24 – Of course, I want to come see you
As always, Ruan Tiantian was awakened by her alarm clock. While weekends were a time for others to catch up on sleep, waking up early had become the norm in her life.
When she left the dormitory, Xu Qi, Fu Li, and Ling Yushi were still asleep.
She walked straight out of the school. Today was Sunday, and she still needed to go to her part-time job at the shop.
On this summer morning, the cicadas chirped incessantly. Though the sun wasn’t as scorching as at noon, she had already broken into a light sweat by the time she reached the school gate.
She had taken another shower before leaving, but the summer in City B was still unbearably muggy.
Ruan Tiantian walked alone on the sidewalk flanking the road.
Just then, two motorcycles sped past her.
In the quiet university town, the roar of the motorcycles was particularly noticeable.
Involuntarily drawn by the sound, she looked over and was surprised to see the same motorcycle from last time!
It was a black heavy-duty Kawasaki H2—cool and stylish.
The young man was dressed in a white tracksuit, wearing a helmet, his slender body leaning low as the wind billowed his clothes.
Her gaze followed the motorcycles as they raced forward, heading toward the first rays of the morning sun.
All she saw was the young man chasing the sunlight against the wind.
In just a few seconds, they were gone.
Fleeting.
She withdrew her gaze, quickened her pace, and arrived at the cat café.
At the entrance of the cat café, she saw the same motorcyclist who had just ridden past her, still wearing the white tracksuit.
The closer Ruan Tiantian got, the clearer the view became. The young man stood beside his motorcycle with his back to her, his helmet already removed and casually placed on the bike.
He was talking to his fellow motorcyclist, a cigarette held between his pale, slender fingers.
Ruan Tiantian only thought his back looked handsome, but whether it was his build, height, complexion, hairstyle, or even his slightly roguish demeanor—it all seemed so similar to that Shen Xiuyu.
She averted her gaze and was about to walk past the two of them.
Just then, Shen Xiuyu spotted Ruan Tiantian and called out to her.
“Tiantian, good morning.”
A familiar voice came from behind. She turned around, looked up, and saw that all-too-familiar face.
Shen Xiuyu raised an eyebrow at her, watching her stunned expression. “Has it only been one night, and you don’t recognize me anymore?”
It wasn’t that she didn’t recognize him—she just hadn’t expected it to be him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you.”
Ruan Tiantian asked, puzzled, “Waiting for me? Why?”
Shen Xiuyu stepped closer to her, stopping right in front of her. “Of course, I wanted to buy something from you.”
“The shop is already open. You can just go inside.”
Shen Xiuyu smiled. He had deliberately come this way just to catch a glimpse of her.
Ruan Tiantian walked inside with Shen Xiuyu. He tilted his head, looking at her fair profile, and asked, “What time do you usually start work?”
“Why do you ask?”
Of course, it’s because I want to come see you.
After saying this, Ruan Tiantian went straight to the changing room to get into her uniform. Shen Xiuyu waited in the lobby.
Only after Ruan Tiantian came out did he order two iced Americanos. He waited until she handed them to him before leaving, satisfied.
Lu Wenjie had been waiting outside the whole time. He looked over and saw Shen Xiuyu approaching with two iced Americanos in hand.
Shen Xiuyu strode over with large steps and handed one of the cups to Lu Wenjie.
Lu Wenjie took it, “I was wondering why you suddenly detoured this way. So you came to find Ruan Tiantian.”
Shen Xiuyu took the helmet, put it on, and pulled down the visor. “Let’s go, to the racing team.”
The two rode their motorcycles toward the racing team.
They arrived at the specialized training ground. The team consisted mostly of young people, basically racers around their age.
This team of theirs had just been formed and was still in its early stages.
So it didn’t have much popularity or fame yet.
As soon as Shen Xiuyu and Lu Wenjie entered, the room was already packed.
Coach, manager, mechanics, tire changers, and so on.
Shen Xiuyu placed his helmet on the table and casually sat down on a sofa.
He glanced around the room. What was going on today? Why was everyone crowded in this lounge?
“Coach Jiang, is there a meeting today? Everyone’s here.”
“Yesterday, I received a message from Manager Ban. A new racer is joining the team today.”
Hearing this, Lu Wenjie tensed up and looked up at Coach Jiang. “Another new racer like us?”
“I don’t know the specifics yet. They should be arriving soon.”
Shen Xiuyu lit a cigarette for himself, held it between his lips, and lowered his gaze.
Typically, a racing team only has two drivers because only two can compete in a race. Currently, he was the first driver, and Lu Wenjie was the second. So what was the new racer here for?
A reserve driver?
Just then, Manager Ban walked into the lounge, accompanied by a young man who looked to be in his twenties.
As soon as Manager Ban entered, everyone’s eyes turned to the man beside him.
It was an unfamiliar face, looking very young.
The man was dressed in a black leather jacket, his demeanor a blend of gentleness and gloominess—two contrasting qualities that merged seamlessly in him.
“Let me introduce everyone. This is Piao Li, also a racer.”
Everyone in the team stepped forward one by one to shake hands and greet him.
Only Shen Xiuyu remained seated in the dark sofa, pinching his cigarette between his fingers, calmly flicking the ash.
When it was his turn, Lu Wenjie nudged his arm, signaling him to show Manager Ban some respect.
Shen Xiuyu finally stood up, curling his lips into a lazy smile as he extended his hand. “Shen Xiuyu.”
Piao Li reached out amiably, shook his hand briefly, and quickly let go.
He clearly sensed that this young man before him was not someone to be trifled with.
Shen Xiuyu’s sleeve was rolled up halfway, revealing a black tattoo on his arm. One of his eyebrows was broken, and his face was sharp and refined, dominated by straight lines.
He looked aggressively handsome, with a cold and rebellious aura. Though he seemed indifferent in everything he did, his presence was powerful.
Shen Xiuyu shifted his gaze to Manager Ban and asked directly, “What position will Piao Li be racing in? Only two drivers can compete in a race. You should know that, right, Manager Ban?”
“He’s a reserve driver, mainly for unforeseen circumstances.”
Hearing this, Shen Xiuyu nodded expressionlessly and sank back into the sofa.
Lu Wenjie, who had been on edge, finally relaxed. As the second driver, if another racer joined, his position would be at risk.
Fortunately, it was just a reserve driver, so his spot was secure.
The sun gradually dipped westward, painting the sky with the lingering glow of sunset. The evening light filtered through the glass window, illuminating the interior of the cat café.
It was already late afternoon, and Ruan Tiantian had been standing all day, her feet beginning to ache.
She crouched down, rubbing her sore calves.
When she looked up again, she saw someone standing before her—it was Piao Li, the shop owner.