"I don't think this was your fault. A wedding schedule is planned far in advance; things don't just change at the last minute."
Fearing the silence would be too awkward, Xu Lin took the initiative to start a conversation and comfort Lin Jiang.
"You're right. It's actually a relief now."
"A woman who's never been married wouldn't understand. In a marriage, material possessions aren't the most important thing. Just having someone to be there for you... that's more important than anything."
Xu Lin sounded a bit wistful as she said slowly:
"Take you, for example. You have this little shop, you're making a living, and you still have time left to take care of your family. That's wonderful. So you shouldn't feel any pressure."
Lin Jiang could guess why Xu Lin felt this way.
Her husband's job seemed to keep him very busy. He was often away on business trips, and she was the one who always dropped off and picked up their child from school.
In the six-plus months since she'd bought this apartment, he had only seen her husband once. Their marital relationship seemed mediocre at best.
"That's why I'm so relaxed now. I don't feel a thing."
"That's good."
Strolling leisurely, the two of them reached the building entrance and got on the elevator together.
They stood side by side, a fresh, pleasant fragrance wafting from her.
Xu Lin was wearing a three-quarter-sleeve knit sweater. If it were a loose-fitting style, there would be nothing remarkable about it.
But the one Xu Lin was wearing was form-fitting.
The slightest pull or stretch would create small gaps of varying sizes in the fabric, making it slightly translucent.
'Hmm, black.'
Before Lin Jiang could get a closer look, the elevator arrived at the 16th floor.
Xu Lin, in her flat-soled shoes, was the first to step out. It was only then that Lin Jiang noticed she was also wearing nude pantyhose.
When they reached her door, Lin Jiang set down the fruit.
"Thank you so much. If you hadn't helped me, I would've had to rest several times just to carry all this fruit back."
"We're neighbors. It's only right we help each other out," Lin Jiang said with a smile.
"I'm in the traditional Chinese medicine business. If there's ever anything I can help with, be sure to let me know."
'Traditional Chinese medicine?'
Xu Lin's profession was a bit of a surprise to Lin Jiang.
"Okay."
BEEP BEEP BEEP—
The fingerprint lock on Xu Lin's door beeped open, and she pulled the door ajar.
Seeing Xu Lin was about to go inside, Lin Jiang grew a little anxious. He had less than two hours left on his mission timer; if he missed this chance, it would be gone.
"Sister Lin, wait a second."
Xu Lin had one foot inside her home and had already slipped off one shoe. Her small, stocking-clad foot was quite attractive.
"What is it?"
"I have to make a trip to Huaihe Second Primary School later. You go there often, right?"
"My son is in the second grade there. I pick him up every day," Xu Lin replied, turning her head.
"I need to go to the area around Huaihe Second Primary School at about five o'clock. Are there driving restrictions during that time?"
Xu Lin's expression changed slightly. She paused for a few seconds.
"There are no restrictions, but that's right when school gets out. There are a lot of cars picking up kids, so it might be a bit congested."
"That's not a problem. My driving skills are decent."
"Then you should be fine. Just be sure to drive carefully."
Lin Jiang pouted inwardly. 'I've dangled the hook, so why isn't she biting?'
'Do I need to chum the waters first?'
"Oh, right, don't you have to pick up your son tonight? Do you want a ride since I'm heading that way? It'll save you the trouble of driving."
"Well…"
Xu Lin hesitated. "No, it's okay. You have your own things to do. I won't trouble you."
"Alright, I'll head back then."
"Okay."
They each opened their doors and went home. Lin Jiang flopped onto his sofa.
'Although we're on pretty good terms, we don't really interact much.'
'The only time we had any close contact was when her drain clogged, and I helped her unclog it.'
'If I don't find another opportunity, this mission will be very hard to complete.'
'But being too pushy never works. If I make too bold a move, she'll definitely get suspicious and put her guard up.'
'Maybe I should stage a chance encounter and look for an opening then?'
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Lin Jiang got up to open it and saw Xu Lin standing at his doorway, holding a bamboo fruit platter laden with fruit.
There were strawberries, cherries, blueberries, grapes…
None of it was cheap.
"Sister Lin, what's up?"
Xu Lin neatened her hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear.
"You helped me carry my things all the way back. I don't have much to thank you with, so I washed some fruit for you."
"You're too kind. You didn't have to do this," Lin Jiang said with a smile.
"Don't be so formal. I bought a lot, and now that you're living alone, I figure you probably don't buy these things for yourself. Here, take them."
"Thanks, Sister Lin."
Lin Jiang took the fruit and placed it on the small dining table in his kitchen.
"By the way, I forgot to ask you earlier, what are you going to Huaihe Second Primary School for?"
Hearing this, Lin Jiang rejoiced inwardly.
'If she wasn't thinking along the same lines, she never would have asked that!'
"I'm dropping something off for a friend. Is there something you need, Sister Lin?"
Xu Lin smoothed her hair again and said apologetically:
"I have a very important dinner to attend tonight. If you're free, would you be able to help me pick up my son? If it's not convenient, that's okay, no worries."
"It's perfectly convenient. I'm just dropping something off in the area, so it's no trouble to pick up your son for you."
"Then thank you so much."
A delighted expression appeared on Xu Lin's face. She waggled her phone. "Let's keep in touch on WeChat if anything comes up. I won't stand on ceremony with you, then."
"Okay."
After a few more simple words, Xu Lin thanked Lin Jiang again and turned to go back home.
"Yes!"
'I was just worrying about it, and the opportunity came this quickly.'
After closing the door, Lin Jiang brought the fruit to the coffee table and popped a cherry in his mouth.
'Pretty sweet.'
'She's clearly well-off. I'd never be willing to buy something this expensive for myself.'
Xu Lin: "Sorry to trouble you. Thank you so much! ◕‿◕"
Lin Jiang: "It's nothing. Neighbors should help each other out. Don't be a stranger."
Xu Lin: "You've met my son before, right? I remember he asked you for help assembling a toy."
Lin Jiang: "Of course. All my relatives and friends agree, your son is so handsome it's hard to forget him."
Lin Jiang wasn't just flattering her. It's often said that boys take after their mothers, and that was certainly the case for Xu Lin's family.
Xu Lin: "You really have a way with words, just as you'd expect from a business owner. I'll give him a call in a bit and tell him you're picking him up tonight, so he'll go with you."
Lin Jiang: "??? He can bring a phone to school in the second grade?"
Xu Lin: "It's a kid's smartwatch phone ◠‿◠."
Lin Jiang: [Facepalm.jpg]
Xu Lin: [Image.jpg]
Xu Lin: "Here's a picture of my son. You should remember him, right?"
Lin Jiang: "I do."
Xu Lin: "When school lets out, the students come out holding signs. He's in Second Grade, Class 3."
Lin Jiang: "OK, leave it to me."