Chapter 4

So the two people he met that morning were Song Ruichi and his friend.

What a coincidence, such an incredible coincidence.

As Xu Er ate his entire bowl of noodles, he kept recalling the details of the sunrise from that morning.

When did he notice someone behind him? It seemed it wasn’t only when he was leaving. Now, thinking back carefully, at some moment while he was watching the sunrise, in the unnoticed corner of his vision, there seemed to be fleeting shadows of a black figure.

Moreover, when he drove out of the mountain parking lot, he vaguely saw that same figure inside a black SUV.

It was all Song Ruichi.

Then he remembered that brief word: “Can’t.”

He began matching those two words with the tones of “What’s wrong?”, “Something’s up,” and “Do you want it?”—to see how closely the sounds aligned.

They were somewhat similar, but also slightly different.

Perhaps he was a bit tired that morning, so that “Can’t” sounded heavy and hoarse.

The words spoken in the afternoon were different—clearly clearer, with a slightly higher tone, much more friendly.

So Xu Er was right; a pleasant voice indeed matched a handsome face.

It was like stumbling upon a question and deducing the answer through common sense, and suddenly a dry matchstick in his heart burst into flame, flickering wildly. After this thorough analysis, Xu Er proudly cleared away his finished noodles.

After throwing out the trash and sitting back down, Xu Er absentmindedly flipped through his phone and started daydreaming again. He glanced at the balcony—plants already watered—and then at the clock on the wall: 8:30.

His phone screen stopped on the social media feed. Since that was the case, Xu Er scrolled down and found the post where Song Ruichi had asked, “Is that you?”

Looking at it, Xu Er inexplicably smiled.

But soon he wondered why Song Ruichi hadn’t replied.

His smile froze.

Could it be that Song Ruichi wasn’t actually asking him?

But if not him, then who? The photo was obviously of him.

Maybe he was just too casual? He had added an exclamation mark.

That made some sense—just recently acquainted, was such enthusiasm necessary?

Of course, Xu Er was only thinking aloud; he wasn’t troubled by it. Unable to find an answer, he simply exited the page.

But he didn’t go far—he clicked into Song Ruichi’s profile again, and this time noticed the signature beneath his avatar:

“Just So-So.”

Xu Er laughed again, not sure which laugh of the evening this was.

He even spoke aloud: “Just me.”

At home, Xu Er’s nickname was Xiao Er, and some people called him Xu Er’er.

Of course, Song Ruichi wouldn’t know that.

Above the signature was Song Ruichi’s profile background—a photo taken from a balcony view of the sky, full of poetic charm. In the upper left corner, a faint rainbow arched gently; in the lower right, a barely noticeable corner of a table and a wine glass.

At that moment, all the compliments Xu Chen had said about Song Ruichi flooded Xu Er’s mind.

I admit he is indeed a bit more handsome than me, quite tasteful, really tall—must be about 1.9 meters—and with a good figure and long legs. I do have good taste.

And that rainbow—what a coincidence.

Xu Er’s own profile background was also a rainbow, a photo he took himself near the May Day holiday this year.

Shortly after seeing the rainbow that day, he managed to snatch a ticket he had been waiting for, so it felt almost mystical—a symbol of his good luck—and he used it as his profile background.

Since that was the case, Xu Er decided to give a like to this tasteful artist’s profile background as well.

Outside, the rain had finally stopped. It had been drizzling on and off almost all day. Opening the window now, he immediately smelled the fresh scent of post-rain air.

Xu Er lived close to the company but not near the city center. The bustling heart of A City lay within five kilometers, brightly lit and lively, while his place was just beyond that circle, where the view showed the glittering nightlife in the distance but the immediate surroundings felt cold and quiet.

Since things were so dull, well—

Half an hour later, Xu Er’s footsteps were already on the street opposite his residential complex.

He was walking into the five-kilometer city center.

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Connected to the lively area was a river. The weather was perfect, and it was a proper weekend. Many people were strolling by the riverbank, and numerous small food stalls were set up.

Having just eaten, Xu Er only passed by without buying anything, though he marked a stall selling candied hawthorns and decided to return later for a stick of sticky rice-coated hawthorn candy.

A few minutes later, he reached a fork in the road. Ahead was still the riverside, with a bridge to the left and an unremarkable street to the right.

Xu Er let the traffic lights decide. When he arrived at the intersection, the pedestrian signal across the street turned green, so he stepped onto the crosswalk and continued walking along the river.

Just like that, Xu Er randomly entered the next street.

This riverside path was no longer bustling like the last; the food stalls had vanished, and the crowd had shifted from a broad age range to almost exclusively young people.

The reason was obvious—this was the bar district.

Xu Er rarely came here. His entertainment never involved alcohol, and company social events didn’t require his attendance.

He only planned to pass through, but soon, a brightly colored sign caught his eye.

It was a newly opened shop holding a grand opening sale, with the top five large characters boldly declaring: “If You Dare, Come On In.”

Who could pass by without stopping to check that out? Xu Er was immediately hooked.

The board was densely packed with promotional activities listed one after another, roughly stating that if you could finish the drinks the shop provided within half an hour, without sleeping, vomiting, leaving for the restroom, or passing out, the bill would be waived and a small gift given.

However, the basic condition was that there must be at least two people.

“Wanna play?”

Xu Er bent down, examining the list of drinks being offered. Suddenly a voice drifted by his ear.

Turning his head, he was momentarily stunned.

“Song Ruichi.”

Xu Er straightened up. “You’re here,” he paused, “what a coincidence.”

Song Ruichi smiled at Xu Er. “Yes, a coincidence.”

Xu Er lifted his gaze slightly and smiled back.

At that moment, he felt the 1.9 meters that Xu Chen had mentioned.

Xu Er’s height was consistently measured at a precise 1.8 meters, and in daily life, he rarely needed to look up to anyone.

At the bar counter stood not only the two of them but also four or five others who had gathered to read the rules, which meant their distance was closer than usual social space.

Song Ruichi wore a white sweater and loose brown trousers.

And so, Xu Er could quite literally see why his legs were described as very long.

“How come you’re here?” Song Ruichi asked.

Xu Er smiled.

That question had almost slipped out of Xu Er’s mouth earlier but was swallowed back.

He was quick to think but often his mind outran his mouth—he’d instinctively blurt something out, only for his brain to immediately signal it was inappropriate, unnecessary, or none of his business, leaving the words only half spoken.

“What’s so funny?” Song Ruichi added before Xu Er could answer.

Xu Er shook his head. “Nothing,” he said. “Just out for a walk.”

Song Ruichi asked, “Do you live nearby?”

Xu Er glanced toward his residential complex. “Over there.”

“And you?” Xu Er now felt less bold asking. “Why are you here too?”

Song Ruichi said, “To play,” then quickly asked again, “Wanna play?”

Xu Er pointed at the board. “This?”

Song Ruichi nodded.

“But I’m alone,” Xu Er said.

Song Ruichi replied, “You’re two.”

Xu Er’s eyes curved into a smile. “You mean you?”

Song Ruichi tilted his head slightly as if lightly teasing, “Can I be?”

Xu Er’s smile deepened. “Of course you can.”

Song Ruichi took a half step back, clearing the way into the bar. “Shall we go?”

Xu Er: “Let’s go!”

Actually, Xu Er wasn’t very interested in the challenge itself, but he loved these kinds of coincidental connections, and today’s coincidences with Song Ruichi had been too many. He found himself very willing and happy to walk side by side with him.

Especially the moment their right legs stepped into the bar simultaneously—his joy soared to its peak.

But shortly inside, Xu Er realized Song Ruichi wasn’t alone.

At the middle table, there were about five or six people waving toward them.

Xu Er then realized—of course, why would Song Ruichi come to a bar alone, unless he had two worries on his mind.

Ha, he must be joking.

Song Ruichi waved back, and at that moment, Xu Er’s stride faltered slightly.

So Xu Er began convincing himself that sitting with Song Ruichi’s friends was fine; after all, he had eaten with strangers before.

Taking hurried steps, Xu Er finally persuaded himself, but Song Ruichi suddenly tugged him back.

A firm pull, almost yanking him.

“Sit here.” Song Ruichi stood by a small round table.

Xu Er hesitated, glancing toward Song Ruichi’s friends.

Song Ruichi seemed to anticipate the question. “Ignore them.”

Xu Er gave an “Oh” sound.

But after thinking it over, he still didn’t sit down. Instead, he said, “I can sit over there.”

Song Ruichi sat down, losing his height advantage and having to tilt his head up considerably to look at Xu Er.

“What’s wrong?” Song Ruichi asked directly.

The question was so apt.

Xu Er glanced again toward the friends. “You’re not really with them?”

Song Ruichi: “I don’t know them.”

Xu Er: “Huh?”

Song Ruichi pulled the chair next to Xu Er’s out a bit. “Sit first.”

Xu Er sank down, puzzled. “You don’t know them?”

Song Ruichi suddenly laughed. “I do.”

Xu Er: “What do you mean?”

Song Ruichi asked, “How’s your drinking capacity?”

Xu Er thought a moment, then shook his head. “Don’t know.”

Song Ruichi seemed to analyze his answer. “Do you usually drink?”

Xu Er shook his head again. “No.”

At that moment, a voice came from Song Ruichi’s friends’ table: “Song, what do you mean by this?”

Xu Er had his back to them and felt inexplicably guilty.

But Song Ruichi seemed not to hear them and said, “You drink whatever you want, the rest’s on me.”

Xu Er pursed his lips and glanced at the large table. “How about…”

Song Ruichi cut him off. “The two-person gift is a small bear.”

Xu Er was momentarily stunned but then smiled. “Sounds like you think I’d be tempted by a teddy bear.”

Song Ruichi said, “I would be.”

Xu Er looked incredulous. “You like teddy bears?”