AlanGaipa Story (Ending)

9.

"Wow, the atmosphere is just like the old shop."

Having just arrived, Gaipa is immediately amazed by Jim's new shop, which has a lot in common with the old one.
Wen explained that Jim wanted the atmosphere of the old shop, so he made a design not much different from the old shop.

"Ah, Li Ming suggested having a bit of a new atmosphere. So I also made a youthful atmosphere over there. This shop is right in the middle of the city, there might be some young people like college students or school kids who will come."

Wen then took Gaipa to the place Li Ming suggested. The shop was quite spacious, perhaps better called a chicken rice restaurant.

"Uncle Jim should probably get some new employees," Gaipa commented and Wen agreed, already making plans to spread the word to get Uncle Jim two new workers.
Li Ming was already busy with school as a senior student, and Wen wouldn't be helping Jim every day, so it was better that Jim got another worker like Leng.

"I'll still come over to help."

"Thank you, Gaipa."

"Ah, Gaipa. Have you met Nine yet?" Wen continued.

"I have, twice. He's your friend too, right?"

Wen nodded his head. "Gaipa, do you have time? I'd like to chat with you."
.
.
.

"Where's Wen?"

"He's on leave, his boyfriend's shop will open tomorrow."

Gong sat down at the table with the menu paper on it.

"Are you going there tomorrow?" Gong asked and Nine nodded his head. Wen invited him, of course he had to come.

"Alan will come too, right?"

Gong nodded his head. Of course, Alan had to come because besides Gaipa who invited him, Jim was a client at his bank.
Then, Gong turned his head from the menu paper to Nine, who was also busy reading today's lunch menu.
Gong know from Alan that Nine accidentally lives in the same condo building as him. Damn, Gong was such a jinx.

"I heard that your condo is in the same building as Alan's new condo."

"That's right. Only one floor different." Nine smiled still focusing on the menu paper.

"I'll go upstairs if I get bored. It's a relief that there's someone I know well in that Kondo building. You know? Those who live there seem to live alone."

"..."

Nine then raised his head, still with a smile he looked back at Gong. "What's wrong with your facial expression?"

"It's okay, I was listening to you tell a story." Gong decided to go back to staring at his paper menu, while Nine now lost his smile and looked at Gong.

"Gaipa is not Wen, he might think differently," Nine continued.

Gong just chuckled. "Hopefully?"

Gong no longer felt like give a warning Nine like in the past. They had all grown up and now, the only thing Gong hoped for was Alan. Hopefully, he would understand that creating boundaries between him and Nine would not ruin their friendship. The only person who can stop Nine is Alan himself.
Because it's useless if Gong reprimands Nine but Alan lets him.

----

Gaipa returns to the market after a quick stop at Jim's stall which is still preparing for tomorrow's opening.
The stall is already empty of customers, it's getting late in the afternoon and usually this time of day, Gaipa would be more preoccupied with getting ready to go home.
After cleaning the table where the meat is kept, Gaipa wipes his hands to look at the cell phone that has just vibrated.
An incoming message from Alan.