Li Zi’s exam went smoothly. The material on the paper consisted of knowledge points she had long since mastered. During the long wait before she could hand in her work, she began to feel a flicker of restlessness.
She had originally applied to Zhunnan University to get closer to the legendary professor, Xun Xin. Having worked abroad for years before being recruited back to China recently, he was a titan in the field of criminal psychology and the Dean of the School of Psychology at Zhunnan.
However, Xun Xin did not teach undergraduate courses; he only took on Master’s and Doctoral students.
Looking at her densely packed exam paper, Li Zi knew that what she was currently learning could not satisfy her needs.
What should she do to step onto her planned path more quickly?
“Fifteen minutes until the end of the exam. Students who have finished may turn in their papers.”
The proctoring teaching assistant let out a yawn and announced the time listlessly.
*No use wasting time,* Li Zi thought. She had many plans for today.
She raised her hand. “Teacher, I’m turning in my paper.”
She wasn’t surprised to find a message saying Li Zhenting was already waiting at the school gate. She stared at the chat box.
So, he was at "Hao Chi"?
She hadn't expected Li Zhenting to get along so well with the owner.
Li Zi walked briskly out of the school gates. Glancing to the left, she saw the man in a slim-fit black trench coat. Beneath the V-neck of his shirt, the contours of his full muscles were faintly visible. With his superior height and a cold, sharp aura, he stood with his hands in his pockets, turned slightly to chat with someone inside the shop.
As if sensing Li Zi’s gaze, he alertly turned his head. The moment he spotted her, his sharp aura softened. He smiled, waved at her, and walked over quickly.
Li Zi walked toward him as well. As soon as she reached him, she teased, “Dressed so lightly? Aren’t you afraid of the cold?”
The man’s face immediately darkened a few shades. He grumbled crossly, “Mind your own business.”
She reached out both hands to touch his bare neck. It was a bit chilly. “Why aren’t you wearing a scarf?”
“Forgot,” Li Zhenting said.
*Bullshit.* He clearly thought it would ruin his look.
Li Zi narrowed her eyes, staring at him skeptically. “Forgot?”
“Stop talking nonsense. Hurry up, let’s go eat. I’m starving.” Li Zhenting turned his head away, changing the subject.
“Fine. I booked a table at a restaurant downtown. Let’s go hail a cab.”
Li Zi had done her homework. Although she wasn't particularly passionate about gourmet food, she couldn't be too careless since she had decided to take her lover out.
Li Zhenting couldn't handle spicy food well and preferred Cantonese flavors, so she had chosen a well-rated place on a review app.
“You already booked a place? Then...” Li Zhenting hesitated.
“What’s wrong? Do you have other arrangements?” Li Zi asked, puzzled.
“Nothing. Let’s go.” Li Zhenting shook his head. He would eat at Li Qingliu’s place another time.
Today, he was more looking forward to what Li Zi would lead him to do.
***
The restaurant they had reserved online was located on the top floor of a shopping mall. Business was booming, and the entrance was crowded with waiting customers.
When they arrived, there were still about a dozen tables ahead of them. Li Zi made the call: “Let’s not wait here. Let’s go browse the lower floors.”
Li Zhenting naturally had no objections. Seeing several couples sitting in the waiting area whispering to each other, his hands curled slightly inside his coat pockets.
*Is this a date? This should be a date, right?*
He followed Li Zi down one floor. Right next to the escalator was a trendy milk tea shop. Li Zi noticed Li Zhenting’s slightly purple lips and felt a sense of helplessness. She took the initiative to say, “I’m a bit thirsty.”
Hearing this, Li Zhenting immediately grew anxious. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Didn’t you drink water during the exam? Should I go buy you a bottle of hot water?”
He made a move to look for a convenience store.
“Are you silly? There’s a milk tea shop right in front of us.” Li Zi pressed a hand to her forehead and pulled the fool inside.
“Welcome! What can I get for you two?” The server was a young girl who enthusiastically introduced their menu. “Our signature is the Boba Taro Milk Tea, and we also have the newly launched Chestnut Oat Milk...”
“One hot cocoa, and...” Li Zi looked at Li Zhenting, signaling for him to choose. Unfortunately, Li Zhenting wasn't a milk tea drinker and didn't understand all the varieties. He waved his hand.
“The same as yours is fine.”
“Two hot cocoas then, thank you.”
The young server was likely surprised to see people come into the shop just to order two plain hot cocoas, but she maintained her professional smile as she took the order. “Here is your receipt. Please wait a few minutes to the side.”
“Give me your hand.”
Li Zi led Li Zhenting to a table against the wall. She propped her head on her left hand and placed her right hand on the table in a "give it here" gesture.
“What for?” He was confused, but he obediently pulled his hand out and placed it in her palm.
The moment they touched, she felt the chill. Li Zi closed her hand, wrapping his within hers.
“Your hands are freezing, and you still claim you aren't cold.”
As a steady warmth began to transfer to his hands, Li Zhenting said unnaturally, “It’s actually fine.”
Yet, his hand honestly pressed closer to the source of warmth.
“So, why did you wear so little today?” Li Zi really couldn't figure it out. This fool wasn't usually like this.
Asked this question again, Li Zhenting pursed his lips. He was screaming internally. *Why else! Isn't today a date! Shouldn't you dress better for a date! But how can anyone say something so embarrassing out loud?*
“I wore it because I wanted to,” was the final, characteristically stubborn answer.
Li Zi could do nothing with him. She sighed inwardly; sometimes she really wanted to pry open this man’s head to see what on earth was going on inside that brain of his.
“Fine, wear what you want. But in a bit, you’re coming with me to buy a scarf.”
Seeing the man about to cast another confused look her way, she immediately countered, “I’m buying it because I want to.”
She choked back the words he was about to say. Seeing his fleeting look of gloom, Li Zi felt much better.
She wasn't naturally a person with a wicked sense of humor, but every time she faced Li Zhenting, she felt a strong urge to bully him—to push this awkward man until he looked defeated yet content, clearly embarrassed but forced to speak his true feelings. That version of him was truly, incredibly attractive.
“Hello, here are your two hot cocoas. They’re a bit hot, so please be careful.”
The server delivered the drinks. Li Zi took the opportunity to release Li Zhenting’s hand. Feeling the warmth pull away, Li Zhenting felt a momentary sense of loss, but in the next second, a warm cup was pressed into his hand.
“Hurry up and drink. Look at you, your lips are purple from the cold.”
*So she bought the milk tea for me...*
Li Zhenting finally realized this. He couldn't quite suppress the upward curve of his lips, so he lowered his head and took a small sip of the hot drink.
It was so warm. And so sweet.
While waiting for their number to be called, Li Zi took him to a clothing store and picked out several scarves. Finally, she chose a brown plaid wool one and draped it around Li Zhenting’s neck.
“This one. It’s comfortable and matches your outfit.”
Having said that, she decisively went to the counter to pay. She then tried to pull him away, but he didn't budge.
“What about yours? You aren't wearing one today either.”
Li Zhenting rarely took the initiative to let go of Li Zi’s hand. He seriously picked out a scarf as well and wrapped it around Li Zi. “We’ll buy them together.”
Touching the new brown-toned scarf around her neck, Li Zi gave a light laugh, choosing not to expose Li Zhenting’s little scheme.
That afternoon, after dining at the decent restaurant, Li Zi took him to the cinema to see a newly released film. She held a large bucket of popcorn, munching away with interest as she watched.
Meanwhile, half of Li Zhenting’s mind wasn't on the movie at all. Using the dim lighting as cover, he stole glances at Li Zi.
*This is a date, right? It definitely is!*
By the time they walked out of the theater, the sky had begun to darken. Winter nights always arrived particularly early.
“Ah~ where to next?” Li Zi stretched her limbs to relieve the discomfort of sitting for so long. She turned to discuss the plot with Li Zhenting. “How was the movie? I thought it was quite interesting. The male lead’s characterization was fresh.”
How could Li Zhenting admit he hadn't really watched it? He brushed it off. “It was okay. So-so.”
“The lead actor is named Kang Qi, right? I heard he’s a popular young star. A lot of girls in my class talk about him.”
Hearing Li Zi focus on the male lead, Li Zhenting’s pleasant mood was stirred up again. “Are you watching the movie or the man?!”
“Hahaha, he is quite handsome, after all.”
“Li Zi!” Li Zhenting stared at her warningly, his "vinegar jar" of jealousy wobbling on the edge of tipping over.
“I’ll stop teasing you.” Seeing that her goal of bullying him had been met, Li Zi began to soothe the nearly bristling Li Zhenting. “Close your eyes.”
“Huh??” *I’m still annoyed!*
“Hurry up, close them.”
Fine. Li Zhenting closed his eyes defiantly.
*What does she want to do now? I definitely won't admit there's a flicker of anticipation in my heart.*
A cold sensation suddenly brushed against his wrist. Li Zhenting opened his eyes in surprise and looked down.
Li Zi was putting a silver bracelet on him.
“What? Stunned?” Li Zi laughed at him as he touched the bracelet with a blank expression.
“Is this... a gift? Why so suddenly—”
“You really are a fool. Look around you. It’s Christmas today. Merry Christmas.”
The handsome woman smiled at him. At that moment, the sounds and surroundings he had ignored for so long suddenly rushed into his awareness. Yes, how had he not noticed? There were Christmas trees everywhere.
“I... but I didn't prepare a gift.” Li Zhenting was suddenly flustered, clutching the bracelet tightly as if afraid she might take it back.
“I guessed as much. It’s fine. It’s not our traditional holiday anyway; I just wanted to give you something.”
Li Zi didn't mind at all. Instead, she patted his hand. “Alright, today’s date is coming to an end.”
*It really was a date!*
Fireworks seemed to explode in Li Zhenting’s heart. The heart that had been uneasy for a day and a night didn't settle; instead, it beat even harder, like a drum.
He looked at Li Zi’s smiling face under the lights and couldn't help but lean down. “Thank you.”
Li Zi accepted the kiss and wrapped her arms around Li Zhenting’s head, pulling him into a deeper embrace.
*Fool. I’m the one who should be saying thank you.*
Though she said the date was ending, they hadn't eaten dinner yet.
In the end, they made a decision and went to "Hao Chi," which was about to close for the night. They happily tasted the craftsmanship Li Qingliu was so proud of.
Amidst Li Qingliu’s complaints of “You guys are interfering with me getting off work!” they looked at each other and smiled.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
荀忻 | Xun Xin | A renowned professor of criminal psychology.
圳南大学 | Zhunnan University | The university Li Zi attends.
康祺 | Kang Qi | A popular male actor mentioned in the movie.
好吃 | Hao Chi | Literally "Delicious"; the name of Li Qingliu's Sichuan restaurant.
波波香芋奶茶 | Boba Taro Milk Tea | A specific type of milk tea.
栗香燕麦奶 | Chestnut Oat Milk | A seasonal drink mentioned at the shop.
