Late Night Bookstore - Chapter 18

The next morning, Zhou Ze went next door to the noodle shop after washing up, as he usually did. This routine had gradually become a part of his daily life. When eating was no longer an enjoyable experience, it just turns into a chore. And when it comes to efficiency, no place is more convenient than Xu Qinglang’s shop.

“Bitter melon juice.” Xu Qinglang placed a large glass cup in front of Zhou Ze, followed by a plate of fried rice with eggs.

Zhou Ze took a sip first. The moment the liquid touched his throat, an unbearable bitterness overwhelmed his mouth, and as he swallowed, it felt like even his stomach and intestines were twisting in discomfort.

After about ten seconds, Zhou Ze finally recovered, exhaling deeply.

It’s really bitter.

“Haha, strong enough for you?” Xu Qinglang smirked, clearly expecting some praise. Then, he sat down across from Zhou Ze. “I have to say, your taste is really something. Can’t even eat without drinking this stuff?”

Zhou Ze steadied himself, then downed the large glass of bitter melon juice in one gulp. Without missing a beat, he grabbed his chopsticks and started wolfing down the fried rice in front of him.

A minute later, Zhou Ze finished his meal, put down the plate, and closed his eyes.

“You look like a ravenous evil spirit who crawled up from hell,” Xu Qinglang teased. It was unclear whether he was joking or implying something deeper.

Zhou Ze opened his eyes and glanced at him. It was normal that his sister-in-law and wife couldn’t see the spirits of the five migrant workers returning on the seventh day after their deaths. But this noodle shop owner could see them, or else he wouldn’t have made five servings of braised pork over rice.

However, the two of them maintained a tacit understanding—seeing but not speaking of it. Perhaps this was the best way to get along.

“Why aren’t you taking any orders today?” Zhou Ze asked.

For the past few days, even on New Year’s Eve, Xu Qinglang’s phone had been buzzing with delivery orders, but today, it was unusually quiet. No delivery drivers had come by to pick up any orders.

“Taking a break.” Xu Qinglang pulled out a cigarette, placed one in his mouth, and handed another to Zhou Ze.

Though working through New Year’s Eve and resting afterward seemed strange, as a man with over twenty properties, Xu Qinglang certainly had the luxury to be capricious.

“Have you ever heard of ‘The Ghost Carrying the Palanquin’?” Zhou Ze asked. The events of the previous night were still fresh in his mind, but he wasn’t in a hurry to act. After all, he had just gone home and slept in his freezer.

The person was indeed saved by Zhou Ze himself. If there was any further problem, he wasn’t interested in dealing with it. He preferred to live his life cautiously, yet cheerfully. If something came his way and could be handled easily, he would, but he wouldn’t go out of his way.

Even if that little girl in the lily dress had something wrong with her, it wasn’t Zhou Ze’s concern.

“The Ghost Carrying the Palanquin?” Xu Qinglang paused, then laughed. “Haha, probably a lot on New Year’s Eve. They say ghosts get extra cash from all the burning of joss paper and scriptures during the New Year, so they splurge on taxis.”

Xu Qinglang continued with his nonsense, then yawned. “By the way, why hasn’t your bookstore opened yet?”

“I’ll open it tonight.”

“Alright, suit yourself.” Xu Qinglang took out his phone and glanced at it. “Wanna go see a movie this afternoon?”

The atmosphere suddenly grew awkwardly silent.

“No,” Zhou Ze refused.

“Look at you, no consideration at all. After I went through all that trouble making you a new juice, you won’t even go to a movie with me. Men, not a single good one among them.”

“……”

“Oh, sorry, I forgot I’m also a man,” Xu Qinglang shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, as though lamenting that he wasn’t born a woman.

“Did something happen in your childhood that traumatized you?” Zhou Ze asked. “I know a few psychologists who could help.”

Xu Qinglang laughed. “Heterosexuality is just a deviation for reproduction. True love can only exist between the same sex.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Those who walk different paths can’t make plans together.”

And so, their post-lunch conversation ended on a discordant note.

Zhou Ze returned to his bookstore, opened the door, thought for a moment, and decided not to lock it. He sat behind the counter, turned on his computer, and sent a WeChat message to Dr. Lin: “Movie this afternoon?”

After about ten minutes, Dr. Lin replied: “Working.”

Even during the New Year, it wasn’t like people couldn’t get sick or have accidents. Zhou Ze, having been a doctor himself, understood the fleeting nature of hospital holidays.

It was understandable, but still a bit frustrating.

Zhou Ze really wanted to tell her that he was Zhou Ze, not that damned Xu Le. But he was also worried that the outcome would be Dr. Lin getting scared and questioning her life, even ruining the vague feelings of unrequited love he had for her. Of course, the most important thing was that some matters were better kept known to fewer people.

Someone would come for him—this much Zhou Ze was certain. But while waiting, he wasn’t going to hide like a rat in the sewers, trembling in some dark corner. He still had to live, and live as normally as possible. Otherwise, there was no point in having climbed out of hell. He might as well have just stayed with the crowd walking the Yellow Springs Road.

As for the neighbor next door, Zhou Ze wasn’t sure if Xu Qinglang had figured it out, nor did he care.

“Tonight then,” Dr. Lin sent another message.

Zhou Ze smiled. He felt like an idiot, as if he were back in middle school, smiling foolishly when the class monitor gave him a shy glance.

Life used to be too exhausting for him. This time around, he was determined to live freely and leisurely.

Many truths in life only become clear when you’re on your deathbed or in old age, but by then, it’s too late for a second chance.

Zhou Ze cherished his current life and opportunities.

A red sedan parked on the street in front of the bookstore. Two women stepped out, one around thirty and the other looking about five or six years old.

The older woman wore a red dress, her long hair flowing. Though she was a mother, her charm was undeniable, and her allure only seemed to grow stronger. The little girl wore overalls, bundled up in several layers, looking like a cute little dumpling.

When Zhou Ze saw the girl, his eyes narrowed instinctively.

Here comes trouble.

If someone is not here for trouble, they wouldn’t come.

He didn’t go looking for her, but she came looking for him.

Earlier, when Dr. Lin had mentioned how the girl called him “uncle” at the thank-you banquet, Zhou Ze felt rather complacent. But thinking back now, it was clear that she had never intended to let him off the hook.

After all, the death of the father of four children was tied to this girl.

The bookstore door was pushed open. The woman curiously glanced around, while the little girl timidly approached the counter, looked up at Zhou Ze, and softly said, “Hello, Uncle.”

Zhou Ze nodded, his expression reserved. Inside, he was debating whether to immediately unleash his sharp nails and strangle the girl.

“Hello, I’m Rui Rui’s mother.” The woman walked up to Zhou Ze and placed a gift box on the counter.

“Thank you.”

She bowed to Zhou Ze, her gratitude sincere.

“You’re welcome.” Zhou Ze remained seated.

He was trying hard to act as if everything was normal, hoping the girl wouldn’t notice anything.

But it was difficult.

Even an Oscar-winning actor would struggle to maintain composure after seeing the driver’s memories before his death. It would be hard to act normal in front of this girl.

Since he couldn’t fake it, he might as well not bother.

“Mom, I want to stay here and read,” Rui Rui said to her mother.

“Alright, Mommy’s going to get her hair done. You stay here with Uncle and read.” The woman smiled at Zhou Ze. “Thank you for your trouble.”

“No problem.”

“I had to ask Dr. Lin to find out that you own a bookstore here.”

 What a nosy woman.

“You and Dr. Lin really make a perfect couple.”

That was a pretty hollow compliment—even Xu Le wouldn’t have believed that.

The woman drove off, leaving her daughter behind. Since it was a bookstore and Zhou Ze was half her daughter’s savior, not to mention Dr. Lin’s husband, she felt safe leaving her daughter there for a while without worry.

Rui Rui quietly picked out a picture book and sat on a plastic stool to read. She didn’t make any noise or demands for drinks or snacks. Zhou Ze sat behind the counter, watching her.

At that moment, Xu Qinglang walked in. When he saw the doll-like little girl, he immediately went over and picked her up.

“Oh my, what an adorable little girl!”

“Thank you, sister,” Rui Rui responded.

Xu Qinglang’s smile blossomed like a chrysanthemum, growing even more radiant.

The little girl’s compliment clearly hit the right spot for Xu Qinglang.

Zhou Ze sat there with a somber face, saying nothing.

“Come outside, I need to talk to you.” Xu Qinglang put the child down and motioned for Zhou Ze.

Zhou Ze and Xu Qinglang walked outside.

“People from the plaza came by. They asked if we wanted to terminate the contract. They’re willing to refund us the rent we prepaid.”

“Let’s not terminate it.” Zhou Ze didn’t want to deal with more hassle at the moment, and besides, he didn’t have enough capital. Even if he got the prepaid rent back, it wouldn’t be enough to open a new shop.

“I’m thinking the same thing.” Xu Qinglang nodded, signaling his understanding. “So, should I go negotiate on your behalf?”

“Sure.”

“Alright, that’s settled then.”

The two of them stood outside, smoked a cigarette, and then parted ways.

When Zhou Ze turned back and pushed open the bookstore door, the little girl was no longer on the row of plastic stools. The picture book she had been reading was placed neatly on one of the stools.

Zhou Ze frowned, looking up, and heard the sound of small boots on the stairs.

The little girl appeared at the stairwell, only half of her body visible while the other half was obscured by the wall.

She had just gone to the second floor.