Ye Tong

Tang Yiyi rushed all the way back to the clinic, feeling a heavy blockage in her heart. The legendary Ye Tong had appeared out of nowhere, and as expected, she was stunningly beautiful.

In the noodle shop, Er Tong asked Ye Tong, "Why did you suddenly come back? You didn't say anything."

Ye Tong smiled at him, but turned to Qin Baike, "Did I startle you?"

Qin Baike nodded, "Mm."

"Was it a pleasant surprise or a shock?"

"Heh, let's talk upstairs," he said, gesturing toward the upper floor.

Ye Tong tilted her head at Er Tong, "Bring my luggage in."

She followed Qin Baike upstairs, observing as she walked. "The kitchen's been renovated."

"Yes, the city required it. Had to be done, or they wouldn't let us reopen."

"It's nice, very clean."

They went upstairs into the living room, and she slowly looked around. "Wood flooring, new wallpaper, a new TV, even the sofa's changed."

"It's been ten years. You've changed a lot too."

Ye Tong looked at him, with a touch of playful reproach, "How have I changed?"

Qin Baike paused, smiled, "Hard to say. Sit, I'll pour you some tea."

Ye Tong, however, went straight to Xiao Xie's room. "Why are there two single beds?"

"I'm living in Grandpa's room now. This room's occupied by someone else."

"Oh." Ye Tong then moved to Qin Baike's room. "Even simpler than before—just like you, no need for unnecessary things." She walked to the bedside, picked up 'The Spirit in Art,' and looked at Qin Baike in surprise. "You're reading this?"

"As a reference."

Ye Tong nodded knowingly, put the book back, and left the room.

They sat down, unsure what to say for a moment, quietly sizing each other up. Neither felt awkward—despite nearly a decade apart, it didn't feel estranged, as if just days ago they'd waved goodbye, saying, "See you soon." The ten years between them seemed compressed into a brief span.

Ye Tong broke the silence. "Was my little act just now convincing? I really looked like a woman close to you, directly dispelling any other women's intentions. Did I do well?"

Qin Baike smiled. "Why did you suddenly come back? Where's your boyfriend? Didn't he come with you?"

"We broke up." Ye Tong said lightly. "Mind if I smoke?"

"... Go ahead." Qin Baike concealed his surprise, fetched an ashtray and placed it before her. "Why did you break up? You two were together for years."

"At first, he wanted to get married and I didn't. Later, I wanted marriage and he didn't. Over time, we grew tired of each other, so we split up. Now, I'm actually happier."

Ye Tong pulled out a pack of Longevity Lady cigarettes from her bag, took out two, handed one to Qin Baike. He shook his head, so she put it back, lit one for herself. "What about you? All these years, never had a girlfriend?"

Qin Baike smiled faintly, lowering his head. Ye Tong noticed, nodded, "Someone's on your mind."

He looked at her, a bit surprised, and she said calmly, "Baike, don't you know how familiar I am with you? We used to be so close—I understand every expression of yours. Who's the girl, then? On a night like this, shouldn't she be by your side?"

"No, no girl," he replied awkwardly.

Seeing him like this, Ye Tong laughed heartily. "You introvert, still secretly pining for someone?"

Qin Baike blushed at her laughter, unable to confidently deny it.

Ye Tong said, "Alright, I'll stop teasing you. Seeing you're doing well, I'm relieved."

"I'm a grown man, what is there to worry about?"

Ye Tong looked at him and smiled, "When you were a firefighter a few years ago, I worried about your safety. Now that you no longer carry burdens for others, I care about your happiness. Seeing you doing well puts my mind at ease."

She spoke seriously, and Qin Baike felt a long-lost warmth stir in his heart.

"And you? Why did you suddenly come back?"

"I saw you in a video online yesterday, and suddenly wanted to eat your noodles. You never answered me—is seeing me a surprise or a shock?"

Qin Baike countered, "Aren't you familiar with me? Was my expression surprise or shock?"

Ye Tong pouted. "You're still the same, not one bit better at winning a girl's heart."

Qin Baike rose to make her a cup of black tea, placing it before her. "Are you not working right now? You just up and left?"

"I'm on vacation. The past few years were exhausting, now I want to slow down."

"Mm." Seeing a hint of fatigue in her eyes, Qin Baike couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"How's your mother's illness?" Ye Tong asked.

"Stable. I've arranged someone to look after her."

"Uncle Xiang seems well—didn't expect you'd accept him again."

"I didn't expect it myself."

"The little girl who joined the competition with you—isn't she too young? Did you hire child labor?"

"She's a comrade's niece, just letting her stay here temporarily."

"People who don't know you think you're cold, but I know how soft your heart is." Ye Tong finished her cigarette, extinguished it in the ashtray, and lit another.

"Why smoke so much?" He'd known she smoked for years, but seeing her engulfed in smoke still felt unfamiliar.

Ye Tong rubbed her eyes. "Haven't slept well lately. Rushed back today, feeling tired."

"Then rest. Since you're on vacation, stay a few days."

"Mm." She nodded.

"Where do you want to stay? Hotel, home, or here?"

"Er Tong hasn't been home in days, who knows how dirty it is? I'll clean tomorrow before deciding. Is there room here?"

"I'll have Er Tong sleep with me, you take his room."

"Heh, two men sharing a bed? Are you two a couple?"

"Then he'll sleep on the sofa, you take his room."

Ye Tong shook her head. "Forget it, I'll stay at a hotel. There are already four people here, sharing one bathroom isn't comfortable."

"Alright, I'll take you there." Qin Baike stood, took her cigarette and stubbed it out. "Let's go."

He turned and headed downstairs, Ye Tong followed. In the kitchen, Uncle Chen looked at her; she smiled kindly at him.

Qin Baike went out and told Er Tong that Ye Tong would stay at a hotel tonight, and to go home early tomorrow to clean. Er Tong nodded, took the suitcase from the corner and handed it to him, and Ye Tong followed him out.

In the car, Ye Tong asked, "There's only one girl at your shop, so why are there two beds in her room?"

"She's an intern from Uncle Xu's clinic," Qin Baike replied evasively.

"Oh? The clinic's so spacious, yet can't fit everyone?"

"For certain reasons." For some reason, he didn't want to talk about Tang Yiyi in front of Ye Tong.

Qin Baike took Ye Tong to the best hotel in Yicheng, checked her in, and escorted her to the room door. He handed her the keycard, but she didn't take it. "Take me inside."

Qin Baike glanced at her, opened the door, carried her luggage in, and followed her into the room.

She walked to the window, drew back the curtains, and gazed silently at the Yicheng nightscape.

He set down her luggage, stood watching her, saying nothing.

After a while, she spoke, "Have I changed a lot?"

He looked at her slim, upright silhouette, so much thinner than before. The fullness and softness of her youth had vanished. He considered his words carefully: "You've always known what you want. No matter how you change, you're still the girl in my heart."

Ye Tong turned and gave him a bleak smile. "You're always so soft-hearted. I don't even know what I want anymore, yet you haven't changed at all. You're not like me—you never force yourself, always doing what you're able and what you like. But me? I keep myself wound so tight, push so hard—what for? Now my career's hit a bottleneck, my love life has failed. Baike, am I a failure? Why can't I be as calm as you?"

Qin Baike looked at her, keeping his tone level. "You just broke up. Give it time, don't deny yourself entirely."

She walked over and hugged him, burying her head in his chest like years ago. "Baike, I'm back to heal. Help me."

He wrapped his arms around her thin body. "Alright." His tenderness toward her was the same as before. "You're tired. If you want to rest, just rest well."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"For everything—past and present."

"You don't need to be sorry. You're fine—you've never wronged me."

"I'm selfish."

"You're wonderful. To me, you deserve the best."

Ye Tong lifted her head with a smile. "Thank you."

"There's nothing wrong with pursuing what you love. Your choices aren't selfish. To me, you're always the best."

Ye Tong's eyes shone with joy and tenderness. "Baike, thank you."

"We don't need thanks between us. You're tired—go shower. I'll leave once you're asleep."

Ye Tong pressed close to him, her voice muffled against his chest. "No need. Just let me hold you for a while. I've gotten through so many years alone; I'm not that fragile. Just give me a moment." Her words were unclear but decisive.

Only now did Qin Baike truly see the familiar Ye Tong. She hadn't changed—still proud and strong. No, she was a woman now, long past needing his protection.

Qin Baike returned to the noodle shop, told Er Tong to head home and rest, and to wake early tomorrow to clean.

He sat in his old spot. Ye Tong's sudden arrival wasn't a shock, nor was it exactly a delight.

Once the initial surprise faded, he felt glad. Seeing her again was like revisiting his youthful days.

Those restless, uneasy years, struggling to break free yet forced to rely on his parents, were like deep cuts, leaving scars that bled.

The wounds had long since healed, the scars ugly but not affecting his life now. He hadn't thought of them for ages, but Ye Tong's return brought back the scent of those times, stirring faint unrest.

Today, Xiang Shengli had come seeking his approval to open a shop under the Qin name. He'd said he'd think about it, but hadn't yet decided what to consider. Now, in the quiet, he thought: if his mother were healthy, what would she do?

They would never meet, he thought wryly. There was no 'if.' His mother had retired, and now the Qin shop was his to decide. Whether to agree, he still hadn't made up his mind.

What truly let him accept Xiang Shengli without hesitation was his grandfather's remorse toward Xiang Shengli—grandfather had kept no secrets from him after all.

The two men who loved him most in life were both kind and broad-minded. Their care was enough to heal the scars of adolescence, and the unrest Ye Tong brought quickly faded.