Chapter 1, Soft Times

"Ziliang, keep an eye on your family member; they bully me, an honest person, every day." Qi Yan's voice rose slightly as she winked at Zhang Ziliang

Indeed, it is true that those who are not family do not enter the same door; he and Zhang Ziliang are truly a perfect match. Qi Yan pouted, recalling how Zhang Ziliang often called her crazy girl.

"I have never heard of meat growing inside bones, are you an alien?" Du Ling chuckled lightly as she pushed her aside and walked straight into the bar

Yan Yan, last night Xing Yuan called, why is your phone unreachable?

"It's just a phone call, there is still time for that." His low laughter came from the other end of the line, and his mood had shifted from gloomy to bright.

"Nonsense." Du Ling said with a smile, giving her a glare.

Last night was busy with business, and I only saw your message this morning. " Zhang Ziliang replied while mixing drinks.

"I am busy, so please do not waste my precious time if there is nothing important," Qi Yan replied coldly, feeling resentful and secretly wondering how he could be so idle. Her eyes began to spark with anger

I am indeed a Martian, you must know that, right?" Xi Yan chuckled, affectionately linking her arm with hers. In the ancient town, there are not many friends, and Du Ling is one with whom she can converse easily

He? That can't be. You don't know, I am the person he despises the most, and he has always taken pleasure in tormenting me. Xu Yan raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, her small face scrunched up into a ball.

What happened? A low voice, with a hint of urgency upon closer listening

Once yearning for a comfortable life, pursuing a vibrant and warm existence, yet who in this lifetime can truly age without hardship? Take Qi Yan, for instance; in order to escape, she chose to curl up in this tranquil realm and self-exile for three long years

Hello?" After a long silence without hearing her response, Wen Xingyuan called out softly from the other end of the phone

"Why are you here so early today?" Du Ling greeted her warmly as she entered.

The tranquil and simple life of a commoner, the carefree living space of dreams, and the care and greetings from friends and family, such soft moments gradually soothed the deep-seated pain in her heart. The expression on Qi Yan's face was no longer a mere numbness; she finally learned to smile.

Did I not hear that you are very busy with books? She managed to squeeze out a sentence after a long pause, her tone indifferent

"I am sorry, I am sorry..." A clear, melodious female voice repeatedly apologized, interrupting their conversation

Xi Yan furrowed her brows, gazing silently at the charming beauty before her. Feeling somewhat uneasy under her scrutiny, Du Ling lowered her head to examine her own attire, finding nothing amiss. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that the girl's gaze was rather peculiar.

Where are you? A deep, magnetic male voice came through the phone, and the tone seemed to carry a hint of displeasure

"We may be thin, but we are strong; our bones are filled with flesh. Look at this..." As Xu Yan spoke, she raised her slender arm and struck a pose like a bodybuilder, her expression comical and exaggerated, which made Du Ling burst into laughter with a "pfft" sound.

"Let’s proceed according to your plan. If there are any issues, just discuss them directly with Ziliang, and I will talk to him." Before she could finish her sentence, Wen Xingyuan unexpectedly approved it readily.

Duling smiled and brushed her hand away, saying, "You are just a crazy girl; I suppose only Xingyuan can tolerate you"

After waiting for half an hour without a word from Wen Xingyuan, Qi Yan felt a bit worried and wanted to explain: "I know the cost is a bit high, but ..."

I am very busy he blurted out smoothly

It's nothing, I'm hanging up, goodbye

Xi Yan was stunned for a long time before she finally reacted. She chuckled foolishly and expressed her gratitude, assuring him that she would not disappoint him, and then happily hung up the phone. In her memory, that was the gentlest conversation she had ever had with Wen Xingyuan, and it seemed to be the most pleasant call they had shared. At least, that was how Xi Yan perceived it. There was no other choice; the one footing the bill was the boss.

Last night I called the apartment and you weren't there, the bar also said you didn't go over, why are you only turning on your phone now

"Understood." Xi Yan nimbly jumped down from the chair, playfully bowed, and picked up the tray to walk over.

Stumbling back a couple of steps, she replied in a crisp voice, "It's fine, it's fine, you all continue playing." With a dismissive wave of her hand, she offered a faint smile to the apologetic girl. She quickened her pace, leaving the noisy crowd behind, and walked slowly along the flowing water, her mood remaining unaffected.

The gentle sound of flowing water was gradually overshadowed by the rising duet. Qi Yan, wearing flat sandals, stepped onto the richly textured bluestone pavement. Listening closely to the faint sounds beneath her feet, she felt a genuine sense of tranquility

"No need to thank me." Xi Yan turned around and quietly glanced at the person, seeing him sitting comfortably in a rattan chair with his arms crossed, exuding an air of leisure and contentment, he raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Ziliang, how did Xingyuan end up encountering such a difficult person?" Du Ling turned to look at Zhang Ziliang. Not only did she not understand, but many people also found it hard to see through these two individuals. One seemed to pursue relentlessly, yet was nowhere to be seen; the other appeared completely indifferent, always laughing and changing the subject. Observant people could clearly see the subtlety between Wen Xingyuan and Qian Yan, yet he just wouldn't make it clear, leaving those around him in confusion about what was really going on. Initially, some speculated whether they were involved in some sort of clandestine affair, but various signs indicated otherwise. This has been going on for years, and the relationship between the two has remained stagnant, not only failing to progress but seemingly becoming more distant. Du Ling couldn't even remember how long it had been since Wen Xingyuan last made an appearance.

What happened

"Oh, thank you!" Xi Yan expressed her gratitude, took the cup and had a sip of water, "My phone ran out of battery, I only realized it when I woke up."

"There were too many guests, and in the midst of the busyness... I just forgot..." The two girls worked together to move the long wooden bench a bit, and Du Ling took a deep breath, responding with a slight pant.

"Yanyan, come lend a hand," Du Ling's gentle voice echoed at the door

He just asked if you have arrived, and I didn't have time to ask more

Du Ling looked at his gentle smile, nodded, and decided to temporarily stop worrying about that troublesome pair of rivals, at least for today. After some thought, she still felt that her Zhang Ziliang was the best, always so gentle and considerate, stable enough to make one feel secure and at ease. Most importantly, he had a sense of security in his appearance; he wasn't handsome, but he exuded masculinity, unlike Wen Xingyuan, who had a face full of peach blossoms. With this in mind, Du Ling's brows slightly furrowed. Could it be that Qi Yan's avoidance of Wen Xingyuan and the library was because of this?

Habitually glancing at the watch on her slender wrist, Xi Yan frowned, "Isn't it still before work hours? Are you checking up on me?"

"Hmm, is there something?" Xi Yan responded somewhat absentmindedly, and then she heard her exclaim, "Oh dear..."

"It has nothing to do with you." Taking a deep breath, she gritted her teeth, her already scarce patience being worn thin little by little, "Is there or isn't there?"

Is Ziliang abusing you? Why do you seem to have lost weight again?

You!" Zhang Ziliang looked up at her, seeing her smiling face, and casually ruffled her long hair, his gaze filled with a brotherly affection. "Take this to that guest," he indicated with his eyes towards the table by the window, pushing the beer in front of her.

"No wonder... By the way, did he mention anything?" Qiyan lazily asked while leaning on the bar. It was still early, not the busiest time at the bar, and there weren't many customers, so she didn't have to help serve at the moment.

She does not have many virtues, but she has quite a few quirks. She has always enjoyed observing guests, or more precisely, the people around her, capturing the expressions on their faces, and immersing herself in this pastime as if it were a source of entertainment. As for whether she has discerned any underlying truths, only she knows.

Xi Yan was momentarily taken aback, forcing a somewhat awkward smile, "I am not a fool." Seeing Du Ling about to say something again, she hurriedly waved her hand at Zhang Ziliang, "I will go next door to take a look"

No. Such a curt response seemed to indicate a reluctance to engage in conversation with her, which infuriated Qi Yan, causing her to roll her eyes and grit her teeth, struggling to suppress her anger.

Xi Yan loves the ancient town, and even more so the roads of the ancient town, to the extent that she has come to appreciate the rainy season because of these roads. Standing by the window, she watches the rain curtain pouring down like beads, washing the road surface to a spotless state, so clean, so comfortable

"There is something wrong with his gaze." Du Ling repressed a smile, her face stern as she glared at her, "Even a fool can understand his intentions"

"Is that you, the young lady of the family?" Du Ling shook her head helplessly, smiling as she mocked her.

The melodious ringtone sounded, and seeing the familiar name flashing on the screen, Xi Yan retracted the pure smile from her bare face and pressed the call button.

"It is very noisy over there, at Sifang Street?" The person answered with a response that did not address the question.

Do not pay attention to him, he may just be bored

"The carefree and reckless girl..." Du Ling shot her a glance, her reproachful tone revealing a deep concern.

"It's nothing, just a little bump," Xi Yan said nonchalantly

From the initial haze and confusion to the gradual awakening that followed, from the arduous steps of that time to the current ease and comfort, Xi Yan's life has gradually gained color. Time has passed in the blink of an eye, and the flowing days have allowed her to temporarily forget the lingering troubles that are hard to let go of. The simplicity of life has led her to begin returning to her true self

As soon as she finished speaking, without waiting for him to respond, Qi Yan directly hung up the phone and swiftly turned it off. Imagining Wen Xingyuan on the other end glaring at the phone, and then getting frustrated when he couldn't get through again, she couldn't help but laugh: "I'm just angry with you, so what?"

Xi Yan felt that Wen Xingyuan was simply her nemesis; every time he called, his tone was even more severe than her father's, and he could easily provoke her anger. After putting away her phone, her steps instantly became much lighter. Five minutes later, Xi Yan appeared at a bar named "Familiar Encounter".

Did you not tell him that I couldn't come because I was working overtime?" Xi Yan turned to look at Zhang Ziliang, who was busy. He is a good friend of Wen Xingyuan, and the waitresses in the bar affectionately call him Brother Zhang

"I was busy all night last night, and today I have a day off, so I slept all day and feel great." Xi Yan smiled broadly, revealing a row of neat and white teeth, as she spoke and walked towards the bar.

Du Ling chuckled lightly, "I've been a bit busy lately and my sleep hasn't been great. Don't just talk about me; you aren't doing much better yourself, looking as thin as a bamboo pole."

So you still have time like this

No

Didn’t Liangzi have someone move it the day before yesterday?" Qi Yan looked at Du Ling struggling to push the wooden stool by the door, helping while murmuring.

Here she comes. Xi Yan quickly walked to the bar to put down the tray and then hurried towards Du Ling.

"Once Familiar" was originally a bar, but after being redesigned by Xi Yan, it is now divided into two bars separated by a glass sliding door, with excellent sound insulation. One side is relatively quieter, while the slightly larger side has the nature of a "disco bar." This way, customers can choose which side to sit in according to their preferences, and regardless of their choice, the business remains "Once Familiar" to them.

"As long as we are aware of the situation, we need not worry about it," Zhang Ziliang said, gently embracing Du Ling's slender shoulders with a warm smile

Xi Yan effectively utilized the space, attracting a diverse clientele. However, when she emailed the completed design to Wen Xingyuan for his review, he remained silent on the other end of the line for quite some time. Xi Yan could easily imagine him scowling at the proposal, which made her feel anxious as well. She had conducted a preliminary budget based on the plan, ensuring that the materials were both practical and aesthetically pleasing, but the renovation costs exceeded those of similarly sized bars by double, plus some extra. While it was true that he had money, this was merely a small business for his own indulgence. Her extravagant plans would surely be a burden on his finances, and who would be particularly pleased with that?

Thank you. The person expressed their gratitude, their gaze still fixed on the window, without turning around.

The afterglow of the setting sun casts its light upon the elegant ancient town, where winding alleys, stone-arched bridges, and old houses are all enveloped in a layer of hazy twilight. The seemingly dilapidated buildings, having weathered a century of storms, carry a sense of age while also exuding a hint of tranquility. The architecture in the town is situated by the mountains and water, surrounded by lush green hills, arranged in a harmonious layout that showcases both the natural beauty of a mountain city and the unique charm of a water town. This piece of land resembles a paradise beyond the world, filled with an ancient and pure atmosphere that captivates visitors and makes them reluctant to leave. The architecture in the town is situated by the mountains and water, surrounded by lush green hills, arranged in a harmonious layout that showcases both the natural beauty of a mountain city and the unique charm of a water town. This piece of land resembles a paradise beyond the world, filled with an ancient and pure atmosphere that captivates visitors and makes them reluctant to leave

"What are you busy with?" Ignoring her displeasure, Wen Xingyuan continued to ask, "Are you busy looking at handsome guys?"

"I am so well-read and sensible, I am practically a refined young lady. How could I possibly be considered a mad girl?" Qiyan retorted with dissatisfaction, raising her eyebrows.

I greeted Ziliang, but I didn't go back yesterday because I was working overtime on the proposal. Do you need something from me? Xu Yan was somewhat accustomed to his managerial-style inquiries, but her tone was a bit impatient

"Sir, your beer." Xi Yan politely interrupted the guest's contemplation, gently placing the bottle and empty glass on the table.