When everyone is gossiping, the person at the center of the storm is often the calmest.
Yi Jiayi didn’t hear a single piece of gossip, and even if she occasionally felt that the people at the police station looked at her strangely, she didn’t have the time to dwell on it.
She was too busy, absorbing and learning like a sponge; any piece of knowledge could keep her from eating and sleeping, leaving no room for other trivial thoughts.
In her past life, she often felt lost while studying.
Sometimes she even thought that living was meaningless. What if she succeeded in her postgraduate exams? And what if she passed the civil service exams?
What was all this effort for?
But since arriving in Hong Kong this month, she had not once pondered the meaning of life.
This was probably the happiness of being fully occupied; every moment was filled with specific issues to resolve and personal relationships to manage.
In this unfamiliar city and era, the cramped living conditions and the strong familial bonds slowly enveloped her, allowing her to quickly integrate and adapt.
In the police station, there were numerous people to remember and various tasks to learn, all filling her time and energy.
Yi Jiayi’s life became concrete and full. Although it was busy and too fast-paced, it indeed invigorated her, making her look radiant and energetic.
Because she was preoccupied with a case that Team B was investigating, she didn’t even need an alarm clock; her biological clock woke her up at 7 AM.
With things on her mind, she lost any desire to stay in bed.
When she came out of her room, Yi Jiadong had just finished washing up.
The nearly 30-year-old man emerged from the bathroom, his tall figure somewhat constrained in the small, crowded house.
He wasn’t prepared for Yi Jiayi to be up already; he was wearing only a tank top, his freshly washed short hair loosely hanging, slightly covering his eyebrows and eyes.
Standing under the dim light, Yi Jiayi noticed for the first time that Yi Jiadong was extremely handsome. When he wasn’t nagging or busily running around like a father, he actually looked like a young man capable of captivating young women.
At an age when he should have been enjoying a romantic life, this eligible bachelor had to prepare breakfast three times a day—one for himself, one for his elder sister who went to work, and one for his younger siblings who went to school.
Then, he would spend the whole day cooking for customers and staff at the store, and in the evening, he would prepare a meal for the family, sometimes even making snacks late at night if his siblings craved something.
With their parents gone, the responsibility of feeding and clothing his family weighed heavily on him, and he had to handle every big and small matter.
Yi Jiadong lived like a superhero.
Influenced by the concept of ‘living for oneself,’ Yi Jiayi felt that he lived too hard and too unhappily.
Yi Jiadong was completely unprepared to find someone in the living room. He was startled by the sight of a woman in a white nightgown, her hair disheveled, standing under the dim light with a vacant, bewildered look in her eyes.
He combed his bangs back with his fingers and covered his chest with the other hand, angrily staring in reproach.
“You’re too timid, big brother, considering how you never hesitate when slaughtering chickens or ducks,” Yi Jiayi said with a smile as she brushed past him into the bathroom.
After washing up, she went with Yi Jiadong to buy groceries.
Everyone they met on the way complimented Jiayi for growing up and going out with her brother. Jiayi nodded in response, feeling somewhat socially pressured.
Yet, Yi Jiadong was delighted, as if having Jiayi accompany him to buy groceries was the happiest thing.
He carried the lighter items while he handled the heavier ones himself. After a busy morning, Jiayi had her breakfast before 9 AM and set off on her bicycle.
Yi Jiadong stood by the window, watching his sister’s figure recede into the distance, feeling a mix of emotions.
Yi Jiajun, rubbing his sleepy face, came out and saw through his brother’s sadness. Standing at the bathroom door, he said like an adult, “It’s good that sister has grown up and become independent. She doesn’t cling to you anymore. There’s no need to feel sad.”
“Who’s sad? I’m happy,” Yi Jiadong quickly hid his melancholy and shouted at his brother, “Go pee.”
Yi Jiajun pouted and turned away to relieve himself.
Yi Jiadong reviewed last month’s bills, calculated the income and expenses, and analyzed the management of the teahouse and family expenditures. His younger sister and brother had also finished washing up.
He prepared breakfast for the two youngsters before taking them downstairs to catch the bus.
After sending them off, he took a deep breath and stretched lazily.
Next, he headed to his shop where he could work methodically without rushing.
Zhang Wang Guilan, the snake soup business owner next door, had just bought some offal at a low price from the butcher to feed her cats. She stopped Yi Jiadong and asked:
“Sending your siblings to catch the bus again?”
“Yes.” Yi Jiadong, with his sturdy upper body, vigorously wielding a large spoon, has a clear and handsome face. If it weren’t for his constant slicked-back hair and careless dressing, he would actually appear as a very young and attractive man, the type who could charm housewives effortlessly.
He was used to being the head of the family, always busy and prioritizing comfort and convenience in his hairstyle and clothes. He had mastered the art of managing a teahouse, always wearing an old-fashioned but friendly expression, making people forget how young and handsome he actually was.
Mrs. Zhang, sizing him up in the rising sun, couldn’t help but ask, “It’s been so many years, and now that Jiayi is working too, how about I set you up on a blind date?”
“I still have a sister and a brother to take care of. People think I come with too much baggage. Who would want to date me?” Yi Jiadong waved his hand and declined with a smile.
“There’s always a good girl who can see your worth.”
Yi Jiadong just grinned and said nothing.
Passersby might not always greet each other on the street, but upon seeing Yi Jiadong, they would always warmly call out “Ah Dong” or “Boss Yi” or “Chef Yi.”
It was all because he always liked to talk about how his younger brother scored high on exams, and how his sister went to the police academy, leaving a strong impression of his chatter on people.
Sometimes in the hot weather, he generously offered ice drinks, and the portions at Yi’s Teahouse were always pleasing. People couldn’t see him without remembering the generously served delicious dishes.
Today, Yi Jiayi left behind a book she was taking home to read and had to turn back to get it. At the intersection, she saw her older brother chatting with the neighbors about her job at the police station.
In his words, she was not only capable but also highly valued, seemingly the future star of the police force.
She wished she was really that impressive. Listening to him, she blushed and felt too embarrassed to greet him.
Yet, Yi Jiadong was proudly basking in his own belief in what he said.
Pushing her bike and standing under the eave’s shadow, Yi Jiayi thought about her morning sympathy for her brother, feeling sorry for him.
But now, her feelings were different; perhaps her brother was really happy.
And he was respected—not only by his three younger siblings but also by the neighbors and the community.
How many people in this world can earn money, yet never gain respect?
Yi Jiayi quietly took the back alley home to avoid her brother, who was in the midst of boasting.
…
The next day, Yi Jiayi still got up after seven, accompanying Yi Jiadong to the market just like before, but this time, while delivering most of the groceries to their shop, she leaned on the cashier counter between the kitchen and the front hall, examining the ingredients. Suddenly, she turned around, excitedly asking:
“Big brother, I suddenly have a new idea for milk tea. Do you want to try it?”
In her previous life, she was a big fan of food live-streaming and a super addict of milk tea.
Although the silk stocking milk tea in Hong Kong is excellent, the fancy milk teas from the future world are also fresh and delicious. Bringing them to this era and selling them in their Yi’s Teahouse, she wondered if people would like them.
Even if it’s just an initial attempt and it fails, it would still not be a loss.
If successful, perhaps Yi’s Teahouse could earn a bit more money, and the whole family could strive towards a better life together, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Yi Jiadong had just finished packing the newly bought meat into the freezer when he looked up to see the morning sun casting a warm golden halo around his younger sister, who leaned on the counter.
She looked ethereal and pure, with a sly and pretty smile.
“Want your big brother to be your taste tester?” he joked, leaning on the freezer with both hands, his mind filled for the thousandth time with the thought since Yi Jiayi started working:
Yi’s daughter is all grown up now.