We Barely Know Each Other, but I'm Living with a Stone-Faced Mechanic! - Chapter 19

Tao Ying tried to slip away unnoticed, but Xiao Fang’s cry of “Ms. Tao!” made all three men turn at once.

Tao Ying went still.

“Ms. Tao!” Zhou Tao was delighted. “What are you doing here?”

There was nothing for it but to smile, and even that took effort. She forced one out and greeted him. “Mr. Zhou.”

Dr. Zhao made a puzzled sound. “You two know each other?”

“Of course.” Zhou Tao had no idea how awkward the situation was. “Ms. Tao is my blind date.”

Dr. Zhao’s eyes widened. He stared at Tao Ying in disbelief. “You—you…”

What about her? Tao Ying was exhausted.

Knowing what he had misunderstood, she explained to avoid unnecessary trouble. “I hadn’t met Mr. Zhou yet when I had my blind date with you.”

“What?” Now Zhou Tao was stunned. “You two went on a blind date too?”

He had just been chatting with a romantic rival about poetry, art, and the meaning of life.

Tao Ying wanted the ground to swallow her.

What was this nonsense? How had the two men even ended up together? And why at Qin Zheng’s shop, of all places? Apparently, her life still hadn’t provided enough entertainment.

She looked at Qin Zheng, silently asking why they were here.

He spread his hands innocently. His doors were open for business. He could hardly keep customers outside.

The atmosphere turned peculiar.

Tao Ying wanted nothing more than to go upstairs, but with everyone blocking the way, she couldn’t leave.

Zhou Tao looked Dr. Zhao up and down several times. A former blind date was nothing to worry about. Turning back to Tao Ying, he immediately asked, “Are you free anytime soon?”

She shook her head. “Not really. I need to find an apartment.”

“An apartment?” Zhou Tao blinked. “Why?”

“Where I live now is a little far.” Tao Ying glanced at Qin Zheng. “I’d like somewhere closer.”

“I think one of my relatives is a real estate agent,” Zhou Tao said. “Should I ask for you?”

Agents had many listings and knew the neighborhoods well. After considering it, Tao Ying nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”

He grinned guilelessly. “It’s no trouble. I’ll find the number when I get home and send it to you.”

“All right.”

Dr. Zhao stood to the side, feeling sour.

He had liked Tao Ying too. She simply hadn’t liked him. He had a vague idea why, but saw nothing wrong with watching every penny. It wasn’t as though he never spent money. Qin Zheng’s shop offered excellent service, and now he was a returning customer.

But none of that mattered. Tao Ying had rejected him on their first meeting.

Zhou Tao had finished his business, but with Tao Ying here, he was reluctant to leave. Thinking he might still help, he asked, “Is something wrong with your car?”

Tao Ying stared. Why would her car be broken?

Qin Zheng coughed. Only then did she remember she needed a reason for being here. The sudden appearance of those two men had scrambled her mind.

“Boss Qin gave me a complimentary car wash before. I came to use it,” she said evenly.

“Oh. The forecast is poor for the next few days, though. It might rain.”

Tao Ying looked unconcerned. “That’s fine. I’ll wash it again when it gets dirty.”

“Then…” With no excuse to remain, Zhou Tao said reluctantly, “I’ll go.”

She nodded. “Goodbye, Mr. Zhou.”

Dr. Zhao left in silence behind him.

Tao Ying turned and made certain both were gone before breathing out.

Qin Zheng chuckled. “I wonder what they’d think if they knew you were staying with me.”

She ignored the ridiculous idea. “Why were they both here?”

“Dr. Zhao came for maintenance. Mr. Zhou came specially to thank me.”

Her eyelid twitched. “Did he invite you to dinner?”

Qin Zheng shook his head. “He bought a prepaid package.”

Tao Ying closed her eyes.

Why did it feel as though she was recruiting customers for Qin Zheng through blind dates?

He muffled a laugh. “What’s wrong, Ms. Tao?”

“Nothing.” She slowly exhaled. “What were you talking about that made everyone so happy?”

Dr. Zhao had been chatting enthusiastically too.

“They have plenty in common. They both like hiking. As the owner, I naturally joined in for a few lines.” Qin Zheng asked, “Why are you back this early? I thought it would be evening.”

“There was nothing to do after lunch, so I thought I’d return and search online for apartments.”

Qin Zheng handed her the keys. “Go up. I’ll have another key made for you later.”

“No need. I’ll be moving out in a few days.” Tao Ying stopped him at once.

Beside them, Xiao Fang sucked in a sharp breath. What had she just heard?

Only then did Tao Ying remember she was there. She tried awkwardly to explain.

Xiao Fang had already made a locking motion across her lips. “I understand. I understand.”

Tao Ying wished the earth would end. Xiao Fang clearly understood nothing.

Qin Zheng pressed the key into her hand. “Go upstairs. Leave her to me.”

Tao Ying murmured agreement and climbed the stairs.

Xiao Fang recoiled in alarm. “Boss, what are you going to do?”

“Don’t tell anyone Ms. Tao is staying here. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Shortly after Tao Ying reached the second floor, Zhou Tao sent her a WeChat contact.

The agent was enthusiastic and asked what she needed. Her requirements were simple: a clean kitchen and bathroom, an easy commute, furnished and ready to move into—and most importantly, no roommates.

The agent immediately recommended several listings. Tao Ying arranged a time to view them.

Putting down her phone, she went onto the terrace.

It had been too dark to see when she arrived last night, and she had rushed home that morning. Only now did she have time to look around.

The terrace connected to the living room. The moment Tao Ying stepped outside, the lush scene amazed her.

Flowerpots crowded the edge, blossoms of every color woven together. On an open patch to the left stood wicker chairs and a table beneath a large patio umbrella. A lounge chair had been squeezed beside them. In autumn, with a grill in the empty space ahead, it would be perfect.

The only drawback was the limited view. Buildings rose behind, the university lay in front, and shops crowded both sides.

Tao Ying sat on the lounge chair. There wasn’t much sunlight today, but the temperature was pleasant. Closing her eyes, she quietly savored the moment.

Apart from the noise and view, the place had almost no flaws. Surrounded by flowers and greenery, those flaws seemed tolerable.

That was only her personal opinion, of course.

“Is it comfortable here, Ms. Tao?” A laugh sounded close to her ear.

Tao Ying’s eyes flew open.

Qin Zheng leaned over her, their gazes meeting.

She tried to rise, but he pressed a hand to her shoulder. “Stay seated.”

Tao Ying pressed her lips together, embarrassed. “When did you come up?”

She hadn’t heard a sound.

“I thought you were asleep, so I walked quietly.” Qin Zheng pointed to the table. “Steamed milk custard with honey and osmanthus. Want to try it?”