The competition results would be announced the next morning, and after seeing both of them off that evening, Shen Jianxi found herself restless in the hotel. After confirming with 77 that Fu Yi and Xie Shu were both staying in their respective rooms, she changed into a comfortable tracksuit and left the hotel.
She had promised to try the local seafood specialty in Haishi, and she hadn't forgotten. If she brought either of them, she wouldn't be able to enjoy her meal properly.
"77, find out where the best seafood is in Haishi."
Having 77 around made things much more convenient. The information it provided was hundreds of times more accurate than any online guide.
"Found it, host. I'll send you the map."
As soon as it finished speaking, a clear map appeared in Shen Jianxi's mind.
Following the map, she wound her way through several turns and arrived at a small alley full of life and local charm.
The alley was very clean. At the entrance, a group of grandfathers and grandmothers were chatting. Seeing her approach, they smiled kindly.
Entering the alley, she spotted the restaurant's sign immediately. It was a small establishment, not in a bustling area, but it was definitely not short of customers, with many diners sharing tables in twos and threes.
Shen Jianxi arrived just in time; a table had just been cleared. She walked over, sat down, and ordered the few dishes that 77 had flagged as most highly rated.
Hearing her order, the waiter looked at her with surprise and said, "Miss, you have excellent taste. These are all our signature dishes, and it's your first time here."
Shen Jianxi smiled. She owed a lot to 77, but...
"How did you know it was my first time?"
The waiter, who was inputting her order into the machine, didn't look up. He replied casually, "Ah, our shop isn't very big, and the location isn't great. Most of our regulars are familiar faces, so we can always tell when someone new comes in. Alright, here's your ticket. Just wait at your seat."
Taking the ticket, Shen Jianxi looked around. Indeed, although people were sharing tables, most of them seemed to know each other and weren't strangers.
She sat down at her assigned spot and idly watched as the empty seat beside her was being cleared, after which a man sat down.
This man made Shen Jianxi look twice. The reason was simple: his demeanor seemed utterly mismatched with the humble surroundings of this small eatery.
Although he wasn't wearing a suit, the fine stitching of his clothes indicated their considerable expense. As she looked at him, a line of poetry instinctively came to Shen Jianxi's mind:
"Stones piled like jade, pines arrayed like emerald.
A beauty unparalleled, none other in the world."
He was like the bright moon in the sky, giving an impression of being unapproachable, as if out of place in this world.
Sensing her gaze, the man didn't seem to mind. He turned his head to look at her, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Caught peeking, Shen Jianxi blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed. Fortunately, her order arrived at that moment, giving her a reprieve.
She returned a sheepish smile and forced her attention back to the food.
Midway through her meal, she stepped out to take a call from Fu Yi. When she returned, the man had vanished. His departure hadn't drawn anyone's attention, save for the single red tulip on her table, which seemed to confirm that what had happened wasn't a dream.
Perhaps the meal was too good to look at, but Shen Jianxi found herself feeling full. She asked for the rest to be packed to go, and as she left, she didn't forget the red tulip.
After she departed, the man from the restaurant emerged from the alley, accompanied by another man in black. If anyone had been watching, they would have noticed that the two men were identical, though the man in black had a colder expression and a voice devoid of emotion. "Qiu, you broke the rules."
The man named Qiu lowered his head and sniffed the red tulip in his hand. He then looked in the direction Shen Jianxi had left and said, "I never said I would follow the rules, Yi."
With that, he vanished from his spot. The man named Yi's expression shifted, and then he, too, disappeared.
Yet, no one noticed either of them vanish.
*
The food packed last night eventually ended up with the stray cats, as seafood, if not fresh, could easily cause problems.
Today was the day the competition rankings would be announced. Although Shen Jianxi was confident in herself, she hadn't participated in such an exam in a long time, and she couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
She picked out a dress that looked demure and well-behaved. Before leaving, she hesitated for a moment and then took the wilted red tulip from the water bottle on the table.
She didn't know why the tulip had withered so quickly. In just one night, all trace of its bloom from the previous evening was gone.
Fu Yi was already waiting for her at the door, and Xie Shu was with him.
After closing the door, Fu Yi took the flower from her and asked casually, "Where did you get this flower? Why is it already so withered?"
For some reason, Shen Jianxi didn't want him to know about last night. She casually replied, "It was already in the room. Maybe the previous guest left it."
Fu Yi showed no reaction to this. Xie Shu, who was obediently following behind them, afraid of angering her again, raised an eyebrow. Fu Yi might not know, but he had been in her room on the first day, and there had been no flower then. It must have been from some unknown suitor!
Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth. It was annoying to see the person he liked so popular, with people always vying for her attention!
The two in front were oblivious to his thoughts. However, as they reached the entrance of the auditorium, Fu Yi glanced back at Xie Shu and stopped.
"What's wrong?" Shen Jianxi asked, confused.
Fu Yi's lips curved into a slight smile. Then, to their bewilderment, he leaned down and kissed her on the lips.
After a gentle embrace, feeling the furious gaze from behind him, he pulled away from her lips and provocatively glanced back.
Shen Jianxi felt nothing but exasperation.
These men's petty jealousies were beyond her. She had thought Fu Yi had moved past what happened yesterday, but he still remembered and even dared to provoke Xie Shu at this moment.
If not for Shen Jianxi's warning yesterday, Xie Shu would have rushed forward already. But considering they were already...
*Hmph!*
He looked at Fu Yi with disdain. He was aware of their interactions these past two days; a kiss and a hug, they had those too.
Yet, even as he comforted himself, Xie Shu couldn't help but clench his fists. He let out a cold laugh and, ignoring Fu Yi's provocation, walked past them.
However, as he passed Shen Jianxi, he subtly conveyed a look of grievance.