ACMS 71

Extra: Fang Jiaxu

Fang Jiaxu, after discovering his boyfriend had cheated, went on the “Let Me Do It” app and placed an order to find someone to beat up the scumbag and catch the homewrecker.

It wasn’t that he didn’t have friends who could help—just that back when he got into this relationship, all his friends had warned him the guy wasn’t reliable and was only after his money.

Fang Jiaxu hadn’t cared. The guy gave him emotional value, and spending some money wasn’t a big deal.

But cheating—cheating was a line he wouldn’t tolerate.

Getting cheated on was a bit humiliating, so he simply placed an order online and let a stranger handle it. Clear transaction, no emotional baggage.

What he hadn’t expected was that the person who showed up turned out to be even younger than him.

The boy standing before him was named Qiao Le. Though he was slightly taller, his face still carried a trace of youthful innocence.

When Fang Jiaxu asked his age—good heavens, he was only eighteen.

But the matter was urgent, and he didn’t have time to dwell on it. Besides, Qiao Le was just backup—the main action was his. So he took Qiao Le straight to the hotel.

The process of catching the mistress was intense and chaotic, the whole scene as rowdy as a festival.

Fang Jiaxu even knocked out the scumbag’s teeth. Though Qiao Le looked young, he was surprisingly reliable and put in real effort. At one point, he even shielded Fang Jiaxu from a flower vase thrown by the cheating boyfriend.

The vase hit Qiao Le squarely, splitting his forehead open and drawing blood. The scumbag panicked on the spot—he didn’t even have time to pull his pants up before trying to flee, only to get kicked to the ground by Fang Jiaxu.

Afterward, Fang Jiaxu called in friends to clean up while he rushed Qiao Le to the hospital.

Qiao Le ended up with a small gash on his forehead that needed a few stitches, though it wasn’t too serious.

Watching him frown in pain, Fang Jiaxu chuckled. “Bro, that vase was huge. Why didn’t you dodge? You even moved toward it!”

Qiao Le replied, “Didn’t think about it. As long as you’re okay, it’s fine.”

“You’re the one who’s not okay now,” Fang Jiaxu reminded him.

“I’m fine, it’s just a scratch.” Qiao Le dismissed it, then turned around and comforted Fang Jiaxu not to feel hurt over a scumbag.

Fang Jiaxu felt a warmth in his chest from the kindness, and just as he was about to say something, Qiao Le suddenly asked, “Mr. Fang, would you say I’ve completed today’s task?”

“Huh?” Fang Jiaxu blinked. “Of course you have.”

“Then could you please settle the remaining payment on the platform? And leave a good review, thank you!”

“No problem, but what about your injury—”

Just then, Qiao Le’s phone rang. He picked up, exchanged a few words, then stood up hurriedly. “Mr. Fang, I have something urgent. I need to go!”

“Wait, with your head—”

“It’s nothing.” With that, Qiao Le bolted out the door. Fang Jiaxu called after him, “Wait—I can drive you—”

But Qiao Le had already disappeared into the crowd.

“What’s so urgent? I wanted to add him as a friend.”

Muttering, Fang Jiaxu logged into the platform, paid the rest, left a five-star review, and even added a bonus tip to compensate for the injury.

Fortunately, tips weren’t subject to commission, or he’d have lost money on the deal.

After settling that, a friend called and told him to come by.

Now that the scumbag was out of the picture, Fang Jiaxu’s friends were celebrating. Some even came to his bar and ordered drinks in his honor.

Life after the breakup didn’t change much for Fang Jiaxu.

He ran a quiet little bar, business was good, and he spent most of his time at the store or traveling. Everything was just fine.

Winter arrived early in Yunjing City, and by November it was already quite cold.

The bar’s heating was too stuffy, so Fang Jiaxu stood at the door for some fresh air. Just as he was about to go back in, a small electric scooter pulled up to the entrance.

There was a delivery box strapped to the back. Figuring it was the food he’d ordered, he said, “From Meiwai Xuan? That’s my order.”

He had come in early today and hadn’t eaten, and he was tired of the bar’s usual menu. So he had ordered out.

The rider removed their helmet and smiled. “Mr. Fang, it’s you!”

Fang Jiaxu recognized him. “Qiao Le?”

It was the same Qiao Le who had helped him bust the cheating boyfriend.

Fang Jiaxu sized him up in surprise. “You’re…?”

“Delivering food,” Qiao Le replied, then turned to the child behind him. “Xiao Man, hop down.”

The kid called “Xiao Man” had been standing on the scooter’s footrest. Bundled up in a thick down coat, knit cap, and a mask, Fang Jiaxu couldn’t see his face, but the boy’s eyes were big and round—very cute.

Xiao Man hopped down nimbly.

Qiao Le followed and took the food from the insulated box. “Here you go.”

Fang Jiaxu accepted the bag and looked between him and the child. “Why are you delivering food with a kid in tow? Is he your brother?”

“Yeah, my little brother,” Qiao Le said. “No one’s home to watch him.”

No one to watch him? Fang Jiaxu asked casually, “What about your parents?”

“They’re gone,” Qiao Le replied.

Gone.

That word landed heavy.

Realizing he had overstepped, Fang Jiaxu quickly apologized. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Qiao Le smiled. “Thanks for the tip last time.”

Fang Jiaxu remembered that Qiao Le was only eighteen. When he helped with the breakup, Fang Jiaxu had assumed he was a college student doing side gigs. He hadn’t expected the kid to be doing it out of necessity.

“Achoo—”

Xiao Man sneezed. Both adults turned to him. The little one quickly covered his face. “I’m not cold!”

It was the definition of “a guilty denial.”

Qiao Le wiped his brother’s nose with a tissue, gave him a new mask, and adjusted his hat and coat to block out the wind.

Remembering how Qiao Le had shielded him from the vase, Fang Jiaxu asked, “Is your forehead better?”

“Yeah.” Qiao Le touched it. “Just a little scratch.”

He climbed back on the scooter and helped Xiaoman get settled.

The electric scooter offered no wind protection. Sitting in front would be warmer, but with all the winter layers, Qiao Le worried Xiao Man wouldn’t be able to hold on if he sat in back.

Once Xiao Man was ready, Qiao Le said, “We’ll be going then.”

“Wait!”

Fang Jiaxu called after him, a thought forming. “Are you still in school?”

“No,” Qiao Le said frankly. “I took a leave of absence.”

Just as he’d guessed.

Fang Jiaxu continued, “Delivering food with a kid must be hard. How about working at my bar?”

Qiao Le froze. “What?”

Fang Jiaxu pointed to his store. “It’s a quiet bar, not rowdy. Hours are from six in the evening to two in the morning. There’s a private lounge where your brother can rest. We can talk pay later—would you consider it?”

Qiao Le thought he’d misheard. He stared at Fang Jiaxu in disbelief. “You’re offering me a job?”

“Yeah. You in?”

“But I…” Qiao Le hesitated. “It’s not convenient.”

“You mean because of your brother? That’s fine.” Fang Jiaxu said, “Didn’t I say there’s a rest area? It’s way better than having him out in the cold with you.”

Delivering food with Xiaoman was definitely hard, but this opportunity seemed too good to be true. Still, if he worked here, he could do deliveries during the day and earn double.

He couldn’t help asking, “Why are you helping me?”

Fang Jiaxu tapped his own forehead and smiled. “Because you helped me. And my bar needs staff. Plus, you’re good-looking—you’ll bring in customers.”

Qiao Le blushed a little. “I worked as a waiter in a western restaurant before, but never in a bar. I don’t know if I’ll be good at it—but I’ll do my best!”

That was a yes.

He got off the scooter and bowed earnestly. “Thank you!”

Xiao Man mimicked him and shouted, “Thank you!”

Caught off guard, Fang Jiaxu took a step back. “Geez, don’t be so formal. If you’re free, want to start today?”

He glanced at Xiao Man. “Don’t let him catch a cold. Getting sick in this weather is no joke.”

Xiao Man quickly shook his head. “I’m not cold!”

Fang Jiaxu chuckled and pushed the door open. “Come on in, we’ve got heating.”

Qiao Le scooped up the round little ball that was Xiaoman. “Okay!”

And just like that, Qiao Le became an employee at Fang Jiaxu’s bar.

Fang Jiaxu ultimately couldn’t escape the fate of a blind date. Fortunately, his parents were at least somewhat reliable and had asked in advance for a photo of the young and accomplished associate professor.

The matchmaker sent over a formal ID-style photo. This Associate Professor Yan had distinct features and wore rimless glasses, giving off a slightly ascetic and stern vibe.

Just my type, Fang Jiaxu thought, but he definitely looks like the kind of teacher who would dock students’ grades. Good thing I’ve already graduated.

The meeting place was chosen by Fang Jiaxu—a hot pot restaurant, since winter was the perfect season for it.

He arrived ten minutes early, only to find that the other party had arrived even earlier. When he got there, Yan Xu was already seated.

Fang Jiaxu walked over and sat down across from him. “Hi, I’m Fang Jiaxu.”

“Hello, I’m Yan Xu,” the other man nodded slightly. “We’ve met before.”

Met before?

Fang Jiaxu was puzzled. “Have we?”

Yan Xu mentioned a street name and reminded him, “There were a lot of pedestrians. Watch out for your safety.”

It had only been a few days, and Fang Jiaxu remembered immediately. “It was you!”

Yan Xu: “It was.”

That unexpected encounter had unknowingly drawn them closer. Smiling brightly, Fang Jiaxu said, “What a coincidence! You were wearing a mask before—I didn’t recognize you. Thanks for your help that day!”

“No need to mention it.” Yan Xu handed him the menu. “What would you like to eat?”

Fang Jiaxu didn’t hesitate and took the menu. “Any dietary restrictions?”

“None.”

“Then I’ll just order. Let me tell you—their beef is insanely fresh…”

Naturally outgoing, Fang Jiaxu quickly placed the order and then asked if Yan Xu wanted to drink. Yan Xu replied that he had driven there.

“Then never mind, let’s just get a soda.”

“I can drink—it’s fine if I call a driver.”

“Forget it, come to my bar next time if you want to drink. It’s on me.” Fang Jiaxu handed the menu to the waiter. “That’ll be all.”

Yan Xu remembered what Fang Jiaxu did for work and followed up on the topic.

Once they started talking about things he was passionate about, Fang Jiaxu became quite chatty and shared a lot of amusing stories from his bar.

Yan Xu clearly didn’t frequent bars, but he listened attentively.

When the hot pot arrived, steam curled up from the table.

A mist of condensation formed on Yan Xu’s glasses, so he took them off and set them aside.

Fang Jiaxu noticed his long eyelashes and couldn’t help but praise, “Your lashes are so long—you look great even without glasses.”

Yan Xu’s hand paused over the food. “Really?”

“Mm-hmm.” Fang Jiaxu dipped beef slices into the broth. “Handsome in a different style.”

Yan Xu lowered his head and gently pressed his lips together.

Fang Jiaxu had thought this would be a boring blind date and had even prepared to eat quickly and bounce. He hadn’t expected his date to be someone he’d met before—or that they’d get along so well.

By the end of the meal, Fang Jiaxu actually felt reluctant to part.

After they left the restaurant, Yan Xu offered to drive him home, but Fang Jiaxu said he had driven himself.

They said their goodbyes and walked off in opposite directions. Just as Fang Jiaxu reached his car and was about to unlock it, he heard Yan Xu call from behind, “Wait!”

He turned around and saw Yan Xu catching up to him.

“What’s up?” Fang Jiaxu asked.

Yan Xu took a deep breath. “Are you in a hurry to get back?”

“Hm?”

“If you’re not…” Yan Xu hesitated, looking a little nervous. “Could I invite you to a movie?”

Fang Jiaxu was stunned. “A movie?”

“Yeah.” Yan Xu looked at him. “Maybe it’s a bit abrupt, but—”

“Sure!”

“Huh?” This time, Yan Xu was the one caught off guard. “What did you say?”

“I said sure.” Fang Jiaxu smiled, locking his car. “Let’s go, movie time.”

Yan Xu looked at him for a moment. His usually serious face showed a faint smile.

“Alright.”

–end–