Chapter 8 (Part 2)
Cheng Zhao, with a gloomy face, carried the plastic bag containing the books and followed Gan Ling out in silence. "You won't get rich this way." "I'm not trying to get rich." "You can't afford to lose. She obviously raised the price. She's just waiting for you to bargain! Who doesn't bargain here?" "Two snails fighting over something, and the gain is nothing." "Huh?" "I've already taken advantage of her a few times before. I have to leave some room for her and not take advantage of her completely." Cheng Zhao choked, thinking about how he often deliberately let the other party take advantage of him in the business world, but he did so in order to get greater benefits. He muttered, "I'm worried you'll keep losing money, and then you'll have trouble sleeping after you go back and do the math." "I've been sleeping pretty well lately." Cheng Zhao laughed, "You really don't worry at all!" "I told you before, if the store can't survive, I'll close it." "Then what?" "Go back to work!" "Where?" "I haven't decided yet, we'll figure it out when the time comes! Anyway, I definitely won't work at your company." Every time Gan Ling talked about her plans after closing the bookstore, Cheng Zhao would half-jokingly, half-seriously, suggest she go to his own company—"With your qualifications, you'd be more than qualified to help me run the marketing department or the administrative department." But Gan Ling always refused. Cheng Zhao couldn't help but feel depressed. "What's wrong with my company?" "Nothing's wrong." Gan Ling pointed to the bag in Cheng Zhao's hand. "I just don't want a boss who rushes to carry my things and always wants to help me with this and that." "..." Turning two corners was the second-hand book market. The building had three floors, but Gan Ling only frequented the three shops on the second floor, which primarily sold literary and popular fiction. Most of the other shops sold supplementary materials. Gan Ling's book selection here was far less meticulous than at Pingping's Antique Shop. Many of the books were actually quite new, but after being resold, they became used books, much cheaper than new ones. Customers who weren't obsessed with new books preferred these books, finding them more economical. Cheng Zhao finally helped, searching for books using the catalog Gan Ling had given him. The two of them would sometimes separate, sometimes reunite, their collection slowly growing. However, Cheng Zhao wasn't as focused on finding books as Gan Ling, his attention often drawn to other things. For example, he'd suddenly find a children's book, "The Adventures of Thumb," in a corner, and he'd rush to Gan Ling like he'd found a treasure. "Look! What did I find?" Gan Ling glanced at it, then turned back to her work. "Hey, why aren't you reacting at all? This book was at home when you were a kid! Your mom...
Cheng Zhao had a gloomy face, carrying a plastic bag containing books, and followed Gan Ling out without saying a word.
“You won’t get rich this way.”
"I don't want to get rich."
"You can't take advantage of that. She's obviously jacked up the price. She's just waiting for you to bargain! Who doesn't bargain here?"
"Two snails fighting each other only get a cow's hair."
"ah?"
"I've already taken advantage of them a few times before. I have to leave some room for them and not take advantage of them completely."
Cheng Zhao choked, thinking that he often deliberately let others take advantage of him in the business world, but he did so in order to gain greater benefits.
He muttered, "I'm afraid you'll lose more and more money, and then you won't be able to sleep when you go back and settle the accounts."
"I've been sleeping well lately."
Cheng Zhao laughed, "You really don't worry at all!"
"I've already said that if the shop can't continue, I'll close it."
"Then what?"
"Go back to work!"
"Where to go?"
"I haven't thought about it yet. Let's talk about it later! Anyway, I definitely won't go to your company."
Whenever Gan Ling mentioned her plans after the bookstore closed, Cheng Zhao would half-jokingly and half-seriously suggest that she join his company—"With your qualifications, you're more than qualified to lead the marketing or administration department for me."
But Gan Ling refused every time.
Cheng Zhao couldn't help but feel depressed, "What's wrong with me?"
"There's nothing wrong with it." Gan Ling pointed at the bag in Cheng Zhao's hand, "I just don't want a boss who rushes to carry things for me and always likes to do this and that for me."
“…”
Turning two corners, you'll find the second-hand book market. The building has three floors, but Gan Ling only frequents the three shops on the second floor that sell mostly literary and popular fiction. Most of the other shops sell supplementary teaching materials.
Gan Ling wasn't as meticulous about selecting books here as she was at Ping Ping's Antique Shop. Many of the books here were actually quite new, but after changing hands, they became used books, much cheaper than new ones. Customers who didn't have a fetish for new books preferred these books, as they were more economical.
Cheng Zhao was finally able to help. He used the catalog that Gan Ling gave him to search for books. The two of them sometimes separated and sometimes gathered together, and the number of books in their hands gradually increased.
However, Cheng Zhao was not as focused as Gan Ling in finding books, and his attention was often attracted by other things. For example, he suddenly found a children's book "The Adventures of Thumb" in a corner, and he rushed to Gan Ling as if he had found a treasure.
"Look! What did I find?"
Gan Ling glanced at it and turned back to continue working.
"Hey, why aren't you reacting at all? This book was at home when you were a kid! Your mom even read it to us. You haven't forgotten it, have you?"
Gan Ling said, "This isn't a book on the list. You'd better hurry up. It's almost twelve o'clock, and I have to go back to work on other things this afternoon."
Cheng Zhao said awkwardly, "Alright! I want this book. I'll buy it."
He returned to his own territory, looked down at the children's book, and felt unwilling. He couldn't help but look at Gan Ling again. She stood straight, staring at a place above the bookshelf, and her eyes didn't move for a long time.
Cheng Zhao suddenly realized that Gan Ling wasn't looking for a book; she was distracted. She wasn't as indifferent as she appeared. She must be thinking about her mother, right?
Cheng Zhao regretted his loud mention of Liu Xiao earlier, completely disregarding the psychological impact it had on Gan Ling. Not wanting her to wallow in the sadness he had provoked, he swam awkwardly to Gan Ling's side, his feet greased, and nuzzled her arm.
"What's for lunch?"
Gan Ling came back to his senses and bowed his head. "Whatever."
"How about we go get some clay pot wontons? The place on the north side of the market. You said last time that the soup dumplings there are really good."
"OK."
"It's your treat!"
Gan Ling finally smiled and said, "Of course."
After finishing their book search, the two carried the heavy books to the parking lot, stuffed them into the trunk of Cheng Zhao's car, and then walked at a leisurely pace to find food.
The wonton shop had a familiar, warm atmosphere, and was packed with customers, likely those seeking a spot at the market. Cheng Zhao knew Gan Ling preferred window seats, so he glanced around and spotted an empty table in the corner, quickly inviting her over.
After sitting down, Gan Ling took out his mobile phone and scanned the QR code to order food.
"What are you eating?"
Cheng Zhao said, "You order! I like everything you order."
He rested his hands on the wooden bench, contentedly watching Gan Ling order. The way she carefully considered her order was charming, as if she were pondering something of great importance. On second thought, food is the primary need of the people, so eating is of course the most important thing.
Gan Ling put down her phone and saw Cheng Zhao looking at her with a half-smile on his face. The expression was very rich, and she was no longer surprised. She turned to look out the window.
"That clay figurine shop is still open. When I was little, my mother and I would come to the market to look for books, and we bought two little Ah Fu figurines there."
Cheng Zhao looked in the direction of Gan Ling and saw a very small shop. The light in the shop was dim, but he could vaguely see that it still maintained the layout of more than 20 years ago.
Cheng Zhao withdrew his gaze and turned to Gan Ling. He saw a hint of hazy sadness on her face. Although it was very faint, he could still feel it.
"The boss has no ambition!" he sighed in an exaggerated manner.
Gan Ling was amused. "But he's been able to run this store for twenty or thirty years. He's quite capable."
Her expression brightened, and Cheng Zhao felt relieved. He smiled and said, "How about after dinner, I'll go there with you to reminisce about the past?"
"No thanks! I have to get back to work—hey, our meal is here!"
The waiter used tongs to bring two pots of wontons to the table. In the steaming clay pots, the wontons tumbled among a few green leaves, wafting the aroma of chicken broth. A few side dishes followed: shredded cilantro, dried chicken gizzards, and pickled lettuce.
"The dumplings are freshly steamed. You have to wait ten minutes."
Gan Ling called out to Cheng Zhao, "Let's eat some appetizers first!"
Cheng Zhaocai picked up the chopsticks when the phone rang. It was Yu Huan calling. He guessed it might be related to Wei Chi and quickly stood up.
"I'm going out to answer a phone call."
Gan Ling nodded, with a strange look in her eyes.
Yu Huan said on the phone: "Finally, I got an appointment with President Wei!"
"when?"
"Next Tuesday."
"Can't it be earlier?"
"He said he's been too busy lately and can't spare the time."
"Okay! Next Tuesday, lunch or dinner?"
"No dinner, let's go to the company to talk."
Cheng Zhao laughed unexpectedly, "Wow! President Wei has suddenly become honest?"
"Brother Cheng, what do you think about us..."
"I see. Let me think about it. I'm busy with work right now!"
"...Okay, then I'll wait for your call!"
Returning to his seat, Cheng Zhao rubbed his hands and asked, "Has the Xiaolongbao not arrived yet?"
"Didn't you say it would take ten minutes?" Gan Ling looked at him. "Answering a call from your girlfriend?"
"Ah? No, it's about the project." Cheng Zhao's eyes flashed, realizing this was a good opportunity. "Yu Lichun and I broke up a long time ago."
Gan Ling paused her chopsticks, "Why haven't I heard you mention this before?"
"You never asked me!"
"What's going on between you two?"
“Not appropriate.”
“Who thinks it’s inappropriate?”
"I."
"Which one is this?"
"What?"
"Broken up by you."
"Not many!" Cheng Zhao scratched his head. "I'm not the type to mess around and talk to everyone I meet. Most of my relationships are just a meeting for a meal."
Gan Ling shook his head and said nothing more.
Cheng Zhao closely watched Gan Ling's expression, but it was difficult for her normally calm face to show any pointed expression, which made him feel a little discouraged. He didn't know why, but every time the words of confession came to his lips, he would inexplicably swallow them back. He was afraid that if Gan Ling refused, they would no longer be able to be friends.
But it is not a good idea to continue to interact in such an unclear manner like now. We must take a step forward to make a breakthrough.
Cheng Zhao gritted his teeth, stared at Gan Ling and spoke.
"I already have someone in my heart, you know that, don't you?"
Gan Ling didn't look at him, nor did she pretend to be surprised. She silently stuffed a chopstick of dried shredded vegetables into her mouth and chewed silently. Seeing this, Cheng Zhaogan was anxious. He was holding back a strong emotion in his heart. On impulse, he held her hand.
"Gan Ling, can you please give me a word?"
Gan Ling immediately broke free from him, looked around, and when she saw that no one was paying attention to them, she calmed down.
"We are not suitable."
This answer was expected. Cheng Zhao didn't feel disappointed, but he was a little annoyed that she copied his answer.
"Why is it inappropriate?"
"Then why are you and Yu Lichun not suitable?"
"She has a quick temper and likes to talk in a harsh way. I'm tired of listening to her." Cheng Zhao's eyes were burning. "Okay, it's your turn."
Gan Ling looked thoughtful.
Cheng Zhao was waiting for her to bring up the divorce as an excuse, but he had a bunch of reasons prepared to refute her.
However, Gan Ling thought for a while and said, "You don't study."
Cheng Zhao was stunned and laughed, "What kind of logic is this? I don't study, but we've known each other for so many years, haven't we always gotten along well?"
"But living together is different. We have no common language."
Cheng Zhao also thought about it and said, "It's simple! You read the book and then tell it to me. Wouldn't that give us a topic to talk about?"
"So what do you do?"
"I will help you realize your wish."
"My wish has come true."
"You're only in your early thirties, and you still have a lot of aspirations for the future!"
Gan Ling just smiled and said nothing more.
The dumplings were finally served.
Cheng Zhao took two clean plates, added vinegar to them, and gave one plate to Gan Ling. Xiaolongbao must be dipped in vinegar, otherwise it will not taste good enough.
"It would be nice if there were some shredded ginger." Cheng Zhao muttered, turning back to call out to the waitress, "Little sister, do you have any shredded ginger?"
"No."
"Ah! That's not nice!"
He looked up and saw Gan Ling looking at him. He touched his face and asked, "What's wrong?"
"You weren't so particular before."
“There wasn’t the conditions to be particular before.”
“It shows that people can change.”
"I just became a little more picky with my words, but my heart has never changed."
Gan Ling ignored him, picked up a small steamed bun, dipped it carefully in the vinegar dish, held the dish, blew on it while tasting it carefully, with a look of satisfaction on her face.
Cheng Zhao encouraged himself. It didn't matter if he failed to confess his feelings the first time. As long as Gan Ling didn't turn against him, he still had a chance. There was still a lot of time to go. What was important was that he had finally taken the first step and let Gan Ling know clearly that he was waiting for her and had been waiting for her for many years.
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