For the 'rivals' prompt of the #WwxLqrWeek
LQR owns a bookshop. It's a new endeavor orchestrated by his nephews to keep him active and happy.
And he is. He really enjoys it.
He has the experience to actually run a business,the necessary patience to temper his love of books.
LXC gets him one of those felt letter boards to put quotes from books and change them every week, and writes "live, laugh, love" as the first message because he's just Like That.
LQR lets him because he really appreciates the support. He'll change the quote soon.
Except for the fact that in the coffee shop at the other side of the street, the next day they put "languish, lament, loathe" in an exaggerated gothic font on their chalkboard.
So it is like this.
Hm.
LQR may not be a big fan of A-Huan's choice on first quote but he's not going to let this pass.
And that's how he ends up in a message board war with the punk barista from the coffee shop.
He's got to give it to the boy, he's often funny and he understands the book references LQR choses.
Soon, putting the quote of the week on the board is something he looks forward to.
Their clients seem to catch onto the trend and enjoy it too. There's suggestions of quotes by regulars. LQR has noticed that many if his regulars seem to come from the coffee shop, where they sit to read their books
Sometimes he recommends the lotus tea, in passing.
One day, A-Zhan visits. He's just finished his degree overseas. LQR gives him a tour and lets him chose this week's quote. The fight with the horrible boy can wait, he's got nephew time to enjoy.
A-Zhan choses a poem about nature, something old and classical. Always the scholar.
The next day, there's a poem on the coffee shop's board. It's a love poem, about being captivated by someone's beauty from the first sight.
Absolutely not!
LQR doesn't even wait the week to put a quote about the importance of minding one's business.
The love poetry doesn't stop.
Worst of all, it's actually good poetry.
A-Zhan, who visits frequently now he's in town, is bound to notice sooner or later.
LQR watched in despair as his nephew enters the coffee shop, enticed by a bunny drawing on the chalkboard.
When A-Zhan comes back, LQR only has to take a look at him to know it's a lost battle.
He delivers a shovel talk in quotes, then resigns himself to accept that awful, terrible menace of a boy into the family.
The quote fights don't stop, at least. So he's got that little bit of fun left.
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