Bai Qinglin’s apartment wasn’t far from the coffee shop. Arriving home after work, in a space truly his own, he took off his overcoat, along with his sweater and trousers, and neatly arranged them with his belt on the solid wood hanger.
After a hot shower, he turned on the television. An open newspaper lay on the coffee table.
This year, the heating in Nanhai City started early. He walked out of the bathroom in shorts, using a towel to dry his wet hair. The veins bulging on his wrists were prominent.
Bai Qinglin sat on the sofa, concentrating on the news replay. His muscles were lean and strong. Sitting there with his back slightly bent, the only sounds besides the rustling of his hair were the clear pronouncements of the news anchor.
The large, three-bedroom apartment had several Chinese paintings and calligraphy scrolls hanging on the living room walls. The surrounding black, white, and grey furniture was arranged neatly and comfortably, indicating a tidy and organized owner.
At 9:40 pm, the phone screen suddenly lit up with a WeChat friend request.
Bai Qinglin was about to swipe away the notification when he glanced at it and realized he had seen the person in the profile picture before.
Zhu Jingru waited a long time only to receive a message declining his request: [You’re welcome, Mr. Zhu.]
Six words completely blocked the long request he had sent earlier. He rubbed the slightly warm teacup for a few seconds and immediately replied: [The ring is very important to me. It’s only right that I treat Shop Manager Bai to a meal.]
He then sent another friend request.
Ten minutes passed. [No need.]
Zhu Jingru stared at the screen thoughtfully. Unwilling to even add him on WeChat, disliked socializing, strong territorial awareness, and wary.
[It’s not just thanks, Shop Manager Bai, I also have a business proposition to discuss with you.]
[Adding me as a friend would make it easier to contact you. Please.]
Two messages sent.
On the other side, Bai Qinglin paused for a few seconds, then calmly turned off his phone. Many white-collar workers came to buy coffee while dropping their children off at school. The children often used the phrase “please” to act cute when begging for cake.
The word “acting cute” didn’t seem to fit the sender of the messages. The news replay had just ended.
At 10:00 pm sharp, Bai Qinglin went to bed as usual.
Zhu Jingru wasn’t in a hurry. He placed the ring in his palm, then tossed it in the air like a coin, caught it, and tossed it again.
Not replying immediately probably meant he was busy with other things, which was normal.
Except for the coffee shop, he rarely saw Bai Qinglin anywhere else.
Their only other encounter was at a nearby supermarket.
Both were buying cigarettes, one Marlboro, the other Su Yan.
At the checkout, Zhu Jingru greeted him with a smile. Bai Qinglin, as if he didn’t remember him, gave a perfunctory nod and left without a word.
Now he picked up the ring he hadn’t caught. The coffee was quite good, and the profile picture was also quite nice.
Bai Qinglin’s WeChat profile picture was simple: a hand holding a coffee cup, long and slender fingers, and a faint mole on the wrist, hitting all of Zhu Jingru’s, a seasoned hand enthusiast, aesthetic points.
The coffee shop opened at 7:00 am. Bai Qinglin arrived and started working, routinely turning his phone to silent. He had severe OCD and would delete every message one by one. Among the pile of junk messages were those from Zhu Jingru.
The employee on duty greeted him, “Morning, Shop Manager.”
“Morning.”
“The condensed milk and coconut milk will be delivered shortly.”
“Alright.”
Bai Qinglin turned off his phone and went to work.
On the other side, the notification sound was loud. Zhu Jingru rolled over and lay face down on his pillow, motionless, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid. Only when the tip of his nose turned red did he turn his head and open his phone, squinting at the screen.
[We can meet to discuss.]
One, two, three, four, four words — he tossed the phone aside and pulled the covers over his head, continuing to sleep, murmuring to himself, he was a tough nut to crack, most people couldn’t handle him.
A meeting it was, then.
