Smoking

"You smoked? I've never seen you buy cigarettes before." To be exact, it was the first time that Aunt Han had seen Shen Lin buying cigarettes. 

Shen Lin would visit her family's small supermarket often. However, he would only come over to buy instant noodles, bread, and other fast food after his night shift.

Most of the people who lived in the neighborhood were doctors from the First People's Hospital of Huachen. It was normal for them to buy two packs of cigarettes from her small supermarket after work. There were many doctors and nurses who smoked in Huachen, but Shen Lin was an exception. He had never smoked before.

"Yes, I smoke occasionally." Shen Lin scanned the code. Then, he took the cigarette and walked out of the store. He swiftly unwrapped the plastic packaging and took out a cigarette. He put it to his lips but realized that he did not have a lighter. 

Shen Lin laughed at himself. He was indeed still a person who did not smoke much. He was about to return to the small supermarket to buy a lighter.

"Shen Lin." Someone called him. 

Shen Lin turned around and saw Song Yuyang. "What's wrong?"

Song Yuyang pointed at the cigarette in Shen Lin's hand. Then, he took out a lighter and passed it to him. 

Shen Lin took it. He turned his head and lit the cigarette with his eyes narrowed. Thereafter, he passed the cigarettes and the lighter to Song Yuyang. 

Song Yuyang took out a cigarette. "I wanted to look for you just now. I have something to ask you."

"What is it?" Shen Lin took a puff of the cigarette. He did not smoke. 

"Do you know the girl who was with you just now?" 

Shen Lin lowered his head and looked at the flickering light on his fingertips. "I know her." 

"You bought things from her before?" Song Yuyang asked. 

"No, I didn't."

Song Yuyang got an unexpected answer and was instantly interested. The smile on his face became more ambiguous. "Why did I hear that you aren't single?"

"I am now." Shen Lin took a few deep puffs and slowly exhaled. He stubbed out the cigarette and threw it into the ashtray on the trash can.

"You know her that well?"

Shen Lin glared at him coldly. It was obvious that he was not in the mood to kid with him. "Did you come to me just to tell me this?"

Song Yuyang pinched the filter and took a light puff. Two wisps of smoke came out of his nostrils. "Do you know what Zhou Xia sells?"

Shen Lin glanced at him. He did not say anything. But the calmness in his eyes revealed that he had already known about it. He was waiting for Song Yuyang to continue.

"Don't tell Qiao Ran that I bought things from Zhou Xia." Song Yuyang held the cigarette between his fingers and rubbed his forehead with his thumb. He looked a little embarrassed. 

"I can't be too honest with this kind of thing. I'm afraid that she'll overthink it. It's better to avoid trouble."

"Yes, I understand what you mean." Shen Lin nodded slightly. He walked around Song Yuyang and prepared to go home.

"Hey, you, why did you just leave without saying a word?"

Shen Lin turned around and looked at him. He said coldly, "Goodbye." 

Song Yuyang shook his head helplessly. He had been neighbors with Shen Lin for a long time. They would often meet in the neighborhood or in the corridor. But every time they met, they would just nod at each other as a greeting. 

If he greeted Shen Lin first, Shen Lin would respond. But if he did not say anything, Shen Lin would not take the initiative either.

Qiao Ran had told him before that Shen Lin might not be easy to get along with, but he would answer all the patient's questions patiently in the orthopedics department. This was especially the case when the patients had questions about their condition or recovery. Shen Lin would talk with confidence and assurance when it came to his job. 

Song Yuyang could not imagine the other side of Shen Lin. Every time Song Yuyang saw him, Shen Lin would be cold to him. He used to think that Shen Lin was too inhumane even if he was professional enough to be a doctor.

Every time the couple met Shen Lin, Qiao Ran would greet him first. Fortunately, Shen Lin would give them faces and respond every time. Otherwise, Shen Lin would be too rude and haughty.

As Shen Lin was about to leave his sight, Song Yuyang suddenly thought of something. He shouted behind Shen Lin's back, "Ai! Shen Lin, why didn't you look for me when you were getting a membership card at the Banquet? I could have given you a discount or something."

Shen Lin turned his head and looked at Song Yuyang in confusion. 

Song Yuyang was pleased by Shen Lin's unexpected look. He smiled smugly. "The Banquet is my business. You didn't know about it, did you?"

Shen Lin's expression returned to normal. "Qin Huaichuan gave me the card."

"I see. It's fine. I'll tell the manager that I'll give you a one-year 30% discount as an exclusive member. If your colleagues have dinner parties in the future, please come more. Just take it as a favor to my business."

"We'll see."