Sending you a little peach heart.

Chapter 06: His Eyes Are a City

During peak hours, the private rooms were already full, so Qiao He chose a relatively quiet spot in the lobby. The waiter brought over the menu, and Cheng Jingchuan raised his hand and pushed it in front of Qiao He. Qiao He wasn't polite either. Tofu soup, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and crab meat lion's head were the must-try dishes, and since Qiao He liked sweet food, he also added some glutinous rice lotus root.

The tofu soup was smooth and tender, and Qiao He enjoyed it greatly, his eyes squinting into a beautiful shape, looking satisfied, like a little fox. Cheng Jingchuan had never mentioned it, but he actually really liked to see Qiao He smile, something he had liked since they were young. That smile was innocent and captivating, full of enthusiasm and light. It was like Prometheus' stolen fire, which, in an instant, illuminated the darkness in his eyes.

There was something Qiao He probably didn't remember. When she was very young and had just moved into the Cheng family's house, she got up in the middle of the night to drink water and accidentally broke a purple clay teapot. Cheng Jingchuan was awakened by the noise, walked out of his bedroom, and saw her standing in the moonlight, a pile of broken pieces at her feet, her expression anxious and fearful. She was obviously terrified.

The teapot was made by a famous artisan, and it was quite expensive. Cheng Jingchuan didn't say anything. Instead, he turned and brought a broom. When Qiao He saw what he was holding, she suddenly trembled and whispered, "I know I was wrong, don't hit me." He swept up the pieces, looked at Qiao He, and told her, "No one will hit you. There will never be anyone who does."

Qiao He lifted her head, her eyes holding a pale moonlight. She softly said, "Can I have a glass of milk? I'm so thirsty."

He rarely had patience, but didn't mind her, and heated up some milk in the microwave. Qiao He sat at the table, legs dangling, her ankles white and slender, so clean that they almost blinded him. Cheng Jingchuan brought her the milk, and she suddenly reached up, gently touched his face, and whispered, "Brother, you have nice dimples."

If she hadn't mentioned it, he would have forgotten about the dimples on his face. When he smiled, they would deepen and become especially noticeable. But he had a bad temper, didn't like to smile, and wasn't much for talking, so his dimples were often hidden.

Tonight, the little girl's fingertips were soft, gently brushing his skin. The moonlight was cold and silver, like a veil. He patted Qiao He's head, the corners of his mouth slowly lifting, and the traces of his dimples appearing on his cheeks. He smiled, and she smiled too, her eyes filled with moonlight, innocent and captivating.

Cheng Jingchuan snapped out of his reverie, and noticed a piece of fish had appeared on the plate in front of him, the bones carefully removed. Qiao He said, "You don't look well. Have you been too tired lately? Eat more fish."

Cheng Jingchuan picked up the fish and suddenly said, "Go take the graduate entrance exam, something in language or literature. I can find someone to tutor you in the professional courses."

Qiao He looked up from her soup bowl, a confused expression on her face—who are you talking to? Me? Why would I want to take the graduate entrance exam?

From her expression, it was clear that Qiao He didn't take his words seriously. Cheng Jingchuan's voice darkened. "Do you really want to spend your life cutting stones? Watching the shop for Old Master Cheng?"

"My profession is jade carving, not stone cutting, and not looking after a store for others," Qiao He replied, her eyes filled with anger, though she held it in and didn't lash out. She explained seriously, "Jade carving is one of China's oldest arts, with a long history and distinct characteristics. It's a precious intangible cultural heritage. Please don't speak about it in such a contemptuous tone. You have your own interests, hobbies, and career plans, and I have mine. Perhaps we can't understand each other, but we can respect each other."