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Li Xiao’s voice came through with a hint of laughter, faint traffic sounds in the background, as if he was driving.
Jiang Yu didn’t take the bait. He asked directly, “Did you send someone to install the water heater?”
There was a brief silence on the other end.
“What water heater?” Li Xiao’s tone sounded perfectly natural, even carrying the right amount of puzzlement. “Do you need one installed?”
“Installation workers showed up out of nowhere, saying the landlord sent them.” Jiang Yu’s voice was calm.
Li Xiao chuckled. “Your landlord is pretty considerate, looking out for tenants when it gets cold.”
“It was you.” Jiang Yu’s statement left no room for doubt.
“It wasn’t.” Li Xiao denied it quickly, almost innocently. “How would I know you needed a water heater?”
Jiang Yu didn’t press further. “Got it.”
“Wait—”
Li Xiao wanted to say more, but Jiang Yu had already hung up.
He gripped his phone, watching the workers bustle in the cramped bathroom.
The new water heater gleamed with a cold white sheen, its pipe connectors shining.
When the workers tested it, they turned on the faucet. In just over ten seconds, steam rose from the hot water.
“Mr. Jiang, it’s done.” The older worker wiped his hands. “The water heater has temperature and timer settings. For winter, I recommend setting it to 45 degrees—saves power and works well. Call after-sales if you have any issues.”
“Thank you.”
Jiang Yu saw them out.
The door closed, and the room fell silent.
He walked to the bathroom and reached out to test the water.
Warm water washed over his fingertips, quickly dispelling the winter chill.
He stared at the flowing hot water, his heart feeling as if it had been smoothed by the warmth—swollen yet unsettled.
Li Xiao didn’t admit it, but Jiang Yu knew it was him.
This meticulous care, extending to life’s trivialities, left him without a foothold to refuse.
Jiang Yu dozed off on the sofa, waking at seven to his alarm.
He washed up, changed, and prepared for his shift at the bar.
Passing the bathroom, he glanced again at the brand-new water heater.
****
At 8:30 PM, at the “Lost” bar.
Jiang Yu changed into his work uniform and walked to the bar, starting the pre-service preparations.
Wiping bottles, stocking ice, slicing fruit.
His movements were brisk, but his mind kept drifting back to the water heater.
Just past nine, Li Xiao arrived.
He walked straight to the bar and sat on the stool directly across from Jiang Yu.
“Good evening.” Li Xiao looked at him, lips curled in a smile, and took off his coat, setting it aside.
Jiang Yu looked up at him, said nothing, turned to pour a glass of hot water, and slid it over.
The glass bottom clicked softly against the counter.
“It’s cold. Drink something warm.” His tone was flat, his hands continuing to wipe a shaker. “Also, thanks for the water heater.”
Li Xiao instinctively responded, “Don’t always say thank you—” He stopped mid-sentence.
Jiang Yu paused his wiping, looked up, and quietly stared at him.
The overhead light cast fine shadows on his eyelashes.
His eyes were clear, carrying a look that said, “Got anything else to say?”
Li Xiao met his gaze for two seconds, then suddenly laughed.
That smile was a bit helpless, yet carried the frankness of being caught.
He picked up the glass and took a sip. The temperature was perfect.
“I just saw you washing clothes with cold water…” Li Xiao set the glass down, his voice lowering. “Such beautiful hands—don’t let them get chapped.”
His gaze fell on Jiang Yu’s hands.
They were hands suited for bartending—long fingers, distinct knuckles, faint redness at the joints from years of handling ice and tools, standing out under the light.
Jiang Yu followed his gaze to his own hands, said nothing, turned, and took a bottle of bourbon from the shelf.
“What’ll you have?” His tone returned to professional calm.
Li Xiao stared at his profile for a few seconds. “You decide.”
Jiang Yu nodded and began mixing.
He chose bourbon as the base, added a small amount of maple syrup and lemon juice, and finished with two dashes of bitters—his own unnamed recipe.
When he pushed the drink over, Li Xiao didn’t drink immediately. He looked at Jiang Yu. “Not mad?”
“Mad about what?” Jiang Yu lowered his head to clean the tools. “It’s already installed. Should I take it down and throw it away?”
Li Xiao laughed, picked up the glass, and took a sip. The familiar complex flavors unfolded—sweet at first, then bitter, finishing with a mellow aftertaste.
“Tastes better. Did you adjust the ratio?”
“Yeah, reduced the maple syrup by 0.5 ml, added half a dash more bitters. Winter calls for a bolder flavor.”
Li Xiao changed the subject. “We’re meeting the professor the day after tomorrow, scheduled for 3 PM. Did you tell your sister?”
“Called her.” Jiang Yu hung the cleaned shaker back on the rack. “She’s a bit nervous.”
“About what?”
“Afraid she’s not good enough, that she’ll disappoint the professor.” Jiang Yu turned and leaned against the cabinet, relaxing slightly. “Also afraid… of owing you too much.”
Li Xiao swirled his glass, ice clinking. “Tell her it’s not a favor. She has potential, and I’m willing to invest in it. Just like…” He paused, looking up, his gaze deep. “Just like I found a rough gem and want to see it shine. That’s all.”
Jiang Yu’s heart tightened.
He averted his gaze, picking up the order pad as if to check it, but his Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily.
Li Xiao took note of his small gesture but didn’t pursue it. Instead, he asked, “Is the water heater working well?”
“Mm. Heats up fast.”
“Good.” Li Xiao’s voice carried a smile. “Don’t use cold water in winter anymore. Cold hands affect your mixing touch.”
It sounded like concern for work, but Jiang Yu caught a different meaning.
His ears warmed. He didn’t respond.
Just then, a new customer came to the bar to order.
Jiang Yu turned to serve them, while Li Xiao stayed seated, slowly drinking, his gaze never leaving Jiang Yu’s busy figure.
Tonight, Jiang Yu seemed different.
Although he still wore that professional calm, Li Xiao could sense the hard shell had developed cracks.
Li Xiao finished his drink and gently pushed the glass back across the bar.
Jiang Yu had just finished his task; turning around and seeing the empty glass, he took it naturally. “Another?”
“No.” Li Xiao glanced at the time—11:20. “I have a video conference soon, I need to go.”
Jiang Yu nodded. “Take care.”
Li Xiao stood, picking up his coat from the chair.
As he put it on, he seemed to remember something. He pulled a black velvet box from his pocket, placed it on the bar, and slid it toward Jiang Yu.
“What’s this?” Jiang Yu didn’t take it, his eyes wary.
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