Chapter 12

Luo Qingmeng’s shout drew the attention of quite a few people in the store. Chen Xin stared at her in shock. Because a customer needed help finding a book, she turned back to assist. From Chen Xin’s hurried demeanor, it was clear she was very curious about Luo Qingmeng’s story of becoming a “newlywed widow,” but it was working hours, so she couldn’t ask.

Auntie Cai, who was close to the door, walked right over and asked, “What’s going on with Little Luo? How could your husband have died? You can’t just say things like that.”

“Auntie, you go ahead and get busy first. I’ll explain later.” Luo Qingmeng’s teeth began to ache. She kept her head down, responding while scanning the customer’s code for payment. The customer eyed her curiously too. “Um, you…”

Luo Qingmeng didn’t want to explain, but several people were watching her, and Qiu Shuxue was right there like a massive third wheel. She felt like she was going crazy and worried the customer might complain, so she threw caution to the wind and said, “Sorry, my husband died. I’m a bit out of control emotionally.”

“…” The customer paused, then said, “Is that real?”

Luo Qingmeng replied, “Eighty-nine sixty. Do you have a membership card? If not, I recommend getting one.”

“Uh, no need.”

Luo Qingmeng said, “If you get one, I’ll tell you how my husband croaked on our wedding night.” As long as this customer signed up and she got her commission, she’d spill the story to everyone. She’d grabbed her curling iron and nearly scalded that bastard’s dick raw.

The customer fell silent, still hesitating.

She narrowed her eyes. “Well, I… um, sure, I’ll get one?”

There came a “thud” from nearby. Auntie Cai had accidentally dropped a book she’d picked up at the door. Luo Qingmeng glanced over and instead caught the smile tugging at Qiu Shuxue’s lips. Qiu Shuxue’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at her—probably because she hadn’t expected Luo Qingmeng to say something like that.

Luo Qingmeng snapped back to attention and quickly adjusted her mindset. She continued with the customer, “Looks like we still have a signed copy of this in stock. Want me to grab it for you?” Luo Qingmeng saw it was a popular recent novel. She’d read a bit of it but didn’t particularly like it—it was about a marriage-first, love-later romance.

“The store has a signed copy?” The customer sounded surprised. “I didn’t see any online.”

Luo Qingmeng said, “Yeah, members get first dibs. Do you want it?”

“Yes, yes!” The customer gave her phone number and whispered, “Will you still tell that story about your husband dying right after the wedding?”

Luo Qingmeng was speechless.

Qiu Shuxue chimed in, “Give her some time to grieve.”

The young customer held back repeatedly but left with regret.

Luo Qingmeng quickly processed the membership card for her, securing another member on the spot. She had Chen Xin swap in a novel for the customer. After that, she stayed busy for a while as several more customers came in one after another.

She glanced at Qiu Shuxue beside her again.

Qiu Shuxue kept smiling, who knew what she found so amusing. It made Luo Qingmeng want to slap her.

It was finally time to close up shop.

But today, two extra customers had lingered: a mother holding her little daughter’s hand, and another who was just browsing. Qiu Shuxue hovered next to Luo Qingmeng—she ignored that one completely, not treating her like a person at all.

Normally, Luo Qingmeng hated staying a single extra minute past closing and would remind customers it was time to go. Now, with Qiu Shuxue watching her, she felt annoyed and really didn’t want to say anything.

Chen Xin didn’t wait for Luo Qingmeng to speak. She grabbed the “closing” sign and reminded the customers in the store that they were done for the day.

Luo Qingmeng turned her head to Qiu Shuxue and said, “Hear that? We’re closing.”

Qiu Shuxue nodded. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Luo Qingmeng gave up on her. She pretended not to hear and lowered her head to look at the medical report on the floor. Sure enough, Qiu Shuxue had picked up on what she meant that day—she’d called herself dirty.

Luo Qingmeng felt she’d insulted her. The words were on the tip of her tongue but wouldn’t come out. Chen Xin walked over to talk to her, startling her. She’d meant to kick it away, but Chen Xin had already seen it.

Chen Xin glanced at it, but her interest wasn’t in the medical report. She didn’t ask about that. Instead, she was curious about Luo Qingmeng becoming a widow. She said, “Sister Meng, let’s walk together later.”

Luo Qingmeng guessed what she wanted to ask and frowned. “I need to tally the accounts first.”

The accounts all checked out. She locked the cash register, came out to untie her apron, picked up the things from the floor, rolled them up, and planned to toss them to Qiu Shuxue. But Qiu Shuxue was outside, a bit too far away.

No choice—she’d have to take them to the changing room in the back. As she stepped out from the cash register, Qiu Shuxue’s eyes had locked onto her, staring blatantly at the apron around her body.

Luo Qingmeng noticed her gaze and sneered inwardly. So lustful? She was just wearing an apron, and he couldn’t hold back already.

As she passed the mother and daughter, Luo Qingmeng heard the little girl pointing at the shelf and saying, “Mommy, I want to buy that Father and Son. Teacher said we have to read it.”

Luo Qingmeng reached to help grab it and heard the mother complaining, “Father and Son, Father and Son—your teacher sure knows how to pick. Your deadbeat dad, that heartless bastard, should’ve been run over by a car. I busted my ass raising you. Why isn’t there a Mother and Daughter?”

Her tone was heated, and the little girl was instantly frightened. She took a step back, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at her mom.

The little girl’s excitement vanished in a puff of smoke. She wanted to say something but held it back. Luo Qingmeng paused for a moment. She’d been about to head straight to change, and fetching books was Chen Xin’s job. But after two steps, she turned back. She walked over and agreed, “Yeah, some people really should get run over by a car.” Then she recommended, “Get Mom’s Wealth Checklist instead. It’s written from a kid’s perspective about their mom. The child sees her mom all dressed up pretty, giving her candy every day, thinking she’s the queen of some country. Later, she learns Mom lost her husband and works multiple jobs. Because she’s suffered hardship herself, she wants her daughter to live safe, happy, and free from poverty. It has a lot of educational value. Want me to get it down for you?”

“But Teacher said to read Father and Son,” the little girl said softly, glancing at her mom.

Luo Qingmeng crouched down slightly, her pink bear apron around her. She smiled at the little girl. “But today, it’s Mommy who came with you. Teacher wants you to read to learn who loves you most, who wants you to grow up happy. Go home, read this book carefully, tell Teacher that, then write an essay for Mommy and read it to her.”

She smiled at the little girl, her lips curving up slightly. Then she looked at the child’s mom. “It’s an illustrated picture book, similar to Father and Son. I can give you the member price. No pressure if you don’t want it—it’s just a suggestion.”

The little girl stared at her, blinking her eyes. The mom was still angry, her face stern. After a few minutes, she nodded.

Luo Qingmeng patted the little girl’s hair. “See, your mom put your hair in those cute pigtails. Don’t you think Mommy’s super awesome?”

The little girl nodded. “Mommy’s cooking is super yummy too. She makes spicy hot pot even better than the street vendors outside school.”

Luo Qingmeng tiptoed to get the book down, took it to the cash register, and gave the kid some bubble stickers as a gift. The girl’s mom said, “I’ll get a membership. Recommend more books later—kids’ teachers change their minds all the time. Back in our day, we read Camel Xiangzi, Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk, Lao She and Gorky’s books. Now it’s all over the place.”

Luo Qingmeng said, “Times have changed. No phones back then, internet wasn’t advanced. Teachers now pick from trendy education ideas—used to be all about enduring hardship, now it’s about developing kids’ potential.”

“That’s true.” The girl’s mom nodded, agreeing it made sense.

Luo Qingmeng packed the book in a paper bag and handed it to the little one. “Read it well. Maybe you’ll be the most unique, super shiny kid in class.”

The little one nodded enthusiastically. “Thanks, big sis.”

Once the mother and daughter left, Luo Qingmeng let out a breath of relief. Chen Xin gave her a thumbs-up. “Sis, you’re awesome.”

“What’s awesome about it? Delayed closing.” Luo Qingmeng held back a smile. With no other customers, she yanked off her apron. Sensing a piercing gaze, she frowned and looked over. Qiu Shuxue was still outside, her eyes carrying a hint of admiration. She leaned against the railing, unable to hide the emotion in them.

Luo Qingmeng tried her best to ignore her. She went to the break room in the back, hung up the apron, and glanced at her figure as she shut the door. She wore the store’s fitted uniform, which accentuated her full curves. She threw on her thin coat to cover up—much better.

She grabbed her bag and lunchbox from midday. As she came out, Chen Xin called hurriedly for her to wait so they could leave together.

Luo Qingmeng pretended not to hear, eager to get away. But the boss had given her two crates of fruit. She figured she’d take one. Qiu Shuxue came over and took the crate from her. “Let’s go?”

Luo Qingmeng went to grab the other crate.

Chen Xin couldn’t wait any longer. She hauled out the store’s trash bag and, before even stepping out, asked, “Sis, was your marriage unhappy? What happened?”

Luo Qingmeng acted like she didn’t hear. She hurried to Qiu Shuxue’s side. Though she didn’t want to talk to her, she had no choice. She said, “Drop me off if it’s on your way.”

Qiu Shuxue replied, “Sure.”

She paused her steps briefly and walked side by side with Luo Qingmeng, her eyes occasionally drifting to her.

Chen Xin didn’t catch up in time. By the time she did, they were at the elevator.

There were quite a few people waiting for the elevator. Qiu Shuxue leaned in and whispered softly to her, “Sister, you’re so charming.”

Luo Qingmeng couldn’t voice her retort. After all… Qiu Shuxue was complimenting her.

“Gentle,” Qiu Shuxue said. “Shining brightly.”

Luo Qingmeng really liked that latter phrase. She’d always felt her life was dull and without light, yet now she could shine brightly.

Qiu Shuxue was pretty annoying, but she was awfully cute when she complimented someone.

The two took the elevator down, with the fruit inside.

They went straight to the underground garage. Qiu Shuxue placed the fruit in the trunk. She opened the passenger door, but Luo Qingmeng had bad memories of that spot—she still remembered the scenes of being pinned against it and kissed—so she didn’t sit there and headed straight for the back seat.

Qiu Shuxue drove, occasionally saying a few words during the trip. Luo Qingmeng mostly didn’t respond. Qiu Shuxue asked, “What are we having for dinner tonight?”

Luo Qingmeng didn’t reply. She hadn’t decided yet. After a day of work, she was exhausted. She’d go home, take a shower first, then lie down and make some instant noodles. She’d stocked up on two packs of spicy hot pot noodles that were pretty good, but just a few days ago when she’d bought too much stuff at the supermarket, the spicy hot pot noodles had gotten pushed aside.

They arrived at the neighborhood, but Qiu Shuxue didn’t park. Instead, she drove toward the complex’s supermarket, saying she needed to pick up some group-buy pineapples.

Luo Qingmeng didn’t want to get involved in her business, but the pineapples her boss had given her were too many to finish, and they spoiled easily. She said, “I’ll give you one.”

Qiu Shuxue let out a little “Oh” and said thanks.

She parked the car and added, “But I still need to pick them up. I paid for them.”

Luo Qingmeng followed her to get the pineapples. Last time, she’d bought so much stuff that her place was stuffed full, with vegetables piled on the floor that she still hadn’t finished, so she didn’t need to buy anything now. Qiu Shuxue, on the other hand, hadn’t bought anything that day. The only thing she’d tossed into the shopping basket—the finger cots—were still in Luo Qingmeng’s bedside drawer. Qiu Shuxue pushed the cart and grabbed two coconuts.

Qiu Shuxue said, “I like eating pineapples and coconuts, and oranges too.”

Oranges were in season, though they weren’t as good as during the New Year period. Qiu Shuxue picked two and put them in the shopping bag. Luo Qingmeng couldn’t help but stop her. “No, you can’t buy those. You won’t eat them—they’re too sour.”

“You know how to pick them?” Qiu Shuxue gazed at her.

Luo Qingmeng picked one up and held it to her nose. “Can’t you smell how sour it is?”

Qiu Shuxue sniffed it. “Impressive, it is a bit sour.”

Luo Qingmeng put the orange back and picked out a few smaller ones for her. Qiu Shuxue went to check out. There were still two boxes of fruit in the car. Luo Qingmeng rode in her car again, and they went from the garage up to the twelfth floor.

The two boxes of fruit were quite heavy, so each woman carried one. Luo Qingmeng set hers down at the door and opened the box. Inside were six pineapples, plus four smaller scented ones. She gave half to Qiu Shuxue, then opened the strawberry box and gave her one whole tray of strawberries.

Qiu Shuxue divided her coconuts and oranges with her.

“No,” Luo Qingmeng said.

“We should split them half and half. That way it’s clear,” Qiu Shuxue said. “Didn’t you buy some chicken last time? You could make coconut chicken with it, right?”

That was true. Luo Qingmeng had bought a Sanhuang chicken. She thought it didn’t taste great when stewed, and her original plan had been to make pork belly chicken, but it was too much hassle for one person. She didn’t want to bother. Having these coconuts made it much easier.

She nodded, ready to continue.

Qiu Shuxue said, “Can I have a bite?”

Luo Qingmeng didn’t speak.

“Coconut chicken is so creamy and fragrant. It must be delicious.” Qiu Shuxue looked at her, seemingly craving it, her eyes full of anticipation. “I remember Sister making this before.”

Coconut chicken was one of Luo Qingmeng’s signature dishes, and it was fairly simple. She’d learned it from a video and nailed it on the first try. Whenever Li An’s colleagues came over, she often made it.

Luo Qingmeng went to enter the passcode to open the door.

Qiu Shuxue, standing behind her, said, “…Today at the bookstore, watching you coax that little kid… you really seemed like a wife.”

“I told you, I’m a widow. Didn’t you hear?” Luo Qingmeng turned her head to explain. “We’re no longer husband and wife. We divorced a long time ago.”

Qiu Shuxue nodded. “I heard.”

She said, “I don’t have many hobbies, but I especially like widows.”

She called out, “Widow Sister.”

Perhaps because they were alone in the hallway, for some inexplicable reason, Luo Qingmeng felt like she was deliberately flirting, trying to make her embrace the widow identity.

Luo Qingmeng quickly pushed the door, but Qiu Shuxue grabbed her hand and wouldn’t let her go inside.

Qiu Shuxue said, “Sister, you really have so much charm. Especially when you’re in the bookstore, reading a book or explaining one to a customer—gentle and quiet, with all the world’s light shining on you. I even wanted to turn into that little girl, to be treated like that by you, to have you pat my head.”

She drew closer, her pupils reflecting Luo Qingmeng’s image, her gaze intense. Luo Qingmeng saw herself mirrored in her eyes.

Qiu Shuxue lowered her head to look at her and smiled. “Especially a widow whose husband died right after they got married. So alluring, so tempting.”

“I’m a husband-killer,” Luo Qingmeng said. She was utterly disillusioned with marriage now and didn’t care if she’d ever have a husband again.

“Mm, that’s even better. I like husband-killing widows the most.” As Qiu Shuxue spoke, she softly wondered, “But won’t you get lonely? Does that mean you can’t date anyone?”

“I’m not… I told you, I’m a widow…” Luo Qingmeng didn’t understand what she meant and thought she was bringing up her marriage again.

Whatever. Luo Qingmeng pretended not to hear.

Qiu Shuxue suddenly laughed, as if gearing up for another assault. Every expression on her face screamed… that she was head over heels.

Luo Qingmeng hurriedly cut off the topic. “Wait until I make the coconut chicken.”

Qiu Shuxue leaned in closer. “I’m a bit of a pervert. What I meant was that I want to eat this…” Her gaze drifted away from Luo Qingmeng’s face, implying she wanted to eat her.

Luo Qingmeng had nowhere to escape.

“I like lonely widows even more… Sister, are you lonely?” As she spoke, Qiu Shuxue stepped forward and pinned her against the door.

Luo Qingmeng’s back pressed against the door. She couldn’t struggle free and didn’t know how to explain. She just wanted to say she wasn’t anyone’s wife anymore, and maybe she couldn’t even call herself a widow now… Qiu Shuxue liked both wives and widows—her tastes were eclectic.

She forced herself to stay calm and reminded Qiu Shuxue, “There are cameras here. Don’t do anything rash.”

“But… the cameras aren’t in your home? Aren’t you the one peeking at me every day?”

Luo Qingmeng wanted to explain that she hadn’t, but it was too late. Qiu Shuxue’s face lunged toward hers.

Luo Qingmeng wondered if she should pat her head. Would that make her leave? …But Qiu Shuxue seemed to be acting spoiled.