Chapter 37: Misconception

Jiang Ya stared unblinking—even after Qi Yu and that girl separated, back to their posts—her gaze seemed frozen on them.
Heart dropped sudden—indescribable feeling—heavy, sour, blocked… mixed.
From childhood Jiang Sheng and Zhou Lin disciplined her strictly—every matter by rules, meticulous, every piece. They taught her—life’s guardrails: filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, faith, propriety, righteousness, integrity, shame. Keep rules—never lose human measure.
Once those eight characters hung as calligraphy—most visible spot in the living room. Later they seemed fused into her marrow—stroke by stroke carved in flesh—rules she would follow for life.
So while peers chased and played downstairs, she was required to fight for life’s second half in her bedroom. Middle school—prevent early romance—on her birthday Zhou Lin took her to a salon as a “gift”—black hair cut layer by layer, piled on the floor. Not until high school entrance—top ten provincially—did she win long hair back.
Three years of high school Jiang Sheng warned—most critical period—no indulgence—always alert—restrain meaningless desire.
Jiang Ya believed. Obeyed. Gentle and polite to all—none entered her heart. Used to solitude—self-reliance.
Qi Yu’s appearance broke every rule.
She was the only exception in her life so far.
Yet even this close—they had never shared so intimately.
The gesture seemed to touch the deepest part of her soul.
But she should not feel this… she understood—maybe ordinary interaction between girls—proved nothing… she understood, very understood…
Why still hurt after understanding?
“Jiang Ya—what’re you looking at?” The person across finally spoke.
Li Tong saw her dazed at one direction—curious looked too—only Qi Yu and two busy staff—nothing else.
But Jiang Ya absorbed. Even grudging only a soft profile for Li Tong.
Li Tong did not get what mattered so much—Jiang Ya she knew loved staying out of things.
Doubting her eyes—looked back and forth—could not see why—had to ask.
Jiang Ya turned sudden—obviously stunned—Li Tong blank too—dry eye contact.
“Oh… nothing… I was curious about their coffee process.” Jiang Ya lowered eyes—lip corner tugged unnatural—kept stirring long spoon—even rose latte art scattered.
Li Tong missed her expression—straight talk. “Thought you were watching someone—called you—no answer—I looked half the day too.”
“If interested go to front bar—can sit there—see clearer.”
“Want to go? I’ll come—chat with Qi Yu.”
Jiang Ya lips parted—no words—peripheral glance rushed aside.
Saw nothing—heard Qi Yu chatting faintly with others.
“No need.” Jiang Ya spoke—finally set spoon down. “I’ll sit here—fine here.”
“And… she’s busy now—I won’t disturb.”
Looked up at Li Tong—very faint smile.
……
Evening near mealtime—shop emptier than afternoon.
Qi Yu kept doing odds—cleaning, clearing tables, orders, checkout—two staff on duty—could not idle. Small tasks piled—turn around—sky nearly dark outside.
Finally free—sat at register—looked around idly—seemed casual sweep past one figure—circled—eyes like kite pulled back on string—wound around—had to return.
Two hours—customers changed waves—Li Tong gone when unknown—only Jiang Ya still at original window seat—upright with a book—so absorbed lazy to spare the world a glance.
Rare today—a dress—apricot long-sleeve—simple, no extra design—more otherworldly, cool aura.
Jiang Ya suited dresses. Good posture, small frame, slender—any dress—standout in a crowd.
After all—world dyes many identical heavy makeup—Jiang Ya opposite—plainter prettier, simpler more aura—immortal untouched by dust—turn a page and pull heartstrings.
“Yujie.” Person beside ill-timed voice.
Qi Yu quietly withdrew gaze—looked at girl half a head shorter.
Xiaojing—one employee. Both college students—personalities opposite—one silent, one outgoing. Xiaojing the latter.
“What?”
“Just… no customers now… my delivery arrived… can I… can I…”
Xiaojing cute—voice sweet—casual line like acting cute to get her way.
Qi Yu weakest to that—about to speak—felt a gaze—heart sense—glanced Jiang Ya’s seat.
Jiang Ya still sitting—motionless.
Qi Yu slight pause—Xiaojing waiting—checked watch. “But… only 5:14—break at 5:30—hang in a bit?”
Light in Xiaojing’s eyes gone—pouted turning away.
Qi Yu somehow saw Qi Xuan in her expression.
She was a few years older—originally both called her boss—felt awkward—made them change—treated them as little sisters.
“Wait.” Qi Yu called.
Xiaojing whipped back—hope lit round eyes again.
Qi Yu helpless—swivel chair—arms crossed. “Go go—rest—tell Liyun too—you both eat first—I’ll watch shop.”
“Yay! Boss you’re the best!” Xiaojing excited—almost hugged Qi Yu.
“Said don’t call boss—makes me old.” Qi Yu laughed—light push keeping distance. “Go—back sharp at seven.”
Xiaojing excited to Liyun—both changed uniform—bounced to second-floor break room stairs.
Qi Yu watched their backs—light smile at lips.
Foot slipped—chair spun back—stood—looked around—empty—no customers.
Sat before Jiang Ya—Jiang Ya startled.
“Not busy?” Jiang Ya set book—stared at Qi Yu—looked around—belatedly evening.
“Not busy—everyone eating—usually nobody this hour.” Noticed Jiang Ya’s open book. “What book? Read all afternoon.”
Jiang Ya glanced down—eyes flickered—closed fast—into bag. “Just… philosophy—kind of dry—I like this type.”
Really philosophy—but most chapters on love. Felt awkward mentioning to Qi Yu.
“What time is it?” Packed up—asked again.
“Nearly 5:30.”
“So late… I should go.”
Jiang Ya looked street through floor window—picked cup—drained last coffee.
Qi Yu watched—when she finished—as if casual. “I just sat—you’re leaving?”
Jiang Ya blank—looked at Qi Yu—eyes faint smile—like ordinary friend joke.
Jiang Ya smiled too—bag down temporarily. “Dinner time—I should head back.”
“And I’ve sat here all afternoon.”
Tone normal—but Qi Yu heard something else… blaming her?
Explained: “Too busy today—developing new product—afternoon with staff tuning ratios—customers—no time to come to you… and Li Tong.”
“I saw.” Jiang Ya calm.
“That little sister—pretty cute—Li Tong and I both said so.”
“Huh?” Qi Yu stared at Jiang Ya’s faint smile—blank—silence two seconds.
“Uh… yeah cute—both fresh grads—we and Tang treat them as little sisters.” Somehow started defending.
Stared at Jiang Ya’s face—Jiang Ya not much reaction—only nodded. “That’s good—I see they have nice personalities.”
“When new product’s ready tell me—I want to try.”
“Okay. Gotta go.”
Jiang Ya smiled finishing—stood—shouldered bag.
“Sure—see you next time.” Qi Yu stood too.
One after another—Qi Yu watched her push door leave—step forward—peek at dim street—Jiang Ya fading back.
Stared at dress hem fluttering in wind—wind blew—thoughts rose and fell too.
Suddenly remembered—when talking with Xiaojing—a hurried glance from the side window.
Her misconception?
No evidence—but humans have innate perception—she felt Jiang Ya’s unnaturalness mentioning Xiaojing.
But recalling dialogue—Jiang Ya’s expression—every move.
Could not figure—everything normal—no fault to pick—yet that strange feeling in chest…
Answer almost out—heart started beating fast.
Moment later—half-formed thought crushed by subconscious.
Impossible.
Jiang Ya and Xiaojing—strangers… why would Jiang Ya be hostile.
Ridiculous. Qi Yu.
Besides misconception—no other explanation.
Yes—misconception—must be misconception.
Bitter laugh inside—lip corner tugged barely.
Withdrew gaze—expression normal—slowly closed shop door—threw those thoughts into evening wind.