The Sickly Villain Only Wants to Survive

75

On weekends, the milk tea shop sees its highest customer traffic in the afternoon, just before students return to school. Zhu Tong was busy at the payment machine, thoroughly engrossed in his work.

He had become quite skilled at using the payment machine, but the crowd was overwhelming. His hands barely paused, and he had only managed to sip a small portion of the milk tea tapioca pudding that Shao Ming had prepared for him.

"I'll handle it."

Shao Ming suddenly stood beside him.

Zhu Tong was about to decline when Shao Ming added, "The milk tea will taste bad if it gets cold."

"..."

Zhu Tong glanced at the tapioca pudding beside him, reluctant to let it cool down, and he finally conceded.

While Zhu Tong was merely proficient at using the payment machine, Shao Ming's speed was nearly blinding as he operated it almost instinctively. Zhu Tong watched the numeric keypad intently, fearing he might accidentally press the wrong button, yet after handling a dozen orders, Shao Ming had not made a single mistake.

Zhu Tong genuinely praised, "You're so fast."

Shao Ming glanced at him and smiled, saying, "I might not be this quick in the future."

Zhu Tong asked, "Why not?"

Shao Ming replied, "This speed comes from eighteen years of being single, but I'm no longer single now."

Zhu Tong: "..."

What does hand speed have to do with being single or not? Isn't it just a matter of practice?

He looked utterly confused.

A girl at the counter quickly understood the situation. She glanced at Shao Ming, who was checking her out, then at the still-dazed Zhu Tong... She felt that the milk tea she purchased today might have a hint of dog food flavor.

However, Zhu Tong noticed something else.

Shao Ming said he had been single for eighteen years. Did that mean he was already eighteen years old?

"When is your birthday?"

Shao Ming's finger paused over the confirmation button as he turned to him, "Hmm? I never told you?"

Zhu Tong shook his head.

Shao Ming casually replied, "My birthday is on April 4th."

"April 4th?"

"Yep. Isn't it easy to remember?"

He celebrated his birthday on the day of the deceased.

[In the Chinese cultural context, April 4th has a significant association with the Qingming Festival (清明节), also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. This festival is a time when people honor their deceased relatives by visiting their graves, cleaning the tombstones, and making offerings. Because of this, April 4th is seen as a day that symbolizes remembrance of the deceased.]

Zhu Tong was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.

Shao Ming then asked him, "What about you?"

Zhu Tong instinctively replied, "June 6th."

He had heard that his mother had specifically requested a cesarean section on that day because of its auspiciousness.

[In Chinese culture, certain dates are considered more auspicious or lucky due to their association with positive meanings, numerology, or alignment with the lunar calendar. June 6th can be seen as an auspicious date because the number "6" (六, liù) is often associated with smoothness and good fortune in Chinese culture, symbolizing things going smoothly (顺利, shùn lì). The repetition of the number "6" (like 6/6) can enhance these positive connotations, making it a particularly favorable date.]