Chapter Twenty-One — The Bookwise Tea House

In the blink of an eye, the end of May arrived.

Yihui’s college entrance exams were fast approaching.

Guo Yamei finally returned to the physical store.

Businessmen are ruthless indeed. During those few days when Yishu was unwell and had taken leave, the company swiftly dispatched someone to take over the store. As for who would be up to the task, only Guo Yamei was deemed capable.

After receiving the news, Yan Lu immediately called Yishu, but the company’s decision was already set in stone and not easily changed.

Yishu simply decided to take a couple more days off.

During those days, Xu Shixi visited her morning and evening. He had intended to ask her to stay at his place, so he could care for her more conveniently. Yet, before he could speak, she said, “I’m fine living here.”

He was, after all, a mature man, with a mindset and experience a few degrees greater than the young. Nothing could be rushed, least of all matters of the heart. Love that comes too easily often ends just as swiftly.

For many nights now, he kept recalling that evening, cool as water. Mist, light rain, a gentle breeze. She stood on the village bridge, with the giant camphor tree not far away—these things became the tableau of their lives.

The foundation for the village’s new apartment block was already laid; all the materials and funds had been secured not long ago.

Xu Shixi walked toward the village entrance.

The camphor tree had shed another carpet of faded blossoms. As spring was slipping away, it seemed to step into summer in a manner almost suicidal.

Summer must be near.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Yishu gazed at the distant greenery thickening, her spirits much improved.

A brief wave of cold air swept across the tail end of spring, then vanished swiftly.

The sun’s touch on her skin felt hot, scorching.

At this moment, their car was heading east, the sunlight pouring in unimpeded from the front.

“You told me two days ago you wanted to rest more. I thought you’d finally come to your senses,” Shixi said gloomily, glancing at her.

“You misunderstood,” Yishu replied, feigning lightness. “It’s now that I’ve come to my senses. Life goes on—I have to work.”

Back at home, Yihui was in the inner room, studying for his exams.

Yishu gently pushed the door open, peered through the crack to check on him, then quietly closed it again.

Yesterday, Yihui had called unexpectedly, saying he wanted to spend the last few nights before his exams at home. It would help him memorize better, and sleep well.

Yet, since he returned, he was almost silent. He said little, even at dinner. Yishu was puzzled; her brother respected her deeply, even revered her, but he was never affectionate. Perhaps it was just growing up. Yet, her memories of him as a child were much the same.

Yishu planned to take leave for the three days of Yihui’s exams, to cheer him on at school and to avoid restlessly pacing the store. With Guo Yamei managing things now, her abilities would easily cover for three days alone.

Yihui stood at the door, carrying a deep-blue canvas backpack, looking listless. The heavy bag seemed about to crush his thin frame.

He looked down at his freshly cleaned white sneakers, and spoke softly, “Sis, you don’t need to come on exam day. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“That won’t do.” Yishu stepped outside the doorway. “I’m definitely coming. Do you remember the day of my exams? You insisted on being there to cheer me on.”

“I remember.” Yihui lifted his head. “But it’s really not necessary. I’m not a child anymore.”

His gaze held a resolute air.

Yishu couldn’t help but furrow her brow. Time had flown; Yihui had unknowingly reached the age she once was.

Though he left at six-thirty in the morning, daylight had already brightened the sky.

It was still early; the gates of Textile City wouldn’t be opened by staff until eight-thirty.

A few days prior, Xu Shixi had told her he’d be going to Shenzhen for a symposium. Yishu didn’t understand much about real estate, nor did she care to. In the days he was absent, she felt hollow inside. The scenery outside slipped by, barely noticed. She was used to days with him—how would she get used to days without?

Yishu sat on bus route 809, lost in thought. Halfway through, she heard the station announcement and realized she’d taken the wrong bus. This one was heading toward Yue’an Road.

It turned out that when a person abandons all thoughts and blocks all sensations, their body follows primal instincts and heads toward their most yearned-for place.

Yishu got off at the Xunyuan gate stop, stared from afar for a long time, then switched buses to Textile City.

—Are you awake?

Yishu took out her phone and sent a WeChat message. No sooner had she sent it than she quickly retracted it. He must have many social engagements in Shenzhen; he was probably still sleeping.

—Not up yet.

Xu Shixi replied instantly.

—I’ll be back as soon as I can. Take care at work alone. You must be heading out now.

—Socializing must be exhausting. I just arrived at the store. Rest well.

Come back soon… Yishu wanted to write this, the green cursor blinking in the editing bar. In the end, her courage faded, she exited WeChat, and the half-written message became a draft in the system.

Guo Yamei’s attitude toward Yishu had improved slightly—at least she no longer deliberately targeted her.

Yishu didn’t understand, nor did she investigate. She simply assumed Guo Yamei cherished her regained job and was behaving herself accordingly.

Returning from lunch, Yishu saw Guo Yamei standing by the stairwell, facing what must have been her father—she could see the orange edge of a vest, the uniform of Textile City, the rest shielded by a door.

“Yishu, let’s get together after work,” Yan Lu stood at the door, knees bent slightly. “I’ll formally introduce him to you.”

Yishu stepped out, pulling Yan Lu aside. “How did you get here?”

“I have the day off, so I came to see you.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Last time I wasn’t clear enough, so I’m taking this chance to explain. You’re my best friend, after all. I’ve never been this honest with my mother.”

Yishu was taken aback. Yan Lu’s words were like a stinging slap. She forced a smile. “Where to?”

“I haven’t decided. I’ll message you later. I’m going to wander around for a bit, you just focus on work.”

Zhishu Tea Restaurant.

Standing across the street, Yishu saw the glowing sign that read “Zhishu Tea Restaurant.” Yan Lu was at the entrance, waving at her.

The plaza in front of the restaurant was packed with cars.

“You’re finally here. I’m starving!” Yan Lu feigned complaint.

“I lost my way.” Yishu glanced at Lu Xugang beside her. “The bus doesn’t stop here yet.”

“You could have hailed a cab.” Yan Lu sighed. “I’ve never seen anyone as frugal as you.”

“Hello…” Lu Xugang paused, unsure how to continue. To call her Yishu would be too familiar, to use her full name, Su Yishu, too formal.

Yishu gave him a polite smile.

The tea restaurant had just opened, and was bustling with customers. Lu Xugang led them upstairs toward a private room.

Yan Lu watched him navigate the place with ease, her curiosity piqued, though she refrained from asking questions.

The private room was styled for relaxation, with several pots of devil’s ivy and heart-leaf philodendrons placed around. A long wooden table stood at the center, surrounded by six matching chairs with blue-green cushions. Two abstract geometric paintings adorned the walls.

Lu Xugang pulled out two chairs. “Please have a seat.”

Once Yishu and Yan Lu sat down, he circled to the other side and sat opposite Yan Lu.

“I thought you meant some fancy place. Isn’t this just a fast-food joint?” Yan Lu pouted, clearly dissatisfied.

“Don’t judge it by appearances. The food here is as good as anything a hotel chef could make.” Lu Xugang handed her the menu. “Look over it—see if there’s anything you like.”

Yan Lu flipped through the menu, row by row. The pictures made her mouth water. She picked up a pen, marking the blank boxes as she spoke. “Pork chop bun, curry chicken rice, borscht, fish ball noodles, roast goose…”

“Can you really eat all that?” Yishu interrupted.

“I can,” Yan Lu shoved the menu to Yishu. “You pick something too—don’t try to save him money.”

Yishu hesitated, pressing her hand against the table. “You’ve picked enough. I’ll pass.”

“If you don’t pick, you’re paying,” Yan Lu threatened playfully.

Unable to resist, Yishu ticked off a bowl of Yangzhou fried rice.

“Order whatever you like—don’t be shy,” Lu Xugang said to Yishu. “I know the owner here, there’s a discount.”

Yan Lu’s eyes showed both annoyance and confusion. “Why haven’t you mentioned that before?”

Lu Xugang gave a sheepish grin.

Two knocks sounded at the door, and a woman in her thirties entered. Her attire suggested she wasn’t a waitress.

Wrong room?

Yan Lu stared at her. “Who are you looking for?”

The woman smiled, approaching gracefully. “You must be Xugang’s friends?”

Yan Lu maintained her puzzled expression.

Yishu regarded them calmly.

“I’m the owner of this tea restaurant. My name is Li Nanzhi. You could say I’m Xugang’s cousin.” Her smile remained warm.

Li Nanzhi was actually the cousin of Lu Xuyang, Lu Xugang’s older male cousin. As children, they’d met a few times at their uncle’s house. So, by familial ties, he called her cousin. Later, both their families moved from Guangzhou to Yun City, and contact was lost. Unexpectedly, over ten years later, they met again. But Lu Xuyang had already returned to Guangzhou.

To Yishu, Li Nanzhi appeared intelligent, graceful, dignified, gentle. She wore a casual mauve suit, the waistband accentuating her figure, wide-legged pants paired with slender black heels, making her seem especially tall. Her long black hair fell to her right shoulder.

Yishu’s heart fluttered involuntarily.

Yan Lu let out a silent sigh of relief. Her impression matched Yishu’s almost exactly.