The faucet was on, water gushing. A man, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, with a tall, sturdy physique, wore gloves as he washed cup after cup until they were almost reflective with cleanliness.
Shen Yue stood very close to him, organizing the washed cups one by one. She even told the man to stop washing and rest.
Luo Kai’s dark cheeks flushed a faint red, his earlobes burning.
He appeared timid and uneasy, stammering, "No, no tired, not a bit, tired at all."
After saying this, he seemed embarrassed and looked eagerly at Shen Yue, making it difficult for her to refuse.
She could only sigh gently, a soft smile gracing her lips, "Then, after work, I'll treat you to a meal."
The tall man suddenly looked up, his eyes wide, appearing somewhat foolish. His excited, disbelieving expression was as if he had been struck by a pie falling from the sky.
An irrepressible joy spilled out, and he hesitantly asked again, cautiously.
"Really, really?"
Shen Yue nodded. Her beautiful, dark pupils reflected the man’s strong, dark face. Her lips pursed slightly, a shallow dimple appearing.
"Really."
By the time work ended, the sky was already dark. Autumn was always brief. Perhaps it was because winter solstice was approaching, but the sky darkened quickly.
Shen Yue changed her clothes and went to the bus stop with Luo Kai to wait for the bus.
The bus arrived quickly. Shen Yue often ate out, so she knew a restaurant with good dishes that wasn't expensive.
This time was precisely dinnertime, and the restaurant was almost full. After waiting outside for a while, a vacant seat became available.
Shen Yue ordered the restaurant's signature dishes and then handed the menu to Luo Kai, asking him what he wanted to eat.
The man had been very silent throughout their journey, becoming flustered whenever he met Shen Yue's gaze.
"I, I'm fine with anything."
His slightly protruding brow bones lent him a touch of profundity and handsomeness. His facial contours were strong and smooth. He was very tall, almost six feet three inches, yet he always appeared timid and shy like a child in front of Shen Yue, giving the impression that he was very easily bullied.
Shen Yue had no choice but to say to the waitress, "Then, we'll start with these dishes."
The restaurant had excellent service and served food quickly. The dishes were all brought out in a short while.
Shen Yue always ate quietly and elegantly, without making slurping sounds. She chewed silently with pursed lips before swallowing.
Shen Yue could feel the man’s gaze constantly on her. She believed he hid it well, always appearing endearingly foolish.
Thinking this, Shen Yue suddenly felt like teasing him. Catching the man off guard, she looked up, her eyes clean and gentle, her smiling eyes carrying a hint of allure.
"Why are you always looking at me? Is there something on my face?"
As she said this, Shen Yue stared directly at the man.
Luo Kai's face immediately turned red, so much so that his dark complexion couldn't conceal it. The redness spread all the way to his neck, making him appear shy like a bashful maiden.
He waved his hands in panic, clumsy and stoic.
"No, sorry, sorry."
Shen Yue was amused by his demeanor. The shallow dimples on both her cheeks were particularly striking, like the gentle, warm sun in winter. They were etched deeply into his mind, making him unable to forget.
Luo Kai's mind went blank, almost mesmerized. The burning sensation intensified, as if it were about to burn him in half.
His usually resolute and stoic face seemed to transform into a dreamlike vision in the blink of an eye, as if a tear had occurred, but then quickly reverted to natural.
Luo Kai's mind suddenly ached, his muscles tensing, his temple throbbing.
Shen Yue, being a considerate person, immediately noticed that something was a bit off with the man. "Are you alright?"
Luo Kai suddenly snapped back to reality. As if trying to hide something, he put on a flustered expression and stammered, "I'm fine, I, I'm fine."
As if afraid Shen Yue would misunderstand, he spoke with such excitement that his tongue was almost tied in knots.
Seeing the man's state, Shen Yue didn't think he was actually unwell, so she didn't ask further.
After eating, because the distance to the apartment wasn't far, Shen Yue decided to walk back. Luo Kai offered to escort her.
Shen Yue felt it wasn't necessary, but the man seemed particularly insistent in this regard. Seeing that the man wouldn't leave even if she tried to shoo him away, Shen Yue had no choice.
The night was as dark as ink, with scattered stars like bright pearls, inlaid in the night sky, twinkling.
A cool autumn breeze blew, brushing past her hair.
The two walked side by side, the atmosphere quiet but not awkward.
Luo Kai felt as if he were dreaming that day, completely in the clouds, buoyant and a bit unreal.
His gaze kept drifting to Shen Yue. The distance between them was neither too close nor too far. When the wind blew, he could smell the faint fragrance from Shen Yue, a scent that was indescribably pleasant, as if it dispelled all his烦躁 and clamor, bringing a fleeting illusion of peace.
The woman's profile was beautiful and delicate, her skin as fine as sheep fat jade, exuding a fragile quality. Beneath her soft-looking black hair, a section of her fair and delicate neck was revealed, seeming to glow in the dim light.
His heart trembled violently, as if suspended high in the air. A secret and fervent sweetness surged within him, and he deliberately shifted his gaze away.
Soon, Shen Yue arrived. Luo Kai felt for the first time that this path was so short.
Shen Yue said softly, "Then I'll be going back. Be careful on your way."
The tall man was somewhat obscured in the dim light, his resolute face appearing slightly different from how it did during the day.
His voice was extremely low, and aside from a slight hoarseness, no emotional inflection could be detected.
"Okay, hurry back."
Shen Yue found it a bit strange, feeling an inexplicable wrongness, but she didn't think much of it and turned to enter the apartment.
Only when she was on the elevator did Shen Yue realize the subtle amissness. When Luo Kai said that sentence, he hadn't stuttered!
That was the most peculiar part.
—
With work, days could pass without feeling truly fulfilling.
On one occasion after work, the weather was lovely, and passing a flower shop, Shen Yue felt inspired. She went in for a browse and bought a bouquet of lilies.
Smelling the faint floral fragrance, her mood seemed to lift a bit.
Shen Yue emerged from the flower shop holding the bouquet. Across the road, a man was staring directly at her.
Initially, Shen Yue didn't notice. It wasn't until she happened to glance over that her steps abruptly halted.
Traffic flowed by, car after car.
The sound of the wind seemed to echo in her ears.
Shen Yue stood motionless, her dark pupils constricted, filled with shock and fear as she gazed at the person across the street.