Chapter 2

In the days following Percy's disappearance, "Corner" returned to its usual rhythm. Sunlight still streamed through the glass doors on time, the coffee machine still hummed, and the aroma of desserts still warmly enveloped every customer who entered. No one sat in that corner for three consecutive days, ordering an extremely bitter cup of black coffee, staring at her with that heavy and painful gaze.

Occasionally, when Lin Xiaotang was wiping cups or busy with her work, she would subconsciously glance at that corner. It was empty, or occupied by other customers with relaxed smiles. The subtle sting in her heart caused by the name "Bersinian" seemed to be gradually covered by the trivialities of daily life, becoming a vague and strange interlude in her memory.

Perhaps, it was just some stranger who had suffered heartbreak or was under too much pressure. That's how she tried to explain it.

That afternoon, as the crowds thinned out, Lin Xiaotang was organizing the menus behind the bar when the doorbell rang crisply.

"Welcome..." She looked up, her formulaic smile freezing on her face the moment she saw who it was.

It was him.

Perth year.

He was still wearing a well-tailored dark suit, but he seemed thinner than a few days ago, and the weariness between his brows lingered. He stood at the door, hesitated for about two seconds, as if gathering some kind of courage, before stepping inside. His steps were no longer as unsteady as when he fled, but they still carried an indescribable heaviness.

He walked straight to that familiar corner, but did not sit down immediately.

Lin Xiaotang's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason, and her fingers gripping the order form tightened slightly. She watched him walk step by step toward the bar, the air seemed to thin, and the jazz music blurred into a distant background sound.

He stopped at the bar, his gaze lowered, first falling on the gleaming countertop, then slowly lifting to give Lin Xiaotang a quick, restrained look before abruptly looking away. The pain that had almost consumed her earlier was gone from his eyes; instead, a profound embarrassment and apology lingered.

"Hello." His voice was deep, with a barely perceptible huskiness. "A cup of black coffee. Thank you."

He paused for a moment, as if he had completed a difficult task, then took out his wallet from the inside pocket of his suit, pulled out two crisp hundred-yuan bills, and gently placed them on the table.

“And,” he swallowed, “this is compensation for the broken cup and…stained floor that day. I’m very sorry.”

Lin Xiaotang looked at the banknote, then at his tense face as he tried to maintain his composure, and the vague sting in her heart became clear again. She gently pushed the banknote back, trying to keep her voice soft: "Sir, really, it's not necessary. It's just a cup, you're too kind."

“No.” Fu Sinian’s refusal was brief and firm. He pushed the banknotes back, his fingertips even turning white from the force. “Please accept them. I’m sorry for my lapse that day.” There was an undeniable stubbornness in his tone, as if compensation was the only way he could grasp to make amends for that embarrassing situation.

Lin Xiaotang met his gaze for two seconds, seeing in his eyes an almost stubborn persistence, and beneath that persistence lay a deep-seated unease. She remained silent for a moment, then finally sighed softly, accepting the money: "Well... alright. Thank you. The coffee's on me."

“No need…” Fu Sinian was about to refuse again.

"Oh, right." Lin Xiaotang took the business card holder from the drawer under the counter, handed it to Bai Sinian, and said, "This, is it yours?"

Persian took the business card holder and said softly, "Thank you."

"Wait a minute," Lin Xiaotang turned around, no longer giving him a chance to object.

Instead of taking the dark roast bitter beans, she took out another type of medium roast beans with nutty and caramel flavors. Skillfully grinding the beans, extracting the milk, and steaming it to create a fine, creamy foam. She didn't make black coffee, but instead slowly poured the milk foam into a rich espresso base, carefully drizzling on some caramel sauce.

A cup of latte, exuding a sweet aroma, was gently placed on the table in front of Fu Sinian. The brown and white latte art was soft and delicate, and the sweet aroma of caramel intertwined with the rich and warm coffee, completely different from any cup she had served him before.

Bai Sinian stared blankly at the cup of coffee that was clearly not his, and looked up at Lin Xiaotang.

Lin Xiaotang met his gaze, a slight, sincere smile curving her lips, her voice gentle: "Always drinking things that are too bitter will numb your taste buds. Try this, it's made from fresh beans today, and it tastes pretty good."

Bai Sinian stared blankly at the warm, sweet-smelling cup of coffee, then at Lin Xiaotang's gentle face and clear eyes under the lamplight. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just pursed them tightly. He silently picked up the latte, without adding sugar or stirring, and quietly walked to that corner seat. His back remained straight, but it seemed as if the unexpected sweetness of the cup had pried open a barely perceptible crack in his posture.

He sat down, lowered his head, and stared intently at the slowly melting latte art in his cup.