Mud beads

Ji Yong walked over from across the street.

He didn't walk fast, but his long legs and long strides allowed him to stand in front of Yu Zhu in the blink of an eye. Yu Zhu could feel the gazes around her following Ji Yong to her, filled with novelty, speculation, and a little bit of inexplicable excitement.

She's not very good at handling these kinds of situations.

Back in Ya Feng High School, she would just lower her head when people stared at her. Later, at the city's No. 1 High School, she learned to ignore them. But now, when he calls her name, even ignoring him becomes difficult.

Ji Yong laughed unrestrainedly: "Let's go get some food."

Yu Zhu walked forward with her head down, speaking politely, "I'm going to be late for work."

Ji Yong followed leisurely behind her: "I've already asked your boss for leave."

Yu Zhu paused in her steps.

She turned her head, her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes widened slightly: "How could you ask for leave for me?"

His voice sounded a little hurried.

She usually speaks softly and rarely utters sentences like that. But working is her own business; she keeps track of her work hours, including what time she goes to work, what time she gets off, and how much she gets paid. Ji Yong's words removed her from the work schedule as easily as taking a pen from her desk.

Ji Yong looked at her, still smiling, and said, "Don't worry, you won't lose money."

Yu Zhu wanted to say it wasn't about money, but she swallowed the words back.

Explaining it to him is pointless. He won't understand.

She turned around and continued walking forward with her head down.

Ji Yong didn't touch her, but followed closely behind her, quickening his pace as he went.

"It was my fault. I should have told you first."

Yu Zhu remained silent.

Ji Yong caught up with her, then suddenly took a step forward, blocking her path.

Today is your birthday.

Yu Zhu was stunned.

The wind at the school gate whizzed past her ears, carrying the damp scent of grass and trees after the rain. She quickly realized that the birthday Ji Yong mentioned was the date on her ID card.

Of course she remembered that string of numbers. She needed it to open a bank account, register at school, and it was on her rental agreement. But nobody treated it like something they used for daily life. To her, it was more like a serial number proving who she was, hard-pressed onto the card, usually tucked away at the bottom of her wallet.

Seeing that she had stopped, Ji Yong quickly added, "It's just a meal. If you really don't want to stay, sit for ten minutes, and I'll take you back to the shop."

Yu Zhu hesitated.

She should refuse. But the word "birthday" held her captive, like a shiny, tempting piece of candy held in a child's hand.

She had never celebrated a birthday since she could remember. The only "new birthday" that Toru Echizen ever had was when he was drunk. There was no celebration, no ceremony, only gifts and the words, "If you listen to me, you'll get everything you want."

Isn't she obedient enough? Does obedience really guarantee everything?

Every time Yu Zhu thought of this sentence, she couldn't help but think—perhaps she was just too obedient, which is why she couldn't keep what she truly wanted.

Seeing her hesitation, Ji Yong thoughtfully paved the way for her: "Let's go. Everything's booked; we'll be docked money if we don't go."

Yu Zhu's brow twitched again. She glanced down at the time; she was already more than ten minutes late for work. Arguing any further would only draw more attention.

She adjusted her bag strap over her shoulder and lowered her voice: "Just for eating."

"Just a meal." Ji Yong smiled, revealing a row of clean, even teeth, her tone sincere. "After you finish eating, I'll personally take you home."

Yu Zhu didn't say anything, but lowered her head and quickly walked towards the bright red Ferrari on the street.

Ji Yong solicitously opened the passenger door for her. Yu Zhu got in; the car had a low chassis, so it felt like she was sitting right on the ground. As soon as the door closed, the noise from the school gate was instantly shut out, turning into a muffled buzz.

Moth

The car drove all the way to the riverbank.

The restaurant is a standalone building overlooking the river, decorated in an elegant oriental style.

Ji Yong booked the entire second-floor glass terrace overlooking the river.

The river flowed downstream in a dark, murky stream, with LED lights on both banks floating on the surface, their surfaces shattered by the wind. On the terrace stood only a table, its lake-green tablecloth pressed flat, and its tableware lustrous white porcelain.

Yu Zhu sat down at the table, wearing a faded black T-shirt and a canvas bag hanging on the back of her chair, looking completely out of place. Ji Yong sat opposite her, elbows propped on the table, watching her intently.

"Why did you cut your hair so short?" he suddenly asked.

Yu Zhu paused for two seconds, then said, "Convenient."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head and unconsciously touched the stray hairs on the back of her neck.

"Beautiful." Ji Yong tilted his head, his gaze fixed on her face. "Very heroic."

Yu Zhu glanced at him, then lowered her head again.

The food was served very quickly.

Four dishes and eight bowls filled the small table, all of them exquisitely plated and carefully matched Chinese dishes.

"You must be hungry after a long day of classes." Ji Yong ordered two bowls of rice from the waiter. "We're family, no need to be picky."

Yu Zhu had been a little tense at first, but when the aroma of food wafted from the terrace, her stomach growled at just the right moment. Ji Yong didn't stand on ceremony with her, reaching for his chopsticks even faster than she did. As Yu Zhu ate, her back gradually relaxed.

"Is it delicious?" Ji Yong asked.

"It's delicious." Yu Zhu nodded sincerely. "It's very delicious."

Ji Yong reached across the table and quickly ruffled her hair.

Yu Zhu stopped eating. She looked up, and the balcony lights suddenly went out.

A waiter pushed a cart over. On the cart was a six-inch cake, a pale pinkish-white, decorated with white chocolate orchids, and a thin silver candle stuck in the center.

Several musicians appeared on the terrace behind Yu Zhu at some point, and the sounds of violins and cellos mingled with acoustic guitars, singing a traditional birthday song.

As the candlelight flickered, Ji Yong clapped along to the rhythm and sang confidently, "Happy birthday to you—"

Yu Zhu sat in the chair, her hands on her knees slowly tightening.

A silent, warm current seemed to flow quietly into my body, and my heart gradually filled out. Time seemed to stretch out slowly by the flickering candlelight, and Ji Yong's smile before my eyes blurred and then became clear again.

As the band's performance grew increasingly joyful, Ji Yong stood up. He swayed to the rhythm in the river breeze, dancing freely and without restraint. He sang "Happy Birthday to You" loudly, as if he had the whole scene in his hands.

Outside the terrace, many diners inside looked over through waist-high green plants and glass walls, some holding up their phones to record this carefully prepared romance.

Yu Zhu felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of panic.

She doesn't know when it started, but she became afraid of sudden warmth and happiness, and even more afraid of losing control outside of all order.

Ji Yong ran up behind her and covered her eyes with both hands.

Yu Zhu subconsciously raised her hand, but let go the moment she touched the back of his hand.

Make a wish.

Ji Yong's voice lingered in my ears.

Yu Zhu closed her eyes, her voice trembling: "I can't."

"Then think of one thing, and once you've thought it through, blow out the candles."

In the darkness, only the sound of a heartbeat echoed.

Yu Zhu couldn't concentrate. After a few seconds of blankness, all that appeared in her mind was not a wish, but the face of Etsuya Toru.

Under the fireworks of Lunar New Year's Eve, he looked up, his eyelashes covered in cigarette ash, and smiled beautifully.

Yu Zhu removed her hands from her face, opened her eyes, and blew out the candle in one breath.

A wisp of smoke rose, quickly dissipating into the wind.

Ji Yong said, "Happy birthday."

Before she could answer, his fingers gently brushed across her cheek, still slightly damp.

"Yu Zhu," Ji Yong's voice softened, "why are you crying?"