After successfully getting blocked once, and then successfully getting added back as a friend again, Zhu Jingru was in a cheerful mood and even slept comfortably. The next day, he was woken up by a rare call from his own mother. He was used to being wild, roaming all over the country. His parents knew they couldn’t control him, so their occasional greetings were all about making sure he was safe and sound.
“Did you put on the red cord?” Ms. Wang got straight to the point. “Your dad said wearing that thing will save your life. Remember, you absolutely cannot take it off, you have to wear it even when you shower.”
“I’m wearing it, don’t worry…”
“Still sleeping?”
“Mm.”
“Don’t be lazy in bed, get up quickly. That booklet I had you write a few years ago, the one about pursuing a male god, write another one for pursuing a goddess.” Ms. Wang said, “Lately, too many young people have been asking me to play matchmaker. How can I explain it all with just one mouth? I can only rely on them to figure it out themselves.”
Zhu Jingru said in a muffled voice, “They’re more or less the same.”
“They’re very different. How can a girl’s thoughts and a man’s thoughts be the same?” Ms. Wang’s voice got louder. “You know how to pursue a male god, but you don’t know how to pursue a goddess?”
Zhu Jingru closed his eyes and played dead, “…”
His own mother also fell silent. Ever since she had matched two same-sex couples, she had become a bit sensitive. At her advanced age, she felt like everyone she saw looked gay. She hesitated for a moment before asking, “Your dad said you have problems with both your head and your… down there. Son, tell me, are you really okay or not? Can it still be treated?”
Zhu Jingru quickly changed the subject, “Mom, can the red cord be touched by other people?”
“As long as you don’t take it off, they can touch it however they want…” Ms. Wang suddenly realized something. “Wait, whose hands are you thinking of letting touch your waist?”
Zhu Jingru timed it perfectly and hung up the phone, rubbing against the pillow as he rolled over.
He dreamed of Big Ice Cube. It was a sweet dream.
On the other side, the coffee shop was quite lively. Bai Qinglin stood by the machine, waiting for the espresso to extract. Yue Chuan took over the job of taking orders, saying with shame and anger, “Why is it that when he wears this apron, he looks like an artist, but when I wear it, I look like a dishwasher?”
Li Wenxue comforted him, “There’s still a difference between a four-to-six body proportion and a five-to-five one. Teacher Yue, don’t be discouraged. Maybe if you drink more coffee, your legs will grow longer.”
“Forget it, I’m afraid it’s not happening in this lifetime. Last night, I met my tenth first love. Now that’s what you call truly long legs, and his waist is so damn slim. That aura, that face, I was almost drunk even before I had a drink.”
“When Old Bai and I came to Nanhai, that was only your seventh, wasn’t it?”
Yue Chuan shamelessly waved his hand, “A true hero doesn’t boast about past glories. This time I’m serious. I’ve even thought about where to get married. When the time comes, I’ll invite you all to the banquet. Big Beauty Li, you’ll sit at the head table.”
With a clatter, Bai Qinglin placed a cup into the sink.
Yue Chuan turned his head to look at Bai Qinglin, only to be met with a cold gaze. The smug smile on his face disappeared little by little. He chose to wipe the table vigorously, “Ah, look, this table is sparkling clean. If we put a lucky cat here, it’ll directly bring in wealth and treasures, raking in gold every day.”
Li Wenxue asked with a laugh, “What’s up, does the manager know your first love too?”
“It’s the owner of the bar across the street, Zhu Jingru.”
“…”
Yue Chuan was confused. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Li Wenxue was very sincere. “You definitely don’t have a chance. Teacher Yue, my condolences. The next one will be more obedient.”
Zhu Jingru heard this sentence just as he entered the door. He pretended not to have heard it clearly. After greeting everyone, he began to place his order.
“Do you want latte art?” Yue Chuan was busy trying to curry favor. “You can pick any pattern you like.”
Zhu Jingru looked towards Bai Qinglin inside. “Is that okay?”
Bai Qinglin didn’t even lift his eyelids, ignoring Zhu Jingru’s existence. The distance between them was very far, the boundary clear.
Yue Chuan: “Of course it’s okay. You can have whatever you want.”
Zhu Jingru smiled. “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”
The coffee liquid poured into the porcelain cup was exquisitely beautiful. Yue Chuan was eager to try. “Old Bai, quickly teach me how to do latte art.”
Bai Qinglin wiped his hands dry with a disposable paper towel. His fingertips touched the slightly hot rim of the cup. “I can’t teach you.”
“Why not?”
The lines of Bai Qinglin’s arm were distinct. He steadily controlled the direction. Soon, a lifelike white rose, about to bloom, appeared. He lifted his eyes and asked, “Can you do it?”
Yue Chuan: “No, I can’t.”
Bai Qinglin gave a “mm” and had Tong Yin deliver it.
