Chapter 22 - The Agent for Roast Duck

Ever since Xu Ningning stepped into the shop, she had been acting nervously, grinning foolishly at Lin Xiaowen. There was no need for Lin Xiaowen to press for answers; Xu Ningning confessed everything without reservation. Even as Lin Xiaowen regarded her with the look one gives a lunatic, she kept on smiling.

“My goodness, is it really appropriate to swoon over a man you’ve only met once?” Lin Xiaowen sighed as she tallied the accounts behind the counter, wondering if this woman had lost her mind.

“Wrong!” Xu Ningning straightened her expression and corrected her, “It was only half a meeting... He never once looked at me, so it can only count as half!”

Lin Xiaowen lifted her face from the computer, gazing at her with deep sympathy. After a moment’s thought, she spoke, “Ningning, perhaps you should listen to Auntie and obediently go on a blind date. Who knows, maybe you’ll really meet someone who suits you... Better than falling in love with the air and dating by sheer imagination, right?”

“Please! What are you talking about?” Xu Ningning dismissed her teasing, settling onto the small sofa in front of the counter, continuing, “Who knows if we’ll ever meet again? He went to the office, so it must be work-related. Maybe he’s actually the boss of some men’s fashion brand... I’ve decided, starting tomorrow, I’ll visit every brand store until I find him!”

“Well then, good luck!” Beyond offering her blessing, Lin Xiaowen really couldn’t help much more. Shutting down the computer, she rubbed her aching neck and said, “Let’s go!”

“Go? Where?” Xu Ningning looked utterly bewildered.

“Sister, of course it’s time to close up. Look at the time!” Lin Xiaowen continued to stare at her speechlessly. “Don’t tell me that when that man passed by you, he took your soul with him?”

“Oh!” Xu Ningning finally remembered to check the time—it was already past eight o’clock.

“Take me to your mother’s place, I’ll pick up Ranyan.” Lin Xiaowen slung her backpack on her shoulders and took out the keys to the shop.

“What time is it already?” Xu Ningning protested, “By the time we get there, it’ll be nine. Ranyan will be asleep. Let’s leave it for tomorrow; you’re exhausted these days, get some rest tonight, I’ll drive you home.”

With that, Xu Ningning went to turn off the lights. Lin Xiaowen hesitated.

“But I haven’t seen Ranyan for two days now...”

At this age, a child needs her mother. Even if the elderly in the Xu family doted on the child, Lin Xiaowen couldn’t help but worry.

“Goodness, are you still uneasy about my mom? Afraid she’ll mistreat her?” Xu Ningning joked.

“Stop it, you know that’s not what I mean!” Lin Xiaowen shot her a glare.

The Xu parents had watched Ranyan grow up from infancy; during holidays, they would invite her over to stay for a few days, filling the house with laughter and warmth. Naturally, they were deeply attached. Lin Xiaowen often said that whatever Ranyan missed out on from her own grandparents had been more than made up for by Uncle Xu and Auntie.

But paternal love...

“Don’t fuss. Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll mind the shop. When kindergarten lets out, pick up Ranyan early and go home. Don’t say I’m mistreating you; otherwise, someone might come to me for answers, and I wouldn’t know how to handle it!” Xu Ningning grinned and winked at Lin Xiaowen, who could only roll her eyes in resignation and ignore her, striding out the door.

How did the saying go? Every word lacks his name, yet every word is about him. Although Xu Ningning never mentioned that man by name, Lin Xiaowen understood perfectly what she meant. Was this a guilty conscience?

The night breeze was cool, teasing the strands of Lin Xiaowen’s hair, tangling and then falling softly. Gentle, yes, but with a chill that seeped deep into her heart.

A blinding car headlight flashed suddenly. Lin Xiaowen instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes. Just as she was about to lose her temper, the car stopped steadily right before her.

A red Jeep halted in front of her, and as Lin Xiaowen frowned in confusion, the car door swung open. At the same time, Xu Ningning finished locking up and came over.

“My goodness, a Hummer!”

Xu Ningning’s eyes widened, her mouth half open. When she saw Cheng Yishu jump out from the driver’s seat, her surprise vanished instantly.

It was Cheng Yishu, after all. Forget a five-million-yuan Hummer—if he arrived in a Rolls Royce Phantom, no one would find it strange.

Lin Xiaowen squinted, recalling that in the last video, Cheng Yishu’s hair was a soft blue. Today, though, there was a hint of green.

A red jacket, a tight white T-shirt underneath—his fine physique was outlined to perfection, stirring the imagination.

“Ahem!” Lin Xiaowen forced herself not to think further, putting on a stern face. “Why are you here again?”

“Hey, superstar!” Xu Ningning waved a hand behind Lin Xiaowen by way of greeting.

Cheng Yishu then pulled off his mask, bypassing Lin Xiaowen to smile at Xu Ningning. “Hi.”

Xu Ningning felt her heart nearly stop at that smile, her own grin frozen as if time itself paused; she couldn’t snap out of it for a long while.

“See how polite your friend is! You two are together every day—how is there such a gap in manners?” he teased.

“Oh, are you quitting acting to try your hand at comedy sketches?” Lin Xiaowen mocked.

“Can’t be bothered with your banter! Where are you headed?” Cheng Yishu, rather disgruntled, changed the subject, though inwardly he mused, ‘Today’s look ought to be impressive, right? At least her friend’s gaze says I’m handsome. Why is Lin Xiaowen so unmoved?’

“Home,” Lin Xiaowen answered, eyes straight ahead. “Are you... looking for me? Is something wrong?”

Xu Ningning pinched Lin Xiaowen surreptitiously, making her yelp in pain and glare at her.

“What was that for?” Lin Xiaowen snapped.

Xu Ningning rolled her eyes in secret, wishing she could pinch her again—maybe right on the neck and strangle her.

“Well... you two chat. I’ve got something to do, so I’ll be off now!” Xu Ningning tried to sneak away, but before Lin Xiaowen could stop her, Cheng Yishu spoke up.

“Wait... hang on!”

“What is it?” Xu Ningning jumped, only to see Cheng Yishu turn and walk to the car’s trunk. The two women, puzzled, followed him.

“Oh my... Cheng Yishu, have you switched careers to sell roast duck?”

Half the trunk was filled with neatly packaged ‘Quanjude Roast Duck,’ leaving both women stunned.

Lin Xiaowen exclaimed in admiration, looking at Cheng Yishu’s smug face. “Did you go to Beijing and start a side business as a personal shopper?”

The entertainment industry was competitive, but surely things hadn’t become this desperate yet?