Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

The next day, Pei Yu'an still couldn't resist heading to Liu Yunshu's bar.

He wasn't wearing a hoodie; he had changed into a simple gray sweatshirt and was carrying a backpack.

When I got to the bar entrance, I paused for a moment, straightened my collar, and then pushed the door open and went inside.

It was early evening, and there weren't many people in the bar.

Liu Yunshu was sitting behind the bar, looking down at the ledger in her hand, the pen tip gliding lightly across the paper.

The setting sun cast dappled, colorful light through the stained glass windows of the bar, illuminating her fair profile.

It was as if a dreamy veil had been shrouded over her charming face, shedding some of the allure of last night and adding a touch of hazy gentleness.

Yet it was equally beautiful, equally...attracting him.

Pei Yu'an stared blankly, his feet rooted to the spot, even his breathing becoming softer.

"Xiao Pei? What are you doing standing there?"

Liu Yunshu's voice suddenly rang out, and Pei Yu'an snapped back to reality, his cheeks instantly turning red, like a child caught stealing candy.

He gripped the straps of his backpack, moved hastily to the bar, and avoided looking at her.

"Boss Liu, I... I was just passing by and came in."

A hint of a smile flashed in Liu Yunshu's eyes, and she said, "Oh, Mojito?"

"Okay!" Pei Yu'an nodded quickly, and as if afraid she would change her mind, he added, "Same as last time, less ice."

Liu Yunshu put down the ledger, picked up the cocktail shaker, and expertly added lime slices and mint leaves with her fingertips.

Then pour in rum and soda water, and with a quick flick of the wrist, the silver cocktail shaker draws a clean arc in the air.

Sunlight fell on her slender fingers, making them appear as white as jade. Pei Yu'an was somewhat lost in thought, and his grip on the backpack strap loosened unconsciously.

A moment later, a mojito with fine bubbles was pushed in front of him.

Fresh mint leaves are stuck in the rim of the glass, and a cool sensation mixed with the aroma of fruit wafts over you.

"Try it. I added some honey today, so it's not as astringent." Liu Yunshu rested her chin on her hand, a smile spreading across her eyes.

Pei Yu'an picked up the cup and took a sip. The sweet coolness slid down his throat, and it was indeed more palatable than last time.

He looked up and met her smiling gaze, then hurriedly lowered his head, his ears turning red: "It's delicious, thank you, Boss Liu."

"No need to be so polite." Liu Yunshu casually picked up a glass of warm water and gestured to him, "Come on, let's sit over there, the bar will be busy soon."

She was referring to the corner booth where Pei Yu'an had sat yesterday, where the lighting was just right and it avoided the clutter of the bar.

Pei Yu'an nodded immediately and followed behind her with the mojito.

Today she wore a crimson halter-neck dress with a beige knitted cardigan over it.

The way she walked had an indescribable charm, and even the hem of her skirt swayed with her steps had a unique allure.

Pei Yu'an followed behind, his gaze unconsciously falling on her slender ankles before quickly shifting away, his heart beating a beat faster than usual.

As soon as the two sat down, Liu Yunshu took out an orange-flavored fruit candy from her bag, unwrapped it, and handed it to her.

"I noticed you liked sweet things yesterday, try this."

Pei Yu'an subconsciously opened his mouth to catch it, and his tongue unconsciously brushed against Liu Yunshu's fingertip.

The cool touch sent a jolt through his body like an electric current, and he froze, even his breath catching in his throat for half a second.

The sweet orange flavor exploded on the tip of my tongue, but it couldn't mask the heat rising from my ears.

With a candy in his mouth, he mumbled "thank you."

His gaze was fixed on the mint leaves in the cup, and he dared not look up into Liu Yunshu's eyes.

Liu Yunshu seemed oblivious to his embarrassment and took out a cigarette from the pack.

The moment my fingertips touched the lighter, a hand with distinct knuckles was handed to me.

Pei Yu'an clutched his lighter, his ears still red, but he tried to remain calm: "Use, use mine."

His lighter had a black metal casing with simple patterns engraved on it, which matched his usual arrogant demeanor.

Liu Yunshu raised an eyebrow, didn't refuse, and leaned over with a cigarette in her mouth.

Pei Yu'an's fingertips trembled slightly as he pressed the switch, and the flame rose steadily, warming the air between the two of them.

Thanks.

Liu Yunshu slowly exhaled a wisp of smoke, her gaze falling on his flushed cheeks. "Children shouldn't smoke; it's bad for their health."

"I'm not a child! I don't smoke!"

Pei Yu'an immediately retorted, stiffening his neck, and hurriedly stuffed the lighter back into his pocket, his ears turning even redder.

"It's just that... I happened to have it with me, so it'll be convenient for you to use."

Liu Yunshu chuckled softly, tapping the ashtray lightly with her fingertips holding a cigarette. "I know, little sir."

The term "little adult" was said with a hint of mockery, but Pei Yu'an inexplicably found it pleasing.

She secretly smirked, then quickly suppressed it, pretending to be intently watching the bubbles in the glass.

"Boss Liu, you're married?" Pei Yu'an finally blurted out the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time.

His voice carried a barely perceptible tension, and his fingertips unconsciously gripped the cup.

Liu Yunshu paused for a moment, the hand holding her cigarette still slightly, before resuming her languid smile: "Just call me Sister Liu. Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Sister Liu," Pei Yu'an quickly corrected himself, his ears still burning, his fingertips gripping the cup so tightly they felt cold.

"I was just asking casually... You don't seem like you're single."

This was partly the truth, and partly a test he was testing in his heart.

A woman like Liu Yunshu, mature, gentle, and charming, always made him wonder if she had already found her other half.

Liu Yunshu chuckled softly, flicked her cigarette ash, and said, "It's settled."

Pei Yu'an's hand gripping the cup tightened suddenly, his knuckles turning white.

The cloying orange candy flavor instantly became bland, and a strange bitterness welled up in my heart.

There was also a vague, inexplicable irritation that made his chest feel tight.

He lowered his head, staring at the mint leaves floating in the glass, and said in a muffled voice, "Oh..."

That initial excitement was dashed, and even the sight of the mojito in front of me lost its appeal.

How could he forget that a woman like Liu Yunshu could possibly be unmarried? He was just overthinking it.

Liu Yunshu took in the disappointment in his eyes, gently flicked the cigarette between her fingers, and said nothing more.

He slowly exhaled a wisp of smoke, letting the silence spread.

Pei Yu'an held back for a long time, then couldn't help but look up, his eyes filled with a hint of unwillingness and probing.

"So...does your husband...come here often? I didn't see him yesterday."

"Him?" Liu Yunshu raised an eyebrow, a faint hint of mockery flashing in her eyes, so quick it was almost impossible to catch.

"He's too busy to come here."

As Pei Yu'an listened, the bitterness in his heart didn't lessen much; in fact, it became even heavier.

Busy? Even if you're busy, shouldn't you spend time with your wife?

He recalled the fleeting look of melancholy on Liu Yunshu's face just now and felt inexplicably sorry for her.

Yet it also harbored a secret joy that even it itself didn't realize, like a bud secretly peeking out from a dark corner.

He pursed his lips, mustered his courage, and asked, "So...is he good to you?"

He regretted it as soon as he said it. This question was too private. What if he upset Liu Yunshu?

Pei Yu'an gripped the cup nervously, his eyes darting around again, but his ears were perked up, waiting for an answer.

Liu Yunshu held a cigarette between her fingers, watching him with an expression that was both apprehensive and determined.

The smile in her eyes deepened, but her tone remained nonchalant: "It's alright."

The five words, "light and airy," neither indicated good nor bad, but they made Pei Yu'an's feelings even more complicated.

What does "just like that" mean? How could someone who treats Liu Yunshu so well just "just like that"?

But who is he? He's just a guest I've met twice. What right does he have to interfere in other people's marital affairs?

Liu Yunshu exhaled a smoke ring, her tone casual: "Why are you suddenly interested in this?"

Pei Yu'an was speechless for a moment, and his cheeks instantly burned again.

Her eyes darted nervously to the mint leaf on the rim of the cup, and she stammered, "N-nothing... I just think Sister Liu is so kind, she should be treated well."

That's a very sincere statement.

In his eyes, Liu Yunshu was mature and gentle, her cocktails were delicious, her candy was sweet, and even the way she smoked was charming. Why should she be treated perfunctorily?

After realizing what he had said, he hurriedly added, his tone even more urgent: "I... I just said it offhand, Sister Liu, please don't overthink it!"

Liu Yunshu chuckled softly as she watched him fumble around, his ears burning red.

He tapped the cigarette between his fingers against the ashtray, sending sparks flying. "Why would I overthink it? Thank you for saying that, though."

Pei Yu'an took a sip of the cold liquid, which slid down his throat, and managed to calm the panic in his heart.

He didn't dare look at Liu Yunshu anymore, only staring at the swirling bubbles in his glass. "Sister Liu, can I add you on WeChat?"

Liu Yunshu's smile deepened, and she readily took out her phone: "Sure, will you scan my QR code or will I scan yours?"

Pei Yu'an's eyes lit up instantly, his earlier disappointment vanished, and he hurriedly took out his phone.

My fingertips were trembling slightly from nervousness, and I almost clicked the wrong icon when I opened the WeChat QR code.

He handed his phone to Liu Yunshu, the screen shaking slightly: "I...I'll scan you!"

Liu Yunshu suppressed a laugh and handed over her own QR code.

With a soft "beep", the friend request was successfully sent.

She looked down and tapped "accept," then looked up to see Pei Yu'an staring at his phone screen with a silly grin. She couldn't help but tease, "So happy?"

Pei Yu'an snapped back to reality, his smile froze on his face, and his cheeks burned again.

He hurriedly put his phone back in his pocket, grabbed the mojito cup, and took a big gulp.

"No, no! It's just... next time you could let us know in advance so there aren't any seats available."

This was clearly an excuse, but Liu Yunshu didn't call it out. She just nodded and said, "Okay, let me know in advance so I can save you a seat."

Pei Yu'an glanced at the time, frowned slightly, and said, "Sister Liu, I have to go back now. I... I'll come again next time."

"Okay, be careful on the road and watch out for cars."

Liu Yunshu waved to him, a half-burnt cigarette still between her fingers, her eyes and brows gentle and perfectly framed by the rising smoke.

Pei Yu'an nodded vigorously, gripped his backpack strap, took two steps back, couldn't help but look back at her again, and then turned and strode out of the bar.