78 THE INVALUABLE PERSON (1/2)
All three of them coincidentally met outside the teashop. Excited to see someone other than Xuan Chaya who had been confusing him with unexplainable feelings these past few days, Cheng Jian threw his arms around Hua Zhendan's in a warm embrace.
Xuan Chaya's face immediately changed complexion while Hua Zhendan chuckled at the cheer glee of it. As Cheng Jian had never reacted that way before, he said, ”You seem very happy to see me.”
”Of course, I am.” Cheng Jian said.
Xuan Chaya cleared his throat drawing both Cheng Jian and Hua Zhendan's attention to him.
Cheng Jian pulled away from the hug.
”Aren't you going to introduce us?” Xuan Chaya asked.
”Of course,” Cheng Jian replied. ”This is my friend Hua Zhendan.”
”Hua Zhendan, this is Xuan Chaya.”
Xuan Chaya stretched out his hand for a handshake, but time had seemed to stop for Hua Zhendan, whom instead of taking the hand, stared at Xuan Chaya blankly.
Xuan Chaya dropped his hand and scratched his left ear in embarrassment.
Cheng Jian tapped Hua Zhendan lightly. Bringing him back to life.
Hua Zhendan cleared his throat. ”I'm sorry,” he apologized. ”I just happen to know someone who answers the same surname.”
”It's a very common surname, isn't it?” Cheng Jian asked.
Hua Zhendan nodded. ”It is. But I haven't met anyone who went by it in a while.”
Xuan Chaya wasn't impressed. What was the need to be so emotional over a surname?
As if reading his mind, Cheng Jian said. ”Oh, your boyfriend also went by the same surname, right?”
Hua Zhendan glanced at Cheng Jian, then corrected him. ”Ex-boyfriend.”
Xuan Chaya finally understood. The ex must have meant a lot to this person.He pointed at the entrance to the teashop and asked, ”Do you guys want to go in?”
”Of course.” Hua Zhendan nodded.
To Hua Zhendan's surprise and Xuan Chaya's embitterment, Cheng Jian grabbed Hua Zhendan by the arm and followed him into the teashop. Hua Zhendan glanced sideways to look at Cheng Jian. How was it that this person who had always been cold to me was suddenly clinging onto him so tightly?
Xuan Chaya walked behind them silently.
They all took their seats, placed an order for various types of tea and started their conversation.