In the center of the port city of Huisu, a small coffee shop hid in the shadows of glass-covered sky scrapers. Very few ever noticed it, as it almost blended into the surroundings, making it invisible to the hundreds of passerby's that walked past its windows every day. It had a small but faithful clientele, attracted by the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the cozy and quiet interior.
In the early morning, when the autumn sun shyly peeked between the buildings, the café owner, a man in his early sixties with warm eyes and a wrinkly smile, tied the apron around his waist and heated up the ovens to prepare the pastries for the day. The chime of the bell above the door informed him of the arrival of his morning shift part-timer.
He was a tall young man. He didn't really talk much, but he was a quick learner, and it hadn't taken him long to understand how to work the coffee machine. He was quite handsome. With light brown almond eyes, short black hair and a big build, he had had his fair share of admirers trying to strike up a conversation in front of the register. None had been successful though.
"Good morning, Boss."
The old man shot him a smile.
"Li Jun! You're early!"
"Yeah, I woke up too early."
The owner laughed and landed his large hand on the young man's shoulder.
"You can start setting the chairs then."
With a nod, Li Jun went to the staff room at the back of the shop and left his backpack, his scarf and coat in a locker. He came out while tying the apron around his hips, and began placing the chairs that were atop the tables back on the floor.
Soon enough, the smell of the pastries wafted to his nose as he heard the old man humming a past tune while he stocked the glass counter display with croissants, cookies and sandwiches.
Li Jun turned the 'Closed' sign to 'Open' and slowly, the morning regulars walked into the café.
"Good morning, Li Jun. How's college?"
"Morning, Mr. Kento. It is going well. What can I give you today?"
"Oh, you know already. Just give me the regular."
"Sure thing."
It was a quiet morning as usual, when around 9:00 A.M. the chime of the bell pulled Li Jun's attention from wiping down a table.
Through the door walked a young woman wearing an expensive coat and high heels. She was talking on her phone with quite a chilling tone.
"Qin Industries? Oh, so they are trying to contact our suppliers now? Don't worry, that company is the size of a pea, the suppliers will never take them, their volumes are too small."
She stared at the pastries in the display, seemingly choosing which one to buy.
"If the managers or the board still feel uneasy, place a bid for that government project, the bridge one. Missing that deal should make Qin industries lose some of their courage. This is just that old man Qin being mad at me for not agreeing to meet his grandson for a marriage interview. Alright, I'll buy some coffee and go back to the office. I need that finance report on my desk when I come back. Yes. Goodbye."
Li Jun stared at her with wide eyes, just like everyone else in the shop who had recognized who she was.
The foreign beauty with dark brown hair and grey eyes was Iris Zhou, the CEO of the Seren Conglomerate, a huge international company that had just opened a new branch in Huisu city to permeate into the Oriental market. Most people knew she was a business demon, but Li Jun, who understood a little bit more about business than the average person, knew how big of a monster she truly was.
She had started her own software company during college, Seren Tech, which had then diversified to produce IT as well, becoming the leading enterprise in both fields in only four years. Still, what made her such a business force wasn't her technological knowledge, but her investment instinct. In three years, with the revenue from Seren Tech, she had bought dying companies in practically all fields and, surrounded with a ridiculously competent team, transformed them into humongous businesses that traded world wide.
Now, she had brought the head of the Seren Conglomerate, the mother company, Seren Investment, along with the battalion firms under her name and opened a new office that took up the whole building across the street from the café.
The Seren invasion was a well known fact, it was even being broadcast right then in the muted TV at the corner of the shop, but the woman didn't even seem to notice as she was still deciding which of the pastries she wanted.
Regaining his composure, Li Jun quickly called out:
"Welcome. Can I help you with anything?"
She redirected her gaze from the glass display towards his face and relaxed her features.
"Oh, hello. I would like a coffee and a chocolate croissant, please."
"A latte?"
"Yes, a Latte."
Iris looked at the barista as he prepared her order. He was quite big, with a chiseled jaw that clenched strongly as he focused on the task at hand. Each of his movements was graceful, and his demeanor was quite severe for the age his features portrayed.
He placed her croissant in a paper bag and finished adding the milk to her coffee, placing a lid over the cup.
She never told him she needed it for take-out, so she figured he must have heard her saying she needed to go back to the office.
'Quite considerate of him.'
She reached her hand out to receive the cup, but he placed it directly on the counter. After paying, he only gave a 'thank you for your purchase' towards her before wiping the benchtop.
"No, thank you."
With a quick goodbye, she turned to leave, but she couldn't help turning to get one last look at him, only to find him staring back at her. She flashed him a small smile and left the café.
Li Jun was stunned for a second and could only think that women look their most beautiful when they smile.
----
After his morning shift, Li Jun rode the bus for a while before getting off at the station in front of Huisu University. The main building was one of beautiful architecture, and the campus was bustling with students as it was noon and everyone was leaving the classrooms to have lunch. He strode to the cafeteria without looking at anyone.
"That's him! That's him! The hot guy in the business major!"
A few giggles followed, but Li Jun didn't notice. His gaze was set upon a green haired guy who was busy trying to shove a whole burger into his mouth.
"What are you doing, Tian Yu?"
The young man choked on the bun and began coughing violently, turning to glare at Li Jun with teary eyes.
"You bastard! Are you trying to choke me to death?! Stop walking so damn silently!"
Li Jun sat down beside him, taking a sandwich out of his backpack.
"Don't blame me. You were the one trying to inhale a burger. You have some mustard on your chee-"
"Shut up!"
With a huff, Tian Yu grabbed a napkin and wiped his face down while his friend stared at him with amusement in his eyes.
"So you really went and dyed it green. I honestly thought nothing could look worse than the blue, but it turns out it can."
Li Jun stared at the patchy mess of hair as if he was studying a strange specimen, but Tian Yu only flicked the bangs on his forehead with a grand gesture and planted a toothy grin on his face, showing off the dimples on his cheeks.
"The two darlings I met this morning didn't think the same. Besides, I am only missing red, orange and yellow before having passed through all the colors of the rainbow."
With a grimace, Li Jun munched on his sandwich as he listened to the prick ramble about how color was the most beautiful form of expression and then began a monologue about the lack of emotional liberty this society imposed on men.
"Girls can cry, but I can't? What if I stub my toe? What if my dog dies?! Curse you, gender roles! My hair shall be my rebellion flag! You can't stop me!"
No one in the cafeteria turned to look at him or his battle pose since this was a usual occurrence when Tian Yu was around.
Despite his antics and his doubtful taste in fashion, Tian Yu was a people magnet with his tan skin and sunny smile. Men, women, and everything in between flocked to him like flies, and he was known for his casual flings around the campus. He was the definition of sex with legs, only with... Rainbow hair.
Once his passionate speech had reached its end, Tian Yu turned with a heaving chest to Li Jun who was staring at the birds flying outside with a dead look in his eyes. Noticing the lack of interest from his audience, he started bellowing again.
"You uncultured swine! You shall-!"
"Yes, yes. I shall never be free from the shackles of this society. Anyway, did you finish the economics assignment?"
Stopping on his tracks, Tian Yu's face lost all color.
"What economics assignment?"
"The international trade one."
"Wasn't that due on Wednesday?"
"It is Wednesday."
"F*ck."
"Mm-hm."
"Oh, wise Master, you benevolent, beautiful human being-"
"It's in my backpack."
Dropping the act, Tian Yu ravaged through the bag like a starved beast until he found the neatly written essay.
"Thank you, kind Master!"
"Just make sure they are different. Don't drag me down with you."
"Sir! Yes, Sir!"
The rest of lunch passed by in blissful silence. Eventually, the next period arrived and they left for the classroom.
By the time they were done for the day the sun was already low in the sky, basking everything in a golden glow.
"Are you going to the Li residence now?"
"Yes."
"Those bastards! Why do you even-!"
"Stop it, Tian Yu. You know I have to go."
Tian Yu sighed but didn't complain anymore.
"Call me if you need anything."
"Sure. See you tomorrow."
Li Jun took another bus, watching as outside the window the surrounding buildings gradually lost their height and became scarcer until he reached the entrance of Huisu's wealthiest residential district. He walked for some time before arriving at a familiar set of high gates that closed off the entrance to a beautiful traditional mansion.
Inside the house, one of the servants guided him through an extremely lavish hallway before reaching the living room, where his relatives were waiting for him.
"Mr. Li Jun has arrived."
Even though he was a Li as well, he wasn't surprised at the cold introduction. He had never been a member of this family to begin with.
On the sofa his aunt, Feng Lan, showed him a smile. The bracelets on her arms clinked when she stood up to greet him.
"Li Jun, welcome back. It has been so long since you last came back home."
"Hello, aunt. I have been busy lately."
Her eyes squinted in displeasure, but her close-lipped smile didn't falter.
"You silly boy. Just don't forget to come by for dinner some times."
"I will, aunt."
"Is he here already?"
From atop the staircase appeared the robust figure of his uncle, Li Qiang, followed by his elder cousin, Li Wei.
"Yes, honey. He just arrived."
Both men went down the steps. Li Wei stared at Li Jun with a smirk on his lips, but avoided saying anything after glancing at his father's imposing back. He wasn't going to get scolded for speaking out of turn again.
"Hello, uncle, cousin."
His greeting was left unanswered, but Li Jun didn't mind it.
"Aunt, is grandfather here?"
Feng Lan glanced around, avoiding his eyes.
"Oh, he is... Quite busy, so he won't be joining us for dinner, but he sent you his best regards and was deeply sorry for not being able to see you."
"I see."
"Stop wasting time, you two, and lets go before the dinner gets cold."
In the dinning room, a large table was full to the brim with extravagant dishes. After sitting down, his uncle finally looked at him, albeit rather begrudgingly.
"Li Jun."
"Yes, uncle."
"Even though we have had our disagreements, you know I have cared for you as my own son ever since your mother left us."
"I know, uncle. And for that I am deeply thankful."
"Well, after you left this house and began living independently, me and your aunt have been worried about you being alone, so we have arranged a date for you to meet the second daughter of the Qin family tomorrow."
Li Jun wanted to say something, but his aunt beat him to it.
"She is quite a beautiful young lady! She is also known for her elegant demeanor and intelligence. I met with her mother yesterday and we both believe you would make quite a beautiful couple."
The excitement in her voice was almost palpable as her eyes shone expectantly.
She had been trying to get him into a relationship for years. Whether it was because of guilt about what happened in the past, or if it was out of genuine concern, he couldn't tell. His uncle, on the other side, was way easier to read. The Qin's were the family's new business partner in the venture of Li Industries joining the construction market. A marriage alliance would only prove to be beneficial for both parties, and it would also serve as the leash on Li Jun's neck to regain the control he had over him all those years ago.
His cousin's smug face served to sustain the idea about this whole arranged meeting deal not being out of pure love for him.
Li Jun sighed and pondered for a few minutes.
"Aunt, uncle, I truly appreciate your concern, but I am not really interested in finding a partner at the moment. There are other things I want to focus my time on, and I feel it would be unfair for the lady if I were to meet her without any intention of being with her. I don't want to raise anyone's expectations since I don't believe I will be able to maintain them."
Feng Lan unconsciously almost placed her hand on top of his, but she realized what she was doing and retracted in the last second with downcast eyes. He felt his skin crawl.
"Li Jun, you won't know for certain until you try. We only want you to be happy."
"Your aunt is right, Li Jun. We were quite accepting of your life choices so far. Despite how much they have dragged you down, we have never stopped you. Can't you listen to us this time? Wouldn't it be the least you can do after all we have done for you for all these years?"
Li Qiang's tone was caring, but Li Jun could hear the implied message hidden in his words. He subtly clenched his fists under the table, trying to cool down his raging thoughts.
'Now is not the time.'
After taking a deep breath, he answered:
"Fine. Send me the time and place, but I won't go if it interrupts my work or my studies."
"Li Jun, I have already told you, just quit that low-end job, and you don't need to waste your time going to that university. You can just work with me and your cousin in the company directly, no one will say anything."
"Uncle, this is the only thing I'm asking for. Besides, Li Wei has already finished his superior education. Why can't I do the same?"
Hearing his name, Li Wei lifted his eyes from his plate, but still didn't say anything. These matters didn't concern him.
"That is not what your uncle means, Li Jun. After everything that happened we only believe you should stay at home. You are still not okay. Why are you putting yourself through this when you can just live a comfortable life here, with us?"
Feng Lan's eyes were moist. Although she had asked, she knew exactly why. They all did.
The conversation reached a dead end. Li Jun lost his appetite.
"I think it's best if I leave. Just send me the time and place, but please make sure it doesn't collide with anything else. Good night."
He left the house without looking back. Meeting with his relatives was always exhausting, so in the bus back home he closed his eyes, with the streetlights from the window lighting up the inside of his eyelids.