entanglements and choices
After accompanying Xiaofeng back to her room and laying down, Jiang Wenqing tried the door code—sure enough, it was Xiaofeng's birthday. He immediately returned to his own home to pack his daily necessities and work gear. The next morning, when he woke up on the sofa on the first floor, Xiaofeng had already left for school with her schoolbag. He packed up briefly and headed to work, having already made up his mind: he would definitely pick her up from school that evening.
The entire classroom didn't come alive with the bell, but rather with the teacher's words, "Finish this question before we leave." The teacher's final gesture of closing the lesson plan was like a key, instantly unlocking everyone's feelings. Xiaofeng dug out her phone from her storage box and just as she turned it on, she received a message from Wenqing, "I'll pick you up at 7 p.m."
Xiaofeng sorted the scattered test papers into order and zipped up her jacket. The subtle clicks of the zipper were a welcome relief. She made her way through the crowd in the hallway and, just as she reached the playground, she spotted Xiaoqi's tall figure, wearing a red sweatshirt over her school uniform. As she neared the school gate, the red figure suddenly broke into a jog. Xiaofeng simply slowed down. The squeaking sound of sneakers scraping against the ground caught her attention. A boy from some class, backpack on his back, was still shooting air hoops. His tall, slender figure formed a seductive silhouette in the interlaced lights.
As soon as Xiaofeng walked out of the school gate, she was caught by Wenqing's searching gaze. He walked towards her quickly and took off her schoolbag. "Are you tired? I've reserved a table nearby. We can eat as soon as we arrive." As he spoke, he pushed Xiaofeng's hair away from her forehead. "It won't delay your homework."
"Well, thank you!"
Wen Qing said with a smile, "I feel really relieved to be able to do something for you. Your happiness is the best thank you."
Wenqing pulled Xiaofeng's seat belt from the driver's seat and buckled it up. The two people who were about to get close to each other blushed.
"Why didn't you wake me up when you went out this morning?"
"You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you."
"What time do you arrive at school in the morning?"
"Be in class at 6:50."
"I understand. I'll pick you up next time."
"Thank you!"
"No need. Try my breakfast tomorrow morning, okay?"
“Okay, thank you!”
"If you thank me again, I'll charge you interest."
"I still owe you a cup of coffee."
"Oh? Well, I'll make a note of it."
The moment the door to the private room opened, warm yellow light poured down, illuminating the dark brown round wood table. In the center of the table, a slender white candle burned in a silver candlestick. The flickering flame cast a gentle shadow on the relief carvings on the wall. A bouquet of fresh champagne roses sat diagonally in a champagne bottle, the petals still stained with water droplets.
Wenqing had already prepared everything: the cutlery was neatly arranged, the balsamic vinaigrette adorning the salad glistened, silver foil gently covered the steak, and soft music played from a speaker in the corner. When the two of them sat down, the waiter, in tacit agreement, simultaneously lifted the lids from their plates—no need to wait, everything was just right.
Although Xiaofeng praised the dinner highly, Wenqing couldn't see any smile on her face, and his heart ached.
After returning home, Xiaofeng was about to do her homework. Wenqing walked up to her and asked, "Can I hug you?" There was even a pleading tone in his voice.
Xiaofeng lowered her head, opened her arms, and snuggled directly into Wenqing's arms, resting her head gently on his chest.
His voice choked with sobs. "Xiaofeng, it's because of my appearance that you're forced to make such a difficult choice. I know you're unhappy, and I'm unhappy too. I don't know what I can do. Now, what I'm doing is what Zhou Yang did before, right?"
Wenqing ran his hands through Xiaofeng's hair and continued, "Take your time. I'll be with you."
Apart from thank you, Xiaofeng didn't know what to say to express her feelings at the moment, so she said nothing.
Before school ended on Wednesday, the Chinese and English teachers told us to do more and accumulate more knowledge, and the math, physics and chemistry teachers told us to keep our hands in shape, so 6 sets of test papers were distributed.
Time ticked by, and Wenqing stayed with Xiaofeng at the desk, busy with his own work on his laptop.
Xiaofeng's phone lit up. She grabbed it, realizing it was the clock. It was from Zhou Yang. "Happy Birthday!" The screen was cold, the words still, but Xiaofeng's heart was churning. She tried to suppress her emotions and placed the phone back on the table, screen down.
Wenqing moved the chair and sat down next to Xiaofeng, "Cry if you want to..."
At this time, Xiaofeng felt that Wenqing's gentleness was too cruel and it was tearing her heart apart.
After school on Thursday, Wenqing picked up Xiaofeng and returned home. As soon as they stepped through the door, their eyes were caught by the bouquet on the dining table—eighteen roses and lilies interwoven into a coral swirl, gleaming in the sunlight. Wenqing pulled out a bowl of homemade tiramisu from the kitchen and said mysteriously, "You'll love it! I learned from an expert how to make it, and I double-strained the cheese."
The air was filled with the intoxicating aroma of coffee and rum. Wenqing poured herself a glass of red wine and saw Xiaofeng staring at the vortex formed by the shaking of the red wine in the glass. She asked her, "Do you want some?"
Xiaofeng nodded heavily, and Wenqing pushed the wine glass to Xiaofeng, "You have the biggest drink today, take a sip."
When you bring the cup close to your nose, the aroma of black cherry wrapped in the smoky aroma of oak barrels suddenly explodes, mixed with a faint hint of cinnamon.
When the last drop of wine slid down the throat, the residual aroma swirling at the bottom of the glass suddenly caught a hint of the moist scent of the forest after the rain.
“It turns out it’s good without lemon.”
The restaurant lights were dimmed to an amber hue, casting a fuzzy halo across the tablecloth. Wenqing handed Xiaofeng another gift bag. "Another gift?! A bag with a unique pattern." The moment the drawstring was pulled, Xiaofeng's exclamation exploded like popping candy.
"Do you like it?"
"I like it. So many pockets. It suits me."
"Last time I saw you rummaging through your bag, I wanted to find you a bag with divided pockets. I searched for a long time but couldn't find anything I liked."
"Where did you find this?"
"I came across this in an antique shop while on a business trip in October. I really like the pattern. Doesn't it look like a sunflower?"
Xiaofeng nodded and looked at Wenqing as he continued, "This was originally a cloak, and the fabric was quite large, so I thought I could use it to make a bag. After I got back, I had someone modify it according to my idea. Your tissues, data cables, headphones... you can all go back home now."
"Wenqing, thank you!"
Wenqing opened her bag, pointed to a heart-shaped pocket, and said, "Our secret is hidden here."
Xiaofeng picked it up and examined it carefully, muttering, "August 15, 2010."
"Well, it was the day we first met, remember?"
Xiaofeng's earlobes shone a coral color, and she suddenly noticed the names Alfie and Helena embroidered beneath the date. With trembling hands, she put down her bag and asked, "Wenqing, why are you so nice to me?"
He reached out and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Because you are worth it." After a pause, he whispered, "I am a sunflower, and you are my sun."
Seeing Xiaofeng finally smile, Wenqing leaned over, gently cupping her face with both hands and resting his forehead against hers. Their intertwined breaths were filled with the mellow aroma of red wine and a slightly tipsy warmth.
Suddenly, Wenqing's phone rang, shattering the silence like a thunderclap. He cursed inwardly, "Who's so blind?" But when he saw the caller ID, his expression suddenly changed. He coughed strategically, then walked to the window with the phone in hand: "Mom..."
Xiaofeng went to the bathroom and patted her burning cheeks with cold water. She folded the napkin into small, square pieces between her fingertips, as if that could calm the panic deep within her. Wenqing hung up the phone and walked back to the table, a look of obvious embarrassment on his face. "What's wrong?" Xiaofeng asked, looking up.
"Can I... take a picture with you?" His ears were adorably flushed, and his voice was like a stuck tape, intermittent. "I told my parents that I was at my girlfriend's house, and they insisted I send the picture, otherwise... otherwise they would call the police and say I was kidnapped."
Xiao Feng's face flushed again, and she gave him a reproachful look: "Then take the photo. I don't want anyone to break in anytime soon."
In the selfie, Wenqing stared straight into the camera, his slightly tipsy eyes gleaming with a happy smile. A faint blush tinged his lower eyelids, a playful contrast to the alcohol-tinged flush on his cheeks. Those eyes, already clear as autumn water, were accentuated by the high, straight nose, lending them a touch of frankness. His left hand rested lightly on Xiaofeng's shoulder, while Xiaofeng tilted her head slightly, gazing lovingly at his profile—her cheeks a misty pink from the wine. As the photo was taken, the tip of her tongue gently licked her lower lip, a touch of girlish, unconscious innocence.
Just as the photo was sent, Wenqing's phone started ringing. He picked up the call, turned on the speakerphone, and said repeatedly, "Mom..."
"Okay... okay... your dad and I are looking forward to holding our grandson!" Jiang Wan's voice was loud and anxious on the other end of the phone. After she finished speaking, she handed the phone to Jiang Heng and hid aside to wipe her tears.
Jiang Heng picked up the phone and said in a deep voice, "Come home when you have time. I'll go see your mother."
After hanging up the phone, Wenqing and Xiaofeng were stunned for a long time. "Sorry, my mom...maybe she was a little too excited."
Just as Wen Qing finished speaking, the phone rang again, and Jiang Wan's voice came from the receiver: "Did you make a cake today?"
"Yes, I'm celebrating Xiaofeng's birthday."
"It's a birthday... This, this is so rude!" Jiang Wan's voice was a little annoyed. "Red envelopes, your father and I will definitely make up for it later! Her name is Xiaofeng, right? Honey, listen to this name, it sounds so much like someone in our family, doesn't it?" After a half-second pause, she reminded, "Wenqing, you have to make more of those snacks you're good at for Xiaofeng... And..."
Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Jiang Heng: "Say happy birthday to Xiaofeng. That's it for now, I won't disturb you anymore."
Xiao Feng couldn't help but smile, her eyes curved. "Auntie is so cute! Did she teach you how to make this cake today?"
"Well, do you like it?"
"I like it!" Xiaofeng's eyes sparkled as he counted on his fingers. "The cheese is rich with a hint of sourness, and as fluffy as a cloud. The ladyfingers have absorbed enough coffee liquid, making them moist and soft. And the cheese paste, wow, it melts in your mouth..."
"If you keep talking, I'll be so proud." Wen Qing smiled and reached out to gently touch Xiaofeng's pouting lips.
"Wenqing, you are the best."
"Thank you for the compliment, little birthday boy. I accept it." After saying this, Wen Qing looked at Xiao Feng's face and finally saw the pure smile of joy that came from the bottom of her heart. It was like a flower kissed by the sun, so bright that it made people's heart tremble.
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