“350,000, this year”
These were the words Luo Jingyu typed on his phone.
Zhan Xi couldn’t bring herself to lift her head for a long time. Thinking of what she had just said, how ridiculous! She only made 7,500 a month, yet she dared to worry about money on behalf of someone making 350,000 a year. How shameless of her!
Luo Jingyu only saw the girl suddenly stand up and sit back down across the table, head hanging low without saying a word. He found it amusing at first, but as she continued to keep her face down, he gradually stopped smiling.
He waved at Zhan Xi, but she didn’t respond. Luo Jingyu could only type on his phone and push it over for her to see: [Huan Huan, are you angry?]
How could Zhan Xi be angry? She just felt embarrassed. This wasn’t Little Fish’s fault – she had never asked about his income, always assuming he was a low-income worker. She had belittled him so much, he should be the one angry at her! Would he think she looked down on him?
She really didn’t know Little Fish well enough. She needed to chat with him more in the future.
Taking a deep breath, Zhan Xi finally raised her head to meet Luo Jingyu’s gaze. The young man’s expression was as gentle as ever, his eyes containing a smile, lips slightly curved – showing no sign of anger at all.
Zhan Xi was slightly stunned.
Whether during their online chats or after meeting in person, Luo Jingyu always gave her one feeling – he was exceptionally tolerant of her. It seemed no matter how excessive her actions were, he would never get angry with her.
This was a wonderful sense of security that Zhan Xi had never experienced from anyone else in her life.
Her mom and brother spoiled her too, but only if she was obedient. If she didn’t listen, forget about her mom – even Zhan Jie would scold her, like when she got close to Luo Xinran, or when she insisted on moving out.
Her dad did spoil her unconditionally, but that feeling was different from Luo Jingyu. Her dad had been completely suppressed by her mom his whole life and couldn’t be Zhan Xi’s safe harbor at home. If he dared to speak up for his daughter, Chi Guilan would scold him too.
So, receiving such thoughtfulness, care and tolerance from Luo Jingyu, who was almost a stranger, gave Zhan Xi an indescribable feeling of being moved.
She had wondered… if he might have feelings for her?
But Zhan Xi didn’t want to know the answer.
She pursed her lips and said: “Luo Jingyu, I can’t believe you’re so rich!”
Luo Jingyu: “?”
He quickly typed: [I’m not rich, I’m just not poor.]
Zhan Xi frowned: “Earning over 300,000 a year isn’t rich enough?”
Luo Jingyu silently laughed and typed: [I didn’t make this much before, I was poor before, only more in these 2 years.]
“Fine, I failed to recognize Mount Tai,” Zhan Xi said, watching the server bring hot dishes to the table. “But even if you’re richer than me, I’m still treating this meal.”
Luo Jingyu was still pondering her first sentence, completely not understanding its meaning. He typed: [What? Right eye isn’t what?] (T/N: homonym; this will happen a lot so I won’t call it out each time.)
Looking at his question, Zhan Xi felt a twinge in her heart, wondering how much effort Little Fish had to put into reading lips? Chinese was so profound – every word and phrase she spoke had countless variations in pronunciation, and her lips moved quickly. Little Fish had to search through his brain’s vocabulary bank to find the corresponding words to understand. For idioms like this with six characters, it was really too difficult for him.
[It means ‘failed to recognize someone important’.] After typing this for Little Fish, Zhan Xi pointed at the steaming curry crab on the table and said: “Let’s eat first, I’m starving.”
As the hot dishes were served one after another, Zhan Xi and Luo Jingyu ate quietly facing each other.
Luo Jingyu was very interested in Thai food. After tasting it, he found it quite good. Seeing Zhan Xi mixing curry sauce with her rice, he thought, Huan Huan likes curry – he could cook it for her in the future. He knew how to make both curry chicken and curry beef.
When they were almost done eating, Zhan Xi went to the bathroom.
When she came back, Luo Jingyu went too.
He didn’t really need to go – he went straight to the cashier and took out his phone to type and show them: [Table 21, bill please.]
The young female cashier smiled up at him: “Table 21, a beautiful lady already paid!”
Luo Jingyu: “…”
Sigh… he really couldn’t outsmart the clever Teacher Egg.
Luo Jingyu returned to the table where Zhan Xi was still focused on eating her last crab leg. As he sat down, he took out his phone and had an internal struggle – should he transfer the meal money to her via WeChat? She came to help him buy clothes, how could he really let her treat? Would she accept it? Would she get angry?
Zhan Xi looked up at him, puzzled: “Are you full?”
Luo Jingyu nodded, and Zhan Xi smiled: “Have another bowl of soup then, I really like the Tom Yum soup. Do you think it’s tasty?”
This time, before Luo Jingyu could type, Zhan Xi had already shown him her phone: [Tom Yum soup, is it good?]
Luo Jingyu nodded again, and Zhan Xi ladled out a bowl of soup for him. Luo Jingyu typed: [I can learn to make it, since you like it, I’ll make it for you?]
“You’re that skilled?” Zhan Xi smiled sweetly. “Alright, I’ll look forward to it!”
Seeing her bright smile, Luo Jingyu suddenly decided not to transfer the money. He remembered what Zhan Xi had taught him about blind dates – you only pay when you don’t like the other person. If you like them, don’t pay, so you have an excuse to ask them out again for another meal.
Thinking of this, Luo Jingyu typed another line and nervously pushed his phone to Zhan Xi: [Huan Huan, thank you for treating me to dinner and helping me buy clothes. Next time, let me treat you, okay?]
Zhan Xi read it and nodded: “Sure, you can treat next time.”
She agreed! Luo Jingyu felt relieved and almost broke into a grin, quickly lowering his head to take a spoonful of soup to cover it up.
The Tom Yum soup tasted quite strange – he couldn’t tell if he liked it or not, but Huan Huan liked it! He would definitely study how to make it when he got home.
After dinner, Zhan Xi accompanied Luo Jingyu to the third floor to buy men’s clothes. Knowing Little Fish wasn’t poor, Zhan Xi felt more relaxed and became much more enthusiastic about picking clothes.
She had never bought clothes for Zhan Jie, though she had for her father. This was her first time shopping at a mall with a young man, giving him advice.
Zhan Xi discovered that Luo Jingyu actually had good aesthetic taste – the clothes he picked suited him well, probably related to his work in art.
Over the years, Luo Jingyu hadn’t shopped at malls, relying on online shopping for clothes. He didn’t like having sales staff following him around constantly explaining things, not wanting people to discover he couldn’t hear.
However, this time with Zhan Xi by his side, the sales staff were very tactful, directing their explanations to his female companion. Zhan Xi would seriously discuss men’s styling with them.
While choosing clothes, they didn’t communicate via phone, only through eye contact. Whoever liked a piece would hold it up for the other to see. If the other person approved, Luo Jingyu would try it on.
Such tacit understanding made Luo Jingyu feel at ease.
Finally, he chose a light blue shirt, a dark blue V-neck sweater vest, black dress pants, and a pair of black Chelsea boots.
After selecting the inner layers, they chose outerwear last. Luo Jingyu tried on a black wool short trench coat. Being tall with long legs, he looked quite distinguished standing in front of the mirror. Zhan Xi’s eyes lit up, and the saleswoman said to her: “Wow, your boyfriend looks so handsome in this!”
“He…” Zhan Xi wanted to say “he’s not my boyfriend,” but then thought, why bother explaining? Little Fish couldn’t hear anyway. She cheerfully said: “He’s handsome, he looks good in anything.”
Luo Jingyu happened to turn his head and saw Zhan Xi and the saleswoman both smiling radiantly.
He was confused: “?”
Zhan Xi blushed, like being caught cheating, and quickly said: “This looks good! Buy it!”
The complete outfit from head to toe cost Luo Jingyu over 5,000 yuan, basically within his budget.
It was quite late when they left the mall. Zhan Xi and Luo Jingyu carried their shopping bags as they walked to the street to hail a taxi.
A huge Christmas tree stood in the plaza outside the mall, wrapped in colorful lights, now sparkling brilliantly, appearing romantic and warm in the cold winter night.
Zhan Xi shrank her neck, lightly stamping her feet while looking up at the Christmas tree.
Luo Jingyu followed her gaze to look at the Christmas tree too.
But he only looked for a moment before his gaze returned to Zhan Xi’s face. Her breath came out in white puffs, and her eyes reflected the colored lights, twinkling – just like books described – eyes full of stars.
“Ah!” Zhan Xi suddenly exclaimed, turning shyly to Luo Jingyu saying, “Little Fish, look, those people are kissing over there.”
Luo Jingyu understood the word “kissing” and curiously looked over – there really was a couple kissing under the Christmas tree.
His face immediately turned red, and together with Zhan Xi, they turned their heads back, standing side by side with their backs to the Christmas tree, both momentarily at a loss for words.
Fortunately, their car arrived.
Back at Qingque Gardens, Zhan Xi and Luo Jingyu took the elevator up. At the eighth floor, Zhan Xi returned the bags to Luo Jingyu and said: “Little Fish, good luck tomorrow!”
With his hands full of bags, Luo Jingyu could only smile in response.
Zhan Xi stepped out of the elevator, waving at him: “Bye! Go to bed early, Merry Christmas!”
Back home, Luo Jingyu placed all the bags on his work table. Thinking he would wear them tomorrow, he took out each piece of clothing to hang in his closet.
In the shirt bag, he unexpectedly found a grey scarf, still with its tag.
Luo Jingyu: “?”
The scarf was soft, a men’s style from the same brand as the shirt. Luo Jingyu didn’t remember buying a scarf – was it a free gift?
Just then, his phone received a new message.
[Egg Pudding]: Found your Christmas present? No need to thank me! Wear it tomorrow, otherwise your neck will be cold. [Grin]
Luo Jingyu: “…”
What had Huan Huan done all evening? Treating him to dinner, giving him a scarf, accompanying him shopping! And what had he done? Just paid for the taxi home, hadn’t even bought her a drink! Not to mention preparing a Christmas gift for her.
How could he be so stupid! And he dared to brag about how much money he made! Huan Huan must think he was a miser, a braggart.
No, no, tomorrow is Christmas, there’s still hope. Tomorrow, he must prepare a Christmas gift for Huan Huan!
—
Wednesday noon, Luo Jingyu changed into his new clothes, wrapped on his new scarf, and prepared to leave for his appointment.
A message came from Zhan Xi.
[Egg Pudding]: Good Little Fish, let Teacher Egg see how handsome you look! [Grin]
Luo Jingyu smiled with pressed lips, adjusting angles to take photos in the mirror. He chose his most satisfying full-body shot to send her, his legs looking especially long, though his phone happened to block his face.
[Egg Pudding]: Why hide your face! Bad review! [Frustrated]
Big Fish Head: You can see me in person, let’s skip the photos.
[Egg Pudding]: Alright, do your best, hope your negotiation succeeds! Good luck!
Luo Jingyu took a taxi to the teahouse in the city center. With half an hour before the meeting, he didn’t go in, but messaged Ji Hongzhe on WeChat.
Big Fish Head: Little Zhe, I’m here, where are you?
[Ji Hongzhe]: I’m at the KFC next door, wait there, I’m coming now.
Five minutes later, a young man appeared ambling into Luo Jingyu’s view.
He was very tall, about the same height as Luo Jingyu but with a more robust build, healthy complexion, sharp features, though his eyes showed laziness – a textbook bad boy look, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
As Luo Jingyu watched Ji Hongzhe approach, he realized he hadn’t seen him in three years.
Ji Hongzhe was considered Luo Jingyu’s childhood friend. They were the same age and grew up together in the welfare factory dormitory. Ji Hongzhe’s parents, like Luo Jingyu’s, were deaf, but differently, they became deaf later in life, so Ji Hongzhe was a healthy child.
As children, Ji Hongzhe was the king of the dormitory area, lively and active, completely a troublemaker with a greased bottom.
Their parents were close friends. Ji’s mother told her son to take good care of Little Fish, never imagining that Ji Hongzhe would be the one leading others in bullying Luo Jingyu.
Luo Jingyu never held it against him. He was quiet while Ji Hongzhe was active – they were actually completely incompatible, only their parents naturally assumed the two boys should be good friends.
Later, Luo Jingyu went to a school for the blind and deaf, while Ji Hongzhe attended regular elementary school.
Then the welfare factory restructured, and all workers were laid off to fend for themselves. Luo Jingyu’s parents opened a small supermarket in the north of the city, while Ji Hongzhe’s parents both became domestic cleaners. After moving from the welfare factory dormitory, the two families lived far apart, one north and one south.
Later still, Luo Jingyu graduated high school and went out to make his way, living independently, while Ji Hongzhe went to university, and after graduating, who knew what he did.
News of him came through Ji’s mother when she visited Yan Yajuan at the small supermarket. Luo Jingyu and Ji Hongzhe’s last meeting was three years ago during New Year when Ji’s family of three visited Luo Jingyu’s parents.
At that time, everyone was chatting in sign language, except Ji Hongzhe who stayed in the corner playing with his phone.
Yan Yajuan called Luo Jingyu to keep Little Zhe company, so Luo Jingyu sat beside Ji Hongzhe, patted his arm and signed: [What are you playing?]
Ji Hongzhe looked up at him, squinted his eyes, and signed: [Chatting with my girlfriend.]
Luo Jingyu didn’t know how to respond. Ji Hongzhe stood up, also patting his shoulder: [Don’t mind me, do your thing, I’m going out for a smoke.]
As it turned out, after that smoke, he directly left, infuriating his parents. Since then, Luo Jingyu hadn’t seen Ji Hongzhe, nor contacted him on WeChat.
They really couldn’t be considered friends, but in the current situation, among people Luo Jingyu could find, Ji Hongzhe was the most suitable.
Ji Hongzhe walked up to Luo Jingyu, looking him up and down, squinting with a smile: “Long time no see, you’re so handsome now?”
Luo Jingyu signed: [When was I not handsome?]
“Hahaha…” Ji Hongzhe laughed loudly, “Heard from my mom you’re doing well, even bought a house.”
Luo Jingyu smiled.
Ji Hongzhe asked: “Got a girlfriend?”
Luo Jingyu shook his head.
“You bought a house, you can find one now.” Ji Hongzhe stubbed out his cigarette on the roadside trash can, “Li Yiman still thinks about you.”
Luo Jingyu laughed, signing: [She’s only sixteen.]
Ji Hongzhe also laughed: “You won’t even add her on WeChat, the little girl hates you.”
As they chatted, Luo Jingyu’s phone vibrated. He took it out to look – it was a message from Zhan Xi.
[Egg Pudding]: Little Fish, Mr. Chi and Mr. Dong have arrived, waiting for you in the Thousand Mountains and Waters room on the second floor.
Big Fish Head: Okay, I’m going up, I’m here.
[Egg Pudding]: Go go go go go!!
Luo Jingyu entered the teahouse with Ji Hongzhe. Ji Hongzhe already knew the situation from the video. Although he didn’t consider himself reliable, the fact that Little Fish thought of him at such a time made him feel quite honored, and he wouldn’t cause trouble.
Outside the Thousand Mountains and Waters room, Ji Hongzhe knocked and opened the door. At this moment, Luo Jingyu finally felt nervous, following behind him into the room.
Chi Jiangjunjie and Dong Cheng were already seated, both standing when they entered.
The room was spacious with Chinese-style decor and elegant taste, with faint sandalwood incense floating in the air.
Dong Cheng made introductions between both parties. Luo Jingyu looked at Mr. Chi, a man in his fifties wearing a suit and tie, hair meticulously combed – indeed very particular about appearance. Dong Cheng also wore formal attire, while Ji Hongzhe dressed casually, though Luo Jingyu had no requirements for his dress – he was just here to help.
Chi Jiangjunjie and Dong Cheng also observed Luo Jingyu – a handsome young man, dressed properly, with gentle clear eyes and a simple clean aura, seeming somewhat shy.
Such an outstanding appearance, yet deaf in both ears – quite a pity.
After ordering tea and snacks, Dong Cheng made small talk first, asking about Luo Jingyu’s experience in the pressed flower field.
Luo Jingyu didn’t hide anything, nor did he try to make himself look better, honestly telling of his apprenticeship and work experience.
He used sign language, with Ji Hongzhe translating to Chinese. When Dong Cheng heard that Luo Jingyu had studied under Xu Qingyan, his expression became subtle. After translating this to Mr. Chi, the latter also smiled meaningfully.
After the small talk, Dong Cheng spoke of the purpose of this meeting: “Master Luo, Mr. Chi greatly admires your pressed flower work. He has some knowledge of this art, and this meeting is actually about his wife.”
After reading his lips and looking at Ji Hongzhe beside him, Ji Hongzhe repeated in sign language. Once Luo Jingyu fully understood their meaning, he signed: [What specific matters?]
Ji Hongzhe said to Dong Cheng: “Lit… Master Luo asks, specifically about what?”
Dong Cheng told Chi Jiangjunjie in Japanese, who rattled off a response, then Dong Cheng spoke: “After the Lantern Festival next year, Mr. Chi’s wife will turn fifty. Mrs. Chi hasn’t been well these past few years, so Mr. Chi didn’t want to leave her in Japan and had her come live in Qiantang. His wife…”
Ji Hongzhe called “Stop!”: “Mr. Dong, I’m sorry, I’m not a professional translator, let’s go sentence by sentence, I can’t remember if you say too much.”
Dong Cheng laughed: “Alright, alright, we’ll go at your pace.”
So the four men communicated in this way, Japanese ? Chinese ? sign language, sign language ? Chinese ? Japanese, back and forth, creating quite a harmonious scene.
Ji Hongzhe felt he had never signed so strenuously, while under his translation, Luo Jingyu got everything sorted out.
Mr. Chi wanted to hold a birthday party for his wife when she turned fifty, with a surprise at the party – a cherry blossom tree made with pressed flowers.
They had considered ordering an artificial tree, but fake trees looked too cheap. Pressed flowers were different – exquisite and lifelike. Most importantly, after using the tree at the birthday party, Mr. Chi wanted to place it in their home, so they would have an eternally blooming cherry tree.
Luo Jingyu understood – indeed, the client wanting the cherry tree was Mr. Chi, whom Zhan Xi had helped him connect with.
He confirmed he could make this tree, which pleased Mr. Chi, who then made another request. He had ordered a kimono for his wife and wanted a matching cherry blossom hair comb in similar colors. The comb needed to be designed by Luo Jingyu using pressed flowers, but not made by him – Mr. Chi wanted to make it himself.
The comb would also feature diamonds. Design fees, material costs, and teaching fees would be calculated separately. They asked if Luo Jingyu could handle this.
Designing accessories was Luo Jingyu’s strength. His only difficulty was not being able to hear or speak, but Mr. Chi was Japanese! Even if Luo Jingyu could hear perfectly, they still couldn’t communicate, so this actually wasn’t a problem.
He indicated his acceptance and could arrange the teaching at his studio, requiring a full day.
Dong Cheng said he would provide the kimono design to Luo Jingyu later. At this point, the business was basically settled, but Luo Jingyu still didn’t know the final price for the cherry tree – was it 180,000? Fang Xu hadn’t told him.
At this point, Mr. Chi said something more to Dong Cheng. After thinking, Dong Cheng spoke sentence by sentence for the two young men across from him, with Ji Hongzhe translating into sign language.
“Master Luo, to be honest, for this cherry tree, we didn’t only contact you – we reached out to several other pressed flower artists in China.”
“Some politely declined, saying they weren’t full-time and couldn’t take this order. Some were in distant cities, which we considered and gave up on – we most wanted to find a local teacher in Qiantang.”
“By coincidence, Sun gave your work to Mr. Chi. When Mr. Chi took it home, Mrs. Chi loved it, saying this artist’s technique was already very professional, definitely not a beginner, must have been in the field for at least five years.”
“We contacted your shop, and Mr. Fang – who should be your colleague, quoted us 220,000, and wouldn’t negotiate. To be honest, this was the highest price quoted among all the pressed flower artists.”
“We also contacted Xu Qingyan in Shanghai. Master Xu quoted 200,000, but she clearly stated that the entire tree would be mainly made by her students, as Yoshino cherry blossoms aren’t a very difficult flower pattern – her students could handle it, with her full guidance.”
“Mr. Chi weighed between you and her, um… you should understand, for Mr. Chi, this isn’t about the price. What he cares most about is the quality of the work, because this tree holds extraordinary meaning for him and his wife.”
“So we still chose you. Before meeting with you, I contacted Master Xu. She was very open-minded and didn’t mind. When she learned we were looking for you, Master Luo, she told us you were her student and she had always admired you, saying that with your skill level, you could definitely make the piece very well.”
“However… Mr. Chi is after all a businessman. When he found out about this, he became quite puzzled, asking why Master Xu quoted 200,000, yet her student could quote 220,000? We’re certainly not questioning your ability, it’s just that… well, as the Chinese saying goes, you get what you pay for.”
“Master Luo, Mr. Chi is very eager to know, since you quoted this price, do you have any superior qualities compared to Master Xu?”
During the translation process, after reading Dong Cheng’s lips and seeing Ji Hongzhe’s sign language again, Luo Jingyu was sitting on pins and needles.
Being shy by nature, he had never felt so embarrassed in his life. The blood in his cheeks uncontrollably flooded out, and he wished he could immediately leave the room and disappear.
Earlier everything had been going so smoothly – he had stopped feeling awkward about his deafness and even gained a little confidence. But now he felt too ashamed to even look Mr. Chi in the eyes.
Ji Hongzhe, while translating the sign language, also sensed something was wrong and added at the end: [Little Fish, did someone set you up?]
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