Chapter 8 – Colour and Fragrance
Novel Title: 一屋暗灯 (Ephemeral Light)
Author：麦香鸡呢 (McChicken)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 宋谨 (Song Jin -MC), 宋星阑 (Song Xinglan -ML)
*Please read at sin.Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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During the summer holidays, when he had free time, Song Jin would help out at a dessert shop run by a university classmate. This classmate was reportedly not interested in his major at all and felt that starting a business was more appealing. So, he took his family’s money and invested in opening shops everywhere. As long as it was related to food, he was eager to investigate.
The desserts in the shop were made by Tang Min, a student from the broadcasting department of another local university. Song Jin was in charge of the cash register. And when it got busy, he also helped with packaging and serving the desserts.
Even though he worked in a dessert shop, Song Jin had no interest in desserts. He didn’t like sweet things.
When he was eight years old, on his birthday, Song Xiangping ordered a cake for him.
That day, Song Jin was brought home by a neighbour’s grandmother because his mother was still at work. When he arrived home, there was a delivery man at the door with a dessert delivery for Song Jin.
It was an exquisite Little Prince cake. Song Jin remembered being very happy at the time and asked the delivery man, “Is it from my dad?”
The delivery man smiled and said, “I don’t know. You can ask your dad.”
Song Jin didn’t say anything else. He hadn’t seen Song Xiangping for a year and didn’t even dare to mention him because his mother didn’t want to hear that name.
But that day was Song Jin’s birthday. Receiving that cake was the most surprising thing that happened to him all day.
Perhaps it was the most surprising thing all year.
He carried the cake home and even told the neighbour’s grandmother that he would bring her some cake in the evening.
Song Jin unwrapped the cake and carefully placed the candles on it. He didn’t light them with the lighter because he thought it was too dangerous. He decided to wait for his mother to come home before lighting the candles.
He stared at the Little Prince on the cake for a long time. His eyes were filled with a sparkling light. Just like every previous birthday, feeling as if he had everything.
When his mother came home, Song Jin had already fallen asleep on the table. Hearing the door open, he suddenly opened his eyes and quickly ran to the door, saying, “Mama, you’re back.”
His mother’s face showed obvious signs of fatigue. But she quickly caught the scent of cream in the small room, clearly distinguishing it from the cold and stale smells of the house, standing out starkly.
She asked, “Who bought you the cake?”
Song Jin said, “It was Baba.”
The memories that followed were like a whirlwind, sweeping away all of Song Jin’s joy and anticipation.
The cake was smashed to the ground. And the Little Prince on the cake turned into a muddy mess. The strong and thick scent of cream filled the air. Song Jin stood in the corner, listening to his mother cry as she scolded him for being useless.
“I work myself to the bone out there. And you’re willing to give up our dignity over a cake?!”
To this day, Song Jin still couldn’t understand what connection a cake had with dignity in the mind of an eight-year-old child.
But at that time, he remained silent, not crying or making any noise. Later, when his mother had exhausted herself from scolding and sat on the sofa, holding her head and sobbing softly, Song Jin picked up the trash can and used his hands to scoop the cake from the floor and throw it away.
His mother, with red eyes, only looked up at him.
Song Jin looked at his cream-covered hands and brought them to his mouth. He licked them.
Then he looked up at his mother and said, “Mama, it doesn’t taste good. The cake is bitter.”
His mother choked up again, covering her eyes to hide the tears as she said, “I’m sorry, Jin.”
Song Jin didn’t say anything. He went to wash his hands, then took a cloth and cleaned the floor.
He never wanted to eat cake again. The cream that had tasted bitter once in his childhood made any enticing dessert afterward unable to arouse any desire in him.
For Song Jin, cake was like a conditioned reflex. When he was most expectant and joyful, a cold splash of water hit him, directly causing him to reject and fear the thing that once made him happy. He never wanted to face it again.
The next time Song Jin tasted that feeling was with Song Xinglan and the birthday gift.
When Song Xinglan accepted the gift and handed the paper bag to Song Jin, Song Jin admitted he was very, very happy at that moment.
So, when he saw the pile of shredded fabric and the enlarged printed photo, Song Jin, in a daze, recalled the lesson his mother taught him more than ten years ago.
Cake, gifts—these things that originally symbolised happiness—were cruelly redefined by Song Jin’s blood relatives. One by his mother. The other by his brother. They placed them within the realm of fear, such that whenever Song Jin felt a sense of happiness, he instinctively suspected that some kind of blow would follow.
Whether it’s a phobia, a stress disorder, or a self-defence mechanism, people instinctively seek ways to feel a bit better. Even if those ways aren’t scientific or clever.
Song Jin would rather live forever under dim lights, never seeing or touching anything good rather than watching sorrow arrive while surrounded by splendour.
Others chase the light. But Song Jin only wants to stay in the dark.
Because he couldn’t afford to provoke the brightness. But at least, he could hide from the light.
***
The day is Saturday, the weather is exceptionally good, and the manager is not around. The dessert shop only has Song Jin and Tang Min currently working. Tang Min is a year younger than Song Jin and has already passed the assistant pastry chef certification exam. His dream is to become a certified pastry chef before graduating.
Tang Min is handsome and has a well-trained, melodious voice. It was the hallmark of a broadcasting student. His voice is incredibly clear and pleasant to listen to, which attracts many customers. They come to the shop to eat and sneak glances at him making desserts. Even the elusive manager jokes that the dessert shop should be renamed ‘Colour and Fragrance’.
He put his arm around Song Jin’s shoulder and teased, “Pretty guy, you’re the ‘colour’. And Tang Min is the ‘fragrance.’ One looks good while the other smells great.”
Song Jin usually just glanced at him. The manager would immediately drop his playful smile and get serious about his work.
The door was pushed open and the welcoming bell rang crisply. Song Jin looked up from the cash register and habitually said, “Welcome.”
His tone faltered slightly as he spoke. The boy who entered with his girlfriend looked at him unsurprisingly, then lifted his eyes to the dessert menu above.
After a brief moment of surprise, Song Jin looked back at the cash register screen but found that he couldn’t recognize a single word. Even the familiar buttons seemed foreign and he didn’t know where to start.
The wound on his lip had only healed a few days ago. Injuries in that area always heal particularly slowly. Eating salty foods would cause a stinging pain and the wound would keep reopening and healing again. Song Jin had a habit of biting his lip, often unknowingly reopening the wound, only realising it when he tasted blood.
Only upon this realisation did he remember that the wound was inflicted by his own brother, Song Xinglan, biting him. It was a deeply humiliating and ironic injury.
And now, Song Xinglan was standing right in front of him with his arm around a beautiful girl. The two looked perfectly matched, exuding the unique, vibrant aura of high school students. They were eye-catching and outstanding.
“Hello, may I take your order?” Song Jin asked as his gaze brushed past Song Xinglan to look at the girl.
“Wait a moment, let me think.” The girl nudged Song Xinglan’s waist with her elbow. “What are you going to eat? I can’t decide.”
Song Xinglan replied indifferently, “Whatever. I’ll have whatever you like.”
“Then, one mango pancake and two macarons.” After ordering, the girl looked up with a smile. She asked Song Xinglan, “If I can’t finish it, will you help me eat it?”
“Sure,” Song Xinglan lazily agreed.
Song Jin lowered his head to input the order. He almost pressed the wrong button several times. Finally, he glanced at the total and said, “That will be 63 yuan. Will you be paying with Alipay or WeChat?”
“WeChat,” Song Xinglan said.
“Alright, please scan here.” Song Jin gestured with his palm to indicate the location of the scanner. “Please wait a moment. Will it be for takeaway or…”
“Here. We’ll have it here,” Song Xinglan interrupted.
Song Jin’s fleeting hope that they would leave quickly vanished. He replied dryly, “Okay.”
He didn’t look at Song Xinglan at all. After printing the receipt, he turned and walked to where Tang Min was behind the glass partition, stirring cream. “One mango pancake and two macarons.”
Tang Min said, “For the macarons, just pick them up. We’re out of mango pancakes; we’re making more. Ask the customers to wait a bit.”
Song Jin then left the work area, picked up two macarons from the cabinet, and placed them on the counter. “I’m sorry, the mango pancakes are being made and may take a little longer. Here are the macarons. You can find a seat first and I’ll bring them to you shortly.”
Just as the girl was about to say something after taking the macarons, Song Xinglan spoke up.
“Don’t you know how to look at people when you talk?” His voice was neither loud nor soft. But it was very clear. With his naturally low voice and the indifferent tone of his question, he sounded cold, making Song Jin feel uneasy.
The girl seemed stunned. “Xinglan, what are you doing…”
“Nothing.” Song Xinglan looked at Song Jin and said, “He looks like he’s done something wrong. I’m just curious.”
Song Jin felt like throwing the whole container of straws at Song Xinglan’s face. But it wasn’t the right time or place for a confrontation. Besides, he knew he wouldn’t come out on top in a confrontation with a lunatic; he’d only end up worse off.
“Sorry.” Song Jin finally looked up at Song Xinglan. “Is there anything else you need?”
Feeling a weight on his shoulder, Tang Min stood behind Song Jin with one hand on his shoulder and the other pushing the mango pancake to the counter. “The rush order for the mango pancake is ready. Enjoy.”
Song Jin turned to look. Tang Min was smiling at Song Xinglan. Even though he was helping to defuse the situation, his expression showed neither flattery nor false politeness. It was honest and direct, displaying a generous and confident attitude.
Song Xinglan stared at him expressionlessly for two seconds before saying, “For takeaway.”
“What…” The girl complained, “You said we were eating here earlier. Now it’s takeaway?”
“You can eat here by yourself,” Song Xinglan looked down at her without any change of tone in his voice, “or we can take it away.”
After he finished speaking, he withdrew his hand from the girl’s embrace and walked out the door.
The girl watched his back for a moment, feeling a bit annoyed. She turned around and said unhappily, “Can you help me pack it up?”
Song Jin nodded and quickly packed the dessert. He then handed it to her.
“Do you know him?” Tang Min asked Song Jin after the person left.
“I don’t know him,” Song Jin said.
“High school students who haven’t grown up yet, their temper isn’t great,” Tang Min said. “Don’t take it to heart.”
“None taken.”
In fact, Song Jin wanted to say that this was already the best temper Song Xinglan had ever shown.
But if Song Jin knew what Song Xinglan’s mercy this time meant, he would definitely have hidden in the workroom when Song Xinglan stepped into the dessert shop that day, avoiding any possibility of meeting or talking with him.
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*Translator’s Note: Yeah. SXL must’ve known all of SJ’s whereabouts, right??? SXL will go crazy soon. *Sighs*… -K
*GLOSSARY:
- Alipay is a mobile payment platform developed by the Chinese company Alibaba Group. It’s widely used in China for a variety of transactions. Here’s a breakdown of what Alipay offers:
-Payment Services: Users can link their bank accounts or credit cards to Alipay and use it to pay for goods and services both online and in physical stores.
-QR Code Payments: Alipay utilises QR codes for transactions. Merchants display a QR code, and customers scan it using the Alipay app to complete the payment.
-Money Transfers: Users can transfer money to each other instantly, similar to Venmo or PayPal.
-Bill Payments: Alipay can be used to pay utility bills, credit card bills, and more.
-Investment Services: The platform also offers financial services like investing in money market funds through Yu’e Bao.
-International Use: Alipay is accepted by many international merchants, making it convenient for Chinese travellers abroad.
- WeChat Pay is integrated into the WeChat app, which is a multipurpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by Tencent. Here’s what WeChat Pay includes:
-In-App Payments: Since WeChat is a widely used social media and messaging platform, WeChat Pay allows users to make payments directly within the app.
-QR Code Payments: Similar to Alipay, WeChat Pay uses QR codes for transactions. Users scan a merchant’s QR code or let the merchant scan their QR code to complete payments.
-Red Packets: WeChat Pay has a popular feature called “Red Packets” (红包, hóngbāo), where users can send small amounts of money as gifts during festivals and special occasions.
-Money Transfers: Users can easily transfer money to friends and family through the app.
-Bill Payments: WeChat Pay can be used for various bill payments, such as utilities and mobile phone bills.
-In-App Purchases: Many services within WeChat, such as booking a taxi, ordering food, and buying movie tickets, can be paid for using WeChat Pay.
Next update: 2024.07.04
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