Chapter Text
In a simple street of a busy city, where people casually walk in, unhurried and enjoying the calm morning and the warm sunrays above them, a scent of peppermint fills the air, immediately freshening the air with sweet scents, drawing attention to the small, but pretty arranged shop, with two big glass windows, where many types of sweets and chocolates lay behind the glass in display. In the middle of the windows, was an equally glass door, with a bell on top of the door and a small wooden plaque hung there, written ‘welcome,’ in a light shade of red. The windows’ frame and walls were delicately painted in a mahogany shade, which accentuated the golden cursive lettering ‘Peppermint Chocolaterie’ on the upper side of the shop.
Outside the small chocolate shop, was a wooden bench in front of one of the windows, a little flower pot sat beside it.
People walked by, clouds flew in the direction of the wind and the peppermint chocolate scent lingered in the air.
It has only been a week. One week since the new young man had arrived in the city and bought the small space and bit by bit transformed it into a pretty chocolate shop.
The neighbours that lived close by described him as an extremely energetic boy, always running from one place to another, fixing and cleaning the shop. His short black hair always a mess, usually tied in a little ponytail with a red bow, which combined with his red apron, and of course, the radiating smile he wore on his lips, making sure to greet every person that looked his way in a charismatic wave of hand.
The street where his shop was located at wasn’t in a particular busy part of the city, with simple houses and shops, all built with plain colours, nothing different. That’s why the new chocolaterie drew in attention. It wasn’t big, it was humble, but it was painted with a vibrant colour that stands out from the other buildings, not to mention the sweet scent that always makes its way down the street when the shop opens.
In a few days since he arrived, the people who frequented the area already knew his name; “Wei Ying, owner of the shop, lively by nature, advice-giver and expert in peppermint chocolate.”
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Wei Ying started his day early in the morning. He wasn’t exactly what you would call a morning person, but he knew he had responsibilities that involved him in waking up early. He could’ve just changed his profession to something else, something that wouldn’t involve him waking up in the early hours of the day, but then he wouldn’t be completely happy, would he?
Making chocolate, trying varying recipes, and even creating some, brought in his heart a feeling of contentment, enjoyment. There was nothing more pleasant than the sweet scent of just baked chocolate cookies, or coconut pudding with milk chocolate syrup, or even chilly chocolate candy just out of the freezer! Yep, Wei Ying definitely enjoyed those. So even though he disliked waking up early, he didn’t dislike his work –And it wasn’t as if he woke up that early to begin with.
By 9 a.m. the shop is already open, with new sweets on the display and shelves inside the shop. In the middle of the room, Wei Ying puts a basket full of chocolate bars on top of a table. Around it, more chocolate bars and cookies all neatly wrapped. On one of the shelves, there are many bottles of sweet sauce.
He goes over the windows and opens the white curtains, smiling as an elderly couple walk by. Then, he proceeds to unlock the door and turn the plaque, the ‘check back often’ facing the inside of the shop, leaving the ‘welcome’ for the people who pass by outside to see.
The morning went relatively slow. Very few costumers, but it didn’t bother Wei Ying. He continued to patiently sip his honey tea while reading a book.
It was already lunch time when Wei Ying saw a boy looking at the chocolates on display through the glass.
“Good afternoon, how can I help you?”
“Ah!” The boy startled.
Wei Ying was beside him outside the shop, hands behind his back, smiling at the younger. Up close he could see a small mole on his right cheek.
“Would you like to come in?”
“I... no, I was just looking, thank you.”
And with that, the boy simply left.
Wei Ying realized that the boy used to pass by his shop pretty often –everyday actually. He would pass there in the mornings, then again at evenings, and everyday Wei Ying made sure to greet him when he passed on the street, but the boy never entered the shop.
On a rainy day, Wei Ying decided to close earlier, people wouldn’t come with this rain. That’s when he saw the boy with the adorable mole, standing under the sunblind, hair dripping wet.
“The rain is pretty heavy right now.”
The boy turned to him.
“Would you like to come in?”
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“Here. It’s on the house.”
“Thank you.” the boy took the offered warm cup in his hands. “erm...”
“Wei Ying.”
“Right. Thank you, Wei-qianbei,” he offered a smile.
Inside the shop, the sound of the raindrops on the floor and wet puddles was soothing. The dim light seemed to warm up the ambience, and the scent of hot chocolate only added up to it.
The boy took a sip from his cup, a soft towel around his shoulders given to him by Wei Ying.
As soon as the hot liquid made its way into his mouth, the boy widened his eyes in delight. Wei Ying observed, sitting from across him on the balcony, sipping his own cup.
“This is delicious!” he exclaimed.
“I’m glad you liked, it’s my special recipe,” Wei Ying told him, leaning closer as if telling a secret, “milk, melted chocolate, cinnamon and the secret ingredient; a bit of pepper,” he finished, winking to him.
“Really good...” he took another sip.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Wen Yuan,” he smiled.
“You pass in this street pretty often, huh? You live nearby?”
“Mn. I live just down the street, and I used to work as a waiter at a small restaurant the other street.”
“Used to?”
“Well, yeah,” Wen Yuan put his cup down. “I just got fired. An employer was caught stealing, but he put the blame on me and the manager believed him, so...”
“What an idiot.”
“Yeah...” Wen Yuan gave Wei Ying a small laugh. When he looked back at the windows, the rain had already dimmed considerably. “I better get going, the rain isn’t heavy anymore.”
Before Wei Ying could protest, Wen Yuan was already up.
“Thank you for the hot chocolate.”
“Wait!”
Wen Yuan stared as Wei Ying ran upstairs, only to be back seconds later with a red umbrella.
“Ah, it’s fine, it’s not raining too much-”
“Aiya, just take it,” Wei Ying grabbed Wen Yuan’s hands and placed his umbrella there. “Otherwise you’ll get sick.”
“Thank you. I promise I'll give it back.”
And then, the boy with the adorable mole on his cheek, called Wen Yuan, left the ‘Peppermint Chocolaterie.’
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It didn’t rain all night. The next morning when Wei Ying woke up, the sun was entering through the curtains in his room, though no warmth could be felt by it. As he looked outside the window, there were just a few clouds on the sky, already disappearing with the wind.
He followed the same routine as every day, getting dressed, eating breakfast, taking care of his little black bunny, Pepper, then walking downstairs and opening his shop.
It was late morning when he spotted a familiar figure outside the shop, looking through the glass.
“Ah, Wen Yuan!”
“Wei-qianbei,” Wen Yuan looked up at him and entered the shop.
“What brings you here? Are you going to buy the chocolates you keep looking every time you come, mn?” Wei Ying asked absentmindedly while he finished wrapping some chocolate bars.
“Ah, no! I just came to give back your umbrella. Thank you for lending it to me yesterday.”
“Ah, don’t worry about it,” Wei Ying put the umbrella aside. “Say, do you want some hot chocolate?”
“Thank you, but I should be going now. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“Of course I'm not! Come, sit.”
Wen Yuan took one last glance at the door and sat on the balcony.
“Do you like chocolate?” Wei Ying asks.
“I do,” Wen Yuan answers, confused.
“Do you want to taste the ones by the window? They’re made of strawberry buttercream inside!”
“I’m fine.”
“Really? Last time you were looking at them, right?”
“Well, I was...” Wen Yuan flushed a cute shade of red. “It reminded me of someone I know, that’s all.”
“Oh! So you want to give chocolates to that someone?” Wei Ying guessed. “You’re in the right place for it then!” he laughed.
“I guess I am. But, I just got fired, so I have to save the money I have until I find another job.”
“I see,” Wei Ying said, finishing wrapping the last chocolate bar and putting it into a decorated box. “Then, why don’t you make it yourself?”
Wen Yuan furrowed his brows slightly “I don’t how to.”
“I can teach you!”
“Really? I don’t want to trouble you...”
“Nah! It’ll be fun, come on,” Wei Ying tossed him another apron. “You can also help me feed Pepper later. She likes to have attention all the time.
“Pepper?”
“You’ll see.”
Wen Yuan nodded and put on the apron.
The kitchen was a mess after they finished everything, and both of them had chocolate on their faces.
Wei Ying taught Wen Yuan the basics, and together they made chocolate covered strawberry buttercream, in the shape of stars, no less! After cleaning everything up, Wei Ying let Wen Yuan feed Pepper.
“She usually keeps me company here, but I have to let her behind the balcony, otherwise she’ll eat everything here!”
The two acted as if they’ve known each other for many years, as if the taste of the chocolate and strawberry gave them a sense of familiarity.
Wei Ying gave Wen Yuan a small pinkish box to put on the star-shaped chocolates they just made.
“Done! It was easy, don’t you think?” Wei Ying asked.
“Yes! It was so much fun too! I wonder if he’ll like them...”
“Who? Your special someone whom you want to give chocolate?” he couldn’t help but tease the younger.
“Wei-qianbei!”
Wei Ying laughed. “Sorry, sorry. But I'm sure whoever it is, will like it. You have a talent for it, you know?”
“Really? Thank you,” Wen Yuan sheepishly said, but still seemed hesitant to speak something.
Wei Ying waited for him to speak.
“I wonder how can I repay you? I mean, you helped me many times now, and we barely know each other. I want to do something in return too.”
“Ah, no need to do it. But, if you really want to compensate me...”
“Yes?”
“Why don’t you work here with me?” When Wen Yuan didn’t answer, Wei Ying continued, “I need some help with the shop, and you need a job. Perfect, right?”
“But I don’t know how to make chocolate. I could only cook these because you helped me.”
“You’ll be my apprentice! I’ll teach you everything about chocolate, what do you say?”
Wen Yuan took a moment to think over Wei-qianbei's words. It seemed like a good opportunity, since he really needed a job, and the time he spent cooking with Wei-qianbei was fun, he was an easy person to be around.
“Can I really?” he asked still.
“Of course!”
“Then... when can I begin?” he smiled, and Wei Ying smiled back.
“Tomorrow! Now you can go and give your special someone the chocolates. Ah, and make sure to tell him to come!”
“I will!” Wen Yuan took the box of chocolate and practically ran out of the shop, stopping at the door and turning to give Wei Ying goodbye before going out
At evening when he closed the shop, the scent of strawberry and chocolate still lingered in the air, indicating that tomorrow would be a new beginning.