Following the directions on her phone’s navigation, Wen Zhi passed through several bustling streets and, without realizing it, turned into an unfamiliar alley.
The passage in the alley was narrow and winding, with towering walls on either side that seemed to envelop her in a cramped space.
As she ventured deeper into the alley, the light gradually dimmed. Only faint glimmers from distant shops seeped through the cracks, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
The surrounding silence and darkness made Wen Zhi’s heartbeat quicken involuntarily, and her steps became cautious.
She couldn’t help but recall some of the horror stories about alleys she’d heard as a child, and a flicker of unease stirred within her.
Still, seeing on her phone map that the shop was just ahead, she took a deep breath, steeled herself, and continued forward.
As she approached the shop, her phone suddenly rang. The lively ringtone echoed through the empty alley like a ghostly summons, startling Wen Zhi so much she nearly cried out.
She glanced at the vibrating screen and saw the familiar name of the caller. Her fear eased slightly. She took another deep breath and patted her chest to calm her racing heart.
“Why are you calling me out of the blue? You scared me half to death!”
With a swipe of her finger, Wen Zhi spoke first: “You scared me, Su Wenjing!”
At that moment, Su Wenjing was sitting on a hotel sofa, holding a cup of coffee in his slender fingers, about to take a sip. Hearing Wen Zhi’s flustered voice over the phone, he paused.
Su Wenjing: “???”
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“And what’s with the tone? You dare call me by my full name now?”
Su Wenjing chuckled casually. After not seeing her for so many days, her courage had grown.
He took a sip of his coffee, set it back on the table, and relaxed into the sofa, crossing his long legs clad in suit pants.
He had just finished his work and wanted to ask Wen Zhi what she’d been up to lately. But while casually scrolling through his social media feed, he saw the selfies and food photos she’d posted two days ago with friends, along with her location—Hong Kong City.
What a coincidence?!
Now that he had some free time, he decided to call her directly. Little did he expect the little one to open with “You scared me?!”
Hearing his words, Wen Zhi hesitated, her bravado fading slightly. “Well, who told you to call so suddenly? It’s already creepy and quiet here…”
Listening to the girl’s soft, gentle voice, Su Wenjing’s focus wasn’t on that.
His brow furrowed slightly. “Where are you running off to so late at night? Hong Kong City is densely packed with tall buildings. Don’t go wandering into those alleys—they’re a mixed bag and not safe.”
For once, his tone turned serious.
“Ah, how do you know I’m in Hong Kong City?” Wen Zhi asked in surprise.
“I’m not blind, Miss Wen. I do scroll through social media sometimes.”
“That’s not the point. The point is, where are you right now?”
Wen Zhi glanced around and answered unabashedly, “Well, in one of those alleys you mentioned.”
Su Wenjing: “?!”
“What are you doing there?”
“I’m hungry. I need to eat,” Wen Zhi declared matter-of-factly.
Su Wenjing closed his eyes for a moment, then stood up from the sofa and strode toward the door. “Send me your location.”
Wen Zhi: “What are you going to do?”
“Going to be your guardian.”
The teasing tone was flirtatious yet carried a hint of seriousness, stirring an inexplicable fluster in one’s heart.
Wen Zhi remained silent for a long moment after hearing those words, her heartbeat suddenly racing, and warmth gradually rising to her cheeks.
“Did you hear me? Send me your location.”
“Got it,” Wen Zhi replied in a soft, gentle voice.
In truth, from Su Wenjing’s words, Wen Zhi knew he was also in Hong Kong at the moment.
As for him coming over, she hadn’t expected that.
Still, Su Wenjing was the only person she knew here, so she was quite happy about it.
In the bustling old city district, on a quaint, nostalgic street, a time-honored noodle shop stood quietly.
Beneath its small signboard, the shopfront was unassuming, but the interior was filled with the warm, enticing aroma of noodles, drawing in passersby.
When Su Wenjing arrived at the location she had given him, he saw Wen Zhi sitting at an old wooden table. Petite in stature, she resembled a lotus flower just beginning to bloom, quietly standing out amidst the clamor of the mundane world.
There she was, a small figure seated at the old table and chairs, delicately and earnestly using her chopsticks to eat her noodles, one bite at a time.
Wen Zhi had only washed her face before heading out, wearing no makeup and completely bare-faced. Her dark, slightly wavy long hair was loosely tied at the back, revealing her snow-white oval face. Her pure, bright eyes and brows seemed out of place amidst her surroundings.
The other diners around occasionally glanced her way, after all, it was almost unheard of for a girl with such looks and presence to appear in a small eatery like this.
Wen Zhi was intently focused on eating the bowl of noodles in front of her when a figure took a seat opposite her.
Looking up, she was met with Su Wenjing’s striking, sharp eyes. He was staring directly at her.
Wen Zhi: “?”
“How about I order you a bowl too? Their beef brisket noodles are really delicious, Senior,” Wen Zhi said, her moist eyes suddenly lighting up as she spoke, making it hard not to feel a flutter in one’s heart.
Su Wenjing pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, watched her for a moment, and finally said lazily, “You’re quite carefree, little girl.”
“Boss, add an order of beef brisket noodles.”
“Coming right up!”
Hearing Su Wenjing’s words, Wen Zhi couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Wow, you can speak Cantonese too?”
Su Wenjing gave a faint smile, his deep, dark, languid peach-blossom eyes fixed on her.
A few strands of black hair fell across his forehead, his jawline sharp and defined, and the corners of his lips curled into a faint, elusive smile—casual yet captivating.
“What, want to learn?”
“My rates aren’t cheap, you know,” Su Wenjing teased her, casually picking up a pair of disposable chopsticks from the side and unwrapping them.
Watching his movements, Wen Zhi pouted, “I never said I wanted to learn from you!”
Then she lowered her head and quietly resumed eating her noodles. She ate delicately, taking small bites, her cheeks slightly puffed out with a focused, earnest expression as she enjoyed her meal.
“Here you go, handsome, your noodles are ready.” The boss was quick and efficient, bringing the noodles over shortly after they were ordered.
“M̀h’gōi” (Thank you)
“What does ‘m̀h’gōi’ mean?”
The girl spoke softly, her voice gentle and tender, her expression serious and earnest, with a touch of innocent charm. She mimicked the pronunciation of the two words, sounding a bit awkward, like a beginner.
“Didn’t you say you weren’t going to learn from me?”
“Just eat your noodles.” Su Wenjing lightly tapped her head with the other end of his chopsticks, his tone a bit teasing.
Wen Zhi puffed out her cheeks and slowly uttered two words: “Stingy.”
Su Wenjing didn’t argue, only chuckled softly, a laugh that made one’s heart itch.
The two quietly ate the noodles before them together—one petite and delicate, the other tall and upright—the scene inexplicably warm and harmonious.