Qin Guanglin dropped his art drafts into the mailbox by the roadside and glanced at his watch. It was already two in the afternoon. He took a few steps toward home, paused to think for a moment, then turned and walked toward the bus stop.
At three in the afternoon, he had planned to meet an online friend at Shengtian Square. Although he felt that meeting an online friend of the opposite sex was a bit unreliable, since they had already arranged it, waiting there was better than arriving exactly on time.
There were few people on the bus at this time, only a few middle-aged men and women. After inserting his fare, Qin Guanglin glanced around the bus and then went straight to the seat by the window near the back door. It was the most convenient place to get off.
As the bus started, he looked out the window, feeling curious yet a bit uncertain.
He had only known this online friend for about half a month, and they had already become familiar enough to meet offline. It could be said they were quite compatible, which made him wonder what kind of person she really was in reality.
He knew that the difference between online and real life was significant. Disappointment was common. Moreover, she was the one who initiated the conversation and suggested meeting. Besides being prepared for disappointment, he also had to guard against any potential scams.
Luo City was neither too big nor too small, and there was no traffic at this time. It took less than half an hour for Qin Guanglin to get to Shengtian Square from the bus stop near his home. Three minutes to half past two, he got off at the back door and waved away the floating willow catkins—April's willow catkins drifted like snowflakes, which were quite annoying.
They hadn't agreed on a specific meeting place, only Shengtian Square. Qin Guanglin glanced around casually, thinking it wouldn't do to foolishly stand under the bus stop sign in the sun, so he decided to sit in a nearby milk tea shop while waiting.
"Ding-dong."
He had only taken two steps when his phone rang with a message.
Checking his phone, Qin Guanglin stopped when he saw that it was a message from his online friend.
Lost and waiting to return: I'm here.
Forest: What a coincidence; I'm here too.
Lost and waiting to return: What color clothes are you wearing?
They only knew each other's ages and genders, never having exchanged photos, so they needed to rely on clothes to identify each other.
He looked up and scanned the square before typing: Light gray shirt, black pants, pretty nondescript. What are you wearing?
Send.
A casual glance around the square revealed several men in gray shirts and black pants. It was too common of a color combination.
"Hi, Forest?"
A few seconds later, a clear, soft voice sounded from behind him.
Qin Guanglin turned around to see a girl with long hair standing there, looking at him intently.
"Lost and waiting to return?" he asked, while discreetly observing this online friend.
Her makeup was very subtle. She wore a white long-sleeved shirt with one button undone at the collar, revealing a hint of a collarbone. She had cropped pants on and wore beige casual shoes.
"Yes, do you want to shake hands?" she smiled slightly, continuing to look at Qin Guanglin's face, indifferent to everything else.
As willow catkins drifted between them, Qin Guanglin looked at the bus stop sign behind her and shook his head. "Not so formal, right? Where did you come from?"
"West City, from the school." She took two steps forward, nodding toward the square. "Shall we walk around?"
Qin Guanglin nodded. They had mentioned in their chats before that she was studying at Luo City University and was about to graduate.
"My name is Qin Guanglin, and yours?" He slowed his pace, walking alongside her toward Shengtian Square.
"My name is He Fang." She suddenly turned around with her hands behind her back, seeming in a good mood, her eyes curved in a smile. "Nice to meet you, Qin Guanglin."
"Nice to meet you too." Qin Guanglin was slightly dazed as he looked at He Fang. This situation was different from what he had imagined... it seemed a bit too smooth?
Noticing his gaze, He Fang gave him a bright smile, then turned back around and continued walking. "Thank you for accepting my invitation; let me treat you to milk tea."
Thanking him for accepting the invitation? What was there to thank? Qin Guanglin followed her pace and didn't fuss over the small gesture; it was just a cup of milk tea.
They walked all the way to the west gate of Shengtian Square. He Fang stopped and looked around as he spoke up. "The milk tea shop is at the east gate... don't you come here often?"
"Uh... I usually hang out in West City and rarely come this way." He Fang smiled apologetically. "Let's head to the east gate."
The milk tea shop was called Green Orange Time, and the decor was simple. The entrance was small, but inside it was spacious, with a refreshing coolness welcoming them as they walked in.
"One kumquat lemon tea, less ice, less sugar." He Fang stood in front of the counter without even looking at the menu. "And one..."
She paused, turned her head toward Qin Guanglin. "What would you like?"
"Carrot juice."
After collecting the receipt and finding a seat, Qin Guanglin found himself at a loss while looking at He Fang. Although they had hit it off online, most of the chat topics were initiated by He Fang. Now in person, he didn't know what to say, lacking experience in this area.
"Why are you staring at me?" Qin Guanglin asked after a while.
He couldn't help it; He Fang had rested her arms on the table without speaking, simply watching him intently.
"Reading your fortune," He Fang smiled with pursed lips, her gaze still fixed on his face.
"You can do that?" Qin Guanglin laughed and finally took a good look at her face. Although not a stunning beauty, she was quite pleasant and fair-skinned, offering a comfortable first impression.
A touch of blush made her complexion look healthy, though faint dark circles could be seen around her eyes. "Didn't sleep well last night?"
"A little insomnia lately," she replied, then heard a call from the counter that their order was ready.
"I'll get it." Qin Guanglin stood up, went to the counter to pick up their drinks, and turned to find He Fang watching him head turned slightly, her gaze seemingly never leaving him.
Am I that attractive?
Qin Guanglin felt puzzled as he returned with the drinks, placing the kumquat lemon tea in front of her. "No classes today?"
Just making conversation.
He Fang took a small sip, looked up at him. "Almost graduated, not many classes left. Mainly working on my thesis now."
"Oh." Qin Guanglin nodded. "What's your major?"
"Literature."
"That's nice."
"It is." He Fang curved her lips into a smile, seeming entertained by his attempt at small talk, counter-questioning. "And you? Already working?"
"Kind of." He thought about it. "Primarily providing artwork for clients. Work when there's work, otherwise just idle, considered a freelancer."
That should count as work, right? Yet it was unstable and didn't seem like a proper job.
"Kinda like a date," she murmured under her breath.
"What?" Qin Guanglin was still pondering whether his freelance commissions counted as work.
"I said you look very serious."
"Uh... maybe it's because you've been staring at me, making me a bit nervous."
Indeed, a little reserved, unable to relax.
He took a big gulp of carrot juice, trying to ease himself. "How's my fortune?"
"Very good, quite perfect."