We Barely Know Each Other, but I'm Living with a Stone-Faced Mechanic! - Chapter 36

After two days in the capital, Tao Ying came away with plenty of inspiration. Many of the works she had seen deserved to be discussed in class.

She and Qu Le had not limited themselves to visual communication. They had also viewed environmental design, sculpture, and fashion. Art, after all, spoke across disciplines.

They began the journey home on Sunday afternoon.

Qu Le edited their photos on the train and sent Tao Ying a copy when she finished.

With nothing else to do, she began gossiping again. “Ms. Tao, what do you think of Boss Qin?”

Tao Ying studied her for a moment. Was this young woman truly that serious about him?

Qu Le was an only child. However good Qin Zheng might be, he was still a tradesman who owned a shop. Her family might object.

Tao Ying chose her words carefully. “There’s nothing wrong with his character.”

“Only his character?” Qu Le raised a brow. “I don’t see anything wrong with his height or face either.”

Love had a way of making every flaw invisible.

Tao Ying smiled at her.

“If it were you, would you let him be your boyfriend?”

“Don’t ask hypothetical questions like that.” Tao Ying resisted at once. “It’s strange.”

“It’s only hypothetical,” Qu Le said softly. “You’ve been on several blind dates. How do those men compare with Boss Qin?”

Pei Jinnian and Dr. Zhao had been immediate rejections in Tao Ying’s mind.

Zhou Tao was acceptable, but he was too impulsive and erratic for her to keep up with.

The honest answer was that Qin Zheng surpassed all of them in nearly every respect. His only possible weakness was a lower level of education.

Under Qu Le’s expectant gaze, Tao Ying finally said, “Qin Zheng… would actually be a decent choice for a relationship.”

The praise only encouraged Qu Le to talk more.

She did not slow down until they reached Lincheng, allowing Tao Ying to finally breathe in peace.

Tao Ying checked the time. It was already nine thirty, and she still had to drive Qu Le home.

She would probably reach her own place around ten.

To park at the neighborhood’s south gate, she had to pass Qin Zheng’s shop.

She assumed it would be closed at this hour. Instead, several striking sports cars stood scattered outside, their bright colors impossible to ignore.

A group of young people lounged by the entrance, laughing and talking with an easy, flamboyant swagger.

Qin Zheng was the tallest among them and stood out immediately.

Two pretty, delicate-looking young women hovered beside him.

Tao Ying looked away coldly after only a second. Perhaps she should advise Qu Le to choose someone else.

She turned into the south gate and parked. Just after she unfastened her seat belt, her phone rang.

Qin Zheng.

She remained in the car and answered. “Hello.”

“Ms. Tao, are you back yet?” His voice was as deep as the night, its drawn-out ending touched with warmth.

“Boss Qin, come have a drink. I’ll keep you company.”

“Yes, Boss Qin, say yes.”

Two sugary voices suddenly floated through the phone, raising goose bumps on Tao Ying’s skin.

Qin Zheng clicked his tongue and walked farther away.

Not wishing to interrupt his promising night, Tao Ying answered coolly, “Not yet.”

“Do you need me to pick you up?”

He had checked her train information. She should have reached home around now. Had something gone wrong along the way?

“No.”

“Was your train delayed?”

High-speed trains were usually punctual, though delays were possible.

“No. The signal here isn’t good. I’m hanging up.”

Qin Zheng frowned. Why did she sound unhappy?

After she ended the call, someone tugged at his arm. He turned to find another simpering influencer.

“Don’t touch me.” Only the last remnants of his manners kept him from cursing.

Liang Chong emerged from the shop. “Brother Zheng, do me a favor. We only borrowed the place for a shoot.”

“Get out.” Already in a foul mood, Qin Zheng’s expression turned instantly cold.

Liang Chong flinched and quickly waved the others away. “We’re leaving. Come on.”

Qin Zheng caught him by the back of his collar. “Didn’t I tell you not to bring people here again?”

“I swear I won’t.” Liang Chong raised a hand. “I’ll come back with a wedding gift after you marry my future sister-in-law.”

Qin Zheng kicked him in the backside. “Get lost.”

Once everyone left, Qin Zheng closed the shop. He did not go upstairs, though. He sat with his legs spread on the reception sofa and leaned his head back.

After stewing for a while, he messaged Tao Ying.

*Ms. Tao, about what time will you be home?*

No reply.

He sent another: *I’ll wait at the shop for a while.*

Still nothing.

Was her signal truly that poor?

He spun the phone idly, then stopped.

Sitting forward with his elbows on his knees, he messaged Qu Le. *Ms. Qu, what time was your train?*

Two or three minutes later, she replied: *Six thirty. Why?*

Qin Zheng: *Did Tao Ying drive you home?*

Qu Le: *Yes. I got home half an hour ago.*

Realizing Tao Ying had lied, Qin Zheng went out the back door and raced upstairs.

The apartment door and bathroom door opened at the same moment. Qin Zheng froze in shock.

Tao Ying covered her chest. Several expressions crossed her face before she forced out through clenched teeth, “Turn around.”

He obeyed mechanically, but his mind was filled with the sight of her softly rounded shoulders, long pale legs, and sharply defined collarbones.

Tao Ying touched her cheek with the back of her hand. It was not hot, yet she felt as if it were burning.

Only after showering had she realized she had brought nothing but a bath towel.

She returned to her room and changed into thoroughly concealing pajamas.

When she came out again, Qin Zheng pretended nothing had happened to spare them both the embarrassment. “When did you get back?”

Tao Ying wanted to say just now, but she had already showered. The timing clearly would not work.

She gave a pointed little laugh. “While you had a woman on each arm.”

Qin Zheng’s mind stalled. “You saw?”

“I did.” She lifted her eyes calmly. “I said I wasn’t back because I didn’t want to interrupt your night of pleasure.”

He suddenly stepped closer, gaze burning. “If I’d truly wanted a night of pleasure, what would your being home have to do with it?”

Tao Ying had no reply. He was right. It had nothing to do with her.

“Ms. Tao.” Qin Zheng stood firmly in her path. “You’ve glared at me since the moment you came back. You aren’t jealous, are you?”

“You’re imagining things.” She stepped away, clearly trying to avoid him. “Just stop scattering your charm in front of innocent young women.”

That sounded pointed.

Qin Zheng grinned. “Give me a hint, Ms. Tao.”

She could hardly tell him about Qu Le’s feelings. She rolled her eyes. “I can’t.”

Couldn’t? Then it involved someone’s privacy. Qin Zheng began guessing.

An innocent young woman? Did Tao Ying know anyone like that?

And she was still glaring as if every feature on his face offended her…

His phone vibrated. Qu Le was asking how he knew Tao Ying had not returned.

Tao Ying assumed it was one of his admirers. “It’s late. I’m going to bed.”

Qin Zheng caught her wrist and pulled her back.

She instinctively raised a hand to maintain space between them and looked up in irritation. “What are you doing?”

“Ms. Tao, you don’t mean Ms. Qu, do you?” Qu Le’s message had sparked the thought.

Tao Ying pressed her lips together and fell silent.

Her silence was an admission. Qin Zheng laughed. “Did you know she confessed to me?”

Tao Ying’s eyes widened. “When?”

“The day I attended your lecture. After the three of us ate and left the cafeteria, she asked whether I had a girlfriend.”

“And then?” Tao Ying had never expected Qu Le to act so quickly.

“I don’t like her, so naturally I refused.” Qin Zheng was entirely open about it.

“Then why did she ask me whether you’d make a good boyfriend?” Tao Ying muttered.

Qin Zheng raised a brow and bent slightly until his eyes were level with hers. Teasing, he asked, “Exactly. If I’d already rejected her, who do you think she was asking for?”

Tao Ying paused. “Not me, anyway.”