Chapter 13: She Might Not Even Like Me

Zhao Yong stood by the door. After finishing the delivery of water, he turned his back and let out a quiet, hot breath.

The temperature had been quite high during these few days of the Dragon Boat Festival, and the long-sleeved shirt he wore felt a bit stifling. Zhao Yong unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled the sleeves up a little, revealing half of his muscular, wheat-toned forearms.

Finally feeling a bit cooler, Zhao Yong let out a sigh of relief. He turned slightly, pretending to look nonchalantly at Li Manjun’s reflection in the glass door.

The form-fitting white dress hugged her graceful figure, and a small black-and-gold leather belt cinched her slender waist, neutralizing the softness of the white dress and adding a touch of crisp elegance.

Half of her long black hair was tied up with a hair tie, while the other half draped over her thin back. Sunlight spilled through the glass onto the tips of her hair, giving them a luster like silk.

A few mischievous strands of hair near her cheek swayed gently in the breeze. The young woman raised her fingers, tucked them behind her ear, and turned to look over.

The sunlight masked the tiny pores on her face, as well as any imperfections; her face, with its full and smooth lines, looked as flawless as white jade in the light.

Zhao Yong’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He couldn't take his eyes off her and asked tentatively, "Do you need more water?"

As the words left his mouth, he heard his own husky voice. He cleared his throat twice, feeling inexplicably parched. Zhao Yong decided he needed a drink himself.

So, without waiting for Li Manjun to answer, he said, "I'll go buy you a soda," turned around, and strode down the two steps in front of the door, heading into the small shop next door.

The corners of Li Manjun’s mouth curled up. Her gaze rested on the entrance of the shop, watching the veins bulge on the back of Zhao Yong’s hand as he pried open the refrigerator. His thick arms were very powerful, though they didn't quite match his stylish, scholarly attire for the day.

She didn't look away until the owner of those hands finished paying and turned to come back.

Auntie Wu and Grandma Qiao exchanged a knowing, suggestive look. These two young people had clearly taken a liking to each other today.

At the very least, Grandma Qiao was certain that this brat, Xiao Yong, had taken a fancy to the girl; she had never seen him be this attentive before.

The orange soda, just taken from the fridge, was ice-cold. Zhao Yong pried open all four bottles, inserted straws, and handed the first one to Li Manjun.

"It's hot out; it's better to have something cold." His tone was gentle in a way he didn't even notice himself.

Grandma Qiao teased, "Xiao Yong, did you skip breakfast this morning? Why is your voice so quiet?"

Zhao Yong glanced at Li Manjun first. Seeing her smiling as she listened, he gave Grandma Qiao an embarrassed glare.

He hurriedly turned back to explain to her, "I ate. I don't usually speak very loudly anyway."

Li Manjun nodded, lowered her head, and sipped the drink. The first taste was the flavor of her childhood.

Zhao Yong let out a secret sigh of relief. His throat was incredibly dry, and he couldn't wait to pick up his own soda and gulp down more than half the bottle.

The carbonation rushed up his throat, and he covered his mouth to stifle a burp. When he looked up, he saw Li Manjun watching him, and the tips of his ears turned red instantly.

The atmosphere in the small barbershop became a bit subtle. Grandma Qiao and Auntie Wu asked about their own drinks. Zhao Yong snapped back to reality and handed over the sodas he had prepared for them, and the atmosphere began to flow again.

Auntie Wu took a sip of her soda, let out a comfortable sigh, and asked with a smile, "Manjun, this is the Zhao Yong I told you about. The young man is quite good, isn't he?"

Li Manjun looked at the man standing in front of her—his ear tips were bright red, his expression was calm, but he was actually paying close attention to her answer. She nodded slightly. "He's very nice."

*Very nice.* The corners of Zhao Yong’s mouth had just started to lift when they suddenly dropped again. Was that good, or not good?

Or did she only think he was a little bit good, but not satisfied enough?

Zhao Yong looked at Grandma Qiao, who was washing her hands after applying treatment to a customer. *Aren't you going to say something?*

Grandma Qiao couldn't help but laugh. *Now you know to call on me? Who was the one being indifferent earlier, saying everything was 'whatever' or 'it doesn't matter'?*

However, seeing the young man’s anxiety, Grandma Qiao didn't want him to miss out on such a good girl. She walked over, drinking her soda as she went

"Manjun, it’s almost noon. My shop is busiest at midday, and it’s small and not convenient for sitting. Why don't I have Xiao Yong take you to a restaurant to sit for a while, get something to eat, and then have him take you for a walk in the park? You young people can talk amongst yourselves. What do you think?"

Auntie Wu chimed in, "Yes, yes. What’s the point of just sitting in this shop? You're young, you should go out and walk around. I won't go; I'll stay here and help my auntie with the customers. You two go have fun, just don't miss the bus back this afternoon."

The two young people looked at each other. Zhao Yong took the initiative and said, "There’s a restaurant over by the pedestrian street. I hear their fried rice is very good."

As soon as the words were out, he was pushed aside by Grandma Qiao. "Fried rice, what fried rice! Isn't there a Western restaurant over by Cross Street? Go eat steak and drink coffee."

Zhao Yong wisely shut his mouth.

Auntie Wu pulled Li Manjun up, handed her small bag to Zhao Yong to carry, and pushed the two of them out of the shop door. "Go on, go on. You young people won't have much to talk about with us old ladies anyway."

"Auntie Wu, Grandma Qiao, then we'll just handle lunch ourselves outside," Li Manjun said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The aunt and niece both urged Zhao Yong to take good care of Li Manjun before heading back into the shop.

Li Manjun and Zhao Yong stood on the main street. She reached out for her small cloth bag. "I'll carry it myself."

"Oh, okay." Zhao Yong returned the bag without insisting on helping her.

Perhaps there were important items in the bag. Since they had just met for the first time, it was normal for her to be cautious of him.

Li Manjun smiled and asked him which way to go.

"What would you like to eat?" Zhao Yong asked.

Li Manjun wasn't hungry yet, so she said anything casual and everyday would be fine.

Zhao Yong walked side-by-side with Li Manjun, keeping a distance of two fists between them, as he led her toward the pedestrian street to eat fried rice.

As for the steak and coffee Grandma Qiao had suggested, Zhao Yong didn't bring it up again, seeing that Li Manjun didn't seem interested.

This also made him breathe a sigh of relief. He wasn't actually familiar with the food those foreigners ate. It was their first meal together, and no one wanted to make a bad impression in front of someone they liked.

Next time—next time, he would go to the Western restaurant in advance to try it out, and then invite her to go together.

Zhao Yong had been to this small restaurant many times. The owner greeted him warmly as soon as he saw him. Catching a glimpse of Li Manjun beside him, the owner’s soul of gossip instantly ignited. Taking advantage of the moment Zhao Yong came over alone to order, he bumped him suggestively. "You actually have a girlfriend?"

Zhao Yong shook his head.

The owner understood. "A blind date?"

"Yeah. Give me two orders of egg fried rice, and a three-delicacy soup," Zhao Yong ordered.

The owner patted his arm. "This one is really good. You better seize the opportunity; I’m waiting to drink at your wedding this year."

Zhao Yong gave him a helpless look. "Brother Zheng, don't think too much. She might not even be interested in me."