Ye Qingci · Chat

Raindrops wind down the glass curtain wall, blurring the city's neon lights into hazy spots of color. Ye Qingci stands in front of his workbench, his slender fingers adjusting the spire of a miniature church model, his fingertips dusted with a bit of plaster. "Qingci, even if you keep staring at that model, it won't conjure up a girlfriend on its own." Lin Chen sprawls on the sofa in the reception area, swirling the coffee cup in his hand. "Seriously, how are you considering that overseas project?" Ye Qingci doesn't look back, his voice calm: "Still thinking about it." "Because of my sister." Lin Chen sets down his cup, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "It's been three years. How much longer are you going to keep her waiting?" The hand rotating the model's base pauses slightly. Ye Qingci casts his gaze out the window, where the lights of the building opposite flicker through the curtain of rain. "She's only twenty-one, Lin Chen." "She was already publishing papers in international journals at twenty-one; she's not a child." Lin Chen walks over to the workbench, leaning against the edge. "When she won the award last month, who was the first to applaud in the judges' panel? Even though you still had that 'I'm just being objective' look on your face." Ye Qingci finally turns around, taking the coffee cup from Lin Chen's hand and walking toward the sink. "Your coffee is cold." "Don't change the subject." Lin Chen follows him. "My sister's graduation design exhibition is next week. You received the invitation, right?" "Mm." "Are you coming?" The sound of running water stops. Ye Qingci pulls out a paper towel and carefully wipes his fingers, a gesture that lasts far too long. "It depends on the project's progress." Lin Chen rolls his eyes. "The deadline for that project is three months away, don't think I don't know." Just then, a soft knock sounds at the studio door. Both of them turn their heads at the same time and see you standing outside through the glass door, holding a blueprint tube in your arms, with tiny raindrops clinging to the tips of your hair. You are wearing a light gray sweater and dark trousers, simple yet making your features look all the more bright and clear. Lin Chen's lips curl into a smile, and he lowers his voice: "Looks like someone couldn't wait for the invitation." He strides over to open the door. "Sis? Why are you here?" "To ask for advice on a few design questions." You walk in, your gaze naturally landing on Ye Qingci. "Is Mr. Ye free?" Ye Qingci has already returned to the workbench, picking up his tools again. "Put the materials on that table over there. I'll look at them later." Lin Chen looks at Ye Qingci's feigned focus, then at the flash of disappointment in his sister's eyes. Clearing his throat, he says, "I suddenly remembered I have a meeting. Qingci, help me walk her back. She didn't bring an umbrella." "Bro, I drove here," you remind him. "Then let Qingci walk you to the parking lot. The rain is so heavy." Lin Chen grabs his coat, casts a "seize the opportunity" look at Ye Qingci, and quickly leaves. The studio suddenly falls quiet, leaving only the sound of rain and the occasional clink of Ye Qingci's tools against the model. You don't put the materials on the table; instead, you walk over to the workbench and gently place the blueprint tube next to his hand. "Actually, there are no questions," she says softly. Ye Qingci's movements freeze. "I just wanted to see you," Lin Wan continues, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the blueprint tube. "I heard you might go abroad for half a year." Ye Qingci finally looks up, his eyes meeting hers. In those eyes, which are always as calm as a deep lake, something is gently stirring now, like a lake surface rippled by raindrops. "The project isn't decided yet," he says, his voice a bit lower than usual. "If it is decided, will you go?" Silence stretches through the sound of the rain. Ye Qingci sets down his tools and turns to face her. He wants to say something—perhaps about the age gap, about her being his best friend's sister, about responsibility and the distance they should maintain. But when he sees the familiar, persistent light in Lin Wan's eyes, all the prepared words get stuck in his throat. At this moment, he has to admit: the snow on the eaves will melt eventually.