Chapter 5
By the time Du Yujiao arrived, it was almost midnight. She had changed into a dress with a small jacket at work before coming, her long hair draped softly over her shoulders. Entering the bar, she joined Chen Xi, having a light meal and chatting. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at her boyfriend, clearly lost in love.
Chen Xi smiled foolishly but remembered the plan. Checking his watch exaggeratedly, he began the performance: “Ah, it’s so late. I’ll go to the bathroom, be right back.”
Du Yujiao scolded him, “Why check the time in the bathroom? Go quickly!”
Chen Xi hurriedly left, and the rehearsal proceeded as planned.
Soon, a little girl came, clutching a balloon. Rubbing her eyes, she said, “Sister, I’m lost.”
Out of habit, Du Yujiao crouched down, comforting the girl and asking patiently, “When did you get separated from your mom? Was it nearby?”
The girl pointed to the mural in the small side room of the bar. Her job was to guide this pretty lady to the mural.
Du Yujiao looked up and raised her voice, eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. “Your mom brought you to a bar?!”
The girl nodded.
Du Yujiao grimaced and quickly took out a notebook to record details: “Do you remember your family’s phone numbers? Any distinguishing features? Your mom’s height—about the same as me? That’s 1.62 meters, female, local accent, wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, curly hair? Okay, curly hair…”
In the back, friends secretly observing in a private room were stunned.
One friend swallowed nervously, glancing at Chen Xi. “Bro, did you forget she’s a cop? How can you plan something like this? If you don’t propose soon, I think she’ll call for backup.”
Chen Xi was both proud and anxious—proud of his exceptional girlfriend, anxious that all his careful planning might go to waste.
Fang Jing Yao, hiding in the partition with Long Yu, laughed along. The cameraman nearby was peeking through the camera. As the cameraman edged closer, Fang Jing Yao pressed against Long Yu. Long Yu stiffened slightly but quickly wrapped his arm around Fang Jing Yao’s waist, holding him tighter—leaving just enough space from the camera.
Fang Jing Yao smiled; Long Yu was really interesting. Cold and indifferent, yet capable of jealousy.
Officer Du questioned the little girl for several minutes, almost making her cry. Luckily, the clever girl noticed in time and tugged Du Yujiao’s arm, saying coquettishly, “Big sister, I think I see my mom over there. I’m scared, can you come with me?”
Du Yujiao trusted her and led her over. Just then, the girl dropped her balloon, and a burst of fireworks went off around them. Streamers and golden sparks fell, a spotlight illuminating her and the mural behind her.
The mural depicted a fairytale-like rose arch, red and white roses intertwined, fresh and lush, with a distant castle. A couple stood side by side under an umbrella, and she stood in the arch’s center, golden light cascading over her—a miniature stage created just for her.
Du Yujiao froze in awe. Nearby, the screen lifted, playing a video.
The video showed a young couple, meeting in college, getting to know each other, and falling in love. Their story wasn’t dramatic—no big fights or breakups—but it overflowed with happiness. The boy played basketball, the girl cheered him on; when she got sick, he climbed over walls to deliver medicine.
Their biggest argument was over a train ticket.
The girl stubbornly arrived at the boy’s hometown with her luggage. At the train station, he held her, crying, promising to care for her forever.
Du Yujiao also cried, searching for Chen Xi amid the blur of tears. She bowed her head, sniffling and wiping her eyes.
Chen Xi slowly stepped out, now in a formal suit, holding a bouquet of red roses and a red velvet jewelry box in his right hand. Nervously, he walked to his girlfriend, almost tripping.
Du Yujiao cried uncontrollably, watching his lips move and covering her own.
Chen Xi knelt halfway, opened the box, and looked up at her. “Jiao Jiao, will you marry me?”
Du Yujiao nodded through tears, even emphatically nodding again. “Yes, I will!”
Chen Xi grinned, handed her the roses, then placed the ring on her finger. Overjoyed, he kissed her hand and lifted it into the air. “I’m married now! Hahaha!!”
The surrounding friends and family burst into laughter, opening the prepared fireworks and showering streamers over Chen Xi and his bride. The scene was lively and festive.
Fang Jing Yao also set off the firework in his hand, squinting and smiling. He stayed on the outer edge, not pushing into the crowd. Looking at Long Yu beside him, he sighed softly, “Chen Xi is really lucky—finding someone they love to spend a lifetime with is wonderful.”
Long Yu nodded. “Yes.”
The bar glowed with soft orange light. Fang Jing Yao’s hair fell softly over his forehead, and the strands made him look youthful and charming. Long Yu glanced at him and suddenly remembered the big boy he had seen through the café window during the blind date—his hair under the sun had a touch of chestnut, the same as when he was a child, giving his face a youthful softness.
“And you?” Fang Jing Yao asked.
Snapped out of his thoughts, Long Yu replied, “What?”
Fang Jing Yao smiled at him. “What kind of person would you want to spend your life with? Or, do you have any criteria for choosing a partner?”
Long Yu paused, a hint of confusion in his eyes that Fang Jing Yao noticed. He said softly, “I don’t really feel anything for anyone. My parents are open-minded; they think either a man or woman is fine and hope I’ll have someone to be with in the future.”
Fang Jing Yao said, “That’s their wish. You should find someone who truly suits you, right?”
Holding the opened firework tube, Long Yu pressed his lips together. “Of course I hope there’s someone like that.”
Fang Jing Yao wasn’t sure if it was the drink he had earlier or the romantic atmosphere of the proposal that made his chest feel warm. His gaze at Long Yu became more intense. Suddenly, he grabbed Long Yu’s wrist and pulled him into an empty partition in the corner. Outside, the noise of the crowd continued, but inside the dark space, it felt more enclosed and intimate.
Fang Jing Yao cornered Long Yu against the wall, inching closer while holding his wrist until Long Yu was trapped between the wall and him.
Long Yu told himself that his racing heartbeat was from staying up late and too much dopamine, yet his eyes stayed fixed on Fang Jing Yao. He couldn’t control his emotions, staring at him as his heart followed each movement.
Fang Jing Yao’s lips inched closer, his breath hot. “Dr. Long, do you want to try with me?”
Long Yu looked down at him, momentarily entranced, but quickly regained composure. “I don’t date. I don’t do relationships without the intention of marriage.”
Fang Jing Yao chuckled and pressed closer. “Then let’s take it seriously and see. I’ve never had this kind of relationship before.”
Long Yu stiffened, and when Fang Jing Yao parted his lips and slid his tongue in, he suddenly closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around him, returning the kiss passionately.
Fang Jing Yao hadn’t received such an intense kiss in a long time. Just kissing Dr. Long excited him, and he pressed closer, entangled with him. Long Yu’s scent intoxicated him—even the smell of hospital disinfectant made his scalp tingle. He ran his hands through Long Yu’s hair, fingers threading through, taking pleasure boldly.
Long Yu pulled back first, breathing heavily, looking down at Fang Jing Yao. Their bodies pressed together, feeling the heat between them.
Fang Jing Yao’s hand rested on Long Yu’s waist. After a moment, he whispered hoarsely, “What’s wrong?”
Long Yu pushed him slightly away, still breathless. “Not today.”
Fang Jing Yao froze.
Quickly, Long Yu added, “Tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll come to you.”
Fang Jing Yao smiled. “Okay. I’ll wait for you, Dr. Long.”
The next day, Fang Jing Yao waited at the usual time, and this time he was much more enthusiastic than the previous meetings. He tossed his jacket aside, sat close to Long Yu, and poured tea while asking, “Leaving work early today?”
Long Yu nodded. “I left a bit early. I have something to talk to you about.”
Fang Jing Yao tilted his head, smiling. “Okay, I’m listening. Go ahead~”
Long Yu pulled a contract from his briefcase, eyes half-lowered. “Take a look. If there’s no problem, sign it.”
Fang Jing Yao was confused—how did dating involve a contract? He glanced at it. “What is this… a trial marriage cohabitation contract?”
Long Yu nodded. “Yes.”
