Unable to Fall in Love Syndrome - Chapter 11

Chapter 11 – Time Speaks 01

Xiao Jia was Qiao Shan’s childhood friend, five years her senior.

Qiao Shan had always struggled with her studies, while Xiao Jia excelled academically. As kids, he was her nightmare—people constantly compared her to him. Once they grew up, the elders loved teasing them, trying to play matchmaker and tie their fates together, which always left Qiao Shan feeling awkward.

During holidays, she’d only dare drag her luggage back home alone after confirming Xiao Jia had left their hometown. In short, she avoided appearing in front of neighbors, relatives, or friends at the same time as him.

That changed two years ago when Xiao Jia brought home a little girl. Only then did the neighbors drop the idea of pairing them up, stopping the jokes and shifting to gossip about Xiao Jia having a child out of wedlock.

Wenwen wasn’t Xiao Jia’s biological daughter. She was six years old, obedient and adorable, and her mother was one of Xiao Jia’s students. The child had no father.

Two years ago, the female student had a chance to study abroad but was ready to give it up because of Wenwen. Xiao Jia didn’t want her to miss the opportunity, so he agreed to take care of the girl for two years.

Qiao Shan was puzzled as to why he’d taken on such a burden. Whenever she asked, Xiao Jia would just smile and say, “With Wenwen around, the neighbors’ gossip isn’t about us anymore. Don’t you like that?”

Qiao Shan would roll her eyes every time. “As if you’re some saint. It definitely wasn’t for my sake.”

“Yeah, how could it possibly be for you?” Xiao Jia always kept his smile. Ever since Qiao Shan could remember, she’d never seen him with a stern face.

Wenwen took Dudu out to the balcony to play. Xiao Jia warmed up some walnut milk for Qiao Shan and sat down, asking, “You seem really busy lately? I dropped off cookies at your office, but you weren’t there.”

Qiao Shan took the warm walnut milk and gulped it down in one go. When the glass was empty, she habitually accepted the tissue Xiao Jia handed her, wiped her mouth, and said, “Yeah, this case is even trickier than the one with the karaoke bar owner and the female celebrity. Long story short, it’s tough, but I’ve had a breakthrough recently. Should be fine.”

She paused, then asked with a sly grin, “Did you make any cookies? I’ll take some with me later. I’ve been living on instant noodles for half a month—if I don’t get some good food in me, I’ll probably turn into a noodle next time I visit.”

Xiao Jia got up and went to the kitchen, bringing out a bag of pre-packed cookies and setting it on the coffee table. “Knew you were coming, so Wenwen and I got up early to make some for you.”

Wenwen was sitting on the floor with a small comb, hugging the dog’s head and brushing Dudu’s fur. Hearing Xiao Jia, she chimed in right away, “Yeah, Qiao Mama! The ugliest ones are the ones I made! The prettiest are from Xiao Papa! Xiao Papa said you love cranberries, so every cookie has tons and tons of them. You’ll love it!”

Qiao Shan was touched. “Thanks, Wenwen. You’re such a good girl!”

“No need to thank me, Qiao Mama.” Wenwen’s eyes curved into crescents, her voice soft and sweet. “Qiao Mama is the nicest person to me besides Mama and Xiao Papa. It’s only right to be good to Qiao Mama!”

Sometimes Qiao Shan really envied Xiao Jia for having such a sensible “daughter.” Too bad she wasn’t his biological child—she’d have to go back to her mom by the end of the year.

Xiao Jia plated a few more cookies on a glass dish and set it on the coffee table.

She grabbed one casually, holding it with both hands and nibbling carefully with her head down, not looking up as she asked softly, “You’re not getting any younger. Got anyone you’re interested in? Or any ideal type? I could play matchmaker for you.”

Xiao Jia raised a thick eyebrow and chuckled. “Trying to drum up business with me?”

The cookies were so good that Qiao Shan kept her head down, taking tiny bites, her teeth clicking as her head bobbed slightly—like a fluffy little hamster eating. Xiao Jia couldn’t resist reaching out to ruffle her hair again. “Come on, spill it. Did someone approach you?”

Of course, she couldn’t hide it from him.

Qiao Shan stopped nibbling, wiped the cookie crumbs from her mouth with the back of her hand, and sighed. “Why are you always one step ahead?”

Xiao Jia said, “No special powers.” His gaze on her was too gentle, a sentence stuck in his throat that he never voiced.

Being able to predict what you want to do isn’t about having foresight. It’s because I know you too well.

Qiao Shan had already figured he’d guess her intentions, so she’d prepared Lin Zhen’s photo in advance.

She pulled out her phone, opened the matchmaking database, found Lin Zhen’s profile, and handed it over. “Here, you remember this girl, right? She hired me as a matchmaker.” Qiao Shan held up three fingers, clicking her tongue. “And the fee’s not cheap—three hundred thousand!”

Xiao Jia took the phone, his smile fading as his voice turned low and cool. “I remember her. She’s been coming to my classes a lot lately.” He paused, turning to look at Qiao Shan as she wiped her hands. “How about this: I’ll give you three hundred and ten thousand, and you can matchmake for me too.”

Qiao Shan blinked. “You have someone in mind?”

Xiao Jia said, “Mm-hmm.”

“Does she have a profile? I can check?” She asked out of habit, then shook her head as something occurred to her. “No, I already promised Miss Lin. It’s not about the money—it’s basic professional ethics and trust!”

Xiao Jia said, “You think that line works on me?”

Qiao Shan shook her head. “Nope, so I didn’t take her money. Just said I’d do my best.”

Xiao Jia said, “Good, all those snacks I send you aren’t for nothing. Where do you live? I’ll drop off some food when I have time.”

Qiao Shan pulled out paper and pen from the small drawer under the coffee table, wrote down her address, and gave him a key. “If I’m not home, you can just leave the food inside.”

Xiao Jia pocketed the key and asked, “Staying for lunch?”

“Sure! You going to buy groceries now?”

Xiao Jia said, “What do you want? I’ll get it.”

Qiao Shan rattled off a long list of dishes—enough to keep Xiao Jia hunting around the market for a while.

After Xiao Jia left, Qiao Shan slipped into his study to turn on his computer. It had a password, and after a few failed tries, she went to the balcony where Wenwen was playing with Dudu and toys. With some coaxing and promises, she got the boot password.

Xiao Jia’s computer had his schedule for the past month. He was the type who planned everything meticulously—not just his work for the next month, but even the details of his daily life.

Having a handsome, outstanding childhood friend like him, Qiao Shan had entertained thoughts about him during her teenage years. But it was precisely because Xiao Jia planned everything so thoroughly! He always included her in his plans, and that feeling… Qiao Shan didn’t like it at all.

She quickly copied his schedule. As she shut down the computer, she noticed a notebook on the desk. On the cover, in Xiao Jia’s fountain pen handwriting, was Time Will Eventually Tell You.

Qiao Shan glanced at it but didn’t think much of it.

When Xiao Jia returned and saw her sitting there obediently nibbling cookies like a little raccoon, his mood inexplicably lifted.

He liked Qiao Shan when she was well-behaved. Docile like a gentle little animal, fierce like a lioness with her fur standing on end. He was five when he and his mother waited at the hospital for her birth. Seeing that soft, wrinkled bundle that was Qiao Shan back then stirred something complex in him.

If time was the most precious thing in a person’s life, he was willing to give all of his to Qiao Shan.

*

This visit was worth it for Qiao Shan—not only did she score a bunch of snacks from Xiao Jia, but she also got his schedule.

That afternoon, she organized Xiao Jia’s itinerary, listing out his public lectures at school, which supermarkets he shopped at, and where he planned to travel on weekends.

Then, she tailored a “Chance Encounter with the Male God Plan” for Lin Zhen.

Lin Zhen had to attend Xiao Jia’s public lectures at least once a week to get him familiar with her face.

She could also stake out his usual supermarkets and markets to create “accidental” meetings. Xiao Jia had a short trip planned for May—this was a golden opportunity. Qiao Shan highlighted it emphatically and repeatedly urged Lin Zhen to seize it!

She was busy with her client Zuo Yi right now, and since Lin Zhen’s crush was Xiao Jia, she could only handle the planning from behind the scenes.

By the time Qiao Shan had explained the plan and instructions to Lin Zhen, it was already one in the morning. She collapsed onto her bed, sinking into the soft mattress, feeling like her body was falling apart. Ever since taking on Zuo Yi’s case, she hadn’t slept before midnight, and every day she felt dog-tired.

So, on Monday morning at work, she was still in a daze during the meeting.

To spark something between Tong Xiaoli and Zuo Yi, Qiao Shan had volunteered for tasks that took her in and out of the general manager’s office, using the chance to observe Zuo Yi.

A few times, Zuo Yi looked up and met her gaze; she’d quickly turn away.

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but Qiao Shan felt like Zuo Yi’s looks toward her were a bit different—though she couldn’t pinpoint how.

At noon, when she delivered Zuo Yi’s lunchbox, he asked her to book a ticket for Maxim’s China Jinyang tour concert. Qiao Shan saw this as a great opportunity to start creating “chance encounters” between Tong Xiaoli and Zuo Yi from the concert.

So, she bought a ticket for the adjacent seat out of her own pocket. After delivering Zuo Yi’s ticket, she came back and asked Tong Xiaoli, “Xiaoli, I have an extra ticket here. Want to go?”

Tong Xiaoli took the ticket and glanced at it, looking at her in surprise. “Three thousand a ticket, and you’re just giving it away? Shanshan, you’re so generous. You sure you want to give it to me?”

She nodded through gritted teeth. “If you want to go, it’s yours.”

But her heart ached with every breath…

Then she thought about the fifty thousand she’d get if it worked out, and suddenly those few thousand didn’t seem like much! She tilted her head back to swallow her hot tears and patted Tong Xiaoli’s shoulder. “Wednesday night at seven—don’t forget the time!”

The concert was at Jinyang Stadium, starting at eight in the evening. By six on Wednesday afternoon, the outside was already packed. Qiao Shan disguised herself as a middle-aged woman and tailed Zuo Yi all the way to the stadium, only leaving after seeing him enter the ticket hall with her own eyes.

A domineering CEO and his little assistant bumping into each other at a piano concert—what a perfect, romantic opener!

The concert would last a full two hours, and since Qiao Shan hadn’t bought a ticket, she couldn’t go in. She had to wait outside. Luckily, the snack street near Jinyang Tech University was nearby, so she decided to grab something to eat.

As Qiao Shan passed by the candied hawthorn stall from the other day, she saw new items in the glass case—not just hawthorns, but strawberries too.

She loved strawberries and was about to order when a clear, bright voice came from beside her: “Boss, one skewer of strawberries, please.” A hand with distinct knuckles handed over a hundred-yuan bill. She followed the hand up to the face.

Her eyes nearly bulged out.

!! What the hell! Wasn’t he supposed to be at the concert?! Why was he here!!!

Qiao Shan exclaimed in shock, “What are you doing here?”

Zuo Yi seemed to notice her just then, his voice flat: “What a coincidence.”

Heh heh heh… Yeah, such a coincidence!

“You alone?”

“Who else would I be with?”

Qiao Shan’s gaze landed on the strawberry candied hawthorn in his hand. “Heh, didn’t peg you for a fan of girly snacks like this. You ate the one I bought you last time, right?”

Just then, a little girl came over, and Zuo Yi turned to hand her the strawberry skewer.

The girl grinned happily, showing a gap-toothed smile, her voice as sweet as honey: “Thanks, big brother!”

Zuo Yi gently ruffled her hair, his tone unusually warm: “You’re welcome.”

He turned back, his face serious as he explained, “Bought it for the little girl.”

Heh heh heh… Could he be any more shameless about passing the buck?

The last strawberry skewer had been given away, so she settled for a regular one. She took a bite, then heard the man beside her say, “I’ve been wondering why you’d use a fake identity.” He paused, then asked, “Cheng Shan—no, Qiao Shan. Long time no see. How have you been?”

Qiao Shan’s body jolted in shock, her hand going limp as the candied hawthorn dropped to the ground.

She turned her head, gaping at the still-composed man beside her, her mind a storm of waves, her face a mask of stunned confusion and what the hell…