Feng Feng was dressed simply, in a knitted sweater under a khaki trench coat. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and her makeup was understated, not as heavy as when she was at work. Shen Su's attention was quickly drawn to her.
"I'm ready, let's go," Feng Feng said.
Shen Su agreed, changed his shoes, and as they were leaving, he asked, "Whose car are we taking?"
"Either is fine," Feng Feng replied.
Shen Su considered for a moment, then extended his hand to her. "Let's take yours. I'll drive mine back later when I drop you off."
Feng Feng handed him her car keys and entrusted him with the rest of the itinerary without further inquiry.
Shen Su took Feng Feng to a spa she had heard of but never had the chance to visit. The place was bustling, requiring advance reservations on weekends, and often had long waiting lists. However, Shen Su smoothly led her inside and to a VIP suite.
After the server introduced the services in the room and some specialties, they withdrew.
On a nearby rack hung clothes to change into. Shen Su looked at Feng Feng's attire and smiled. "You should change your clothes. It's quite unique to soak your feet wearing a trench coat."
Feng Feng sized him up and retorted, "Is soaking your feet in a suit any better?"
Shen Su picked up her cue. "Then let's change together." With that, he walked to the rack and took out the clothes.
Feng Feng turned to go into the changing room, but to her surprise, Shen Su followed. Just as she was about to question him, Shen Su anticipated her thought. "It's not like I haven't seen it before. Ms. Feng, you're not shy, are you?"
Feng Feng was not shy, but she couldn't stand his insistence on following. The changing room wasn't large, and having them change together felt cramped. Being so close, she felt something might happen.
Feng Feng took off her coat and hung it aside, avoiding Shen Su's gaze as she changed. However, the space was so small that even with her efforts to avoid him, she could still catch glimpses of him in her peripheral vision. Shen Su seemed to notice this too. He smiled and said, "If Ms. Feng wants to look, feel free to do so. I don't mind."
His tone and expression were like a peacock displaying its plumage, smug and proud. Feng Feng glanced at him and calmly doused his enthusiasm. "There's nothing much to see on you either."
Shen Su's smile faltered. Although Feng Feng hadn't mentioned Li Yue, the first person that came to Shen Su's mind upon hearing this was Li Yue. Li Yue was about his height, and Shen Su hadn't paid much attention to his physique, but anyone who caught Feng Feng's eye wouldn't be too bad.
Moreover, he had witnessed Feng Feng's "enthusiasm" for Li Yue firsthand. The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable Shen Su felt. "That's true. Ms. Feng has seen younger men. Someone like me really isn't much to look at. Perhaps Ms. Feng should find someone else to date."
Feng Feng, rarely amused, chuckled. "Mr. Shen's suggestion is quite good. I'll consider it. Perhaps you should leave first?"
Feng Feng's question jolted Shen Su back to a degree of clarity. He regretted his reaction and was fortunate to recover quickly. He immediately smiled and said, "Just kidding. I'm done changing. Ms. Feng, take your time."
After Shen Su left the changing room, Feng Feng was still smiling at his earlier reaction. The saying was true: men, even at eighty, are still petty and childish.
Actually, Feng Feng didn't want to repeatedly mention Li Yue in front of him, as they had broken up, and she didn't want to provoke him in that way. A couple of times had been enough. But Shen Su seemed to have developed an addiction; he would associate her casual remarks with Li Yue.
When Feng Feng emerged after changing, a movie had started playing on the screen opposite them. It was a newly released sci-fi film. Feng Feng wasn't particularly interested in movies. After a brief glance, she began soaking her feet and playing on her phone, choosing not to speak with Shen Su to avoid any more sarcastic remarks.
Shen Su noticed Feng Feng on her phone and directly snatched it away. Feng Feng looked at him, bewildered. "What's wrong?"
"If Ms. Feng didn't want to come, she could have refused. Why come and then play on her phone?" Shen Su said.
Feng Feng rubbed her temples. "Shen Su, that's enough." He had been a bit unreasonable lately. While she was the one pursuing him, there were limits to her patience.
Shen Su raised an eyebrow, looking at Feng Feng. He could tell she was nearing her breaking point. "Stop playing on your phone and watch the movie properly."
"I'm not very interested in movies," Feng Feng said.
Shen Su retorted, "Then what are you interested in? Watching financial news while soaking your feet?"
Shen Su was joking, but Feng Feng took him seriously. She glanced at the screen. "Can it play?"
"Of course not. Have you ever seen anyone watch work-related content while relaxing?" Shen Su replied.
Feng Feng: "..."
Shen Su changed the program to a travel documentary. "Let's watch this. It'll help you relax."
Feng Feng was more interested in documentaries than the previous movie. Coincidentally, this one was about South Africa, a place she hadn't visited. She watched it with great concentration.
Seeing her engrossed, Shen Su asked, "Do you like South Africa?"
Feng Feng took a sip of water. "It's alright. I'm generally more interested in places I haven't been to."
Shen Su asked, "You haven't been?"
"No," she replied. She rarely traveled for leisure. Although she had been to many countries over the years, it was mostly for work, never for in-depth tourism.
Her answer made Shen Su understand. He playfully said, "Ms. Feng's private life is truly dull. Can a young man like Li Yue tolerate you?"
There it was again, the topic circling back to Li Yue.
Feng Feng countered directly with Ji Tong's situation. "You have plenty of tricks up your sleeve in private, yet you were still dumped by a younger person."
Shen Su smiled, unwrapped a lollipop, and popped it into his mouth. The casual action gave him a hint of roguish charm.
"Yes, I was dumped and fell into despair. I'm still heartbroken and wondering if I should go chase her back."
"Go ahead. Kyoto isn't far," Feng Feng said.
Shen Su moved closer to Feng Feng and cupped her chin. "If I really went, what would Ms. Feng do?"
Feng Feng brushed his hand away. "I won't die without you."
Shen Su raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Ms. Feng gets so excited every time I touch her. I think you might die of emptiness without me."
Feng Feng couldn't be bothered to argue. "Say whatever you want."
As she chatted with Shen Su, she started to feel like she was dealing with a child throwing a tantrum, not wanting to joke with him at all.
However, after his teasing, her mood had indeed relaxed considerably. In her daily work, she rarely encountered such "childish" remarks.
Feng Feng and Shen Su stayed there until past four o'clock. When they came out, there happened to be an art gallery nearby.
Feng Feng hadn't noticed it, but Shen Su became interested in the gallery and insisted on visiting. Feng Feng went along.
The gallery featured works by a renowned painter from his lifetime, mostly landscape oil paintings. Feng Feng lacked artistic appreciation skills but was genuinely amazed.