2. An Encounter
Tao Xinyu followed the stranger she'd met by chance through three bookstores before finally tracking down all the books on her list. Though his expression remained cool, he proved genuinely warm-hearted, loyally accompanying her to two additional shops to help complete her collection.
To express her gratitude, Tao Xinyu insisted on buying him a coffee. They purchased coffee from a street vendor and made their way to the nearby Vistula River banks, sitting side by side on the lush green grass as they leisurely sipped their warm drinks.
"Thank you so much for today," Tao Xinyu said, handing him his coffee with a grateful smile. "Your kindness really solved a huge problem for me."
The man accepted the coffee with his characteristic cool demeanor and took a long drink.
"Don't thank me. I had nothing to do today anyway—helping you out was just a way to pass the time. By the way, where are you from?" he asked casually.
"Me? I'm from Taiwan. And you?" Tao Xinyu took a sip of her own coffee.
"I'm from England." He glanced at her as he replied.
"Are you a Chinese expatriate in Britain?" Tao Xinyu asked without suspicion, instinctively assuming he was an expatriate.
At the words "Chinese expatriate," the man's lips curved slightly, but he didn't respond. Tao Xinyu took his silence as confirmation and didn't press further about his background. After all, whether he was or wasn't had nothing to do with her—they were merely passing acquaintances, ships in the night. Why dwell on someone else's origins?
"The literary works you were looking for today are quite obscure," he remarked coolly, voicing his curiosity. "And they're all in Polish. But paradoxically, you don't speak Polish at all. What do you need them for?"
"Oh, those books aren't for me to read. I'm here to source them. I own an independent bookstore in Taiwan—these are special orders from customers." Tao Xinyu explained her reason for coming to Poland.
At this, the man's expression shifted noticeably. He looked her up and down and said:
"Looking at you, so delicate and fragile, I never would have guessed you're a business owner."
Tao Xinyu found his incredulous expression somewhat amusing. With a hint of pride, she retorted:
"What's that supposed to mean? Looking delicate doesn't mean I am delicate, okay? Don't judge people by appearances!"
Seeing her defiantly assert her strength, he finally cracked a smile.
"Alright, alright. Guess I was being shallow. Fair enough?"
Witnessing this handsome, elegant man finally reveal a beautiful smile, Tao Xinyu found herself momentarily captivated by his aura—and felt her heart inexplicably lighten.
"This is my first time in Poland," she said, her mood elevated as she sipped her coffee and exclaimed cheerfully. "I never expected this notoriously dangerous part of Europe to harbor such pure beauty. The people here, the safety—it all feels so peaceful and secure."
Though the riverside was chilly in winter, the gentle breeze didn't feel biting—instead, it brought a refreshing sensation.
The man turned to look at Tao Xinyu, watching as her fair, makeup-free face sparkled in the winter sunlight. For the first time, he felt that a woman could be so clean and beautiful—like exceptionally clear stream water, refreshing to the soul.
The sensation was strange, like some kind of spiritual connection. Their frequencies seemed unusually aligned, which explained why he'd willingly offered help and so easily accepted hers in return. For someone renowned for being aloof and solitary, this was an entirely novel experience. He hadn't known he possessed this side of himself.
Thinking this, he smiled gently again.
"May you have a beautiful holiday—one you'll never forget."
Little did they know, this chance encounter in Poland would indeed leave them both "forever unable to forget."
---
After finishing their coffee, Tao Xinyu bid the handsome stranger a decisive farewell. Lugging her rather heavy books back to her lodging, she dropped off her haul and headed out again to explore the Main Market Square.
By now it was afternoon, and she hadn't eaten lunch. The square hosted numerous vendors selling bread and prepared foods. Tao Xinyu grabbed some Polish fried sausage and a cinnamon roll to stave off hunger. After eating, she entered the Cloth Hall beside the square to hunt for beautiful Polish pottery.
The Cloth Hall, originally an ancient trading center, had undergone multiple renovations and now housed a collection of gift shops, trinket vendors, and souvenir sellers.
Tao Xinyu browsed with enthusiasm, wandering until she came upon a small amber jewelry stall. The designs here were unlike any she'd seen—one glance and she couldn't look away. She lingered, captivated.
Her eyes fell upon an exquisitely crafted blood amber ring. Not only was its color a rich, warm red, but it contained a striking white inclusion—like a transparent, pure crystal. Tao Xinyu fell in love instantly. She signaled to the vendor that she wanted to see it.
The shopkeeper, a young woman with reddish hair, retrieved the ring and commented in English with a knowing smile:
"You have excellent taste." The woman's eyes glinted as she regarded Tao Xinyu.
Smiling, Tao Xinyu slipped the ring onto her right middle finger. The warm red tones complemented her fair skin, making her delicate hand appear even paler. She asked:
"How much is this ring?"
The woman stared directly at Tao Xinyu.
"This ring was originally a display piece—not for sale. But I feel it suits you perfectly. I'll give it to you at a friend's price."
Delighted, Tao Xinyu marveled at her luck. Only her first day in Poland, and so many good things had already happened!
After quickly paying, Tao Xinyu left with the ring already on her finger.
She spent the afternoon wandering and shopping, acquiring the Polish pottery she'd intended to stock in her store. Feeling tired, she carried her purchases back to her lodging and rested awhile, planning to head out again at dinnertime.
---
The old town came alive at dinner hour, especially along the row of bistros beside the Main Market Square, where crowds thronged.
Tao Xinyu wasn't particularly tall—practically part of the "little people" tribe in the Western world. Pushed and jostled by wave after wave of towering figures, she grew uncomfortable and quickly ducked toward the entrance of a nearby restaurant to escape the human current.
As she looked up to study the menu, a familiar yet unfamiliar low voice suddenly sounded beside her.
"What... you again?"
Tao Xinyu turned, stunned. Both she and the speaker were equally surprised—they'd parted ways just that morning, only to encounter each other again on the streets of Poland.
They were... incredibly fated! Tao Xinyu marveled inwardly, staring at the handsome man before her, momentarily speechless.
Just then, two Romani people approached from behind. With practiced ease, one pickpocketed Tao Xinyu's wallet from her backpack and passed it to his accomplice, who hurried away. The entire scene unfolded before the handsome man's eyes. He immediately shouted sternly at the Romani:
"Drop the wallet!"
As the words left his mouth, he shot after the wallet-carrying thief like lightning. Tao Xinyu checked her backpack—slashed open. Without hesitation, she gave chase.
The Romani dodged through the dense crowd, but the congestion hindered his escape. The handsome man gained ground rapidly, with Tao Xinyu close behind shouting "Thief!" in English.
The street erupted into chaos, though most bystanders, confused, simply watched the spectacle.
The Romani ducked expertly into an alley, attempting to shake his pursuer. But the man's stamina proved exceptional—the chase seemed effortless.
Free from the crowded main street, the Romani sprinted through the winding alleyways, the man closing in behind him, followed closely by an adrenaline-fueled Tao Xinyu.
"Thief! Give me back my wallet!" Tao Xinyu's clear shout echoed through the narrow passage, causing the Romani to frown and redouble his efforts to escape the pair.
But Tao Xinyu lacked the men's endurance. She gradually fell behind as the handsome man pressed relentlessly forward. Finally, he accelerated, lunging forward and tackling the Romani to the ground.
Fearing police involvement, the thief struggled fiercely, discarded the wallet, and fled. By the time Tao Xinyu caught up, panting heavily, the culprit had vanished. She watched helplessly as he disappeared, crying out in frustration:
"Bastard! Come back! Give me back my wallet!" She stamped her feet, nearly in tears.
Just as despair set in, the handsome man extended his long, elegant hand, holding her worn, faded pink wallet—the one she'd used for years—and gently touched her arm.
Dejected, Tao Xinyu turned—and spotted her wallet, which she'd thought gone forever. Overjoyed, tears threatened to spill. Excitedly, she grabbed his hand, jumping and shouting:
"My wallet! You got it back? Oh my god, I thought it was gone forever! What do I do? Thank you so much! I could cry!"
The man watched her silently, but Tao Xinyu's emotions still ran high.
"You're seriously my guardian angel, my savior! I don't know how I can ever repay you!"
At this, the handsome man's features softened into the faintest smile. Finally, he ventured a joke:
"Repay me? How about... giving yourself to me?"
His jest brought Tao Xinyu back to earth. She stared incredulously at his seemingly serious handsome face.
"Huh?" She stood frozen, unsure how to respond.
Facing such an innocent woman—one who seemed to take everything he said at face value—he found her genuinely adorable. Once again, he experienced a completely new sensation. This petite woman with such wonderful character offered him a new hope—a different kind of hope regarding "women."
***
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