Chapter 8: Mist Café
The sky stayed overcast that evening.
Not dark enough for rain—
but heavy enough to feel like it might.
Lu Zhen stepped out of the university gates, his pace steady, hands in his pockets. The air carried that familiar dampness, cool against his skin.
Beside him—
Lin Xu walked quietly.
No unnecessary words.
No questions.
Just presence.
At some point, it had become… normal.
"…You don't have anywhere to go?" Lu Zhen asked suddenly.
Lin Xu glanced at him.
"I do."
"Then why are you still here?"
A small pause.
"…I could ask you the same thing."
Lu Zhen frowned slightly.
"That's different."
"How?"
Lu Zhen didn't answer.
Because it wasn't.
—
They walked in silence for a while.
The streets of Linyun City were calmer in this part of the evening. Fewer people. Softer sounds. The distant hum of traffic blending with the quiet rhythm of footsteps.
Then—
Lin Xu stopped.
Lu Zhen took two more steps before noticing.
"…What now?"
Lin Xu nodded slightly toward the side of the street.
A small café sat tucked between two buildings, its warm lights glowing softly through the glass windows.
Mist Café.
It looked quiet.
Comfortable.
"…So?" Lu Zhen asked.
"Have you been there?"
"No."
"Do you want to?"
"No."
Lin Xu nodded.
"Okay."
And that was it.
No persuasion.
No insistence.
He just turned—
and walked inside.
Lu Zhen stared at the door as it closed behind him.
Silence.
"…What kind of logic is that?"
He muttered it under his breath.
Then—
after a few seconds—
he stepped forward.
And followed.
—
The warmth hit immediately.
The soft scent of coffee lingered in the air, mixed with something faintly sweet. Low music played in the background, barely noticeable, just enough to fill the quiet.
It was… calm.
Different from the outside.
Lin Xu was already standing at the counter.
He glanced back briefly when Lu Zhen entered.
No surprise.
Like he had expected it.
"…You said no," Lu Zhen muttered as he walked over.
"I know."
"Then why come in?"
"I wanted to."
"…And you thought I'd follow?"
"I didn't think about it."
Lu Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…You're lying."
Lin Xu smiled faintly.
"Maybe."
Lu Zhen clicked his tongue but didn't say anything else.
—
They ordered.
Well—
Lin Xu ordered.
Lu Zhen didn't.
"I'm not drinking anything," he said.
"That's fine."
Lin Xu didn't question it.
Didn't push.
Just ordered for himself and moved to a seat near the window.
Lu Zhen stood there for a moment.
Then—
walked over and sat across from him.
Like it wasn't a decision.
Like it just… happened.
—
The silence between them settled again.
But here—
it felt different.
Softer.
Warmer.
The rain finally started again, light droplets tapping against the glass beside them.
Lu Zhen's gaze shifted toward the window.
"…You come here often?" he asked.
"Sometimes."
"Alone?"
"Yes."
"…Why?"
Lin Xu thought for a moment.
"It's quiet."
Lu Zhen let out a faint breath.
"…There are quieter places."
"Not like this."
Lu Zhen didn't respond.
His eyes remained on the rain.
The reflection of the lights blurred against the glass, soft and distant.
"…It doesn't feel empty," Lin Xu added.
Lu Zhen's gaze stilled slightly.
That again.
He didn't reply.
—
A few minutes passed.
Lin Xu placed his cup down, watching the faint ripples in the coffee.
"…You came in," he said.
Lu Zhen frowned slightly.
"…So?"
"You didn't have to."
"I know."
"Then why?"
Lu Zhen's fingers tapped lightly against the table.
"…You were inside."
The words came out quieter than expected.
Lin Xu looked at him.
Didn't smile this time.
Didn't tease.
Just… listened.
Lu Zhen looked away almost immediately.
"…Don't make it sound like something it's not."
"I'm not."
"…Good."
Silence again.
But not empty.
—
Outside, the rain grew slightly heavier.
Inside, everything stayed still.
Warm.
Quiet.
Uncomplicated.
Lu Zhen leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze drifting between the window and the table.
For once—
he didn't feel the need to leave.
Didn't feel restless.
Didn't feel like something was wrong.
Just—
still.
—
"…You can try it."
Lu Zhen blinked, looking up.
Lin Xu slid his cup slightly toward him.
"I said I don't drink that."
"You can just taste it."
"I don't want to."
A pause.
"…It's not bad."
Lu Zhen stared at the cup.
Then at Lin Xu.
Then back at the cup.
"…You're annoying."
"I know."
Another pause.
Then—
slowly—
Lu Zhen reached forward.
He picked up the cup.
Hesitated.
Then took a small sip.
The warmth spread instantly.
Subtle.
Not too strong.
Not unpleasant.
He placed the cup back down.
"…It's fine."
Lin Xu smiled faintly.
"That's good."
Lu Zhen looked away.
"…Don't get used to it."
"I won't."
But something in his tone said otherwise.
—
They stayed longer than expected.
Neither of them mentioned it.
Neither of them needed to.
When they finally stood to leave, the rain had softened again.
Lu Zhen stepped outside first.
Lin Xu followed.
Side by side.
Like always.
—
"…We'll come here again."
The words came out before Lu Zhen could stop them.
He froze slightly.
Lin Xu looked at him.
"…We?"
Lu Zhen's expression hardened immediately.
"…I didn't mean—"
"It's okay," Lin Xu said softly.
A pause.
"…I'd like that."
Lu Zhen didn't respond.
He started walking again.
Faster this time.
But this time—
Lin Xu didn't need to follow.
Because Lu Zhen didn't walk away.