Chapter 4
The bar belonged to Fang Jing Yao’s childhood friend, Chen Xi. They had known each other for over ten years. When Fang was in Beijing chasing dreams, Chen Xi was there too, but he realized quickly that he couldn’t handle the unstable lifestyle and returned a couple of years ago. Using his savings, he opened a small but cozy bar in the city, and business was good.
He had a long-term girlfriend, from college to now, inseparable. She followed him to this small city and became a civil servant, settling down. Recently, he had prepared everything for a proposal: flowers, a diamond ring, a photographer—everything ready for today.
Fang Jing Yao directed Long Yu where to park and introduced him as they walked. “Chen Xi’s not messy. Don’t be fooled by the dim light. He mostly just sings. A few times when people couldn’t find him, I covered for him.”
Chen Xi rushed up to Fang Jing Yao. “Jing Yao!”
Fang Jing Yao finished explaining, “…he’s stingy. Didn’t spend a cent.”
Chen Xi laughed. “Come on, we’ve known each other so long, don’t be so formal!” Seeing Long Yu, he smiled openly. “This must be Jing Yao’s friend? I’m the owner, Chen Xi!”
Long Yu shook his hand. “Long Yu.”
Chen Xi froze, then smiled again. “Jing Yao mentioned you. Welcome! Come often, I’ll give you a discount!”
Fang Jing Yao blinked. “When did I—”
Chen Xi nudged him lightly. “Don’t be shy! Let’s go set up the mural. Long Yu, you sit at the bar and have a drink first.”
Fang Jing Yao worried about getting paint on his clothes and left his jacket on a bar stool. Walking with Chen Xi, he reminded the bartender, “He drove, no alcohol. Just juice.”
The bartender nodded and prepared it.
Chen Xi led Fang Jing Yao around secretly. “Nice, you know how to take care of people. This one looks good—way better than that other one! Don’t waste such a good opportunity.”
Fang Jing Yao replied, “We’re just ordinary friends.”
Chen Xi chuckled. “Everyone starts as ordinary friends!”
Fang Jing Yao glanced at him. “Why are you so attentive to him?”
Chen Xi protested, “I swear, I’m loyal to my girlfriend. Not even Long Yu or Chen Weiting could make me change!”
“Why bring up Chen Weiting?”
“My girlfriend is a fan—she loves him!”
Fang Jing Yao paused, then asked, “How did you know he’s a doctor?”
Chen Xi couldn’t hide it. “Aunt Fang told me. If she saw you causing trouble, I had to bring you back. Don’t let Long Yu see—it’d affect his impression of you. I didn’t expect you to drag him into your mess…”
Fang Jing Yao said, “Can you blame me? If you didn’t have a bar, could I even come?”
They joked all the way there. Chen Xi set up the wooden ladder and explained the mural. “Here’s the draft: a mix of vines and angel wings. When Jiao Jiao arrives, I’ll shine a spotlight on her under it—she’ll look amazing! Make it full but not too big. It should feel like a wedding without being tacky, dreamy and fairytale-like, pure yet intoxicating…”
Fang Jing Yao stuck the childlike sketch Chen Xi made onto his face. “Go away, draw it yourself!”
Chen Xi obediently instructed, “Include a big flower vine and an arch.”
Fang Jing Yao rolled up his sleeves and started painting. He didn’t follow Chen Xi’s vision entirely—the bar owner’s taste was terrible. He sketched the arch first, then added thorny roses, red and white intertwined, blooming vibrantly.
Chen Xi was pleased, nodding. “Exactly. Red or white, they’re all for her. She’s my entire rose garden.”
Fang Jing Yao lowered his gaze and smiled. After all these years, he and Chen Xi shared similar values.
Chen Xi quickly got boastful, handing him paint while grinning. “All my friends are getting married. Seeing you single makes me sympathize!”
Fang Jing Yao waved him off. “Give me an hour. I’ll finish this. Don’t talk to me—it hurts my head.”
Chen Xi happily left, attended to customers, and chatted briefly with Long Yu.
Long Yu quietly sat at the bar, his suit jacket draped over a stool, shirt sleeves rolled up, watch exposed. Looking down at the time, his lashes cast a shadow, his face lean and features sharp—a truly handsome man.
Chen Xi made him a drink, smiling. “Thanks for coming with Jing Yao, Dr. Long.”
Long Yu shook his head. “No problem. On the way anyway.”
Chen Xi could tell he was being polite. Coupled with what Fang’s mother had told them, he praised Fang Jing Yao relentlessly, practically calling him a diamond bachelor. Long Yu listened quietly, occasionally asking a question when Fang Jing Yao mentioned childhood stories.
The two of them chatted as they walked, heading to watch Fang Jing Yao at work. The mural was at the far end of the bar, and when they looked up, they saw Fang Jing Yao straddling the wooden ladder, reaching up and arching his back as he painted. His waist was slim but strong, and his wrists moved nimbly and powerfully.
Long Yu really enjoyed watching Fang Jing Yao work. A man focused on his craft always looked especially attractive, exuding a charm completely different from the daytime.
Fang Jing Yao’s other qualities aside, his face naturally drew attention. Sitting high up in just a T-shirt and ripped jeans, he attracted glances from both men and women alike, wave after wave.
Long Yu watched quietly from the bar.
Chen Xi smiled awkwardly beside him. “Don’t get upset. Jing Yao doesn’t flirt on purpose—people just hit on him! He’s not the type to mess around. He’s friendly with everyone, but knows his limits.”
Chen Xi almost swore on Fang Jing Yao’s behalf, saying nothing but good things. Fang Jing Yao’s mother had been on the phone all morning, calling each of his childhood friends to supervise, making sure everything went smoothly—she didn’t miss a single precaution.
Long Yu sipped his mint water quietly and asked, “Oh? What about Luo Yi?”
Chen Xi hesitated, unsure how much Long Yu knew, and answered vaguely, “That little bastard is different. He stole someone else’s work and pinned it on Jing Yao.”
Long Yu’s gaze shifted. “What did he steal?”
“The sketch. He copied and posted someone else’s unpublished work. When he messed up, he didn’t dare take responsibility and pushed it all onto Jing Yao. He won’t admit it himself. Jing Yao was involved in the same project, and the studio came to complain to him… a whole mess. Jing Yao took the blame. Luo Yi acts normal outside but secretly fears Jing Yao might retaliate, so he keeps calling non-stop.” Chen Xi pursed his lips, glancing at Fang Jing Yao’s discarded jacket and vibrating phone on the wooden bar, the screen flashing with unknown missed calls.
“Probably trying to ask Jing Yao for something again. We all dislike him anyway. Over the years, Jing Yao has covered for him plenty. Just seeing him annoys me!”
Long Yu looked at the constantly flashing phone. In the light, it was impossible to read his expression. “So Fang Jing Yao just goes along with him?”
Chen Xi laughed awkwardly. “Not really. They’ve argued too. But Jing Yao’s temper with friends… he only stays mad for a day or two. When help is needed, he’ll still lend a hand.”
Long Yu said nothing more.
After a while, the phone stopped ringing. Long Yu watched quietly, and didn’t hand it to Fang Jing Yao. With his brows calm and expression indifferent, he acted as if he hadn’t heard it.
Eventually, Fang Jing Yao finished painting, washed the paint off his hands, and came over, picking up the glass on the table. “Finally done. Chen Xi, I painted such a big one for you—if you don’t get your proposal done now, it’s useless…” He gulped down half the glass. When he tilted his head back, a small patch on his chest was damp—maybe from water or sweat.
Chen Xi exclaimed, “Hey! That’s Dr. Long’s!”
Fang Jing Yao paused, glanced at Long Yu, and said, “You drank his mint water? Get him juice instead.” Doctors always seemed to prefer natural drinks—it looked healthy.
Chen Xi agreed and added, “Your phone rang just now.”
Fang Jing Yao picked up his phone, and just at that moment, the call came through. He glanced at the number and, without waiting for a “hello,” hung up immediately.
Chen Xi peeked at him and muttered, “That little bastard still dares to call you?”
Fang Jing Yao looked at Long Yu and whispered, “No, insurance salesman. My car insurance is about to expire.” He blocked the number from calling again.
Long Yu remained silent, but didn’t leave. He seemed lost in thought, and unconsciously took a sip of the mint water Fang Jing Yao had just drunk, frowning slightly.
Chen Xi’s girlfriend was a police officer. She couldn’t arrive until her night shift ended. By 10:30, Chen Xi had coordinated with their friends, pretending to be patrons, occasionally sitting near the table, waiting for the bride-to-be to arrive.
