Chapter Forty Plum’s Little Shop

As soon as I got home, I went looking for Meizi.

Lately, Meizi had been working a summer job at a boutique not far from my house. Familiar with the area, I found the shop easily. It was midday and the streets were nearly deserted. Standing before the flower bed beside the boutique, I didn’t rush in but instead sent Meizi a text: “Hey, I’m home.”

“Wow, that was quick.” Her reply came almost instantly.

“Are you tired from work? Want me to keep you company?” I texted as I craned my neck to peer through the shop window. There I saw Meizi slumped over the cashier’s counter, grinning foolishly at her phone.

“Go away, I’m still working! By the way, we sell these adorable throw pillows. Darling, buy one for me?” Through the glass, I watched Meizi stroll to the display cabinet filled with pillows and stuffed animals, fiddling with a Snoopy pillow.

“No problem, I’ll choose, you pay. Ha!” Still reluctant to go in, I wandered over to the flower bed, found a patch of shade, and sat down.

Meizi hesitated in front of the Snoopy pillow for a moment, then texted back: “Hmph, you’re so stingy. Luckily, I’m over stuffed animals now! I’ve decided to buy a new bag instead—just broke the zipper on mine.”

As I racked my brain for a witty response, my phone buzzed again: “I want a new one; I’ve used this bag forever, it’s time for a change! I’ve had my eye on one from Park & Brown! Haha.” Meizi always peppered her messages with exclamation marks, making her texts almost breathless to read.

“So, is the bag you picked out any good-looking?” I asked offhandedly.

“Duh! When have I ever bought something ugly? Watch out, or I’ll drag you over to pay for it—mwahaha!” After sending that, Meizi wandered to the shop’s entrance, about to spot me.

I quickly shifted deeper into the shade. “Please, I know your taste all too well,” I replied.

“Such a cheeky guy! Hmph! Why not just buy me the bag?” She lingered at the door for a moment, squinting into the sunlight, then retreated inside.

“Whatever you say.” It was still sweltering, even in the shade, so I decided I might as well go in.

“Let’s go together then!” Her reply arrived just as I pushed open the glass door and stepped into the shop.

“Welcome to—” Meizi hurried over to greet the customer, but she froze mid-sentence. “You… why are you here?” she asked, eyes wide with surprise.

“I missed you, so I flew right over,” I joked, grinning.

“This is my boyfriend,” Meizi explained to the cashier, and just then, a girl popped her head out from behind the counter. To my shock, someone else had been there the whole time and I hadn’t noticed.

“Hi there, handsome,” the girl said, smiling as she stood up to greet me.

With a third wheel present—especially a pretty one—things felt awkward, so after a brief chat with Meizi, I prepared to leave.

“Meizi, go see your boyfriend off. I’ve got the shop,” the other girl said considerately. “Oh, and drop the money in the bank on your way.”

“Okay, thanks!” Meizi winked at her colleague and quickly ushered me toward the door.

“Bye, handsome!” the girl called, waving.

As I hesitated, Meizi tugged me sharply. “Let’s go! Why so reluctant to leave? Starting to fancy her, are you? I’ll have you know, her boyfriend is way better looking than you,” she teased.

“Oh, come on…” I muttered. Though, to be honest, her friend was quite attractive.

The midday sun was merciless, but I had come prepared, carrying a sun umbrella. I popped it open to shield Meizi from the harsh light.

We chatted as we walked, soon reaching the bank. But Meizi didn’t stop.

“Aren’t you going to deposit the money?” I reminded her, thinking of her colleague’s words.

“Not in a hurry! I’ll walk you home first, then come back and do it myself,” Meizi replied, wrapping her arm around mine as if it were nothing.

“It’s not safe for a girl to carry so much cash,” I protested, frowning. “Let’s deposit it now. I’ll wait for you.” I was firm, whether she liked it or not.

Seeing she had no choice, Meizi nodded and we entered the bank together. She went to the counter while I dozed in the waiting area. There were few customers at midday, so she finished quickly.

Finding me half-asleep, Meizi hurried over and nudged me hard. “Hey, pig! Wake up!”

I woke with a start. “All done?”

“Yeah,” she replied absentmindedly, pulling me up from the chair.

The bank’s air-conditioning had been set to freezing, so stepping back onto the street felt even hotter than before. My whole body seemed to sizzle, and even the umbrella handle was hot to the touch. If we kept walking in that heat, I felt I might suffocate.

Fortunately, home was close by. At the entrance to my building, Meizi let go of my arm and said goodbye. “Alright, darling, I’m heading back now.”

“Take care!” I said, handing her the umbrella on a whim. “How about I bring lunch for you tomorrow? What would you like?”

“Hey, I’m off tomorrow—no work. Let’s do the day after! I want a McChicken, and a Coke-flavored McFloat…” Meizi began counting on her fingers.

“What’s a McFloat?” I interrupted, puzzled. It had been ages since I’d been to McDonald’s—I was really out of the loop.

“Silly! Just tell the server you want a Coke McFloat!” Meizi laughed gleefully.

Come on, was it really that funny not to know what a McFloat was? I shrugged helplessly. “Alright, got it.”

Meizi had to hurry back to the shop and didn’t linger. I stood there, watching her until she disappeared from sight, before turning and walking slowly home.

Just as I stepped inside, a text from Meizi arrived: “Oh, and darling! Bring an extra McChicken the day after tomorrow—my colleague wants one too!”

(August 22, 2010—Chapter revised)