An hour later, she returned, opening her Gucci wallet to pull out a bill from a thick stack of ten-thousand-yen notes. “Keep the change.” Her tone reminded me of Ye Zhengchen’s. I directly put the change I’d just counted into the tip jar, following store rules that required unclaimed change to be deposited there.
She glanced at me lightly, with a subtle smile. “Welcome again,” I bowed deeply. I thought she wouldn’t come back, but unexpectedly, she came once or twice almost every week. Buying daily necessities and food, she also selected a few men’s items, carefully considering her choices. Sometimes, she even studied the instructions or consulted me about certain products. As time passed, we became familiar.
Through observation and conversation, I learned that her name was Yu Yin. She had just arrived in Japan a month ago and rented a traditional small house nearby with a man who was often busy, only able to accompany her to shop once or twice a month. Unfamiliar with Osaka, she would buy whatever she could at our convenience store.
One time, she invited me: “Bo Bing, when are you free to come sit at my place?”
“Me?” I was surprised as I didn’t think we were that close.
“Yes, you’re my only friend in Japan.”
Just as I was about to respond, the convenience store door chime rang, and I looked up to see Ye Zhengchen walk in.
I thought he might be stunned by the beautiful woman before him and had forgotten my existence, but unexpectedly, he turned his gaze to me.
“You’re here?” Happiness spread across my face as I smiled and said, “Wait a moment for me, Li Kai has something to do and will come a bit later.”
“No problem.” He walked towards me with a calm smile. “No rush.”
Yu Yin glanced at Ye Zhengchen, and they exchanged a brief look before shifting their gaze away.
Out of a slight feminine intuition, I observed their expressions—bland and cold, with no spark between them.
“Your boyfriend?” Yu Yin asked with a laugh. “He’s so handsome!”
Embarrassed, my face grew warm. “This is my boyfriend, Ye Zhengchen,” I introduced.
I then introduced her to Ye Zhengchen. “She’s Yu Yin, also Chinese. She lives nearby and is a regular customer at our store.”
