Mr. Xián chuckled and gestured to the spread of food on the table. "Stop thinking so much, let's eat together. I made something special for your stomach after last night's drinking."
Zǐ Chén's eyes widened as he took in the array of dishes. There was a steaming bowl of soup, fragrant with ginger and herbs, and a variety of side dishes that looked delicious.
"What's this soup?" Zǐ Chén asked, his curiosity piqued.
"It's a special recipe for hangovers," Mr. Xián explained. "It's supposed to help soothe your stomach and clear out the toxins."
Zǐ Chén's stomach growled at the smell of the food, and he couldn't resist digging in. The soup was warm and comforting, and the side dishes were flavorful and satisfying.
As they ate together, Zǐ Chén felt a sense of gratitude towards Mr. Xián. Despite the mysterious circumstances, he couldn't deny the kindness and care that Mr. Xián had shown him.
*****
Zǐ Chén walked over to the table and sat down in the chair, taking in the spread of food before him. Mr. Xián had set out a beautiful table setting, with fine china and crystal glasses.
"Please, help yourself," Mr. Xián said, gesturing to the food.
Zǐ Chén's eyes widened as he took in the array of dishes. He picked up a spoon and took a sip of the soup, and his eyes widened in surprise. The flavors exploded on his tongue, and he couldn't help but let out a small moan of delight.
"This is...wow," Zǐ Chén said, his words trailing off as he savored the taste.
Mr. Xián smiled, watching Zǐ Chén's reaction with amusement. "I'm glad you like it," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Zǐ Chén took another sip, and his eyes locked onto Mr. Xián's. "This is incredible," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You're a great cook."
Mr. Xián chuckled, looking pleased. "I've had my fair share of practice," he said, his smile growing wider.
As they continued to eat, Zǐ Chén couldn't help but steal glances at Mr. Xián, who was watching him with a warm and gentle gaze.
*****
After they finished eating, Mr. Xián pushed his chair back and smiled at Zǐ Chén. "So, do you have any plans for today?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Zǐ Chén shook his head, feeling a bit more relaxed after the delicious meal. "No, I don't have anything planned," he said, remembering the conversation they had earlier. "Thanks to you, I have a rest day today."
Mr. Xián chuckled, looking pleased with himself. "I'm glad I could arrange that for you," he said. "In that case, would you like to go for a walk with me? There's a beautiful park nearby that I think you'd enjoy."
Zǐ Chén's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds like fun," he said, feeling a sense of excitement.
*****
As they strolled through the park, the warm sunlight and fresh air filled Zǐ Chén's senses. Mr. Xián walked beside him, their arms occasionally brushing together.
They talked about everything and nothing, sharing stories about themselves and their lives.
Zǐ Chén found himself opening up to Mr. Xián about his dreams and aspirations. "I've always wanted to start my own small business," he said, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Something that would allow me to take care of my mother, you know?"
Mr. Xián's expression softened, and he nodded encouragingly. "What kind of business did you have in mind?" he asked.
Zǐ Chén's face lit up with a smile. "I want to open a small tea shop," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "My mother loves tea, and I think it would bring her so much joy to have a place where she can go and relax. Plus, it would be a way for me to give back to her, you know? She's always been there for me, and I want to be there for her."
Mr. Xián's eyes sparkled with admiration. "That's a beautiful dream, Zǐ Chén," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'm sure you'll make it happen."
Zǐ Chén felt a sense of gratitude towards Mr. Xián, who seemed to understand him in a way that few others did. He smiled, feeling a sense of connection with Mr. Xián.
*****
As they walked along the riverbank, Mr. Xián led Zǐ Chén to a quiet bench overlooking the water. They sat down, and Mr. Xián gazed out at the river, his eyes clouding over.
"I want to share you something," Mr. Xián said, his voice low and introspective. "Something about my past, about why I'm the way I am today."
Zǐ Chén turned to him, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?" he asked, his voice soft.
Mr. Xián took a deep breath, and the words began to flow out of him like a river. He told Zǐ Chén about his relationship with Lǐ Wén, about the love they shared, and the pain of losing him. He spoke of the emptiness that followed, the feeling of being lost and alone.
As Mr. Xián spoke, Zǐ Chén listened with rapt attention, his heart aching for the man beside him. He couldn't imagine the pain Mr. Xián had endured, the weight of his grief.
The river flowed gently beneath them, its soothing sounds a stark contrast to the turmoil that Mr. Xián's words evoked. Zǐ Chén felt a deep sense of empathy for Mr. Xián, and he reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
As Mr. Xián finished speaking, Zǐ Chén saw a glimmer of tears in his eyes. Without thinking, Zǐ Chén stood up and wrapped his arms around Mr. Xián, holding him in a warm hug.
Mr. Xián's body stiffened for a moment, and then he relaxed into the hug, letting out a shuddering breath. Zǐ Chén held him tightly, feeling a sense of comfort and understanding.
For a moment, they just stood there, the only sound the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. Zǐ Chén didn't say anything, he just held Mr. Xián, letting him know that he was there for him.
As they hugged, Mr. Xián's tears began to fall, and Zǐ Chén felt a pang of sadness. But he also felt a sense of connection, a sense that he was helping Mr. Xián in some small way.
As they stood there, holding each other, Zǐ Chén spoke softly into Mr. Xián's ear. "Life taught me that the people who love the hardest are the ones who have been hurt the most," he said, his voice filled with empathy. "It's hard to lose someone you love, but you can try to let go of the past until it's weightless, and open the door for someone who wants to enter."
Mr. Xián pulled back, looking at Zǐ Chén with surprise and curiosity. "You think so?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Zǐ Chén nodded, his eyes locked on Mr. Xián's. "Yes, I do," he said. "You can't change the past, but you can choose how it affects your future. You've been hurt, but that doesn't mean you can't love again."
Mr. Xián's eyes searched Zǐ Chén's face, and for a moment, Zǐ Chén thought he saw a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Mr. Xián see that there was a future beyond his grief.