Accurately speaking, Li Younan gave Yang Ting the detailed address of the coffee shop he was at, allowing Yang Ting to reach there precisely and quickly.
Moreover, Li Younan also mentioned on the phone that he only had 10 minutes to spare before saying goodbye.
He's been in a good mood these days, yet occasionally when he thinks about Yang Ting, there's an inexplicable agitation that bubbles up.
This agitation doesn't stem from regret over the relationship or any external factors, rather it comes from his own emotions.
After breaking up with Yang Ting, Li Younan has been quite happy, which in itself makes him question life... If years of relationship amount to these emotions, what does that signify?
Could it be that he's a heartless jerk?
Why does he not feel even slightly sad about the lost relationship? Even if Yang Ting truly wasn't suitable for him, even if he had indeed sentenced this relationship to death, it shouldn't be like this, should it? Not feeling sad at all, what does this mean? Has my humanity, emotions, and youth all been fed to the dogs?
His head soon filled with such chaotic emotions.
Suddenly, he stood up and walked toward the piano.
The café's waitress noticed and quickly came over to stop him, saying, "Sorry, this piano is only for those who are of professional level to play."
The waitress felt somewhat anxious for she knew some customers were eager to come fiddle with the piano, hence the rule was set to prevent disturbances to other guests.
But such blocking easily offends the current guest.
Li Younan looked at the waitress stopping him, a shy-looking young girl. Li Younan simply uttered, "Super professional."
Such words sounded somewhat punch-worthy, under normal circumstances, Li Younan wouldn't utter such pretentious words.
Yet at the moment, he said these words naturally, without any pretentiousness, not meant to show off anything.
The young waitress was visibly stunned; in a daze, Li Younan was already seated at the piano.
His hands touched the piano keys, and the ability enhancement brought by the system had a hidden benefit. Whether it's culinary skills or piano-playing, skills requiring techniques usually require maintaining high-intensity training daily to maintain standards, but Li Younan doesn't need to. His level might not improve until the next reward, but it would never degrade.
He played a piece, "Croatian Rhapsody," freely venting his emotions.
The waitress beside was petrified.
After coming to her senses, she recalled Li Younan's words and pulled out her phone to film him, only to be lightly knocked on the head by the nearby manager, who said, "The customer over there is ready to place an order."
After excusing the waitress, the manager pulled out his phone to continue filming.
After the piece, several customers in the café applauded heartily, showing how engaged they had been.
Li Younan felt slightly better, he stood up and apologized to the manager, "Sorry for causing trouble for you."
The manager quickly shook his head, "No no no, it's our honor!"
Seeing the manager's face filled with admiration and appreciation, akin to a fanboy, Li Younan felt greatly satisfied emotionally, softly heaving a sigh.
Just then, he heard a familiar yet strange voice behind him, "Li Younan."
Li Younan paused and turned around.
He saw the somewhat rough face.
In memory, Yang Ting had never appeared so unattractive.
Her complexion was somewhat pale, eyes swollen and puffed.
Aside from seeing Yang Ting, there was Zhu Qingyue, watching Yang Ting from afar with some disappointment and confusion.
One must admit, Yang Ting is very attractive; wherever she goes, she is a top-tier beauty.
But for some reason, Zhu Qingyue felt it was off; the girl who could truly walk into Li Younan's heart wasn't like how she imagined, there was too vast a difference.
She noticed Yang Ting's expression, appearing tired yet possessing an unusual hardness, difficult to muster any empathy.
No, it's really not as imagined.
Facing Li Younan, Yang Ting found herself at a loss for the words she had originally planned.
She never intended to reconcile with Li Younan; she's quite aware of what kind of person Li Younan is.
Though she hasn't deliberately thought about it for a long time, subconsciously, she knew that once Li Younan decided to leave, it truly meant leaving, all memories with him vanished, every shared moment packed away, his gentleness no longer belonged to her.
She admitted she regretted it, but uttering "I'm sorry"... those were words beyond her grasp.
So... why rush like a fool, taking the train to him immediately upon knowing his location?
She merely wanted to see Li Younan one more time, to spend a few minutes sincerely thanking him for the years spent together, then part on good terms.
She tried to dress a bit prettier to make Li Younan regret, but unfortunately, sleep eluded her last night, leaving her unable to maintain any semblance of composure under such circumstances.
Meanwhile, these thoughts were overturned the moment she saw Li Younan.
For she saw how well Li Younan looked, appearing even healthier and spirited than when with herself.
Why does he appear so healthy, so spirited?
Why doesn't he feel sorrowful, sleepless, and lose his appetite like her?
Thus, her first words emerged as: "I heard you were fired by the company, signed a non-compete agreement, couldn't stay in Binhai City anymore. Have you recognized your reality now? Though harsh, the truth remains: without me, you don't even have the basis to stay in Binhai City."
From childhood to now, Yang Ting heard too much from her parents in a similar vein: "You're so dumb, getting into this school was entirely due to me." "You're clumsy, without me, you can't even make breakfast."
As such, she felt indebted to her parents, believing all things were bestowed by them, rendering her unable to resist her parents.
Yet Li Younan never owed her... This continuously left Yang Ting feeling insecure.
Unintentionally, this statement aimed at making Li Younan feel indebting toward herself.
As long as making Li Younan realize he's not that outstanding, not capable of surviving independently in Binhai City, and she could offer him a Binhai City residency, what more could he want... in dissatisfaction?
Lower your head, apologize, as long as you're willing to utter softer words...
However, Li Younan lifted his head: "There's really no need for this..."
"What?"
"I'm saying there's really no need for this."
Yang Ting still persisted, again raising her neck, staring at Li Younan's face saying, "I came for an opportunity, for you and for myself. I know I have many flaws, you too have many flaws, we ought to be mutually tolerant, can we... start over? After all, what you want the most is to stay in Binhai City."
Li Younan couldn't remember how many times today "Binhai City" emerged from Yang Ting's mouth.
As if Binhai City was everything capable of making one drop their dignity.
In the past, Binhai City was an unreachable dream to Li Younan, and after being with Yang Ting, that dream materialized into reality.
Li Younan paused quietly, saying nothing, merely offering a faint smile.
Yang Ting finally understood everything, her heart shattered.
...
"It's just... Binhai residency."
Zhu Qingyue, slightly bowing her head, quietly said.
At the moment, Yang Ting had already left, likely a final farewell.
And the conversation just now, Zhu Qingyue heard everything, got a general understanding of what happened...
Zhu Qingyue added, "I'm from the capital..."
Then quickly said, "What I mean is, introducing you to a girl from the capital... isn't bad at all."
Li Younan blankly paused, saying nothing.
It indeed isn't bad.
Observing from Shanghai with capital registration, akin to evaluating antiques through delicate porcelain.
Binhai folks assessing origins with calculators, while capital folks measure value through pedigree, in any case, it's half a dozen the other.
"You really know how to console someone..." Li Younan chuckled?
"Sorry..." Zhu Qingyue blushed slightly.
The words earlier were slightly pretentious and embarrassing.
Li Younan switched topics: "Rather let's talk about photos..."
"Sure sure..." Zhu Qingyue, sipping coffee, smiled.