Chapter 2
After a thorough lecture from his mother, Fang Jing Yao couldn’t resist the small editor’s tearful pleading. She even cried on video: “Teacher, if you don’t update the serial, the chief editor will parade me in public! Last time you excused yourself for appendix surgery, but there’s no second appendix this time, wahhh!”
Fang Jing Yao’s scalp tingled at her tears. He agreed and worked all night, finally submitting the draft. Less than three hours of sleep later, his mother woke him with back-to-back phone calls, insisting he go to the downstairs barber for a hairstyle. “Remember, get an expensive one. You may be handsome, but when you meet at the café, don’t just talk, smile more! Got it?”
He agreed, hung up, and dozed again. When he woke, only twenty minutes remained.
Fifteen minutes to drive there, five minutes to wash and dress. He barely dampened the troublesome tuft of hair and rushed to the café.
Upon arrival, his mother was chatting with a lady in a silk dress outside, both laughing amiably. Seeing Fang Jing Yao, she waved him over and said with a smile: “This is my hopeless son. He’s loved drawing since he was a child. We couldn’t stop him. He’s published two books. I’ll show them to you later, haha!”
Fang Jing Yao listened expressionlessly, recalling the countless comic books his mother had torn up and thrown in the trash.
The lady smiled. “He looks young. How old is he?”
Before he could answer, his mother said, “26! Not young anymore. He likes staying home alone, so meeting Long Yu will be good—more people to talk to, makes me feel better.”
Fang Jing Yao blinked and said politely: “Hello, Auntie.”
The lady returned the smile politely: “Very pleasant. He looks appealing, much more than my son. Unfortunately, my husband and I were busy, so he grew up somewhat withdrawn.”
“I heard Long Yu studied abroad?”
“Yes. He skipped two grades at XX University, graduated early, then went to Germany for a PhD…”
The two mothers chatted warmly, becoming familiar quickly. Especially Fang Jing Yao’s mother, eyes sparkling at the mention of prestigious schools. She lamented her son’s mediocrity—only a second-tier university despite eating chicken legs for three days during the college entrance exam!
While the parents talked, Fang Jing Yao quietly excused himself: “Mom, I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Quickly, don’t keep him waiting,” she replied.
Long Yu’s mother, a little embarrassed, added: “I could call him again, he promised to make time today…”
Fang Jing Yao’s mother waved her off. “Don’t worry. Doctors are busy. Jing Yao’s just fine waiting a bit.”
Fang Jing Yao found a quiet corner, napped a bit, still adjusting to daytime socializing after his nocturnal habits. He had hastily thrown on a T-shirt and jeans; even leaning over, half his face visible, he radiated youthful charm, catching the attention of a few waitresses.
One bold girl poured him lemon water and struck up a short conversation while adjusting the air conditioner. Fang Jing Yao smiled politely, making her blush. Unable to rest, he pulled out a cigarette to stay awake, but realized he forgot his lighter.
He bit the cigarette in frustration, and as he glanced outside, a familiar black suit flashed by—and before he could react, someone grabbed his ear.
“Unbelievable little rascal! I’ve been looking for you. Were you really in the bathroom hiding to smoke?” His mother glared.
“Mom! Ow! Easy! I can’t face anyone like this!” Fang Jing Yao protested, his face twisted.
“Good, you know there are guests coming. Go rinse your mouth! Don’t let Long Yu smell smoke!”
“I’m just holding it, didn’t even smoke…” Fang Jing Yao thought. He didn’t dare explain further, raised his hands in surrender. “I’m going! Right now!”
As he entered the bathroom in the private area, his mother followed. Startled, he asked: “Mom! Are you coming in?!”
“What’s the problem? You went into the women’s bathroom with me as a child!” She scolded, grabbed him, spinning him halfway around. “Stop hiding. What’s with these pants? How many times have I told you not to wear torn jeans! They’re showing your thighs. Not fitting for a good family’s child!”
Fang Jing Yao grinned: “My background depends on you and Dad…”
His mother was frantic, ignoring his chatter. Seeing Long Yu’s elegant family, she wished she could redo his entire outfit. She pulled out a needle and thread. “Don’t move, I’ll fix the tear in your pants.”
Fang Jing Yao struggled. “Mom! Why? They’re fine! Sewing them will look terrible!” But he was quickly pricked, yelped, and sulked while holding onto the sink, muttering: “Why do you carry a sewing kit everywhere?”
His mother worked efficiently. Within minutes, the pants were fixed, nothing exposed. Satisfied, she smacked the back of his head. “I’m just protecting you! You never make me happy. See Long Yu, control your mouth—don’t blurt everything out. Got it?”
Fang Jing Yao rubbed his hair irritably. “Got it.”
He hadn’t even seen Long Yu yet, and already his favorite limited-edition torn jeans were on, making him feel painfully protective.
Following behind his mother to the reserved private seating, as soon as he pushed the door open, he spotted that familiar figure. Long Yu was still in a fitted suit, but this time without a tie, two buttons at the collar undone, giving him a more casual appearance. That sharp, cool aura seemed to float in the air around him.
He always seemed to wear just a few simple outfits, yet they were impeccably fitted. His deep-set eyes, straight nose, and refined features gave him the look of a noble young gentleman, and just sitting there, he made hearts flutter.
Fang Jing Yao’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stepped in and sat down, looking at him seriously. He smiled. “What a coincidence, meeting again.”
Long Yu noticed him too. His gaze scanned Fang Jing Yao briefly, then he nodded. “It is a coincidence.”
The parents exchanged a glance, surprised. “Oh, have you two met before?”
Long Yu’s mother asked naturally, while Fang Jing Yao’s mother looked concerned. Her son wasn’t exactly serious—she worried he might have been frivolous in some bar or club.
Long Yu replied briefly, “We happened to sit together on a flight back from Beijing a few days ago.”
Fang’s mother let out a sigh of relief. “Ah, what a fate. We won’t disturb you. You young people talk!” She stood, and Long Yu’s mother rose as well. The two linked arms and left.
Fang Jing Yao sat watching Long Yu. His gaze was so direct that when Long Yu looked up, he grinned, revealing a small dimple on his left cheek. Now Long Yu’s expression grew complicated.
“You…” Long Yu hesitated. “Do you like men or women?”
“What?” Fang Jing Yao asked.
Long Yu’s tone was as calm as ever, his words direct. “When I came in, I saw you laughing with a female waitress through the window. Were you forced here by your family, or does it not matter if you like men or women?”
Fang Jing Yao laughed. “This is the first time I’ve heard of a family forcing their son to come out. I like men, rest assured—I won’t be careless with romance.”
Long Yu furrowed his brows, then relaxed. “Is that so.”
His words were abrupt, carrying a chill. Fang Jing Yao couldn’t tell why he suddenly seemed displeased. His heart calmed slightly, and they sat facing each other awkwardly. After a while of silence, they exchanged a few polite words. From start to finish, Fang Jing Yao did most of the talking, while Long Yu responded briefly, as if wanting to end the meeting quickly.
No matter how outgoing Fang Jing Yao was, he couldn’t open up to an ice-cold personality. He wasn’t the type to push warmth onto someone indifferent. Long Yu stayed silent, so Fang Jing Yao stopped talking too. They ate in silence. Fang Jing Yao glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late. You still have work this afternoon, right? Shall we go back first?”
Long Yu nodded and left immediately.
Fang Jing Yao strolled out more slowly. At the door, he saw Long Yu paying the bill, surprised—he had thought Long Yu left straight away, given how fast he walked before.
