Relaxing Conversation

"Qing Qing..." Yan Yan hesitated for a moment before deciding to call Tang Qing. "I'm busy, what's wrong?" The sound of the keyboard clicked in the background as Tang Qing spoke a little faster.

"Nothing." Yan Yan said, his voice sounding lonely.

"Then shall I hang up first?" Tang Qing said the keyboard clicks continue.

"Yeah." Yan Yan replied. He didn't know why he had called Tang Qing. It seemed he just wanted to confirm something.

After the events at the police station earlier that day, Yan Yan was sure that someone was orchestrating things behind the scenes, instigating the man to approach Tang Qing. Judging from the mysterious look in the man's eyes and the tattoo pattern on his neck, Yan guessed it was the person sent by his mother.

When Yan Yan and Tang Qing were in a relationship, Yan Yan's mother strongly opposed it, even causing a commotion. Unable to separate the two, Yan feared that his mother was behind this.

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"You seem to be quite knowledgeable about coffee," Zilong smiled, observing Tang Qing's skilled ordering at the café.

"Oh, it's just that my dad is a big coffee lover," Tang Qing chuckled. "He has at least one cup every single day."

Tang Qing couldn't help but smile fondly as she thought of her father's coffee obsession. "You know, the coffee he drinks and the desserts he eats can almost be considered full meals. My mom and I often try to persuade him, but he says, 'If I'm not eating a proper meal, why shouldn't I indulge in what I enjoy?'" She shook her head, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

Zilong nodded, intrigued. "It seems he's quite the coffee connoisseur then. What does he usually order? I'm curious to learn more about his preferences."

"Oh, he loves trying different roasts and brewing methods," Tang Qing explained. "One day, it might be a bold, dark-roasted espresso, and the next, he'll be sipping on a light, fruity pour-over. He's always experimenting and reading up on the latest coffee trends."

She paused, a fond smile spreading across her face. "I must admit, his passion for coffee has rubbed off on me over the years. I enjoy learning about flavor nuances and trying new specialty drinks."

Zilong took a sip of the black coffee in his cup. Not many people shared his preference for the bold, unadorned brew, but he seemed to be an exception. Tang Qing recalled ordering a similar black coffee during their previous meeting.

"So, Tang Qing, what kinds of food do you typically enjoy?" Zilong asked, his eyes alight with enthusiasm. "I'd love for us to go out and try a new place together next time!"

Tang Qing pretended to ponder the question, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Well, I'm quite the foodie, to be honest. I'd say I'm open to trying just about anything you can think of."

Zilong's face lit up at her response. "Wonderful! There's a restaurant I've been wanting to visit, just across the bridge from here," he said, gesturing towards the establishment in the distance. "How about we make plans to go there next time?"

"Sounds good to me," Tang Qing replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I'm always up for an adventure when trying new dishes."

"I'll take you back," Zilong said as they exited the restaurant.

"Then I'll be in your care, Driver Zilong!" Tang Qing replied playfully.

Though Zilong and Yan Yan were good friends, their personalities were quite different. Tang Qing couldn't help but wonder that if she and Yan Yan had still been together, Yan Yan likely wouldn't have allowed her to become close friends with Zilong.

She reflected on how restrictive Yan Yan had been about her interactions with his friends in the past. Tang Qing felt that if given the chance, she and Zilong would have become fast friends, bonding over their shared love of exploration and trying new things.

Zilong's expression grew more serious as he spoke. "Tang Qing, can I ask you a question?"

Tang Qing's smile faded slightly as she replied, "Go ahead."

"What's your relationship with Yan Yan?" Zilong asked directly.

"He and I were in a relationship before. He was my first love," Tang Qing answered candidly.

Zilong raised a hand to his chin, a contemplative look on his face. "So that means it doesn't matter now. That means I might have a chance then," he said, his tone hinting at a playful suggestion.

Tang Qing patted him lightly on the shoulder, her expression turning amused. "Stop joking around," she chided gently.

Zilong's smile held a trace of wistfulness. "Alright, alright, let's move on from that topic," he conceded, his voice softening.

Zilong asked Tang Qing again, "Then what kind of boys do you like?"

Tang Qing joked, "It seems I can't escape this topic today."

Zilong laughed and said, "It's good that you know."

Tang Qing then replied seriously, "I like... how do I put it... people who give me freedom and support me." Her words seemed to struggle to fully express what she was looking for.

Zilong couldn't help but feel a bit confused, and said, "Your reply is really profound."

Inwardly, Zilong firmly believed that perhaps in the future, he could become the one to give Tang Qing the freedom she seeks. Even though it may be difficult for him to do both of those things for her right now, he was hopeful about their potential connection.

Zilong gently patted Tang Qing's hand and said, "Here we are, Tang Qing," signaling her that they had arrived at their destination.

Tang Qing stretched lazily and apologized, "Sorry."

Zilong then playfully pinched Tang Qing's face and said, "You look like a little kitten."

Tang Qing jokingly retorted, "Then you are a little pig!"

This scene happened to be witnessed by Yan Yan, who was sitting in his own car parked across from them but Tang Qing and Zilong did not notice that.