Ding Sha did not expect that Hu Zhilin would come again the next day.
This time he looked very different.
The colors of his tie and suit did not match, his hair was messy on his forehead, not carefully styled as usual, and his customary calm and composure was nowhere to be seen.
There was even some blue stubble on his chin that hadn't been cleanly shaved.
After he came in, he hurriedly found Ding Sha, “May I ask if there was a man wearing a brown coat, about five foot eight, very good-looking who came by yesterday?”
Ding Sha immediately thought of Lin Jiayu and became somewhat wary, “Why are you asking about this?”
“It looks like he did come by......He came by......” Hu Zhilin had an expression that was both crying and laughing, looking somewhat distraught.
“If he comes again, can you please call me?”
Hu Zhilin earnestly pleaded.
Ding Sha felt bewildered, what did Hu Zhilin want with Lin Jiayu?
She asked this, but Hu Zhilin showed difficulty in answering and did not say anything.
Just then, she heard Lin Jiayu’s voice sound from behind her, “No need to call you, I’m right here.”
Hu Zhilin almost immediately turned around. When he saw Lin Jiayu, he had a very strange expression.
It seemed to be relief, and also pain.
"You came."
Lin Jiayu found a place to sit down without answering him, but smiled and said to Ding Sha, "Excuse me, can we get two cups of that milk from yesterday. We might need to borrow your place to talk about some things."
Ding Sha smiled and nodded, then pulled Gong Sister-in-law back into the kitchen.
"Jiayu ......" Hu Zhilin was eager to speak but did not know what to say, and could only stop there.
"How long have we known each other?" Lin Jiayu said lightly.
"Fifteen years." Hu Zhilin reflexively answered.
"Fifteen years... it's almost half my life..." Lin Jiayu lowered his head, "Too long..."
"I'm sorry......" Hu Zhilin looked ashamed.
"You really should apologize, but whether to forgive or not has nothing to do with you," Lin Jiayu had a faint smile, "After all, in my opinion, what happened between you and Yu Zhu was truly disgusting."
Hu Zhilin looked even more ashamed.
He seemed flustered trying to explain, but gave up when the words were at his lips, “You’re right......”
"Are you going to talk to me about the supremacy of true love?" Lin Jiayu's fingers touched the slightly hot cup wall, "Don't do that, it makes me want to vomit."
"We've been classmates since high school, known each other for so many years, I never imagined you would do something like this, let alone that the other person would be Yu Zhu."
"I'm a little curious," Lin Jiayu suddenly laughed, "Who made the first move, you or Yu Zhu? Can I know?"
"It was me......" Hu Zhilin said.
"It was within my expectations," Lin Jiayu said, "In fact, who made the first move isn't really important, because I know you would say it was you no matter what."
"Getting this kind of answer doesn't surprise me, and also proves you haven't become too much of a stranger."
All of Lin Jiayu's grief and distress seemed to have already been digested yesterday. He wore a decent coat with an aloof expression, unlike someone who had been betrayed.
Hu Zhilin's expression was flustered and upset. Ding Sha felt it was somewhat funny seeing this.
Why would the person who made the mistake have such a look of being wronged?
It was ridiculous.
"Does Yu Zhu know you came over?"
Hu Zhilin shook his head.
"Zhilin, let's not contact each other anymore in the future." Lin Jiayu said.
"I hope to never have a trace of you in the places I am."
"...Okay." Hu Zhilin was silent for a while before agreeing.
"As for Yu Zhu, I will contact her myself," said Lin Jiayu lowering his eyes, "There's one thing that is a bit excessive, but I still want to bring up. I really like this shop and will come often. You..."
"I understand..." Hu Zhilin interrupted him hurriedly, "After I finish this interview, I won't come again..."
"Thank you." Lin Jiayu gave a faint smile.
Hu Zhilin sat on the stool, fingers clenched tightly together, as if wanting to say something.
"Jiayu......I......" Hu Zhilin struggled to speak, "I didn't mean... to hurt you...."
"But I saw you and Yu Zhu together." Lin Jiayu interrupted him. "I think there is no doubt about this matter. What else do you want to argue?"
"I'm not..."
As an editor able to work literary magic with his writing, Hu Zhilin found that he was now clumsy and unable to express what he wanted at this moment.
His usually straight back also hunched over.
Lin Jiayu was very calm. "Don't blame me for being heartless."
"No no no...it was my mistake..." Hu Zhilin shook his head.
"Then that's it." Lin Jiayu stopped talking.
Hu Zhilin raised his head to look at him several times, wanting to say something but always swallowing it back down in the end.
"......Goodbye."
In the end, all he could say was goodbye.
Lin Jiayu lowered his head, lost in thought, and did not answer.
Ding Sha was busy in the kitchen. She entrusted Ping'an to Gong Sister-in-law and went into the kitchen herself.
She wanted to make a small dessert for Lin Jiayu.
She took out two fresh hen eggs and separated the egg whites, mixing them into the fresh milk that had just been delivered today. Then she strained it twice with a sieve.
This would give it a finer and smoother texture.
Next, she sprinkled in some white sugar and lemon juice and stirred evenly. She then sealed it with plastic wrap and steamed it over low heat for fifteen minutes.
After steaming, she took it out and drizzled some honey over it, grabbing a handful of dried osmanthus to sprinkle in.
She put it back into the pot to stew for another three minutes or so.
A very simple dessert, honey osmanthus egg milk custard, was done.
Ding Sha carefully took it out after letting it cool down a little and brought it out.
Lin Jiayu still sat there motionless, seeming to be lost in thought.
The sound of the porcelain bowl hitting the table woke him up. Smelling the sweet aroma in the air, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Ding Sha was gentle. "Thank you."
Ding Sha smiled. "Try it?"
Lin Jiayu did not reject her kindness and ate a small spoonful.
It was sweet and smooth on the tongue, sweet but not cloying, melting instantly in the mouth without any fishy taste of milk or eggs.
"It's very delicious." Lin Jiayu said softly.
He did not raise his head, but Ding Sha could see tears falling one by one into the bowl.
She was at a loss for what to do for a moment.
Lin Jiayu wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. The smile at the corner of his mouth finally disappeared. He sat up straight, the sorrow and grief were clear in his eyes as he looked at Ding Sha.
"I'm very sorry, but would you like to hear my story?"
No one could refuse eyes like these.
So Ding Sha sat down and solemnly said, "Yes."
She said she would not tell anyone.
Lin Jiayu thought for a long time, "Where should I start?"
"Let's start fifteen years ago. At that time, Hu Zhilin and I were high school classmates and deskmates. We were young and carefree."
"Our parents also knew each other. We grew up together almost like childhood sweethearts. My parents were busy with work, so he would often stay at my house, and also got used to taking care of me. But around that time, none of us expected..."
"That Zhilin and I would get together."
