"I believe..." Jianyu said softly, leaning forward and resting his elbow on the table, his chin in his hand. "I believe that things happen for a reason, but I do not believe that there is such a thing called 'fate' that controls the outcome of everything. People are responsible for the choices they make in life, not some mythological concept like 'fate.'"
"Then again," Jianyu said, smiling at Yue. "I also believe that sometimes things happen that our out of our control, so perhaps I am a hypocrite when it comes to that matter. And it's because I can't dance, not that I don't practice." he added, grinning.
He let out a soft, disdainful grunt at her next words, his fingers brushing through his hair absently, flittering with the beads and the ribbons entwined through the braids. "I am only dedicated because that is what I must do to survive." he said. "Although over time I have grown to love what it is that I do."
Jianyu leaned back again, resting his hands on his stomach as he closed his eyes briefly, his head falling against the back of the chair. He sighed, and then sat back up, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"I can tell that you enjoy playing games, Miss Yue Lao." he said, almost teasingly, and then laughed aloud, reaching across to another table to grab the deck of cards that lay there. "Come, I will teach you to play the game I play."
As the night wore on, Jianyu found himself relaxing further. He surprisingly enjoyed the company of Yue Lao, enjoyed her confidence and her smiles and her laughter. It was a refreshing change after such a dismal day, after spending most of his spare time always working, always exhausted. Yue was like a tranquilizer to him, making him feel comfortable and warm, like a breath of fresh air.
Perhaps, he thought. Perhaps I have made a significant friend tonight.
Perhaps.
