In a milk tea shop
"Eh? So you're here in Jiang City for a trip, big brother?"
Su Bailian crossed her hands, her eyes sparkling with delight as she looked at the slightly nervous Wang Yun beside her.
"That's such a coincidence! Lianlian is from Jiang City, and I can show you around!"
Wang Yun felt a bit awkward and shy.
Su Bailian's smile was simply too enchanting, like sunlight dancing on a lake, sending ripples through his heart.
Sss...
Wang Yun swallowed hard.
Why did he suddenly feel so nervous?
"Really? That... that's so kind of you, Lianlian..."
Wang Yun stammered, his voice faltering under Su Bailian's gaze.
His eyes wandered between Su Bailian's face and her waterfall-like long hair.
Deep down, he wondered how there could be a girl so similar to Yiyi.
And...
Was it just his imagination, or did he feel more at ease whenever he was with Lianlian?
Su Bailian noticed Wang Yun's gaze.
She gently brushed a strand of her hair, her face adorned with an innocent smile, her eyes shimmering with tenderness.
She leaned slightly forward, her hands resting lightly on the table, her posture natural as if intentionally closing the distance between them.
Her voice, soft like a spring breeze, sweetly said, "Since you call me Lianlian, can I call you..."
"Hmm..."
She thought for a moment, then smiled. "Big Brother Yun, okay?"
Big Brother Yun??
Wang Yun's eyes widened, and he instinctively clutched his chest.
He suddenly realized that even Yiyi only called him... Brother Wang Yun.
This...
"Sure... sure..."
"Yay, that's great!"
Su Bailian's eyes sparkled like stars, carrying a hint of mischief and playfulness that was almost irresistible.
Wang Yun's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but ask, "Why is it great?"
"Because..."
Su Bailian blinked playfully, her lips curving into a smile. "Lianlian has always wanted an older brother, and now it's finally come true."
"And... it's someone as wonderful as you, Big Brother Yun."
"Earlier, you were the only one who helped Lianlian."
"..."
"I... I'm not that great..."
Wang Yun murmured softly, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks.
Deep down, he felt glad that he had helped Lianlian earlier. This interaction made him feel as if he were in a dream.
His mind was in a daze.
"No! Big Brother Yun is amazing!"
Su Bailian emphasized, then stood up and said, "To thank you, let me treat you to milk tea! What flavor do you like?"
Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of coquettishness.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, Su Bailian seemed to notice the milk tea in Wang Yun's hand.
Her expression froze, and her eyes trembled slightly.
She then sat back down in silence.
"I... I'm fine with anything."
Wang Yun lowered his head, overwhelmed by Su Bailian's charm.
But after a while, he noticed she hadn't responded.
He looked up and met Su Bailian's dejected gaze.
Thud!
His heart inexplicably tightened, and he panicked, fumbling for words. "Lianlian, what's... what's wrong?"
Was it because he said he was fine with anything, making Lianlian feel awkward?
Or... had he said something wrong?
"It's nothing... just..."
Su Bailian didn't finish her sentence, but her gaze lingered on the cup of vanilla milk tea with melting ice cubes sitting at the corner of the table.
Wang Yun followed her gaze and felt a pang of guilt. He instinctively reached out to cover the cup. "This..."
Su Bailian pursed her lips, her eyes watery, and said in a disappointed tone, "This must be for your girlfriend, right?"
"Lianlian overstepped. I'm sorry."
She sighed softly, her face showing a hint of sadness, like a petal scattered by the wind, making Wang Yun's heart ache.
She gently brushed her hair, revealing her delicate ear, as if unintentionally showcasing her vulnerability and innocence.
"No, Lianlian, that milk tea is for me."
Wang Yun hurriedly explained, his fingers trembling slightly, afraid she might misunderstand.
A sense of guilt washed over him.
Huh?
Guilt?
Wang Yun was momentarily stunned.
What was he saying? Why was he explaining about the milk tea? Why did he feel guilty?
How did this happen...
The person I like... shouldn't it be Yiyi?
"Really?"
Hearing this, Su Bailian looked up, her eyes glimmering with a hint of hope.
It seemed she was seeking his sincerity.
Gulp.
Wang Yun was pulled back to reality by Su Bailian's voice.
He looked at Lianlian, whose eyes now seemed to shine with color.
Without thinking, he said, "Of... of course it's true."
As soon as he spoke, he felt a pang of regret for betraying Yiyi, but it was quickly overshadowed by the joy in Su Bailian's eyes.
"That's great!"
"You know what? Lianlian has loved this milk tea shop since I was little. Their milk tea is amazing!"
"When I was young, my father and mother used to bring me here..."
As she spoke, Lianlian's smile gradually faded, and her eyes began to glisten with tears.
Wang Yun was startled and quickly asked, "Lianlian, what's wrong?"
As soon as he finished speaking...
Drip, drip, drip!
Su Bailian's tears began to fall, her voice choked with emotion. "It's nothing... I just suddenly remembered..."
"After my mother passed away... Lianlian hasn't been here with anyone else for a long time."
"Phew..."
Su Bailian took a deep breath, wiped her tears, and forced a smile as she looked at the stunned Wang Yun.
"Since Big Brother Yun is fine with anything, Lianlian will order the recommended one for you."
Without waiting for his response, she walked straight to the counter to order the milk tea.
Of course, her expression instantly shifted. She pulled out her phone and whispered to the cashier, who was already used to this, "Use the group discount coupon."
The cashier: "..."
This was the fifth time this month he had heard a brand-new story.
He always said working in the city was interesting...
Meanwhile, Wang Yun was left dumbfounded, watching Su Bailian take the initiative to order and pay for the milk tea.
His emotions were in turmoil.
No one knew...
He had no parents, and this was the first time, aside from being with Yiyi, that he had been to a milk tea shop with someone else.
And it was also the first time someone else had paid.
After a while, the two left the milk tea shop.
As they walked, they chatted about this and that.
"Big Brother Yun."
Su Bailian looked at Wang Yun mysteriously.
Her gaze made him feel shy.
He scratched the back of his head. "What is it?"
"Since you're Lianlian's first friend..."
"Big Brother Yun, Lianlian wants to give you something."
Su Bailian said, pulling out a small dog keychain from her pocket and placing it in Wang Yun's palm.
Wang Yun's face turned red. Su Bailian's hand was small, and it felt soft to the touch.
He looked at the keychain in his hand and asked curiously, "This is..."
Su Bailian shook her head, smiling sweetly at Wang Yun. "Lianlian made it herself."
"I hope Big Brother Yun won't dislike it."
"Well, since we're done here, Lianlian should head home now."
"Big Brother Yun, you go ahead."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yun suddenly felt a wave of reluctance.
But...
There was nothing between him and Su Bailian, and they had already exchanged contact information.
Besides, Yiyi was probably waiting for him.
So...
He clenched the keychain and nodded. "Okay, see you next time."
With that, he picked up the now lukewarm vanilla milk tea and headed toward the elevator.
But...
One step, two steps, three steps.
As if timing it deliberately...
Just as Wang Yun turned around after entering the elevator...
He froze.
There, Su Bailian was still standing, waving goodbye to him.
She shouted, "Big Brother Yun!"
"Next time, Lianlian will treat you to milk tea again!"
"Be happy every day, okay?!"
Whoosh—!
The elevator doors closed.
In that instant...
Sss!!!
Thump!! Thump!!
Wang Yun stood frozen in place, his pupils trembling, his heart pounding like thunder, and his breath coming in short, rapid gasps.
He clutched the small dog keychain tightly in his hand.
A surge of inexplicable emotions welled up in his chest.
The image of Yiyi in his mind gradually faded away... replaced only by the figure of Su Bailian.
Lian Lian...
So adorable...
......
......
As the elevator ascended, Su Bailian's playful smirk gradually softened. She snapped her fingers, holding a 1-yuan shopping list between her fingertips, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Little tycoon!"
"Gotcha!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, a familiar voice chimed in from behind.
"What did you get?"
Su Bailian: ???
That voice...
Su Bailian turned her head.
When she saw Qin Luo and Su Muwan, who was munching on cotton candy while giving her a strange look, she was stunned.
No way!
How did I run into these two troublemakers here of all places?!