TSTFTR Chapter 14

In the afternoon, the coffee shop gradually became busier. Yu Qiu was worried that Xuan Yan might be recognized and went over to check on him under the pretext of refilling his cup. To his surprise, Xuan Yan was already fast asleep.

Xuan Yan had faint dark circles under his eyes, and he looked tired.

Yu Qiu stopped in his tracks and returned to the changing room to get his coat. He placed it gently over Xuan Yan and Zhong Yu saw it, asking, “Yu Qiu, what’s this…”

Yu Qiu raised his index finger to his lips, “Shh.”

“Oh…” Zhong Yu whispered, “Why is he sleeping? Is he your friend?”

“You could say that,” Yu Qiu replied softly, “He’s my neighbor.”

“Oh,” Zhong Yu patted his head, not seeing the person’s face. Yu Qiu seemed to be protecting Xuan Yan from view, so he didn’t look any further.

The coffee shop remained busy until 8 o’clock in the evening.

Xuan Yan woke up, holding Yu Qiu’s coat, looking drowsy as he leaned against the sofa. At first glance, he really looked like an adorable baby.

After Yu Qiu finished his work and changed his clothes, he smiled and said to Xuan Yan, “Let’s go.”

Zhong Yu was arranging things and heard Yu Qiu speak, thinking he was talking to him. But when he turned around, he was suddenly stunned by a pair of especially beautiful peach blossom eyes.

Zhong Yu widened his eyes and looked utterly shocked as he stammered, “X-Xuan!”

Yu Qiu smiled at him and said, “Shh.”

Zhong Yu covered his mouth, looking like he had been struck by lightning.

Xuan Yan left, stretching his back lazily. Yu Qiu put on his coat and said, “I forgot to tell you, congratulations, you finally became popular.”

“Ah, come on,” Xuan Yan said, “Bro, stop praising me. If you do, I’ll be on cloud nine. It’s already late, let’s go to the supermarket and buy groceries. I’ll cook for you!”

The two of them went to the supermarket, with Xuan Yan wearing a duckbill cap and a mask, covering himself completely. He didn’t dare to go to crowded places, so Yu Qiu took care of most things, including paying for the groceries.

Yu Qiu suggested going to Xuan Yan’s place, as he hadn’t stayed there in a long time, and there might be quite a bit of dust.

Xuan Yan couldn’t be happier with the proposal and readily agreed.

Yu Qiu’s home was neat and tidy, and Xuan Yan felt completely at ease. He took off his coat, and Yu Qiu naturally received it, hanging it on the coat hook. Xuan Yan chuckled and said, “Qiu-ge, you’re acting just like a wife.”

Yu Qiu smiled and replied, “There’s no need to make a fuss.”

Xuan Yan went to the kitchen to cook, and Yu Qiu helped by cutting the vegetables. He was slow in chopping, but Xuan Yan didn’t mind. They shared the same cutting board, and whenever Xuan Yan looked up, he could see Yu Qiu.

Perhaps due to his illness, Yu Qiu’s complexion appeared a bit sickly pale, and his lips were faint, like that of a porcelain doll.

Yu Qiu asked, “How long will you be staying this time?”

“Probably two weeks, but not necessarily,” Xuan Yan replied. “If the company calls me, I’ll have to pack my bags and leave in the next second.”

“That urgent?” Yu Qiu furrowed his brows.

“No choice,” Xuan Yan said. “I used to think about becoming famous every day, wanting more people to know about me. But now that it’s happening, I still feel it’s better not to be known by others.”

“Why?” Yu Qiu asked.

Xuan Yan asked back, “Qiu-ge, do you think it’s good to be famous?”

“Why not?” Yu Qiu placed the cut vegetables in a porcelain plate. “We are all ordinary people, and it’s hard to avoid pursuing fame and fortune. Everyone wants to enjoy life, and no one comes down here just to go through hardships. Whether or not I become famous, half of it depends on fate, and the other half on my efforts. For me, I really want to be famous, to be known by more people. If my wish comes true, that’s my luck. If it doesn’t, I’ll continue to dream about an ordinary life. Why are you looking at me like that?”

Xuan Yan shifted his gaze, coughing slightly to hide his emotions. “Nothing… I just feel that you’re different from before.”

“Before, you thought I was great, uh… like a perfect person. But now, you feel…”

“Am I too ordinary?” Yu Qiu smiled.

“No,” Xuan Yan said, “You’re carefree and handsome.”

Yu Qiu smiled back.

After a while.

“Then, will you…” Yu Qiu hesitated for a moment and asked, “will you move away?”

“I don’t know,” Xuan Yan thought for a moment, putting the chopped green onions into a small dish, and then helped Yu Qiu shred the ginger. “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.”

“Mm,” Yu Qiu remained silent.

After cutting the vegetables, Yu Qiu left the cooking to Xuan Yan. He walked out of the kitchen and sat in the living room, watching Xuan Yan cook.

This feeling…

It was surprisingly comfortable.

Xuan Yan scooped the last dish onto a plate and suddenly heard the sound of a piano.

Very light, gentle, and romantic.

He walked to the entrance of the kitchen, leaning against the door frame.

Yu Qiu sat on the piano bench, with his long legs folded, his fingers wandering among the black and white keys. The curve of his back was beautiful, and he lowered his eyes, suddenly glancing over and smiling at Xuan Yan from afar.

The tune he played was especially familiar, and Xuan Yan listened for a few seconds before realizing it was one of the songs from his new album.

Xuan Yan smiled as well.

He walked over and sat on a nearby chair.

Moonlight shone on Yu Qiu’s eyelashes, and the colors around them seemed to rapidly fade away. Each note turned into fine white silk, gently entangling his heart. Amidst the sound of drumbeats and piano, he could clearly hear Aphrodite’s singing in his ear. Suddenly, he looked up, directly meeting Yu Qiu’s smiling eyes.

He saw a surge of emotion break through the barrier, ruthlessly destroying his composure.