The glow of Liangcheng's skyline pressed faintly against the tall windows of Gu Ze Yan's apartment, the city's rhythm stretching late into the night. But inside, the man who normally worked with clockwork focus couldn't sleep.
The contract he had skimmed three times remained unread. His pen rested unused on the desk, rolling back and forth with the smallest nudge of his restless fingers.
Qing Yun's voice replayed in his head.
"Right now I'm busy. My focus is on my sister."
She had said it so calmly in the car that night. No hesitation, no regret. Her smile had been bright, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
But the words had planted something heavy in his chest. For years, women had sought his attention—some openly, others carefully. He had never once doubted his ability to attract, never once worried whether his presence was wanted.
Until now.
Because with Lin Qing Yun, the question was no longer if she noticed him. The question was if she ever would in the way he wanted.
He leaned back, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Maybe I'll always just be another customer to her.
That thought followed him into sleep, and the next morning, into his office where even Chen Rui's teasing fell flat against his distracted mood.
By evening, he was already sitting at the bookstore café, book open but mind elsewhere, waiting for the familiar rhythm of her footsteps.
---
The Arrival
The bell chimed around six, later than usual.
Ze Yan's head lifted automatically.
She appeared in the doorway—Qing Yun, slightly flushed from the cold, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. But what drew his eyes first wasn't her.
It was the car pulling away from the curb outside.
A young man—mid-twenties, clean-cut, the type who looked like he spent weekends running in the park—had just opened the car door for her. He had leaned in, said something inaudible, and she had laughed, tilting her head the way she always did when she was genuinely amused. The man's grin had stretched wide, pleased, almost triumphant.
And then they waved goodbye like old friends, the car sliding away with the confidence of someone who believed he'd be welcome again.
Ze Yan's hand tightened around his book. A sharp itch lodged itself under his ribs.
So this is what it feels like.
Qing Yun stepped inside, bowing her head slightly toward the manager with a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, sorry—I'm late. My scooter broke down after deliveries, I had to push it to the repair shop. That's why I asked Li Hao for a lift."
The manager waved her off kindly, used to her apologies, already sending her toward the back to tie her apron.
Ze Yan didn't hear the explanation. Or rather, he did—but the name Li Hao stuck unpleasantly.
From his corner seat, he couldn't stop staring as she adjusted her hair net and pulled on her apron, moving with that same practiced cheer as if the world had never demanded too much of her. She smiled at him, small and kind, before slipping behind the counter.
The smile eased nothing. If anything, it made the itch sharper.
For someone who doesn't want romance, she certainly draws attention everywhere she goes.
---
Time stretched. Customers drifted in and out, pages turned, cups clinked on saucers.
Ze Yan tried to read. He failed spectacularly. His eyes followed her instead—the way she crouched to help a child pick a picture book, the way she brushed dust from a shelf corner, the way her hair slid forward when she bent over to write something on a notepad.
Finally, he set the book down with a quiet sigh. Enough.
Before he realized what he was doing, he was already walking toward her. She sat at the counter, bent slightly over a slim paperback, her lips moving faintly as she traced a line of text with her finger.
He stopped in front of her and, on instinct, leaned down.
She looked up.
Their faces were suddenly too close—so close that he caught the faint scent of soap clinging to her skin, so close that her wide eyes reflected him perfectly. Her breath hitched softly. His own exhalation brushed across her cheek.
Time stopped.
For one impossible second, Gu Ze Yan let himself imagine closing that small gap, tasting the warmth of the smile forming at the corners of her lips.
But instead, he lingered just long enough to see her eyes crinkle, surprised, then soften into a smile so sweet it felt like sunlight.
He straightened at last, hiding the rush of his heartbeat under an even tone.
"Hi," she said softly, voice like a secret.
---
His lips curved. "You seem popular lately. Handsome men driving you to work, opening car doors, making you laugh."
Her smile bloomed brighter. "Ah—that. Just coincidence. That was Li Hao, my English student's older brother. He works near the repair shop and happened to see me. My scooter broke down after deliveries. He just gave me a ride. He's only a customer."
Ze Yan raised a brow, unconvinced. "No customer looks that happy just to give someone a ride. Opening car doors like a chauffeur."
Qing Yun tilted her head, eyes glinting with quiet mischief. "Well, you did. And you're also a customer, aren't you?"
Checkmate.
For the first time in years, Gu Ze Yan found himself speechless. Then he laughed, low and self-deprecating. "Fair. I suppose I am a customer. A very loyal one. With excellent manners."
She chuckled, shaking her head. "The best kind."
The knot in his chest loosened just a fraction.
---
"What did the repair shop say?" he asked.
"They'll check tomorrow. It's old, but I'm hoping they can fix it."
Her tone was cheerful, but he caught the flicker of worry underneath.
"I'll take you home tonight," he said, not leaving room for refusal.
She glanced up, lips curving. "Thank you."
And that was that.
---
Later, when her shift ended, he was already waiting outside with his car.
She slid into the passenger seat, exhaling in relief at the warmth.
"Roads are quieter tonight," he said, pulling smoothly into traffic.
She nodded, relaxing into the seat, fingers fiddling absently with the strap of her bag.
The silence wasn't awkward. It was… comfortable. Still, he couldn't resist teasing.
"So," he began casually, "am I still just a well-mannered customer?"
Her lips tugged upward. "Mm. The most loyal. Very polite."
He turned his head briefly, smirking. "Loyalty has its privileges, you know."
She rolled her eyes but laughed softly, the sound curling into the corners of the car, warming the night better than the heater.
At a stoplight, he glanced at her profile—delicate under the passing glow of headlights, lashes dipping as she looked down at her hands. A thought hit him suddenly, sharp and clear: I could get used to this. Just driving her home, every night.
She caught his gaze, raising a brow. "Road, Mr. Customer."
He coughed lightly, turning back with a quiet chuckle.
---
At the gate
When they reached her building, he got out first, walking around to open the door for her.
She blinked, amused. "Copying Li Hao now?"
He leaned against the car with perfect composure. "No. Just reminding you—loyal customers have better manners."
Her laugh slipped out, bright and helpless. "Alright, alright. You win."
She adjusted her bag strap, offering him a small nod. "Good night, Mr. Gu. Thank you for today."
He held her gaze for a beat longer than necessary, then smiled. "Good night, Sunny."
She went inside, the faint echo of her footsteps fading up the stairwell.
He stayed a while longer by the car, exhaling into the night. The knot from yesterday had not vanished entirely—but it had loosened. Because today, she had smiled for him. And somehow, that was enough to make him want tomorrow even more.