Unraveled

Conversation

Gu Quan had never been a great beauty, not the kind who made people stare and refuse to look away. Her hair just brushed her collarbone, framing a face that was plain and austere. Her eyes were always a little dim, as though she was lost in thought. Her lips were small and pale, usually touched with a muted rose lipstick that gave her features a single point of emphasis. Her nose was high and straight, which made her profile far more striking than her front view.

Her figure was good—delicate bones, soft flesh, slim without being toned, nothing like the tight, sculpted look of women who spent hours in the gym. She carried herself with a polite, almost perfunctory smile, speaking little, her lids often lowered, her voice devoid of obvious emotion. In her teenage years, she had blended easily into the background, but now, nearly thirty, she exuded a quiet distance, a kind of cold allure that was both untouchable and irresistibly tempting.

Yuan Ye lifted his head, his sharp, handsome face softened by a polite smile. His voice was low and pleasant.

"I thought you'd stand me up."

Gu Quan replied simply, "I was hungry, so I came."

A waitress approached. "Good evening, you can order by scanning the QR code on the table. Once you submit the order, you can pay online." She left to deliver beers to the next table.

Gu Quan, unwilling to fuss over money, said frankly, "Let's order separately." She scanned the code on her phone and began to order.

Yuan Ye's lips curved almost imperceptibly as he followed suit.

While waiting for the dishes, Gu Quan kept her gaze fixed on him—not furtively, but openly. Her expression remained calm. Yuan Ye held her look for a long ten seconds before laughing.

"Am I really that good-looking?"

"Why did you ask me out?" Gu Quan asked.

Yuan Ye blinked. "I saw you today and realized…I missed you."

The words I missed you felt so carelessly used, so stripped of romance, that Gu Quan found them hollow.

"You trying to string me along," she asked, "or just sleep with me?"

His hand toyed with his phone. "I don't have the time or energy to play games. Let's just say…mutual needs."

At that moment, a petite waitress arrived with a heavy tray. She leaned too far forward, nearly toppling over the table. Before Gu Quan could react, Yuan Ye reached out quickly, steadying the tray and setting the dishes down.

Blushing, the girl stammered her thanks, checked the order slip, and said, "That's everything. Please enjoy." She stole glances at Yuan Ye even as she left.

Gu Quan smiled faintly. "You're chasing after Mo Li, but I imagine plenty of other girls chase you. Even if you're short on time, I doubt you're short on company. Aren't you afraid your little freshman will find out about me?"

She plucked a lettuce leaf and nibbled delicately, watching Yuan Ye place marbled beef onto the sizzling grill. The fat hissed and crackled, filling the air with savory smoke.

He moved with practiced ease—clearly not the first time he'd done this. He glanced at her, sensing the same cool detachment in her that he carried himself. Even her smile didn't reach her eyes. She intrigued him.

"You really want to know?" he asked softly.

Gu Quan nodded.

His tongs pressed down on the beef, squeezing out even more fat. His eyes glinted, his smile turning sly.

"Meat with a lot of fat—"

"—is the most satisfying to eat."