Her mood for listening to music gone, she turned off the Bluetooth and sat on the ground, idly scrolling through her phone.
After an unknown amount of time, another WeChat message arrived.
"I'm almost there, where are you?"
Tian Tian quickly emerged from the corner, stood in a conspicuous spot, and took a photo of her surroundings for him.
"Can you understand it?"
"I see it. Arriving soon."
Tian Tian looked in the direction of the next station. Amidst the bustling crowd, a tall figure soon sprinted out.
Chen Dongyang, with a laptop bag slung over his shoulder and a shoe in his hand, dressed in black casual wear, was running towards her.
For some reason, at that moment, Tian Tian thought of the scenes she often saw on short videos of long-distance lovers reuniting.
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
*Peh, peh, peh! What nonsense am I thinking! He already has someone he likes!*
Chen Dongyang soon reached her, gently placed the shoe by her feet, his gaze never leaving her.
He spoke only after seeing her slender, fair feet step into the shoe.
"Why didn't you drive? Decided to take the subway?"
Fortunately, the shoes were new and didn't smell, otherwise it would have been embarrassing for him to carry them for so long.
Tian Tian said, "I always see netizens saying the subway is crowded, so I wanted to experience it. I've certainly seen it today."
In all the time they had known each other, this was the first time Chen Dongyang had smiled at her.
It was a fleeting, shallow smile, but it was quite handsome.
"Hardship is not something to be glorified, nor is it worth experiencing. If you have the means, try not to take it again in the future."
Tian Tian didn't know how to respond to his words, so she just nodded.
"I'm sorry for making you get off midway. Where were you originally planning to go?"
Chen Dongyang returned to his usual demeanor, "It's fine, I was planning to get off here anyway. I have an appointment with a client at Wanda Plaza. How about you?"
Coincidentally, Tian Tian was also going to Wanda Plaza.
"Since I don't know how to get there, I'll go with you."
Chen Dongyang led her towards the exit. They weren't familiar with each other, so there was a step between them, and neither found anything else to talk about.
They soon exited the subway station and turned a corner to reach the plaza. Chen Dongyang turned back to say goodbye.
"You must have plans with friends, right? Then I won't bother you. Goodbye."
Tian Tian was afraid of being delayed by the subway, so she had left early. The movie wouldn't start for a while, so she planned to have a cup of coffee.
"Okay, goodbye."
Chen Dongyang walked away briskly, heading towards the plaza entrance.
She leisurely followed behind, found a Starbucks, ordered a coffee, and then thought she might as well have dinner, so she ordered two desserts as well.
While zoning out, she slowly ate and drank, dawdling until the movie was about to start. When she went to pay, the server told her the bill had already been settled.
"Already paid? Who paid?"
"That gentleman over there, he said he was your friend."
Tian Tian followed the server's pointing finger and saw that Chen Dongyang was indeed sitting by the window in the coffee shop.
However, he was actually meeting a client.
A middle-aged couple sat opposite him, a laptop on the table, and he seemed to be explaining something to them.
With his health restored, his appearance had improved even further. He wore such ordinary clothes with an air of spirit.
Paired with his serious expression and professional explanations, bathed in the gentle light of the coffee shop, he seemed to shine.
Tian Tian didn't want to disturb him, thinking perhaps he felt guilty about her previous illness and was treating her to a meal as compensation.
Consider it even, she thought.
Then there was no need for further pleasantries.