Chapter 81: The Difference

The next afternoon was reserved for the slaughter of the cow.

Because the event had gained some notoriety online, a crowd from the town had come to watch. The entire Mikura family was present, the faces of both the elder and younger beauties flushed with excitement.

Cynthia had chosen the best spot for herself. With a smile at the corner of her lips, she felt as if the whole spectacle had been arranged just for her; as for the Japanese Mikura family, they were merely incidental.

The rhythmic cadence of the process enthralled Cynthia, and even the two beauties clapped with all their might. The younger beauty, in particular, clenched her fists so tightly her cheeks blushed scarlet with excitement.

Once the cow was slaughtered and the beef butchered and loaded onto a truck, the Mikura family took it away.

After witnessing a true cattle slaughter, Mikura Ryoko herself approached Qiu Fengyu, addressing him with marked respect.

“You are a true master!” she said.

“Am I?” Qiu Fengyu smiled at her. “Because of the slaughter?”

“No, because of art!” Mikura Ryoko bowed to him. “I’ve watched your videos, and I’ve always wondered if there existed someone who could infuse art into everything they did. That person is you... whether it’s making ramen, slaughtering cattle, or fishing…”

Her words made Qiu Fengyu a little embarrassed.

When she finished, she bowed again, then took the reluctant little girl by the hand and walked toward their house, not a hint of worldly taint about her.

“Art? Is this girl out of her mind?” Davis appeared at Qiu Fengyu’s side just then, shaking his head and sighing. “She’s certainly beautiful, but... too cold.”

“You want to pursue her?” Qiu Fengyu asked.

“No, I’m afraid I’d end up like the Titanic, sunk in a frigid sea.” Davis shook his head quickly. “I prefer someone more like…” As he spoke, his eyes flicked over to Cynthia.

Just then, Cynthia walked over. “Since you’re looking my way, are you saying nice things about me?”

Such shamelessness was rare.

“No, I was looking at you and talking about how admirable the boss is,” Davis replied, tapping her with his finger. “One day, I’ll get my payback.”

“Payback for what?” Cynthia asked.

“For those two punches—I’ll give them back to you…” Davis said with mock seriousness.

“Oh, I’d almost forgotten!” Cynthia laughed. “You weren’t the first man I hit, and you certainly won’t be the last. You’re lucky, buddy!”

“I like your leather pants!” Qiu Fengyu interjected.

Cynthia flipped him off. “I was actually going to come over and compliment you, but now I see it’s unnecessary. You’re just a scoundrel disguised as an artist.”

“Another woman calls me an artist. Do I really look like a born artist?” Qiu Fengyu looked at Davis and shrugged. Shameless, just like that crazy girl.

“Yes, yes, you create art with your hands,” Davis grumbled. “Don’t they notice anything different about me?”

“Well, except that your nose hair is longer than most,” Cynthia burst out laughing, patting his shoulder. “You should learn a thing or two, kid. Qiu’s hands are the hands of an artist.”

“Uh, of course, I’ve always thought so. Besides slaughtering cattle and making ramen, I use these artistic hands for... ahem... artistic solo performances. All art, I’m so proud!” Davis declared.

“Ugh—” Davis made a retching noise.

“You’re disgusting.” Cynthia mimed vomiting at Qiu Fengyu too, then waved her hand. “Well, I’ve seen your artistry—time for me to go. These six hundred miles haven’t been wasted. I’ll come again if you come up with something new to impress me.” With that, she turned and left.

She was gone as soon as she said she’d go, with remarkable flair.

“Hey—” Qiu Fengyu shouted after her retreating figure.

“What?” Cynthia turned to look at him.

“Next time you come, make sure you shower first. You’re still wearing those leather pants…”

Hearing this, Cynthia gave Qiu Fengyu the finger again, then straddled her motorcycle, donned her helmet, and sped away in a roar of the engine, not looking back.

What a character she was.

Qiu Fengyu admired her. Whenever something piqued her interest, no matter how far, she’d go see it for herself, and once satisfied, leave without a hint of hesitation.

“I like that girl—” Davis grinned as he watched her vanish into the distance. “What a firecracker!”

“Didn’t you say you wanted revenge?” Qiu Fengyu turned to ask.

“Of course, I have to say that—for the bravado. And it gives me an excuse to talk to her next time… Boss, when it comes to chasing women, I’ve got more experience than you,” Davis declared confidently.

“Go home, Davis. Don’t brag about your romantic exploits in front of me, only to go home and... you know. That’s just pathetic.” Qiu Fengyu grinned at him. “Don’t look at me like that. You do realize your left hand is much rougher than your right? And your fingers are thicker too—that’s what comes from years of that particular practice. All right, see you, buddy, you poor guy!” Qiu Fengyu patted him on the shoulder and strolled away.

“Oh no, how does he know?” Davis was startled. He looked at both hands, comparing them back and forth for a long time. “Is it really that obvious? Damn, how can people tell so much just at a glance… Oh my god…”

Davis was a little distressed.

After thinking it over, he went to Qiu Fengyu’s shop. He had to figure this out—why it was so, and if there was any remedy. If people could tell just by looking, he’d be royally embarrassed.

“Hey, boss…” Davis saw Qiu Fengyu taking a shower and called out loudly from outside the bathroom.

“I don’t mind if you come in, buddy, but you’d better wash your ass first…”

“Boss, I just want to ask—what should I do?” Davis raised his voice.

“Do about what?”

“So that people can’t tell… that I’ve, you know… done that thing… So both hands look normal,” Davis stammered.

“Aha—buddy, if you buy me a drink tonight, I’ll tell you.”

“All right, see you at the bar!” Davis said, then hurried away.

After dinner, Qiu Fengyu went to the bar and sat at the counter. Unexpectedly, Breckin wasn’t as chatty as usual; after a brief greeting, he went off to serve the others.

“Hey, Qiu, how are you?” A lady walked over, sat down beside Qiu Fengyu, and said to Breckin, “A frozen margarita, please!”

“Sure, coming right up!” said Breckin, mixing her drink and sliding it over. “Here you go—hope you have a great night.”

“Thank you, you’re so thoughtful!” the woman replied, turning to Qiu Fengyu. “I was going to leave, but then I thought I’d stay after all.”

“What’s keeping you here?”

“You, Qiu. I think I need to study you a bit more. By the way, I’m looking to rent a place... Breckin—everyone calls you Breckin—could you help me with that?”

“Of course, no problem!”

“This one’s on me!” she said, raising her glass to Qiu Fengyu before sauntering off to the other side.

“Buddy, you’re in big trouble now!” Breckin grinned maliciously at Qiu Fengyu.

“You’re just jealous—”

“No, no, this is trouble. Women are trouble, and this one—first glance told me she’s no ordinary woman. You’re in for it, pal!” Breckin was definitely enjoying this.

“You’re mistaken. I won’t give her the time of day.”

As they spoke, Davis walked over and took a seat beside Qiu Fengyu. “Hey, boss. A vodka for Qiu—my treat!” he said to Breckin.

“All right, so you want to know how to keep people from noticing, huh?” Qiu Fengyu picked up his drink and smiled. “Actually, you don’t need to do anything. Your hands are naturally different, buddy. Thanks for the drink!” He raised his glass in a toast.