Whispers of love in the warmth of fragrance
As they pushed open the door, the sweet aroma of apple pie mingled with the warm fragrance of the store, wafting in like a soft veil, gently enveloping the three who had just entered. Xu Yanchi's fingers were still clutching the hem of her clothes as her gaze quickly swept over the milky-white tables and chairs in the store—the table corners were inlaid with delicate wood grain, the pie crusts in the glass cabinet gleamed with a glossy golden hue, and even the parchment paper on the trays was printed with light brown floral patterns. Her steps unconsciously slowed by half a beat, and even her breathing became lighter than usual. After all, this was the first time she had been alone in such a small store with two boys.
Xu Yanchi smelled the enticing aroma of apple pie, and her eyebrows twitched slightly. Xiao Fuzhou was raising his hand to block the curtain from flying outwards for her. The metal hooks made a soft sound as they hit the door frame. He looked down at Xu Yanchi, his gaze falling on her reddened ear tips. This scene instantly reminded Xu Yanchi of the windblown corner of her trench coat outside the courthouse earlier, and her cheeks flushed even more.
"Hey you guys, don't just stand there!" Wang Zhitao couldn't contain himself any longer. He put his arm around Xiao Fuzhou's shoulder and shook him. His hearty laughter shattered the delicate silence, and even the little bell hanging on the wall swayed gently. "I only ate half a piece of bread this morning. I went to court on an empty stomach, and now my stomach is growling. Let's find a place to sit!" As he spoke, he pulled Xiao Fuzhou towards a table by the window without saying another word. Xu Yanchi pursed his lips and followed suit. When he sat down, he deliberately shrank back in his chair, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the fine checkered pattern on the tablecloth. He even quietly brought his knees closer together.
Xiao Fuzhou immediately noticed her awkwardness. He tapped the table lightly with his fingertips—the wooden surface still warm from the sun. His gaze swept over the apple pattern on the menu cover before returning to her: "Don't be shy, it's on me today. Order whatever you like." Before he could finish speaking, Xu Yanchi waved her hand dismissively, her shoulders swaying slightly. Her voice was urgent, and her fingertips even gripped the edge of the tablecloth, leaving shallow marks on the checkered pattern: "No, no, how can I let you treat me?" She lowered her eyes, her eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath them. "I should already thank you properly… I can't let you spend any more money."
Seeing her earnest expression, Xiao Fuzhou's eyes softened with a smile, but his tone remained unyielding: "Since we won the case, I should pay for the celebration." He pushed the menu towards her again, his fingertips lightly touching the back of her hand—his fingertips still warm from just touching the table, like a feather brushing against her. "Don't argue with me about this." Xu Yanchi's fingertips trembled slightly from the warmth, and when she looked up, she met his earnest gaze. The words she was about to say were swallowed back; refusing again would seem too distant. Yet, a warm feeling quietly welled up inside her, like being enveloped by the sweet aroma wafting through the shop, a soft, grateful feeling.
Wang Zhitao grabbed the menu first, flipping through it with a rustling sound. The rustling of the plastic wrap was particularly clear in the quiet shop. He pointed to the colorful picture of "Creamy Apple Pie," and even his voice brightened: "This looks delicious! Look at this cream, poured like a little waterfall. This is it, more cream would be more satisfying." Xiao Fuzhou didn't urge Xu Yanchi anymore, but simply placed the menu steadily in front of her, his fingertips gently pressing the edge, afraid that she might accidentally knock it over: "Take your time choosing, no rush, see if there's anything you like."
Xu Yanchi lowered her head, her fingertips first touching the edge of the menu—the plastic felt slightly cool. Her gaze fell on the small print, scanning line by line for flavors and prices, her eyes lingering on the "Cranberry Apple Pie" section. The pie in the picture was golden and crisp, with dark red dried cranberries embedded in translucent icing. The price listed next to it was 18 yuan, not expensive. Her fingertips paused lightly on that line of text, then she quickly glanced at the two people opposite her before whispering, "I want this, cranberry."
"Okay." Xiao Fuzhou didn't ask any more questions. He turned to the overcoming shop assistant and ordered, his voice clear and steady: "One cranberry apple pie, one cream apple pie, and one caramel apple pie." He ordered it readily. When Xu Yanchi looked up at him, she caught his gaze. She hurriedly lowered her head, pretending to look at the small potted plant on the corner of the table—the emerald green leaves were covered with a little dust, but she had no mind to brush it off.
After the shop assistant left, the shop became quieter, with only the faint sound of the oven working in the distance, mingling with the aroma of butter, apples, and a hint of cinnamon in the air, swirling among the three people. Wang Zhitao was studying the spice jars on the table, his fingers gently tapping the sugar jar with a small silver spoon, producing a crisp "ding." Xu Yanchi, however, quietly glanced up at Xiao Fuzhou sitting opposite her—his elbows were propped on the table, his fingertips lightly resting on his chin, his gaze fixed on the glass window, sunlight streaming through the clean glass onto his black trench coat. A strange emotion welled up inside her, as if softened by the sweet aroma of apple pie, swaying gently, even her fingers, which had been gripping the tablecloth, loosened slightly.
The table was warm from the sun. As the waiter approached with the tray, the aroma of caramel, the sweet cream, and the slight tartness of cranberries wafted over, lingering around the three of them. Wang Zhitao's Adam's apple bobbed noticeably, his fingers already on the fork handle, his eyes fixed on his apple pie—the creamy white cream overflowing, with golden crumbs clinging to the edges, making him almost clench his fork in his mouth.
Xu Yanchi also secretly swallowed, her gaze falling on the cranberry apple pie in front of her: dark red dried fruit embedded in the translucent apple filling, the pie crust baked to a crisp, almost crumbling at the slightest touch. But she glanced at Xiao Fuzhou, who hadn't moved, then withdrew her hand, her fingertips lightly resting on the tablecloth, only daring to steal glances at the pie out of the corner of her eye.
"Eat it while it's hot, it won't be crispy when it cools down." Xiao Fuzhou picked up his fork first, gently touched his caramel pie, and when he looked up, he saw the two of them. A slight smile spread across his eyes. The waiter next to him quickly chimed in, smiling and saying, "Please enjoy yourselves. It tastes best when it's fresh out of the oven, especially the caramel flavor. It will be too sweet when it cools down."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zhitao immediately forked a piece of pie and put it in his mouth, exclaiming indistinctly, "Damn, this cream is so fragrant!" Xu Yanchi picked up her fork and gently lifted a small piece of pie crust, taking a small bite—the crispy crust melted in her mouth, carrying the aroma of butter, while the apple filling inside was sweet but not cloying, and the tartness of the cranberries perfectly balanced the sweetness, making it very refreshing. She ate elegantly, with only the occasional soft clinking of her knife and fork, creating a soft contrast with Wang Zhitao's wolfing down of his food. Xiao Fuzhou ate slowly, his gaze occasionally falling on the corners of her lips, which were smeared with powdered sugar, and then quietly moving away, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the handle of his fork.
After stacking the three empty plates to the side, Xiao Fuzhou wiped his hands and said, "I'll take you back. It's getting dark, and it's not safe on the road." Xu Yanchi immediately waved his hand, "No need, I have a bus pass. I can go back by myself." Wang Zhitao also chimed in, "My home is nearby; I can walk there."
Xiao Fuzhou didn't back down: "It's on my way, and I won't take a detour. I'll have the driver take you later." As he spoke, he glanced outside the shop. The two didn't refuse any further and followed him to the door. They had only been standing there for a short while when a car slowly drove out from the street corner in the distance. The black body gradually became clear in the twilight, with some small gold decorations on the side. The sound of the wheels rolling on the road grew closer and closer, and finally came to a steady stop in front of them.
Xu Yanchi and Wang Zhitao exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of surprise, before quickly looking away. As they opened the car door, a faint scent of perfume wafted out, neither strong nor pungent. The back seat was spacious; after the three of them got in, the driver asked for their address and smoothly started the car.
Not long after, the car arrived at the intersection near Wang Zhitao's house. He opened the car door, turned around and waved to the two of them: "I'll be going now, thank you Xiao Fuzhou for the ride, goodbye." Xiao Fuzhou nodded, and Xu Yanchi also waved with a smile: "Goodbye."
After the car door closed, only Xu Yanchi and Xiao Fuzhou remained in the back seat, and the atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Xiao Fuzhou wasn't much of a talker to begin with, and this time he just took out his phone, lightly swiping the screen with his fingertips, without saying a word. Xu Yanchi didn't try to make conversation either, her gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window—the streetlights were lighting up one after another, the light and shadows flashing quickly across the glass, and she just watched quietly, with only the soft sound of the engine in the car.
A few minutes later, the car stopped downstairs at Xu Yanchi's apartment building. She gripped her bag strap tightly and said softly, "I'm here. Thank you for bringing me." Xiao Fuzhou looked up at her and hummed in response. Xu Yanchi opened the car door, stood by the roadside, and waved again, saying, "Goodbye." Xiao Fuzhou watched her retreating figure, nodding gently, until she entered the building before instructing the driver to leave.
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