“Mandheling?” The owner approaches kindly. In the past month, this customer has appeared four times and could be considered a regular, but he never likes to be disturbed or have his affairs inquired about. So far, the owner doesn’t even know his name, only that this man habitually drinks Mandheling.
“Mm, thank you.”
“Your Mandheling.” A cup of Mandheling is quickly served to him, accompanied by a sweet but not cloying cake.
Looking at the unexpected pastry, Lu Jichong raises his eyes to ask with a glance.
“On the house.” The owner smiles.
He wants to use the cake to get closer, but Lu Jichong immediately throws cold water on the attempt—
“Thanks, but no need.”
“Sir, it’s just a small cake…” The owner is somewhat embarrassed.
“I know it’s just a small cake, but don’t you understand my meaning?” Glancing at the owner, Lu Jichong says no more, picks up his coffee, takes a sip, and opens the book he brought.
He believed that a smart shopkeeper should understand his meaning. Indeed, seeing Lu Jidong no longer paying attention to him, the shopkeeper could only touch his nose and leave automatically to avoid further embarrassment.
Although several months of carefree and happy days had passed, he still enjoyed leisurely afternoon tea time because it made him feel more like he was on vacation.
Unconcerned with others’ attention and ignoring the sudden commotion at the entrance, he gazed out the window at the blue sky, immersed in an undisturbed space of thoughts.
Regardless of the past and future, he just wanted to experience a normal life during these three years, no longer letting heavy work and social obligations consume his life.
However, he did not have the impulsive and rash spirit of running away from home back then. In his planned departure, even if his grandfather cut off his economic source, he would have enough money to ensure he was well-fed and clothed while out in the world.
Having traveled through Western, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Europe, and visited countries in Australia and Asia, the initial novelty of world travel had already faded.
