Chapter Forty-Eight: Are You Back?

I silently watched Yang Xiaoyu and sighed, asking, "What did Sister Shi Yu say to you?"

"Nothing," Yang Xiaoyu waved her hand casually, then went to settle the bills for a few customers. Playfully, she said, "If you think the beauties here are okay, you’re welcome to come again."

I stood beside her, feeling a bit speechless. So this place relies on beautiful women for marketing... But I had to admit, at least I could see no fewer than three tables of young men inside, happily enjoying cold drinks and chatting. No matter what, as long as it doesn't harm anyone’s interests, how one manages a business is a personal choice. Bars and KTVs often use the allure of beautiful women, and even car shows do the same. I guessed only the quirky Yang Xiaoyu could have come up with such an idea.

"I was wondering why all the waitresses have been replaced by young girls," I said.

"Hehe, it’s legitimate business. Don’t get the wrong idea," Yang Xiaoyu blushed a bit when I teased her like that.

I sat down at the spot where the customers had just left, staring gloomily out the window. Although I had only been away for three short days, everything here suddenly felt so unfamiliar. The environment hadn’t changed—what had changed was my heart. People are like that: when they have goals to strive for, they’re full of energy. Busy and happy, even feeling like sleeping is wasting time. But once those things are lost, the world seems colorless. Wherever you go, whatever you do, it all feels meaningless.

"Actually, all these things I said are just guesses. I just happened to get them right," Yang Xiaoyu said, sitting opposite me as I gazed at the clear sky outside, lost in thought.

"Because you’re an angel fish?" I asked.

"No, because I’m a clever fish."

Her serious face made me smile, and I nodded in agreement. What a smart girl.

"Brother Yang, before it’s too late, why not start over again?"

"In what way?" I asked with a smile.

"In any way you want," Yang Xiaoyu twirled a strand of her purple hair, then continued, "Some things don’t start just because you’re ready. Life isn’t a game—you don’t get another round if you lose. The distance between people always shifts, sometimes near, sometimes far. Today you do something she likes, and she thinks you care for her. Tomorrow you hurt her feelings, and she doubts your sincerity... Love and being loved have no clear boundaries. Instead of hesitating in this whirlpool, why not step out of the game?"

Yang Xiaoyu blinked at me and said, "Boss Yang still loves to preach like before. Isn’t that great? At least you’re still you, and I’m still me."

I didn’t know if Yang Xiaoyu had ever truly loved someone wholeheartedly. But whether she understood it or not, I shouldn’t say such things to a girl. She should keep believing in fairy tales and wait for her prince.

"Forget it, let’s not talk about such deep stuff. It’s meaningless," I changed the subject. I had always known that handing over the cold drink shop to Yang Xiaoyu might not be a good thing for her. Even if she loved making cold drinks and was hardworking, it didn’t mean she wanted to accept everything in this empty framework.

"First, Boss Yang, you’re not a complete scoundrel. At least you came back immediately when your crazy girlfriend got sick. Having some conscience doesn’t fit the definition of a scoundrel. Second, you say you’re an undeserving boss, but I don’t think so. Look around—this black-and-white fantasy, the search for meaning—it’s all a manifestation of your thoughts. Without you, this shop would lose its soul. Without a soul, how can it survive?"

I stared at Yang Xiaoyu in a daze. I hadn’t expected to be lectured twice in one day by this little girl, and what she said was absolutely right. Indeed, from the boom at the opening of this cold drink shop to the off-season lull, we all had many memories here. Yang Xiaoyu, Sister Ke Wen, Sister Shi Yu, and Zhang Jiaxin—they were all helping me realize a wish I had casually spoken of... What reason did I have to run away?

I silently lowered my head, pondering my choice.

"Brother Yang, in the days you were gone, I suddenly felt lonely here in this cold drink shop..."

I looked up in surprise, and Yang Xiaoyu seemed to realize her poor phrasing, quickly waving her hand to correct herself. "Not lonely... just very forlorn... I believe Brother Yang you’d understand."

"You feel lonely without me... I get it," I joked heartlessly with this girl who was not even twenty.

"Hey, it’s not what you think," Yang Xiaoyu’s fair cheeks flushed pink, but her words only made things more awkward.

"What do you think?"

"Stop teasing," she stood up and sat beside me quietly. "Boss Yang, you’re back."

"I’m back." Watching this adorable girl, I felt grateful for everything she had said today. At least it helped me understand what I should do—not to escape, but to make amends.

If I once lived for ideals, from now on I would live to continue those ideals.

"You really came back."

"Yeah, I’m back."

"Yay! Tonight I’ll give you a proper welcome. You pick the place," Yang Xiaoyu happily leaned against me. "By the way, Christmas is coming soon. We need to think up some promotions quickly. We can’t waste this opportunity."

"So generous! Did you secretly give yourself a raise while I was gone?" I laughed heartily. I never restricted Yang Xiaoyu. She was a founding member of this cold drink shop, practically my right hand. She had absolute freedom—as long as she didn’t mess around, any idea with a chance of success was worth trying.

Her reminder made me realize Christmas really was just around the corner. It might be a little late to start planning, but this cold drink shop wasn’t like Sister Ke Wen’s bar back then—just a small-scale operation. A week or so would be enough to run a small promotional event.

"Does the angel fish have any good ideas?"

"Of course not," Yang Xiaoyu rolled her eyes. "I’m not the boss; I have no right to decide anything. But since you’re back, let’s work hard together. We’ll invite gentle Sister Wen too—she’s full of ideas and will definitely help us make big profits."

"By the way... I was just wondering, how do you know Sister Shi Yu has many good ideas?" I gently held Yang Xiaoyu’s shoulder to prevent her from running off.

"Well..." Yang Xiaoyu started to squirm, as if looking for a chance to escape.

"Anyway, I never said anything... Who told you?" I pressed a little harder on her shoulder, though her skin was soft and I didn’t dare use real force.

"Alright, I admit it was Sister Shi Yu... but she volunteered to tell me. I didn’t ask a single thing," Yang Xiaoyu finally gave in.

Seeing her a little discouraged, I pressed on, "When did Sister Shi Yu tell you?"

"The afternoon before yesterday. She came looking for you, but you had already left. She sat quietly at that spot, staring at the heavy snow outside—looking very lonely... We weren’t close, but I always thought she was nice, so I went to give her a glass of milk. She looked at the milk and suddenly smiled, then asked me to sit down. We started chatting, and then..."

Listening to Yang Xiaoyu recite all this like a lesson, I got the gist: Sister Shi Yu hadn’t seen me that Friday and reminisced about the times we spent together.

"What about before that?"

"Those were just my guesses, not Sister Wen’s words," Yang Xiaoyu said seriously as she stood up. "If you don’t believe me, I can—"

"Enough already," I stood up and firmly pressed down her raised hand. "It’s nothing important; no need to make the atmosphere so tense."

"Hehe," Yang Xiaoyu smiled sheepishly, then ran off towards the front desk, saying, "Boss Yang, don’t forget tonight. I’m off to work now. You better get yourself ready. Today you get the day off."

I truly admired this girl. When serious, she was considerate; otherwise, she was wild and carefree... I guessed her personality might end up quite like Zhao Ke Wen’s. I teased myself. But thinking of Sister Ke Wen’s past, I quickly shook my head. Watching Yang Xiaoyu work diligently, I thought: no matter how things turn out, I won’t allow her to be hurt. Anyone who dares to toy with her feelings, I’d break the bank and deal with them.

I checked my phone and saw it was already past three in the afternoon, not long before the shop closed. Since Yang Xiaoyu had mentioned welcoming me tonight, why not combine that with my plan to go singing with Goddess Su? She’d been in Yichun for so long, following me everywhere but hardly playing or eating properly. I felt a bit guilty. Yang Xiaoyu had a long road ahead, and it would only do her good to spend more time with kind people.

At this moment, there were few customers left in the shop. I rested my head on the table, planning to take a nap. After all, the evening was still far off. I hadn’t rested well last night, and my current energy was entirely sparked by Yang Xiaoyu. As I lay on the wooden table, the sounds around me grew fainter until I fell asleep.

(Nine-Headed Bird Academy)