Chapter 4
They agreed to meet the following afternoon.
It happened to be the weekend, a busy time for the theater with numerous performances requiring constant attention.
Lu Xuefeng had been busy since arriving at the theater in the morning, only having time to check his phone during his lunch break.
After their phone call that night, they had exchanged contact information.
Song Muqing’s profile picture wasn’t what Lu Xuefeng had expected. He had imagined something more formal, befitting a teacher, but it was actually a gray penguin plush toy wearing glasses, sitting in front of a computer.
It looked a bit like Song Muqing himself at work, quite amusing.
Lan Xin had ordered takeout for him and Tuanzhang Jin Hong, and they went to the break room to eat.
With numerous new messages on his phone, this was the only time he had to reply to them all.
The chat window with Song Muqing, whom he had recently added and hadn’t spoken to much, quickly got pushed down.
Although Lu Xuefeng had initiated the dinner invitation, he hadn’t booked a place yet.
He didn’t know Song Muqing’s culinary preferences and was browsing through restaurant options on an app. The other man seemed easygoing and polite, so he probably wouldn’t be too picky about food.
Jin Hong, sitting beside him, glanced over and jokingly remarked, “Why are you looking for restaurants while eating? Is this food not to your liking? Do you need to look at appetizing dishes to eat?”
Lu Xuefeng stopped what he was doing.
“Not really.”
He didn’t offer further explanation, and Jin Hong, accustomed to his brief replies, took a guess: “Are you meeting someone for dinner again? Is it the same person from last time?”
Lu Xuefeng denied it. “No.”
Tuanzhang Jin was strict and serious at the theater, but offstage and around Lu Xuefeng, he was a relatively good friend.
A few years older than Lu Xuefeng, he had been his senior. He had risen from a minor role to principal dancer and then to his current position as Tuanzhang, achieving considerable success.
Jin Hong had gotten married the year before last. His partner was also in the arts, a violinist.
He had put in quite a bit of effort to win his partner over.
He knew about Lu Xuefeng’s blind dates, but he couldn’t offer much help. The people he knew were either already in relationships or straight.
The only single, gay person he knew was someone they both knew and interacted with, a younger man, a few years Lu Xuefeng’s junior. He had pursued Lu Xuefeng for a while during graduate school and probably hadn’t given up yet. However, Lu Xuefeng wasn’t interested, so he wasn’t an option.
There were others in the same industry, but Lu Xuefeng was mindful of potential complications and didn’t want someone too close to his circle. He worried that if they weren’t compatible after marriage and separated, it would be awkward encountering each other at work, making things uncomfortable for colleagues as well.
“So, this is your third blind date?”
In Jin Hong’s understanding, Lu Xuefeng was extremely averse to trouble. Apart from work necessities, he didn’t like meeting new people.
His social and emotional needs seemed minimal, so actively contacting people for blind dates was quite an effort for him.
Previously, he had always suggested cafes, but this time he was actively looking at restaurants.
Dinner implied a longer and more intimate interaction than coffee.
Jin Hong sensed a potential development. “Is this person to your liking?”
Lu Xuefeng thought of Song Muqing and replied indifferently, “He’s alright.”
That meant there was hope.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t have a big appetite. Having eaten enough, he closed the container and took a few sips of water.
“As the saying goes, ‘third time’s the charm’,” Jin Hong shovelled food into his mouth, gobbling down two mouthfuls. Based on intuition, he said, “Maybe this time it’ll work out. If so, bring him to meet us soon.”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t dare jump to conclusions. “Let’s see how things go.”
After finishing his meal, he sat and rested, browsing through restaurant options. He finally decided on a local Wu City restaurant. If he didn’t know the other person’s preferences, local cuisine shouldn’t be a mistake.
Jin Hong, a local, recommended two well-regarded restaurants with good food.
Lu Xuefeng forwarded the links to their webpages to Song Muqing, asking which one he preferred.
The reply came quickly, suggesting he was also likely having lunch and had time to check his phone.
Song Muqing: “What a coincidence, I was just looking at this restaurant too.”
He sent a screenshot, the restaurant name matching the one Lu Xuefeng had sent.
Song Muqing: “Let me make the reservation.”
He had unexpectedly taken the initiative, but Lu Xuefeng felt that since he had extended the invitation, he should be the one to handle it.
Lu Xuefeng: “No need, I’ll do it.”
He declined, and Song Muqing didn’t insist, letting him make the arrangements.
The dinner reservation was quickly made, and with both having work to attend to, they didn’t continue chatting.
Jin Hong suddenly realized, “Are you meeting today or tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh,” he frowned, displeased. “I was thinking we could all have dinner together after the performance tomorrow, but you won’t be able to make it.”
Lu Xuefeng had been busy with his grandmother and blind dates recently, missing several group dinners.
“Next time,” Lu Xuefeng said evasively.
“You say that every time.”
Jin Hong knew it was important, so he let it go, but he wasn’t that easy to appease. “Next time, no matter what, you must come. We’ll pack food for you and bring it over.”
Lu Xuefeng smiled faintly. “Alright.”
“I’m serious. Didn’t I mention yesterday that there’s a patron who likes your work and wants to befriend you?”
Lu Xuefeng wasn’t particularly interested, casually responding, “Really?”
“He’s mentioned it to me several times.” Jin Hong knew Lu Xuefeng wasn’t keen on meeting new people, but given the patron’s status, he said, “Just consider it having dinner with me, do me a favor and meet him.”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t think much of it and agreed. With Jin Hong there, he wouldn’t have to worry about anything.
The next day’s performance at the theater ended earlier than usual.
Jin Hong had announced the group dinner in the chat group the previous evening, offering to treat everyone.
So, when everyone returned backstage to change clothes, remove their makeup, and gather their belongings, they noticed Director Lu leaving alone.
Lan Xin was also puzzled. “Director Lu, aren’t you having dinner with everyone?”
“No, I have something to do.”
A few dancers, hearing this, feigned heartbreak, trying to persuade him to stay.
“You’re not joining us again?”
“…Director Lu, how could you abandon us like this?”
“Director Lu, if you don’t come, Tuanzhang Jin will drink and criticize us at dinner again.”
Qiu Lian whispered this last part, not daring to let Jin Hong hear.
Tuanzhang Jin was very strict with them, and even during meals, the conversation would often turn to work. With Director Lu present, he could help smooth things over.
Although Director Lu appeared cold, he had never been truly harsh. His feedback on their dancing was much gentler than Jin Hong’s, and everyone preferred to hear him speak.
So, they were afraid of being scolded.
Lu Xuefeng saw through their little act and told them not to let Jin Hong drink too much.
“Hey, talking about me behind my back again?”
Jin Hong walked over, just in time to hear the comment about not letting him drink, and his expression turned serious. However, he was easygoing in private and didn’t mind jokes.
“Don’t bother trying to persuade him. Let him go. Don’t delay Director Lu’s important business.”
Although everyone was curious about the “important business” Jin Hong mentioned, they were tactful enough not to pry into Director Lu’s private life.
Lu Xuefeng was able to slip away.
Stepping out of the theater, the air outside was dry, the breeze noticeably cool.
After the rain a few days ago, the temperature had indeed dropped rapidly. It was time to wear thicker coats.
He hadn’t driven today as his car was in for scheduled maintenance. It was still early for his appointment, so he planned to take the subway. Lu Xuefeng disliked being late but wouldn’t arrive too early either.
On performance days, the subway station near the Tingnan Theater would be more crowded than usual.
Dusk was approaching, and a few streaks of deep-colored clouds adorned the sky in the distance. The late autumn wind blew gently.
The scenery looked pleasant.
Lu Xuefeng raised his phone and casually took a picture.
Just as he lowered it, the screen displayed an incoming call from “Song Muqing.”
Lu Xuefeng paused.
Typically, a call twenty minutes before a scheduled meeting could mean the other party had something come up and couldn’t make it, or needed to postpone.
Lu Xuefeng could understand. Compared to someone who was late without any explanation, giving advance notice was more courteous.
He braced himself to hear an explanation.
He swiped to answer.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Lu, I wasn’t sure if you had left yet. If you’re still at the theater…”
Song Muqing paused briefly, as if considering his words.
“I happen to be in the area. Could I pick you up?”
