Chapter Eleven
The Phantom stopped in front of Su Xuan's small courtyard. Lin Zhiyuan and she got out of the car together. The two Elaeocarpus trees in the courtyard had already entered their flowering season, with small white flowers hanging among the narrow green leaves.
"Your yard is beautiful."
"Thank you." Su Xuan stood in the yard holding the flowers. "Actually, I'm rarely home; the property management mainly takes care of things."
She didn't know why she added such a nonsensical sentence.
Lin Zhiyuan stood under the Elaeocarpus tree, dressed in a formal black suit, both buttons fastened, highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist, which accentuated his superior proportions. Su Xian followed his gaze, looking up at the treetops, where the fuzzy blossoms swayed gently in the night breeze, like wind chimes welcoming his arrival.
For the first time, Su Xian felt that this little courtyard was indeed very beautiful.
"Then I'll see you here." Lin Zhiyuan turned around to look at her, his tone rising at the end of his sentence, making it sound more like a question.
Should she invite him in for a seat? But they didn't seem that familiar with each other. Su Xian looked at the white rose in her hand, unsure how to respond.
"This type of rose is called moonstone."
Su Xian then noticed that the nine white roses in her hand were full and soft, not the common creamy white, but a pure snow white.
"It really does resemble the cool moonlight," she said softly.
The pair of black leather shoes walked up to her. Su Xian looked up and saw his gentle smile. She saw Lin Zhiyuan raise his right hand and gently stroke the top of her head. As his hand fell, a tiny petal that had been resting on his fingertip slowly drifted down.
"You are a perfect match for me."
Su Xian's face flushed, both because of those words and because of his actions just now.
"Oh, right, I have something to give you. Wait a moment."
Lin Zhiyuan returned to the car, the driver opened the trunk, and he bent down, picked up a wooden box, and walked back.
Su Xian was curious, but he didn't open the wooden box.
“It’s a bit heavy, perhaps…” Lin Zhiyuan looked at the door behind her, “How about I help you carry it in, and then we can open it and take a look?”
Su Xian couldn't help but laugh. Lin Zhiyuan coughed lightly, and she glared at him before turning to walk to the door and pressing her fingerprint to unlock it. Su Xian stood on the steps, leaning against the door with her arms around the flowers, but when she turned around, she saw Lin Zhiyuan still standing there.
Even the usually composed Lin Zhiyuan was momentarily stunned. Su Xian's lips curled up even higher as she tilted her head at him.
Lin Zhiyuan finally realized what was happening, picked up the wooden box and walked over. Su Xian followed behind him and closed the door behind her.
The ebony wooden box on the dining table had a dark brown surface that shone with a lustrous sheen. When Su Xian stood over, she could see the golden patterns shimmering under the light, and she could roughly guess what was inside.
Su Xian's fingertips slid across the lid, applying slight pressure to the groove on the edge, and the lid slid open to the side, revealing six bottles of red wine neatly arranged. On the white label of each bottle, the words "Qingyue" were written in seal script, with the character "yue" drawn in the shape of a crescent moon, just like the bright moon over the sea that night.
"The wine has always been kept warm, so it won't affect the taste. However, after long-distance transportation, it's best to let it sit for a week or two before opening and drinking it."
"The packaging of these six items was rushed and flew back with me. The final product may not be exactly the same."
"So maybe it's a limited edition?" Su Xuan was a little surprised.
"Yeah, even I don't have one." Lin Zhiyuan's voice sounded regretful, like a child who hadn't received a toy. Su Xian couldn't help but tease him, "Then I'll save one for you?"
"Why don't you just call me when you want to drink sometime?"
Lin Zhiyuan leaned forward, getting closer to her. Su Xian's fingers, resting on the wooden box, curled slightly. She had intended to tease him, but the situation had reversed.
"I'll go put the wine away." Su Xian avoided his gaze, took a bottle of wine from the wooden box, walked to the wine cabinet, opened the glass door, and put it inside. Lin Zhiyuan carried the wooden box to her side, and Su Xian reached in and took out a bottle of red wine.
"I heard from Zhiran that you are very good at mixing drinks, and it turns out you have quite a few secret recipes."
No wonder Zhang Zhiran called me last week to ask when I would be returning to Hong Kong. It turns out she was trying to find out information for me. I wonder what she and Lin Zhiyuan talked about.
"Just for fun." After putting the last bottle of red wine into the wine cabinet, Su Xian prepared to close the glass door, but Lin Zhiyuan's hand pressed against the door.
"Could I taste your wine this time?"
Asking a man she'd only met twice to come home to her house made Su Xian feel like she'd lost her mind. Now, she was being asked to drink alcohol. She wanted to refuse, but she didn't know how.
The open glass door was fogged up, and just a few fingers above her hand, his hand was gripping the door frame. The back of his hand had prominent veins, and his nails were neatly trimmed.
Seeing the pleading look in Lin Zhiyuan's eyes, Su Xian changed her mind before refusing, "Then no matter how good or bad it tastes, you must finish it."
This sounded rather unreasonable, completely unlike what she would normally say.
"Your mixing must be delicious." Lin Zhiyuan's voice was cheerful.
Before she even drank it, he was already trying to coax her. Su Xian became even more embarrassed and spoke in a softer voice, "Then go sit down for a while and wait for me."
Lin Zhiyuan obediently let go of her hand and strode towards the living room. Su Xian stood there, the cool air from the wine cabinet gradually calming her down. After looking at the rows of wines, she roughly had an idea.
Su Xian first took out a bottle of Black Forest coffee, poured 30 ml into a jigger, and then put it into a wavy glass filled with ice. Next, she opened a new bottle of birch sap liqueur, poured out 15 ml, and then filled the glass with tonic water. Finally, she used a long spoon to slowly swirl the liquid in the glass to mix it.
Lin Zhiyuan had carefully examined each of the picture frames hanging on the living room wall. He stood in front of the walnut wood record player, selected a record, gently lifted the tonearm with his index finger, the stylus fell, and melodious music came from the milky white speaker.
Su Xian was sitting at the bar. When she saw him turn around, she gestured for him to come over. Lin Zhiyuan smiled and walked over to sit down on the high stool next to her.
Su Xian looked at the photo wall in the living room. "After the renovation, I felt that the wall was a bit monotonous. But I don't know much about paintings, so I simply made my character photos and wrap-up photos into frames and hung them up."
“These are all memorable moments for you, very meaningful.” Lin Zhiyuan said with great appreciation.
Su Xian slowly pushed a glass on the table towards her. "Try this special cocktail that I came up with on a whim. If you like it, you can help me think of a name for it."
Thinking of those few "Qingyue" cigarettes, the two smiled at each other and clinked their glasses.
Lin Zhiyuan had only taken a sip when he said, "It's very special."
Su Xian also took a sip. Because of the Black Forest and Birch sap, it was particularly refreshing, and at least she herself felt it wasn't a failure.
Su Xian and Lin Zhiyuan held their glasses, savoring each sip carefully. For a while, no one spoke, only the music filled the air. After drinking about half a glass, Su Xian put down her glass, propped her head up with her hand, and looked at Lin Zhiyuan beside her.
He held a mouthful of wine, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, as if savoring the taste, while the glass in his hand was mostly empty.
"It has a very forest-like feel." Lin Zhiyuan opened his eyes and turned his head. "As for the name, how about Forest of Spring?"
Spring Forest, what a beautiful name.
Su Xian avoided his gaze, lowered her eyes, picked up the glass, and took a big gulp of wine. The aroma of birch trees mixed with Black Forest gin, and the rich forest flavor burst in her mouth.
“A very suitable name.” Su Xian didn’t dare to meet his gaze.
The record spun round and round, and the wine in the glass gradually emptied. When the piece ended, after a brief silence, the speakers started playing strings again, playing "Tales from the Vienna Woods".
Lin Zhiyuan put down his wine glass and asked, "Can you dance?"
I learned a little bit, but it's been so long I've probably forgotten it.
Lin Zhiyuan stood up with a smile, his gaze never leaving her. He leaned slightly forward and extended his hand to her, "Would you have the honor of inviting Miss Su to dance tonight?"
Su Xian's face felt a little hot. She unconsciously licked her lips, feeling a mix of inexplicable shyness and nervousness.
Su Xian reached out and placed her hand in his calloused palm; her fingers were a little warmer than his.
This was the third time he had held her hand, and this time it wasn't just for a fleeting moment.
While Su Xuan was in a daze, a cool kiss was gently placed on the back of her hand.
Lin Zhiyuan led her to the floor-to-ceiling window, while his other hand rested gentlemanly on her waist.
Her left hand rested on Lin Zhiyuan's shoulder. Because she was worried about stepping on him, Su Xian lowered her head to look down as soon as she stood still, which made her a little flustered.
"Don't worry," Lin Zhiyuan said softly. "I'll tell you which foot to move. Leave the rest to me. All you have to do is watch me."
Su Xian obediently looked up, and because of her high heels, she could look him in the eye.
"For the first three counts, you need to step your left foot back, open your right foot, and then bring your left foot back together. For the second three counts, you need to step your right foot forward, open your left foot, and bring your right foot back together. Understand?"
Lin Zhiyuan explained in great detail, but it was still a bit complicated for Su Xian, so she pursed her lips and didn't answer.
"Leave it to me with confidence." Lin Zhiyuan's gentle eyes brought a sense of peace to Su Xian's heart.
Lin Zhiyuan lifted her arm. "Left foot behind."
Su Xian sensed the direction of his feet and took a small step back with his left foot.
“That’s right.” Lin Zhiyuan smiled and encouraged her, “Next, open your right foot.”
Su Xian did as instructed and took a step with her right foot.
"Put your left foot together."
"Then step forward with your right foot."
"Open your left foot."
"Bring your right foot together."
Su Xian followed his instructions and took the dance steps one by one.
"Very good." Lin Zhiyuan encouraged her again, "The rest is the same, let's continue."
After a few steps, Su Xian slowly loosened her pursed lips, but her eyes remained intently fixed on Lin Zhiyuan. Sensing that Su Xian was beginning to relax, Lin Zhiyuan stopped offering verbal reminders and instead increased his guidance, subtly rotating his body with each step, silently directing her movements.
The night was as dark as ink. Behind the white curtains of the French windows, two figures were immersed in the music. The smooth, flowing black skirt swirled lightly, turning around and around the black trousers, creating a sense of connection and restraint.
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