Star-Crossed Lovers: The Ex-Convict and the White Rabbit - Chapter 17

Chapter 17 – A Package 

It was getting dark. Lu Yin had eaten on the way back. She had drunk some alcohol and was slightly buzzed. Her previously bad mood had been exceedingly improved by the alcohol. 

She carried her bag, high heels twisting, her pace joyful. 

Arriving at the gates of her residential complex, Old Li shouted at her, “Little Lu, you’re back?” 

Lu Yin composed herself and turned her head, “Mr. Li, I thought you left?” 

“I’m about to.” He was wiping the bicycle seat with a rag when he remembered something and stopped her again, “There’s a package for you, it arrived today… Yeah, it was a heavy one.” He pointed to the back, “Little Lu, can you get it for me? It’s under the table.” 

Lu Yin heard him and tilted her head, finally realizing there was someone else behind him. The man was sitting on a bench outside the security post, as if he had just arrived to change shifts. He wasn’t wearing the security uniform and was instead wearing all black. His left foot was covered in an Old Beijing style cloth shoe while the other shoe was upturned beside him. His right foot was up on the edge of the chair. He was eating. 

Lu Yin recognized the man, her heart skipped a beat and she immediately halfway sobered up.
 

Lu Qiang hummed in assent but he didn’t move. His eyes stayed on her. 

Lu Yin writhed under his gaze and was about to tell Old Li she would come another day. 

Old Li tsked and turned his head, “Little Lu, what are you dallying for?” 

Lu Qiang looked down, “Let me finish this bite.” 

He stuffed the rest of his steamed bun and pickled mustard greens in his mouth, rubbed his hands on his pants and looked at Lu Yin again before going into the post for her package. 

She exchanged a few words with Old Li as Lu Qiang dragged the package out. 

He looked at Old Li, “It’s not hers.”
 

Old Li thought his eyes must be playing tricks on him. He grabbed his hand and frowned, “It is, Building 11 Unit 302, Lu Yin.” 

Lu Qiang said, “She lives on the second floor.” 

Lu Yin felt heat travel up her face, she remembered tricking him that day to throw him off. 

Old Li said, “You’re still new so you don’t know yet. Little Lu lives on the third floor.” 

The corner of Lu Qiang’s mouth twitched. He glanced at her and said, “Second floor, she said so herself.” 

Old Li was confused. He muttered, “I’ve gone there to repair her water pipe before, there’s no way I’m wrong!” 

Lu Yin ran her hands through her wavy hair. She lowered her eyes, restless. At this moment, the alcohol had traveled upwards, her hair danced in the breeze, cheeks hot and itchy. 

She smoothed her hair and pulled at her skirt. After a while, she finally raised her head and let out a dry laugh, “I seemed to have misspoken that day.” 

Old Li was proud of himself, “See.” 

Lu Qiang glanced at him and then turned his eyes back to look at her embarrassed expression. He laughed ambiguously, “Oh.” 

Old Li said, “Now that that’s settled… Oh, that’s right, you two haven’t been formally introduced, yes?” 

The two didn’t say a word. Lu Qiang mimicked her and looked down. 

Old Li didn’t notice the subtle change in the air. He took their silence as agreement and told Lu Yin, “This is our complex’s new security guard, his name’s Lu Qiang. He’s not from here… Look at this guy.” He patted Lu Qiang’s shoulder and said with conviction, “Indeed, we should recruit a few more young’uns so that our residents can have a sense of security. I, an old man, should start considering retirement!” 

Lu Yin said, “You’re very good at your job.” 

Lao Li laughed at himself and waved his hand, “Far from it. If you have any problems from now on, look for Little Lu. He’s quite a good person, honest and genuine. He works hard and doesn’t complain, but of course, that also means he doesn’t like to talk.” 

Lu Yin pursed her lips and gave him a quick look. He wasn’t bald anymore, a short layer of black hair stood upright and prickly on his scalp. The tip of his scar had been covered by his sideburns, it was now not as obvious and much less intimidating. The short-sleeved shirt was oversized on him, very thin. It highlighted his strong silhouette with a slight breeze from the wind. 

However, first impressions were the strongest. Even if he wasn’t terribly evil, Lu Yin didn’t feel like he was honest and genuine. On the contrary, she had always felt that he had a dangerous aura, his gaze on her was too straightforward and unscrupulous and she felt like he was up to no good. 

Lu Yin gathered her thoughts, “Ok… Mr. Li, I’m going back.” 

Old Li said, “The package is too heavy. Have Little Lu send it over for you.” He turned to Lu Qiang, “I’ll watch over for you.” 

Lu Yin was surprised, “Don’t bother, I can do it.” She stepped forward to pick up the box from him. 

Lu Qiang didn’t move. 

She held the bottom of the box and took it in her arms. 

Lu Qiang said, “It’s heavy.” 

Lu Yin grunted and exerted strength. 

She was stubborn and wouldn’t listen. Lu Qiang smirked and relaxed his hand soon after. 

The weight of the box way exceeded her expectations. She was caught off guard and fell to the side. She wobbled in her heels. Lu Yin was half lying on the box. She screamed in surprise and hastily stood back up. 

Laughter came from above her, low, hoarse and pleasant.