Soft clouds splattered across the evening sky as the towering buildings in the city centre illuminated the surroundings, never allowing the city to sleep.
It was almost five in the evening, and though the roads were crowded, there was a rush of vehicles and people heading toward their homes. The sound of the bustling city was accompanied by the blast of an advertisement board promoting new products in the market, attracting passers-by.
A gleaming black Bentley zoomed down the long street, turning the buildings of companies and stores into ribbons of golden light.
As the driver Wang stopped at an intersection, Assistant Yu casually glanced at the rear-view mirror while they were waiting for the red signal.
The young director, Luo Qiang, sat expressionlessly in the back row, his brows tightly knitted and staring intensely at the scenery through the glass window. His complexion definitely could not be considered pleasant and appeared to still be preoccupied with work-related issues.
'He’s wealthy yet still works so hard; no wonder he’s such a successful figure,' Yu Lian mused to himself.
Suddenly, the seemingly ‘successful figure who was engrossed in work-related issues’, Luo Qiang, remarked abruptly, “Xiao Wang, go to that bakery shop we went to that day.”
“Huh?” Yu Lian was left baffled by Director Luo’s unusual behaviour. It was widely known that he had a distaste for indulging in food or spending prolonged periods outdoors, let alone venturing into a bakery. If he did happen to indulge in food, it was always accompanied by a strict exercise regimen for the following week.
He couldn’t help but wonder if Director Luo had forgotten something the last time, he visited the bakery. The confusion lingered in the air as Yu Lian tried to make sense of the situation. “Did you forget something there, Boss?”
Luo Qiang fell silent for a moment, perplexed by the strange sensations he had experienced since meeting that beautiful man named Xiao YingTao.
For instance, during a group meeting when the person in charge was explaining something, his focus would automatically shift to the person’s hands, subconsciously comparing them with that beautiful man’s strong and polished hands.
Then his smile was like a sudden burst of sunshine that illuminated even the darkest corners of Luo Qiang’s heart, bringing warmth and comfort to his soul.
And his eyes—it was the man’s mesmerizing hazel eyes that truly captivated Luo Qiang, and he couldn’t help but wonder if there was some magic hidden within them.
If not, then how could Luo Qiang stop thinking about that man even in his dream? So he was going to see that beautiful man, just to see whether his eyes held magic. That’s it.
With a nod to himself, he decided to visit the man, saying, “I’m going to visit someone there.”
Noticing that the red light had counted down to zero, driver Wang regained his focus and nodded before stepping on the gas pedal and driving past the intersection smoothly.
Driver Wang slowly parked the car in a parking space near the bakery shop. Luo Qiang informed them before opening the door, “You guys wait here.”
Luo Qiang glanced at the Cherry Bakes from across the shop, carefully crossed the road, and came to a halt at the doorsteps of the shop.
Again feeling the strange sensations in his heart, he took a deep breath before opening the door with a bell that chimed, announcing his arrival.
The sweet and thick scent of baked confectionaries filled the air.Unlike the last time, today the shop was brimming with customers. He couldn’t help but notice the curious glances and hushed whispers that followed his entrance.
Luo Qiang frowned before he made his way to a table in the right corner, which was empty to his luck. He sat down and signed, slightly regretting his decision to come at this crowded time.
As he scanned the room for the person he was supposed to meet, he couldn’t spot him anywhere. Just as he was contemplating leaving, a woman employee, wearing an apron with the bakery’s name on it, approached him with a polite smile. “Can I take your order, sir?” she asked, interrupting his thoughts.
He looked up and was surprised to see the familiar young woman with that small dumpling of a boy he met at PingJing’s park, “YueGuang?”
The female employee was stunned before blurting out, “It’s you!” and quickly correcting herself with an embarrassed face, “ I’m sorry for my lack of manners; I was really surprised.”
With a slightly pink-flushed face, she explained, “I’m Lin Yue; YueGuang is just a nickname.”
“Oh.” He nodded before asking, “How is Xiao Boabei?”
Lin Yue answered with a big smile when her child was mentioned, “He is doing good. And he still talks about the handsome brother he met at the park sometimes.”
Luo Qiang pondered for a moment, considering his options. He knew that finding an employee would be easier if he asked their co-workers.He nodded with a slight smile before revealing the reason for his visit,“Well, I came to meet someone who is working here, but he is not here now.”
Lin Yue’s curiosity was piqued—who is this handsome man going to meet? —and she offered to help. “You can tell their name; if I know their shift, I can help.”
Luo Qiang responded, “His name is YingTao, Xiao YingTao.”
Lin Yue was puzzled by the name and muttered under her breath, “Xiao YingTao? YingTao? Is there anyone with this name working here?”
As she wracked her brain for any employees with similar names, a sudden realization hit her. “Ah, are you asking about Xiao Tao?” she exclaimed. She went on to describe the individual in question as “A tall and beautiful man with hazel eyes.”
The description matched the person Luo Qiang had in mind, and he nodded, an indication she was right.
Luo Qiang wondered, ‘How could I forget his name?’
Lue Yue’s eyes lit up with a smile as she spoke, “I know who you’re looking for. The owner is in the back kitchen right now. Please wait here, Mister. I’ll go get him for you.” With a small bow, she turned and headed off to find the man.
As she went, Luo Qiang was still processing what Lue Yue had said. The man’s name was Xiao Tao, and he wasn’t an employee.
Luo Qiang was surprised, to say the least.
‘That beautiful man was the owner?’
. . . . .
Glossary:
1.Yue - "Moon"
2.YingTao - "Cherry"
3.Tao - "The way of nature" or "The path of life"
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The Cherry Husband
General FictionAn Omegaverse. In a world full of ugliness, there are struggles he must face alone. Roads he has to travel on his own. He has to battle with competitors. 'Am I living or just surviving? Does my existence have any purpose? Who am I?' he wonders himse...
