Chapter 4

Ali & Aide Western Restaurant:

Zheng Jie said, “Our line of work is also quite tough…”

Across from him sat a very beautiful girl who smiled. “Everyone has it rough. When I first started working, my supervisor scolded me so badly I cried. I stood in the middle of Bei Cheng Tian Street and cried, wanting to go home. An auntie handed me a tissue—thinking back now, those times were really unforgettable…”

Zheng Jie shuddered. He himself was exactly the kind of small-time supervisor who would make people cry. His thoughts were all written on his face, and for a moment, he felt a bit awkward. He changed the subject, wanting to ask the girl about her monthly salary, but that would be too impolite. He took out his phone, hesitating whether to send Lin Ze another text, afraid he hadn’t received it. He rubbed his nose lightly with the back of his index finger while staring blankly at his phone.

The beauty asked, “Are you waiting for someone else? If you’re busy, don’t worry about me. I should head home too.”

Zheng Jie smiled. “No, no, my childhood friend just asked me something.”

The girl nodded. “Do you live with your childhood friend?”

Zheng Jie nodded, his peripheral vision glancing at the small black leather bill folder placed beside the table. The girl, holding her phone, noticed his action but didn’t say anything, also texting a friend.

Zheng Jie: [A’Ze, did you get it?]

Lin Ze: [I’m already here. Which table?]

Zheng Jie: [Table 18 by the window. Bring me 200.]

Lin Ze: [No need. I’ll cover the bill for you. I left 400 at the counter. Later, say you’re going to the restroom and pick up the money there. After change, there’ll be 268 left—enough for a movie and coffee. I bought you two group-buy tickets, sent to your phone. I’m leaving first.]

Zheng Jie looked up, scanning the room, afraid Lin Ze had gone to the wrong place. After a while, he spotted Lin Ze at the counter.

The beauty followed Zheng Jie’s gaze and saw a provocatively dressed young woman standing at the counter.

Zheng Jie regained his composure and smiled at her. “My mom doesn’t really nag me, but my aunt keeps pushing me to get married.”

The beauty hummed in agreement and smiled. “I don’t want to get married before 30 either, but my family keeps pressuring me. All the aunties and relatives—whenever I go home for the holidays, they won’t stop asking. It’s so annoying.”

The two fell into a brief silence before the beauty smiled. “Well… should we call it a day? It’s getting late… If I go back now, my best friend will just nag me endlessly.”

Zheng Jie replied, “Ah, wait, let me just go to the restroom first.”

Beauty: “…”

Zheng Jie left his little black book behind, got up, and walked around the floral partition—actually heading to the counter to collect the change Lin Ze had left after paying. He was really too nervous. This girl was exactly his type—great figure, good conditions, beautiful, with seductively painted lips, someone who knew how to dress well and was warm in conversation.

But the more afraid he was of messing things up, the more likely he was to do so. The usual authoritative demeanor Zheng Jie had when scolding his subordinates was nowhere to be seen. He could only think, Thank heavens Lin Ze was here.

When he returned, he smiled at the beauty. “Let’s go.”

The girl said, “Mm. Miss, the bill, please.”

Zheng Jie waved her off. “Already taken care of. Let’s go. Where do you want to go? Shopping or a movie?”

The beauty quickly objected. “We should really split the bill. This isn’t right.”

Zheng Jie insisted, “It’s fine, it’s only proper.”

The beauty insisted on splitting, but Zheng Jie refused, almost blurting out the cliché line, If you don’t let me treat you this time, I won’t ask you out again. Fortunately, he stopped himself in time before saying something stupid.

In the end, the girl absolutely insisted, saying she wouldn’t go out with him again if they didn’t split the bill. Zheng Jie had no choice but to accept, wondering why the same words sounded so much more irresistible coming from a girl’s mouth.

Zheng Jie thought the girl was very considerate and liked her a lot. He asked if she wanted to watch a movie.

The beauty explained that standing at the counter all day was exhausting, and since she finally had a day off tomorrow, she wanted to sleep at home. She hailed a cab, smiled, and said goodbye.

After seeing his blind date off, Zheng Jie immediately called Lin Ze.

“Hey, where are you?” he breathed in the night air, feeling refreshed. “Wanna catch a movie?”

Lin Ze had just returned to where he’d been eating with Xie Chenfeng. “I’m also on a blind date. Yours left already?”

“Yeah,” Zheng Jie replied. “She wanted to go home and sleep. Her skin’s really nice.”

Lin Ze asked, “You didn’t do anything stupid, did you?”

“Nah. I actually like her a lot. Help me analyze this…”

Lin Ze had already walked outside the tea restaurant. Through the glass wall, Xie Chenfeng looked slightly puzzled, raising an eyebrow and tilting his head to look at him.

The food had arrived but hadn’t been touched yet. Lin Ze had planned to talk about it at home, but Zheng Jie was too unsettled, so Lin Ze had to stand outside, under Xie Chenfeng’s gaze, and listen to Zheng Jie recount his blind date.

When Lin Ze heard that the girl had insisted on splitting the bill, he knew it was probably doomed. “You messed up from the start. You should’ve just been honest and said you forgot your wallet, let her pay first, then asked her out again or sent her flowers at work to make up for it!”

“How was I supposed to know? You didn’t tell me beforehand!”

“I thought her friends or family might be there, so I went ahead and paid. Whatever, forget it.”

“Is there still a chance?”

“Maybe. Text her tonight and see.”

“She did like me a bit, right?”

Lin Ze hummed in agreement. His own blind date wasn’t settled yet, and he wasn’t in the mood to talk much. “Yeah, she probably liked you a lot.”

After hanging up, Zheng Jie really did think the girl had some interest in him. In reality, though…

Xie Chenfeng didn’t ask for an explanation, just looked up at Lin Ze, his eyebrows lifting slightly—his handsome expression clearly saying, Say whatever you want.

Lin Ze realized he was completely defenseless against that kind of look—it practically killed him on the spot.

“My childhood friend was on a blind date,” he explained as he sat down. “Asked me to help… give some advice. But the girl went home.”

Xie Chenfeng straightened up, picked up his chopsticks, and served Lin Ze some food. “You have a lot of dating experience?”

Lin Ze shrugged. “No, I’ve just heard a lot about this stuff during interviews. There are a lot of girls at work, so I’ve picked up a thing or two about blind dates.”

Xie Chenfeng ate a shrimp dumpling and asked, “Do you believe in love?”

“Yeah, I guess. Life’s been pretty rough before, but giving up because of past failures isn’t… a good solution. You have to keep trying to meet the right person. How else would you know who’s suitable if you don’t give it a shot?”

Xie Chenfeng nodded. The tea restaurant was playing David Tao’s “Love Can Be Simple,” the volume and atmosphere just right.

Xie Chenfeng rarely played with his phone, only occasionally chatting with Lin Ze about work. Finally, he said, “Wanna catch a movie? It’s been a while since anyone watched one with me.”

Lin Ze had a strong premonition—he was about to fall in love.

“Sure,” he replied. “Let me get the bill.”

“Already taken care of.” Xie Chenfeng smiled, looking like a mischievous big kid.

Lin Ze stared at him expressionlessly.

“At first, we didn’t know each other. Now that we do, no need to split the bill. What do you think?”

Lin Ze thought that made sense and suggested, “I just bought group-buy tickets for my friend, but he didn’t use them. Let me treat you to a movie.”

Xie Chenfeng nodded. The two took the escalator down, the mall’s lights dazzling.

“Huayi Brothers’ film? Not 3D, though,” Xie Chenfeng said, leaning in.

Lin Ze smiled. “I don’t like 3D either. How about this one? My brother recommended ‘A Little Thing Called Love.'”

On the ascending escalator, pairs of gay couples glanced at them. They were looking at others while being looked at in return. Some couldn’t help but smile.

Xie Chenfeng and Lin Ze stood close together as they stepped into the neon-lit night.

That night’s movie drove Lin Ze crazy. He repeatedly wanted to strangle Li Chiran for recommending it. What kind of film was this?! A Thai movie about middle schoolers falling in love, with the female lead’s teenage crush on the soccer captain giving Lin Ze full-body cringe.

Yet Xie Chenfeng watched it intently. When the male lead tried out for the soccer team, Lin Ze couldn’t help but ask, “Was it like this for you guys too?”

Xie Chenfeng shook his head. “The movie’s too idealized.”

Lin Ze gradually got into it. By the end, when the story took a dramatic turn, revealing the male lead’s long-hidden feelings for the female lead, Lin Ze actually felt moved. It had been years since he’d watched such a pure, youthful romance.

After the movie, as they walked out, Xie Chenfeng asked, “Will we keep in touch after tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Lin Ze answered without thinking. “It’s not a one-night stand.”

The moment he said it, Lin Ze realized his slip and joked, “Uh, actually, I don’t… I’ve hardly ever had one-night stands.”

Xie Chenfeng laughed. “You’ve been one-night-standed?”

Lin Ze was speechless. “Let me walk you to the bus.”

Both hands in their pockets, Lin Ze accompanied Xie Chenfeng to the bus stop. The bus arrived quickly.

“Well… see you.”

“You haven’t given me your number yet.” Xie Chenfeng took out his bus card and turned back.

Lin Ze: “…”

Lin Ze chased after him to give his number. Xie Chenfeng smiled on the bus, memorizing it, while Lin Ze waved goodbye from the sidewalk.

On his way home, Lin Ze was in a good mood but realized something—Xie Chenfeng hadn’t given him his number.

He hesitated for a while with his phone. If the other person didn’t contact him, there’d be no way to find him. Overthinking it was pointless. Might as well let it go.

Zheng Jie was waiting at home. When Lin Ze arrived, he asked, “No fooling around?”

Lin Ze shot him a look. “You’re the one fooling around.”

Zheng Jie waved him over. “Come here, help me analyze this. That girl had a great figure. I’ll take you to see her next time.”

Lin Ze’s mind was still on Xie Chenfeng. He hadn’t paid attention earlier, but now, recalling everything from meeting Xie Chenfeng in the afternoon to eating and watching a movie together, the whole thing felt a lot like a hookup or one-night stand—just with more foreplay. They’d even forgotten to exchange numbers in the end. So careless.

He said perfunctorily, “Yeah, yeah, she liked you a lot too.”

Lin Ze didn’t absorb a single word of Zheng Jie’s retelling of his blind date.

“How could you tell she liked me?”

Lin Ze: “…”

Zheng Jie: “…”

“Fuck your mom,” Zheng Jie cursed at Lin Ze before getting up to shower.

Lin Ze couldn’t stop laughing. “Wait, say that again?”

After his shower, Zheng Jie recounted his blind date for the third time. Lin Ze focused this time and concluded that Zheng Jie probably didn’t stand a chance.

“Did she text you?”

“No,” Zheng Jie replied. “Don’t even know if she got home.”

“You didn’t text her after getting home either?”

Zheng Jie looked blank.

“What’s her name?”

“Forgot.”

“…”

“My aunt knows. She called me first. I saved it without asking her name. Look, it’s here.”

The call log had the number.

“Text her first. Say goodnight.”

Zheng Jie did as told.

“If she’s open to staying in touch, she’ll reply.”

Zheng Jie: “What if she doesn’t?”

Lin Ze shrugged and went to shower. Afterward, the two waited for texts—Zheng Jie for his blind date, Lin Ze for Xie Chenfeng. Neither received anything.

Lin Ze was a little frustrated. He’d probably been brushed off again, but it didn’t seem that way. By midnight, Zheng Jie kept checking his phone before finally saying, “Whatever. Even if things work out later… sigh.”

Lin Ze knew what Zheng Jie meant—even if things progressed, once the girl learned about his family’s situation, it’d be over.

Honestly, Lin Ze thought Zheng Jie often had a real shot. Blind dates weren’t the same as dating from a young age—they required gradual steps. The best scenario was for the other person to get to know Zheng Jie well enough to see his good character and be willing to give it a try before learning the full story…

But Zheng Jie carried this worry with him. After multiple failed blind dates due to his mother’s debt—1.4 million yuan, enough to scare anyone off—it was like a ticking time bomb always by his side.

As for Lin Ze?

Not much better. Though he wasn’t obsessively checking his phone like Zheng Jie, he was still a bit restless. But on reflection, he was just too invested in Xie Chenfeng. If he didn’t see him as a potential partner, it wouldn’t matter.

Whatever. Better not get his hopes up.

After much hesitation, Zheng Jie finally pressed the call button.

Lin Ze: “Don’t call her! Are you crazy? It’s 1 a.m.!”

Zheng Jie brushed Lin Ze’s hand aside, signaling he’d rather get a clear answer, even if it was rejection. But the other line was turned off. Lin Ze sighed in relief.

“Knew it,” Zheng Jie grumbled, tossing his phone aside and heading to bed.

Lin Ze would never do something so foolish. He watched TV for a bit longer, but Xie Chenfeng’s text never came. He went to bed.

That night was destined to be sleepless. Lin Ze tossed and turned, thinking about his tumultuous love life and a serious relationship he’d had two years earlier.

Back then, he’d just graduated and entered society, dating a very clean-cut college freshman. He’d planned to spend his life with that boy. They rented a small studio near the university, and Lin Ze worked tirelessly as a reporter, handing over his entire 2,000-yuan salary and interview bonuses every month. At first, it felt like home.

But over time, they started arguing. Lin Ze would come home exhausted from work to find the kid skipping classes to play games. He’d scold him occasionally, leading to fights. Despite the quarrels, they managed to make it work—until the kid started treating Lin Ze like an ATM, claiming that since he was younger, he deserved more. He’d given Lin Ze his youth and was willing to stay with him forever, so Lin Ze should pay more. It was only fair.

Then one day, Lin Ze grew tired of it all. After pulling an all-nighter covering a news story, he knocked on his own door for over ten minutes before the kid finally let him in—because he’d been raiding in World of Warcraft and couldn’t leave his team without a healer.

That was when Lin Ze knew it was over.

After the breakup, the kid never contacted him again. Not long ago, Lin Ze heard he’d started hooking up and had gone through several partners.

That relationship had failed because Lin Ze was too young, the other too immature, and neither knew how to compromise. Lin Ze had been too controlling, and the stress of starting his career had made him emotionally volatile.

He’d reflected on it many times but still didn’t know how to learn from it. He still held onto hope for love, but what followed was a year and a half of solitude.

During that time, either the guys he liked didn’t like him back (the attractive ones had options and mostly wanted one-night stands), or the ones who liked him didn’t appeal to him personality-wise. Many in the community believed they’d either have to enter a sham marriage or deceive a woman—coming out wasn’t an option. They mocked Lin Ze’s choices, calling him a lost cause who didn’t understand the pressure to marry and have kids.

In the end, everyone would have to hide in this society, dragging innocent women into their lies, having children, and building superficially normal families. What was the point of talking about forever?

The few who did like him, Lin Ze couldn’t bring himself to settle for. In the end, living with Zheng Jie as two bachelors was the most comfortable arrangement.

Lin Ze got up to get a drink just as Zheng Jie came out to pee.

Both were sleepless. Zheng Jie complained, “Fuck, I’ve got to open the shop tomorrow. So jealous of you, not having to work.”

Lin Ze retorted, “I’m not much better off.”

Life had been pretty aimless lately—eat, sleep, browse the internet. He needed to start job-hunting ASAP.

Lin Ze decided not to wait until Monday. He’d start sending out resumes tomorrow.

The two drank some warm milk at the dining table before returning to bed.

At 4 a.m., Lin Ze’s phone lit up with a message from an unknown number:

[Goodnight, Dreamcloud Marsh. I couldn’t sleep all night. At first, I thought you weren’t interested and were trying to slip away during dinner. I waited half an hour, even considered leaving, which is why I paid first. If you think we’re a good match, let’s stay in touch. Sweet dreams.]