The cobblestone pedestrian street was gradually shrouded in a misty drizzle, as if draped in a veil. Light rain danced under the warm streetlights, tapping gently on the umbrella with a soft "sizzle" sound.

Zhao Yaqian held the umbrella beside him, her big eyes blinking, "I was just about to call you to ask if you had an umbrella, and then I saw you."

"Thank you," Tang Song said, looking at her with a smile he couldn't suppress.

"No need to thank me. Let's go quickly," she replied.

"The skewer shop isn’t far. Just walk to the end of this street and turn left for 300 meters."

The pedestrian street was bustling and noisy, mixed with the sound of music. Under the umbrella, Tang Song felt an unusual tranquility and comfort. The refreshing sweet scent of her perfume mingled with the damp earth smell, invigorating his senses.

Glancing sideways, he could see Zhao Yaqian's delicate and defined profile. Her forehead was smooth, and her bangs slightly tilted forward, hanging over her forehead. She had a high nose bridge and full, rosy lips. Raindrops, blown by the wind, clung to her long, dense eyelashes, fluttering like butterfly wings.

Tang Song's mind seemed to blur for a moment, and he instinctively reached out to hold the umbrella handle. His right pinky finger brushed against Zhao Yaqian's index finger, sending a jolt through him.

Zhao Yaqian looked at him in confusion.

"Uh, this umbrella is heavy, and there’s wind. Let me hold it," he said.

"Oh, okay," she replied.

Tang Song sighed in relief. If it were the old him, he would never have had the courage to do that.

...

The skewer shop's name was simple: Handcrafted Skewers. It was a small place, about 40 square meters, with six or seven tables. Along the wall was a row of fresh-keeping cabinets filled with various ingredients.

"The juice-soaked taro skins here are delicious. Let’s get two, one for each of us," Zhao Yaqian said, picking out skewers. "We should get some starchy sausage and the King of Kings sausage too. The vegetarian steak is good, and also some quail eggs and lamb skewers."

"Oh right, we can’t forget the vegetables: cabbage, tofu skin with cilantro, and spiral potatoes."

Inside the shop, Zhao Yaqian seemed to come alive. She bustled around and selected skewers with the energy typical of her age group. Soon, the glass bowl in her hands was filled to the brim.

"It's been almost half a month since I last came. I’m going to eat my fill this time. Song Ge, don’t hold back; pick whatever you like."

After all, she had received a pair of 700-yuan earrings from her friend. Though Zhao Yaqian didn't have much money, she was willing to splurge this once.

"That’s enough; we have a lot already. We won’t be able to finish it all," Tang Song pointed out, looking at the bowl.

Zhao Yaqian licked her lips. "Okay, let’s start with this. If it’s not enough, we can order more!"

They placed their skewers on the counter, where the balding shop owner calculated the cost with a calculator. It totaled 32 skewers for 115 yuan. With a sweet compliment from Zhao Yaqian, the boss generously gave a 5-yuan discount.

However, Tang Song noticed that Zhao Yaqian still looked pained when she paid. It was clear that 110 yuan was quite a sum for her.

They found a table by the window and sat down. Zhao Yaqian looked at Tang Song with wide eyes, "Song Ge, are you losing weight? You look much thinner than you did on Sunday."

She had a vivid memory of Tang Song's face and could clearly see that it had become slimmer.

"Yeah, I’ve been dieting recently. You eat more; I have to watch my diet," Tang Song replied.

Zhao Yaqian sheepishly stuck out her tongue. "If I had known, I wouldn’t have suggested coming here."

"No worries, I’ll just eat the veggies."

The skewers were quickly served, steaming and exuding a mouthwatering aroma. Zhao Yaqian grabbed a piece of cabbage and handed it to him, "Try this. The ingredients here are fresh, and the flavors are great, especially the sauce."

"Thanks, Qian Qian."

Outside, the rain varied in intensity, and customers occasionally dashed inside. Zhao Yaqian, vibrant and youthful, drew quite a few admiring glances. They sat together, eating skewers and chatting about life, work, and skincare routines.

Having chatted frequently on WeChat recently, their interaction felt natural, without any awkwardness.

"Start with mild acids, applying a small amount behind your ear to test for redness or allergies within 24 hours, then apply to your face. For the first few days, limit it to five minutes. Ensure your skin tolerates it..."

"I live in Tiankuo Garden. It’s a bit far from here, but the number 26 bus takes me straight here."

Away from her work environment, Zhao Yaqian was lively and carefree, eating heartily without concern for her image, her lips and chin smeared with sauce.

...

Leaving the skewer shop, they found that the rain had eased up. Zhao Yaqian shook the bag in her hand, a bit embarrassed. "It seems like I ate most of it, and I even took the leftovers to go. You didn’t eat much."

Tang Song, holding the umbrella, smiled, "Getting a taste is good enough. I’m getting tired of my diet food—chicken breast, oatmeal, eggs, boiled vegetables. Can’t even think about it."

"When I get paid, I'll treat you to a steak dinner!" Zhao Yaqian patted his shoulder, comforting him and herself.

With the other two beauticians having left, all the work fell on her shoulders. If the boss kept his promise to pay all the owed wages next month, she would receive nearly 20,000 yuan, enough to clear her debts and pay rent, with some left over.

Chatting, they unknowingly arrived outside the hair salon. Just then, a man emerged from the shop, excitedly calling out, "Yaqian!"

Tang Song looked over and saw a man in his mid-thirties, sporting a refined and mature look. He had thick eyebrows, a side parting, and was dressed in a beige casual jacket, straight-leg pants, and casual shoes.

Zhao Yaqian's face changed slightly, and she whispered, "Director Li."

"Good evening," Li Jingzhong nodded, glancing at the young man beside her. "And who might this be?"

"My friend. Director Li, are you here for a haircut?"

Li Jingzhong glanced at the "Yizi Beauty & Hair" signboard and smiled, "No, thanks. I doubt your salon will last much longer, so I won't be topping up my membership here."

Zhao Yaqian’s heart skipped a beat, and she shot a worried glance at Tang Song. She was anxious and afraid. She had known about Yizi Beauty's impending bankruptcy for some time but hadn't mentioned it when Tang Song bought his membership, which was a betrayal of his trust. Over the past few days, she had genuinely come to see him as a friend and was scared of losing that friendship.

Noticing Zhao Yaqian's distress, Tang Song asked with concern, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Zhao Yaqian replied, unsure of how to explain.

Li Jingzhong, noticing their interaction, raised an eyebrow, "Yaqian, I really admire you. I don't want to see you wasting your talents in the beauty industry. Seriously consider the offer I made. Don't let your future self regret it."

"Sorry, Director Li, but I’m not interested," Zhao Yaqian said, bowing slightly. Then, she looked at Tang Song, eyes full of hesitation and fear. "Song Ge, I’ll head back to work. You keep the umbrella; we have several more in the shop."

"Alright, see you."

Tang Song, sensing her unease, didn't press further.

Zhao Yaqian softly said goodbye and hurried back into the shop.

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