled groan when he held her lingered in her ears, stirring her unease.
She needed to see him quickly; otherwise, her anxiety and fear would only deepen.
Although dawn had just broken, Yatian was already bustling with activity. People wearing headphones jogged along the streets.
Zhou Xuanyu was also someone who had a habit of morning runs.
Junxi remembered how, when she was younger, she would often sleep in and no one could wake her up. Her mother, knowing that she only listened to Zhou Xuanyu, quietly entrusted the task of waking her to him.
Despite being such a busy person, Zhou Xuanyu never seemed to mind this responsibility. He would wake up early every day, jog a lap, and then return just in time to coax her out of bed, come rain or shine.
She often took advantage of his moments of distraction to jump on him, biting and hitting him playfully, but Zhou Xuanyu never got angry.
Her mother praised his good temper, and he would always say, "Why would I compete with a child?"
He didn’t need to compete with her, nor did he have to be more punctual than anyone else in waking her up... yet he had unwittingly made it a habit for her to see him the moment she opened her eyes.
Habits are formed without one realizing it; breaking them feels like cutting into flesh and bone.
Junxi called Zhou Ziyan to let him know she was outside.
Zhou Ziyan clearly had not yet woken up. After a few grumbles, he finally managed to say a complete sentence: "You can enter the password yourself."
"What’s the password?" Junxi asked.
Zhou Xuanyu fell silent for a few seconds before impatiently saying, "Forget it, I’ll come and let you in."
Junxi hung up the phone and waited on the porch.
Before long, the door opened, and she looked up to see Zhou Xuanyu.
"Why are you here so early?"
"I... I came to bring you breakfast." Junxi raised the bag in her hand and casually glanced at his neck, where a wound was covered with white gauze, making it impossible to see anything: "Did you have any issues last night? Did you have a fever? Are you feeling unwell? Do you..."
"None of that," Zhou Xuanyu interrupted her, who seemed to have more to say, gently pulling her arm and leading her inside. "Let’s talk inside."
The morning breeze was quite cool, and as Junxi stepped inside, she felt a warmth that was different from outside. She took off her coat and headed toward the living room, only to see Zhou Ziyan lying on the sofa. He had his eyes closed; it was hard to tell if he was truly asleep or just pretending.
On the carpet beside the sofa lay numerous empty bottles scattered about.
This scene certainly didn’t look like something one person could drink alone.
"You guys drank last night?" Junxi couldn't help but raise her voice as she rushed over to Zhou Ziyan, pulling the blanket off him. "Get up!"
"What are you doing, Miss?" Zhou Ziyan rubbed the back of his head and sat up on the sofa, giving Junxi an annoyed look.
"I let you watch over the injured, and look at you, not only did you fail to keep an eye on him, but you also..."
"But what?" Zhou Ziyan replied lazily.
"What else? You went along with him!"
"You're being ridiculous." Zhou Ziyan pushed her forehead lightly, pretending to fall back asleep.
Junxi grabbed his arm tightly.
"I'm talking to you."
"Let Zhou Ziyan sleep a little longer." Zhou Xuanyu's head peeked out from the bathroom. "He drank all that alcohol; he probably hasn't fully woken up yet."
"What? He drank all of it?" Junxi turned and pinched Zhou Ziyan's arm. "Are you crazy? Drinking like that is reckless!"
"Why do you have so much to say?" Zhou Ziyan shrugged off her hand and stood up, shouting towards the bathroom, "Uncle, I'm heading back now. Wen Junxi is giving me a headache; I need to go sleep for a bit longer."
With that, he walked toward the door.
"Hey, your jacket. It's chilly outside; you'll catch a cold like this!"
Junxi picked up Zhou Ziyan's jacket and rushed after him, draping it over his shoulders.
Zhou Ziyan suddenly seemed to wake up, turning back to look at her deeply.
"What are you doing?" Junxi felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze.
Zhou Ziyan shook his head and turned to leave.
This person, even when drunk, could still be so profound?
Once Zhou Ziyan left, the room became empty and silent. Zhou Xuanyu was in the bathroom, and the sound of running water occasionally drifted over.
Junxi turned back and began to clean up the bottles scattered on the floor.
Just from the logos on these bottles, she knew they must be quite expensive.
What Zhou Ziyan drank in one night could very well exceed her annual salary.
As she was tidying up, Zhou Xuanyu finished washing up and came out. As he slowly approached, Junxi caught a faint scent of green tea in the air.
"Did you really not drink?" Junxi turned her face with skepticism.
"I had one cup," Zhou Xuanyu admitted honestly.
That cup was a pact between men; regardless of how serious his injuries were, he had to finish it to show his determination.
After that, Zhou Ziyan stopped pouring drinks. Yet, he himself kept downing one cup after another, as if he were trying to drown some deep sorrow that couldn't be contained.
"Didn't the doctor say not to drink?"
"It's fine, having one drink won't get me drunk." Zhou Xuanyu smirked. "Besides, even if I did get drunk, my drinking etiquette isn't that bad."
Junxi wasn't foolish; she could tell he was hinting at something.
"Was my behavior really that bad when I got drunk that day?" She finally seized the opportunity to ask a question she had been wanting to pose.
Zhou Xuanyu leaned back into the sofa. "What? Have you forgotten?"
Embracing him and kissing him while getting a little hands-on—how could she forget that?
"I completely forgot by the next day." Junxi touched her nose, cautiously confirming again, "I didn't do anything inappropriate, did I?"
"Do you need me to help jog your memory?"
Zhou Xuanyu suddenly leaned closer to her. In an instant, Junxi could clearly see the shape of his brows.
"No, that's not necessary." Junxi quickly waved her hand.
Her sixth sense told her that she definitely hadn't done anything good that night.
Zhou Xuanyu smiled and reached out to touch her hair before leaning back into the sofa.
Junxi's cheeks felt a bit warm as she tidied up the empty bottle and sat cross-legged on the carpet, looking up at Zhou Xuanyu sitting on the sofa.
"I become someone else when I drink. If I did something bad to you that night or said something hurtful, please don't take it seriously, okay?"
Zhou Xuanyu raised an eyebrow; he actually wanted to take it seriously.
"Okay?" she asked again, looking anxious.
"Okay," he replied.
Junxi smiled, visibly relieved.
"You don't even remember what happened that night. Why do you hope so much that I forget?"
Junxi's gaze darkened, and she lowered her head, furrowing her brows. In a barely audible voice, she said, "Because ever since that night, you've been cold towards me. It's worse than how you treat strangers..."
How could he tell her that his distance was due to his fear of getting close?
It was clearly his cowardice and overthinking that had led to this situation, yet he never expected it would leave her feeling so anxious and guilty for so long. Zhou Xuanyu felt a dull ache in his heart.
"Junxi..."
"Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore. I bought you breakfast; come on, let's eat."
Junxi stood up and tugged at his arm, pulling him up as well.
Zhou Xuanyu walked slowly behind her, watching as she reached the dining table and opened the bag she had brought. Inside was like a treasure chest—there was soy milk, porridge, steamed buns... Her delicate figure surrounded by the rising steam was heartwarming beyond words.
He suddenly thought about how happy he would be if he could wake up to such a scene every morning.
"Why didn't you come to eat?"
Junxi turned around, and as soon as she spoke, she felt warmth enveloping her.
Zhou Xuanyu gently embraced her from behind.
Junxi dared not move; Zhou Xuanyu's breath brushed against her side, as if it could seep into her very bones. Her body felt both soft and weak.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"I got hurt and need someone to take care of me."
His deep voice echoed in her ear, making her heart race even faster.
"But three days have already passed."
"Three days have gone by; does that mean the feelings are gone too?"
Junxi fell silent. How could they be gone? Her heart had remained stuck in those three days. If she could, she would trade anything for more of those days.
But she was afraid of sinking deeper.
Zhou Xuanyu turned her body toward him, lifting her chin with his fingers so that she would look at him.
"Can you take care of me for a while?"
His tone softened, carrying a hint of pleading.
Junxi found it hard to resist such gentle and vulnerable Zhou Xuanyu.
She nodded.
"Then when does it start?" she asked.
"Now."
As soon as Zhou Xuanyu's words fell, he grasped her chin and leaned in for a gentle kiss.
Junxi felt Zhou Xuanyu's lips on hers and immediately closed her eyes. The pleasant scent of green tea intensified as he parted her lips.
Sweet; his tongue was sweet.
Without thinking, Junxi raised her hands to wrap around Zhou Xuanyu's neck, wanting to taste more.
Her response drove Zhou Xuanyu further out of control, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid.
As their lips and tongues intertwined, Zhou Xuanyu's hand encircled Junxi's waist. The delicate waist, barely substantial enough to hold, brought some clarity back to his mind, prompting him to ease his grip. Yet their bodies remained tightly pressed against each other.
A kiss that just wouldn't stop; even with moments of gasping for air, their lips, having found a connection, seemed to be drawn together again and again.
Just kissing had taken over half an hour.
Junxi was pushed against the edge of the table, her back pressed against a warm bun, before she finally came to her senses.
"Let's have breakfast," she said, her cheeks flushed, yet she tried to maintain her composure.
Zhou Xuanyu casually sat down in a chair and picked up a cup of soy milk.
"Have you eaten?"
"I have."
He nodded, took a sip of the soy milk, and then asked, "Custard Bun?"
"How did you know?"
"Tasted it," he replied seriously.
The milky flavor lingering in her mouth was so enticing that it was no wonder he had found it hard to stop earlier.
Junxi nearly knocked over the Congee Box beside her as she fumbled.
"I'll go wash my hands." She turned and quickly ran towards the restroom.
Zhou Xuanyu watched her retreating figure, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
This was the best way he could think of to be together for now—without leaving each other with no room to maneuver, without appearing too deliberate, and without startling her too much.
Let her gradually accept his presence, little by little, and slowly understand his feelings.
If they could turn this act into reality, that would be the best outcome.
Junxi came out of the restroom, and Zhou Xuanyu was still sitting there, leisurely eating breakfast. From his calm demeanor, one could not discern any hint of what had just transpired.
"Do you want to eat a bit more?"
"No, I'm full."
He nodded noncommittally.
Junxi walked over and sat down directly across from him. She caught his gaze as he looked up at her.
"Are you cooking lunch?"
"You haven't even finished your breakfast yet; why are you already thinking about lunch?"
"One must prepare for the future; only by finishing one meal can one have the next." He maintained a serious expression.
Junxi was speechless; what he said made so much sense that she couldn't find a way to argue back.
"Do you have any vegetables at home? If not, I can go buy some right now. It's still early, and the produce at the market is fresh."
"No need, there's plenty in the fridge."
"Do you usually cook for yourself?"
"Occasionally."
Although he didn't often cook for himself and usually ate out, Uncle Fu still came by every day to restock the ingredients in his fridge, just in case he decided to eat at home.
"Alright, then when Zhou Ziyan wakes up, let's invite him over for lunch," Junxi suggested.
"He has Uncle Fu; Uncle Fu's cooking is much better than yours."
"It's all cooking anyway."
"Not the same," Zhou Xuanyu suddenly became stubborn.
"How is it not the same?" Junxi pressed on with determination.
"You are here to take care of me."
"Isn't he your nephew? Are you really going to be stingy over one meal?" Junxi teased him.
"I want it to be just the two of us," he said without changing his expression, making it impossible to tell if he was serious or not.
Junxi felt a wave of tingling sensation wash over her body, and with just one look from him, she found herself lacking any further resolve.
"What do you want to eat?"
As she asked, Junxi stood up and headed towards the kitchen.
Zhou Xuanyu's refrigerator was large and tidy. Fruits and vegetables were neatly arranged from top to bottom. Although he didn’t manage it himself, the refrigerator certainly reflected Zhou Xuanyu's meticulous nature.
"I'll eat whatever you make," he replied from outside.
Junxi pouted slightly.
Even though Zhou Xuanyu claimed it didn’t matter, she knew that this man definitely belonged to the picky eater category.
Xue Waiwai had once said that a man who is particular about food has principles. Just think about it: if a man is indiscriminate about what he eats, how could he possibly remain composed in front of a woman who comes on to him?
These two matters seemed completely unrelated, but when Xue Waiwai, with her sharp tongue, explained it, it somehow made perfect sense.
Junxi stood in front of the refrigerator for a while, picking and choosing before slowly forming an idea in her mind.
She took out the ingredients she might need and organized them carefully.
"Is this starting now?" Zhou Xuanyu appeared at the kitchen door, hands in his pockets, calmly watching her occupy the space without a hint of doubt about her ability to handle it.
"Yeah."
It had been a long time since she had cooked properly, and her skills were a bit rusty, so she had prepared in advance.
Zhou Xuanyu fell silent behind her.
He quietly observed Junxi washing the vegetables. Even before she began to stir-fry and the aroma filled the air, he already felt an unprecedented sense of home.
In those days, that woman was also skilled at creating such an atmosphere. She once said, "Zhou Xuanyu, let me cook for you for a lifetime."
He still remembered how her voice trailed off with a hint of playful affection.
Such a pure and ethereal woman, yet she offered to wash her hands and forever make him soup. What man could resist such sweet words?
He certainly couldn't.
Back then, he truly believed he would eat meals made by that woman for the rest of his life. However, life had too many twists and turns that were far from what he had imagined.
Junxi finished washing all the vegetables and placed them on a plate. When she turned around, Zhou Xuanyu was no longer at the door.
"Zhou Xuanyu, where are the seasonings?" she called out.
"In the cupboard."
He walked over, holding a coat in his hand.
As Junxi opened the cabinet, he felt Zhou Xuanyu wrap his coat around Junxi's waist.
"What are you doing?"
"I can't find an apron, so this will do for now."
"No need for that." His coat was probably enough to buy a truckload of aprons.
"Be obedient."
With a slight tug, he tied the sleeves into a knot at Junxi's waist.
Junxi smiled.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. I just think it's a bit backward and not worth it."
"It's not about being not worth it; it's priceless."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing, just be careful with the knife," Zhou Xuanyu said, nodding toward the blade in her hand.
"I'm fine."
Junxi shook her hand, slicing down with precision and speed.
Zhou Xuanyu had never seen her wield a knife before, and this moment truly opened his eyes to her skills.
"When did you learn to cook for yourself?" he asked.
Her past had always piqued his curiosity. Although he knew that for Junxi, it wouldn't be a pleasant memory.
Yet, he still wanted to know.
Everything about her, whether joyful or painful, should be an indispensable part of his life.
Even if he couldn't participate in it, he wanted to fill in the gaps of his past with her experiences.
"A month after my parents were taken away," Junxi replied.
Her voice revealed no emotion, but her hands paused noticeably in their movements.
That month was the most unbearable period in her tumultuous life. At that time, she had not yet grown up, yet she had to shoulder the responsibilities of being the eldest sister.
If she was the cherished daughter of the Wen Family when her parents were around, then her younger brother Jun Xuan was like a little king in the household. That child had always been quite particular about what he wanted.
If it wasn't fresh, he wouldn't eat it. If it didn't suit his taste, he wouldn't eat it. If it wasn't at the right temperature, he wouldn't eat it. If it was too cold, he wouldn't eat it either... The cook at home struggled to cater to just him.
The child didn't understand the meaning of their family's decline. At first, he was picky about everything, and within a few days, he had starved himself thin.
Junxi watched with a heavy heart, but there was nothing she could do. She didn't have the money to take Jun Xuan out for good food; she could only learn to cook for herself.
Learning to cook was even harder, especially since she had no foundation at all. She was someone who couldn't even distinguish between oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar when thrown into the kitchen.
At that time, in her attempts to learn how to cook, she went through a lot of trouble. Jun Xuan truly began to understand her when he witnessed her flailing around after getting burned by hot oil.
Perhaps having never seen his delicate sister, who looked like a princess, so distressed by life's pressures made the little boy suddenly squat at the kitchen door and quietly wipe away his tears.
That day, Jun Xuan ate particularly well.
Even though Junxi's cooking was hard to swallow, he finished every bit of the noodles she made.
After the meal, he comforted her: "Sister, it will get better."
Get better? What would get better?
Her cooking skills? Or their lives? She didn't dare to ask...
With Jun Xuan's encouragement, Junxi gradually began to piece together a set of kitchen secrets that belonged solely to her. The flavors, in Jun Xuan's words, were rare delicacies in the world.
The bitterness of life had made her brother's words sweeter. Junxi thought this must be the last kindness from heaven.
The trials had transformed a pair of naive little princess and prince, bringing them from the fairy tale world into reality. They were no longer fragile; they were growing stronger.
"Do you hate me?" Zhou Xuanyu suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"I wasn't by your side back then."
"I don't want to answer that question," Junxi replied with a smile. "Can we not talk about this?"
Zhou Xuanyu nodded.
He understood that her reluctance to answer meant she hadn't let go of the past. Yet, her kindness allowed her to hide the answer that would make him feel guilty.
Zhou Xuanyu reached out and embraced her, so gently, filled with regret.
Junxi let him hold her for a while, until the hand gripping the knife began to stiffen. She then nudged him with her elbow.
"Get out, I need to cook."
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