Awkward Chapter 90

Shoutout to nyanmaru for the commission!

Ye Mu wasn’t sure if he had made the right choice, but after distancing himself from those people and things, he felt a bit more at ease than before.

Considering many factors, he moved to a small city in a remote area.

The economy there wasn’t very developed, and it rained frequently, but the scenery was exceptionally beautiful.

The sky there was very blue, and after being cleansed by the rain, it appeared as clear as water. The streets were lined with towering green trees, and the fresh air made one feel at ease and joyful.

Unlike before, he didn’t apply to big companies but instead became an apprentice at a flower shop, taking on a part-time job.

Although his monthly salary was meager, it was enough to maintain his daily life. Despite feeling lonely, there was also a sense of quiet contentment.

The place where he worked was a flower shop called “Half Moon Bay.” The storefront was small, but once inside, you’d find many things worth savoring.

Besides its unique and exquisite decoration, the shop had a wide variety of flowers, including fresh flowers and potted plants, and it also offered photography services. It was common for young women or couples to take pictures there after buying flowers.

Since it was near a university town, the shop had a relatively large flow of customers, with many visitors every day.

The flower shop owner, Su Qing, was a woman in her thirties. She was polite, warm, and well-mannered.

She had married well, her husband being not only wealthy but also very kind to her, and she lived a very happy life.

When Ye Mu first started as an apprentice, he was almost completely inexperienced, occasionally overwatering the plants and causing them to wilt. However, Su Qing didn’t treat him harshly and patiently taught him a lot. After a few months, he gradually adapted.

Watering and loosening the soil for the plants daily, watching them grow day by day—from small leaves to lush branches, from buds to beautiful blooms—gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.

Living in a fresh, fragrant working environment every day, though earning little, was unexpectedly enjoyable.

He gradually became proficient in basic flower arranging techniques, flower language, matching, and care. Sometimes, when Su Qing was away, she could trust him to manage the shop alone.

In May, a new young photographer named Jiang Xu joined the shop.

When he arrived, Ye Mu was busy wrapping a bouquet of pink roses, and suddenly he heard a ‘click’ behind him.

Instinctively turning around, their eyes met.

Jiang Xu, dressed in a clean white shirt, with a handsome face, stood there smiling. “Sorry, I took a photo without permission because it looked so beautiful.”

Ye Mu’s expression remained calm as he simply replied, “It’s okay.”

Jiang Xu walked over and handed him a piece of paper, “Hello, I’m Jiang Xu, here to interview for the photographer position.”

Ye Mu took the paper and replied with a slight apology in his voice, “The shop owner just stepped out. You can wait here for a moment while I give her a call.”

Jiang Xu shrugged, his black-and-white eyes blinking with a gentle smile, “Thank you.”

His shirt collar was neatly folded, complementing his fair skin, giving off an elegant, scholarly vibe, with a sunny and gentle personality.

Ye Mu nodded slightly at him, then turned and walked to the counter to call Su Qing.

It seemed Su Qing was busy, as the call rang for a long time without being answered.

Ye Mu, at a loss, sent her a text message but received no reply.

Jiang Xu noticed his difficulty and smiled understandingly, “It’s alright, there’s no rush.”

He was tall and slender, with a gentle air about him that made people feel comfortable.

Ye Mu pulled out a chair from the corner and suggested, “You can sit here for a while.”

Jiang Xu wasn’t reserved and sat down gracefully, lowering his head slightly to remove the camera from around his neck.

Ye Mu poured him a cup of rose tea, placing it in front of him with the translucent glass.

Jiang Xu lightly thanked him, his voice magnetic and pleasant.

Ye Mu remained calm and returned to his work in a composed manner.

The afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting a tranquil, lazy atmosphere.

Jiang Xu didn’t say much, quietly sipping his tea.

Unfortunately, Su Qing didn’t return until the shop was closing in the evening.

Ye Mu felt a bit guilty and, out of politeness, offered to treat Jiang Xu to dinner.

Jiang Xu initially wanted to decline but, considering their future interactions, accepted the offer.

Since Ye Mu had only moved there a few months ago and wasn’t very familiar with the area, he took him to a nearby Japanese restaurant.

“I didn’t expect you to choose this place,” Jiang Xu said with a light laugh after sitting down in the small private room.

Ye Mu glanced at him and asked, “Have you been here before?”

Jiang Xu propped his chin on his hand, “This is my friend’s restaurant.”

Ye Mu’s expression remained indifferent, “What a coincidence.”

Jiang Xu smiled slightly and recommended, “The sake and salmon here are good. You should try them.”

Ye Mu nodded silently, ordering a few dishes based on his suggestions, and then handed the paper to the waiter.

The food was served quickly, and within a few minutes, the table was filled with dishes.

Jiang Xu was composed, eating and chatting while naturally engaging Ye Mu in conversation, sharing many stories about photography and his experiences studying abroad.

Initially a bit reserved, Ye Mu gradually relaxed and joined the conversation, occasionally sharing some of his own experiences.

Both were well-traveled and knowledgeable. After learning about each other’s backgrounds, they began discussing deeper topics, sharing their views on various issues. Jiang Xu had the calm rationality that comes with years of experience, while Ye Mu offered fresh, innovative ideas, making for an engaging exchange.

Ye Mu hadn’t had such a conversation in a long time and found himself enjoying it. When Jiang Xu used his dry humor to critique a recent news story, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Jiang Xu, thinking Ye Mu disagreed with his view, used anecdotes about famous people abroad to further elaborate.

Ye Mu listened with interest and added his thoughts at appropriate moments.

Jiang Xu, well-educated and patient, expanded on many topics Ye Mu brought up.

Overall, the meal was enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.

As they left, Jiang Xu asked for Ye Mu’s phone number, expressing a desire to be friends.

Ye Mu hesitated but eventually entered his number into Jiang Xu’s phone.

That night, after getting ready for bed, Ye Mu noticed an unread message from Jiang Xu.

——It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Ye Mu glanced at it, his pale face expressionless, and simply replied in English.

——Likewise.

Jiang Xu, receiving this polite response, smiled softly and couldn’t resist sending another message.

——Second time is not a coincidence, but I’ve been waiting for it.

This message carried a hint of flirtation but also seemed like a friendly joke. Ye Mu didn’t take it seriously and replied politely.

——Thanks a lot.

Jiang Xu’s eyes crinkled in amusement as he sent a photo of a fluffy kitten.

Ye Mu stared at the picture on his phone for a while, then stiffly responded.

——Excuse me?

Jiang Xu didn’t reply further, maintaining a respectful distance.

Ye Mu, waiting for a long time and feeling sleepy, eventually sent back a two-word goodnight message.

Possibly due to his drowsiness, he misspelled one of the letters.

Jiang Xu, with a gentle smile in his light brown eyes, kindly sent the correct spelling.

Ye Mu glanced at it, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

The night was beautiful, and he felt a bit of comfort in having made a friend in this lonely city.

He thought to himself that all those troubling memories from the past—if he could forget them—he should let them all go.