Lawless Gangster

Extra: Momentary Love

She blushed slightly. Then as she watched him walked toward the exit, she quickly called out to him and pointed to the corner of the bookstore. "You can sit and read there if you want." As if trying to convince him, she added: "We have air conditioning in here."

The man glanced at the bright sunshine on the street, nodded at her, and sat down on the sofa in the corner.

For the next hour, he kept silent and reading the book with earnest-his expression was of utter focus. She wanted to pretend to give him a glass of water and take the opportunity to chat with him, but that kind of focus made her too embarrassed to destroy.

At a little over two o'clock in the afternoon, after several customers had come into the bookstore successively, the man looked at his watch. He expressed his thanks to her and then took his book back to the repair shop to work.

Several days after that, she would always look across the street whenever she had the time.

She saw him work, saw him talking to his workmate, and saw that when midday arrived, he would take off his gloves. Afterward, he would wash his hands and read that book, allowing her to see his concentrated expression.

She felt that he was not like a regular mechanic. His kind of steadfastness, calm temperament, and the many small habits made her imagination roam-she had guessed that he must have lived a very good and plentiful life.

More than a week later, he came to the bookstore again at noon.

This time, she boldly greeted him: "Did you finish the book? We also have a high school version here."

He shook his head, "Do you have any kinds of mathematics related books that are not purely about mathematics?" He hesitated but continued. "It's like this. I have a friend who really likes math. I just want to..." He seemed to not know how to word it, so he stopped.

"Do you want to have something in common with her[2]?" she asked, feeling slightly uneasy.

The man smiled, "Yes. Sometimes, when he[2] says something, I don't understand it. The book that I bought last time seemed to have little effect.

Looking at the man's gentle smile made the subtle discomfort in her heart more obvious. She fixed her attention, smiled at him, and said: "Then I will help you find something else."

She went to find a book with him; sometimes she would open a book and say a few words until she finally helped him pick a titled, "Mathematics Enthusiast." The man accepted her recommendation, but she felt that he was still not very satisfied.

This time, she knew his name and had courageously asked for his phone number, promising to call him when there was a new math book available, and then she blushed because of his words of thanks.

Originally, new titles arrive at the end of the month, but she instead, called the supplier the next day. Then she looked through the 'popular science' column of the book for quite some times in search of some appropriate books.

Two days later, when the bookstore was about to close, she received a delivery of all the books she had ordered. Then unable to wait until the next day, she took a few deep breaths and dialed his phone number.

"Excuse me, is this Xiao Li?" she asked carefully, but her voice could not conceal her excitement.

However, another man answered instead: "Xiao Li can't answer the phone right now."

She did not know what to say and blankly let out an 'oh' with disappointment.

The man on the other line went silent for a few seconds before he asked, "May I ask who you are? What are you looking for him for? I can pass it on to him."