Chapter 13 – Little Date

At a coffee shop. 

Fingers held the small spoon, gently stirring the aroma of coffee into the air. Combined with the soothing music, this was definitely a leisurely afternoon.

Fu An sat at a table by the window, his hand still repeating the same motion, but probably unconsciously, because his gaze was always directed outside, as if he was waiting for someone.

After ten minutes, a black car pulled into the parking lot. From Fu An’s angle, he had a direct view of the entrance fee kiosk1. Suddenly, his eyes brightened, and without moving his gaze a single inch away, he stared as that car parked and out stepped a familiar person. But once the man walked out, Fu An no longer looked at him. He hurriedly turned his gaze away, looked down at his coffee, and stirred even faster.

He didn’t know what number he had counted to in his mind, probably around thirty, or maybe forty, but the bell at the door never sounded. Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer and raised his head, just in time to lock eyes with Qi Qianze as he pushed the door open and entered.

Qi Qianze seemed to have been taken by surprise and paused for a moment, then curved up the corners of his mouth, giving him a slight smile.

Fu An extended his hand and tapped on the tabletop, like some sort of summons. Qi Qianze walked over and took a seat across from him.

“Have you waited long?”

Qi Qianze glanced at the coffee on the table, already gone cold.

“No, only ten minutes.”

To be honest, Fu An really was quite nervous.

It had already been an entire month since that day when they had had that conversation. On Fu An’s side, he’d had too many things to do and didn’t have any free time. It was unclear whether Qi Qianze was also the same. It didn’t seem too realistic for these two very busy people to date. They didn’t even have time to rest, let alone go on dates, so all this time they hadn’t met face to face.

But during this busy time, they would still exchange a few words half an hour before going to bed.

Their relationship felt different from ever before. It felt a bit like they were a pair of old friends or an old married couple, but there was also anticipation and an indescribable charged air. Every night, the goodnights and softly spoken voice messages made them feel slightly intoxicated with affection.

So when Qi Qianze suddenly asked if they could get coffee together, Fu An readily agreed but secretly hesitated, with the kind of restlessness that needed constant fidgeting to soothe.

Qi Qianze asked about Fu An’s work plans, thought, and then said: “Next week, we should both have free time.”

Fu An nodded, mentally estimated it, and made an affirmative sound.

Fu An’s hands were placed on the table, one on top of the other, it looked like he was in negotiations for work. Soon afterwards, he felt a warmth on his fingers. It was Qi Qianze covering Fu An’s hands with his own.

Contrasted with the dark tabletop, Fu An’s skin seemed very white and his hands seemed unusually slender. But when they were touched, they would feel very warm and soft.

Qi Qianze squeezed his fingers and poked his palm with a finger. Fu An then separated his hands, one of which was claimed by Qi Qianze.

Qi Qianze looked at Fu An very earnestly, holding his hand, with his fingertips on Fu An’s protruding knuckles. From time to time, he would often poke at him. It had the affectionate teasing of an adult, and also the liveliness and innocence of youth. It seemed that he didn’t dare to continue, that this was all that he could bear at the moment.

Qi Qianze’s hand continued its actions for a long time, until Fu An felt that this wasn’t flirting, but Qi Qianze’s nervous hesitation, although the expression on his face was natural, and not even a single bit of nervousness could be discerned from it. Qi Qianze said: “There’s something that I wanted to do before but wasn’t able to, I’m not sure if you’re still willing to.”

“But I thought you would be.”

Fu An’s heart already understood what it was. He pursed his lips and closely watched Qi Qianze’s lips, wanting to know if Qi Qianze was talking about what he was thinking of.

Qi Qianze’s lips curved, just as gentle and handsome as Fu An had imagined them to be–no, even more so, and affectionately extended an invitation–––

“Let’s go to the amusement park, I have something to tell you.”

The little building at the entrance of some parking lots where a person that you pay to park sits inside.