We Barely Know Each Other, but I'm Living with a Stone-Faced Mechanic! - Chapter 32

If a male student had asked, Tao Ying might have answered with an eye roll.

But she could not do that to a female student.

“We’re not close,” she replied lightly. Afraid the students would follow up, she hurried on. “Let me answer the earlier question.”

She cleared her throat. “Leaving aside whether the location across the street is suitable for an auto repair shop, its interior, storefront, and logo establish a very coherent overall tone.”

“The color palette is restrained and looks upscale. The mark itself is minimal and fluid, without unnecessary elements piled on. From the interior to the exterior and the sign, the visual identity is consistent. It conveys the industry’s character while clearly positioning the business as a high-end service provider…”

The first period passed with less peace than usual.

Tao Ying’s throat felt scorched. During the ten-minute break, she drank half her thermos.

Qin Zheng was much quieter in the second period, and Tao Ying did not invite any more questions.

When class ended, the students crowded toward the doors while she packed her things at an unhurried pace.

Even after she finished, she did not leave. Every so often, she glanced toward the back of the room.

Qin Zheng took the hint. Once every student was gone, he sauntered over without the slightest hint of shame.

Tao Ying folded her arms and waited for an explanation.

He smiled and casually pulled a card from his pocket, waving it in front of her. “Everything perfectly legal. I didn’t force my way in.”

“An auditing pass?” She stared. “Why did you get one of those?”

Surely he was not planning to attend all her classes from now on.

“To listen to lectures.”

The thought that he might never have attended university stopped several replies in her throat.

She nodded. “That’s good. I recommend Professor Hao’s class. His lectures are interesting.”

“I’ll go when I have time,” Qin Zheng answered vaguely.

“I’m going to lunch.” Tao Ying slung her bag over her shoulder and left the room.

Qin Zheng followed. At the fork in the path, he was about to say goodbye when Qu Le appeared from nowhere.

“Boss Qin? What are you doing here?”

“I serviced one of the university’s official vehicles this morning. I’m heading back for lunch now.”

“Since you’re already here, you should try our cafeteria.” Qu Le looked at Tao Ying. “Right, Ms. Tao?”

“What? Oh, yes.” Tao Ying took a moment to catch up. Qu Le liked Qin Zheng, so naturally she wanted him to stay.

Tao Ying could read the room. Her gaze moved between them. “Why don’t the two of you eat together?”

“Ms. Tao!” Qin Zheng’s heart lurched. “You can’t abandon me.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Tao Ying glanced at Qu Le.

Qu Le smiled brightly. “Let’s all go. The three of us know each other well enough.”

“Our cafeteria’s food is actually pretty good.” Qu Le was lively by nature and rarely allowed a silence to form. “Thank you for taking care of Jiang Chen lately, Boss Qin. He came back telling me how good you’ve been to him.”

Jiang Chen was Qu Le’s younger cousin.

“He works well enough,” Qin Zheng said. “I’ve put him with one of the senior mechanics.”

“Thank you anyway.”

“You’re welcome.”

The three of them went to the faculty cafeteria, where the lecturers were less likely than the students to gossip openly.

Those who knew Qin Zheng looked twice. Those who did not know him looked twice as well. His appearance simply drew too much attention.

Tao Ying said little at the table. Qu Le and Qin Zheng kept the conversation going.

After a while, Qu Le suddenly turned to Tao Ying. “Ms. Tao, the graduation exhibitions at the major art academies are opening one after another. Are you going?”

Tao Ying nodded. “When I have time.”

“Want to go together? I always go alone.”

“Sure,” Tao Ying agreed readily.

Shu Ran had no interest in that sort of exhibition. Since Qu Le was Tao Ying’s colleague, their schedules aligned and arranging a visit would be easy.

“There are so many separate sections this year,” Qu Le said. “Fine art, new media, animation, visual communication, cultural and creative design. We’ll never finish them all one by one.”

“We can take our time. Mr. Xu has put together a complete itinerary. We can use it as a reference.”

“Then we can start this Saturday.”

“Mm. They’re opening one after another through the end of June, so that should work.”

“Once vacation starts, it’ll be wonderful. We can be out having fun every day.”

Tao Ying laughed.

Qin Zheng’s chopsticks paused. That meant Tao Ying might not spend much time at home this summer.

He remembered that she and Shu Ran had some sort of rural program planned for July.

It appeared he needed to hire a manager soon to coordinate the shop’s operations, as well as a supervisor responsible for repairs, attendance, and everyday affairs.

Then he could become a hands-off owner.

Qin Zheng immediately messaged Xiao Fang with instructions to recruit both positions. His requirements were brief and clear: she had half a month to find candidates.

She would handle recruiting and screening. He would still make the final decision himself.

After lunch, the three of them left the cafeteria.

Qin Zheng had no further excuse to stay. “Ms. Tao, Ms. Qu, I’ll head back to the shop.”

“Wait, Boss Qin.”

Qu Le stopped him, then turned apologetically to Tao Ying. “Ms. Tao, I need to say something to Boss Qin. Could you—”

“You two talk. I’ll go back to the office.”

“Wait.” Qin Zheng instinctively took half a step after her.

“Boss Qin.” Qu Le took out her phone. “Could I add you on WeChat?”

Qin Zheng considered it. Qu Le shared an office and a department with Tao Ying.

He knew nothing about what Tao Ying did on campus and could easily miss useful information.

Take the exhibitions they had just discussed. If he had not happened to be here today, she might have picked up her suitcase and disappeared before he even knew where she was going.

At that thought, he took out his phone. “I’ll scan yours.”

Delighted, Qu Le opened her QR code.

“I’ll let you get back to work, Ms. Qu.” Qin Zheng tried to leave as soon as they connected, only for her to call him back again.

He turned with open confusion. “Was there something else?”

Qu Le nodded shyly, then went straight to the point. “Boss Qin, do you have a girlfriend?”

Qin Zheng had a bad feeling.

“Boss Qin?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Then what do you think of me?”

Qin Zheng said nothing.

Qu Le watched him expectantly.

“Wait…” He did not know whether to laugh or sigh. “Ms. Qu, do you like me?”

She was a straightforward young woman. Her eyes shone. “Why not? You’re handsome.”

“Sorry.” Qin Zheng turned serious in an instant. “There’s someone I like.”

“Didn’t you just say you don’t have a girlfriend?” The rejection stung a little.

“It’s a one-sided crush.” His gaze drifted down the path where Tao Ying had disappeared.

“You have a face like that and you’re secretly pining for someone?” Qu Le stared at him in disbelief. “That’s as absurd as Ms. Tao looking the way she does and never having dated.”

Qin Zheng smiled. “Ms. Tao really is beautiful.”

Qu Le stared back.

Why did his smile look so besotted?

“Boss Qin?”

She had lost count of how many times she had needed to call him back to earth.

Qin Zheng returned to himself. “Ms. Qu, there really is someone I like. The reason I added you is that I hoped I might occasionally sound you out and pick up some useful information.”

Qu Le’s thoughts spun at furious speed. After a stunned silence, she stared at him with round eyes. “You don’t mean Ms. Tao, do you?”

Qin Zheng did not bother to hide it. “I do. I hope you’ll keep it secret.”

“I can keep it secret, but I think you should give up. Ms. Tao doesn’t like your type. She used to have someone she li— Never mind. That’s her business, and I have no right to tell you. Since you don’t like me, I’ll be going.” Qu Le recovered admirably quickly.

“Wait.” This time, Qin Zheng stopped her. “Ms. Qu, after saying half of that, how am I supposed to concentrate on work?”

“But—”

“I promise I won’t tell anyone.” He was one step from swearing an oath. “I only want to know why you’re so certain I should give up.”

Qu Le hesitated. “Because Ms. Tao already has someone she likes. Their three-year promise is almost up, and he should be coming back soon.”

Qin Zheng went still.

Tao Ying was already in love with someone?