“I’ll go there myself. I’ll eat at my friend’s workplace. I’ll give you the address, and you can come over after you get off work,” Fang Yu said into the phone.
"I won't listen, I can't remember, you take me there." Thor's voice on the other end of the phone was soft and coquettish. "Baby Fish, I know where you live and your mom. It seems like we've already made preparations for things after we started dating."
"How dare you say such things to my mother?" Fang Yu was both angry and embarrassed.
"Yes, I'm serious, I'm not just kidding." Thor's tone was full of solemnity.
Fang Yu fell silent; she was already moved by Thor's sincerity and straightforwardness.
"Baby Fish, are you there?"
"I'm here. You go ahead and get back to work. See you this afternoon!"
After hanging up the phone, Fang Yu seemed to be looking forward to her date in the evening, rummaging through her closet for clothes to wear later.
Fang Yu took out several dresses, looked at them, and then hung them back up. Finally, she chose a light blue short-sleeved shirt with layers of white ruffles at the collar and cuffs, tied with a small bow. She paired it with white cotton capri pants, slightly flared, with delicate lace trim at the hem, which complemented the ruffles on the shirt perfectly.
In the afternoon, Fang Yu was at home watching TV, waiting for Thor. There was a knock on the door. Fang Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she got up and straightened her clothes.
The door opened, and Thor was leaning against the doorframe, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.
His hair was fluffy from being washed, and there was a fresh scent of shampoo and soap wafting from it; Thor had taken a special shower before coming over.
"You're off work so early?" Fang Yu was pleasantly surprised to see him.
"I told the factory I had something to do, so I came out early on purpose." Thor flicked a strand of hair from his forehead.
His gaze fell on Fang Yu, filled with undisguised admiration, "Baby Fish, you're so beautiful!"
Fang Yu's cheeks gradually warmed up, and the tips of her ears turned red.
"Would you like to sit at your place for a bit, or go now?" Thor always spoke directly.
"No one's home right now." Fang Yu stood at the door, preventing Thor from entering.
"Aren't you human?" Thor teased her on purpose.
"My mom isn't home," Fang Yu quickly explained.
Thor smiled, narrowing his eyes, and nodded knowingly. "I understand. Let's go now."
"Wait for me downstairs, I'll be right down."
"good."
Fang Yu grabbed her bag, glanced at herself in the mirror one last time, and hurried downstairs.
Thor was already seated on the motorcycle. Fang Yu sat sideways behind him, the wind brushing against his cheeks, carrying the heat of a summer evening, along with his clean and refreshing scent—a scent that was both unfamiliar and familiar, yet reassuring.
The motorcycle turned two streets and stopped in front of the restaurant where Fang Huahua worked.
As soon as they entered, Fang Yu looked up to look for Fang Huahua's shadow.
Wearing her work uniform, Fang Huahua spotted Fang Yu first, still holding a menu in her hand. Her eyes widened. "Fang Yu! What brings you here?" Her gaze swept over Thor beside her, then quickly returned. Her eyes were full of knowing smiles.
"I'm treating my friends to dinner today."
Fang Huahua's gaze swept between the two of them, then she suddenly made two "oh" sounds and whispered in Fang Yu's ear, "What's going on? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I just invited some friends to dinner, and took this opportunity to come see you," Fang Yu quickly explained.
"Hmm, you have a conscience, let's order!" Fang Huahua handed over the menu.
Fang Yu turned to look at Thor, "This is my good friend, Fang Huahua," then looked at Huahua and introduced, "This is, my friend, Lei."
“Thunder, my name is Thunder,” Thor said first.
“Oh, Lei.” Fang Huahua nodded.
"You order!" Fang Yu handed the menu to Thor.
"You order, I have a good appetite, I'll eat it all."
"Okay, Huahua, recommend some good dishes."
“Okay, sure! I’ll ask my boyfriend to cook for you, he’ll make you some of his signature dishes!” Fang Huahua whispered in Fang Yu’s ear.
"Okay, let's try his cooking."
Fang Huahua found them a quiet corner by the window, where they could see the sycamore trees outside, their leaves rustling in the wind.
Fang Huahua brought over the dishes. She looked at Fang Yu and smiled, and Fang Yu couldn't help but look at her and smile back. The unspoken understanding between the two was impossible to hide.
"What are you two laughing at? What's so funny?" Thor looked at Fang Yu, who was laughing with her head down, and then looked up at Fang Huahua, who was grinning, with a puzzled expression.
"It's nothing, we just like to laugh. Hua Hua, if you work like this, you'll be the hotel's smiling star." Fang Yu was so happy she almost covered her mouth.
"I knew you'd be so funny." Fang Huahua bent down next to Fang Yu and said, "Madam, your dishes are all served. I won't bother you any longer. Please call me if you need anything."
"Eat slowly!" Fang Huahua said to Thor again.
"Okay! Okay!" Thor nodded quickly.
The shredded pork with garlic sauce is sweet and sour, and the freshly fried small yellow croaker is golden and crispy.
Fang Yu and Thor chatted while eating.
After finishing their meal, Fang Yu went to pay the bill. "I'll let you pay!" Thor said.
"Yes, it was agreed that I would treat you."
When I came out, it was already dark.
Thor said he was too full and needed to digest, so he rode his motorcycle with Fang Yu to the park in the north of the city. There was a grove of willow trees by the lake there, a popular spot for couples in the neighborhood.
The motorcycle was parked under the willow tree. The evening breeze, carrying the coolness of the lake, dispelled the heat of the day.
Fang Yu stood by the lake, feeling the breeze. Thor's voice rang in her ears, tinged with nervousness, "Fang Yu, actually, when I first saw you at the internet cafe, I thought you were really beautiful. After we got to know each other, I thought you were cute, and I liked you more and more... Would you be my girlfriend?"
Fang Yu's heart skipped a beat. Thor's eyes were particularly serious, shining like stars in the light reflected by the lake. She didn't speak, but simply nodded gently.
Thor laughed and gently hugged Fang Yu from behind. "Then I'll stick with you. Once I've eaten your food, I'm yours. You've won me over by treating me to dinner."
Fang Yu laughed and playfully punched him. "Who bribed you? I haven't even asked you yet, there are so many pretty girls in internet cafes, do you add other girls and chat like this?"
Thor held her hand. "It's different. I felt an instant connection with you when I saw you. I like you just the way you are. May I kiss you now?"
"There are people here." Fang Yu's ears turned red.
Thor's face was pressed against Fang Yu's burning ear. "You can kiss me if you don't have one, right?"
Before Fang Yu could answer, Thor gently turned her around so that she was facing him.
Thor's eyes were deep, like a summer night filled with starlight, so tender they could drown you. He didn't kiss her immediately, but gently stroked her flushed cheeks with his fingertips, feeling their warmth.
The cicadas around seemed to quiet down, and the willow branches drooped down, casting dappled light and shadow on them.
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