I Woke Up And My Girlfriend Was Gone - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Zuo Yin realized someone had arrived and instinctively tried to pull back to create space, fearing the proximity between her and Shen Qingzi might be misunderstood.

But as soon as she took a step back, her arm was caught by another hand.

The setting sun hung halfway over the mountain peak, and the light inside the room had begun to grow dim and heavy. Shen Qingzi’s hand pressed firmly against Zuo Yin’s skin; her palm, having just touched warm water, was damp and heated. That heat, carrying an indescribable tingling sensation, warmed Zuo Yin’s icy arm.

“Don’t move, there’s a bit of coffee powder on your nose,” Shen Qingzi reminded her softly. In her clear eyes, Zuo Yin saw not a hint of inappropriate ambiguity.

Thinking she might be oversensitive, Zuo Yin nodded dumbly, watching Shen Qingzi raise her other hand and slowly lean in. With a few brief, gentle frictions of paper against the tip of her nose, Zuo Yin’s pounding heart accelerated several times over. Such intimate proximity made it impossible not to be nervous.

She watched Shen Qingzi concentrate on wiping her nose, noticing the lowered eyelashes and the dark brown pupils that seemed to hold the very last rays of light given to the world by the sunset—like crushed stars scattered across Zuo Yin’s world.

Just then, Sun Yuqing rounded the entryway. Seeing Shen Qingzi holding a tissue to Zuo Yin’s nose, she leaned against a cabinet and teased, “Whoa, things are this exciting in the evening?”

Shen Qingzi smiled, explaining nonchalantly while holding the tissue, “Xiao Yin had coffee powder on her nose and couldn’t see it.”

Xiao Yin.

This nickname, which Zuo Yin was used to hearing, somehow sounded exceptionally pleasant coming from Shen Qingzi. It felt like the crisp ring of fine jade striking together.

“I know, I know, I know you too well,” Sun Yuqing said, waving it off without a second thought. She sat at the bar and pouted at Shen Qingzi, “I want coffee too.”

“Your timing is perfect. Xiao Yin just finished grinding the beans; I was about to brew,” Shen Qingzi said, glancing at Zuo Yin.

Emerging from the earlier intimacy, Zuo Yin consciously maintained her distance. She gave a slight nod and handed the coffee grounds to Shen Qingzi.

Shen Qingzi took the coffee and asked Zuo Yin, “Do you want to learn?”

Not wanting to refuse, Zuo Yin nodded. “Yes.”

She behaved like a diligent student, lowering her head to focus intensely on Shen Qingzi’s movements.

Shen Qingzi slowly poured hot water over the finely ground powder. The steady control of her hands was impressive, but what Zuo Yin found even more remarkable was her technique of brewing in three stages. The light brown foam rose like tiny mushroom clouds under the infusion of water, and with it, the trapped aroma of the coffee wafted out.

Under the soft glow of the unique lamps hanging over the bar, Zuo Yin’s gaze shifted from the flow of water and Shen Qingzi’s nimble hands up to her profile.

Today, Shen Qingzi had tied her hair in a very casual low bun. Stray strands fell from behind her ears across her face, partially obscuring Zuo Yin’s view. Her exquisite nose stood out proudly like a mountain ridge through her hair; the smooth lines made her look less sharp and more gentle.

Zuo Yin stared, momentarily forgetting to breathe.

“Xiao Yin, you better learn well so I can come here and snag free coffee more often,” Sun Yuqing chirped, pulling Zuo Yin back from her daze.

“It’s not that easy to learn. If it were, wouldn’t you have made it yourself long ago?” Shen Qingzi placed a white porcelain cup in front of Zuo Yin. “The first cup is for you.”

“Thank you.” Zuo Yin took a sip.

The coffee Shen Qingzi brewed had a distinct flavor—beyond its richness, there was an indescribable fragrance that swirled around Zuo Yin’s taste buds, refusing to dissipate.

“How is it?” Shen Qingzi asked.

“It’s delicious,” Zuo Yin replied, holding the cup. A rare light shone in her dark eyes.

Shen Qingzi realized that the child was actually quite easy to please.

“It’s more than delicious; it’s incredible,” Sun Yuqing added after taking a satisfied sip. Suddenly, she slapped her forehead. “Oh! I almost forgot why I came here!”

“We’ve organized a barbecue at the lakeside villa to celebrate A-Zi finally taking her first student and to welcome Zuo Yin to our big family. You two protagonists have to be there!”

“Going now?” Shen Qingzi asked.

Sun Yuqing checked her watch. “After we finish the coffee. When I left, Wu Yuan and the others were already moving tables and starting the charcoal.”

Shen Qingzi didn’t make the decision alone; she turned to Zuo Yin. “Shall we go?”

Though Zuo Yin disliked socializing, she loved Shen Qingzi’s use of the word “we.” It felt like the sense of belonging she felt at the convenience store had been transferred to the Yiji Studio. She looked at the expectant Sun Yuqing and nodded. “Let’s go.”

“Yes!” Sun Yuqing made a victory sign and sent out a group text.

The three didn’t linger. Guided by the remaining twilight, Zuo Yin followed Shen Qingzi and Sun Yuqing toward the lakeside building. The mist was heavy and the moonlight faint. The wind, carrying moisture from the lake, brushed against Zuo Yin’s arm, leaving a cool, refreshing sensation.

From a distance, Zuo Yin saw the warm yellow lights of the lakeside villa. Several figures were busy inside, and the closer she got, the more she could smell the faint aroma of marinated grilled meat.

“A-Zi.” Zhou Lin, draped in a dark green shawl, stood at the entrance as if she had been waiting for them.

No, she was waiting specifically for Shen Qingzi, Zuo Yin corrected in her mind.

“Greeting A-Zi the moment you see her? Are the two of us not important enough?” Sun Yuqing joked, linking arms with Shen Qingzi.

“Yuqing…” Zhou Lin smiled, but her expression became less natural when she looked at Zuo Yin. “Xiao Yin.”

Zuo Yin nodded slightly. “Ms. Zhou.” A night breeze blew past, making the already lukewarm atmosphere between them feel even colder.

Sun Yuqing rubbed her arms. “It’s a bit cold out. Let’s head inside.”

They entered the Japanese-style house, taking off their shoes at the door. The open living room featured a long table piled high with food for the barbecue.

“This must be Zuo Yin! Come, sit, everything is ready,” a man with glasses greeted her warmly while pouring drinks.

Zuo Yin nodded politely but stayed put, unsure of their dining etiquette. Suddenly, she felt something hook onto her wrist. Looking down, she saw Shen Qingzi’s pale fingers openly grasping her wrist under the bright lights.

While Zuo Yin was still dazed, Shen Qingzi led her directly to the center seats. She patted the cushion beside her. “Sit here with me.”

“Mm.” Zuo Yin sat down, her vision filled with Shen Qingzi’s composed demeanor. While Shen Qingzi was as calm as a light breeze, Zuo Yin felt like a storm was brewing inside her.

“This is your Senior Li Yu,” Sun Yuqing began the introductions. “That’s Senior Wu Yuan pouring the drinks, and over there is Senior Chang Ming.”

“Senior?” Zuo Yin was confused; she thought she would have to call these people “Uncle” or “Aunt.”

“You wouldn’t know, but A-Zi has high seniority in our studio. She’s been painting since she was a child and shared the same teacher as Professor Xu Ji. As A-Zi’s little apprentice, you’re actually of the same generation as us,” Sun Yuqing explained proudly. “Only a few of us in the studio have this direct lineage. So when I told you to call me Sister Yuqing the other day, I was right!”

Zuo Yin nodded. She realized that the more she learned about Shen Qingzi, the more she admired her.

“Don’t feel pressured,” Shen Qingzi said softly, pouring Zuo Yin a glass of Sprite.

“Hey, hey, hey! Sprite? We just met—you have to toast your seniors one by one!” Wu Yuan noticed Shen Qingzi’s protective “teacher trick.”

“Exactly! Come, I’ll drink with our little Junior Sister first. If you need anything, find your Senior Chang Ming in the other building,” Chang Ming said, handing Zuo Yin a glass.

“Senior.” Zuo Yin politely clinked glasses with him.

The crisp sound of clinking glass acted like a starting gun for the party. Everyone introduced themselves, and Zuo Yin toasted her fellow disciples one by one. The initial strangeness began to warm up under the catalyst of alcohol. The aroma of grilled meat mixed with chatter made this secluded lakeside spot feel cozy and grounded.

Zuo Yin didn’t say much. Having had five drinks in a row, the alcohol was starting to go to her head. She sat beside Shen Qingzi, listening to them talk while quietly eating grilled mushrooms. She seemed to merge with them, yet stayed on the edge of the circle.

A piece of fragrant, sizzling pork belly was placed on Zuo Yin’s plate. Shen Qingzi’s chopsticks reached over for the fourth time. She glanced at Zuo Yin’s empty glass and reminded her, “They have high tolerances. Don’t force yourself.”

“I’m fine,” Zuo Yin bluffed, though her face was flushed.

As if hearing that “I’m fine,” Sun Yuqing left Wu Yuan and approached Zuo Yin with a glass and a bottle. She was a messy drinker who loved dragging others into her rounds when she was tipsy.

Sun Yuqing patted Zuo Yin’s shoulder and began pouring. “Come on, Zuo Yin, let’s have a drink, sister to sister!”

The glass was slammed down next to Zuo Yin. She knew she shouldn’t drink more, but she also knew a drunk like Sun Yuqing wouldn’t let it go if she didn’t comply. Wanting to keep the peace, Zuo Yin reached for the glass.

Suddenly, a pair of slender hands reached out and pressed down on Zuo Yin’s hand. Shen Qingzi leaned over and snatched the glass away.

In the glow of the lights and shadows of the wine, her thin lips parted:

“I’ll drink for her.”