Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 27

“Click,” the car door finally unlocked.

Ling Xi, terrified that Qiao Bo’er would change her mind, maintained an innocent smile. The moment she pushed the door open, however, her expression immediately soured, and she was about to frantically shout and roar at the crazy tigress.

But a phrase that always hit her where it hurt inexplicably floated into her mind—you can’t win in a fight, you can’t win in an argument, play dead, quick, play dead.

With a flash of inspiration, Ling Xi stumbled a few steps, leaning against the car door, unstable on her feet. She held her forehead, putting on a show of being as delicate and weak as Lin Daiyu: “Hiss… Why is my head suddenly so dizzy…”

Qiao Bo’er was quick-witted, immediately gripping her arm to prevent her from falling to the ground, a flicker of hard-to-miss worry in her eyes: “What’s wrong?”

“It was too hot in the car just now, it’s given me a throbbing, dizzy headache…”

Ling Xi answered with a weak whisper, the explosive headache seemingly causing her eyebrows to knit into a frown. She tightly closed her eyes and began taking deep breaths, her body swaying precariously against the car door, as if she could collapse from weakness at any moment.

The damned girl acted out her discomfort flawlessly.

Qiao Bo’er gently helped her lean against the rearview mirror so she could support herself without falling. Her tone became unusually soft: “I’ll go to the trunk for a bottle of mineral water. You lean here and don’t move. Wait for me, be good.”

Seeing Qiao Bo’er in a rare state of panic, Ling Xi held back a mischievous smile. Only when she secretly peeked and saw the crazy woman turn and walk toward the trunk did she finally give in to her inner excitement, standing in place and twisting back and forth happily.

Hmph, she needed this woman to be full of guilt! Let’s see if you dare to mess with me next time!

Qiao Bo’er subconsciously raised her eyes and looked at the wide-angle mirror on the cement pillar. The convex mirror not only reflected the evil, distorted face of the salty fish’s bad intentions but also magnified it clearly.

The anxious and worried expression on Qiao Bo’er’s face instantly vanished. She raised an eyebrow, and a sly arc curved at the corner of her mouth—Since you love acting so much, I’ll slowly play along with you.

Returning to Ling Xi’s side with the mineral water, Qiao Bo’er warmly unscrewed the cap for her, self-reproach evident in her voice: “This is all my fault, my prank went too far. Since you’re so unwell, it looks like today’s lunch is canceled… How about this, I’ll help you request a half-day leave from Director Chen, and I’ll take you home now.”

“Ah?”

Qiao Bo’er had accurately hit Ling Xi’s most vulnerable spot; the suggestion to cancel lunch made her show her fox tail.

Ling Xi’s hand, which was reaching for the water, paused, but she had to grit her teeth and continue the act. She could only nod in agreement with Qiao Bo’er’s suggestion.

“Get in the car.”

“Are we really not eating?”

“I know you’re hungry. I’ll have my assistant send you a patient’s meal at home later.”

“No… it’s not that serious… I’m hungry.”

“You shouldn’t have much appetite with a headache. It’s so stuffy in this parking garage, you might have heatstroke. Quick, get in the car.”

“But I’m hungry!” Ling Xi finally gave up the act, stamping her foot and acting spoiled.

“Now you know you’re hungry? Who was it just now that insisted on acting spoiled and refused to get out of the car? You brought this upon yourself… And also…” Qiao Bo’er criticized Ling Xi without mercy, then pointed at the wide-angle mirror in front of them while holding Ling Xi’s shoulder: “This is the first time I’ve seen someone who is unwell twist like a maggot.”

It was only then that Ling Xi realized she had been played by Qiao Bo’er. She yelled angrily, “You played me?!”

“Stupid salty fish, I played exactly you! If you want to trick me, ten of your brains wouldn’t be enough.” Despite the jab, Qiao Bo’er naturally took Ling Xi’s hand: “Let’s go, it’s time to eat.”

As soon as food was mentioned, Ling Xi seemed to get amnesia. Her anger vanished, and she even cheered happily: “Yay! Lunch time, lunch time!”

“You were just tricked by me, aren’t you going to argue a bit?”

“Forget it, I can’t win against you.”

“Then will you be reckless again in the future?”

“I will!”

The damned girl was a damned girl; she was itching for trouble every single second.

Qiao Bo’er held Ling Xi’s hand and wouldn’t let go. Ling Xi’s pace was half a beat slower, so she could only take small, quick steps to keep up.

The scene looked exactly like an urban beauty walking her dog.

Exiting the elevator, Qiao Bo’er headed straight for the restaurant, asking symbolically, “Do you like Japanese food?”

Ling Xi thought it was just going to be a casual meal, and she questioned in disbelief, “You’re treating me to Japanese food? I have a big appetite, don’t go back on your word if I eat too much.”

“Then let’s just go to a food stall for three meat and two vegetable dishes. You’re easy to take care of and not picky anyway.”

Qiao Bo’er teased Ling Xi, pretending to turn around and head back the way they came. Ling Xi hastily clasped her hand, interlocking their fingers and refusing to let go: “No way! I’m eating the most expensive thing on the menu. I have to eat enough to bankrupt you today.”

“Little petty thing, that’s your only ambition. You’ll end up in the hospital before I get anywhere near bankruptcy.”

The Omakase meal, though late, had arrived. The two walked into the Japanese restaurant, bickering as was their custom.

The greeter by the door was the restaurant’s manager, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Qiao Bo’er approach, he immediately stepped forward and guided them with enthusiasm: “Good afternoon, General Manager Qiao. Welcome to Kujira Abura Omakase.”

Ling Xi could tell that Qiao Bo’er was a frequent and valued guest here. Otherwise, a grown man wouldn’t be so respectfully bowed and scurrying around.

Qiao Bo’er nodded indifferently and walked in, familiar with the layout.

The restaurant’s izakaya area was very spacious. Through a long, narrow corridor, they came to a hidden door, which surprisingly led to a secret room inside.

Stepping through the door, the room was small, and its entirety could be seen at a glance.

It was lunchtime, but there wasn’t a single customer inside or outside the restaurant. Well, that made sense, who comes to eat Omakase in the middle of the day?

“Choose a seat you like. Don’t be shy.” Qiao Bo’er stood aside, letting Ling Xi choose a seat, a detail that revealed an enviable level of pampering.

Being a lazy cat, walking an extra step would be life-threatening. Ling Xi sat directly in the seat closest to her.

Qiao Bo’er naturally sat next to her. She took the hot towel handed to her by the manager and immediately offered it to Ling Xi: “Do you need me to wipe your hands for you?”

“I need you to feed me, too.” Ling Xi was in a great mood because she was about to eat good food, and her bickering tone became peaceful and amusing.

As she spoke, she took the hot towel and quickly wiped her hands. She looked around and then leaned close to Qiao Bo’er’s ear to whisper: “There’s just the two of us in this restaurant. Is it really expensive?”

Right after she asked, the manager walked over, carrying a twelve-grid wooden box, which instantly attracted her attention.

“General Manager Qiao, Secretary Chu has already informed us that you prefer a quiet dining environment. Therefore, the restaurant is only hosting your table today. We hope you are both satisfied.”

“Yes, you may begin preparations.” Qiao Bo’er instructed simply. The manager signaled the preparation area, and the chefs behind the bar counter began to busy themselves.

The manager carefully placed the wine vessel box on the table and began a detailed introduction: “The best Japanese cuisine must be paired with superior quality sake. Today, our master chef has prepared four different sakes to pair with your meal.

Different sakes require different drinking vessels; this is the Japanese dedication to the pursuit of culinary perfection.

This twelve-grid set of drinking vessels includes Edo Kiriko, Tsugaru handcrafted wooden cups, and the Toyo-Sasaki ‘Sakura Fubuki’ set. Our master chef spent many years collecting them; this is the only set in the world, estimated to be worth over a million RMB.

Please take a moment to choose the drinking vessels you like, and I will prepare the sake shortly.”

After listening to the manager’s introduction, Ling Xi instinctively felt for a pair of white cotton gloves on her person. Finding none, she pouted slightly: “Excuse me, may I pick them up to admire them?”

Forget the food for a moment, the drinking vessels provided by the restaurant struck a chord in Ling Xi’s heart. Looking at these works of art imbued with the soul of a craftsman, she only wanted to hold them in her hands to feel their beauty and satisfy her inner curiosity.

“These vessels are meant to be used, not ancient relics. There’s no need for gloves. Look at them if you want to.”

With a nod, Qiao Bo’er raised her hand, and the manager understood the signal, no longer speaking and leaving with confidence.

“Although I don’t know much about Japanese food, I know a thing or two about cups. This is called reverence for the craftsman’s technique.”

“Are you an encyclopedia? How do you know everything?” Qiao Bo’er smiled, her eyes full of undisguised admiration for Ling Xi’s vast knowledge. She casually picked up a cup and brought it to Ling Xi, wanting to test her: “Then I’ll trouble Vice-Professor Ling to appraise this cup.”

Ling Xi clicked her tongue, that proud little expression almost taking flight: “You can’t stump me. This is called a Kiriko cup, a crystal product made by an Eastern craftsman through hand-layering and cutting.

Cheap ones cost a few dozen to a hundred yuan, while those with collection value range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands.

To judge the quality of a Kiriko, you first look at which master created it, then the technique of layering and cutting, and finally, the quality and thickness of the materials. In a word, rarity dictates value.”

Ling Xi took the cup, her beautifully arched fingers slowly tracing the lines on the body. Her fingertips continuously rubbed the asymmetrical facets on the lower part of the cup.

Every meandering cut was carefully designed and did not look cluttered. Ling Xi brought the cup close to Qiao Bo’er’s ear and gently flicked the rim. The ringing sound reverberated, sweet and melodious.

Ling Xi nodded in satisfaction, giving her honest appraisal: “The deep-arc cut lines on this Kiriko cup really test the technique. Too much force and it’s prone to shattering. Too light, and it won’t express its beauty. One could say that a single extra cut would be too many, and one less would be too few. It is truly a good Kiriko.”

A simple cup, when placed in Ling Xi’s hands for a proper appraisal, gained extraordinary significance.

Whenever she watched Ling Xi earnestly and meticulously explain a collectible, Qiao Bo’er would involuntarily fall into an ineffable tenderness. She would feel pride in the profound and extensive knowledge of the person she cherished.

Qiao Bo’er propped her head on one hand, her gaze, filled with uncontrollable affection and admiration, became hazy. She just quietly admired Ling Xi.

What a wonderful thing this was.

Qiao Bo’er sighed softly, her assessment of Ling Xi firm: “You must have been truly exceptional in the past.”

Ling Xi, holding the cup, paused slightly, but soon burst into laughter, confident and cocky: “What do you mean, ‘exceptional in the past’? I’m still exceptional now.”

“Still lacking that little something.”

“Hmph, you just won’t admit it, just like how you refuse to call me ‘Dad!'”

“Give you an inch, and you take a mile. What kind of bad habit are you cultivating?” In their bickering, Qiao Bo’er couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle Ling Xi’s hair. Ling Xi groaned while covering her head: “Aiya, you’re annoying!”

Humble requests for pre-orders for the three-part mental illness series:

• No Dating at the Crime Scene – Criminal investigation novel with schizophrenia [Mental Health Disorder series 1]
• Forced Contract Marriage with the Ice Beauty – Sweet, silly, and funny novel [Mental Health Disorder series 2]

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