My Heart Beats - Chapter 2
Chapter 2
That night, Xueman went to the cafe again. This was her third visit this week. She kept hoping she could hear that soul-stirring sound there, or perhaps meet someone.
The atmosphere inside was still quiet and comfortable, with the same lingering violin tune. The only difference was that a tall, slender girl with short hair was now behind the counter. She was wearing an apron, her gaze intently fixed on the coffee brewing.
“Where is the owner?” Xueman asked, sitting at the bar counter. The whisky coffee she liked was exclusive to this place; it wasn’t listed on the menu, and the owner knew she only drank that.
Yin Chi looked up at the person who was roughly her age and had a slightly impolite tone. “The owner isn’t here. I can mix whatever you want.” “Then I want whisky coffee.”
Yin Chi poured the freshly brewed coffee from the pot, the steam obscuring her face. “You shouldn’t drink that today.” “If you can’t make it, just say so, don’t make excuses.” Xueman said dismissively, her voice tinged with anger.
Yin Chi rested her hands on the edge of the counter, leaning forward slightly, meeting Xueman’s bloodshot eyes, which were red from lack of rest. “I’m sorry, but I’m the one who created the whisky coffee.” “Who would believe you unless you make a cup?” “Whether you believe me or not is not important. I said I won’t make it, and I won’t.” “You!” Xueman glared at her. “Is this your way of treating customers? Refusing a customer’s request?” “Go home. Come back next time and I’ll make it for you.” Xueman scoffed: “Too bad there won’t be a next time.”
Yin Chi didn’t respond to her. She placed the coffee she had just poured in front of her, then turned around, took a slice of lemon, and put it in the coffee. Seeing her completely arrogant demeanor, Xueman stormed out of the cafe in frustration. The girl behind the counter, meanwhile, leisurely drank her own Neapolitan coffee.
Just as she stepped out of the cafe door, the sky started to become heavy. Although it was dark, the approaching dark clouds were still clearly visible. Xueman looked down at her empty hands and smiled helplessly: “When a person has bad luck, even drinking cold water can choke them.”
No sooner had she spoken than a torrential downpour began. Xueman retreated to the doorway of the cafe. She looked back and saw the eccentric girl still sitting in her original spot, the coffee in her hand steaming. Her face became inscrutable, her well-defined profile softened by the cafe’s lighting.
She also turned her head, met Xueman’s gaze, a playful expression in her eyes. She stood up, walked towards Xueman, opened the cafe door, squinted at the person outside, and motioned for her to come in with a nod towards her former seat.
“Are you less angry now?” Yin Chi sat down opposite Xueman. “You are really not in the right condition today.” Xueman raised her head and looked at Yin Chi across from her with interest.
“Want to listen to a song?” Yin Chi put down her coffee. “Sure.” Xueman tilted her head slightly, remembering something. “It’s a shame I didn’t bring the cassette tape I took from the shop the other day. I want to hear that.” Yin Chi’s eyes lit up. “Do you really want to hear it?” Xueman pursed her lips. “Do you know what I’m talking about?” Of course I do, Yin Chi thought to herself.
She pulled Xueman up and walked towards the counter. Yin Chi quickly turned on the sound system and skillfully adjusted the microphone height. Xueman leaned against the wall. The accompaniment slowly flowed out of the speakers. Xueman shivered, and the smile at the corner of her mouth grew wider. The same was true for Yin Chi behind the microphone.
You smile doesn’t mean you want to hug
Your hug doesn’t mean everything is beautiful
If a dream is a bubble
Where do I find the trace of love
My eyes can’t see what you need
Your ears can’t hear my prayer
If even the weather is hard to predict
Where do I find the trace of love
How good do I have to be to you
How much do you need to love me
What does it matter
Perhaps the answer has to be found after traveling to the ends of the earth
Only then will I know
Hearing your heart beat
Is the most important.
Yin Chi closed her eyes and slowly finished the song. Just as Xueman had heard it the first time, it was flawless. Xueman woke up from the song, and the applause made Yin Chi open her eyes.
“My name is Yin Chi.” She turned off the microphone and walked up to Xueman. “My name is Ye Xueman.” She showed a row of teeth, her lips curving upwards. Yin Chi took the coaster out of her bag and held it up to Xueman. “Can I keep this?” The coffee in Yin Chi’s hand had been replaced by red wine, and she handed a glass to Xueman. “Red wine is more suitable for you today.”
Xueman took the red wine and slowly walked back to the counter seat. Yin Chi followed and sat down next to her. Xueman took a small sip of the wine, looking at the girl opposite her through the glass. She found her not as annoying as before. Unlike the cassette tape, listening to her live singing gave her a feeling of surrender—it wasn’t the kind that strikes the heart the moment she opens her mouth, but rather like a story being slowly unfolded.
“Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to sleep drinking coffee at night?” Yin Chi looked at the abandoned Neapolitan coffee. How could she not love the bitter and sour taste? It was like the long-awaited yearning. “I can’t quit.” This answer piqued Xueman’s curiosity. She put down the red wine and asked: “So what do you think coffee is? Why did you think of mixing whisky with coffee?”
Yin Chi looked into Xueman’s eyes, still with her playful expression, and said: “I’m willing to tell you, but not now.” “Since you don’t care about the listener, why care about the time of the telling?” Yin Chi stood up and looked at the clock on the wall, then looked outside. The heavy rain had already turned into a light drizzle. “You can understand it as I don’t want to say it.” She looked down at Xueman, who seemed to be persistently waiting for her answer, and then she paused and added: “Or you can understand it as I don’t want to say it to you. That’s why I’m employing a delaying tactic.”
The quiet and peaceful atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point. Xueman looked up at the eccentric girl, and a surge of unprovoked anger welled up within her.