Harbor
Zhong Yunxi couldn't remember the last time he had a meal with Bai Yi.
He sat next to Bai Yi, pouring her wine and serving her food.
Bai Yi's eating habits were still the same. He was more focused on listening to Shi Qi's gossip than on eating. Bai Yi didn't touch his chopsticks for a long time. Zhong Yunxi frowned and glanced at Shi Qi. Shi Qi smiled and said, "Don't just listen to my gossip, eat your food."
Bai Yi looked down and saw the food Zhong Yunxi had put on her plate. She paused for a couple of seconds, then slowly ate it.
She wouldn't behave inappropriately in this situation.
After serving a plate of char siu, Zhong Yunxi quietly instructed the waiter to bring a cup of room-temperature pomelo tea and a straw.
Just like when they were in Hong Kong, Zhong Yunxi pampered her with care and patience. Even though he hadn't had the chance to do these trivial things for so long, his habits hadn't become rusty at all.
He took the grapefruit tea and placed it beside her without saying a word. Bai Yi liked to drink grapefruit tea when eating sweet char siu and steak. Its slightly bitter and astringent taste perfectly balanced the sweetness.
The char siu pork was thin, glistening, and its color perfectly reflected the Maillard reaction. Bai Yi ate two slices, then lowered her head to bite the straw and drink grapefruit tea.
Only after her taste buds experienced immense comfort did she realize, through these smooth sensations, what Zhong Yunxi had given her.
She tilted her head slightly and looked at his hand holding the chopsticks. There was a very faint color difference mark left on his middle finger after he had worn the ring. She was stunned for a few seconds.
Zhong Yunxi seemed to sense her movement, gently pressing his shoulder towards her and turning his head to ask, "What's wrong?"
She turned around but didn't say anything.
Zhong Yunxi was used to her frequent silences, and asked again, "Would you like some strawberry yogurt?"
This time, she nodded very lightly, as Zhong Yunxi knew her taste preferences perfectly.
With just that nod, Zhong Yunxi almost forgot to call for a waiter, and his eyes welled up with tears.
Zhong Yunxi felt as if he had been locked out for too long during a storm, his body and mind exhausted, clinging to life and unwilling to leave, when suddenly he heard a click from inside the door as the lock was released.
He knew that Bai Yi didn't have the heart to kill him completely.
I slowly exhaled to calm my racing heart.
He glanced up, and a waiter rushed over. After giving instructions in a low voice, he said to Bai Yi, "How about a small portion?"
Bai Yi didn't say anything more, just lowered his head and drank his soup.
Shi Qi ordered a large serving of ice cream, and Zhong Yunxi didn't say a word, but he wouldn't let her eat more strawberry yogurt.
She sometimes suffers from menstrual cramps, and Zhong Yunxi would subconsciously prevent her from eating cold food.
When the yogurt cups were served, she liked them very much. They were so beautifully made, served in shallow champagne glasses. Although they were less than three inches in size, the strawberries were cut very finely and arranged in the shape of two little deer. The words "Happy Birthday" in Chinese and English were outlined with red yeast rice powder and powdered sugar.
She stared at it for a long time, reluctant to eat it. She only used a small spoon to scoop up a little bit of yogurt from the rim of the cup and took a small sip.
Zhong Yunxi said with a smile, "If you like it, come here often in the future."
She didn't look at him again, nor did she speak. She rested her chin on her hand and listened to Shi Qi and Shi Yan bickering and gossiping.
After the meal, Shi Qi asked, "What are some fun things to do in Xiangcheng?"
Zhong Yunxi came to Xiangcheng only to pursue his wife. He only knew about the city from the perspective of financial and industry reports, and his only personal acquaintance was Bai Yi. He couldn't offer any advice on food, drink, or entertainment.
Shi Qi looked at Bai Yi, hoping to get an answer from her.
Bai Yi was also taken aback for a moment: "Let me see what recommendations are available online recently."
Shi Qi laughed and said, "Where do you usually go? Is the most bustling area of Xiangcheng where we eat?"
Zhong Yunxi knew Bai Yi's habits; she liked to stay in quiet places, so he suggested, "Let's go get some coffee."
Shi Qi nudged Zhong Yunxi with her elbow and asked in a low voice, "Aren't you taking anyone back to open the presents?"
Zhong Yunxi simply said, "It's still early."
Shi Yan, however, wanted to do something more interesting. "Let's find a place to drink and play cards."
Zhong Yunxi frowned and glanced at him: "You'd better give up these hobbies."
Shi Yan: ...
What's wrong with young people liking to drink and play cards? No birthday parties are one thing, but not even allowed to drink and play cards?
But Shi Yan didn't dare to talk back to Zhong Yunxi. A few days ago, his grandfather arranged for him to go to the Northwest, saying that his cousin would help him get familiar with the family's energy business and told him to do his job well. He was to leave Beijing after the New Year, and then he would see how Zhong Yunxi would treat him.
Shi Yan felt that he was really miserable. Zhong Yunxi was hiding abroad at his age and no one could control him. His older brother had always been very upright and had steadily made his way in the political arena. Since the family couldn't control those two people, they could only try to control him more and more.
Shi Qi knew how to please Zhong Yunxi, after all, how much lucky money she would receive during the Chinese New Year depended on whether she could win this tough battle today.
She unconditionally praised Zhong Yunxi, saying, "Exactly, brother, you should keep an eye on him. In Beijing, he just hangs out in bars and at card tables all day long."
Shi Yan: ?
Shi Qi took Bai Yi's arm and said, "I also want to have coffee. Let's go together, sister-in-law. Are there any good coffee shops in Xiangcheng?"
Bai Yi smiled and nodded. Shi Qi was always very considerate to her. Even though they hadn't met yet, she had already picked out a bunch of gifts for Zhong Yunxi.
She also knew that Shi Qi was good to her partly because of Zhong Yunxi. Zhong Yunxi usually doted on his cousin, and over the years, Shi Qi had become unconditionally devoted to the people Zhong Yunxi had chosen.
In the coffee shop, just like at a dining table, Shi Qi gave up the two-seater sofa opposite her for the two people.
Bai Yi didn't wear much makeup or dress up today. It seemed like she was deliberately avoiding dressing up to avoid Zhong Yunxi misunderstanding that she seemed to care about him a lot.
But her relaxed attire, in Zhong Yunxi's eyes, was another kind of attraction. He was familiar with all of her styles.
A lightweight, short Chinese-style down jacket, adorned with hand-embroidered details on the cuffs and shoulders, and a string of tassels hanging from the classic Chinese knot buttons at the front. She paired it with jeans and flat loafers, carrying a simple canvas bag. Her long hair, braided, was loosely tied into a low bun; the only bright color in her outfit was the contrasting headband.
Indoors, she took off her down jacket, revealing a white cashmere undershirt with a high collar that accentuated her shapely waist.
Zhong Yunxi smiled, but only she herself would think that this outfit was simple and unremarkable. She knew nothing about men's aesthetic sense.
Zhong Yunxi brought over coffee and saw that she placed her clothes and canvas bag in the middle of the sofa.
He could see right through her little scheme.
He put down his coffee, picked up her coat and bag, and placed them on his lap.
Bai Yi: ...
Bai Yi silently reached out to retrieve her belongings from him. Zhong Yunxi didn't fight with her, letting her take them and place them on the sofa armrest on her side. But he took the opportunity to move closer to her.
Shi Qi noticed that she wasn't wearing any earrings today. "Sister-in-law, why aren't you wearing any jewelry? I have a pair of pearl earrings in my bag. Try them on. Don't be disgusted. I just bought them and they've never been worn before."
After learning it was Bai Yi's birthday, Shi Qi hurriedly picked out a small gift. Zhong Yunxi glanced at her and nodded in satisfaction.
It wasn't a particularly expensive gift, but Bai Yi didn't refuse. She took it, opened it, looked at it, held it between her fingers, and asked with a smile, "When is your birthday? I'll give you one too, but I probably won't be going to the capital often, so I'll mail it to you."
Shi Qi glanced at her cousin and blinked. "Give this to my brother and have him give it to me. He goes to Beijing often. I heard from my grandfather that he's been very obedient this year and even promised to take over the family business. I wonder what weakness my grandfather has found out about him."
Zhong Yunxi interrupted her, "Is there a mirror?"
Shi Qi took a small mirror out of her bag and handed it to him. After taking it, he looked at the earring on Bai Yi's hand and said, "Want to try it on?"
Bai Yi glanced at him, and Zhong Yunxi knew that her eyes held a silent condemnation, annoyed by his many petty actions.
But Shi Qi looked at her expectantly, and she couldn't refuse, but she didn't want to look in the mirror, so she fumbled for it and put it on herself.
Zhong Yunxi watched as her fingertips traced her earlobe.
He used to put earrings on Bai Yi often. At first, he couldn't put them on properly and fumbled around for a long time. Bai Yi was also ticklish. But after doing it many times, he became skilled and Bai Yi got used to it.
His favorite places to kiss were her earlobes and the skin behind her ears.
Each time his lips touched hers, she felt an almost devout sense of redemption welling up inside her.
After Bai Yi put it on, his gaze remained fixed on it, lost in a state of deep emotion that he couldn't shake off.
What seemed ordinary then could later become a source of anguish for him, suddenly and unexpectedly causing him to feel the pain of loss.
Bai Yi didn't take off those pearl earrings after she put them on.
The afternoon sunlight, filtering through the glass curtain wall, casually fell on her profile. The natural pearly white luster blended with the most delicate skin of her face, like the warmth of the winter sun, easily evoking a sense of regret for having stolen a moment of life and wasted it.
Zhong Yunxi held the handle of the coffee cup with his fingertips, turning his head to look at her. He let himself be immersed in the moment.
Bai Yi felt his gaze lingering on her face. Occasionally, she would frown and glance at him. Zhong Yunxi knew that she didn't want him to stare at her openly.
But he would only ask her without hesitation, "What's wrong?"
Bai Yi: ...
I thought to myself, "What's wrong with you? Don't you know? Stop pretending."
Zhong Yunxi usually goes along with her wishes, but in situations like this, he doesn't restrain himself just because she's unhappy.
Bai Yi was sometimes afraid of him staring at her like that. The man's phoenix eyes carried a typical classical Eastern nobility, and his gaze was sharp and deep whenever he looked up or down.
But once emotions are involved, it becomes a captivating, chilling allure, a conscious surrender. Deep affection is rendered to its extreme by such a gaze. Bai Yi couldn't bear his gaze; she too would be bewitched by him.
After 3 p.m., the outdoor light and temperature visibly decreased.
Bai Yi and Shi Qi were playing games together online.
Zhong Yunxi ultimately took care of Shi Yan, finding a deck of cards and playing a game with him.
Zhong Yunxi's card skills and mentality meant that even with a bad hand, he could still utterly crush Shi Yan.
"Brother, let me have a turn." Shi Yan broke down in defenses.
This is the tenth game, and another loss marks his tenth consecutive defeat. For a young man like him who loves to play and show off, this is a great humiliation.
Zhong Yunxi showed no mercy, calmly raising his eyes, "You get one free for every nine you lose; others don't easily get this kind of treatment."
Shi Yan: ...
Zhong Yunxi added a comforting remark: "Next year when we go to the Northwest, I'll teach you both business and card skills."
Shi Yan: ?
Are you trying to kill us?
As dusk swallowed the last rays of sunlight, Zhong Yunxi said, "Xiangcheng's landmark building is on the south bank of the Jialing River. Let me take you up there to see it."
Bai Yi knew that the viewing platform there was a popular spot for online influencers, located in Xiangcheng's CBD, on the Second Ring Road. It offered panoramic views of the entire Xiangcheng New District, and on clear autumn and winter days, one could even see distant snow-capped mountains.
Shi Qi knew that her cousin couldn't just take them to a tourist spot for a quick visit; she was eager to see what kind of activities he had secretly planned, and naturally, she was the first to support him.
As the sightseeing elevator carried them to the top of the building, hundreds of meters high, drones began to gradually ascend, creating a dazzling light show over the Jialing River. On the opposite bank, equally tall buildings transformed into giant screens, slowly unfolding a vast snowscape of northern Xinjiang.
Bai Yi's heart suddenly surged with excitement. He pushed back a little, his waist and hips pressed against the handrail of the elevator car. He had nowhere to put his hands, so he braced himself against the handrail with his hands behind his back.
Zhong Yunxi reached out and put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
She seemed not to have reacted at all, and even forgot to dodge.
Using the entire landmark building as a giant screen, photos and videos of her in northern Xinjiang were played, but her face was not shown; only her blurry profile and back view were shown.
She almost burst into tears when the drones spelled out "Happy Birthday" in colorful patterns in the air.
The sweetest time in northern Xinjiang came crashing down on her like a tidal wave.
She was in a sightseeing helicopter, and Zhong Yunxi was speeding down a steep snow track. The drone captured the scene, and the screen was filled with rampant hormones. She clearly remembered how she screamed his name at that time.
Tears still rolled down my cheeks.
Zhong Yunxi held her in his arms.
Shi Qi and Shi Yan were so shocked by the scene before them that they were speechless.
But they also felt it was reasonable, something their cousin would do.
Zhong Yunxi has always acted this way, openly and brazenly.
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