Part 2
“Mhm, mhm! I saw that fountain, and the Zero Gravity Experience Hall. So many, many people queuing.”
“There was a rocket launch recently, so things related to space are quite popular. Let’s go, today I’ll take you to taste my favorite flavor from childhood.”
This was an antique-style restaurant. The waiters’ attire was very similar to Zhang Jincheng’s designs from before—traditional style.
Walking into the carved door, the decorations in the hall were different from other restaurants. There was a huge stage in the exact center, looking very much like Shi Ye’s boxing ring, just without the ropes blocking the edges.
A beam of light descended from the sky, illuminating the exquisitely embroidered peony floral carpet on the stage.
The waiter led the two upstairs to sit near the railing. Wen Rong looked down at the stage again; someone dressed in traditional costume had already walked up.
The attire was very gorgeous. Hair piled high, wearing flowers, an orange embroidered skirt, and a piece of red satin wrapped around the elbows.
The girl folded her hands in front of her chest, bending over in a “greeting” gesture. With a clang, the music started, and the red satin began to spin.
The girl’s posture was light and graceful, dancing upon the peony flowers.
“Wow!”
Leon poured water into Wen Rong’s glass. “Does it look good?”
“Good.”
“Do you want to taste the fruit extract juice Senior specially got for you?”
Wen Rong finally retracted his gaze. “What juice?”
Leon took a blue bottle out of his bag, unscrewed it, and handed it to Wen Rong. “Pure blueberry extract made by the researchers. Taste it.”
Wen Rong took a small sip. Sour and sweet, the taste was very good.
“Tastes great.”
“Mn, it’s said to help soothe emotions.” Leon fished out a box of something from his bag and handed it to Wen Rong. “This is candy they made. It can improve dopamine secretion efficiency. Eat a little.”
Wen Rong put the blueberry juice aside. “Senior, do you have something to tell me?”
Leon paused, slightly surprised. “So smart, you can even tell this kind of thing now.”
Wen Rong was also surprised, not knowing why he could tell.
Leon buried his head and laughed. “Maybe I was being too obvious.”
Wen Rong shook his head in panic, carefully looking for the reason he noticed. “No, no, I was… I was…”
“I saw Senior’s brows were furrowed the whole time. The micro-expression course says this expression means one has worries.”
“Senior does have some worries.”
Wen Rong immediately sat upright, the panic on his face gone, assuming a posture of “I’m here to help you solve it.” “Senior can tell me. If there is anything I can help you with, I will definitely help.”
Leon couldn’t help laughing, not knowing whether to rejoice that Wen Rong was willing to charge into battle for him or be sad that Wen Rong liked charging into battle too much, seemingly not caring about his own safety.
“This matter doesn’t need your help.”
“Then…”
This made it difficult for Wen Rong. He wasn’t good at comforting people and didn’t know what to say to make the Senior happy.
“What kind of person do you think Senior is?”
“Senior is an especially good person,” Wen Rong answered without hesitation.
“How good?”
“…” Wen Rong got stuck. “This…”
Leon asked again, “Do you know what flaws Senior has?”
“Senior has no flaws.”
Pfft. Leon turned his head and laughed again. “Senior actually has many flaws, just pretending to be perfect in front of you.”
“…”
Leon glanced downstairs. One dance ended, and a dancer dressed in simple elegance took the stage.
The sound of the zither drifted up, melodious, mixed with the sound of a flute, entangling like two snakes.
Perhaps due to the instruments, the zither and flute carried a solemn feeling.
Leon was emotionally chaotic right now and particularly sensitive. Hearing such sounds was uncomfortable. He stood up abruptly. “Wen Rong, come here.”
Leon took Wen Rong to the balcony. The night wind carried the remaining warmth of the sun, warming Wen Rong’s t-shirt.
Leon signaled him to close his eyes, sent a message on his phone, and took out the sparklers he had prepared from his bag.
“Okay now.”
The moment Wen Rong opened his eyes, he lit it in front of him.
The shallow eyes reflected two beams of light points, silence accompanying the wisps of sparks.
A sparkler burned to the end quickly. Wen Rong said dully, “Senior, so beautiful.”
Bang—
A whistle sounded in the distance. With a bang, brilliant colors covered the sky and earth, illuminating Wen Rong’s face.
Wen Rong tilted his head slightly, fireworks reflecting on his black-framed glasses.
Everyone who heard the commotion walked to the balcony, shouting “So beautiful,” “Didn’t notify there would be fireworks tonight,” “Whatever, I want to take photos.”…
Lively and bustling.
The fireworks didn’t stop, leaving white smoke like clouds in the air.
Until the last ray of colored light swept across Wen Rong’s face, sinking into a brief silence.
“Gone?”
“Gone, I guess.”
“But the fireworks this time were so beautiful.”
“But it’s not a holiday, why set them off?”
“Maybe some rich guy proposing to the person he likes.”
Others discussed as they walked back.
Leon lowered his gaze slightly, moving from Wen Rong’s eyes to the wound on his lip, and spoke softly: “Was it beautiful?”
Wen Rong was still gazing into the distance, wanting more. He nodded affirmatively. “Beautiful.”
He paused. “Did Senior arrange it?”
“Getting smarter and smarter, knowing even this.”
“Because Senior called me over and showed me the sparkler.” Wen Rong reached out to take the burnt-out sparkler from his hand, gently rubbing it with his fingertips. “Really very pretty.”
“Mn, I guessed you would like it.”
Wen Rong immediately asked, “Does Senior have something to say?”
“You…” Leon froze for a moment, then felt relieved. “I forgot, you can tell now.”
“Senior is very different tonight.”
Leon smiled. “Because Senior is only 21 too. Offending the person I like for the first time, I get cowardly.”
It was Wen Rong’s turn to be stunned.
For a moment, Leon felt glad that Wen Rong was no longer the little dummy who would say “Then I won’t get married,” but a little smarty who could understand the implied meaning.
So he became more candid: “Senior thought all night last night. I originally prepared to confess to you in the morning, but when I saw you, it seemed I hadn’t prepared the courage to admit it, so I lied.”
“Wen Rong, the person who kissed you last night was me. I’m sorry.”
Wen Rong was dumbfounded.
Leon explained, “Zhou Xie said you were drunk. I thought about how drunk people easily choke on vomit, so after resolving the matters at the Research Center, I went to your room to find you.”
“…Th-thank you, Senior.”
“At that time, you clamored about washing up before sleeping, so I took you to the bathroom to wash—”
The stuck Wen Rong suddenly spoke up to cut him off: “I forgive you.”
“…”
“I really forgive you.”
“…”
“Really.”
Leon sensed something. Pursing his lips, he asked meaningfully, “Forgiving Senior just like that?”
Wen Rong looked around to avoid his gaze. “Mn… mn.”
Leon understood. “Let’s go in, the food should be served.”
Leon followed behind Wen Rong back to the dining table.
“Guest, this is Peppered Baby Elephant.”
The waiter happened to come over to serve the dish. Wen Rong panicked and thanked him, picking up his chopsticks to stuff a piece in his mouth, pretending to be busy.
Only, as soon as the waiter left, this place became a quiet zone with just the two of them again. Wen Rong had uncomfortable written all over his body.
Leon saw it and spoke slowly. “Wen Rong, this is Geoduck. There’s some garlic and vinegar inside. Remember to brush your teeth well when you go back tonight.”
Wen Rong didn’t look at him, nodding randomly. “Mhm, mhm.”
“Must brush the tip of the tongue. your brushing habit is very bad, you don’t brush the tongue tip.”
“Mhm, mhm.” Continued nodding randomly.
Just at a certain instant, the chopsticks shook. Wen Rong suddenly looked up.
Leon gazed back with a smile. The crashing sound of water mixed with vibration traveled from last night to this moment.
In the small space, sound bounced everywhere. Wen Rong covered half his ear while brushing his teeth. The electric toothbrush head was hard to control, poking his cheek red.
Leon examined the face that seemed half-asleep in the mirror, ready at any moment to catch Wen Rong if he fell asleep completely.
One second.
Buzz buzz buzz.
Two seconds.
Buzz buzz buzz.
…
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