We Barely Know Each Other, but I'm Living with a Stone-Faced Mechanic! - Chapter 38

The last exhibition trip with Qu Le had been to the capital, too far away to justify driving. The high-speed train was convenient, but getting in and out of stations, calling taxis, and taking the subway had wasted a great deal of time.

For this trip to Hangcheng, Tao Ying discussed driving with Qin Zheng. Naturally, he agreed.

They got on the expressway at eight that morning and reached the hotel before eleven.

The exhibition hall was close enough to reach on foot.

Qin Zheng ordered two meals and invited Tao Ying to eat in his room.

“Why your room?” she asked.

“You can’t tolerate the slightest strange smell at home, Ms. Tao. If food odors fill your entire room, are you still planning to sleep there?”

Tao Ying paused, surprised by how closely he had observed her.

When she had shared a hotel room with Qu Le, Qu Le had ordered a large late-night meal. Tao Ying had naturally shown no discomfort and had even eaten a little with her.

Shen Cinan had not been the only reason she failed to sleep that night. The smell of food had lingered in the room for hours.

After a moment’s thought, Tao Ying stepped into the room next door.

Qin Zheng pointed to the round table. “It’s hot out, so I ordered lighter dishes to cool you down and improve your appetite.”

“Thank you.” She pulled out a chair and sat.

Being alone with him in a hotel felt entirely different from being together at home. For no clear reason, Tao Ying became a little more reserved.

Qin Zheng sat as well. He was hungry and immediately took a large bite.

His table manners were not refined, but neither were they unpleasant. With a face and build like his, most things looked good.

“What’s the plan for this afternoon, Ms. Tao?”

“There’s no rush. You drove for three hours, so rest first.” Tao Ying slipped the hair tie from her wrist and gathered her long hair behind her head, exposing her slender neck.

Qin Zheng looked away. “I’m not tired.”

“I am. My back hurts.”

“What happened?” He thought she might have injured herself.

“It’s an old problem. A little rest will help. Let’s leave for the museum at two.”

“All right.”

After lunch, Tao Ying returned to her room.

She rinsed her mouth, brushed her teeth, and took a shower while she was there.

When she emerged again, she had changed into a soft, artistic lake-blue dress. It made her look like a luminous jewel displayed in a museum.

Qin Zheng lifted his camera without thinking. Tao Ying raised a hand to stop him. “When did you bring that?”

“It’s always in my bag. I bought it years ago. At least now it won’t keep gathering dust.”

“Then why are you photographing me?”

“Testing it.”

Tao Ying checked the time. “It’s getting late. Let’s go.”

The museum was already crowded when they arrived.

An introduction to the exhibition stood near the entrance. Tao Ying pointed at the poster and turned to Qin Zheng. “Let’s visit the sculpture section first.”

As she spoke, a young man squeezed past them. Tao Ying caught the movement in the corner of her eye and instinctively moved toward Qin Zheng.

He slipped an arm around her and guided her one step back, making room for the young man.

The stranger looked confused but still thanked him.

Qin Zheng’s hand tightened on Tao Ying’s shoulder as he bent his head. “You okay?”

Embarrassed, she nodded and pushed him away. “I’m fine.”

He leaned closer. “Discarding me as soon as you’ve used me, Ms. Tao?”

Tao Ying tugged at the strap of his bag. “Are we looking at the exhibition or not?”

The small, yielding gesture softened him at once. “We are. Come on. I’ll take pictures for you.”

The first-floor hall was filled with sculpture and public art—some realistic, some massive and solemn, others abstract.

Tao Ying stopped before one piece and tilted her head up. Her figure entered the frame of Qin Zheng’s camera.

“Tao Ying,” he called quietly.

She looked back. He pressed the shutter and captured the instant.

Tao Ying smiled. “Aren’t you looking at the art?”

“I am.” Qin Zheng’s eyes remained on her.

She touched her cheek self-consciously, then turned back to the sculpture. “The use of light, shadow, and negative space is excellent. It doesn’t pile on unnecessary details. The contrast between solid and void brings out the subject and gives it a very…”

For a moment, she could not find the right word.

“A sense of breathing room,” Qin Zheng supplied.

Her eyes brightened. “Exactly. You understood it.”

He smiled. “I was guessing.”

They continued forward. Tao Ying stopped before a screen playing an obscure experimental animation.

Qin Zheng watched quietly for a while. “Judging by the frame rate, the moving shots are restrained and static compositions dominate. Typical academic experimental-film style.”

Tao Ying stared at him in disbelief.

This kind of work emphasized visual-art expression and deliberately weakened narrative—the hallmark of experimental graduation films from an art academy. Qin Zheng had identified it at once.

He truly understood.

Her eyes shone. “How do you know this?”

He smiled modestly. “I occasionally study visual composition and the language of film.”

Tao Ying looked at his camera. Had he picked up the knowledge while learning photography?

Qin Zheng lifted the camera. “Let me take a few more, Ms. Tao. Step back a little and turn sideways toward the lens.”

She followed his instructions, but accidentally bumped into someone while moving back.

“I’m sorry,” she said immediately.

“It’s fine. You—Tao Ying?” The other woman froze, then cried out in delight.

Only then did Tao Ying look properly at her, and she smiled too. “Xia Fei?”

“What are you doing here? I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.”

“I came for the exhibition. I heard you work at the art academy here now?”

“I do. I’m coordinating the graduation exhibition on site, so I have to stay here all day. Are you gathering material?”

Tao Ying nodded. “The themed sections are excellent this year. I came to learn.”

Qin Zheng walked over at that moment.

Admiration flashed through Xia Fei’s eyes. She nudged Tao Ying. “Your boyfriend?”

“No, a friend.” After denying it, Tao Ying introduced them. “This is Xia Fei, my university roommate. This is Qin Zheng.”

“Hello.” Qin Zheng inclined his head.

“Hello.” Xia Fei dragged her gaze away from him with difficulty. “Tao Ying, your timing is perfect. I’m having dinner with several classmates tonight in Xitang. Come with us.”

“But… I don’t know your friends.” Tao Ying hesitated.

“Who says you don’t? Tian Zhao and Yu Fan will both be there.”

Tao Ying looked surprised. “They’re in Hangcheng too? Didn’t Yu Fan go to the capital?”

“Ask her tonight. You have to come—and bring your friend.”

Tao Ying instinctively looked at Qin Zheng.

“It’s up to you,” he said.

She worried that he might feel uncomfortable, but she did not want to leave him alone when they had traveled together.

“You know everyone,” Xia Fei said. “Why refuse? And your friend doesn’t look shy.”

“All right.” Tao Ying finally agreed.

“Keep looking around, then. We’ll meet at seven.”

“Okay.”

After leaving the exhibition hall, Tao Ying bought two bottles of water from a street vendor.

She offered one to Qin Zheng, but he took both.

Before she could object, he twisted open one cap and handed the bottle back.

Tao Ying paused. “Thank you.”

Once again, she had assumed the worst of him too quickly.

“Who were the other two people your friend mentioned?” Qin Zheng took a drink and tried to sound casual. He hoped she was not about to produce another romantic rival.

“Yu Fan was another roommate. She should be working with Xia Fei now. As for Tian Zhao…”

He looked over. “What about her?”

Tao Ying sighed. “Let’s call her a romantic rival, more or less.”