Little Fish and Mint - Chapter 15

The call ended.

Xu Yitong hugged her phone to her chest, a blissful smile on her face.

“Tongtong?” Yiyi called her several times before she finally snapped out of it. “What?”

“Where did you go just now?”

“To get water,” she replied instinctively.

“What a coincidence! Fish went to get water too,” Roy commented casually.

Xu Yitong’s smile widened. They were all teasing, but…

…hadn’t she and Yu Ge just shared a secret, intimate moment?

✧✧✧

On Wednesday, CC picked Xu Yitong up for her meeting with the designer.

As the car door opened, a cloud of perfume wafted out. CC stared at Xu Yitong, removing her sunglasses in disbelief.

“What’s with the fancy outfit?” she asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Fancy? I think it’s fine,” Xu Yitong examined herself in the mirror, feigning innocence. “I haven’t been out in a while. Just dressing up a bit.”

“Just ‘a bit’? I thought you were going to a red carpet event,” CC said dryly.

“Shut up,” Xu Yitong snapped, pulling on her seatbelt.

The last time she’d been out, it had been rainy and humid, bearable. But now, Shanghai was in the midst of a heatwave. Being indoors without air conditioning was torture.

Less than half an hour after arriving, Xu Yitong was sweating profusely, her makeup melting. Excusing herself, she escaped to the nearby convenience store.

It was mid-afternoon, and the store was empty except for a cashier watching dramas.

Xu Yitong thoughtfully grabbed some cold drinks for CC, the designer, and her assistant, then returned to the convenience store.

She bought a Häagen-Dazs and sat down, enjoying the air conditioning.

She hadn’t noticed last time, but from here, she could see the OG team base. It looked impressive.

She wondered what Yu Ge was doing. Esports players kept odd hours. Maybe he was still asleep?

She couldn’t resist sending him a message. [Hi! What are you up to?]

No reply, as expected. Should have resisted, she thought.

Putting her phone away, she ate her ice cream, then, bored, started chatting with the cashier. “How’s business?”

“Huh?” The cashier looked up, confused.

“I just rented the shop next door,” Xu Yitong explained. “Just curious.”

“Oh, I see. Business is okay. Busier at night.”

“I saw a team base nearby…” Xu Yitong asked casually. “Do they come here often?”

“Sometimes, but they mostly order takeout,” the cashier chuckled. “The shop you rented used to be a flower shop. Good business, but the owner went back home to get married.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, thanks to that team base. Not sure what game they play, but they’re popular. Lots of fans order flowers for them.”

…

After the site visit, they went to a nearby café.

The designer handed them the contract. “If everything looks good, we can sign today. Fifty percent deposit upfront, and we’ll have the construction plans ready this week.”

Xu Yitong, peering at the contract, didn’t understand most of it. “Any problems?” she asked CC.

CC carefully reviewed the terms. “Looks fine. Let’s sign.”

After paying the deposit, the designer created a group chat.

Xu Yitong checked the time. “It’s almost five. Dinner’s on me?”

“You’re too kind, but we have a meeting back at the office,” the designer said, packing up.

“Okay.” Xu Yitong didn’t insist.

CC stood up, grabbing her car keys. “Let’s go. I’ll drive you home.”

Xu Yitong didn’t budge. “Let’s stay a little longer.”

“Why?”

She looked around hesitantly. “It’s still early.”

“Are you meeting someone?” CC asked suspiciously.

“Yu Ge?” Xu Yitong shook her head. “No.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

“I ran into him near here last time,” she said, her expression innocent. “Maybe he’ll come out to buy something.”

“You’re crazy.”

Xu Yitong refused to move. “I’ll wait a little longer. You go ahead.”

She couldn’t go home without seeing him, not after dressing up so nicely.

…

Hours passed.

She ordered more coffee, then milk tea, sitting there from daylight to dusk. It was almost closing time, and he still hadn’t appeared.

Disappointed, she sighed.

Looks like it’s not my lucky day.

But she quickly rallied.

Three parts destiny, seven parts effort. Gotta try!

She studied the menu, then called the waiter. “I’d like to order some desserts and drinks to go.”

“Do you have any good cookies?” she asked.

“Our Earl Grey white chocolate and red velvet cream cheese cookies are the most popular.”

“Okay, I’ll take one of each.”

The evening air was slightly cooler after the day’s heat. The lights were on in the OG team base, the large windows glowing brightly.

Xu Yitong paced outside the base, carrying her bags.

“Hey! Don’t loiter around here!” the security guard yelled, noticing her.

She approached him. “I’m delivering food! Can you let them know? I can leave it with you.”

“Do you have a contact person inside?”

“No.”

Used to overzealous fans, the guard said sternly, “We don’t accept unsolicited gifts, food or otherwise. Take it back.”

“…”

She reluctantly left, but didn’t go far.

She thought for a moment, then messaged Awen: [Hi, I bought you guys some snacks. Security won’t let me in. Can someone come down and get it?]

Ten minutes later, Little C hurried out in his slippers.

Seeing her with all the bags, he said, surprised, “Wow, what are you doing here? So much food!”

“I was in the area and thought I’d return the favor after all the free meals,” she smiled.

“You’re too kind!” He took the bags. “Awen’s in a game, so he sent me.”

“Oh, I see.”

Then, without thinking, he asked, “Why didn’t you message Fish?”

She paused, slightly embarrassed. “I did this afternoon. He hasn’t replied.”

“He’s like that. Doesn’t check his phone much,” Little C reassured her.

“It’s fine,” she forced a smile. “I’ll be going then.”

“Wait…”

She turned. “What?”

“Fish isn’t here right now, but he’ll be back soon. Want to wait?”

They found a spot to sit in a nearby gazebo.

“Why is he out so late?” she asked, curious.

“Family stuff. I don’t know the details. Nothing good, though.”

She didn’t pry.

Little C opened a milk tea. “I’ll wait with you.”

Touched, Xu Yitong said, “I’ll treat you to dinner next time! Any restaurant you want!”

“Hee hee,” he chuckled. “You’re so generous! Unlike Awen, making me call him ‘daddy’ for some barbecue.”

“How old are you?” she asked, amused.

“Nineteen.”

“Just a kid, huh? Same age as my cousin. But you’re much more likable,” she said.

“Conquer?”

“Yeah, I saw online that you guys don’t get along…” She offered him a cupcake. “He’s young and spoiled, but he’s not a bad person. Don’t take it personally if he offends you.”

“It’s fine,” he put down his milk tea. “It’s just the fans online. The players are okay. We even had drinks with the TG team after the Intercontinental Tournament.”

“Good. Maybe we’ll be family one day,” she said without thinking.

“Huh? Family?” Little C was stunned.

She giggled at his reaction. “Just kidding.”

They chatted easily, like they were old friends.

Checking her phone, she saw she only had ten percent battery left. “I should probably go. Don’t want to keep you.”

“Okay…”

As they stood up, she pointed to one of the bags. “Those are cookies.”

“I’ll make sure Fish gets them,” he promised.

“You’re so sweet!” She smiled brightly.

Standing close to her, Little C was momentarily captivated by her smile.

He suddenly noticed someone standing nearby.

“Is that… Fish?”

Xu Yitong followed his gaze.

There were no streetlights here, only a dim yellow bulb above the gazebo. Yu Ge stood in the shadows, his expression hidden by the darkness.

After a moment, he continued walking, as if he didn’t see them.

“Fish!” Little C called out, but Yu Ge didn’t stop, completely ignoring them.

Is he in a bad mood? Little C wondered. Did I do something?

Not wanting to risk it, he grabbed the bags. “You guys talk. I’ll take this up.”

…

“Yu Ge! Wait!” Xu Yitong ran after him, clutching the bag of cookies.

He ignored her.

She kept pace, saying cheerfully, “Why are you back so late? I brought snacks for you and Little C, but security wouldn’t let me in, so…”

As they stepped into the light, she stopped, her words catching in her throat. “Oh my god, your face! What happened?! Did someone beat you up?!”

Realizing her mistake, she quickly stopped.

Yu Ge stopped walking.

After a moment, he said, “It’s none of your business.”

“I wasn’t trying to pry. I was just worried…”

“Worried?” He repeated the word, a strange smile twisting his lips, his eyes filled with darkness.

The metallic taste of bl00d filled his mouth.

“Are we close?” he asked coldly.