Shichahai (Part Two)

They took their seats. A manager waiting to take their order stood by the table, but Juan Bi had not arrived yet, as she had gone to the privy.

“What does little sister like to eat?” Meng Lanyi asked.

Ye Qianran shook her head, indicating that she would let Meng Lanyi decide.

“The most famous dish here is the braised shark fin, the rest as usual,” Meng Lanyi finished ordering, and the manager took the menu and went downstairs.

The elegant round table of redwood was set with white porcelain teacups painted with blue flowers. The glaze was pristine, white as silver and snow. A servant brought freshly brewed Dongting Biluo tea and poured two cups after rinsing them.

Ye Qianran turned her head slightly and asked softly, “Sister, have all the vassal princes left the capital by now?”

Meng Lanyi was holding her teacup, inhaling the fragrance. Hearing the question, she chuckled, “Has your mind been wandering thinking about this all along?”

Ye Qianran raised her cup and managed a faint smile, trying not to seem too abrupt. “It just came to mind suddenly, so I asked.”

Meng Lanyi put down her cup and laughed lightly, “Father said that once April began, all the vassal princes have left the capital and returned to their domains.”

Before her words finished, Juan Bi lifted the curtain and entered, followed by another person—Ye An.

Ye An entered and immediately exchanged a look with Ye Qianran. Ye Qianran understood at once, stood up, and feigned surprise, “Brother, what are you doing here?”

Meng Lanyi also rose and nodded in greeting.

Ye An’s voice carried a hint of delight, “I just left my own private room and ran into Juan Bi. When I heard you were here, I thought I’d come and say hello. I hope I’m not intruding, Miss Meng?”

Meng Lanyi smiled gently and bowed slightly, “Not at all, young master, you’re joking.”

Ye Qianran looked at her brother’s feigned seriousness and could hardly suppress her laughter, but forced herself to ask, “Brother, are you here for a meal?”

“Yes, we just arrived, and the dishes haven’t been served yet,” he replied to Ye Qianran, but kept his eyes fixed on Meng Lanyi.

Ye Qianran cursed him inwardly, the sort who forgets friends for beauty, but outwardly maintained a cheerful expression. “Why not join us, brother? The more, the merrier. What do you think, Sister Meng?” She tossed the question to Meng Lanyi, who was caught between laughter and tears. She wanted to refuse, but could she? So she nodded, “If Young Master Ye doesn’t mind, let’s dine together.”

Ye An’s smile deepened, and he cast a triumphant glance at Ye Qianran, as if proud of his cleverness.

Suddenly, Ye An seemed to remember something, his smile grew sly. “I have a friend I’d like you to meet.” Without waiting for a reply, he lifted the curtain and left.

When he returned, indeed another person followed. At a single glance, Ye Qianran was stunned, her tea paused at her lips.

The newcomer also seemed slightly startled, but quickly recovered, smiling as he greeted them. His eyes were clear, his mouth curved in a gentle smile, his brows slightly furrowed. He was handsome and unrestrained, clean and pure as if untouched by the world, with a faint aloofness. Standing at the door, he nodded and smiled in greeting. His gestures, so composed, accentuated his tall frame and straight back. Ye Qianran’s mouth felt dry. After all this time apart, she had expected her feelings for him to fade, but at this moment she realized that, day after day, her longing had only deepened—so much so that she hadn’t even noticed.

Ye An smiled and introduced him to Meng Lanyi, “This is Zhuge Liuyun, commander of the Imperial Guard.” Then he turned to Zhuge Liuyun, “This is Meng Lanyi, daughter of the Minister of Personnel.”

Meng Lanyi smiled gently, “Father often speaks of Young Master Liuyun in my presence. Reputation cannot compare to meeting in person; you are indeed a man of remarkable presence.”

Zhuge Liuyun smiled like a spring breeze, “I have seen Miss Meng before, though perhaps she did not notice me.”

“Oh? I have no recollection at all,” Meng Lanyi frowned slightly, thinking hard.

“You are busy with important affairs, Miss Meng, how could you remember everyone you meet? It matters little. But this time, you must remember me, or I shall be heartbroken,” he teased lightly.

Meng Lanyi covered her mouth, laughing, “I thought Young Master Liuyun was a proper man, but it seems you are quite witty as well.” Then she turned to Ye Qianran, “Little sister, have you met the young master before?”

Ye Qianran smiled bitterly inside. She had once hoped he might treat her a little differently, but now it seemed he was the same with everyone, using a smile to shield his solitude.

Ye Qianran managed a smile, “We have met several times.”

They all sat down. Ye An sent Qingge to notify the manager to bring their dishes to this room. Four people sat around the redwood table, chatting amiably. Ye An’s gaze was fixed on Meng Lanyi, his dark eyes filled with unspoken emotion, visible to all. But Meng Lanyi was unmoved, speaking to him as she did to others—calm and impersonal, as if they were mere acquaintances.

Ye Qianran withdrew her gaze from Ye An and sighed softly. Sister Meng cared little for her brother; it seemed his path ahead would be difficult. She lowered her eyes to the steaming cup before her, inhaled the fragrant aroma, took a sip, and set it down. By chance, she caught Zhuge Liuyun’s eyes fixed on her; it was fleeting, and he turned away. She paused for a moment, then laughed at herself, thinking she must have imagined it.

Soon the servants brought in the dishes: three cold starters, four hot plates, and the main course served in the middle, its aroma filling the room. Throughout, Meng Lanyi kept serving Ye Qianran, who felt embarrassed to refuse. Looking at her plate, piled high with food, she sighed softly and ate bit by bit, though she preferred not to be fussed over, even if it was kind-hearted; she still cherished doing things herself.

The braised shark fin was not served in an ordinary porcelain dish, but in a special wooden platter. The rich sauce melded with the tender, translucent fin, pale yellow in color, the sauce glossy, the fragrance of scallions mingling with the delicate freshness of the fish—a tempting aroma indeed. Meng Lanyi served her a portion, explaining as she did. Ye Qianran listened with a smile.

Ye An teased, “This dish comes from the south. Since little sister grew up in Jiangnan, she knows it better than us. Miss Meng, you’ve wasted your effort.”

Meng Lanyi’s cheeks flushed suddenly, and she murmured, “I was careless. I only thought that since little sister hasn’t been in the capital long, I wished her to try all the best things. I forgot she has seen much of the world—how presumptuous of me.”

Ye Qianran shot Ye An a reproachful glance, then leaned closer to Meng Lanyi, “Sister, don’t listen to brother’s nonsense. Nothing he says is serious. I have never tasted this dish; he’s just teasing you. Don’t let him succeed in his schemes.”

Zhuge Liuyun set down his cup, still smiling, “Miss Meng, you have known Ye brother a long time. Surely you know his words are never serious. If you take him to heart, he’ll only go further. Ignore him, and he’ll lose interest.”

Ye An laughed, “So I am a frivolous fellow in everyone’s eyes—how heartbreaking!” He even pretended to wipe away a couple of tears, making everyone laugh. Meng Lanyi cast him a chiding glance, and Ye An was instantly enchanted, his heart flooded with sweet emotion.

After the meal, they enjoyed dessert and chatted as the wind blew in through the window, carrying a salty scent. Ye Qianran rose and stood by the window, gazing out at the boundless blue waves in the distance, shimmering and vast—the misty expanse of Shichahai. The wind brushed the water’s surface, distant hills like dark brows, and she could even see the hazy line where sky met water. She breathed in, filling her chest with the salty sea breeze, her hair lifted by the wind, black strands dancing like ribbons. When Ye Qianran turned back, her eyes shimmered with indescribable joy and delight.

Ye An watched her with interest and curiosity, a little confusion and wonder. He asked, “Little sister, you grew up in Jiangnan and must have seen scenery more beautiful than this. Why do you look so awed upon seeing the sea?”

Standing at the window, Ye Qianran’s slender fingers played with the carved lattice, her gaze drifting over the distant waters. “Perhaps it’s because I grew up by the water, but since coming to the capital, this is the first time I’ve seen the sea. It feels especially familiar, so I’m very happy.”

Time seemed to pause in that moment.

Zhuge Liuyun watched Ye Qianran quietly as she stood by the window, the wind caressing her pale cheek. She closed her eyes gently, her long black lashes trembling like cicada wings, lips curved in a smile. Her youthful, beautiful face shone with longing and hope for a bright future. Sunlight poured in through the window, gilding her outline in a hazy gold, so lovely it seemed impossible to approach or disturb.

His gaze lingered on her face, and through her, he seemed to see another young woman. Her mouth wore a carefree smile, she turned in the sunlight, eyes bright with endless charm. She softly asked, “Liuyun, will we marry someday?”

He remembered nodding with a gentle smile, his eyes full of tenderness.

His heart began to ache again. Five years had passed, yet he could not let go. Day after day, the torment had transformed him from a spirited youth into a calm, mature man. To learn to be sensible, to mature, was not so difficult—learning to quietly reject others, to stop opening oneself, to wear masks, to smile for the world. All of it, because of one person, because of one event.

Even when his heart ached, his face wore a smile. Such was Zhuge Liuyun.