BIAS Chapter 4: Wait

It was only after he left the community’s main gate with bated breath that Yan Xu deeply breathed out. He slowed his pace and aimlessly walked forward. By the time he snapped out of it, he was already standing in front of the dessert shop. He looked at the dazzling array of dessert through the spotlessly clean display window, stood for a moment before walking in.

“What can I do for you?” The store assistant went over to him and asked enthusiastically.

Yan Xu said, “I would like a birthday cake.” He was quite relieved that the assistant had changed shifts, and the one who greeted him was not the same one from when he had picked up the cake.

“Apologies,” the assistant gave an apologetic smile, “birthday cakes must be ordered three hours in advance. The store closes in an hour, so we won’t be able to make one in time…”

“Ah—” Yan Xu mumbled in response. “Then it’s fine.” He turned around and was about to leave, but when he saw the cupcake in the refrigerated display, he stopped and said, “Then give me this one.”

“Alright. Which flavor do you want?” The shop assistant went up to the display case, “Getting a second one is 50% off, would you like to get two?”

Yan Xu thought about it, then answered, “Okay, I’ll have a mango one and a strawberry one.”

After buying the cupcakes, Yan Xu didn’t call a taxi, but chose to take the bus back. When he got off the bus, it was already nine at night.

The bus stop was more than two-hundred meters from the dumpling shop. He didn’t open his shop today, so he wasn’t in a hurry, walking back along the street light. There were still people walking out on the streets, all coming out to eat late-night snacks. If he hadn’t gone home and made a fool of himself, he would’ve been busy in the shop.

He trudged slowly for a few minutes before finally seeing the dumpling shop. The LED shop signs on both sides were still lit, the colorful marquee was flashing, illuminating the inconspicuous sign of his dumpling shop.

He couldn’t help but smile, feeling tired but at ease, as if he had finally arrived home after trekking a thousand miles.

In fact, this wasn’t his home either; he rented it from an old married couple. This old building was their property. They had run a dumpling shop here for more than twenty years, but because they were too old to work now, their children hoped they could enjoy a comfortable life, so they wanted to rent out the shop.

He previously worked at a nearby restaurant and would often pass by this shop. The old married couple was kind, and after getting familiar with him, they started calling him “child,” just like a parent at home. Every time he went to this shop to eat dumplings, he could taste a bit of the warmth of home.

When he learned that the shop was going to be rented out, he felt sorry. After much consideration, he decided to rent the shop, renovated it a little, but the shop name remained unchanged. It was still called “Joyful Dumplings.”

Standing under the streetlight, he let his thoughts run wild for a while. The cold northwest wind directly blew on his face, causing him to shiver. Yan Xu let out a long breath of white mist before continuing forward.

When he was almost there, he seemed to see someone standing in front of the shop, and his steps suddenly halted.

He thought he had seen it wrong. He blinked his eyes, which were dry from the wind, then looked again. It was indeed a figure of a person, and the other party probably wasn’t waiting for someone or a passerby smoking. Strangely enough, the figure actually looked somewhat familiar.

Yan Xu continued walking forward, getting closer to his shop one step at a time. The person at the door looked over upon hearing the sound; it was actually someone he knew—Chi Ye.

Chi Ye took the initiative to walk over him, breathing out a white mist as he said, “Fortunately, I didn’t leave yet.”

“You were waiting for me?” Yan Xu was surprised. “Is something the matter?”

The temperature today was low and the wind was strong. Although the light at the entrance of the shop wasn’t the best, Yan Xu could still see Chi Ye’s red nose and chapped lips from the light of the shop next door. He could tell he had been waiting for a long time.

“I’ve come to return these.” Chi Ye took out the storage containers that had been used for storing dumplings. “And to make up the money.”

“What?” Yan Xu was confused.

Chi Ye took out two ten yuan bills from his pocket. “I only bought ten portions of uncooked dumplings, but you packed me twelve, undercharging me by two portions.”

Yan Xu was stunned, then suddenly chuckled. He didn’t take the money, but took out his keys to open the door, saying, “Come in and talk.”

The old rolling shutter was peeling and rusty, and it didn’t open as smoothly as a new one. He turned the key to lift the shutter, but it wouldn’t move after lifting it up halfway. At this moment, there was an outstretched hand beside Yan Xu, dragging the door up and pushing it to the top with ease.

“Thank you.” Yan Xu went in and opened the door. “Come in and sit. It’s too windy outside.”

Chi Ye hesitated at the door for a second before entering. He placed the containers and money on the table. “I’ve already washed the containers.”

“Thank you.” Yan Xu smiled, picking up the money and handing it back. After explaining the reason, he said, “The extra two is me giving them to you for free. I was afraid you wouldn’t accept it, so I didn’t bring it up. Take back your money.”

Yan Xu originally thought Chi Ye would still refuse a few times, but surprisingly, he was silent for two seconds before taking it back. He said, “Thank you.”

Yan Xu shook his head, saying, “I didn’t open tonight, I should thank you for helping me take so much ‘stock.’” Otherwise, I would have to slowly eat the leftover dumplings on my own.”

“Mm…” Chi Ye nodded thoughtfully. “Then pack all the leftovers for me, I’ll buy them.”

Yan Xu stared wide-eyed in surprise. It was only after a long time did he respond, waving his hands, “No need, no need. There’s not much left now.” Seeing Chi Ye earnest and solemn expression, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

Chi Ye’s ears suddenly turned red. He scratched his hair in a simple manner, then stared at the floor. “T-t-then, I’ll leave f-first…”

Before Yan Xu could even respond, he saw Chi Ye hurriedly turn around to open the glass door and leave.

The cold wind of the severe winter night blew into the shop. Yan Xu glanced at the brown paper bag on the table that contained the two cupcakes, then hastily said, “Wait!”

Chi Ye’s right foot had already stepped out the door, when he heard the voice, he turned around.

Yan Xu’s gaze fell on Chi Ye’s hands, which were dry, rough and very red from the cold. Although he didn’t ask for it, he felt bad that he specially made a trip in this cold winter to return some containers to him. Moreover, he actually wanted to find someone to talk to. Once it was quiet, he couldn’t help but think back to when his feet were hidden under the table.

Yan Xu raised the corners of his lips, asking, “Are you in a rush to go back?”

Chi Ye honestly shook his head. “I’m not. I don’t have a shift tonight.” After a pause, he suddenly realized something, asking, “Do you need help with something?”

Yan Xu smiled with his eyes. He pointed to the brown bag and said, “Can you help me eat one of these cupcakes?”

“…” Chi Ye looked at Yan Xu in a daze, unable to understand his words even after a long time.

Yan Xu could only say again, “Let’s eat a late-night snack. Help me eat some of the leftover dumplings. Is pan-fried dumplings okay?”

Chi Ye secretly swallowed, then said, “Okay. Do you need help with anything?”

“Help me boil some water, the kettle is over here.” Yan Xu also didn’t stand on ceremony, pointing to the small kettle on the small table by the kitchen door. “Make two cups of tea. There are teacups and tea leaves in the cabinet under the table. If you don’t drink tea, you can try the box of chrysanthemum tea I bought. It tastes pretty good.”

“Okay.” Chi Ye gently closed the glass door, moved his cold stiff fingers, and followed behind Yan Xu to get the kettle.