A few lines of poetry, three people discussing, a rose in two hands
Last night's card game wasn't very late, but it still filled her mind with scattered images, like a late-night revelry, leaving only a mess and exhaustion after the commotion as Xue Jiuyue awoke. She reclined on the sofa, sinking deeply into the air, trying to relax and make up for the sleep she'd lost. A short while later, Ke Yike brought the same "brunch tea," but it didn't change her languid state. Ke Yike gently set it aside and quietly left.
Qian Jianjun's position was right behind Xue Jiuyue, allowing him to discreetly observe from the shadows without being noticed. To get a better view, he even moved from the right side of the love seat to the left. After a brief wait, Xue Jiuyue finally sat up and began to eat. Qian Jianjun patiently observed every detail.
He noticed that even though Xue Jiuyue was alone and had been quite lazy just now, she still paid close attention to dining etiquette. Even from a distance, Qian Jianjun could still feel the pressure Xue Jiuyue put on her hands when she took and put down the tableware, keeping it gentle and making no noise.
"This should be considered a gentleman's self-discipline." Qian Jianjun couldn't help but sigh and made a preliminary judgment: "In addition to having outstanding appearance, he should also have a good educational background."
But the information that can be captured by the eyes alone is limited after all, so Qian Jianjun decided to go over and have a chat later.
But things went against his wishes. After Xue Jiuyue had finally finished leisurely enjoying her "brunch", the "embarrassing face" that appeared on her table forced Qian Jianjun to continue sitting in his seat and savoring his own boredom.
Ke Yike was also disrupted by the "embarrassing face". He whispered to Zhou Ying: "Sister Yue is in a bad mood?"
"It's okay. I just went to clean the table and he greeted me as usual."
"Then she made an 'embarrassing face' on the table?" Ke Yike continued to ask.
Zhou Ying methodically analyzed her memories, "I received a package from my father yesterday, so I must have been in a good mood. I also received letters, one a day, for a long time. I went home early yesterday, so I don't know the specifics, but judging from his recent state, he seemed calm and composed, and didn't seem unhappy about anything. So, I guess he didn't sleep well last night. Besides, that 'awkward face' means he doesn't want to be disturbed, not necessarily that he's in a bad mood!"
After hearing Zhou Ying's conclusion, Ke Yike still had doubts, "Then can I still perform magic for her?"
"What other day can't the magic show be performed? Does it have to be today?"
Ke Yike thought about it and replied awkwardly: "It really can only be today."
Zhou Ying couldn't help but think back to the magic trick she had performed that morning. She didn't ask any more questions, but instead advised, "'Embarrassing face' means we don't want guests to disturb us, and you're not a guest!" Seeing that Ke Yike still looked gloomy, the considerate girl added, "Besides, 'don't hit a smiling face.' Even if Sister Yue is really in a bad mood, seeing your magic trick will make her feel a little happier, right?"
"Okay, thanks Ying'er, I'll find a chance to go later!" Ke Yike finally made up his mind.
Just when Qian Jianjun was still paying close attention to Xue Jiuyue and expecting whether a "miracle" would happen at the other table, another answer he was curious about - who the seat at that table was reserved for - was revealed.
Qian Jianjun turned his gaze away from Xue Jiuyue, eager to savor the newly ordered coffee, named "Spring." The mellow aroma of the coffee, with hints of matcha, not only made the "Spring" name truly worthy, but also filled Qian Jianjun's heart with the aroma. He leaned deeper into the sofa, and at that moment, a strange feeling caught his eye—the reserved table that had been vacant until then, a seat not even reserved for the elderly couple Qiu, was now occupied.
They weren't the dignitaries or celebrities I'd imagined, just a couple wearing white matching T-shirts. The man had short, shaggy hair, a healthy complexion, and a pair of thick glasses perched on his straight nose, lending him a scholarly air. His left arm was bent on the table, his chin resting on his clenched fist, fixing his gaze on the other person.
The girl was petite, with short hair and fair skin from the side. She too was leaning over the table, resting her chin on the boy's outstretched right fist, silently responding with her gaze. On their table sat two complimentary glasses of lemonade and a drink with two straws.
Qian Jianjun silently observed the sweet couple. His curiosity made him want to go over and find out what was going on, but he couldn't bear to intrude into their world of two. It was not until they changed their posture and looked at each other, and showed a "smiling face" on the table, that Qian Jianjun picked up the "Spring" and walked over to start his first "chatting journey".
"Ahem, are you thinking of something?" Qiu Nian asked Ke Yike in confusion behind the bar.
"Ahem..." Ke Yike coughed twice when suddenly asked, then replied calmly, "Me? What could possibly happen to me?"
"So you've gone to the bathroom four times in such a short time?" It was obvious that Qiu Nian didn't believe what Ke Yike said.
"Ahem."
Ke Yike coughed and was about to explain when he heard Lin Yiyi's sweet voice, "Are you free?" Then he saw Qiu Nian, who was sitting behind the bar with a silly look on his face, immediately stood up, saluted, and stammered, "Yes, oh no, no, I'm not free."
"Just do what you need to do!"
After he finished speaking, Ke Yike was the only one left hesitating whether to go to the toilet again.
"Hello, excuse me, can I sit here for a while?" Qian Jianjun's low but magnetic voice brought the couple back from each other's gaze.
"Hello, you're most welcome!" the boy answered politely, and at the same time moved towards the window, leaving almost two-thirds of the space outside for Qian Jianjun.
"I'm sorry to bother you two. I just arrived at this coffee shop and I guess you two must be VIP customers who come here frequently. So I wanted to ask you, what is so special about this shop that makes you linger and even reserve seats for you?" Qian Jianjun expressed his doubts straight away.
"Keep a seat?" The two said in unison, and then exchanged glances, which made Qian Jianjun realize that they were not aware of the situation.
Then the girl explained, "We just sat here because it was our first time in this cafe. I was so impressed and felt so good at the time that we came here every day to sit for a while, long or short. Whenever there was no one here, we would still sit here and it became a habit. There is no VIP." Perhaps because of gratitude or because she was talking to a stranger, a blush appeared on her fair, oval face, making her facial features look even more delicate and lovely.
"Oh, oh, so that's how it is. The store owner is really considerate!" Qian Jianjun praised sincerely.
The two looked at each other and nodded in agreement, and then the boy said, "I like coming here because it's quiet. It's so quiet that it's just us, and even time won't disturb us. And since we're in love, we only need each other!"
"Hahaha, even though I'm past that age, I can relate to you! I remember a poem that said 'These eyes only need the warmth of another pair of eyes'. That's probably the most apt description of your situation right now, hahaha..."
The girl was embarrassed by her lover's sweet talk and Qian Jianjun's straightforwardness. She smiled and changed the subject, "Sir, do you also understand modern poetry?"
"I can't say I understand them. I've only read a few and have a basic understanding, but I really like them. Poems like those by Xu Zhimo, Gu Cheng, and Haizi are all very plain in their choice of words and sentences. They're not exaggerated, and they don't have any complex or obscure rhetoric, but they speak directly to the heart and are so appealing!"
Qian Jianjun modestly expressed his views on modern poetry, which quickly gained the girl's approval. She responded, "That's why some say poets are painters who depict the soul! There are indeed many feelings that only poets can accurately describe. Only poets can truly express their feelings."
"'I write my heart with my hand,' that's a very accurate statement!" Qian Jianjun agreed with the girl's words, but then expressed his concern. "It's a shame there are more people writing poetry now than reading it. Not only is the quality mixed, but there's a tendency for bad money to drive out the good."
The girl had a different view on Qian Jianjun's concerns. "This may not be a bad thing. We can't expect everyone to write timeless verses, but if more people can maintain a 'poetic heart', the world will be a better place."
Qian Jianjun listened carefully to the other party's views, thought for a moment, and then slowly said, "Your statement is very interesting. It's like the two of you have a 'poetic heart' that infects each other and others, such as me."
"You're too kind," the girl said, smiling slightly at the acknowledgement. She added shyly, "But sometimes silence is truly better than words. Just like the poem says, 'The best language is looking at each other in silence, and the best expression is tears in the eyes.'"
Although he had already made up his mind, and despite going to the restroom countless times and even washing his face with cold water, Ke Yike still couldn't muster up the courage to take a step forward. "You haven't gone yet?" Zhou Ying asked softly, her eyes twinkling.
"Ahem... Aren't you afraid of making Sister Yue unhappy?"
"If there are some things that you really can't figure out right now, you might as well think about whether you will regret it in the future if you don't do it." Zhou Ying counseled patiently.
After hearing this, Ke Yike thought for a moment and said, "Thank you, Ying'er. I'll see you later!" Then he turned around and left Xiao Xiao Yishui and Zhou Ying behind him.
"Wait a moment, take Sister Yue's letter with you." Zhou Ying's voice sounded from behind again...
Xue Jiuyue leaned on the sofa, supporting her face with her left hand and looking out the window. When she heard the sound of water being poured in, she politely said "thank you". Then she turned around and saw Ke Yike sitting opposite her with his body leaning forward.
Xue Jiuyue raised her eyebrows and gave a gesture.
"Cough cough..." After clearing his throat twice, Ke Yike quickly handed over a letter that was packaged exactly the same as usual, "Sister Yue, it's still your letter!"
"Oh, put it on the table, thank you!"
As soon as Ke Yike finished speaking, he immediately said, "Didn't you get enough rest?"
“I guess so!”
"This time it's not because of my 'date'! Hehe..." Ke Yike forced a dry laugh. Seeing Xue Jiuyue's perfunctory "hehe" twice without any disguising, he immediately added seriously: "But no matter what, it was inconsiderate of me to invite you to taste coffee so late that night. To apologize, I specially learned a magic trick and hope it can bring you some laughter!"
"Thanks!"
"Cough cough..." After getting permission, Ke Yike cleared his cough twice, calmed down his emotions, and then began his performance.
His slender fingers skillfully danced the black velvet like a butterfly, and the rhythmic chanting from his mouth was very fascinating. So when the rose that "came out of nothing" was held in front of her, Xue Jiuyue was truly "shocked", and was choked by various emotions such as "joy" and "sorrow" and didn't know what to do for a while. It was not until the words left by the fleeing Ke Yike, "Flowers can bloom, and hearts can also open," floated into her mind that Xue Jiuyue came back to her senses and leaned back on the sofa. Glancing at the rose bud left on the table, she hesitated...
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