Chapter 6
Xin Geling froze for a moment. “You brought one too?”
Xie Zhitang still explained in a gentle tone, “I brought it from the company for Sister. If Sister wants to eat someone else’s cake more, then I’ll eat this one myself.”
There was nothing wrong with what she said. She was both thinking of Xin Geling and giving her an easy way out.
Xin Geling only needed to follow her lead. Every part of it was considerate.
But precisely because Xie Zhitang was too considerate, Xin Geling felt embarrassed to take the way out she had offered. That would be no different from ignoring Xie Zhitang’s feelings to her face.
So she said, “It’s not that I like someone else’s cake more. Since you brought it here, I’ll eat yours.”
Xie Zhitang looked at her in slight surprise. Seeing her reach out to take it, she curved her brows and handed it over. “Then what will Sister do with the other piece?”
Xin Geling looked at the two pieces of cake in her hands. She could not eat that many sweets, so she said, “I’ll take it home for Ms. Lin.”
Xie Zhitang smiled. “Then Auntie should be very happy.”
Xin Geling quietly looked at her for quite a while. Thinking of what Grandma Chen had said, she swallowed back the words on the tip of her tongue.
“Let’s go in.”
Xin Geling brought her into Maochong Grooming, took Tangyuan down from the display cabinet, and put him into the cat carrier. After telling the owner she was accompanying a customer out, she took Xie Zhitang to the pet hospital.
About ten minutes later, they arrived at the pet hospital.
Xin Geling spoke with the front desk staff. “A customer from Maochong Grooming wants to have her cat neutered.”
Xie Zhitang stood at the side, watching Xin Geling communicate.
The staff member asked, “Has the cat gone without food and water for eight hours?”
Xin Geling said, “Yes. We started withholding food and water a little after nine this morning.”
The staff member asked, “Is the cat male or female?”
Xin Geling said, “Male.”
As the staff member typed on the computer, she asked, “Will you be doing a complete blood count and biochemical test?”
Xin Geling turned and asked, “Does your colleague want Tangyuan to have a complete blood count and biochemical test? The complete blood count is to determine the cat’s clotting ability and whether there’s any infection or anemia. This hospital charges seventy yuan for one CBC, and usually it should be done. The biochemical test checks whether Tangyuan’s liver, kidneys, and other organ indicators are normal. Since anesthesia carries risks, that one costs three hundred. If your colleague thinks it’s unnecessary, she can skip the biochemical test.”
Xie Zhitang understood and nodded. “Do both.”
As she spoke, she took out her phone and scanned the code to pay the staff member.
The staff member asked them to wait on the sofa nearby, then carried Tangyuan into a room to do the blood test.
Xie Zhitang said, “I didn’t expect Sister to have done so much homework.”
It had only been three days, yet she was already familiar with what was involved in neutering a cat. Strictly speaking, this was knowledge that the pet hospital should be explaining to customers.
Xin Geling sat down. “I hadn’t come into contact with this area before. You asked me this morning to arrange Tangyuan’s neutering, so I temporarily went to study it.”
Xie Zhitang also sat down, taking the bag from her shoulder and placing it on her lap. “So that’s how it is. Sister is very responsible. It seems handing Tangyuan over to you really was the right decision.”
Xin Geling only smiled at her praise. “It’s all right.”
Xie Zhitang glanced toward that room and asked softly, “How long does Tangyuan’s neutering take?”
Xin Geling said, “About a little over an hour. If you have something to do, you can go back first. After the neutering, I’ll bring Tangyuan back to the shop and take care of him.”
“I don’t have anything to do.” Xie Zhitang handed her the cake from earlier. “Do you want to eat the cake now?”
Xin Geling thought about how she still had to eat the dinner Ms. Lin would make after work. Eating earlier would let her digest it earlier. “All right.”
Xie Zhitang watched her take the cake, open it, and eat. A faint smile appeared at the corners of her lips. “Is it good?”
Xin Geling took a bite and felt the sweetness of the cake slowly melt over her taste buds. “It’s pretty good.”
Receiving affirmation, Xie Zhitang relaxed and looked at the product display cabinet opposite them. The back of the display cabinet was made of clear, bright mirrors, and between the products, it clearly reflected the two of them sitting on the sofa waiting.
Like a pair of friends with some sort of connection.
Or perhaps something a little deeper.
“Does Sister have any flavor you especially like?”
Xin Geling thought for a moment. “Probably not. I like almost everything.”
At that moment, a girl walked into the pet hospital with a cat in her arms and headed straight for the front desk. “Hello, I’m here for a vaccination.”
The staff member asked, “Which dose?”
The girl took out a booklet and handed it over. “The second one. The first dose was done here before.”
The staff member took it and looked. “All right. Please wait a moment.”
“Okay, okay.” Perhaps the cat was a little heavy, because the girl lifted it higher in her arms. As soon as she turned, she saw Xin Geling on the sofa and let out a sound of surprise. “What a coincidence!”
Hearing the voice, Xin Geling raised her head and recognized her as the girl who had given her the cake earlier.
The cake in her hand was not the one the girl had given her… and the girl had seen it.
Xin Geling had not expected such a situation to happen. She stiffened for a moment, then answered, “What a coincidence.”
The girl’s gaze was naturally drawn to the cake in her hand. At one glance, she realized it was not the piece she had given her. Not knowing whether Xin Geling had thrown hers away or given it to someone else, an awkward look appeared on her face, and she did not know whether she should continue speaking to her.
As she hesitated, she sensed another gaze falling on her. The girl could not help looking over and met the eyes of a gentle, beautiful woman. The other woman carried a mature and steady air, her posture elegant.
Xie Zhitang smiled at her warmly. Sensing her goodwill, the girl smiled back.
Just then, the cat in the girl’s arms suddenly broke free and leaped down.
“Kele!” The girl’s heart jumped, and she hurried to catch it. “You’re about to get a shot! And you’re still running around!”
The little black cat named Kele might have had short legs, but when it ran, it did not hesitate at all. It was sharp and cunning, dodging its owner and refusing to be caught.
The staff also joined the battle to catch the cat. Xin Geling put down the cake and got up to help.
The little black cat darted here and there. Fortunately, the door was closed, so it could not get out.
Xie Zhitang watched the three of them try to catch the black cat. In the blink of an eye, it shot out from under their noses and rushed toward the sofa. Xie Zhitang thought the little black cat was about to hide under the sofa and was just about to stop it.
Unexpectedly, the little black cat jumped onto the coffee table and came to the piece of unfinished cake. It lowered its head and sniffed, about to lick it, when a pair of slender, fair hands suddenly grabbed its body.
The little black cat immediately became stressed and struggled wildly. Xie Zhitang was caught off guard, and the black cat kicked her wrist with its hind leg. Tiny scratches appeared in an instant.
She let out a low hiss of pain and was about to let go when a familiar pair of hands swiftly took the little black cat from her.
Xie Zhitang looked up and saw Xin Geling. “Sister.”
After Xin Geling held the cat, everyone else breathed a sigh of relief. “Here. Take him in for his shot.”
The girl thanked her repeatedly. “Thank you. I’ll take Kele for his shot first.”
Xin Geling watched her carry Kele inside. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Xie Zhitang lowering her eyes to look at the scratch on her wrist. When Xin Geling’s gaze touched the fresh red blood seeping from it, she pulled Xie Zhitang’s hand over. “Were you scratched just now?”
Xie Zhitang nodded, her brows slightly furrowed. “He kicked me.”
Xin Geling looked toward the front desk. There was no one there at the moment. She let go of Xie Zhitang’s hand. “Wait for me here.”
After saying that, she went to ask someone for disinfectant.
After getting cotton swabs and alcohol from the staff, Xin Geling walked back to Xie Zhitang and sat beside her. “Give me your hand.”
Xie Zhitang glanced at Xin Geling’s posture as she leaned toward her. Their knees were lightly touching.
She handed her hand over. “Okay.”
“It’ll hurt. Bear with it.” Xin Geling reminded her before starting.
Xie Zhitang said, “Mm.”
Xin Geling began applying alcohol to disinfect the scratches bit by bit. When the alcohol touched the tiny wounds where blood had seeped out, Xie Zhitang’s hand trembled noticeably, but she said nothing.
Xin Geling lifted her eyes to look at Xie Zhitang and suddenly realized that Xie Zhitang was quite close to her, close enough that she could see the fine wisps of hair over her smooth, full forehead.
Her gaze moved downward. Xie Zhitang’s gentle brows and eyes were slightly lowered, the tip of her nose delicate and straight. For some inexplicable reason, she gave off a soft, fragrant feeling.
Xin Geling continued wiping until she had disinfected all the tiny wounds. Only then did she set the tools down. “Do you… want to get a shot as a precaution?”
“Mm?” Xie Zhitang looked at her in confusion. “Didn’t you say that if the cat has been vaccinated, it won’t have rabies?”
Xin Geling said, “That’s true, but you have the means. You can get the shot as prevention.”
People were not all the same. Under the same conditions, some people had the ability to choose and were willing to add an extra layer of protection for their health, while others could only leave it to fate.
Xie Zhitang understood what she meant and smiled faintly. “No need. It’s not a serious injury.”
Xin Geling respected her choice. “Mm. Be careful when you shower after going home.”
After reminding her, Xin Geling planned to continue eating the cake.
Xie Zhitang watched her scoop up a spoonful and eat it. She did not seem to mind at all that the cat had almost licked it just now.
“I thought you wouldn’t want to eat it anymore.”
Xie Zhitang had worked for four years, and her social skills were outstanding. She had studied deeply how to communicate with all kinds of clients. Even if the other party said a bunch of messy, scattered things, she could still find the right entry point, guide the client back to reason, and lead them along her own train of thought little by little until they told her what kind of proposal they wanted or which product features they wanted highlighted.
She knew how to guide a topic in the direction she wanted.
Xin Geling said, “Why wouldn’t I?”
Xie Zhitang said, “Because the cat almost licked it just now.”
Xin Geling said, “Even if it had licked it, it would be fine. I’d just scoop out the part it licked.”
Xie Zhitang said, “Sister really doesn’t mind at all.”
Xin Geling continued scooping up another bite. “It’s all right.”
Xie Zhitang rested her chin on her hand and looked toward the door. Outside the transparent glass door was a bustling crowd, and layers of rosy sunset clouds covered the sky.
“Why did that girl just now say ‘what a coincidence’? Is she your customer?”
Thinking of that girl, Xin Geling could not help thinking of the cake she was eating. “Yes. She’s the girl who gave me cake. I hope she didn’t misunderstand.”
The smile on Xie Zhitang’s face faded a little. Recalling the girl’s appearance, pretty and fresh, she said, “She’s quite young.”
“Sister, in this line of work, do customers often give you small gifts?”
Xin Geling thought about it. “No. Only her. She probably gave it to me because she was afraid it would go to waste if she couldn’t finish it.”
Xie Zhitang, however, did not agree. “Does she live nearby?”
Xin Geling said, “Mm.”
Xie Zhitang asked, “Which street does she live on?”
Xin Geling said, “Hm?”
Xie Zhitang realized she had been somewhat abrupt. “Nothing. I was just asking casually. Sister, I’m a little hungry.”
Xin Geling was surprised. “You haven’t eaten yet?”
Xie Zhitang said, “No. I came straight here after work.”
Xin Geling asked, “Should I go out and buy you a meal?”
Outside was a bustling street. Once evening came, many small vendors came out to set up stalls. There were far more kinds of snacks than there had been seven years ago, and restaurants nearby appeared one after another.
Xie Zhitang was just about to say yes when she turned her head and remembered that Xin Geling had only been working for three days. She changed her words. “No need. Let me have one bite of cake to fill my stomach.”
Xin Geling looked at the cake she had already eaten half of, set down the spoon, and handed it over.
Xie Zhitang picked up the spoon and took a bite, not caring at all whether the spoon had already been used by someone else.
It seemed impolite to watch someone eat, so Xin Geling looked away. But Xie Zhitang stopped after only a few bites.
“Thank you, Sister. I’m full.” Xie Zhitang looked at how much cake was still left and saw that she had used the spoon. An apologetic look appeared on her face. “Sorry…”
Only after hearing her apology did Xin Geling understand what she meant. “It’s fine.”
She continued eating, not feeling that there was anything inappropriate about it.
Only as she ate, perhaps because Xie Zhitang was sitting beside her, the faint scent of violet perfume drifted over from time to time, affecting her thoughts. It was as though even the cake had been tinged with that faint violet fragrance.
Did the cake seem a little sweeter?
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