TPIL - 36

When she sat down, Luo Andi tentatively smiled, her hands folded on the dining table, hesitantly saying, “Actually... wouldn’t it be better if I paid some rent? Otherwise, I always feel uneasy.”

Qi Xiaochuan emotionlessly retorted: “Was that what you were just thinking about?”

“Yes,” she said, taking the coffee cup from the other side of the table, pouring water into it, and lightly tapping the rim with her nails. “If I don’t pay anything, I’ll really feel embarrassed. Can I give a little bit? I know you’re not short of that money; just consider it helping me out.”

He averted his gaze, succinctly replying: “No.”

“I’ve already said this much—”

“No means no.” He still wore that stern expression worthy of a CCTV news broadcast.

She forced a bitter smile, using the most irresistible voice to call him: “Please!”

“...”

Luo Andi’s face was full of honeyed smiles: “Xiaochuan.”

Qi Xiaochuan’s sleeve was gently tugged and shaken. At the same time, he belatedly realized something—Luo Andi seemed much more cunning than he had imagined. In the past, he occasionally suspected whether her occasional difficulties were unintentional or deliberate. Now, one could say she was self-taught. Regardless, she definitely knew which approach worked on others.

In the end, Qi Xiaochuan checked his payment receipts while returning to his room.

Luo Andi continued sitting happily in her seat, softly laughing.

The next day at work, a man arrived outside Paradise Handmade, pacing around without entering. Finally, a curious shop assistant came out to inquire and learned that he was asking if “Miss Luo Andi works here.” She turned back to call her senior, and Luo Andi, who was helping a customer string glass beads, heard the voice, stood up, untied her apron, and approached.

Pushing open the door, the air outside was different from inside. The unfamiliar man had already turned around, taking a large package from his car and placing it on the welcome mat at the entrance.

“This is the ordered Chinese food, already paid for. Please enjoy it with your colleagues.” The man handed over the receipt and a pen, smiling as he extended them.

“Wow! Is this a treat from Andi?” A colleague already rushed over, leaning her chin on Andi’s shoulder and exclaiming loudly.

Another colleague muttered: “What? What did he order? Dry-fried beef noodles or egg rice rolls?”

“Ah! Clam soup! Clams in this season! Such extravagance! Too generous!”

“On a diet and getting clams to eat, so touching! It’s not a leaking ceiling—it’s my tears!”

“Your drool, more like...”

As the person involved, Luo Andi was the quietest among them, pausing before smiling and asking: “Can I ask who placed the order?”

“Wait a moment, let me check.” The delivery person also needed to verify temporarily. “‘Little Xiao’... That’s how he signed off.”

There’s only one person in the world who refers to himself as “Little Xiao.”

She couldn’t help but squint and smile.

By lunchtime, Luo Andi squeezed into the break room first, leaning against the door and dialing the phone. It rang a few times before being answered. “Hello?” Qi Xiaochuan’s voice was initially hoarse, but he quickly coughed twice before continuing, “What is it?”

Luo Andi said: “Thank you for the meal you bought.”

He responded: “Oh.”

She added: “When you have time, can I cook something tasty for you? Better than cat food.”

“Mm.” Qi Xiaochuan didn’t know why he was like this, but he just refused to talk more.

She didn’t mind, just kept laughing aloud: “Xiaochuan, can’t you say longer sentences?”

“...” He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out and spacing out, spotting the sign of the handcraft shop from among the high-rise buildings. “You’re welcome.”

Luo Andi smiled and hung up.

Hearing the door open, she instinctively said, “Welcome!” and immediately saw a familiar face.

Zhu Peijie timidly nodded, overcoming her habit of stuttering, and mustered the courage to ask: “Excuse me, can I use the discount coupon from the review app for membership?”

She was greeted with a smile and voice that would never hurt anyone: “Of course, I’m happy to assist you.”

Standing on the other side of the counter, Zhu Peijie silently thanked heaven and earth countless times for the sunlight blessing the land, allowing her to encounter the same shop assistant again. She didn’t know why she opened up and talked so much, yet the other party showed no impatience, attentively listening and occasionally making eye contact.

Zhu Peijie said: “Actually, I’ve recently stabilized in my job, passed the probation period, and though my salary isn’t high, the benefits are good enough. Feeling cheerful, I thought of finding activities to pass the time during holidays... Then I remembered this place.”

“Congratulations. Are you still living with your sister?” Luo Andi smiled.

“Yes, today I also wanted to make something interesting and useful.”

Seeing the delicate shopkeeper purse her lips slightly, she then suggested: “Why not try making handmade cold-process soap? It’s very exquisite and makes a great gift. Starting a new life, you might also consider gifting it to friends.”

Zhu Peijie agreed without hesitation.

Cutting the soap base into pieces and pouring it into molds, Luo Andi spoke in a tone akin to an old friend—intimate yet respectful, making one feel comfortable: “Take your time; adding some flower seeds at the end will look beautiful.”

After hesitating for a long time, Zhu Peijie finally gathered her courage and asked: “Um, I don’t know if it’s okay to leave contact information?”

Unable to utter phrases like “let’s be friends,” she felt awkward, fearing rejection. But after Luo Andi blinked, she heard a gentle reply: “Sure.”

Luo Andi took out a sticky note and pen, quickly jotting down her number—a routine she was well-versed in. Her explanation was never awkward: “If you need to book a class, feel free to message me anytime. If there are any events at the store, I’ll notify you too. Don’t worry.”

Though the outcome wasn’t exactly what she intended, Zhu Peijie was still delighted. She couldn’t suppress her smile and kindly said: “Um, I work at a cultural communications company in that neighborhood. We also handle some personal business. Though my skills aren’t top-notch, if you don’t mind, please consider me for things like making business cards...”

Luo Andi smiled, showing no signs of being disturbed, genuinely responding: “Alright, thank you.”

Qi Xiaochuan deliberately finished his work early, freeing up some time. Alone, he walked downstairs, crossed the underground passage, and slowly made his way to the store where Luo Andi worked.

The shop assistant who greeted him remained composed, following protocol by calling over the responsible person who handled memberships. Luo Andi greeted him with a smile, every detail executed to perfection: “Mr. Qi, good afternoon. The reserved rattan weaving class is ready. Please follow me to this seat.”

In front of others, her service attitude towards him was impeccable—greeting, introducing refreshments, deciding on courses, and showing concern. Luo Andi effortlessly completed her tasks. His gaze involuntarily revolved around her, unable to restrain himself, yet he lowered his head when she looked over. His clumsy pretense always fooled her radiant eyes, a relief yet also a cause for sighs.

Other shop assistants brought bamboo baskets containing tools, providing wet wipes upon placement on the table. Nearby, a group of housewives who had previously attended classes sat crafting weavings. Seeing him, they approached to chat: “You’re here again?”

“How rare, a young man persistently coming to such a store.”

“Hehe, the motorcycle-riding shop assistant gave up, but you’ve persevered.”

Qi Xiaochuan had no interest in small talk, so he buried his head in a brochure. However, they lingered, even inviting him to visit galleries. Alternately tapping his index and ring fingers on the table, Luo Andi happened to pass by from a nearby aisle. He suddenly grabbed her, startling her.

“Ah.” Luo Andi turned around, meeting his pleading eyes, though she didn’t understand. She simply smiled and asked, “Finished the scones? Do you prefer cheese or cranberry?”

He was truly frustrated but speechless, allowing the housewives consoling themselves with crafts to continue chatting with him for over twenty minutes.

When Luo Andi approached, she put down her crafting box and smiled, asking: “Have you decided what to make? Most customers practice first, but you’ve always been dexterous with excellent basics. So, choose a template and aim for that goal.”

Still harboring resentment, Qi Xiaochuan irritably flipped through the teaching book, pointing to a page.

“It’s a pet nest. How did you think of making this?” she said, “Guests usually don’t have pets.” She remembered he disliked dogs. When he was young, their gardener had a beloved Shih Tzu that often circled Qi Xiaochuan, but he showed no appreciation, always grumpily brushing dog hair off himself muttering, “So annoying.”

He replied: “It’s for Alexander McQueen.”

Luo Andi paused, seemingly realizing who that was: “McQueen? Ah, McQueen.”

“Mm.” Qi Xiaochuan hadn’t changed his nature; he still disliked pets, especially cats or dogs. But since she owned one, he tolerated it. Just tolerated.

The workload wasn’t enough to finish in one lunch break. The chrysanthemum weave proved more difficult than expected, and by the end, not even a prototype emerged, becoming a significant stumbling block on Qi Xiaochuan’s path to becoming a high-level craftsman. When he paused, Luo Andi was answering questions from other guests. Without disturbing her, Qi Xiaochuan returned directly to the company.

Work was busy afterward; he was called out mid-meeting to sign documents twice and take an international call. Finally finishing, he sat in his seat covering his face for a while.

The secretary sent next month’s schedule via email and came over to collect the confirmed contracts: “Working overtime again today?”

“No,” hearing the sound, he had already risen, picking up his bag and coat, yawning as he walked out. “Going home.”

Luo Andi finished cleaning, bid farewell to the colleague responsible for closing, changed clothes, and stepped into the queue waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

She was one of the most inconspicuous ordinary people, leading a mundane and quiet life, prepared to live this way for the rest of her life. However, the car stopped by the sidewalk, honking abruptly, drawing her attention.

Qi Xiaochuan unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over to open the passenger door. Luo Andi stood there dumbfounded for a moment before getting in.

The first thing after closing the car door was to ask why he came to pick her up: “Don’t you have work today?”

“… I must work every day,” he seemed to misunderstand the intent of the question, speaking to himself. “Today, there are more important things.”

“Is it because the TV show is premiering?” Luo Andi checked the calendar, selecting possible dates from her memo to ask him.

He didn’t deny it: “Something like that. Anyway, I wanted to go home.”

Qi Xiaochuan turned his face, hesitating meaningfully, then stumbled out: “Cough, fasten your seatbelt.” He recalled others serving her.

“Ah,” Luo Andi complied, somewhat confusedly laughing at herself. “Done. Let’s go.”

He was immersed in a subtle self-pity all the way, still pale-faced and silently walking indoors after getting out of the car. On the contrary, she looked around, noticing trivial matters that didn’t matter whether cared about or not. Luo Andi treasured these moments: “The garden has turned into yellow roses... Xiaochuan, weren’t they small-leafed gardenias?”

Qi Xiaochuan didn’t turn his head, his mouth harder than a dead duck’s: “I don’t know.”