We Barely Know Each Other, but I'm Living with a Stone-Faced Mechanic! - Chapter 48

Tao Ying remained distracted all day. She skipped lunch and slept until the afternoon.

Qin Zheng had gone to the shop. On the dining table, he had left lunch and a note for her.

Tao Ying breathed easier and reheated the food in the microwave.

But she had little appetite and stopped after a few bites.

She had not seen Shu Ran in some time, so she called. Upon learning that Shu Ran was at the studio, Tao Ying took a taxi there.

Her legs still felt weak, and she did not drive.

It was already two when she arrived.

Shu Ran was checking the progress of the audiobooks currently in production, so Tao Ying waited in the lounge.

While she sat there in a daze, the door opened. Shu Ran hurried in, caught her hand, and pulled her up.

“Come audition for me. I have a tiny part with only a few lines, but we haven’t found the right voice in two or three days.”

“How is that possible?” Tao Ying frowned. “There are so many excellent female voice actors.”

“It’s a tiny role and the budget is limited. We can’t afford anyone established, and I don’t have a personal favor I can call in. The client keeps pushing, but rejects everyone. I need you to try.”

“What kind of scene?”

“A romantic one. Help me out. If they don’t choose you, that’s fine too.”

With Shu Ran putting it that way, Tao Ying could only agree.

A production assistant handed her one page of dialogue, with the emotions marked along the margin.

Seeing that Shu Ran had brought her, the voice director said, “Give it a try. The emotions are tangled. She doesn’t dare love him, but she can’t let go. She has to sound restrained while still letting the audience hear that she loves him.”

Tao Ying slowly exhaled. “I’ll try.”

She entered the booth and put on the headphones.

Outside, Shu Ran made an encouraging gesture before turning to the waveform on the screen.

Holding the thin sheet of dialogue, Tao Ying began quietly. “Stop following me. I’ve never had an improper thought about you. Not before, and never in the future.”

The people outside exchanged glances. It was good.

Her interpretation differed from those before her. Knowing the character was denying her true feelings, most actors had leaned too hard into the denial, stressing words such as *don’t*, *never*, and *no feelings*.

Listeners could hear the stubborn denial, but something was always missing.

Tao Ying was far more restrained. She used no accompanying gestures. When she reached the denial, she paused briefly and quietly withheld half a breath.

She looked up, uncertain how she had done.

The director asked someone to read opposite her.

“If you don’t like me, why did you kiss me last night?”

At the male line, Tao Ying paused. Flustered, she dropped her gaze to find her place. “I was drunk. It shouldn’t be taken seriously. It was only a moment of confusion.”

“Being drunk makes the kiss disappear? You initiated it, and now you call it confusion. What am I to you?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Fine. Then we’ll pretend we never met.”

Tao Ying had no more dialogue. Following the direction on the page, she let out a broken breath, as if even breathing hurt.

When the audition ended, she removed the headphones. Shu Ran gave her a thumbs-up.

Outside the booth, several people praised her performance.

Shu Ran took her back to the office and poured her water. “That scene was genuinely good. You’ve improved again.”

“I haven’t.” Tao Ying remained modest.

Shu Ran laughed. “What made you think of me today?”

“I hadn’t seen you in a while, and being home on vacation was boring.”

“You went off enjoying exhibitions with Boss Qin. I thought you were having such a wonderful time you’d forgotten me.”

“Nonsense.” Tao Ying avoided her eyes and took a sip of water.

“Let’s pack up, go shopping, and have dinner. If nothing unexpected happens, they’ll give you the role.”

“I’ve never recorded a scene like that.” Tao Ying looked up. “Maybe you should find someone else.”

“It’s a tiny role with two lines. Consider it a favor.”

“All right. But I can’t have dinner with you. I’m meeting someone tonight.”

“Boss Qin again?”

“No. A blind date.”

“Another blind date?” Shu Ran did not approve, but she never interfered in Tao Ying’s choices.

She did not live in Tao Ying’s circumstances and could not claim to understand them fully.

“It’s only a meeting,” Tao Ying said.

“Are we still shopping this afternoon?” Shu Ran checked the time. There was hardly enough for the two of them to accomplish anything.

“I’ll leave soon. I only came to see you—and ask about the rural fieldwork.”

“We leave July first and return on the sixteenth. Half a month. Only two or three days away now.”

Tao Ying relaxed without realizing it. “Good. I’ll pack when I get home.”

“Especially insect repellent. You must bring it.”

“I will.”

After sitting a little longer, Tao Ying left.

It was still too early for her appointment, so she went to a mall.

She needed disposable masks, wet wipes, sun-protective clothing, and insect repellent.

Around four, Tao Ying left the mall carrying two bags.

She had just entered a taxi when Li Meili called to ask whether she had left home.

“Didn’t we agree on six?” Tao Ying asked.

“I’m only checking. There’s no rush.” Li Meili was afraid she would be stood up.

Tao Ying looked at the shopping bags. She had planned to take them home first.

“I’m already out. Wait for me. I’ll come to your place now.”

Li Meili answered happily.

Only after ending the call did Tao Ying realize this was her first blind date without a photograph or any information about the man.

Li Meili was determined to surprise her and had not even shared his name.

Tao Ying had to admit she was curious.

She could not arrive empty-handed, so she bought a fruit basket outside the neighborhood.

Li Meili did not need it, but she appreciated the gesture.

She turned in a circle before Tao Ying. “Look. What’s different about me?”

Tao Ying saw nothing. “You’re prettier than before.”

“That sounds like an insult.” Li Meili tapped the scarf at her neck. “Your blind date gave me this. Generous, isn’t he?”

Tao Ying glanced at it. “Compared with Dr. Zhao, certainly.”

Li Meili’s expression changed. “I misjudged him that time.”

Tao Ying laughed softly. “Where are we having dinner?”

“Didn’t I send you the location? You don’t care at all.” Li Meili rolled her eyes.

Tao Ying searched her messages and discovered the restaurant was nearby.

It was not yet six, but Li Meili urged her to go.

Tao Ying walked rather than calling another taxi.

The restaurant was hidden behind a wall along the street. Every table stood in an open courtyard, separated by flowers and greenery.

A server led Tao Ying to Table Six at the very back.

She approached. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

The man turned. Their eyes met, and Tao Ying’s mouth opened in shock.

“What are you doing here?”