Street Stories: A True Account of a Group of Blind Men in the Underworld

As dawn broke, the streets and alleys of Tianjin were filled with the aroma of breakfast, warming people's hearts.

Su Yue pushed open the door and entered, carrying steaming food, followed by a pretty girl with delicate features—her classmate Wen Jing.

Upon seeing Qiao Yang and Liu Shang, Wen Jing's eyes immediately reddened. Without saying a word, she bowed three times respectfully, her voice trembling.

"Thank you both so much for saving my life! If it weren't for your help, my life would have been completely ruined!"

Qiao Yang waved his hand lightly, his voice gentle yet possessing a calm and measured demeanor:

"It was nothing. If you really want to thank someone, thank Su Yue. If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have had the chance to meet."

After a quick breakfast, Liu Shang, who had been silent all along, suddenly pulled out a stack of banknotes and handed them to Su Yue:

"I'm all better now, and Qiao Yang and I will be going back to Baodi tomorrow. Please help us get a couple of sets of clothes."

Su Yue, who was clearing the dishes, couldn't help but shudder. She immediately stopped what she was doing and looked up in surprise:

"Why the rush? Stay a few more days so we can fully appreciate your hospitality!"

Qiao Yang smiled, his tone revealing a hint of eagerness to return home:

"My family is worried about Master and can't rest easy. Besides, although this big city is bustling, we country folk just can't get used to living here."

Wen Jing also quickly stepped forward to persuade him to stay, her tone earnest:

"Sir, please stay a few more days! We'll show you around Tianjin, let you see the Haihe River, and enjoy some opera!"

"No need." Qiao Yang laughed and waved his hand decisively. "We're completely clueless, it doesn't matter where we go."

There wasn't enough time to find a tailor, so I bought a ready-made one; a little too big or too small didn't matter.

Su Yue nodded immediately, her eyes full of decisiveness:

"Okay, then I'd rather buy a size too big than a size too small; if it doesn't fit, it can be altered!"

When Su Yue and Wen Jing returned in the afternoon, their bags were stuffed full, and when they dumped them on the table, the contents were dazzlingly bright.

Qianxiangyi's indigo long gowns, one for each person, the fabric drapes smoothly and is crisp;

A silk shirt, brand new and bright, exuding sophistication;

Sheng Xifu's felt hat, once placed on his head, exudes an air of grandeur;

Lao Meihua's cloth shoes are finely stitched, comfortable, and durable.

Qiao Yang and his master Liu Shang exchanged a glance and almost simultaneously praised:

"Great! We'll have this kind of time-honored brand! It'll make our trip to Tianjin worthwhile!"

Su Yue smiled, then took out two pairs of black sunglasses from her pocket and handed them to the two of them, her eyes crinkling with amusement.

"As for the rest of the money, I'll take the liberty of deciding. Get each of you gentlemen a pair of sunglasses—look at that style, absolutely top-notch!"

After chatting for a while longer, Su Yue urged Wen Jing to go back and take care of her father.

"You go back first, I'll sit with the two gentlemen for a while longer."

Wen Jing nodded understandingly and turned to leave.

The ward fell silent instantly, and an inexplicable ambiguity filled the air, a tension that seemed about to spread with the slightest touch.

Su Yue went out alone to buy dinner, and every dish was chosen to suit Qiao Yang and her master's tastes.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Qiao Yang suddenly stood up, his tone steady and firm, carrying an unyielding authority:

"I'll take you back."

Su Yue's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly declined:

"No, no, your eyes aren't functioning well..."

"It's dark and the road is quiet. I'm worried about you, a young woman, all alone."

A simple sentence, yet it was like a piece of candy, falling straight into Su Yue's heart, so sweet that she could no longer refuse it.

As night deepened, streetlights flickered on one after another, casting long, yellowish shadows of the two figures, sometimes close, sometimes overlapping, creating an unbelievably ambiguous atmosphere.

Qiao Yang's posture remained as upright as a pine tree, but his steps lacked the ease of a discerning person.

Seeing this, Su Yue quietly slowed her pace and gently took his arm.

When they reached a section of bumpy, uneven path, Qiao Yang paused slightly.

In that instant, Su Yue reacted almost instinctively, reaching out and grabbing his hand.

The two of them froze as their fingers touched the firm muscles of his palm.

Qiao Yang's body tensed almost imperceptibly, but he didn't flinch. His voice, however, lowered and became slightly hoarse, concealing a barely perceptible hint of panic.

Thank you.

Su Yue's cheeks flushed instantly, but she didn't immediately pull her hand back. She just whispered:

"The road here is difficult to walk on. Let me lead you; it'll be safer."

Her hands were soft and warm, the heat reaching deep into Qiao Yang's heart.

In all his life, he had never been so close to a woman except for his family.

Her faint fragrance, her gentle breathing, her warmth so close to his face... all gradually invaded his senses, stirring up his usually calm and composed mind.

"Miss Su..." he said softly, his throat inexplicably dry.

"Hmm?" Su Yue looked up and met his eyes, which were lifeless but still handsome.

Even though he couldn't see her, the way he turned his head slightly made it seem as if he was gazing intently at her.

Qiao Yang took a deep breath, his voice as soft as the evening breeze, yet every word was clear:

"Don't worry about what happened today. From now on, if you need anything, just come to me."

Su Yue's heart skipped a beat, and the fingers holding his arm tightened slightly.

She bit her lip, as if summoning the greatest courage of her life, her voice soft yet firm:

"Mr. Qiao...you've done so much for us, I have no way to repay you. From now on, I'll do your laundry, cook for you, and take care of your daily needs, okay?"

Qiao Yang remained silent for a moment, then slowly curved his lips into a very faint and gentle smile.

"I was afraid of making you feel wronged," he said truthfully. "But when I think about how you don't dislike me and take care of me in every way... my heart feels so warm."

One sentence made Su Yue's eyes slightly warm.

It turns out that she wasn't the only one who cared about him; he was also quietly being considerate of her.

The two stood shoulder to shoulder, so close they were almost touching, and a sweet scent filled the air. Their every movement and stillness revealed an undisguised excitement.

As Qiao Yang passed a dim streetlamp, he suddenly raised his hand slightly.

Su Yue was taken aback.

He gently explored with his fingers and, with perfect accuracy, lightly grasped her fingers before quickly withdrawing them.

This touch, however, was like an electric current, "whoosh" running through both of their bodies.

Qiao Yang's face was flushed, and his voice was extremely low, tinged with nervousness, yet utterly earnest:

"Su Yue, we...maybe we can't be together. You're sincere, but what about your family..."

This was the first time he had called her by her name.

Su Yue suddenly looked up at the man in front of her, who was blind but more reliable and steady than anyone else. Her nose tingled and tears almost fell.

"Qiao Yang!"

For the first time, she called him by his name, her tone resolute: "Please believe me! Once I've made up my mind, no one can stop me!"

Qiao Yang gave a soft "hmm," his voice much firmer:

"Su Yue, I believe you."

He paused, then added softly, with a touch of cautious consideration:

"But... even if we don't end up together, it would be great to have a close friend. Please, don't make things difficult for your family."

The gentle moonlight bathed the two of them like water.

At this moment, they were no longer a gentleman and a lady.

Instead, they were two hearts that gradually drew closer and could never be separated again.

A romance quietly took root on a quiet street in Tianjin late at night. Let's see how the two people involved face the storms of worldly affairs.