Habit

Days flow by silently, like water.

From that day on, Tan Huaiyu began to appear frequently in Qi Shuo's life—at every meal, rain or shine.

At five in the morning, the sky over Beicheng was still shrouded in the deep blue of night. Tan Huaiyu stood in the kitchen, wearing an apron, holding a cleaver, intently chopping carrots. The rhythmic "thump-thump" of the blade against the cutting board was particularly clear in the quiet morning.

The kitchen lights were bright, illuminating his focused profile. His movements were practiced; carrots were quickly sliced ​​into neat, thin strips, then green peppers, onions, slices of meat… each cut precise and clean, clearly the result of long hours of practice.

For the past two weeks, he has been getting up early every day to make lunchboxes, all with dishes that Qi Shuo likes to eat. He remembers Qi Shuo's tastes, what he likes and dislikes.

Just as he remembered, Qi Shuo didn't like the taste of garlic, didn't like eating too salty food, and didn't like eating too sweet food... He remembered these small habits for seventeen years and never forgot them.

The oil in the wok was hot. Tan Huaiyu poured in the sliced ​​meat, stir-fried it a few times, and then added carrots and green peppers. The aroma instantly filled the entire kitchen. He focused intently on stir-frying, tasting it every now and then to adjust the flavor.

"Hmm, just right." He nodded in satisfaction, put the dishes into the lunchbox, cooked the soy milk, and finally ladled out a bowl of rice, covered it, and put it into an insulated bag.

After finishing all that, he breathed a sigh of relief and checked the time—6:10. He still had time to take a shower, change his clothes, and then go to the factory to wait for Qi Shuo.

He took off his apron and went into the bathroom. The hot water washed away the fatigue of the night. He looked at himself in the mirror—there were obvious dark circles under his eyes, clearly a result of lack of sleep. But for the past two weeks, he had slept very little, yet he had never felt tired.

Because... I can see Qi Shuo every day.

The thought made his heart race, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. He quickly dried himself, changed into a dark blue shirt and black trousers, grabbed his insulated bag, and went out.

The streets were quiet in the early morning, with only the occasional street cleaner and joggers. Tan Huaiyu hailed a taxi and gave them the factory's address. As the car drove out of the city, the scenery outside the window gradually became more open and deserted.

The factory was in the suburbs, the environment wasn't great, but it was quiet. Tan Huaiyu got out of the car at the factory gate and squatted down in the corner—his usual spot. He checked the time; it was 6:40. Qi Shuo should be coming out soon.

He held the insulated bag, waiting patiently. The morning breeze was a bit chilly, but he didn't feel cold. On the contrary, a warm feeling welled up inside him, making him feel cozy all over.

At seven o'clock sharp, the factory gates opened. Qi Shuo walked out, wearing a dark blue work uniform, looking somewhat tired, but his brows relaxed slightly when he saw Tan Huaiyu.

"Good morning," Qi Shuo said, his voice calm, but with a gentleness he himself didn't even realize.

"Good morning." Tan Huaiyu stood up, dusted off the hem of her coat, and handed him the insulated bag. "Today we're having stir-fried pork with green peppers and scrambled eggs with tomatoes."

Qi Shuo took the insulated bag and nodded: "Okay."

The two walked side by side toward the cafeteria. On the way, Tan Huaiyu chattered on and on—about the progress of the law firm's renovation, the movie she watched last night, the news this morning… Qi Shuo responded half-heartedly, his voice calm, but at least he didn't refuse.

The cafeteria wasn't crowded, and the two found a corner seat. Tan Huaiyu opened the insulated bag, took out the lunchbox, and pushed it in front of Qi Shuo: "Try this. I added some fermented black beans to today's stir-fried pork with green peppers. I don't know if you like it."

Qi Shuo picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of meat and put it in his mouth—the meat was tender, and the salty aroma of the fermented black beans and the spiciness of the green peppers blended perfectly, making it really delicious.

"How is it?" Tan Huaiyu looked at him expectantly.

"Hmm." Qi Shuo nodded. "Not bad."

Tan Huaiyu smiled, her eyes curving into crescents: "That's good."

Qi Shuo looked away and continued eating. But the complex emotions in his heart were impossible to suppress.

For the past two weeks, Tan Huaiyu has come every day—bringing breakfast in the morning, lunch boxes at noon, and dinner in the evening. Rain or shine, he has never missed a day.

At first, Qi Shuo refused. He told Tan Huaiyu, "Don't come," and "This is not a place for you," but Tan Huaiyu always smiled and said, "I want to come," and then appeared at the factory gate on time the next day.

Gradually, Qi Shuo went from refusing to feeling helpless, and then to... indulging, accepting, and getting used to it.

Seven o'clock in the morning, at the factory gate.

Qi Shuo pushed open the dormitory door and walked out. The sun was shining brightly, and the breeze was gentle. He habitually looked towards the corner of the wall—sure enough, Tan Huaiyu was squatting there again, carrying two insulated bags. When she saw him come out, her eyes lit up instantly.

"Qi Shuo!" Tan Huaiyu stood up and dusted off the hem of his coat. "We're having steamed buns and soy milk today."

Qi Shuo was too lazy to ask him "Why are you here again?" He just nodded, took the insulated bag, and said, "Let's go eat in the cafeteria."

The two walked side by side toward the cafeteria. On the way, Tan Huaiyu chattered on and on—about the progress of the law firm's preparations, the climate in Beijing, the changes in Beicheng… Qi Shuo responded intermittently, his voice calm, but at least he didn't refuse.

The cafeteria wasn't crowded, and the two found a corner seat. Tan Huaiyu opened the insulated bag and took out two boxes of steamed buns and two cups of soy milk. The steamed buns were still steaming and smelled delicious; the soy milk was warm, with fine water droplets condensing on the sides of the cups.

"Try it." Tan Huaiyu pushed a box of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) in front of Qi Shuo. "I bought them at six this morning, they're still warm."

Qi Shuo picked up his chopsticks, took a small steamed bun, and put it in his mouth. The skin was thin, the filling was plentiful, and the soup was delicious; it was indeed very tasty.

"How is it?" Tan Huaiyu looked at him expectantly.

"Hmm." Qi Shuo nodded. "Not bad."

Tan Huaiyu smiled, her eyes curving into crescents: "That's good."

The two ate breakfast quietly. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a bright band of light on the table. Qi Shuo occasionally looked up and could see Tan Huaiyu focused on eating.

Noon, at the workshop entrance.

Qi Shuo walked out of the workshop and rubbed his slightly sore neck. A morning of assembly line work had left his shoulders and arms stiff. He stretched and walked towards the factory gate—Tan Huaiyu was there again, this time standing by the flower bed, carrying two lunch boxes.

"What are we eating today?" Qi Shuo asked, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation that even he himself didn't realize.

"Sweet and sour pork ribs, stir-fried pork with green peppers, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes," Tan Huaiyu said with a smile, "all your favorites."

Qi Shuo nodded and took the lunchbox: "Let's go to the cafeteria."

The two found a corner seat in the cafeteria. Tan Huaiyu opened his lunchbox, and the aroma of the food instantly filled the air. The stir-fried beef with pickled peppers looked tempting, the stir-fried broccoli with pork smelled delicious, and the cola chicken wings were sweet and sour.

"Did you do this?" Qi Shuo asked.

"Mmm." Tan Huaiyu nodded. "I made it this morning, it's still warm."

Qi Shuo picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth—it tasted good, a perfect balance of sweet and sour, and the meat was tender. He looked up at Tan Huaiyu: "Not bad."

Tan Huaiyu's eyes lit up: "Really? Then eat more."

The two ate their lunch quietly. Occasionally, workers would pass by and glance at them curiously, but Qi Shuo had gotten used to it—Tan Huaiyu had come every day for the past two weeks, and the workers had gone from being surprised at first to being used to it now.

Six o'clock in the evening, at the entrance of the cafeteria.

Qi Shuo walked out of the workshop; it was already dark. Autumn nights come early, and the wind carried a slight chill. He headed towards the canteen and saw Tan Huaiyu standing at the entrance, carrying two insulated containers.

"What are we eating today?" Qi Shuo asked.

"Pork rib soup and stir-fried vegetables," Tan Huaiyu said with a smile, "and rice."

The two entered the cafeteria and found a corner seat. Tan Huaiyu opened the thermos, and the steaming pork rib soup filled the air with its aroma. He served Qi Shuo a bowl, and then served himself one.

"Have some soup to warm yourself up," Tan Huaiyu said gently.

Qi Shuo took the bowl and took a sip—the soup was delicious, and the pork ribs were stewed until tender, melting in his mouth. He looked up at Tan Huaiyu: "You come every day, aren't you tired?"

"I'm not tired." Tan Huaiyu shook her head, her eyes sparkling. "I enjoy cooking for you."

Qi Shuo didn't say anything and continued to drink his soup.

He seems to have gotten used to it.

He was used to opening the dormitory door every morning and seeing Tan Huaiyu squatting in the corner waiting for him; he was used to walking out of the workshop every noon and seeing Tan Huaiyu standing by the flower bed with a lunchbox; he was used to leaving get off work every evening and seeing Tan Huaiyu standing at the canteen entrance with a thermos.

I'm used to... having Tan Huaiyu by my side.

At noon that day, the workshop bell rang precisely on time. Qi Shuo took off his mask and hat, rubbing his slightly sore neck. A morning of assembly line work had left his shoulders and arms stiff. He stretched, stepped out of the workshop, and habitually glanced at the flowerbed at the factory gate—

There is no one.

Qi Shuo paused. He stood still, looking around to confirm that Tan Huaiyu hadn't come. For the past two weeks, Tan Huaiyu had appeared at that flower bed every day, carrying a lunchbox. Her eyes would light up when she saw him, like two brightened stars.

But today, the flowerbeds are empty.

Qi Shuo frowned, took out his phone and glanced at it—no missed calls, no text messages. Tan Huaiyu was never late, and he never missed a day. Even if something came up, he would send him a message in advance.

He hesitated for a moment, but still dialed Tan Huaiyu's number. The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.

"Hello?" Tan Huaiyu's voice came through the receiver, tinged with weariness and apology. "Qi Shuo, I'm sorry, there's been a sudden problem with one of my cases, so I might be a little late. You go eat first, don't wait for me."

"Okay." Qi Shuo responded calmly, "I understand."

He hung up the phone and stood there, staring at the empty flowerbed. Logically, he should have gone straight to the cafeteria for lunch—he could eat by himself even without Tan Huaiyu. But for some reason, he suddenly lost his appetite.

He walked to the wall by the factory gate, leaned against it, and stared blankly at the cement road. The sun was blazing, making the ground scorching, but he seemed oblivious to the heat. His gaze was fixed on the distant intersection, as if he were waiting for something.

If it were two weeks ago, and Tan Huaiyu hadn't come, he would have glanced at him and left immediately, never waiting here. But now... he's gotten used to Tan Huaiyu's presence, used to eating lunch with him every day, used to that figure carrying a lunchbox, standing by the flowerbed waiting for him.

Habit... is a terrible thing.

As Qi Shuo thought this, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips. He took out his phone and checked the time—12:20. Tan Huaiyu had said it would be a little later, but hadn't specified how long.

He put away his phone and continued to wait. Workers gradually came out of the factory to go to the canteen for lunch. Someone saw him standing at the door and asked curiously, "Brother Qi, waiting for someone?"

"Hmm." Qi Shuo nodded, his voice calm. "Waiting for a friend."

"Oh." The man smiled. "Then you can wait here. I'm going to eat first."

"good."

Time ticked by. 12:40, 12:50, 1:00… Qi Shuo remained standing there, not leaving. His gaze was fixed on the distant intersection, as if waiting for a familiar figure to appear.

At 1:10, a taxi finally pulled up to the side of the road. The door opened, and Tan Huaiyu got out, carrying two lunch boxes. He looked a little tired, but his eyes lit up instantly when he saw Qi Shuo.

"Qi Shuo!" He strode over, his voice tinged with apology and surprise. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long."

Qi Shuo straightened up and nodded casually, "Mm."

He took the lunchbox from Tan Huaiyu and turned to walk towards the cafeteria. Tan Huaiyu followed behind him, explaining in a rambling manner, "A case suddenly ran into a problem today; the client changed their requirements at the last minute, so I had to reorganize the materials..."

"Mm." Qi Shuo responded calmly, but a slight smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

The two entered the cafeteria and found a corner seat. Tan Huaiyu opened his lunchbox, and the aroma of the food instantly filled the air. Today's dishes were braised pork and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, which looked and smelled delicious.

"Try it." Tan Huaiyu handed the chopsticks to Qi Shuo, looking at him expectantly. "I stewed the braised pork for a long time today, it should be very flavorful."

Qi Shuo took the chopsticks, picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in his mouth—the meat was tender and melted in his mouth, the sauce was rich and delicious.

"How is it?" Tan Huaiyu asked.

"Hmm." Qi Shuo nodded. "Not bad."

Tan Huaiyu smiled, her eyes curving into crescents: "That's good."

This Tan Huaiyu is completely different from the gloomy and stubborn boy he was five years ago.

Qi Shuo looked away and continued eating. But the complex emotions in his heart were impossible to suppress.

He just waited for Tan Huaiyu for seventy minutes.

Two weeks ago, he would never have done this. But now, he has gotten used to Tan Huaiyu's presence, so much so that... without him, even eating feels meaningless.

This habit made him feel uneasy, yet inexplicably at ease.

He was uneasy because he didn't know how long this would last; he was at ease because, at least for now, Tan Huaiyu was still by his side.

"Qi Shuo," Tan Huaiyu suddenly spoke, her voice soft, "I'm thinking of making sweet and sour pork ribs tomorrow. Do you like them?"

Qi Shuo paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes."

"Okay." Tan Huaiyu smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Then I'll get up early tomorrow to do it."

Seeing him like this, Qi Shuo felt a surge of mixed emotions welling up inside him again. He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat.

In the end, he simply nodded: "Mm."

The two continued eating in silence. The cafeteria was quiet, save for the occasional clinking of cutlery and the faint sounds of voices in the distance. Sunlight streamed through the windows, falling on them and creating a warm and tranquil scene.

Such days are ordinary yet beautiful.

"Qi Shuo." After finishing their meal, as they walked down the street, Tan Huaiyu asked softly, "Tomorrow's the weekend, what are your plans?"

"Go home and see Qingran," Qi Shuo said.

"Can I come with you?" Tan Huaiyu asked, her voice tinged with a hint of caution.

Qi Shuo was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Mm."

Tan Huaiyu's eyes lit up instantly, as if filled with starlight: "Great!"

Qi Shuo shifted his gaze to the distant sky. The autumn sky was blue, the clouds were light, and the sunlight was warm. Everything was beautiful, almost unreal.

But he knew it was all real.

Tan Huaiyu is back.

Their relationship is also gradually improving.

That's... fine too.

As Qi Shuo thought this, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, revealing a faint smile.