TPIL - 31

Qi Xiaochuan had been harsh to people many times in his life. To avoid conflicts, he deliberately developed a habit of speaking less and doing more at work. However, as if to make up for it, he became even more unrestrained in private. For instance, at this moment, upon discovering that Su Yining hadn’t used the VIP card points, his suspicion that the meal might be poisoned resurfaced, and he ate while scrutinizing him meaningfully.

Su Yining just found it amusing. He felt rather pleased with himself for easily influencing Qi Xiaochuan’s mood. As he was eating wontons, he finally raised his head and asked nonchalantly with a faint smile, “Maybe we two are actually quite suited to be good friends.”

He remembered it was a few months or weeks ago when Qi Xiaochuan had entertained thoughts of hiring a hitman due to a similar line from his secretary. Thus, now he responded with an attitude as if stepping on gum: “Are you not getting enough to eat? Or are you too full?”

Then he recalled battling someone suspected to be his aunt at the Paradise Handmade Shop just a few days ago. Feeling inexplicably guilty, he worried that the “precious nephew” in front of him might be here for revenge. Perhaps apologizing first would be better. In frequently cooperative enterprises, decision-makers’ social circles inevitably overlap. He had long heard that Su Yining had a close aunt who accompanied her nephew during his probation period. After reading the information Zhong Shixiao sent, he already understood the situation. But still, wasn’t it because his aunt verbally offended first? Honestly speaking, Qi Xiaochuan didn’t think he was wrong.

He had to probe: “Do you have something to say to me?” He hoped it wouldn’t be some grand love confession.

Contrary to his usual self, Su Yining laughed heartily and generously: “No, I just want to thank you.”

Chinese culture is profound and extensive. “I fucking thank you” and the “Thank you” from Fan Wei in the sketch “Selling Crutches” can both cleverly convey subtle meanings different from “thank you.”

Qi Xiaochuan wasn’t sure, so Su Yining kindly explained: “That day when I was drunk, thank you for helping me.”

So it was about that incident. After sending the bill, Qi Xiaochuan had completely forgotten about it. Though he also didn’t think he did anything.

They finished eating quietly. Until the end, there was no sign of Su Yining pulling out a gun from under the table. A narrow escape; he drove off, and Qi Xiaochuan walked back to the company. Before parting ways, perhaps feeling a pang of conscience, Su Yining couldn’t bear his own behavior which contradicted his villainous persona anymore. He proactively said, “In a couple of days, my company’s subsidiary will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony. We invited Paradise Handmade Shop to attend. I plan to ask Miss Luo to officially become my girlfriend that day.”

His wording was too formal, carrying an air of preaching as if he were much older, yet irrefutable, making Qi Xiaochuan feel unnecessarily irritated.

He didn’t bother uttering a single syllable and turned to leave.

Su Yining was no longer surprised by such reactions. With great interest, he pursued the question: “Does Mr. Qi mind?”

Qi Xiaochuan quickened his pace, showing no hesitation, and had already walked far away.

Paradise Handmade Shop was specially invited and provided one of the commemorative items made that day. As an item distributed to everyone, the boss personally led the best production team to work overtime, ensuring their product wasn’t inferior to other contractors.

On that day, Luo Andi was on duty. After changing clothes, she was hurriedly urged by the boss tapping on the counter: “Andi, no time to explain, hurry up and get in the car!”

Luo Andi steadied the succulent plant that almost fell over and asked in confusion: “What’s going on?”

But as the boss urged, before she could figure out what was happening, she was dragged to the ribbon-cutting event venue.

Changing locations for work wasn’t troublesome; it was just distributing the handmade items they rushed to finish a few days ago. Luo Andi smiled at customers coming to collect them, and the boss also helped out, maintaining a smile while chatting casually with her during breaks: “Why did your junior suddenly quit?”

“Huh?” Luo Andi seemed to pause before realizing who she was referring to, “Ah, Zhong Shixiao? I don’t know. Maybe he needs to prepare for a formal job.”

“That makes sense. Working part-time isn’t a long-term solution… “

Luo Andi chuckled softly: “Is the boss reminding me?”

“No! Oh!” The boss just casually mentioned it without intending any harm, “I just thought… wasn’t he working here to pursue you? After being rejected by you, thinking there’s no hope, leaving is pretty normal.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say that! It’s not your fault!”

As Luo Andi joked with the boss, she slowly turned around and suddenly, as if sensing something, looked up to see Su Yining gazing over from the glass corridor.

Their eyes met.

Her phone rang, and she pulled it out of her pocket—it was Su Yining calling.

The boss seized the opportunity to socialize with potential investors, leaving Luo Andi alone to tidy up. She placed the miscellaneous items into a cardboard box and carried it in her arms, moving leisurely towards the car. Just as she took a step, she bumped into a man blocking her path like a wall. Without saying a word, Qi Xiaochuan took it from her and, looking down, sternly asked, “Anything else?” Luo Andi laughed first, unreservedly stacking the remaining two boxes on top.

The weight in his hands became heavier. Qi Xiaochuan struggled a bit but couldn’t back out due to pride. He carried them towards the van, with Luo Andi following beside him.

She asked him: “Did you come to attend the ribbon-cutting too?”

He replied: “I didn’t plan to come originally.”

She didn’t ask why; her clear smile floated like a river, shimmering and gently rolling over her face.

He was contemplating how to ask her about Su Yining, but in that fleeting moment, he blurted out unfiltered: “Did Su Yining… tell you something?”

Luo Andi laughed, responding frankly: “Yeah, how did you know? He said he wants to marry me.”

“Marry?!” Qi Xiaochuan was shocked, rationally believing that his company’s acquisition of a partner was imminent. “Did you agree?”

She didn’t rush to answer, continuing to walk forward: “Xiaochuan, did you come specifically to ask me this?”

“… You could say that.”

Luo Andi seemed to feel much better, suddenly everything was fine: “I think… I might like him too.”

“That’s good.” Qi Xiaochuan didn’t know what he was thinking, only that his mind felt like a honeycomb—dark and densely packed. He closed his eyes for no reason, then opened them again, repeating once more, “That’s good.”

They walked forward along the endless shaded path.

He abruptly confirmed: “You really like him, right? Not because of other reasons? Then you should handle things carefully, protect yourself, okay?”

She smiled, tilting her head as if knocking something over, saying helplessly: “I know, don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

“Alright, that’s good.” He should have been reassured, but instead, he frowned. “Can you really handle it? Can I really trust you? You’ve always been trouble, surrounded by a crowd of people.”

She didn’t speak.

Qi Xiaochuan’s dissatisfaction gradually accumulated and intensified. He walked faster and faster, unable to stop talking: “His family situation seems very complicated.”

Though she clearly knew everything, she still spoke vaguely: “It seems there’s something like that.”

His expression was terrible, concern masked by successive reasonable doubts: “Didn’t he mention immigration earlier? Through investment or relatives? I remember he’s still a Chinese citizen… Will you go with him?”

The future was uncertain, so she could only answer: “I don’t know.”

“Unbelievable,” Qi Xiaochuan sneered. “Will they respect you? You’re that kind of person—others just need to act pitiful to get their way—”

Luo Andi responded sympathetically: “Why do you have to say that?”

He looked at her. Her naturally curly hair was pinned up, wearing a dress over pants for ease of movement. She tilted her head, bright eyes flawless. Meanwhile, Qi Xiaochuan had just worked overtime, dressed carelessly. After a moment, he turned around, placed the box on the van, and returned to her side.

Qi Xiaochuan came back ferociously but lifted high and set down lightly: “... Anyway, I’ve already completed my task.”

He left directly, not looking back once. The driver was waiting for him, seeing him board earlier than expected but said nothing.

Luo Andi stood in place.

As the final words suggested, Qi Xiaochuan’s mission was over. When others entered her life, his presence was no longer necessary. No knight marries the princess, nor does any princess truly marry the frog. He wasn’t cursed, just born lowly. Countless people had told him, “You don’t deserve her.” He never objected, nor did he take it to heart.

When it was time to disappear, starting from today, this very minute, he reverted to his former self. Utter boredom was Qi Xiaochuan’s norm.

She liked those who awaited her rescue. Those who craved her help, indulging in her. This person wasn’t Qi Xiaochuan before, isn’t now, and won’t be in the future.

The driver parked the car not far away as usual. Qi Xiaochuan nearly scolded him for negligence but recalled his recent magnanimity and swallowed his complaints.

He got out of the car.

During the walk back, he thought of nothing except the next day’s work. She suddenly appeared, like lightning, stumbling backward in the instant he was distracted. The woman smiled—the relieved smile after long preparation and success. He was familiar with it. Long ago, when staying overnight at Zhou Hanyao’s house, whenever he heard the husband talk about their business, she always wore this expression. Even though Qi Xiaochuan never felt he owed anything to his widow.

He lowered his head; the dagger was still stuck in his waist. Blood flowed incessantly.

He pressed on the wound and dialed emergency services with the other hand. As she wished, she had finally avenged the loss of that person on him. He calmly informed the emergency center of the location.

The property security guards were running over, and the driver arrived first. Someone called his name. Qi Xiaochuan wanted to say something, perhaps “I’ll be late for work tomorrow” or “Don’t let the shareholders know.” But in the end, he only cared about one thing, and only said that one sentence. Luo Andi, who had a soft spot for the pitiable, who was passionate about taking care of others, and who couldn’t stand idly by in the face of misfortune.

“Don’t tell Luo Andi.” He thought it might not be out of pride, just unwilling to lay groundwork for new nightmares.