LHKE Ch 2

Early spring weather is always unpredictable. The sun may be warm during the day, but by night, it could start drizzling.

A few young people, looking like university students, walked into the bar. They left their umbrellas in the stand at the door. Two men and four women, chatting and laughing, made their way to the bar to order drinks.

When the waiter saw the woman in the tight dress, who was walking in front with her curves prominently displayed, his eyelids twitched. He quickly went upstairs to find the owner.

Shen Li came downstairs to find that a group of people had already started drinking. The woman mixing drinks had a carefully done-up face, with fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes when she smiled. Her black hair had strands of white, showing signs of age despite her stylish dress and good figure. Among the university students, she looked like she was in her thirties, appearing as if she were out for a night with younger companions.

Only Shen Li, upon seeing her, rubbed his temples in frustration. As he approached, he took off his coat and half-embraced her from behind. “Ms. Cheng Zhao Zhao, it’s 16 degrees Celsius today. Aren’t you dressed too lightly?”

Cheng Zhao Zhao adjusted her hair and turned to him with a graceful smile. “Shen Xiao Li, men and women should keep their distance. Such behavior is quite impolite.”

Their posture was intimate. Although there was an age difference, flirting was common in bars, and onlookers only found it interesting because Shen Li was the bar owner.

Lu Changting, who had just entered the bar, found the scene a bit strange.

This was the second time.

Last time, it was seeing Shen Li taking strawberries from a man’s hand; this time, it was him embracing a beautiful woman.

Why did he always catch Shen Li flirting with someone?

As he got closer, Lu Changting realized that the beautiful woman didn’t look very young. The university students around them were cheerfully calling Shen Li “Brother Shen,” indicating familiarity.

When Shen Li saw Lu Changting, he was momentarily stunned before discreetly withdrawing his hand from Cheng Zhao Zhao’s shoulder.

Lu Changting showed no particular expression, just nodded to Shen Li as a greeting. He was at the bar alone, ordered a Sea Breeze, and took a seat at an empty spot on the bar, quietly waiting for his drink.

Shen Li fiddled with the red string on his wrist, feeling the urge to strike up a conversation but restrained himself due to Cheng Zhao Zhao’s presence.

Cheng Zhao Zhao didn’t notice anything odd. When she finished her first drink and wanted a second, Shen Li stopped her, replacing it with a glass of yogurt.

Cheng Zhao Zhao shot him a reproachful glance, but she didn’t say anything. She obediently drank the yogurt, which seemed like playful bickering between lovers.

Sipping a cocktail with cranberry and grapefruit flavors, Lu Changting listened to the young students chatting nearby.

“Are you free at the end of this month? My birthday is coming up, and I’d like to invite you all to my house. H City isn’t far; it’s just a two-hour train ride.”

“I’m not sure, but probably,” a nearby girl replied. “I have to finish a drawing by next week, but if I work on it these days, I should be done in time.”

“I’m free, too. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

“What about Cheng Jie?”

“I’m quite free,” the woman called Cheng Jie smiled and turned to Shen Li. “Shen Xiao Li, are you coming too?”

There are actually other birthdays at the end of March. Shen Li, noticing Lu Changting’s gaze, casually smiled. “I won’t be going. Enjoy yourselves.”

Their eyes met. Shen Li’s gaze faltered, overwhelmed by Lu Changting’s direct and unwavering stare.

He felt as if he could see his own reflection in those clear eyes.

Cheng Zhao Zhao’s sixth sense kicked in a bit late but was spot on.

She glanced at Shen Li and then at Lu Changting, her long, well-maintained fingers with soft tea-colored nail polish lightly tapped the bar. “Is he your friend?”

Shen Li had many friends, but Cheng Zhao Zhao clearly meant someone more than just an ordinary friend.

Shen Li took a sip of his tea. He didn’t usually drink alcohol, so at the bar, he had Biluochun tea prepared, steeped in a glass cup, its light green color resembling a specially mixed drink.

“We’ve met once.”

He was lying.

The first time he saw Lu Changting was when he was fifteen and in his first year of high school.

He remembered the first evening self-study session after entering school. Everyone was chatting about mysterious legends surrounding the school. Someone mentioned that the small building by the basketball court was haunted. After hearing ghost stories, someone suggested going to the small building for an adventure after the evening study.

At fifteen or sixteen, curiosity and energy were high, and he was no exception.

So he joined the small building exploration team.

After the evening study, a group of people went to the small building, only to find that it wasn’t just their class; several other classes had come as well, eager to investigate.

That night, there was no moon, only a few sparse stars. The night was too dark, and the small building hidden behind tree shadows was eerily quiet.

People passing by were attracted and gathered to watch. With so many people, Shen Li was pushed into a group from another class. Turning around, he saw only unfamiliar faces.

Some people went upstairs, and he followed. The wooden stairs creaked under the weight of so many footsteps. As he walked at the back of the line, just as they reached the top, he heard a girl’s sharp, piercing scream. Those who couldn’t see the front were instantly frightened. Was the small building really haunted?

In the next moment, there was a flash of light accompanied by an angry shout, “What are you doing!”

The students who led the way turned and ran, and everyone followed. He reacted a bit slower, and as someone ran past him, seeing him standing there, they pulled him along, explaining as they ran, “There’s a patrolling teacher. If caught, it’ll be a demerit for the class.”

The crowd around the small building dispersed in seconds, like birds scattering. He was pulled along, running past the basketball court, and finally, when they reached the streetlight, they let go of each other and took a deep breath.

Under the warm light of the streetlamp, Shen Li got a clear look at that handsome face.

In September, S City was still in summer.

After running, Shen Li’s palms were sweaty, and his heart was racing. The ghost story had long been forgotten; his mind was filled with the image of the person smiling, waving, and walking away.

Years later, whenever Shen Li thought about that night, he felt as if it had happened just yesterday.

He took another sip of tea, swallowing a barely audible sigh.

The young people had dispersed, leaving only Shen Li, Cheng Zhao Zhao, and Lu Changting sitting in the corner at the bar.

The bar wasn’t crowded that day. With Lu Changting in the corner, no one disturbed his solitude. He finished his drink slowly, then got up and walked over to the bartender to order another drink.

As he approached, he caught the faint scent of wood, which was on Shen Li, mixed with a strong, intoxicating vanilla coffee aroma, likely from the woman.

“Mr. Lu,” Shen Li greeted him first.

Lu Changting nodded slightly. “Mr. Shen.” He glanced at Cheng Zhao Zhao and couldn’t help his curiosity. “Is she your girlfriend?”

Cheng Zhao Zhao, with a smile as delicate as blooming flowers, responded, “Shen Xiao Li, someone’s asking if I’m your girlfriend.”

“Oh—” Shen Li’s tone was resigned as he looked at Lu Changting with even more resignation. “She’s my mother.”

Lu Changting was so surprised that his expression betrayed his shock. “I’m sorry… Auntie looks quite young.”

And too fashionable.

Cheng Zhao Zhao clinked her yogurt glass with his, her smile widening. “You have a sweet tongue. Do you have a girlfriend, young man?”

Lu Changting looked at Cheng Zhao Zhao as if facing a group of parents, his posture instantly straightening.

It seemed that every elder had a stack of red strings, always thinking about how to tie up their juniors.

“I’m not planning to date anyone at the moment.”

Cheng Zhao Zhao, who had intended to probe his orientation, raised an eyebrow and gave Shen Li a look of helplessness.

Shen Li shook his head lightly.

He was still smiling, though the smile was faint, with a touch of melancholy in his eyes.

He had come out to Cheng Zhao Zhao a long time ago. Whenever he unconsciously searched for Lu Changting’s figure, or whenever his heart raced and he couldn’t bear to look back at Lu Changting, realizing it was affection.

Cheng Zhao Zhao had divorced Shen Zhengqing when Shen Li was in middle school. She had evidence of Shen Zhengqing’s infidelity and won custody of Shen Li. The family went through a difficult period. After the divorce, Cheng Zhao Zhao resumed working while raising her child, which was undoubtedly tough.

During those years, Shen Li matured quickly, understanding the hardships Cheng Zhao Zhao faced. He saw her struggle with late nights drawing plans and taking care of his needs. He couldn’t bear to see her suffering and chose to board at school to ease her burden.

Later, Cheng Zhao Zhao saved up to open a studio, gaining recognition and improving their financial situation. Shen Li entered university, no longer needing to worry about his studies or the family’s needs, and Cheng Zhao Zhao’s life became easier.

So, their relationship was very good, honest and straightforward.

Coming out was not as easy as it might seem. Cheng Zhao Zhao was a very open-minded parent who respected and accepted his orientation, but she had also been upset for a long time in places he didn’t know. She doubted whether she had given Shen Li the right guidance and worried about the difficulties ahead and the harsh judgments he might face.

However, she still hoped Shen Li would find someone he liked to spend his life with.

Seeing Shen Li’s apparent interest in this man, she naturally wanted to give Shen Li a push.