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Trouble Cafe: Peaceful Breakup Chapter
墨書 Inktalez
When Liu Qingqing discovered that her boyfriend was hiding something from her, it was already the third month of his infidelity.
On a Friday evening, the roads were always congested. Liu Qingqing, holding a custom bouquet of commemorative flowers from the florist, sat in a taxi, her heart brimming with joy as she hurried home to celebrate their fourth anniversary together. The driver, noticing her excitement, took advantage of the traffic jam to tease her, saying, “Are you off to a date?”
Liu Qingqing smiled shyly and nodded in acknowledgment. The driver, an older woman, chuckled and said, “Being young is wonderful; life can spark all sorts of excitement. Unlike us old folks with kids who are nearly married—just a kiss from my husband can give me nightmares for nights on end.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Qingqing pulled out a red rose from her bouquet and handed it to the driver. The driver’s eyes lit up as she accepted the rose, grinning from ear to ear.
“As long as you and your husband live a steady life together, that’s the best. My boyfriend and I are just starting to talk about marriage; who knows what the future holds?” As soon as she finished speaking, the older woman chimed in, urging her to spit three times out the window.
“Young lady shouldn’t say such things! Instead, wish for you and your boyfriend to last long and love each other until old age. Words have power; good things can come true while bad things can happen if you’re not careful.”
Liu Qingqing casually closed the window and assured her that she understood.
She had met her boyfriend during their senior year of college. They were both in the same club facing graduation; the club needed fresh blood, so the president dragged them both to set up a booth for recruitment at the start of the semester. The club was large with many members. Although they had seen each other’s names on the roster, they had never actually met. During recruitment, they were placed in the same group and discovered their interests aligned perfectly. Before long, they became a couple.
The days that followed were simple yet fulfilling: internships, graduation, job hunting. Over four years in this unfamiliar city, they had achieved some success together; although still renting, they had begun saving for a future home. Her boyfriend had risen from a junior employee to a team leader, and Liu Qingqing had recently received a promotion and raise.
After half an hour of traffic, she got out of the car and walked to the entrance of her apartment complex when she heard a notification sound from her phone. Stopping in her tracks, she checked and found a withdrawal of twenty thousand yuan from their joint account.
Twenty thousand was not a small amount for them. Curious about why her boyfriend would have such a large expense when he should have been home, she was about to call him when his call came through.
“Qingqing, something came up with my mom; it’s quite urgent, so I had to use some money from that card. I’ll pay it back slowly when I get my salary—would that be okay?” His anxious voice came through the receiver, causing Liu Qingqing’s prepared questions to falter.
Habitually replying “It’s fine,” she then asked about his mother’s situation. He only mentioned that his mother had some health issues and that he couldn’t return home but could only send money.
"Are you not home yet?" Liu Qingqing believed her boyfriend wouldn't lie to her about such matters, so she stopped pressing him and suggested that if things were urgent at his aunt's place, he could go back for the weekend.
"I just got off work and will be home soon. My sister is there, so it's fine," her boyfriend replied, his tired voice making her heart ache. She reassured herself that she was already home and that he didn't need to worry about dinner.
Upon returning to their rented apartment, Liu Qingqing took out the ingredients she had prepared earlier and began cooking according to her planned recipe. About half an hour later, she heard the sound of the door opening in the living room. Turning her head from the kitchen, she caught sight of her boyfriend entering, his back to her as he changed his shoes and took off his coat, but his head was lowered, seemingly focused on his phone.
A strange sense of anxiety welled up inside her. Liu Qingqing couldn't pinpoint why she felt this way; it was just that the man standing at the door felt somewhat unfamiliar. It wasn't because he wasn't her boyfriend, but rather because his behavior had started to seem odd.
She had always trusted her instincts, and this so-called "woman's intuition" had never failed her, even in small matters. Wiping her hands dry, Liu Qingqing softly asked, "You're back? How's everything with your aunt?"
The man turned slightly towards her, and she noticed a clear droop in his expression—a sign that his smile had faded. He quickly turned around, forcing a bitter smile that couldn't hide the joy in his eyes.
"Nothing serious; my sister said she's fine."
That joy vanished the moment he spoke. Liu Qingqing said nothing more and encouraged him to wash his hands first, assuring him that dinner would be ready soon. He agreed, familiar with the routine, and tucked his phone into his pocket as he walked into the bedroom.
Something felt off. Standing by the stove, watching the chicken wings sizzle in the pan, Liu Qingqing felt a mix of emotions. Normally, he would place his phone on the coffee table or dining table before changing into comfortable pants in the bedroom. When they first moved in together, she had asked him why he didn’t keep his phone with him all the time. He had looked at her in confusion and said, "Why would I need it all the time? A phone is just a necessity of life; it doesn't have to be in my hand constantly."
"And besides, I'm not afraid of you checking my phone." She had been so pleased with that response at the time that she shared it with her friends, convinced that he would make a great boyfriend.
Thinking back on it now made her wonder if she was being overly sensitive. Shaking her head to dispel negative thoughts, she was startled when warmth enveloped her from behind. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and buried his head in her shoulder, breathing deeply as they both sought comfort in their usual way.
He smelled like his favorite cologne—a scent reminiscent of sea breezes—but today it seemed stronger than usual, not like someone who had been out all day.
"Qing..." His voice came softly by her ear, tinged with weariness and relaxation. "What would I do without you?"
He remained as gentle and clingy as ever, speaking in a way that felt almost like a child seeking affection. This very feeling had awakened a long-buried maternal instinct within her when they first met; she wanted to give this boy—who was also far from home—a sense of belonging.
"At least you're okay. In a few days, we have a holiday, and we can go back to visit Auntie." She felt flustered by the warm breath the man sprayed on her neck, and the doubts she had just moments ago were buried deep within her again with his kiss.
During dinner, he didn't check his phone; the black screen remained between them. Occasionally, messages popped up, but she couldn't see the content. He remembered their anniversary and mysteriously pulled a small box from his pocket, revealing a delicate collarbone chain.
The silver pearl chain was adorned with a pendant made of moonstone, surrounded by silver carved into cloud-like shapes. The blue light of the moonstone flickered under the lamp, and his eyes sparkled with love as he smiled. "It's wonderful; we've been together for four years."
His hands bore calluses from regular workouts, and at that moment, mixed with a hint of sweat, they stuck to her palm. The fluttering sensation returned, completely dispelling any lingering doubts.
His unusual behavior must have been due to his mother's illness, Liu Qingqing told herself.
Their intimacy ended in mutual satisfaction, and Lin Ran clung to her lazily, saying he didn't want to move and would shower tomorrow. Before he could finish, he fell into a deep sleep.
But she couldn't sleep. As the night deepened and passion faded, that inexplicable thought crept back into her mind.
Doubt was like an inescapable tumor; once it grew, no amount of embellishment could hide it from view. She secretly took Lin Ran's phone and saw that the lock screen had changed to an ambiguous landscape photo, but no matter how she tried, she couldn't get the password right. As she approached her last chance, she stealthily grabbed Lin Ran's hand and pressed it against the fingerprint lock.
The phone was too clean—so clean that not even a single message from the carrier remained. Her phone number and social media names were marked with a capital "A" by Lin Ran. He had explained that this way, no matter how many times he changed phones, she would always be first in his contacts.
In his social media accounts, there were no new friends; every name came with notes that were easy to scan through. Among those labeled "Sister" and "Mom," the messages only contained mutual concerns about daily life and a transfer of twenty thousand.
She wiped away her fingerprints from the phone with a pillowcase and returned it to its place. With tangible evidence in hand, she finally felt at ease and decided to sleep. She reached out to embrace her boyfriend tightly around the waist and silently wished: if this person ever betrayed her, he would have to pay a steep price.
---
The weekend passed uneventfully. Perhaps because of his mother's illness, Lin Ran seemed downcast, frequently glancing at his phone. Liu Qingqing leaned over to take a look; it was a message from his sister about their mother's condition, filled with exhaustion and helplessness.
She knew that Lin Ran and his sister had been raised solely by their mother. After years of hard work, their mother finally enjoyed some peace in retirement while worrying about her children's lifelong matters—just like any other parent—afraid of irritating them with too much advice about their futures.
During their four years of dating, Liu Qingqing had only met Lin Ran's mother three times. The first was at graduation, the second was when they were living together and she came to drop off some of Lin Ran's belongings from home, and the third was during last year's Spring Festival. The couple had decided to travel instead of going home for the New Year, so they used their vacation time to visit each other's parents, which also served as a way to express their intentions.
Liu Qingqing found Lin Ran's mother to be a very pleasant person—optimistic and friendly, unlike the stereotypical harsh mother-in-law often depicted online. They chatted and laughed like friends. As for Lin Ran's older sister, they had exchanged only a few words; she was a reserved person who rarely returned home.
“A Ran,” Liu Qingqing said on Saturday night as they sat on the sofa watching TV. Glancing at an invitation from a friend on her phone, she tentatively asked, “Xiao Mi wants me to go out tomorrow. Do you want to join?”
The man leaned against her shoulder and gently shook his head, explaining that he planned to visit home tomorrow since his company needed him to go on a business trip on Monday. She had intended to ask if he wanted her to accompany him but swallowed the words when she heard about the trip, instead telling him to say hello to his mother for her.
“Sure,” Lin Ran replied, kissing her cheek. On the television, the female lead was having a breakdown over the male lead's infidelity. The sound of shattered vases and broken TVs sent shivers down their spines. Liu Qingqing couldn’t help but comment, “Once something like this happens, it’s like a broken vase.”
“Hmm?” Lin Ran seemed intrigued by her remark and asked why she thought that way. Liu Qingqing pointed at the characters on screen and explained, “Even if they aren’t married, cheating is disgusting. Regardless of whether love still exists between them, when one party chooses a third person, that relationship is already like a shattered vase—there will always be cracks even if it’s put back together.”
Lin Ran fell silent after hearing this, nodding thoughtfully; it was unclear whether he agreed with her or was lost in his own thoughts. Liu Qingqing didn’t notice his expression as she became absorbed in discussing plans with her friends for where to go tomorrow.
After packing his bags, Lin Ran kissed her goodbye at the station, using an overly clingy tone to say he would be back in four days. Liu Qingqing found him reminiscent of a lovesick girl but stood on the platform watching the train disappear from sight for quite some time before leaving. She felt an indescribable sensation, as if her heart were trapped in an airtight bag—heavy, tight, and unsettling.
Meeting up with friends in a nearby small town, one of them enthusiastically described how beautiful this ancient town was during their conversation, claiming that even a bear could look vintage if photographed here.
She arrived first and found old buildings standing quietly along both sides of the street. The overcast weather deepened the color of the cobblestone road and combined with the distinctly different architectural style from the city gave her a sense of stepping back in time.
The town wasn’t large; there was only one parking lot next to the bus station at the entrance. According to faded signs at the bus stop, the roads were designated as protected structures where driving was discouraged. Given that the town was small enough to explore fully in just one day by walking around leisurely, Liu Qingqing parked her car and headed toward the location her friend had sent.
It was at the central park of the town. Her friend mentioned that it would take about two more hours for her to arrive and sincerely apologized while suggesting Liu Qingqing explore nearby until then. Liu Qingqing wasn’t upset; her friend usually juggled work and life so much that if it weren’t for someone taking care of her child today, she wouldn’t have been able to leave home at all. She reassured her friend not to rush.
The town was small, and so was the park; standing at the entrance on tiptoe allowed one to see its end. After some thought, Liu Qingqing decided it would be better to explore other areas first; although the park was pretty inside, she wanted to save it for taking photos with her friend later.
The small paths around were numerous, and although it was the weekend, there weren't many people on the streets. Occasionally, a few students rode by on their bicycles in a hurry, likely heading to extra classes. She followed a road lined with many flowers, hoping to find a spot suitable for taking pictures later.
The low buildings were unevenly spaced, and the shops here retained an old-fashioned charm. Each shop displayed colorful signs representing their unique products, adding a touch of liveliness to the otherwise quiet area. As she passed by the stores, she noticed many people inside, while unattended stalls along the roadside displayed payment codes, relying on customers to pay on their own.
At the end of the small road, one shop caught her attention. It was situated at the junction of this road and another, with a cement-framed door that looked almost like it belonged to another world. The door was painted black, and dark sheer curtains obscured the view from the large windows. If it weren't for the lights inside, she would have thought it was a shop under renovation.
As she approached, she noticed the shop's name written in transparent paint on the cement wall: Trouble Cafe.
Compared to other catchy or uniquely named cafés, this one exuded a lifeless vibe that matched its exterior decor. Liu Qingqing considered leaving but realized she still had over an hour to spare. With a sense of curiosity, she decided to push the door open and step inside.
The rich aroma of coffee enveloped her as she entered. The cold lighting made the darkly decorated shop feel even dimmer; black walls and floors contrasted with light gray bar counters and chairs that seemed almost photoshopped in. The items behind the bar were uniformly stainless steel, and all the cups on the shelves were deep gray. The only splash of color came from the menu on the bar—a bright red board with hastily scrawled words: espresso, 10 yuan.
The café was eerily quiet; apart from her, there was no one else inside. Liu Qingqing found herself intrigued by the strange atmosphere and approached the bar to softly ask if anyone was there.
Silence enveloped her, broken only by the dull hum of an operating refrigerator. After waiting for a while without a response, she turned to leave but accidentally bumped her bag against the counter, producing a loud thud.
“Hmm?” A dreamy voice came from behind the bar. Liu Qingqing leaned in to look and saw someone lounging in a recliner inside. As she watched, the person sat up groggily; their rose-colored hair was tousled into a messy bun, and deep green eyes blinked at her until they finally seemed to wake up.
“Please have a seat,” said a male voice.
As he stood up, she noticed he was wearing what appeared to be sleepwear—a dress-style outfit—but his voice confirmed he was indeed male. He had a slender and tall figure with a loosely tied metallic waist chain adorned with tassels around his waist. His delicate features made it difficult to discern his gender at first glance.
She stood at the bar watching him skillfully prepare coffee; his long fingers danced nimbly between the equipment, nails painted in vibrant colors.
“You don’t seem too concerned about business,” Liu Qingqing remarked. Working at a design company exposed her to many unique individuals, and this one—radiating charm and presence—instinctively drew her into conversation. Especially since he stood out like a ray of light in this dark café.
He gently handed her a steaming cup of coffee before stretching lazily and stepping out from behind the bar. Passing by an angle, he opened what turned out to be a refrigerator matching the café's decor. He pulled out a bottle filled with ice water and casually sat down on a chair at one of the tables, waving at her nonchalantly as he said, “This place isn’t really open for profit.”
Liu Qingqing sat across from the man, her curiosity piqued as she asked why that was the case, voicing her confusion about the decor and the menu that only featured one type of product. The man yawned, revealing his white canine teeth as he smiled gently, casually crossing his long legs in an unrefined manner. With a teasing tone, he replied, “It’s for eating melons.”
The sudden appearance of this phrase caught Liu Qingqing off guard, leaving her puzzled as she stared at him. The man leisurely pulled a wooden comb from his pajama pocket and began to comb his hair, casually telling her, “You should drink your coffee; it won’t taste good once it cools down.”
At his words, Liu Qingqing quickly picked up her cup and took a sip, discovering that the coffee was unexpectedly delicious. The smooth texture carried a subtle hint of nuts and whiskey that slid down her throat, with a faint floral aroma lingering in the aftertaste and almost no acidity. Her eyes lit up; usually someone who only drank flavored coffee, she finished it in one go without even adding a sugar cube.
Feeling refreshed after finishing her drink, she looked at the man and found herself inexplicably filled with a strong sense of trust towards him. It felt as if a voice inside her was urging her to share any troubles she had. Meanwhile, the man had finished grooming his striking long hair and appeared to radiate a bold beauty.
“What kind of melon are we talking about?” Liu Qingqing’s curiosity was piqued again as she continued the conversation. The man smiled, one hand playing with a strand of his hair beside his face as he replied leisurely, “Most people who come here have their worries. Many choose to confide in me to find some solutions. For instance, before you walked in today, your mood wasn’t great—was it because of family or your boyfriend?”
Caught off guard by his insight, Liu Qingqing swallowed hard. Although she thought it was just her own speculation, she couldn’t help but say, “Yeah. My boyfriend has been acting strangely lately. He’s been checking his phone messages frequently, changed his lock screen wallpaper and password, and even used some of our savings meant for our future together to pay for his mother’s medical treatment. I can’t shake this uneasy feeling.”
After saying this, a wave of confusion washed over Liu Qingqing. Why was she sharing her thoughts with a stranger? She hadn’t even told her close friends about these issues.
The man shifted his position, resting his chin on his hands propped up on his knees as he leaned closer to listen to her speak. “Have you checked his phone? Like seeing if there are any messages from strangers?” he asked.
“I did,” Liu Qingqing sighed involuntarily. “But there’s nothing on his phone; I couldn’t find anything.”
The man squinted and smiled knowingly, tapping his cheek lightly with a few fingers as he said softly, “These days’ smartphones often have dual systems. From what I know, messages don’t cross over between the two systems.”
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