Chapter 11 Between two rose bushes

Zhengqing quickly text back: No need to stop her.

But Yin Ting did not reply, which made Zhengqingapprehensive. Did girl would not do something to let him lose face, right?

Huizhu finished sending her email at that moment, and turnedback to Zhengqing to find him also looking at his phone, ‘I am sorry,’ shesaid, ‘Today is really chaotic.’

‘It’s okay,’ Zhengqing replied while wondering whether YinTing did manage to send May Shen off.

Zhengqing’s reply was a bit absent-minded, which made Huizhuthink of her behaviour earlier, so she apologised, ‘Sorry about everythingtoday, I am a bit annoyed and may have come off rude. I hope you and youracquaintance don’t mind.’

Zhengqing smiled at her and said, ‘It really doesn’t matter.I understand very well. Everyone has high pressure times in their work. YinTing also thought you may be tired from work, but you still kept yourappointment. She said you were very good. Don’t feel bad, anyone canunderstand.’

Huizhu was surprised. Yin Ting said that? It made her feelguilty. She had lost patience, especially with the shouting children. They hadbeen innocent. She subconsciously looked out the window to see Yin Ting and thethree children walking away while an attractive woman carrying high fashionbranded carrier bags waving them off. The woman turned and seemed to seemed tonotice Zhengqing, her expression turned bright and she headed into therestaurant. That woman’s expression made Huizhu on edge.

At that time, Zhengqing received a text: Sorry, I could nothead her off. She said she must eat there. I have tried but of course could notreveal the secret. So I’m taking the children first. (Zuben: I dunno how shethought she was going to do that, May was already someone Yin Ting could notwin against)

Zhengqing put down his phone and looked up to see Jiaqi walkup to their table, ‘Qiu zong, really skilful.’

The Jiaqi turned to Huizhu. The two women regarded eachother; Jiaqi was smiling while Huizhu looked at her silently. Zhengqingintroduced them to each other. The two women smiled and shook hands.

Zhengqing was dumbstruck; Shen Jiaqi said she must eat here?And Yin Ting had run off? But it seemed that he had been somewhat infected byYin Ting’s ideas, and was feeling a small trepidation. But that was not right,he had done nothing wrong.

Jiaqi began to talk very casually, ‘I was just shopping, andthen I thought to have some lunch. I did not expect to meet someone I know. Youdon’t mind if I have lunch with you two, do you?’

Zhengqing looked at Huizhu, but she was reluctant to refuse.This person may be one of Zhenqing’s business partners or friends, she did notwant to offend them and make Zhengqing lose face. So she smiled and nodded, ‘Itdoesn’t matter, let’s eat together.’

Jiaqi happily sat down and hung her bags on the hook providedat the end of the table. She had to packets of postcards, the same type that Zhengqinghad bought earlier. Jiaqi saw her looking at the post cards, ‘Do you like thepostcards? You can have a pack. My friend sells them; the print quality is verygood. Everytime, I run into her, I buy many packs.’

Huizhu was surprised (Zuben: for the ‘eleventh’ time in thelast hour), her friend? Does she mean Yin Ting?

As Zhengqing listened to their conversation, he wondered whatYin Ting told her.

It seemed Jiaqi was a regular at the restaurant; the waitstaff greeted her with deferent familiarity and she was able to order her foodquickly without looking at the menu.

There as a beep from his phone informing him of a receivedtext message, it was Yin Ting: You’re now in a love triangle. I didn’t want thechildren to see bad things so I took them elsewhere.

Zhengqing was mollified, what bad things? What love triangle,ah?! (Zuben: It’s more of a love quadrangle, but hey who’s counting) As he wastrying to reply to Yin Ting, he heard Jiaqi ask Huizhu, ‘So how do you know Qiuzong?’ as she raised her gla.s.s of water to drink.

Zhengqing looked at Huizhu and she returned his gaze, thenreplied, ‘We went to college together,’

Their relationship status wasn’t final. Zhengqing was stillthinking about it, and they were still unfamiliar Huizhu thought it was best toerr on the side of caution.

Jiaqi put her gla.s.s down and laughed, ‘That’s great. I askedbecause I am trying to woo Qiu zong, so I thought I should clarify therelationship. I didn’t want to get into an embarra.s.sing situation.’

Zhengqing and Huizhu were stupefied; they glanced at the eachother. This was rather awkward. Things were really off kilter today. But Huizuidid not falter, she said very politely, ‘Is that so? What a coincidence that Ihave the same idea too.’

(Zuben: I raise a cup of tea/gla.s.s of juice/wine/fizzywater/not so fizzy water/minerals in toast to all you strong go getter women ofthe world. This person begs for your energy.)

‘So, ah.’ Jiaqi’s looked and Zhengqing and then turned toHuizhu and laughed, ‘I can understand that.’

Zhengqing watched both women’s fake smiled and felt veryembarra.s.sed. What was there to understand, this was simply stirring up trouble.Things were really out of kilter today, just because they had to squeeze in adate. In the face of the straight-forwardness, he didn’t know how to react.Unfortunately, he didn’t find these kind of high nosed misses like Qin Yufeiattractive.

In his thirty three years, there have been women who hadconsidered him, but he had been engrossed in his work therefore did not havetime to consider them. But now, due to Yin Ting red string of love, his peachblossoms have really blossomed, except it was blossoming into disaster! (Zuben:It’s only two women; don’t get your panties in a knot. It’s only a disaster ifit was four ¬.¬)

This situation was rather irritating, he could not enjoy it.Would returning that red string be too excessive?

At this moment, the waiter delivered Zhengqing’s and Huizhu’sstarters.

‘Thank you both for your affection. You’re giving me too muchface, I am very flattered. You are so frank, making me very awkward. Pardon me,I will eat first.’

Huizhu picked up her cutlery and said to Jiaqi, ‘I will eatfirst, pardon me.’

‘Please do,’ Jiaqi said generously.

As they began to eat, Jiaqi looked at their meals, ‘Yourdishes are so simple, are you in a hurry?’

‘I have to go back to work after this,’ Huizhu answered. Shewas suddenly glad she didn’t have time today, she really didn’t want to have todeal with this woman. She was too tired and in no mood.

‘Oh,’ she said, and turned to Zhengqing, ‘Qiu zong?’

‘I have an appointment after,’ he replied. Huizhu wassatisfied, she maintained his face and he maintained hers. He was such agentleman, she really liked him.

‘Then eat and do, I will pay,’ Jiaqi said

‘Miss Shen is too kind,’ Huizhu said, but she thought theyoung woman was just trying to show off, it annoyed her. She finished her dinnerand looked to see Zhengqing had finished his. She asked him if he was readywith a look, he gave her a bare nod.

Jiaqi’s side dishes arrived. Zhengqing bid her to take hertime and they would leave first.

‘Lovely, it was nice seeing you. I will be in touch,’ shesaid. She wasn’t long winded, so Zhengqing and Huizhu were able to leavetogether. Huizhu wanted to pay, but Zhengqing stopped,

‘Don’t be spiteful,’ he said softly.

Huizhu raised an eyebrow and said, ‘If feel like you invitedher to dinner, I’m not happy about it.’

Zhengqing mirrored her expression, ‘But then that’s makesthings even, you haven’t suffered a loss.’

Huizhu could not help but smile, truly, she hadn’t lost. Theygot to the parking lot, Huizhu waved goodbye and drove off.

Zhengqing got into his car and breathed a sigh of relief. Hedidn’t like this situation; being pursued by two women. He had not factored itinto his plan. If there were two women, he would have to waste more time and energy,which also meant he had to be determined about Huizhu; whether he wanted todate or not. But this matter was important, he did not want to sign on thedotted line carelessly.

For now, he would go to the supermarket. At this point, hehad nothing to react to; the enemy was not moving, so he could not move either(Zuben: What enemy?). Right, he also needed to correct Yin Ting’s erroneousidea, he took the matter of friendship between men and women seriously andearnestly; what love triangle? He was not a chaotic person. She could onlythink in chaos.

As he drove, he saw Yin Ting on a street corner (Zuben:Selling her wares…)

She still had the children with her. The four of them hadlollipops in their mouths. The two girl each held a box of lollipops and theboy had the box of postcards. The four of them had happy expressions on theirfaces. Their bright smiles and c.o.c.ky gait was as though they all had goldencrowns on their heads, not just on the street eating lollipops. (Zuben:Magical…)

Zhengqing could not help laughing. His time at therestaurant, it seemed, obviously could not compare to the day that these fourjolly ones had.

He drove past them and beeped his horn. Yin Ting turned atthe sound, seeing him, her expression turned bright. Zhengqing discovered hewas grinning too. Her expression was very funny,

‘Qiu zong elder!’ Yin Ting rushed forward and the childrentrailed after her.

Zhengqing opened his car door,

‘You finished your lunch so quickly?’

‘Yes. Did you sell out? Are you on your way back, would youlike me to take you back to the orphanage?’

‘Yes, that would be great,’ Yin Ting replied cheerfully, shewas not being shy. She turned to the children and said, ‘Come in, Uncle Qiu isgoing to send us home. We must thank Uncle.’

‘Thank you, Uncle!’ the children chorused. The youngest oneafter a moment said, ‘Thank you, car.’

‘You’re welcome,’ Zhengqing answered, ‘The car is alsoblunt,’

Yin Ting gave him a light punch in the arm, ‘You are soserious they well think the car has special powers,’

What special powers? Zhengqing frowned,

‘Like you can talk with the car, and you are interlinked andsuch like,’ (Zuben: Wait? He wasn’t trying to make them thing the car cantalk?)

‘Really?’ the little child called Xiao s.h.i.tou [Little Stone] asked,

‘Of course not, Uncle was being kind with Xiao s.h.i.touthanking the car, very polite’

‘Oh’ the children chorused settling down, though they feltregretful.

‘Fasten your seat belt,’ Zhengqing said, as he realised hecould not talk to children as one would an adult. They were somewhat scattered,and their brain was everywhere thinking everything.

When he heard the click of safety belts, Zhengqing put thecar into gear and drove, ‘Tingting jie jie, can we give Uncle a lollipop toeat. He has helped us.’

‘But Uncle is driving now, he cannot eat the lollipop. Unclecan’t eat and drive.’ Yin Ting said helping him decline, he shot her gratefullook.

‘Do you know why sugar is sweet, Uncle?’ Xiao s.h.i.tou asked,

In Zhengqing’s mind, he recalled the chemical composition ofsugar and the structure of the taste buds in the tongue, but the little one didnot wait for him to answer, ‘Because, it wants you to be happy!’ (Zuben: I feelfor you Zhengqing)

The other girl also said, ‘So that when you eat it you willbe happy!’

Zhengqing glanced at Yin Ting, was she the one teaching themthis silliness? (Zuben: Yes)

Then little one asked, ‘Uncle, do you know why the sun is sofar and bright?’

Zhengqing did not want to sort out his knowledge ofastronomy, (Zuben: it would be a silly a.s.s reason anyway), he would really liketo ask Xiao s.h.i.tou to plug her mouth with a lollipop. Of course, he was agentlemanly uncle, so he could not ask her to do that.

Of course, Xiao s.h.i.tou answered her own question, ‘The sunhas to be, so we can have a goal.’

An amiable and bright goal? Zhengqing gave Yin Ting a look.Yin Ting laughed behind her hand, Xiao s.h.i.tou had a really good memory, sheremembered everything.

‘I also have remembered one,’ the older girl said, not to beoutdone, ‘Uncle, do you know why the moon has segments and is curved?’

Zhengqing really wanted to say, “Uncle just wants to send youhome. Uncle does not know.” (Zuben: Why are you torturing Uncle/me, writer?)

But he now has experience, they don’t want him to answer theywant to tell him the answer, Xiao s.h.i.tou b.u.t.t in, ‘Because change will also bebeautiful, so we should not be afraid of change.’ (Zuben: That one is actuallygood.)

Zhengqing did not know how he should respond, but theychildren had tired of the “Ask Uncle” game and began playing amongstthemselves.

They were quite noisy. He glanced at the through the rear-viewmirror, they were laughing very happily. The sound echoed in the car. He foundYin Ting staring at him, her eyes were bright, his heart could not help butjump,

‘They are very lively,’ he said quickly to hide hisdiscomfiture,

‘Thanks,’ Yin Ting said, smiling sweetly, ‘If you get tiredof the noise I can tell them to be quiet. They are very clever,’

‘No need,’ he said, trying to be calm. He was suddenlynervous. Back at the restaurant, were those two ladies were doing their“tug-of-war” he hadn’t been nervous, just embarra.s.sed. It was probably becausethe children were noisy and he wasn’t used to it.

Yes, it was because the children made him nervous. (Zuben:Definitely the children)

 Chapter12: Out of the mouth of babes

There was silence for a little while, the Yin Ting opened hermouth, ‘How did it go?’

Zhengqing knew she was asking about the restaurant, ‘Nothinghappened. Miss Shen saw us and joined us. We ate together.’

‘Oh,’ was her reply. She looked at the children behind them,‘Go back and say it,’ (Zuben: ?)

Go back? Zhengqing became somewhat nervous, and say what?

‘Love triangle?’

He could take this opportunity to correct her wrong idea,since she insisted on discussing it with him. That being said, maybe it wasbetter not to talk about it. Talking with a little girl about his values onmarriage was very embarra.s.sing, especially Yin Ting, this little girl and herquirky way of thinking.

‘How old are you?’ he asked. Although, asking in astraightforward manner seemed very rude.

’24,’ Yin Ting replied without hesitation, she gave him asmile.

She certainly was a little girl. Most likely recentlygraduated from university. Zhengqing adjusted himself in his seat. He did notwant to have to explain that his question had no hidden agenda behind it. Shejust seemed really young, younger than Qin Yufei.

Yin Ting, not waiting for him to finish his mentaldeliberations, asked, ‘And you’re thirty-three?’

Zhengqing nodded, feeling a bit strange, but he could not pinpoint the cause.

‘I saw an article on you on the internet, that’s how I know.’Yin Ting said with a grin,

Zhengqing was very embarra.s.sed, that financial magazinearticle was much exaggerated. But he felt satisfied that she had looked him up,but also embarra.s.sed. (Zuben: I have written the word embarra.s.sed so manytimes, in this last chapter, than I have ever written in my whole life!)

’66 Dashun!’ Yin Tin said suddenly.

‘What?’ Zhengqing did not understand.

‘Your age. Three plus three is six, therefore life would besmooth,’

What has this got to do with anything, but he asked, ‘Howabout when I become thirty four?’

‘Looking forward to that year, where whimsy meets harmony andhappiness,’

Zhengqing smiled; whimsy, harmony and happiness?

‘And thirty five?’ Although, this one would not be too hard,eight was an auspicious number.

She really did not need to exert herself coming up withsomething, ‘You will get rich, and your enterprise is succeeding. You will be afather at that time.’

Zhengqing laughed in spite of himself. His plan was to marryin two years, so being a father at thirty five wasn’t a stretch. The rest ofthe ages were very easy to collect auspicious tidings, so he asked, ‘How aboutforty?’

‘Do you want to wait till then? Won’t you be too old?’

‘…’ Zhengqing was unable to describe the feelings in hisheart, but he suspected his expression was very splendid. It was a pity that hewas concentrating on the road. Yin Ting could only see half his face. She couldnot see his shock.

Old age!

What is this ghost?! (Zuben: Chinese thing I am a.s.suming)

Zhengqing did not say anything, Yin Ting tried to placatehim, ‘You’re attaching great importance to this matter. Forty is not old for aman. For a woman, it is different; you must consider your wife, when childbirth would be very difficult.’

Zhengqing could not bear to look at Yin Ting, ‘Sorry sorry, Iwas wrong, I shouldn’t speak of these things. I just thought of you like myolder brother.’

Zhengqing was silent, if her older brother heard this, hewould jump out to call ‘One child is a ghost!’

One can’t be too kind in life or you will always be sad anheartbroken

Elderly…

Zhengqing decided to talk to the children instead, ‘Kids, howwas the postcard business today?’

‘We sold well!’ the Xiao s.h.i.tou said nodding.

The slightly older boy was also excited, ‘Ting Ting jie jiecalculated, we got enough to feed five children for a week,’

‘More than that,’ the other little girl said, ‘This is justwhat we have sold. The other children have gone out to sell as well; wecertainly would get a lot.’

‘Very good!’ Xiao s.h.i.tou said very happily, rounding up thespeech.

Zhengqing frowned, a bit worried and turned to Yin Ting to ask,‘Is the orphanage short of funds?’

‘Not us,’ the boy said, ‘We are not short of money,’ he saidvery proudly.

‘We aren’t short of money!’ Xiao s.h.i.tou said,

‘We are full every day. We have clothes, and can go toschool.’

‘Our homework is done.’

‘There is sugar to eat,’ Xiao s.h.i.tou said, ‘Every child has,oh. Tingting jie jie said to be fair, everyone has,’

‘We’re helping an orphanage in the rural area to raisefunds,’ Yin Ting said, ‘we want to get the children to do something for otherchildren, right?’ she asked the children.

They all nodded.

‘Others help us, we help others.’

‘Xiao Han is right,’ Yin Tin said praising the little boy,

He seemed a bit embarra.s.sed, but he loudly declared, ‘I willstudy hard, get into university and get the ability to help more people.’

Zhengqing clenched the wheel, thinking of his own lowly beginnings.His life hadn’t been as miserable as these children’s, at least he had a homeand relatives. He also received many people’s encouragement and help. Though heregularly donated to the Yongkai charitable fund, he realised he needed to helpsomeone directly, so he said, ‘Xiao Han, if you work hard and can get intouniversity, Uncle would help you pay your fees till you finish.’ (Zuben: *Rolleyes* what about the girls…?)

Xiao Han got excited, ‘I, I will work hard.’

Zhengqing laughed and caught Yin Ting looking at him, her shewas laughing and her expression was sweet. Zhengqing got nervous again, ‘I’mnot just saying, I am serious.’

‘Thank you,’ she said.

They children in the back were cheering for each other.Zhengqing thought they were cute. Zhenqing looked at Yin Ting; there was stilllaughter in her eyes.

Zhengqing was embarra.s.sed (Zuben: again). He cleared histhroat and kept his eyes on the road. He recalled that Yin Ting had told himthat she spent time in ann orphanage playing, it seemed she was very familiar.

She directed him to the orphanage. When they arrived, therewas much jollity and excitement.

Behind them, Yin Ting and Zhengqing watched the melee, heturned to her retrieving his wallet and took out the rest of the cash he had,‘Something for the rural orphanage,’

Yin Ting winked and said, ‘You already donated. You boughttwo boxes of postcards,’

Zhengqing nodded, ‘A little more wouldn’t hurt,’

Yin Ting smiled at him, she suddenly stepped forward and gavehim a big hug,

‘You’re so kind,’

Was the hug for two seconds or three? Zhengqing was unsure,only that she let go of him too soon. His body seemed to keep the warmth of herhug long after she had stepped back,

‘Then I will take it,’ she said sweetly,

‘Very good,’ he said as he handed her the money. She thankedhim, and was about to leave but turned and asked, ‘Do you still have time?’

‘I’m waiting for you,’ he replied. He had time, there was noproblem getting her home. Yin Ting laughed waved at him and ran towards a smallside building.

Zhengqing watched her back as she ran off, thinking of it,that’s what, actually, uh, as if they were not on the way. (Zuben: This is howis came out of google translate. I couldn’t make head or tail of it. I a.s.sumehe lost his train of thought watching her b.u.t.t)

He had time.

He felt his clothes being pulled; he looked down to see Xiaos.h.i.tou standing near him. She smiled up at him and gave him a lollipop,

‘Shushu, you’re not driving now, you can eat.’

She actually remembered! Zhengqing was somewhat touched. Hetook the lollipop and tore open the wrapper and popped it into his mouth, Xiaos.h.i.tou gave a happy smile.

Zhengqing though the sweet was really very good. It can makepeople happy.

Why was a sweet sweet? Because, it will make you happy.

Zhengqing ruffled Xiao s.h.i.tou’s head as thanks, and asked,‘Xiao s.h.i.tou, do you have a name?’

‘My name is Shi Liang. The others said my name is like aboy’s and laugh at me. But Tingting jie jie said that a gleaming stone is agem. So everyone started calling me Xiao s.h.i.tou,’

‘Shu Liang is a very good name,’ he said. His name was alsovery good, he could think of a happy meaning, but although he tried, he couldonly think of “Please be more serious”, he had certainly been brainwashed. Thiswas not good, he must find an awe-inspiring meaning to his name.

Xiao s.h.i.tou pulled at his trouser leg, and he squatted tolisten to her. She looked about checking for eavesdroppers, before she said,‘Xiao Han ge studies earnestly, and his results are good. He will certainly beadmitted into university,’ Xiao s.h.i.tou did not know what university was, butshe thought that is seemed very great.

Zhengqing nodded, ‘This shushu will certainly help him,’

Xiao s.h.i.tou nodded happily and declared, ‘Uncle is verykind,’ before giving him a hug.

‘I am quite stupid and do not do well in my studies. I thinkthat I will not be admitted into university, but I will also try hard. Tingtingjie jie said that I do not have to be admitted to university. Do somethingelse.’

‘What do you want to do?’ he asked

Xiao s.h.i.tou blushed and looked somewhat shy, she lookedaround again before saying, ‘I like Xiao Han ge, I want to be his bride when Igrow up,’

Zhengqing was a dumbfounded. He thought that she would saysomething like starting a small scale business like opening a shop.

But Xiao s.h.i.tou’s face was red but she was resolute, ‘TinTing jie-ie said that this goal is very good, but Xiao Han ge has to agree. Whenwe grow up I will ask Xiao Han again.’

Why is the sun so high and so bright? So we must have a goal.

Zhengqing could not help but laugh and held Xiao s.h.i.tou,‘This goal is good,’ he said a.s.suring the child. But later on, he would try toencourage her to pursue an enterprise; girls should be independent. But she wasonly a little girl now.

Zhengqing saw Yin Ting coming out of the building runningover to him.

Her ponytail swayed, gleaming in the sun. Her face had asweet smile, her body full of sunshine (Zuben: cue romantic violins)

Zhengqing drove Yin Ting home.

It was the second time he had taken her home. It had beenthat day when Qin Yufei wanted Yin Ting to help out with Gu Yingjie. Zhengqingand Yingjie had been in a meeting, but while the formal meeting was done,Zhengqing and Yingjie still had much to discuss so they had stayed in theconference room to chat. Yin Ting pa.s.sed by, and invited them out to dinner.

That sort of behaviour was her style, which was, beingtightly hugged by the G.o.d of thoughtlessness.

Nothing makes any sense but behaving as if it did.

Thinking of that day, Zhenqing remembered that Yufei toldhim, when she said she hoped that he didn’t misunderstand that Yin Ting likedhim. He had thought that Yin Ting was interested in Yingjie, but now Yufei wasin love with Yingjie.

Zhengqing thought of it more, and decided to carefully probe,and asked Yin Ting, ‘What do you think of Gu Yingjie?’

‘He is very nice,’ she replied on unabashedly, ‘in my mindhe’s like a prince on a white horse.’

‘…’ Zhengqing did not speak. It seemed like the situation isreally bad. (Zuben: Your situational awareness is bad) Did Yin Ting really likeGu Yingjie? But Yingjie’s heart belonged to someone else now. If Yin Ting knew,would she be sad? Would it get awkward between her and Yufei?

Zhengqing remained silent in his thoughts, Yin Tingcontinued, ‘I wanted to meet up with Gu Yingjie, but wasn’t able to. He isstill a gentleman. Yufei tried to help me, but their tempers flared, it wasvery confusing and awkward. I was also very embarra.s.sed.’

This fool, he thought. Others are getting happy in theirlove, you’re being vigorously embarra.s.sed.

Zhengqing felt like he was driven beyond the limits offorebearance. His head heated up and he found himself blurting out, ‘Yufei toldme she was in love with Gu Yingjie.’

‘What?’ Yin Ting shouted, her eyes wide in surprise.

Zhengqing suddenly regretted his rashness. But words said couldnot be returned, and now must be absorbed into the car, or maybe a car accidentwould erase things?

‘Yufie and Yingjie in love?’ Yin Ting asked again, her pitchwas high and her tone was surprised.

‘Hmm,’ Zhengqing replied quietly, his eyes fixed to the road.He drove seriously. He really was bad at a chatting.

‘They are actually dating?’ She repeated, he could not decidewhether she was talking to him or herself.

‘Haha! Great!’ she said suddenly

Zhengqing did a double-take. He was confused.

‘Who won?’

Her tone was sweet, but Zhengqing imagined that Yin Tingwould have an aggrieved expression on her face. He sighed and turned to her,but it really was not as he imagined. Her eyes were round with excitedcuriosity. He’d never noticed she had such beautiful eyes, ah. (Zuben: cueviolins!) He quickly stopped himself, now was not the time to be admiring herlooks.

‘What?’ he asked foolishly. He had forgotten her question.

‘Who chased who? How did they get caught? Who overtook whom?’she thought he did not understand the slang she was using. (Zuben: I do notunderstand the slang you are using.)

‘I don’t know,’ he replied, relaxing. He did not know,luckily.

‘You really don’t know?’ (Zuben: How is he expected to know?Is he Yufei’s bosom buddy?)

‘No,’ Zhengqing usually minded his own business. He hadn’tasked Yufei, it was Yufei spilled the beans, therefore he did not know thedetails of their coming together.

‘Take means pursue, everyone knows that.’ She said.

He almost lost control of the car. Where they talking atcross purposes here? This thoughtless G.o.d could you let go of Miss Yin Ting, alittle looser would be good. So they could have a smooth conversation betweenthem, ok?

Zhengqing took a deep breath and called upon his patience, ‘Imean I did not know who ‘took’ who,’

‘…I’m guessing it would have been Yufei,’

‘…’ Zhengqing gave her a look then turned back to the road.Shouldn’t her expression be anger? Instead it was happy smiles. In the cornerof his eye, he could see Yin Ting take out her mobile, and dial.

‘What is it?’ he did not really want to gossip, buteventually did not hold back.

‘I wanted to talk to Yufei but it’s the weekend so they mustbe out. I don’t want to bother them.’

She really didn’t look angry, ah. But he asked, ‘Are youokay?’

‘Why do you ask?’ she asked puzzled. She was very well,wasn’t she?

‘I meant; don’t you like Yingjie?’

‘I did in the past, but he did not like me, so I gave up.’

Zhengqing was silent. He did not know how to reply to that.More and more, he was sure that he was not suitable to talk to people aboutemotional issues. It was better to talk about work and business, less pitfalls.

‘Do you know why a car can turn?’ she asked.

Zhengqing was distracted, he thought she said he should turnaround, so he subconsciously turned when they came to a cross road, thenrealised he was asking one of her riddles with weird positive answers. Helooked at Yin Ting out of the corner of his eyes, she had that innocent look onher face, she looked surprised that he turned,

He sighed and humoured her, ‘Why?’

Yin Ting decided to tell him that he was going the long way,she replied, ‘Because you can change directions when you end up in a dead end,’

She was trying to say that Yingjie did not like her,therefore she wasn’t planning on tying herself down with him. She was happy tofind the next big tree. So shallow, do you want to use a dead end to adjust theatmosphere. Zhengqing wanted to sigh,

‘Which one do you like; Zoe or May?’ She asked.

This time, Zhengqing heaved a great big sigh.

‘Why?’

‘Your conversations are not linked, you jump from one topicto the other with not connection what so ever.’

‘I do,’ She protested, ‘I said Gu Yingjie did not like me soI moved on. You have two choices, I am curious which path you intend to take. Therewas a connection, it is in the same topic.’

Zhengqing was unable to refute. (Zuben: I can refute!)

After a while, she asked again, ‘Which path do you intend totake?’

Zhengqing did not want to talk about this with her, but hethought if he did not answer, she would think he did not want to marry but playaround.

‘Why do you want to know?’ he asked. Regardless of heranswer, he meant to avoid the question.

‘I thought that if we talked about it I could help you make achoice. After all you’re too proper and serious, your experience with this kindof situation will be limited. I am different I have quite a lot of experience.’

‘Carrying torches for men who don’t like you is experience?’as they words came out of his mouth he regretted it. This wasn’t his way,

But she did not care, ‘My multiple failures are experience.Each defeat is meaningful. Therefore those experiences play a positive rolenow.’ She replied. She really had a unique spirit, making persistent andenergetic positive effort.

‘I am a realist, I don’t want too much positivity.’ Thislogic was not right, ah, but she won’t notice.

She really didn’t, ‘Don’t look down on the lovelorn. If youchange the point of view, I am not lovelorn. You are the same as me, thedifference is I keep walking ahead and you remain static. In reality, we are“no-love” allies, it is rather cordial.’

‘…’ she keeps walking her ahead, while he remains still?No-love allies? It really made no sense yet somewhat reasonable. Zhengqingpursed his lips. He was unable to refute. (Zuben: I can refute for you if youwant)

He decided to change topic.

‘What are you planning on asking Yufei?’

‘What are you asking?’

‘Did she know you liked Gu Yingjie?’

‘Yeah, but she also knows that I have moved on.’

‘Oh.’

‘She’s so great, it’s nice that she is in love.’

‘Why?’ Zhengqing really did not understand women, shouldn’ther heart be sour? (Zuben: Why should her heart be sour?)

‘He is a good man, and he is finally in Yufei’s arms. I alsofeel proud and elated. May can’t laugh at me anymore.’

Zhengqing was confused; Yufei was in love with Yingjie andYin Ting feels proud and elated? (Zuben: Too many ‘Y’ names) Wasn’t she the onewho was after Yingjie, or as she says now she wasn’t after him anymore. Whycan’t Jiaqi laugh at her?

There was never any logic in her conversation. He decided notto ask again. He feared that the more he asked, the more he would realise thatYin Ting lived in a world of her own.

He heard her phone receive a text, and the click of herreplying. He drove silently, while wondering what she was thinking. Soon, theyarrived in Yin Ting’s neighbourhood. He parked carefully near her house. Shelooked out the window when they came to a stop, she smiled at him and wanted tosay goodbye but Zhengqing suddenly asked,

‘Xiaoting, are you ever sad?’

She hadn’t been sad in the car, returning home she was notsad, being lovelorn she was not sad, it seemed…nothing made her sad. She reallymust eat a few “I am happy everyday” pills every day.

‘Yes ah,’ She answered, ‘I was sad when my mother died.’

Zhengqing was surprised for a moment, ‘I’m sorry,’ he said.He did not intend to poke a wound.

Yin Ting shook her head, ‘My mother knew she was going todie, she called me to chuang side. Icried hard, I had been crying. She said, “My silly child, some things happen.Crying isn’t going to stop it. You just have to face it. Mom is just goingsomewhere else. It is a good opportunity to learn to be independent and brave.You can do it, Mother will be happy”’ she paused for a bit, the continued, ‘Ididn’t understand at the time, but as I grew up, I slowly began to understand.I want my mother to be happy,’

She looked at Zhengqing, he saw her eyes were red and tearshung on the rims. He suddenly really regretted asking her.

‘Mom just changed where she is living. It is justinconvenient to meet and she cant tell me stories anymore. When I was a childshe told me stories every night. She must be really sad. I should not be sadright?’

Zhengqing wanted to agree, but Yin Ting sucked in breath andsaid, ‘I’m going. Thank you for driving me home,’

Zhengqing did not know what to say to her, as she opened thedoor and stepped out.

‘Goodbye,’ she said.

‘Goodbye,’ he returned. The she was gone.

Zhengqing sighed. He remained in a daze. Did she just cry? Hereally regretted his words. Why did he bring up this topic? And she cried,making him feel terrible.

Suddenly there was a dark shadow rapping at the window, hejumped. It was Yin Ting,

‘I will email you later,’ she said happily, then seemingly fullof energy she ran off.

Zhengqing stared after her, what was the purpose of thisemail? He did not understand this girl. He waited for a while, just in case,she jumped out of nowhere again to give him more details, but she didn’t. Hecould not decide if he was disappointed or relieved. Suddenly popping out wasstrangely scary, it was nothing to look forward to.

Zhengqing drove home. His large house suddenly felt empty. Hewondered if he should buy more furniture, as he crashed into his sofa. He tookout his phone to see if he had any mail, but there was nothing.

He threw the phone aside. He should take the time to buy newfurniture. Oh d.a.m.n, he forgot to get groceries!

Zuben: There are most likely many typos. Bear with me