Bias Chapter 1 (Sneak Peak)

The cell phone in the apron pocket vibrated against his waist.

Yan Xu promptly opened the faucet, washed off the flour on his hands, and casually wiped his hands on the towel before taking out his phone. When he saw the “Mom” displayed on the screen, he was stunned for a moment, then looked down to confirm the phone number—it was indeed his mom’s number.

“Hello, Mom.” He cleared his throat and answered the call. “Is something the matter?”

“IWhy’d you take so long to answer the phone?” Lu Qiuying complained at first, then softened her voice, “Come home for dinner tonight, okay?”

Yan Xu furrowed his brows and thought for a moment. Before Lu Qiuying got impatient, he asked “Today—is there something special going on?”

“You’ll know once you come back.” Lu Qiuying laughed, her gentle and bright voice was tinged with joy. “Also bring two trays of uncooked dumplings with you, I want to make pan-fried dumplings.”

Yan Xun answered, “Okay.”

“Oh right, I ordered a cake from the ‘Sweet’ dessert shop outside the community. You can go and pick it up for me later, just tell them my phone number.”

Yan Xu’s heart skipped a few beats, and he suddenly froze. He snapped out of it after hearing the urging on the other end of the call. “Alright, I got it.”

After hanging up the phone, Yan Xu gripped it in his hand, and pressed it against his pounding heart. He stood in a daze for a long time before he suppressed the smile on the corner of his lips and put away his phone.

He looked down at the dumpling he just wrapped on the workstation, feeling troubled. It was already four, what should he do about these wrapped dumplings?

He only struggled in his heart for a second before swiftly putting the dumplings, remaining bit of filling, and dumpling skin into the fridge. He then began to clean up the workstation.

At the beginning of last year, he rented this little shop, and opened a handmade dumpling shop. He managed the store on his own. Everyday at this time, he usually wraps dumplings while waiting for diners. He usually starts to get busy around five o’clock. Fortunately, his mom called at the right time as there were no customers now. Otherwise, he might not have been able to step away for a while.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Yan Xu remembered that he hadn’t put away the sign at the door, so he lowered his head and trotted over to the door. He didn’t notice someone was coming in and bumped into said person with a thud. He was fast and thin, while the other party was like a solid wall, causing him to stagger back under the reaction force.

Yan Xu instinctively waved his hands, wanting to grab onto something to keep balance. A big and strong hand promptly reached out to him, firmly holding his arm and helping him steady himself.

“Phew…” Yan Xu let out a long breath of relief. “Scared me to death.”

“Sorry, I had my head lowered and didn’t see you.” The man’s deep and powerful voice sounded.

Yam Xu looked up—a man stood in front of him. He was very tall, with a neat crew cut, handsome facial features, and a somewhat deep complexion. He gave off a stern feeling, and he looked a bit fierce.

He recognized this man, his name was Chi Ye.

To be exact, they weren’t acquainted, he only knew the other’s name. A few days ago, this man was eating dumplings at his shop. When he was paying, his ID fell out of his wallet. He inadvertently glanced at the ID when he helped pick it up and remembered it.

“Does it hurt? Is it serious?” Chi Ye spoke again.

Yan Xu withdrew his gaze in embarrassment and smiled. “I’m fine, it was I who didn’t pay attention. Come in and sit down.” He habitually welcomed him in, then remembered that he needed to go, so he could only grab his apron in annoyance and said apologetically, “Are you here to eat dumplings? I’m sorry, I need to go out for a while and I am about to close the shop.”

Chi Ye slightly pursed his lips, his expression serious, and his brows furrowed.

It couldn’t be that he’s angry? Yan Xu pursed his lips and asked apprehensively, “Do you have a pot at your workplace? How about I pack you some uncooked dumplings and you can take them back to boil?”

Chi Ye’s eyebrows furrowed further, and after a pause, he spoke, “You—you know me?”

Eh?

Yan Xu looked at him suspiciously. After confirming that the other party was really waiting for his answer, he smiled lightly as he answered, “I do, don’t you come regularly?” His memory was pretty good; he could remember a customer’s face if they came to his shop more than twice. Besides, Chi Ye has been here more than twice.

Continue reading below~