Chapter Text
“Sigh…not this either.”
Chi Cheng had spent two hours at the park searching for the finest flower, but no matter what kind he found—daisies, dandelions, daffodils—the position of the stem or direction of the wind was always wrong.
Taking the right eye away from the viewfinder, he lowered the camera. He scanned his surroundings, his mind deep in thought, in search of a better spot to take pictures; yet, none felt good enough for ‘the perfect picture’.
“Haa, what do I do?”
The photography competition was only a week away, and he needed to submit his piece by Saturday. So he only had 5 days left. 120 hours to take at least 50 instants with his Fujifilm camera, assemble them, and create an artistic project on Canvas.
Chi Cheng dropped to the grass, crossed his legs, and rested his chin in his hand for a quick final glance at the scenery.
Huh?
The index finger tapping on his temple abruptly stopped when his eyes caught sight of something interesting.
A flower shop in the distance had sparked his interest.
The place wasn’t too big, but its wooden windows were massive. Hundreds of different types of flowers, dozens of colorful ribbons and paper wraps with floral prints for bouquets were visible from a distance. Even the lamps were flower-shaped; the pink and green light that filtered through them made the room look like the shop had come out of a fantasy novel.
Chi Cheng immediately raised his head and brought the camera closer. He knew that was the perfect spot he had been looking for hours.
But the depth of field was too wide to focus on anything, so he decided to get closer.
As he began walking toward the entrance, eye still on the viewfinder, more details cleared: a wooden chair on the left side of the French door, the 'Open' sign in the middle of the glass, and way too many pots to count on only two human hands.
Everything was chaotic, yet it felt just right.
Chi Cheng’s shot closed in on a yellow-red bouquet visible from the main window. The stem was perfect; the petals were hydrated; the base looked full, as if not a single bee had the opportunity to suck any nectar from it.
He positioned and began lightly pressing the shutter button halfway down. However, the picture was never taken.
While the object was in focus within a narrow field of view, a blurry figure came into the frame and ruined the long-awaited flawless angle.
“Wait.”
He waved his hand to prompt them to move away, but the person stood still. A slight irritation washed over Chi Cheng. “Could you—” He raised his eyes, ready to ask for a simple favour.
Up until this moment, he had never had any problem with talking things out with other people, even if it meant arguing. Still, no words came out of his mouth in this particular situation.
The figure, the sight of this pretty young man, who looked like the owner of the shop from the apron he was wearing, had left him speechless.
His light brown shirt matched perfectly with his warm brown hair undertones, while the yellow name tag stood out against the white apron. The man’s features were soft and smooth, and a few moles were visible.
The stranger smiled and waved his hand. Since the glass looked thick enough to muffle the outside voices, he probably hadn’t heard any words.
Is he talking to me?
Chi Cheng pointed at himself with his finger, embarrassed and self-conscious about the other’s acknowledgment.
The handsome man nodded and gestured for him to come inside.
For a second, Chi Cheng imagined a few particles of dust could come out of his body from the movement, like a fairy. He knew it was impossible, but that face really looked out of this world.
Chi Cheng shyly started walking toward the door and pushed it open with far too much force than it required.
He didn’t know why he was so nervous about talking to a stranger for the first time; he had done it countless times. Nevertheless, hyper-aware of his every step, Chi Cheng looked troubled.
As soon as he closed the door, a gentle voice came from his side.
“Hello! Are you interested in something? Maybe the bouquet on display?” The florist took a quick glance at Chi Cheng’s hands and at the camera they were holding before immediately looking up again.
His bubbly personality was obvious. It’s not like he could’ve possibly been happy about Chi Cheng’s sole presence; the shop was filled with people.
So he was just like that. Cute.
“Ahh, sorry. I was just looking.” Despite not having done anything wrong, he rubbed the back of his neck, feeling like a thief caught red-handed.
“Ohh, okay then!” The man began turning on his heel, but he was faster.
“But!”
He stopped, tilting his head in curiosity. Those two big, round, shiny eyes were torturing Chi Cheng on the inside.
What the hell. Is he a puppy?
“I think I might need some help...”
“Sure! What can I help you with?”
Chi Cheng was locking his fingers together tightly, his right thumb rubbing the back of his left hand. He stole a glance at the name tag: Wu Suo Wei.
“Actually,” his body was involuntarily swaying, “can I ask you a favor, Wu Suo Wei? It won’t take long.”
Wu Suo Wei’s eyes widened and his eyebrows knit, clearly surprised that his name had come from a stranger’s mouth. “Do you know me?”
A puppy, indeed.
Chi Cheng pointed to the name tag and tried to appear as innocent as possible.
“Ah!” Wu Suo Wei let out a soft laugh, covering his mouth with his hand. “Yes, I can try. What kind of favor?”
Chi Cheng explained the competition problem and why he desperately needed to borrow the flower beauties in the shop. No details were left, so the ‘quick chat’ became eight whole minutes of them just standing at the entrance, talking.
“I just need 10 photos. I promise I won’t interfere with your work.”
“Mhh.” Wu Suo Wei looked troubled.
“I can even pay for each flower if you want.” His eagerness was unlike his usual self.
“You want to pay for every petal too?” Wu Suo Wei was mocking him, but Chi Cheng didn’t even feel insulted or irritated by the remark.
“I can. Yes.” Chi Cheng nodded. Time was running out.
Unlike before, Wu Suo Wei laughed openly and loudly; maybe the whole shop could hear it, but none of them cared. He placed a hand on Chi Cheng’s shoulder and spoke. “You’re funny. But no worries,” he waved in dismissal, “you don’t have to pay me.”
“Really?”
“Of course.” The man nodded and scanned Chi Cheng head to toe, his eyes sparkling with a light infused with both interest and curiosity. “What’s your name by the way?”
“Chi Cheng.” Even saying his own name made him blush.
Wu Suo Wei withdrew the hand that rested on the shoulder and offered it to share a greeting instead. They shook hands and headed towards the counter.