We Barely Know Each Other, but I'm Living with a Stone-Faced Mechanic! - Chapter 22

The evening breeze carried the scent of flowers and damp earth. Sleeves rolled up, Qin Zheng crouched beside a planter and trimmed its branches.

Tao Ying watched quietly for a while, then approached, deliberately making noise with her steps.

He turned instinctively. “Still awake?”

“Mm.”

Qin Zheng put away his tools, removed his gloves, and washed his hands at the outdoor tap in the corner.

When he returned, Tao Ying was still standing in the same place.

He looked her over, brows drawing slightly. “It’s cold at night. Why didn’t you put on a coat?”

“I’m fine.” She tugged at the corner of her mouth.

The terrace was dim, and her wet eyes looked like clear springs.

Qin Zheng paused. “Why were you crying?”

“What?” Tao Ying hadn’t expected him to notice. Pretending to rub her eye, she told a small lie. “I wasn’t. A bug flew in.”

“A bug?” Qin Zheng came closer. “Let me see. I grow flowers up here, so there are plenty around.”

He had tried every method to repel them, but a few always slipped through.

“It’s—it’s fine.” Tao Ying stepped back.

“Why are you hiding? Rubbing will only make it worse.” Qin Zheng caught her wrist to stop her. “Some tiny insects can lodge beneath the conjunctiva. Your eye will keep stinging and aching. I’m not joking.”

“I—”

“Don’t move.” He cut her off, holding her chin with one hand so she couldn’t retreat. His other hand cupped her face, and his fingertip gently drew down her lower eyelid.

His freshly washed hand was cool. The distinct touch made Tao Ying tremble.

“Bear with it. Don’t blink.” Qin Zheng cleared his throat. Her skin beneath his finger was soft and smooth.

At this distance, he could smell the orange blossom fragrance on her. Clean and understated, it faded into a light botanical note, yet still seemed determined to fill every breath.

He slowed his breathing and steadied himself. But after examining her eye for a long time, he found nothing.

“Does it still hurt?”

His gaze was focused and gentle, his movements careful. At such close range, the impact of his face was almost overwhelming.

They could feel each other’s soft breaths, faint and ticklish. Tao Ying’s body stiffened, her thoughts wiped blank.

“Tao Ying?” Qin Zheng’s finger pressed into her cheek, leaving a small indentation.

She snapped back and shoved him away. “It’s—it’s fine. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Having found no insect, Qin Zheng assumed her tears had washed it away.

He rubbed his fingertips together. “There are lots of mosquitoes and bugs here at night. Why did you come out?”

Tao Ying cleared her throat. “I need to tell you something.”

“Let’s talk inside. It’s cold.”

She followed him into the living room. Their gazes met briefly, then both turned away with matching instinct.

Qin Zheng spoke first. “What did you want to tell me?”

“Did you ask your landlord about the rent?” Tao Ying looked at him again. “I’ve decided to share the place with you.”

“I did.” He hadn’t expected her to decide this quickly. “The market price for the whole apartment is between 3,300 and 5,500 yuan. You’ll have the smaller bedroom. Would 1,800 yuan be acceptable?”

“Of course.”

The location was ideal. She would save on gas and gain extra time to sleep.

“Utilities and other miscellaneous costs are part of the shop’s operating expenses. You don’t need to contribute.”

“That…” Tao Ying felt it was inappropriate.

“You’re helping me too.” Qin Zheng lied without a flicker. “Otherwise, that relative of mine might not pay me anything. I hadn’t planned to find a roommate. Meeting you was fate, I suppose.”

“If you still feel uncomfortable, you can clean the shared areas.”

“All right.” Tao Ying relaxed.

“And since we’re a man and a woman, the upstairs bathroom is yours. I’ll use the one below.”

She blinked. “Don’t your employees use that one?”

“It’s fine. There are two shower rooms downstairs, and the bathroom is clean. The cleaner I hired does a good job.”

“All right. We can review the contract tomorrow.”

“No rush. There’s something else I want to ask.”

Tao Ying tilted her head. “What?”

“Do you eat all three meals at the university?”

She shook her head. “Not breakfast.”

“I cook for myself anyway, and preparing for two is easier. Do you want me to make your share too? You can give me one or two hundred a month, whatever seems fair.”

Tao Ying was deeply tempted. “I’ll budget ten yuan a morning. Three hundred a month.”

“Deal.” Qin Zheng nodded, sitting with casual ease. “When are you ending your lease at Jinhua Gardens?”

“I’ve told the landlord. The lease isn’t over, so I lose the deposit, but he’ll refund the unused rent.”

“Did he ask why?”

“Yes. I didn’t tell him the real reason.”

It was difficult to explain. So far, she and Qin Zheng only had suspicions. Moving was a precaution.

Qin Zheng hummed. “When will you bring everything over?”

“There’s no hurry. The landlord is away and won’t return until next week. I have fewer classes Friday, so I’ll pack then. We’re meeting Saturday for the inspection and handover.”

“Then we’ll sign our agreement after he’s back. That will keep things simple.” Qin Zheng considered every detail.

“All right.”

“The shop has a pickup. I’ll help you move and save you the moving fee.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s late. Get some rest.”

“Mm.”

With one worry settled, Tao Ying slept even more soundly. She was beginning to dislike complete silence. Jinhua Gardens had been too quiet.

The next day, the sky was overcast. Tao Ying expected rain, but none came. Zhou Tao invited her to play ball, and she refused. She had never liked exercise.

The weather remained gloomy on Monday, and the temperature dropped several degrees.

Before she left, Qin Zheng reminded her, “It’s going to rain today. Take an umbrella.”

Tao Ying agreed, picked up her bag, and went out.

Moments later, she returned and took the thermos from the table.

Qin Zheng had just cleared the dishes when she appeared again. Their eyes met, and Tao Ying gave him an embarrassed grin. “Ha… I forgot my flash drive.”

Qin Zheng couldn’t hold back his amusement. “I always thought you were calm and composed. I didn’t realize you were so cute.”

Tao Ying hurried into her room, grabbed the drive, and left.

After washing the dishes, Qin Zheng prepared to go downstairs. The sight of the folding umbrella in the entryway made him laugh aloud.

Ms. Tao had gone in and out twice and still left behind the most useful thing.

He took the umbrella downstairs.

Rain began that afternoon. Tao Ying was reviewing her students’ competition entries one by one when a dense rhythm rattled against the windows.

Remembering something, she searched her bag. No umbrella.

She paused, then returned to the student work, assuming the rain would stop by six or seven. Instead, it grew fiercer.

Her phone vibrated. Qin Zheng had sent a picture of her umbrella, followed by a message.

*Ms. Tao, do you need me to pick you up?*

Tao Ying looked outside. It wasn’t fully dark yet.

She replied: *If it’s still raining at seven thirty, please come to the university. I’ll notify security.*

Qin Zheng: *Okay.*

He kept walking to the shop entrance and checking the weather, then looking at his watch. Even Xiao Fang was getting anxious for him.

At exactly seven thirty, she watched her boss open one umbrella, pick up another, and walk directly across the road toward Pu Normal University.