Chapter 128: The Worry-free Workshop Was Established
Chapter 128: The Worry-free Workshop Was Established
One week later.
Decorators fixed up a basement that used to be a storage room. They replaced the old wooden door with a wide glass door and hung a sign that said “Worry-free Workshop” on the doorframe.
Mu Chuntao had wanted to put up a sign that said “Worry-Relieving Studio,” but Li Zian said no.
He was aiming for an international, high-end, personalized service. Either he wouldn’t have a studio at all, or it would be in a very fancy place. How could he work out of a basement?
That would hurt his image.
This basement was in the Gaochen Yipin neighborhood. It was made into a special workshop for Tang Qing.
Tang Qing came up with the design. The studio had tools and machines for making small items, along with a desk, a sofa, a computer, a printer, and everything else needed.
A separate room was built inside the studio. It had a bed and even a bathroom with a shower. Tang Qing asked for this. She said if she worked too late, she could stay at the studio overnight instead of going back to her rented place. When her lease ended, she wouldn’t renew it. She would just move into the studio.
Li Zian understood her. She came from the countryside, knew hardship, and was careful with money. Rent in Shanghai cost thousands a month. If she could save that money, why not? So, he made a deal with the property management to connect the basement to the building’s air system, so there would always be fresh air.
After hanging the “Worry-free Workshop” sign, Li Zian sat in the desk chair behind the office desk. He tapped the keyboard a few times. Even though the computer screen was off, he still got a feel for working in an office.
But he would never work for someone else. He would never do that in his life.
Tang Qing walked over and placed a small, delicate box in front of Li Zian. “Brother Zian, I made these silver needles for you. See if they’re okay.”
Li Zian opened the box. Inside were two needles, one thick and short, the other thin and long, both about the size of regular silver needles. He picked up the thick one. It was several times heavier than a normal silver needle. The needle had grooves running from its middle all the way to near the tip. It wasn’t made of silver; it looked like some kind of steel.
“What is this made of?” Li Zian asked curiously.
Tang Qing said, “It’s made of medical-grade stainless steel, type 316. It has 18% chromium and 10% nickel. It doesn’t rust, resists corrosion better, and most importantly, it’s non-toxic. Many medical tools and devices use this kind of steel.”
So, it should be called a steel needle, not a silver needle.
Li Zian flicked the steel needle with his finger. It had good flexibility and was much stronger than a silver needle. If he used this needle for surgery, it would be much handier than a silver one.
“Good, this is exactly the kind of needle I wanted,” Li Zian said as he put the steel needle back in the box.
Tang Qing gave a shy smile. “I’m glad it’s useful. I was worried it might not be good enough.”
Li Zian smiled back. “You did a great job. You have very skillful hands.”
“Don’t praise me too much. I can only help with little things like this, and you’re paying me such a high salary,” Tang Qing said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Li Zian chuckled. “That’s not right to say. The Worry-Relieving Studio is going for a global, high-end, bespoke route. You’re an important part of this studio. Your salary has to be high. If I paid you just a few thousand, wouldn’t that ruin our studio’s image?”
“Alright, I can’t argue with you,” Tang Qing said, her face turning a little red. “Next, I’ll make a toolbox for you. If there’s anything else you want me to make, just tell me, so I can prepare the drawings and materials ahead of time.”
Li Zian thought for a moment and said, “Can you make me a ring?”
“A ring?” Tang Qing thought she heard wrong.
Li Zian said, “I don’t want a normal ring.”
“What kind of ring do you want?”
“Well, the ring should have a mechanism. When I open it, the surface should reveal a spike. But the spike shouldn’t be too obvious; it just needs to be able to prick someone,” Li Zian described.
Tang Qing suddenly remembered the spy movies Li Zian had mentioned before. She realized what kind of ring he wanted, but she was still curious and confused. “Brother Zian, making a ring like that isn’t hard, but why do you want it?”
Li Zian explained, “For self-defense. I can put some anesthetic on the spike. Sometimes it could also be used on patients who need anesthesia. Don’t worry, I won’t use it for anything illegal.”
“Then I’ll make it for you,” Tang Qing said with an awkward smile. She had actually thought that for a moment.
Just then, Mu Chuntao came in through the door, holding a pot of lush green pothos. She smiled as soon as she saw Li Zian. “Teacher Tang, I brought you a pot of pothos. It helps clean the air.”
Tang Qing politely said, “Thank you, Miss Mu.”
Mu Chuntao smiled and said, “From now on, we’re colleagues. Don’t call me Miss Mu; just call me Chuntao.”
“Okay,” Tang Qing replied with a smile.
Then, the three of them suddenly fell silent.
Li Zian and Mu Chuntao had a lot they wanted to say to each other, but they couldn’t say it in front of Tang Qing.
Tang Qing glanced at the wall clock and remembered something. “I have to go teach Xiaomei now. You two talk.”
“Tell Xiaomei to focus on her homework. I’ll check it later,” Li Zian reminded her.
“I know,” Tang Qing said with a smile over her shoulder as she went out and closed the door.
Mu Chuntao stared at the door, looking very focused.
Li Zian asked curiously, “What are you looking at?”
“I’m checking if there’s a gap. Teacher Tang might be eavesdropping on us,” Mu Chuntao said.
Li Zian: “…”
He really wasn’t worried that Tang Qing would find out about his secret with Mu Chuntao and tell Yu Meilin. He had helped Tang Qing out of a tough spot, so she was closer to him than to Yu Meilin. Besides, she wasn’t stupid. Why would she report her Boss for having an affair when she had a high-paying job?
He did need to watch out for Kun Li, though, because she really was on Yu Meilin’s side.
But Mu Chuntao still wasn’t reassured. After watching for a minute, she went to the door, opened it, and peeked out to look around.
Li Zian held back a laugh. “Do you really need to be that careful?”
Mu Chuntao turned and gave him a cute, teasing glare. “You don’t understand. My rival is Yu Meilin. I know her better than you do.”
“You don’t need to worry about Tang Qing. We can trust her,” Li Zian said.
Mu Chuntao closed the door and came back. She walked around the desk and plopped down on Li Zian’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Tell me the truth, did you give Yu Meilin any homework these past few days?”
Li Zian shook his head.
“I don’t believe it. I can tell she’s clearly trying to get close to you now. Would she be dumb enough not to collect your homework?” Mu Chuntao looked at him with a playful, slightly suspicious smile.
Li Zian patted her, making a crisp sound, and laughed. “I give all my homework to you. How could I have any ink left to write on another paper?”
“You have tons of ink. I don’t believe you,” Mu Chuntao said, not minding the pat at all and smiling even sweeter.
“What will it take for you to believe me?”
“Unless you show me,” Mu Chuntao said.
Li Zian: “…”
“See? You can’t show me, can you?” Her voice had a hint of challenge.
Li Zian felt provoked. “Fine, I’ll show you. You think I don’t dare? Where’s the paper?”
But Mu Chuntao dodged away, giggling. “I was just joking. I have to drive my dad to the airport. He’s going to Australia for a while.”
Li Zian was suddenly frustrated. He was ready to take out his pen and do the homework, but Prof. Mu told him it was self-study time.
“I have to go, or my dad will definitely scold me.”
Li Zian felt reluctant to see her go, but he had to bear it. He reminded her, “Be careful driving.”
Even though she said she was leaving, Mu Chuntao walked toward Li Zian.
“I thought you said you were leaving?” Li Zian stood up from the chair.
Standing out prominently.
Mu Chuntao glanced at it and smiled, covering her mouth. “I want to hug you one more time before I go.”
Li Zian waved his hands quickly. “No more hugs. You should go now.”
Another hug might cause trouble.
“I just want to hug you,” Mu Chuntao said as she came closer and wrapped her arms around Li Zian’s waist, playful yet gentle.
Li Zian’s desire to do homework was stirred up again, but he controlled himself. He raised his arms and held her waist, speaking softly, “Believe me, you and Xiaomei are the only ones in my heart. I only give my homework to you.”
Mu Chuntao let out a soft sound, then looked up and gave him a quick kiss.
If any other man cheated on his wife and said something like that, anyone would want to slap him. But when Li Zian said it, it was the truth. He acted that way, and Mu Chuntao believed him with all her heart.
Actually, from a soul perspective, Li Zian had indeed only ever given his homework to her.
It was a while before Mu Chuntao let go of Li Zian. Her face was flushed as she hurried to the door. Even though it was just a few steps, she ended up breathing heavily.
Li Zian looked down at himself and smiled wryly. In the end, it was still self-study time.
“Remember, drive carefully,” he said, not minding if he sounded repetitive.
“Mm,” Mu Chuntao responded and went out, closing the door behind her.
She was feeling troubled too. If she stayed with Li Zian any longer, she might even forget about her dad. She would have to give Li Zian a yoga lesson to feel better and more at ease.
After Mu Chuntao left, the studio became very quiet.
Li Zian glanced at the vegetable basket next to the chair and felt a bit down. What should he buy for groceries today?
Ring-ring, ring-ring…
His Mobile Phone started ringing.
“Could it be that scatterbrain forgetting her car Key here?” Li Zian wondered as he pulled out his phone. He saw it wasn’t Mu Chuntao, but Kang Xin calling.
Li Zian swiped to answer. “Hello?”
Kang Xin’s voice came from the phone. “Uncle, where are you?”
“I’m at my Studio…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Kang Xin cut him off. “I’m in my dad’s office. Come quickly.”
Li Zian’s heart jumped. “Did you translate that audio file?”
“Yes, it’s not convenient to talk about on the phone. Come quickly.”
“Okay, I’m on my way,” Li Zian said, turning to leave immediately. He didn’t even take the grocery basket.