After Confessing To My Childhood Friend - Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Date
◎ So, so nervous ◎
The next day, Chen Mengyin woke up early.
The teahouse they were going to today was fairly well-known locally. Many retired uncles and aunties nearby liked to wear slippers there and have dim sum. Chen Mengyin had been there a few times with Xie Zhirou before, and the food was quite good.
After changing their clothes, before leaving, Chen Mengyin took a shoulder bag from the entryway shelf, which held tissues and other summer essentials, just in case.
She waited by the door as Xie Zhirou tied the straps of her sandals. Chen checked the bus schedule on her phone and said, “The nearest bus is just one stop away. If we leave now, the timing will be perfect.”
Xie Zhirou finished tying the last strap and stood up. “Then let’s go.”
Outside, the sun had already begun to show its fierce side, the sunlight warm and searing on their skin. Chen Mengyin opened her umbrella to block the sun, huddling close to Xie Zhirou as they walked to the bus stop.
With the shelter overhead, Chen closed her umbrella and tucked it into her bag.
While waiting for the bus, Chen kicked a small pebble by her feet and complained, “This weather is insane. It’s already scorching early in the morning. I can’t even imagine how hot it’ll be at noon.”
Xie Zhirou tried to comfort her: “Just three more months.”
Chen collapsed dramatically. “Three more months?! Ugh—”
As they talked, Bus 21 arrived. Chen let Xie Zhirou board first and then tapped her card behind her to pay.
It was a weekend morning, so the bus wasn’t crowded. They took seats in the back as the bus slowly pulled away.
The scenery on both sides rolled by in reverse. Sunlight filtered through bauhinia tree leaves, scattering like golden flakes across the pavement. Occasionally, a ray of light would fall on Chen’s face before disappearing again.
They arrived.
Chen Mengyin led Xie Zhirou up to the second floor of the teahouse. It wasn’t too crowded, though all the window seats were taken. Chen picked a table elsewhere and sat down.
“Sigh, so many people. Even the window seats are full,” she muttered, picking up the menu. “No chrysanthemum tea this time. Let’s try some Tieguanyin.”
“Shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls with red rice, chicken feet, BBQ pork buns, turnip cakes, egg tarts—anything else?”
Xie Zhirou thought for a moment and added a couple more dishes. Then they handed off their marked-up menu to a server.
Soon, the server brought over the tea leaves and a pot of hot water. Chen took the pot and rinsed the cups with hot water before unwrapping the tea and beginning to brew it.
The first brew wasn’t meant to be drunk. She poured it out and only filled Xie Zhirou’s cup with the second steeping.
After one cup of tea, the dim sum started arriving.
Xie Zhirou noticed a difference with the shrimp dumplings—there was a slice of black truffle on top.
Chen caught her curious gaze and smiled. “I saw a new item and thought we’d give it a try. I heard it tastes better without soy sauce. Wanna try?”
Xie Zhirou nodded and picked one up carefully, taking a small bite.
The truffle added a unique earthy aroma. She could taste the finely chopped black truffle inside. It wasn’t bad, just… not something she was used to.
Chen had been watching her expression. After one bite, Xie Zhirou pressed her lips together, mouth corners slightly downturned—it was clear she wasn’t enjoying it.
She still tried to finish the dumpling, but Chen snatched it away mid-bite. “If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself.”
Chen popped the half-eaten dumpling into her own mouth and chewed. The truffle’s strong aroma was a bit overwhelming for her too. She frowned but still finished it.
“Whoa. Not gonna lie, that’s… definitely a unique flavor!” she said after swallowing, grabbing her tea and gulping it down to cleanse her palate. There were still two dumplings left, but she admitted defeat.
Xie Zhirou placed a piece of red rice noodle roll in her bowl. “Eat something else to get rid of the taste.”
Chen nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
The tasty noodle roll saved her taste buds from the truffle attack. Soon, both girls were back to enjoying the food, chatting and laughing as they slowly emptied their table.
Chen downed her last cup of tea and sighed contentedly.
She even added a few more dishes midway. Everything was so good that she overate and ended up slumped in her seat, stuffed to the brim.
“I’m food-drunk,” she muttered, one hand on her bulging stomach. She’d consumed so many carbs that she was feeling sleepy and sluggish.
Xie Zhirou, concerned, asked the server for another pot of tea and poured her a cup. “Have some tea. It’ll help digest.”
Chen obediently sat up and sipped her tea.
“After this pot, let’s go check out the LEGO store. Then we can buy some clothes. How’s that sound?” she suggested.
Xie Zhirou nodded without protest.
It was already 10 AM when they left the teahouse. Chen opened her umbrella again and walked slowly beside Xie Zhirou to help digest.
“There’s this new dinosaur movie out—wanna see it?” Chen always made it sound like a question, but she knew Zhirou would say yes. It was a habit, relying on her indulgence to get her way.
And Zhirou understood that too.
Every time Chen asked “Is that okay?”, Zhirou would smile and nod under her expectant gaze.
This time was no different.
As soon as Zhirou nodded, Chen lit up with a big grin. “I knew you were the best!”
Zhirou just smiled lightly.
At the LEGO store, Chen tucked away her umbrella and pushed open the door.
The shelves were filled with dazzling sets, and Chen’s eyes sparkled. It felt like paradise.
“Wow, Zelda LEGO sets!”
“It’s Diagon Alley! I really want that!”
“These little dinosaurs are so cute. What do I do? I want them all.”
Chen stood frozen in front of the shelves, stuck in indecision.
Her allowance was fixed each month. After her usual food expenses, most of it went toward game cartridges and LEGO sets. This month, she had already spent a lot on a game series and didn’t have enough left for everything she wanted.
Plus, she still needed money for clothes, the movie, and food later. How could she go on a “date” broke?
After some painful internal conflict, she settled on a small dinosaur and a Mario piranha plant set.
Since it was inconvenient to carry them around, she left her contact info at the counter and asked them to deliver the sets to her house on a weekday.
“Zhirou, let’s go check out the clothing store. I haven’t bought anything new for summer yet!” she said, opening the door to leave.
But then Zhirou said, “Wait for me here. I’ll be right back.”
Not thinking much of it, Chen waited by the entrance near the AC.
A few minutes later, Zhirou returned. “I just remembered something I forgot to ask the staff.”
Chen asked, “What was it?”
Zhirou answered calmly, “I bought a set from them before and some pieces were missing. I asked if they could replace them.”
Chen gasped. “Really? Were they willing? What if they don’t give you the pieces, then you can’t build it!”
Zhirou smiled. “They said if I can show proof of purchase, they’ll replace the parts.”
Chen let out a relieved breath. “Phew, that’s good.”
Inside the mall, they headed to their usual clothing stores.
Chen had a soft spot for bright, colorful clothes. This time, her main goal was to collect colors she didn’t already own. With the staff’s enthusiastic suggestions, she ended up buying several outfits that, to Zhirou, all looked the same.
Zhirou remembered how Wang Xueling once joked that Chen dressed like a walking art student’s palette.
Chen had protested back then, saying Wang Xueling had no taste.
But now, thinking back… maybe she had a point.
“Let’s go check out the next store,” Chen said, again leaving her contact info at the register to have the clothes delivered home.
Zhirou’s style was the complete opposite—she preferred simple, solid-colored clothing.
They usually shopped at different stores because those that carried Chen’s preferred styles rarely had anything Zhirou liked, and vice versa.
Zhirou picked out two dresses and couldn’t decide, so she called over Chen, who was wandering nearby.
“Mengyin, which one do you think suits me better?”
Chen rested her chin in her hand, deep in thought. Honestly, both dresses looked great on Zhirou. One was elegant and refined, the other was stylish and perfect for different occasions.
“How about… you try both on and see?”
“I’ll do that. Can you hold this one for me?” Zhirou handed her the more minimalist dress and went into the fitting room.
Chen waited outside. But after several minutes, Zhirou still hadn’t come out.
Chen knocked. “Need help in there?”
The door cracked open slightly. Zhirou’s face was hidden in shadow. Her voice was soft: “Yeah… I can’t get the zipper up.”
Without thinking, Chen offered, “Want me to help you?”
Zhirou whispered, “Thanks, that’d be great.”
The door opened just wide enough to let her in. Chen handed off the dress she was holding and stepped inside.
The cramped space barely fit both of their 170cm frames. Once inside, Chen suddenly realized how close they were and got flustered. Her eyes darted everywhere—anywhere but at Zhirou.
So, so nervous…
Neither of them spoke. Their skin touched, radiating heat. Chen even wondered if the store’s air conditioner had broken. Why was it so hot?
“Y-you said the zipper wouldn’t go up, right? I’ll help…” she stammered, grateful the lighting wasn’t too bright—Zhirou wouldn’t see her blushing like a tomato.
“Mm.” Zhirou turned around and pulled her hair aside, revealing her fair back.
So white…
Chen gulped and reached out with trembling fingers. She fumbled several times before grabbing the tiny zipper and slowly pulled it up until Zhirou’s back was covered.
“The zipper’s done. I’ll go wait outside!” she blurted, then dashed out before Zhirou could even respond.
Zhirou watched her retreating figure with a faint, amused smile.