TPIL - 16

The restaurant valet had just parked the car when Qi Xiaochuan strode out, snatched the car keys, reversed and drove off in one fluid motion.

On the way to his destination, he didn’t speed, didn’t break any traffic rules, and even waited for elementary school students to cross at a pedestrian crossing despite no cameras and a green light, ignoring the angry honking from frustrated drivers behind him. He was fully focused on mentally cursing Su Yining, who had drunk his ordered black tea, hoping he would choke on it immediately.

He had been lost in thought for a long time while staring at the wooden shop sign across the street, wondering what “Paradise Handmade” really meant by “paradise.”

Eating dried persimmons, he pulled out his phone, originally intending to message Luo Andi to tell her that he couldn’t come today due to work. But the anxiety he felt the last time editing a message overwhelmed him again. This time, it wasn’t about whether to send a “:)”, but whether to end with “ah” or “ya”. In the end, unable to decide, he chose to meet her and went to pick up the colorful lamp as planned.

Upon entering, the shop was filled with the scent of lavender incense. Qi Xiaochuan disliked this smell intensely and covered his mouth and nose as he walked to the counter, asking the female clerk, “Is Luo Andi here?”

The clerk eagerly volunteered to lead the way. However, such navigation service was unnecessary in a small shop of two to three hundred square meters. Qi Xiaochuan also disliked having others follow him, so he politely declined and plunged into the sea of lavender by himself.

The light gauze was lifted by the constant temperature air conditioning, instantly turning into a surge of mist. After the undulation subsided, what was revealed was the smiling profile of a woman.

Luo Andi was helping students modify their works, and Qi Xiaochuan stood there motionless. It wouldn’t be bad to leave him standing there like a sculpture; frankly speaking, he hoped that moment could extend.

Luo Andi received the signal passed from the front desk and then straightened up to look around. Seeing him, her bewildered expression turned into a smile. Qi Xiaochuan disliked the way Luo Andi ran towards him, always fearing she might fall. He once suspected it was some kind of aftereffect—after all, when Luo Andi got hurt or bumped, whether he was present or not, adults would chase him down like they were after a wanted criminal, as if he, still a teenager, was her primary guarantor.

Luo Andi handed him the finished lamp and told him, “Later, you can put a bulb through it and make it into a pendant or table lamp. It will look very beautiful. If possible, remember to take a picture and send it to me.”

The colorful and hard lamp made Qi Xiaochuan wonder what significance it held. Home lamps only needed to provide light; if they wanted something pretty, why not buy it from a home store? He casually replied, “Is this your store’s tradition?”

“Hmm?” Luo Andi seemed not to understand, paused for a while before answering, “No, I want to see it.”

“…”

Luo Andi smiled and said, “Xiaoxiao made such a beautiful lamp. Of course, I want to see how it looks when used.”

He looked at her, remained silent for a long time, then finally showed a smile devoid of any warmth. It was an emotionless smile, and even he didn’t know its meaning, probably just purely not wanting her to detect any signs of unease. Qi Xiaochuan said, “Then I’ll give it to you.”

She smiled puzzledly, tilting her head slightly towards him.

“That...” he had almost forgotten the last time he was so evasive, probably when his university counselor asked him where the internship seal came from—it was terrible, utterly terrible. “I actually don’t have a suitable bulb. Otherwise, I’ll give it to you.”

He messed up.

He thought.

However, Luo Andi hesitated for less than half a second and already gave a relieving answer: “That’s great, thank you!”

Qi Xiaochuan felt his fingers go numb; her consideration inexplicably added to his guilt. He said, “Then I’ll go back first.” On the way out, Qi Xiaochuan bumped into the Maneki-neko at the door. He awkwardly apologized, and the front desk clerk bent down to pick it up, placing it back in its original position, also telling him, “It’s okay.” He stumbled away, looking very disheveled.

The middle school girls chattered, originally planning a gathering after school, but unexpectedly encountering the sullen adult male ruined their day’s good mood. The leading girl, named Gao Jie, subtly revealed a polite smile that brooked no offense, promptly comforting her companions: “Don’t mind those kinds of people. Why punish ourselves for someone else’s mistake without reason?”

Everyone immediately agreed. Luo Andi had already come up, holding a clipboard, greeting them: “Please follow this way.”

At fourteen, Gao Jie was a high-maintenance flower, elegant and pure, always surrounded by people wanting to get close to her. Coming to this handmade store was her idea, and her visit here was inseparable from the store clerk named Luo Andi.

It was a sunny day six months ago. She entered this store after getting lost, her phone battery dying, and wearing uncomfortable shoes, initially only intending to charge her phone while maintaining a haughty attitude, but unexpectedly received a band-aid without revealing any circumstances.

Facing strangers, without needing to complain or deliberately lower her guard, Luo Andi always responded with full gentleness and kindness, as if she could sense others’ pain: “Does it hurt a lot? Rest here. It’s alright.”

When visiting again, she hadn’t mentioned job offers to Luo Andi. Gao Jie often felt very lonely; how nice it would be if she could help out at her house? But upon hearing this, Luo Andi only paused briefly before quickly declining politely. “Thank you, but I am very satisfied with my current job.” That was her response when declining.

For some reason, Gao Jie felt that her smile at that time was somewhat different from usual.

Are there people in the world who never feel sad?

Gao Jie didn’t think so.

It’s just hard to imagine Luo Andi looking sad.

Inviting Luo Andi wasn’t out of compensation but simply wanting to invite someone she liked. In fact, even Gao Jie only had one or two invitations. There were quite a few friends at school desperately trying to get one, but she still kept them and specially delivered them to Luo Andi: “This is my father’s company celebration. There will be fireworks and other attractions, very beautiful, and dinner should be delicious too. You’re welcome to come.”

Unlike others, even when invited, Luo Andi didn’t appear particularly delighted, just gave a slight smile, fully expressing her gratitude.

Gao Jie rehearsed several times in her heart, thinking about what to say if asked “why.” However, Luo Andi didn’t ask, and she thus sighed with relief. She originally intended to say, “Because of your three sentences.” “Does it hurt a lot?” “Rest here.” “It’s alright.”

Humans are strange creatures. They want to proclaim to the world, “I’m the strongest,” yet secretly find comfort in others’ words.

That day, Luo Andi happened to be off-duty, so she changed into a dress that wasn’t part of her daily attire and braided her hair, then took a taxi to the venue. Gao Jie received the call and hurried downstairs to meet her. As they were talking and going upstairs, her father called Gao Jie over, so Luo Andi waved goodbye and stepped ahead to taste the buffet desserts on the side.

Seeing this scene, Qi Xiaochuan instinctively retreated, wanting to hide behind the gray-brown curtains but was deliberately called by name instead. Su Yining said, “Is Mr. Qi preparing to leave?”

Since their last unpleasant encounter, Qi Xiaochuan had tried to avoid meeting this person. Indeed, the world doesn’t lack talented individuals with thick skins who don’t understand the concept of “awkwardness,” but at least he wasn’t one of them: “Mr. Su.”

They stared at each other, undergoing a silent showdown.

Su Yining said, “I’m really curious about what Miss Luo likes about you. Do you know that you two don’t have much in common?”

“So?” If this gathering were hosted by Qi Xiaochuan, he estimated he would have raised his hand to summon security. Summoning security to drag himself out to prevent the next step of brawling with someone. Qi Xiaochuan didn’t like Su Yining; he disliked his pampered demeanor and detested his pretense of being democratic and friendly despite clearly looking down on others.

In symmetry, Su Yining didn’t like Qi Xiaochuan either, balancing things out. His prejudice against him wasn’t as ostentatious as what he said during their last meeting. Purely because Qi Xiaochuan’s behavior was too self-willed, lacking smoothness, unwilling to bow his head, and his humble origins meant that his rise solely relied on personal ability. Such arrogance and accumulated habits were far from minimal.

He smiled, preemptively striking: “I genuinely like Miss Luo. Interfering in others’ relationships isn’t gentlemanly behavior. I hope Mr. Qi respects himself. Of course, if you share the same feelings, I don’t mind fair competition.”

These words were watertight, making Qi Xiaochuan increasingly uncomfortable, sneering in reply: “You can rest assured about this. I don’t have those kinds of thoughts about Luo Andi. Moreover, you aren’t her type either.”

“What type…” As soon as he started questioning, Su Yining realized he had fallen into the trap and quickly changed his statement: “Business thrives on harmony. Since this is the case, avoiding conflict is best. Also, please don’t obstruct me.”

By this point in the conversation, Luo Andi had already noticed them without bias. Her greeting was like sunlight sweeping across, easily dispelling the storm that had just occurred: “You’re here.”

“Yes.” “Mm.”

Two responses sounded simultaneously.

Su Yining and Qi Xiaochuan exchanged glances. Luo Andi had said “you” instead of “you both,” leaving the mystery of whom she noticed first unresolved. She smoothly diverted the topic: “Do you know each other?”

“We met through work.” Qi Xiaochuan said.

“How coincidental,” Luo Andi laughed, “Both are customers of the store and know each other.”

Su Yining was a man completely different from Qi Xiaochuan—more gentle and refined, also less aggressive. To be honest, in terms of choosing a partner, he might be the superior existence.

Su Yining said, “Miss Luo, do you have any plans tonight? Last time in the store, our chat didn’t conclude. There are some things I’d like to discuss with you. Would you honor me with your presence for dinner?”

Luo Andi blinked and cheerfully replied, “Sure.”

The real excitement on Su Yining’s face was palpable. He said, “How about cod fish ball soup tonight?”

Luo Andi gently answered, “Alright.”

“What about asparagus and bacon rolls for appetizers?”

“It sounds very good.”

Qi Xiaochuan imperceptibly shifted his gaze. Kind, beautiful, cultured—what a perfect match, a destined pair. Anyone who broke them up deserved to be thrown into the 18th level of hell and hung upside down on an iron tree for punishment.

Su Yining continued asking opinions: “What about apple cider vinegar for tonight’s drink?”

“No.”

The voice didn’t come from Luo Andi.

They were caught off guard and looked at him. No one expected anyone to interrupt at this moment.

He wasn’t in a hurry, nor did he intend to cause trouble. He simply couldn’t stand it. Qi Xiaochuan had disliked Luo Andi for a long time—her soft smile, half-hearted affection, indiscriminately gentle nature toward everyone, which made him constantly worried.

Qi Xiaochuan said, “I hate sour food the most.”