Sincere Conversation

People are prone to harbor a lot of opinions, what they believe to be right and wrong or what was pure and what was dark. It's not easy trying to change them through words and a fiery debate will only spark aflame an argument. 

Chan Lee sighed at Liu Guiren's assessment of her, "I do apologize then for trying to impose my beliefs on you, but my stand remains the same." She should really stop talking. She needed to stop talking with the man in front of her. 

Normally, she'd be astounded for someone to read her like an open book—to know thyself, she loved that but this time it was used against her. Picking up the cup filled with tea, she held it out for him. She didn't need to say anything else.

"Thank you." It was all he said as he accepted the cup.

The conversation soon quieted after that. Did she need to speak up some more? She hated small talks. Why did she think this work would be easy enough for someone like her? It didn't help that they had a minor disagreement. If the child was here, it was another demerit. Chan Lee focused on preparing the rest of the tea and soon found words to say, "Is the tea to your liking, sir?" 

It was perfect!

The emotional distance but professionalism with such a question. Why didn't she think of it sooner?

"Hmmm… it's adequate. Though, it would be nicer if you really did pay attention." A slightly hurt expression crossed on the man's face. "You ask such questions but do not appear to be genuinely interested in them—I do not believe that's how a tea sommelier operates."

How could this man easily find fault in her. She bowed her head, "My apologies, I was distracted."

"That's a negligible excuse, but I'll let it pass." Liu Guiren continued to sip his tea. "I believe the next tea is almost ready to be served. Please be a bit more careful this time, it'd be a shame to burn one's fingers."

How long would she have to endure his presence? With a quick nod, she soon prepared him another cup and another variety of tea. This time, he allowed her the peace and silence to focus on her work while she didn't bother striking up a conversation.

How long does a tea party last? An hour? Or more? How long has it been? Wasn't his tongue getting scalded with all the tea he was consuming? How did one even differentiate one cup to the other by now? Could they endure the silence?

It didn't matter though.

A growl ended it all.

Chan Lee tried to keep a blank face as she poured the chrysanthemum tea into its designated cup but the man was already looking at her.

"Did you hear that?" He asked and tilted his head.

She kept her face slack. "No."

"It sounded like a monster growling from the depths of the abyss." A serious expression formed on Liu Guiren's face.

She eyed the man, "Very funny, sir."

Liu Guiren simply shook his head, "Do you harbor some sort of disease? An inner demon?"

What nonsense was he spouting to mess with her. "Fine, I'm feeling kind of hungry." She admitted with a frown. Was this his idea of making the conversation flow? It wasn't a very nice one.

"Oh! Hunger." Liu Guiren nodded, "I seem to have taken a lot of your time, or did you not eat breakfast?"

She really didn't need this conversation right now. "I ate before going here, maybe it's because it's past lunch that's why I'm hungry." She couldn't tell of course, there was no clock but her body clock was another thing.

Liu Guiren pulled out his phone, it was the latest model of course. He checked it for a moment before he slipped it back into his pocket. "You're actually right. Time does fly when you're having fun."

Fun?

Was he serious?

She managed a smile, "It appears to be that way. Are you satisfied with the tea available, sir?" Please say yes and go away. When was the lunch break? There was a lunch break right? Surely there was one! Why wasn't a replacement arriving?

"Yes, yes—Heavenly Jade Pavilion always provides the best leaves available. Though I'm not sure I could exactly say the same regarding the services." He eyed her. 

Well… it wasn't like his feedback was enough for Bo Lifen to not consider her for the job right? "I'll do my best to improve according to your assessment." She said this despite wanting to bite her tongue.

"That's good to hear." He nodded. "I suppose since it's already within lunch hour, I could order some food."

He had been here all morning! Why was he still not getting up from his chair? Did some people really have all the time to spend their weekends on tea? Weren't there other restaurants to visit?

"Here's the menu and I'll go find you a waiter." Chan Lee pulled out the menu from its compartment and handed it to him. Standing up and curtseying, she immediately moved to the exit.

Free at last, free at last—

"How about you join me for lunch?"

Chan Lee paused. There's no such thing as free lunch. There's no such thing as free lunch. That was a mantra she had to chant to herself silently. "I have to apologize but dining with a customer is—"

"It's quite surprising, but I heard that it's quite better to eat with someone than to eat all by yourself." Liu Guiren remarked, a little waver in his voice. "I usually am waited upon by attendants, but I always had to eat alone..."

Always had to eat alone?

Who always had to eat alone?

If she leaned back a bit and rested her head against the headboard, she would have been a lot more comfortable on her bed. Balancing her take-out meal on her thighs was better than sitting on the cold wooden chair and facing the silent blank walls. She also managed to watch her favorite shows on her phone, drowning out the silence in her room for hours. Me, Myself and I—happy as one could be.

Never needing anybody.

All the companion she ever needed was herself. It was her solitude and her own paradise. Safe and sheltered from the world around her. The walls were her pillars, her fortress and a stronghold.

Until someone came and decided to crash it all down.

Now the silent walls shook with noise, sound and music within her quiet home. Laughter, warmth and care bounced within the room. It was something that she hadn't experienced in a long time. 

"Miss Chan Lee?" A soft voice called her out of the reverie.

"Xue—" Instead of long white hair that framed gentle features, she turned to someone with dark hair that framed their sharp but attractive face. "Liu Guiren, sir."

Why was she daydreaming? 

Of a person like her? Someone like him?

She bowed her head, "I'll accompany you, just for today. This one is a bit of a glutton, forgive them and please excuse me for taking advantage of your offer." She couldn't compare herself to him. She wouldn't. 

But she already did.

"I was the one who asked you, so instead of forgiveness; gratitude is what I should be bestowing." He gave her a smile. "Thank you."

Those two words were enough to put her mind in a whirl. Thank you. Kindness. Sincerity. Acceptance. Chan Lee cleared her throat and averted her gaze. "But I still have a shift, and I actually still need to go look for a waiter." She tried not to slap a hand over her face—this was too embarrassing.

"Don't cover your face, smile. You'll look prettier when you do."

"I...Thank you. I'll be right back." She left the room in a rush, ignoring the heat in her cheeks. He was good with words. It was a little unfair for her poor soul that someone could be like that.