CH 10.3

The Tenth Cup of Coffee Part 3

“Yun Xian? Stop playing with your phone. Look at your pole, I just saw it move.” Li Zhicheng sat on the folding chair with his legs crossed, in a relaxing old man posture.

Yun Xian put away his phone and checked his fishing rod. There was no movement in the water. He sat down again and looked at the distant mountains on the other side of the lake.

His calm mind was in a mess. He was at ease, but now he suddenly became restless.

Early this morning, Li Zhicheng dragged him to go fishing in the mountains. He had been sitting for more than two hours.

Yun Xian gave a dry cough and said, “I think it’s almost time, so let’s stop here.”

Li Zhicheng took off his sunglasses and expressed his doubts, “One fish for you and one fish for me, is that enough?”

“The shop is busy today. I can’t justify idling around as the boss. If you aren’t done having fun, then you can fish by yourself for a while.” Yun Xian got up and put away the rod.

Li Zhicheng didn’t want to be in such a remote area alone. “​”Okay, let’s stop here today. How about a barbecue in a few days?”

“Let’s talk later.”

Li Zhicheng carried the fish back. Spring was warm and the water was rising. The fish in the lake were plump. Although they only caught two fish, it was quite big. He washed his hands by the sink and asked Yun Xian, “Let’s have lunch before you go. We’ve been fishing all morning, don’t you want to try it?”

“No, please tell uncle and aunt. I’m going.” Yun Xian waved. He took his keys and got into the car.

It took nearly an hour to return to the city from the countryside. Yun Xian picked up the speed and it took only 40 minutes for him to reach Cloudside’s door.

Rays of sun shone through the clouds. The spring flowers were spreading, the crows were perched on the rooftop, and the laughter of young people blended with the warm wind.

Jiang Ying looked out of the window unintentionally and happened to see a man coming as he stepped on the fallen petals.

He wore a white T-shirt with an open button down, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. His style was so refreshing that she couldn’t take her eyes off of him.

It rained last night, and the spring breeze blew around the pink and white petals on the ground. It was as if a road surrounded by flowers was being paved for him.

Sensing something, Yun Xian suddenly stopped and looked at the glass window.

The second they looked at each other, Jiang Ying only felt her heart pounding. The spring breeze filled the air.

His lips slightly rose and he nodded to her. Then, he looked away and continued walking.

“Sister? Sister?”

“Huh?” Jiang Ying came back.

Jiang Yuanyuan asked, “What are you looking at?”

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“Nothing.”

The bell on the door rang. Jiang Ying heard Zhao Xinrou say at the reception desk, “The boss is back!”

The photographer was explaining the next shoot, but Jiang Ying wasn’t paying attention and only heard a few words.

The next photoshoot location was under a tree. The models stood there posing.

“Why are you two standing so far away? Get closer.” The photographer crouched on the ground, holding the camera to direct the two models.

Jiang Yuanyuan was nearby watching and asked Jiang Ying, “Sister, are you being shy?”

Jiang Ying raised her voice and asked, “Why would I be shy?”

With that, she took a step next to the guy model. They became shoulder to shoulder.

The photographer nodded with satisfaction. “Great, that’s it.”

Jiang Ying swallowed her saliva and felt guilty for no reason. She glanced in Yun Xian’s direction, only to find that he was also looking at her. They were separated by the window. One of them was in the room, one of them was outside.

She was instantly pinned to the spot and her limbs were stiff.

The model squatted down and picked a clean and complete flower from the ground. He put it behind Jiang Ying’s ear.

The photographer pressed the shutter to capture this scene. “Yes, come on, face me and hold hands.”

Jiang Ying looked away and continued to feel like Yun Xian’s eyes were still on her own. She suddenly became tied up and had no idea what to do next.

It was too strange. It was like she was having an affair with someone in front of him.

This idea came to her mind, and Jiang Ying could not help but scorn herself: What affair?! Bah! Bah! What are you afraid of! What are you feeling so shy for?!

She continued to brainwash herself: Today is May Day! I’m supposed to love the work I do! I should be dedicated to my work! Yes, dedicated!

Jiang Yin calmed her heart. She raised her arm and took the guy’s hand.

“Good, come on, look at each other and smile.”

The shutter went off continuously, as if it was reminding her that it was just work.

“Okay! Thank you for your hard work!” The photographer confirmed that the last photo was fine and announced that today’s shoot was over.

“Thank you for your hard work.” Jiang Yuanyuan handed them a bottle of mineral water.

Jiang Ying opened the lid and took a gulp. Her face was red from the sun and her forehead had a thin layer of sweat.

The model and the photographer packed up their things and left first. Meanwhile, Jiang Ying and Jiang Yuanyuan stayed to tidy up the clothes and props.

Jiang Ying felt more comfortable when she changed back to her T-shirt, jeans and canvas shoes.

Jiang Ying thought it was better to say hello, so she asked Jiang Yuanyuan to wait in the car first.

“Is it over?” Yun Xian stood behind the reception and rolled up his shirt sleeves.

“Yeah.” Jiang Ying nodded.

Yun Xian smiled and teased her, “I didn’t know you had this kind of side job.”

“No, I don’t.” Jiang Ying quickly waved her hand. “I was just pulled into it by my cousin. It’s not a side job.”

“It was pretty.” Yun Xian scooped a spoonful of ice into the plastic cup and poured half a cup of milk.

Jiang Ying only thought he was being polite and answered casually, “Oh, do you like cosplay?”

Yun Xian was stirring matcha with a bamboo brush. He heard her and looked up at Jiang Ying in confusion.

“What I mean is… Pure and lovely. Do you like the pure and lovely look?”

Yun Xian raised an eyebrow and poured the stirred matcha into the cup. The dark green blended with the milky white to form a fresh and sweet iced matcha latte.

“I just think it looks pretty on you. It looks like you’re still in school.” After covering the lid, Yun Xian wiped the cup with a towel and handed it to Jiang Ying with a straw. “Take it and drink it. You look thirsty.”

Jiang Ying took the drink and the redness on her cheeks deepened.

Yun Xian put his hands on the edge of the table. He looked out at the place where she was just standing, and suddenly asked, “Aren’t the cherry blossoms in Turtle Head Isle 1 very beautiful?”

During cherry blossom season, Turtle Head Isle was covered with blossoms for ten miles. It was gorgeous with clouds at sunset. It was a wonderful scenery famous all over the country and it attracted countless tourists.

Jiang Ying nodded. “Yes, but it’s already May. I want to thank you soon. Do you want to go?”

Yun Xian moved his eyes and looked at Jiang Ying’s eyes. “Yeah, I want to go. Why don’t we catch the last bus and you show me? ”

The author has something to say:

He’s jealous. He’s jealous. He’s jealous.