Chapter Seventeen Unequal Treaties

  Apart from stopping to buy a few candles on the way home, I almost ran all the way. As I was running, I couldn't help but laugh at my own behavior and kept asking myself if it was really necessary to be so tense. Although I thought this, my feet didn't seem to have any intention of stopping. After finally running to the entrance of my apartment building, I had no energy left to move another step, and after resting for a few minutes under the building, I practically crawled to the door on all fours. As I sat on the ground, weakly knocking on the door, I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself for ruining my body with such a decadent lifestyle.

  "Who is it?" came Qin Ke's cautious voice from the other side of the door.

  "Open the door." I'm too lazy to say another word, just praying that Qin Ke will hear my voice and won't make me waste any more words.

  "Hey! Are you sick or something? You think changing your tone I won't notice? What are you doing sitting on the floor? Trying to trick me again?" Qin Ke said breathlessly as soon as he opened the door.

  "I don't want to waste words with you! Help me up quickly, I'm exhausted!"

  "Did a dog chase you?" Qin Ke Yi said as she helped me up. The fragrance wafting from her body made me feel much more at ease, and I realized that the scent of a young girl also had the effect of relieving fatigue.

  There is a bright charging white lamp in the living room, and there is also a box of Master Kang instant noodles on the coffee table. The strong smell of instant noodles made my stomach react quickly. It seems that my worries were completely unnecessary.

  After entering the house, I collapsed onto the sofa, while Qin Ke sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, eating noodles. The entire house was silent except for the occasional sound of Qin Ke's "slurp, slurp" as she ate. I had tried several times to think of a topic to initiate a pleasant and constructive conversation with Qin Ke, but each time the words got stuck in my throat. It was just like when I was in junior high school and went on my first date with a girl, silently walking down the street for two hours, only asking her trivial questions like "Are you hungry? Are you thirsty?" without having any substantial conversation.

  "Kang Jian, let's talk about sharing a rental place," Qin Ke suddenly threw out a sentence that interrupted my train of thought.

  "What's the point of talking about it anymore? The rice is already cooked. I couldn't possibly drive you away, could I?" I said helplessly.

  "First of all, you need to understand that I'm different from those young girls outside. I moved here only because it's hard to find a house near school now, and I have some understanding of your situation, which makes you a relatively safe roommate, that's all. Don't think I came for you, so-called 'handsome guy'. Once I find a suitable house, I'll move out immediately and won't bother you." Qin Ke once again showed me her cold side.

  "Hehe, thank you for your trust in me. At the same time, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Miss Qin Ke Yi on behalf of all the members of this household. And I hope you understand that I'm not just some ordinary guy who's easily impressed by so-called 'beauties' like you."

  "Alright, since you agree to move in, let's set some rules. I've written a few down here, and if we think of anything else later, we can add it. Take a look, and if there are no questions, just sign it!" Qin Ke Yi glared at me fiercely before handing me a piece of paper, which I read by the light of the white candle.

  Approximately Three Chapters of Law

  Party A: Kang Jian (Landlord) Party B: Qin Ke Yi (Tenant)

  In order to create a good living environment and build a harmonious living space, the following points are hereby declared:

  1. As the lessee is a tenant, Party A must adhere to the principle that the customer is God and be ready at all times to provide divine service to Party B (service with a smile, specific content to be determined).

  2. All expenses for renting this house shall be borne jointly by Party A and Party B.

  3. Party A must ensure that they take a bath at least once every two days and wash their socks daily.

  4. Party A shall not have any ulterior motives towards Party B, and without the permission of Party B, Party A shall not enter Party B's room or touch Party B's clothing (especially undergarments).

  5. Party A must guarantee to cook dinner for Party B at least four days a week, in return, Party B undertakes to do all the laundry of Party A (excluding underwear, socks).

  6. Do not casually bring women of questionable character into your home, and do not allow them to stay overnight (except when the second party is not present).

  7. No loud noise is allowed before 7:00 am (extended to 10:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays).

  8. The right of final interpretation of this Agreement belongs to Party B. In case of any dispute, refer to Article 1 of this Agreement.

  May 25, 2005

  "I'd rather worship you as an ancestor." I finished reading and crumpled the paper into a ball, throwing it to the ground.

  "Disagreeing is fine, just return my clothes and I'll leave immediately." Qin Ke once again used his trump card.

  "Can't you come up with something more original?" My inner self has already begun to compromise with Qin Ke. Damn, I didn't expect that after the Chinese people went through a century of struggle and abolished many unequal treaties, as a long-time fighter on the front line against oppression, I would have to accept such a statement, can't help but feel the world is desolate and cold.

  "A cat that can catch mice is a good cat!" Qin Ke said with pride.

  "This is getting out of hand, what's with this 'god-like service'? And I'm supposed to smile while doing it? You think I'm a prostitute or something?"

  "Cut the nonsense. The first clause is temporarily shelved, and the rest will be unconditionally implemented from now on. You don't have any room for negotiation!"

  "Good, but I also have a request!" I always thought that one should fight for some benefits for oneself, otherwise how can one go on living in the future?

  "You go ahead and talk! I'm all ears!"

  "My request is simple, don't interfere with and affect my normal life! Just this one point, from now on unconditional execution." After finishing speaking, I stood up and walked towards the room, not caring whether Qin Ke agreed or not.

  Just as I was lying in bed in a daze, Qin Ke knocked on my door.

  "What's wrong?" I stood at the door and said vaguely to Qin Ke.

  "Let me accompany you to the supermarket to buy some things!" Qin Ke said with a sly smile, which made me raise a big question mark about her intentions.

  "Are you going with me? I don't have anything to buy anyway?"

  "How come there isn't any? Your towel has been changed, shampoo is gone and toothpaste is almost out!"

  "Really? I didn't know!"

  "Don't believe me? Go check the bathroom. The only bit of shampoo was used by me yesterday."

  "Oh! Let's talk about it tomorrow! I'm so tired today!" Just as I was about to close the door, Qin Ke suddenly stuck his foot in the gap.

  "It's better to die than to be a coward, just today, you're a big boy, don't be timid, hurry up!" Qin Ke said while pulling me out of the room. Due to excessive fatigue, I completely lost my strength to resist, like a piece of meat on the chopping board, letting her do whatever she wanted.

  We hailed a car at the door and rushed to Jialefu. After wandering around Jialefu for a while, the shopping cart was already filled with all sorts of things, from hair dryers and electric stoves to nail clippers and sanitary napkins, but none of them were mine. I began to understand Qin Kaiyi's true intention - he wanted to find a free porter. Qin Kaiyi recklessly pulled things off the shelves and threw them into the cart, while I numbly pushed the cart behind him. At this time, a woman walking her dog approached us, and as I looked at the little dog following behind her, I couldn't help but sigh that our fate was so similar!

  Qin Keyi's shopping desire was finally restrained under my repeated advice and pleading, and he reluctantly walked with me to the checkout counter.

  "Do you have a membership card?" The cashier looked at the things I moved onto the counter, then glanced at Qin Ke Yi, and gave me a sympathetic look.

  "It doesn't matter. It's not like I'm paying for it anyway. At this moment, I'm silently praying to heaven, hoping that nothing is on sale today."

  "Oh! I forgot something, you wait here for a moment, I'll be right back!" Qin Ke once again ran into the supermarket.

  Just as I and Ms. Kuai were about to finish packing everything, I unexpectedly received a text message from Qin Ke Yi: "I'm waiting for you in a taxi at the supermarket exit, you'll see me when you come out."

  Just as I was about to send a text message to Qin Ke to remind her that she had forgotten to pay, the cashier said impatiently, "Sir, please hurry up and make your payment, there are many customers waiting in line behind you." At this moment, I finally understood the main reason why Qin Ke accompanied me to the supermarket.