We Barely Know Each Other, but I'm Living with a Stone-Faced Mechanic! - Chapter 17

Stay at his shop? Tao Ying had never expected Qin Zheng to suggest it.

Even leaving every other concern aside, Qin Zheng lived there himself. It would be inconvenient. And the shop was far too close to the university. A colleague or student could easily see her.

The gossip would be bad for both of them.

All those thoughts passed through her mind in an instant. She shook her head. “It’s fine. If I have no other choice, I can move back in with my mother.”

It was only a tactful excuse. If she truly moved back, endless criticism awaited her.

Qin Zheng couldn’t let the matter go. His brows drew together. “What are you going to do, then?”

“I’ll start looking for a new place tomorrow.”

At least she listened to reason. Qin Zheng felt somewhat reassured.

He pointed toward the ceiling. “Did you run into him again tonight?”

“Yes. On my way home after dinner, he blocked me in the stairwell and kept asking questions.” Tao Ying spoke carefully. “He’d seen you before and assumed you were my boyfriend. To get away quickly, I…”

“You went along with it and claimed me as your boyfriend?” Three sentences were all it took for Qin Zheng to lose his seriousness again. “Ms. Tao, I’ve never even dated anyone.”

Successfully distracted, Tao Ying looked surprised. “Forgive me for asking, but how old are you, Boss Qin?”

Qin Zheng clutched his chest as if wounded. “The night we ate on the West Bank, I told you I was one year older than you.”

“Sorry.” Tao Ying smiled awkwardly.

He saw through her guilt at once. The way her gaze wandered, avoiding his, was rather cute.

Forget it. He couldn’t truly hold it against her.

He continued, “So once he knew you had a ‘boyfriend,’ he let you pass?”

Tao Ying nodded. “Yes. I just didn’t expect him to knock tonight.”

“If he’d gone straight home, taken the honey, and brought it to you, that might make sense.” Qin Zheng frowned. “But why come knocking so late at night? What was he testing?”

“When he misunderstood our relationship, he wouldn’t let me pass, so I said you would be coming soon.” Tao Ying also believed Kong Chengping had been testing something.

Qin Zheng’s gaze sharpened and shifted to the balcony.

He rose abruptly and walked over.

Startled, Tao Ying followed. “What is it?”

Light from the apartment spilled outside, dividing the parking spaces in half and illuminating both Qin Zheng’s car and hers.

He tilted his head, signaling for her to look down.

She didn’t understand. “What am I looking at?”

Qin Zheng turned to face her, his gaze grave. “The first time I saw him, I drove here. He may have noticed my car.”

Tao Ying understood. “You mean he knocked so late because he knew you hadn’t come? Because your car wasn’t downstairs?”

“Mm. He lives above you and has nearly the same view.” Qin Zheng said, “Ms. Tao, I don’t like assuming the worst of people either. But a woman living alone has to assume the worst of every stranger. Do you understand?”

“I do.” She nodded blankly.

Kong Chengping had seen no sign of Qin Zheng’s car, realized Tao Ying had lied, and come to test her. The reasoning was chillingly plausible.

“And now…” Qin Zheng stepped closer and lowered his voice. “For all we know, he’s upstairs watching to see when my car leaves.”

Tao Ying’s throat closed. Cold raced down her spine into every limb. She rubbed her arms instinctively as goose bumps rose across them.

The more she considered Qin Zheng’s analysis, the more horrifying it became.

“All right. It’s only a theory.” He hadn’t meant to frighten her. He placed a hand on one shoulder. “My point is, for your safety, either I stay tonight or you leave with me.”

Tao Ying stared at him, uncertain which to choose.

“Let me ask differently.” Her expression softened his heart. “If I leave, will you be able to sleep?”

She shook her head.

“If I stay, will you still be afraid?”

She nodded.

As long as she remained in this place, anyone would struggle to sleep.

“Then let’s go.” Qin Zheng decided for her. “We’ll stay at my shop. It’s late, so pack only a change of clothes.”

“Okay.” No longer hesitating, Tao Ying rushed into the bedroom.

His words had frightened her so thoroughly that she no longer dared go even to a hotel.

She packed two sets of clothes and her laptop. Just as they reached the door, Qin Zheng stopped.

“What is it?”

Smiling, he swept the two jars of honey from the entry cabinet into his arms. “I promised to make you something. This is good honey.”

Tao Ying stared at him.

Ridiculous as he was, he did lighten her mood.

She had suffered enough shocks tonight that Qin Zheng didn’t let her drive. Tao Ying didn’t want to anyway. Many students recognized her car, and parking it by his shop would attract attention.

It was after eleven when they arrived.

“When I leased the storefront, the second floor came with it.” Qin Zheng led her up the back stairs. “It’s residential, with a large terrace, two bedrooms, and a living room. I’ll prepare the guest room.”

“I’ll do it myself.” She couldn’t let him trouble himself further.

“The sheets and duvet covers are in the wardrobe.” Qin Zheng didn’t insist. “There’s only one bathroom. It’s late, so shower first and get some rest.”

“Qin Zheng.” Tao Ying stopped him.

He froze. He had never realized his name could sound that good.

He turned and waited.

“Thank you. Truly.” Fear still lingered in Tao Ying. She was in a place even less familiar than her own apartment, yet miraculously felt secure.

“You’re not going to invite me to dinner again, are you?” Qin Zheng teased.

“Then I owe you a favor. If you ever need something from me, Boss Qin, just ask.”

Qin Zheng narrowed his eyes. She had been frightened tonight; the timing was wrong.

Otherwise, he might truly have taken advantage and asked her outright whether she would date him.

“I want to use that favor now,” he said, ultimately choosing to behave like a gentleman.

“Tell me.”

“Stop calling me Boss Qin. It’s too distant.”

Tao Ying paused. “What should I call you?”

“The same thing you called me just now.” His voice lowered. “Use my name.”

“Qin… Zheng?”

“Yes, Ms. Tao.” He smiled more brightly than a flower.

Tao Ying didn’t dwell on the change. She pointed toward the bathroom. “I’ll shower, then.”

“Mm.”

She had expected to lie awake all night. Instead, beside the busy road and surrounded by the hum of the neighborhood and the jumble of street noise, she slept soundly until morning.

Her body clock woke her early. Tao Ying changed, made the bed, and washed up.

Leaving the bathroom, she glanced at the main bedroom. She didn’t know whether Qin Zheng was awake. The shop usually opened at eight, and it was only seven.

Since she was a guest, common courtesy said she should prepare breakfast.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t cook. Tao Ying decided to buy it instead.

She hadn’t taken three steps toward the door when a voice stopped her.

“You’re awake, Ms. Tao?”