12 The Countless Forms of Existence

After returning, Su Qingyi took a photo of the umbrella Lu Jingchen had given her and posted it on her social media, teasingly captioning it: "First time seeing someone refuse a person and still get a consolation prize."

Her intention in posting the picture was simply to document a moment in her life.

However, it caused a huge stir among the rich second-generation elites in Jing City. In a private club in Jing City, a man sitting idly on a sofa scrolling through his phone suddenly exclaimed to Pei Ling, who was shuffling cards at a poker table, "Damn, Su Qingyi updated her social media again!"

"So what if she did?" a girl playing video games in front of the TV responded indifferently.

"Oh my god, she must have been rejected by that guy, right? How can she have the nerve to post that online? Isn’t it embarrassing?" another girl put down her game controller.

"Heh, what else could it be? Just trying to get Pei Shao’s attention," a younger boy sneered. "Who does she think she is, thinking that posting her location will make Pei Shao come running? She really thinks she's something special."

But Pei Ling at the table barely lifted an eyelid, not even changing his expression.

"No, no! I’m talking about the umbrella she’s holding!" the man on the sofa, seeing they hadn't caught his meaning, sat up excitedly. "It’s the top-spec version of the sports car I wanted to buy! You can’t buy it with money! The last time I saw someone using one was back in Hudou!"

"There are only five of those cars worldwide, and only one in the country. You might as well say she’s hooked up with Hudou’s wealthy heir, Bian Xiao."

"So what if she did? Bian Xiao changes women more often than clothes. She’s just being played," the younger boy continued.

Others of Pei Ling's social standing said nothing but looked meaningfully at the young boy, who had only meant to flatter Pei Ling but had inadvertently drawn their displeasure.

"Guys, what’s wrong?" the boy smiled awkwardly.

The others withdrew their gazes and said nothing.

They didn’t think Su Qingyi was that worthless, even found her somewhat interesting. But given their own status, it was unthinkable to chase after a woman whom Pei Ling had rejected.

"Ah, it’s just an umbrella. You guys are overthinking it. Maybe Su Qingyi posted it on purpose for you guys to see," the girl playing games spoke up to ease the tense atmosphere.

The others finally looked away.

Pei Ling remained silent, and the matter was dropped.

***

For the following week, Su Qingyi heard nothing from Lu Jingchen.

The antique shop remained closed for several days in a row. Passing by multiple times while searching for a new store, she always found the doors and windows tightly shut.

After looking at several store options, she finally contacted the landlord a week later.

The landlord, a young man, spoke brusquely and flatly refused her request to lower the rent: "No."

He wasted no time on the matter.

When Su Qingyi inspected the store, the surrounding vendors had warned her that business here was tough. The rent was high, and there were strict requirements for renovation and types of business allowed. Yet, the shops were in demand—these spaces had just become available, and many people came to look at them daily.

From the current foot traffic in the West Market, it was a situation where customers practically threw money at the landlords, who still hesitated whether to accept.

Hearing her try to negotiate, the landlord had no interest in entertaining her.

Quickly changing tactics, she asked, "Would it be convenient for us to meet and discuss?"

"Not really. I’m a bit busy lately. Come back in a few days," he said, about to hang up.

Having finally reached him, Su Qingyi was unwilling to give up easily. As she pondered, she suddenly recognized something familiar in his voice and cautiously asked, "Hello, are you the young man from Jiang Jingye’s antique shop?"

Silence fell abruptly on the other end.

She pressed on, "Hello, I’m Su Qingyi. I came to your shop a few days ago."

"Oh, Miss Su?" The man, Fang Zhu, seemed to recognize her and his tone softened, explaining patiently: "Jing Ge isn’t here. I can’t make decisions about the West Market shop. You’ll have to ask him when he’s back."

"Are you at the antique shop now?" Su Qingyi ignored his answer.

"Yes, I just got back," Fang Zhu’s voice carried a hint of fatigue.

"Is it convenient if I come see you now?"

"Ah? You want to come over?" Fang Zhu was taken aback, instinctively glancing around. "I’m fine with it, but Jing Ge isn’t here..."

"I’m not looking for him. I’m looking for you."

"Ah?" Fang Zhu was surprised again, glancing around casually, straightening a crooked pillow behind him. "Then come on over."

Su Qingyi had considered inviting him out to eat but seeing he had just come back and probably didn’t want to go out, she instead packed some dishes at home and brought them in a lunchbox.

When Fang Zhu saw her carrying the lunchbox in, he was stunned.

He quickly put down the feather duster in his hand and stood up straight. "Why..."

Seeing him stare at the lunchbox, Su Qingyi explained proactively, "I figured since you just got back, you probably didn’t have time to cook, so I brought some food from home."

Fang Zhu thanked her repeatedly.

Taking the lunchbox, he sat down, and the discomfort he had expected from a social obligation vanished like smoke, replaced by a warm feeling.

It reminded him of his youth, when he was an apprentice under his master, and his mother, worried he wasn’t eating enough, would secretly bring him food from time to time.

His eyes suddenly moistened.

Su Qingyi glanced around subtly and noticed an old-fashioned watch sealed in a plastic bag on the cashier counter. Curious, she asked, "Do you repair clocks and watches?"

"Huh?" Fang Zhu didn’t understand at first but followed her gaze and then explained: "This one I just got back from town. Our shop doesn’t have anything valuable—mostly just old, worn items. We also take restoration jobs for cultural relics, but no one here is an expert."

A faint smile played at Su Qingyi’s lips as memories from years ago flickered through her mind. Her beautiful eyes momentarily lost focus. "I almost went into cultural relic restoration myself."

Fang Zhu was surprised she brought up her past and asked with interest, "You studied cultural relic restoration?"

Su Qingyi shook her head. "I studied ancient architecture but didn’t finish my sophomore year—I dropped out."

"Why?"

"Because of some family troubles. My parents owed a lot of money, and I had to help pay off the debts." She spoke calmly and stood by the display cabinet.

"Ah?" Fang Zhu looked at her composed face and felt genuine regret. "That’s a shame..."

"Hmm?" Su Qingyi turned back.

Realizing his words might be misunderstood, Fang Zhu quickly clarified, "I mean, it’s a pity you didn’t finish university after getting in."

Su Qingyi smiled slightly.

She didn’t dwell on it and showed no sign of regret.

Her expression remained composed and serene.

For some reason, Fang Zhu thought of Lu Jingchen. Sometimes, when Jing Ge was silent, he seemed just like this—unperturbed by anything, unshaken.

"So, have your parents finished paying off the debt?" Fang Zhu furrowed his brows, seeming even more concerned than she was.

Su Qingyi gave a reassuring smile. "Yes, it’s all paid off."

He unconsciously relaxed, the worry between his brows softening. "That’s good."

Su Qingyi nodded and looked closely at the blue-and-white porcelain vase before her, casually asking, "Where have you been these past few days? I noticed the antique shop hasn’t opened."

"Oh," Fang Zhu frowned from tiredness as he recounted: "After Jing Ge gave you a ride back, a village leader came by. Their village’s newly planted March plums weren’t selling, and he asked Jing Ge to help."

"Jing Ge usually seems indifferent, but he hates seeing people suffer. That village leader had his calf cut by something, and it kept bleeding. He wrapped it with a plastic bag and didn’t care, just kept talking about how poor sales were killing the villagers’ enthusiasm. I didn’t understand much, but he also carried a bag full of plums. Jing Ge picked one and tasted it—so sour it took him a while to recover—but he still agreed to help. He told me to drive there, and Jiang He took the guy to the hospital."

"I saw Jing Ge ride a motorcycle over and thought it wasn’t far. I rode one too, but when I checked the GPS on the road, it was over 300 kilometers! I was so scared I took the train instead. When I arrived, I realized it was their village’s first time planting these plums, so they had to make money. The village leader had already asked every nearby village and county official, and Jing Ge’s the last person they could turn to—desperate, treating him like a last resort."

"I figured since I was there, I might as well collect some old items in the village while waiting for the plum buyer Jing Ge contacted. That’s how it ended up being so many days."

Su Qingyi listened quietly, saying nothing.

She didn’t know who to pity—it only brought to mind his figure standing on the armrest of a chair, gazing at the green mountains.

Untouched by worldly dust.

Yet still bound by mortal ties.

"Is that village leader okay?"

"He’s fine. They gave him a tetanus shot and cleaned the wound. I hadn’t been there two days when he and Jiang He came back by car."

"What about his motorcycle?"

"Jiang He borrowed a pickup truck to bring him back. They thought I came by motorcycle too and wanted to give me a ride back. Luckily, I was smart—I would’ve never made it riding 300 kilometers, and the plum buyers would have arrived before me."

"The important thing is that village leader is tough. Even with that leg, he helped load the goods. Jiang He and I had no choice but to help. If Jing Ge hadn’t transferred me two hundred yuan that day, I really would’ve..."

Su Qingyi chuckled at his exaggerated tone.

"You really worked hard."

Fang Zhu waved his hand. "It's nothing, just serving the people."

Su Qingyi shook her head with a smile. "Do you want to eat anything else? I can order takeout for you."

"No, Jing Ge’s two hundred is enough."

She realized both he and Jing Ge were very grounded people.

Not greedy in the slightest.

"So how do you know Jiang Jingye?"

That was a long story.

Fang Zhu thought for a moment. "I met him at a hospital in Hudou. My mom was sick, and I had no money. I was desperate when Jing Ge helped me out. Later, when I couldn’t find a job, Jing Ge gave me a place to stay."

"That guy really has a kind heart. He helps anyone he can without asking for anything in return. I was just asking if you had finished paying your debts because if you ever have trouble, you can ask Jing Ge for help. Over the years, he’s traveled all over, knows a lot of people, and can definitely help you."