We Barely Know Each Other, but I'm Living with a Stone-Faced Mechanic! - Chapter 35

Tao Ying had taken a shortcut lined with low trees. She pushed aside an overhanging branch and declined tactfully.

“Third Aunt, I’m very busy lately.”

“I know, but however busy you are, you can spare an hour. I promise you’ll be satisfied with this one.” Li Meili refused to give up.

Tao Ying laughed. “You always say this one is different.”

“He really is. At the very least, he’s more handsome than all the others I’ve introduced put together.”

After seeing Qin Zheng every day, Tao Ying was immune to handsome faces. “I’m truly busy. We can talk when I have time.”

“Then tell me when you do.”

Tao Ying agreed and ended the call.

Back at the office, Qu Le pulled her over to buy their round-trip high-speed rail tickets for the weekend exhibition trip.

“I’ll send you a copy of the route.” After confirming the times, Qu Le asked, “Ms. Tao, how are we getting to the station?”

“We’ll drive. Send me your address and I’ll pick you up.”

“Okay.”

That evening, while eating Qin Zheng’s cooking, Tao Ying decided she should let him know.

“I won’t be home this weekend, so don’t make food for me.”

“Going to the exhibitions?” Qin Zheng asked. “Where?”

“The capital. We’re leaving Friday night.”

That meant she would return Sunday. Qin Zheng offered politely, “Want me to drive you?”

“I’ll take my own car. I need to pick up Ms. Qu.”

He did not insist. It was probably best if he appeared less often in front of Qu Le.

Fortunately, she was open-minded and straightforward. Had she been inclined to play games, she would have become a ticking time bomb between him and Tao Ying.

After Tao Ying left, Qin Zheng kept busy. He arranged to meet Li Meili and presented her with the gift he had prepared.

She accepted it without false modesty and repeatedly held the eight-thousand-yuan scarf against her neck.

His good sense pleased her, and she grew even more enthusiastic. “Xiao Qin, tell me what kind of woman you like. I’ll find you a heavenly beauty if that’s what it takes.”

“I like women who are quiet and beautiful.”

Li Meili blinked. “That’s all?”

He smiled. “I don’t ask for much. As long as she catches my eye.”

“You’re a fine young man.” She patted his shoulder, then squeezed his solid upper arm. “Excellent build too.”

Qin Zheng gave her his most obedient smile.

Remembering her niece, Li Meili’s eyes shifted. She found a photo in her album and held it out.

“Look at this one. Does she catch your eye?”

Qin Zheng lowered his gaze. It was a half-length photograph taken in autumn, and he knew that face better than he could admit.

“Well?” she asked.

He nodded. “Your niece?”

“You guessed.” Li Meili said, “She’s quiet and beautiful. Exactly what you want.”

Qin Zheng shamelessly asked, “Sis, could you send me the photo?”

“No. She hasn’t agreed, so I can’t send her picture around. I hope you understand.”

“Of course.” He looked disappointed.

Li Meili returned the scarf to its box, then suddenly raised her head. “Xiao Qin, I forgot to ask. What’s your education?”

“Two master’s degrees.”

That was the last answer she expected. “Then why do you run a repair shop?”

“I interned at a major corporation. The pressure was too much, so I left to start my own business.” Qin Zheng offered a version that was half true.

Qin Guangzhong had designed his education entirely around preparing him to inherit the family business.

He had attended an Ivy League university overseas for his undergraduate degree, majoring in materials science and engineering.

After graduation, he continued his studies in Germany, specializing further in materials, before earning an MBA from another prestigious Western university.

The day he met Tao Ying, he had just quit the family company. Qin Guangzhong wanted him to enter an arranged marriage, and Qin Zheng had walked out in fury.

Li Meili was more satisfied than ever. That afternoon she called Tao Ying twice, but neither call was answered.

Tao Ying did not call back until she reached the hotel.

After dealing with her aunt, she took a towel from her suitcase and asked Qu Le, “Are you showering?”

“You go first. I’ll unpack.”

Qu Le was starving and ordered a late-night meal.

When Tao Ying emerged from the bathroom, Qu Le beckoned her over. “Ms. Tao, eat with me. I can’t finish all this alone.”

Tao Ying sat across from her.

Qu Le stole a glance at her. “Ms. Tao, I heard Shen Cinan is coming back?”

Tao Ying paused, then slowly nodded. “Mm.”

She was not surprised Qu Le knew. Anyone still working in their professional circles would hear something sooner or later.

Especially now that Shen Cinan was returning to become deputy head of the landscape group at the Lincheng Landscape Design Institute.

“I heard they’re holding a welcome dinner for him.” At that moment, Qu Le switched to the more familiar address of a younger student. “Senior, are you going?”

“No.” Tao Ying shook her head.

Three years had passed. Meeting again held no meaning.

Still, Shen Cinan kept Tao Ying awake that night.

At university, they had belonged to the same department. Their majors differed, but they shared general foundation courses and often worked together at campus events.

They grew closer during a gathering in her second year. Everyone exchanged contact details, and the two began speaking frequently.

Neither was outgoing. One was cool and aloof, the other quiet and restrained. Even when feelings developed, both stubbornly refused to say anything.

Near graduation, Shen Cinan’s parents’ marriage collapsed. After the divorce, his mother moved abroad. Worried about her, he followed and enrolled in a master’s program.

The night before leaving, he asked Tao Ying to meet.

She went. Shen Cinan said only, “I’ll come back.”

Tao Ying had liked him then. To lighten the heavy mood, she joked, “All right. When you do, I’ll consider what we might be.”

Then, during his first year abroad, he disappeared from her life.

Tao Ying took her phone from beneath the pillow and idly opened one app after another.

When she saw a message from Qin Zheng, she tapped it.

*Ms. Tao, did you reach the capital safely?*

She replied instinctively: *I did.*

Only after sending it did something feel wrong. He had messaged at nine thirty, and it was now past midnight.

She was about to recall her reply when the words *Typing…* appeared at the top of the chat.

They vanished, then appeared again, over and over. At last Qin Zheng sent: *Still awake?*

Tao Ying: *So are you.*

Qin Zheng: *You usually sleep early at home. Can’t get used to being away?*

She could hardly tell him another man was keeping her awake, so she replied with a simple *Mm.*

Qin Zheng sent her a link to a Snake game and added her as a friend for team mode.

The rules were simple: guide the snake to eat colored dots and grow longer. The higher score won.

Using his greater experience, Qin Zheng waited until his snake was long enough, then maneuvered it around Tao Ying’s in the shape of a heart.

“You’re ridiculous.” She suddenly laughed. The distraction made her crash into him—and die.

Tao Ying stared at the screen.

Unwilling to accept defeat, she challenged him again and again.

Eventually, the two enormous snakes chased one another across the screen, twisting and tangling without end until neither could claim victory.