Then Suddenly....
The doors to the restobar swung open, and Mr. Xián walked in, his presence commanding attention. Zǐ Chén's eyes locked onto him, and time seemed to slow down. Everything else faded into the background as he gazed at Mr. Xián's chiseled features.
Mr. Xián approached the bar, and the bartender greeted him with a nod. "The usual, Mr. Xián?" he asked.
Mr. Xián nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, please."
As the bartender prepared his drink, Mr. Xián's gaze swept the room, and his eyes landed on Zǐ Chén. A hint of a smile played on his lips, and Zǐ Chén's heart skipped a beat. It was as if the entire room had brightened up, just for him.
Zǐ Chén felt a rush of excitement, his face warming up. He couldn't help but smile back, feeling a connection with Mr. Xián that he couldn't quite explain.
The bartender handed Mr. Xián his drink, and he took a sip, his eyes never leaving Zǐ Chén's face. The air between them seemed to vibrate with tension, and Zǐ Chén felt like he was melting into Mr. Xián's gaze.
As Mr. Xián sipped his drink, his eyes still locked onto Zǐ Chén, the other staff members couldn't help but notice. They exchanged knowing glances, and soon, whispers and teasing comments began to circulate.
"Looks like someone's got a fan," one of the waitresses said with a giggle.
"Mr. Xián's smile is reserved for Zi alone," another staff member chimed in, playfully rolling her eyes.
Zǐ Chén's face grew hotter as his coworkers teased him good-naturedly. "Hey, nothing's going on," he protested, trying to play it cool.
But the others just laughed and continued to rib him. "Sure, sure, Zi. You're just immune to Mr. Xián's charms," one of them said with a wink.
Zǐ Chén shook his head, feeling a mix of embarrassment and pleasure. He couldn't deny the way Mr. Xián's smile had made him feel, but he wasn't sure how to react.
*****
The manager, noticing the commotion, walked over to Zǐ Chén and whispered, "Hey, Zi, can I talk to you for a sec?"
Zǐ Chén nodded, following the manager to a quiet corner of the restobar. "What's up, manager?" he asked.
"I wanted to thank you for, you know, having Mr. Xián's attention," the manager said with a smile. "He's been a great supporter of our restobar, and it's clear he has a soft spot for you."
Zǐ Chén's face flushed, but the manager continued, "As a small token of appreciation, I'd like to offer you a free drink on the house. You can choose anything you like."
Zǐ Chén's eyes widened, and he glanced over at Mr. Xián, who was still sipping his drink. "Thanks, manager. That's really kind of you," he said, feeling a bit awestruck.
The manager nodded and patted Zǐ Chén on the back. "You deserve it, kid.
Try To Join Mr. Xian on he's table.
Now, go enjoy your drink and try not to make Mr. Xián wait too long," he said with a wink.
*****
Zǐ Chén took a deep breath, grabbed a drink from the bar, and walked over to Mr. Xián's table. As he approached, Mr. Xián looked up, his eyes locking onto Zǐ Chén's.
"Mind if I join you?" Zǐ Chén asked, trying to sound casual.
Mr. Xián's expression softened, and he nodded, gesturing to the empty chair across from him. "Not at all," he said, his voice low and smooth.
Zǐ Chén sat down, feeling a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness. He placed his drink on the table and met Mr. Xián's gaze. "Thanks for stepping in the other day," he said, trying to break the ice.
Mr. Xián's smile returned, and he leaned back in his chair. "No need to thank me," he said. "Just doing what's necessary."
The silence that followed was comfortable, with both of them sipping their drinks and enjoying each other's company. Zǐ Chén felt a sense of ease with Mr. Xián that he couldn't explain.
As they sat in comfortable silence, Mr. Xián suddenly leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Zǐ Chén's. "You know, I've been watching you, Zi," he said, his voice low and introspective. "You have a certain... spark. A sense of wonder that's hard to find in people these days."
Zǐ Chén felt a flutter in his chest as Mr. Xián continued, "I've been around for a long time, Zi. Longer than you'd think. And in that time, I've seen a lot of people come and go. But there's something about you that's different."
Mr. Xián paused, collecting his thoughts before speaking again. "I used to be a lot like you, full of wonder and curiosity. But life has a way of beating that out of you. I've learned to appreciate the little things, like a good drink or a beautiful sunset."
Zǐ Chén listened intently, fascinated by Mr. Xián's words. He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Mr. Xián in his past, what had shaped him into the person he was today.
Mr. Xián's gaze drifted off, lost in thought. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm just going through the motions. But then I see someone like you, and it reminds me of what it's like to be alive."
*****
Zǐ Chén felt a sense of comfort with Mr. Xián that he couldn't explain. He leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'm just drifting through life, you know? I don't really know what I want or where I'm going."
Mr. Xián's eyes locked onto his, filled with understanding. "You're not alone in that feeling, Zi," he said. "Most people go through life without a clear direction. But it's the ones who acknowledge their uncertainty that are more likely to find their way."
Zǐ Chén nodded, feeling a sense of validation. "I've always felt like I'm just going through the motions. Working, eating, sleeping. It's like I'm just existing, not really living."
Mr. Xián leaned forward, his voice taking on a gentle tone. "What do you think would make you feel alive, Zi?"
Zǐ Chén thought for a moment before responding. "I don't know. Maybe finding something that truly matters to me. Something that makes me feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself."
******
As the night wore on, Zǐ Chén and Mr. Xián became lost in their conversation. They talked about everything and nothing, their words flowing effortlessly like a gentle stream. Hours passed, but they didn't notice, too caught up in the moment.
It wasn't until the restobar started to close that they realized how late it was. The staff was politely hinting that it was time to leave, and Zǐ Chén glanced at his watch, surprised to see the time.
"Wow, I'm so sorry," Zǐ Chén said, feeling a bit disoriented. "I didn't realize it was so late."
Mr. Xián chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Time flies when you're having good conversation," he said.
As they stood up to leave, Zǐ Chén felt a bit tipsy. They had been drinking and talking for hours, and the alcohol had caught up with him. Mr. Xián, however, seemed to be holding his liquor well, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Let's get you home, Zi," Mr. Xián said, his voice low and gentle. "You're not in any shape to be walking alone."
Zǐ Chén nodded, feeling grateful for Mr. Xián's concern. As they walked out of the restobar, the cool night air hit him, and he stumbled slightly. Mr. Xián caught his arm, steadying him.