“Do you have time this weekend to help me pick out some new glasses?”
“?”
“You have the best taste of anyone I know.”
“Dear brother, you know I’d do anything for you, but I’m buried under a mountain of official duties and really can’t make it.”
“Okay.”
“Find whoever said your glasses were old-fashioned to go with you.”
“They’re probably working overtime too.”
“Reflect on why you’re the only one not working overtime. Go get ’em!”
After a brief meeting, Ai Siyuan returned to his private office. His phone vibrated for about a minute. He opened WeChat to find a string of photos of glasses—single displays, whole shelves, the works.
“Which ones look good?”
“Put some on and take a photo. How else can I tell?”
Taking selfies was not Liang Su’s forte, especially with the salesperson hovering persistently.
A few pictures came back circled in red.
“These few should suit you.”
Liang Su braced himself and told the salesperson, “I’d like to try on these models, thank you.”
He had never felt so embarrassed in his life, being picked over like a product. As for his old glasses, which had only seen a year of use and were still in perfect condition, they were temporarily sidelined.
“Here’s my business WeChat, in case you’re still planning to place that ad.”
“Okay.”
“I’m heading to your company later. Should I bring anything?”
“What for? You planning a parent-teacher meeting behind my back?”
“Business meeting.”
“Oh… scared me, you’re really placing an ad?”
“Yep.”
“Got any good food near you… oh! That popular pastry shop!”
“I’ll see, but if there’s a long line, I’ll pass.”
Standing in line at the end of the queue, Liang Su snapped a photo of the shop’s menu and sent it to two people. Liang Hui wanted one of everything, the other person was slower to reply.
“Want anything?”
“On a diet.”
“They have sugar-free options.”
“Doubt it.”
After an online meeting with a foreign company, Ai Siyuan grabbed a drink and rushed to another meeting room to join a discussion. The brief was delivered shortly after Liang Su left, with a first draft due in three days.
Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.
“God, what kind of divine client is this? Not only does the plan pass on the first try, but they even treat us to coffee every time they come to review.”
“It’s mostly because the plan passes on the first try.”
“Exactly! One and done, yeehaw!”
“Are you really satisfied with the proposal?”
“Yes.”
“I always keep business and personal separate.”
“Me too.”
“Good. How about dinner in a couple of days?”
“Which day? I’ll check my schedule.”
“August 22nd, Tuesday, Qixi Festival.”
Liang Su paused and, out of caution, opened his calendar to confirm.
“Okay, I’m free.”
The dinner reservation was for eight o’clock. At 7:50, they met at the underground parking elevator. They exchanged smiles.
Inside the elevator, just the two of them, Liang Su pressed the floor button.
“Not working late today?”
“Work’s never done.”
“Liang Hui said you never leave the office before nine.”
“You keep digging for info on me, she’ll catch on soon.”
“She won’t.”
“I don’t love my work that much,” Ai Siyuan laughed, admitting, “It’s just that there wasn’t anything more important than work before.”
Gradually, the elevator filled with more people, and they moved to the corner. As it rose and filled up, Ai Siyuan’s hand brushed against the leather watch strap, warm, then his palm became hot.
Liang Su breathed slowly, squeezing tighter. When the elevator reached the top floor and people dispersed, he wasn’t sure whether to let go.
Ai Siyuan stepped forward first, not letting go.
The waiter led them to a table by the window. After a few appetizers, the waiter brought over the menu.
Ai Siyuan picked the most efficient set meal, leaned back, and watched Liang Su still flipping through the menu, remarking, “Yeah, my taste is better.”
Liang Su coughed lightly, awkwardly adjusting his glasses.
“The watch looks good too,” Ai Siyuan added.
Liang Su awkwardly lowered his hands, stretching his cuffs, “Liang Hui gave it to me.”
Ai Siyuan couldn’t help but smile.
As they slowly enjoyed the main courses, the restaurant filled with the sound of a piano and applause—a man with a bunch of roses was proposing on one knee.
“Qixi, huh? Quite the day to choose. You only see this once a year.”
Liang Su glanced at him but didn’t respond.
“Qixi or Valentine’s Day?”
“Valentine’s Day.”
“Valentine’s Day or Christmas?”
“Christmas.”
“Christmas or New Year?”
“Christmas.”
“Christmas or a birthday?”
“Whose birthday?”
“Whomever you think of, that’s whose.”
Liang Su paused for two seconds, “Then, birthday. Mine.”
Ai Siyuan smiled silently.
“What about you?” Liang Su asked.
“For me…” Ai Siyuan said, “Valentine’s Day.”
They were served an exquisite dessert. Ai Siyuan held his fork, looked at it, then set it back on the napkin, pushing the plate towards Liang Su.
After savoring a bite of the delicate cheesecake, Liang Su remarked, “A little indulgence now and then doesn’t hurt.”
“Oh, I’ve saved my indulgence for something else today.”
“What?”
“Are you sure you don’t know?”
Liang Su’s face slowly turned red, and he focused on enjoying the dessert, both portions. Perhaps he was indulging a bit too much.
“Let’s get the bill,” Ai Siyuan called to the waiter.
Liang Su quickly interjected, “Let me get this one, you’ve paid the last few times.”
“This one can go on the company tab.”
“So can mine.”
As Ai Siyuan scanned a QR code to pay, he teased, “The company really lucked out having both of us.”
On the way down in the elevator, Liang Su extended his hand. Ai Siyuan turned to him, “Where did you park?”
“Quite far, I was worried about not finding a spot inside.”
“Mine is right next to the elevator,” Ai Siyuan said. “I’ll drop you at your car.”
“Okay.”
“So, your place or mine after this?”
“Either is fine.”
“Let me see…” Ai Siyuan typed into his phone, sending Liang Su his address, “check which is closer.”
Liang Su also typed his address into the chat, as an exchange.
Liang Su’s place was closer.
As they drove to the complex gate, Ai Siyuan received a call from Liang Su.
“Hello?”
“Wait for me to park up top, then you can take my spot.”
“Okay.”
“Or would it be more convenient for you to park up top?”
“Either works.”
“Don’t mimic how I talk.”
Ai Siyuan burst out laughing, watching the car lights ahead as Liang Su expertly reversed into the spot. Then Liang Su got out of his car and moved to the passenger side.
Liang Su’s home was just like him—transparent at a glance, bright, spacious, clean, and tidy, like a showroom at a real estate office. The bedroom was all in white, the sheets soft.
Clothes, a watch, glasses.
“Wait… wait a second.” In the throes of confusion, Ai Siyuan momentarily regained his senses, “I don’t have to give you a lesson in safety, right?”
“I have… I have some.” Liang Su blushed, fumbling through a drawer, squinting, and pulling out a small square, holding it up to Ai Siyuan, “Can this be used?”
“Are you flirting?”
“No, not at all, I can’t see.” Liang Su reached again for his glasses, “It’s the expiration date.”
“Stop fussing.” Ai Siyuan took it from him, “Let me see, 2019… it’s nearly expired.”
“Then I’ll run to the convenience store to get a new box.”
“Are you sure you can wait?”
“…”
At a decisive moment, Liang Su began to hesitate, “Do you… want to?”
“I don’t like being too gentlemanly in this respect.”
“Oh… I’ll try.”
