Please Be More Serious

Yin Ting was silent in her warmnest of Zhengqing’s arms for a time. Then she softly asked, ‘What should we do?’

When Zhengqing did not immediatelyanswer, she also rushed to say, ‘I will also not be bossy about your workinghours.’ ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘I do not want you kept waiting forme.’ He said. Knowing that she was at home waiting for him, he could not be atease working overtime.

‘Then I will not come to see you.’

Zhengqing was at a loss for words;if she did not come, his heart would be uncomfortable. Sure enough, people arecheap. That was not good. Was it really checkmate?

‘Why don’t we do away with therules, and let nature take its course. When you don’t work overtime, let meknow and we can go out to eat, or eat at home. If you think about it, there arecome couples that don’t even see each other for a week.’ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘Ah,’ Zhengqing nodded. ‘Butthinking about it, we didn’t meet very much either.’ It was the New Year, andthen Yu Fei’s wedding preparations, and then the Spring festival. Things hadbeen chaotic.

Yin Ting looked thoughtful as shesaid, ‘Maybe our expectations and antic.i.p.ations were too high and therefore, wedid not handle things well.’ (Zuben: Ya think?) Their ideas were grand, butthey did little to reach their goals. (Zuben: shrug*) And when expectations arenot met, the heart would be aggrieved. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘My only demand is that you’re mygirlfriend,’ he said, ‘the rest is up to you.’

(Zuben: My only requirement is thatyou are there when I want you. I don’t want to have to work for it)

Yin Tin laughed, ‘The person whodoesn’t have demands usually has the higher expectation.’ She coughed a bit andlooked up at Zhengqing, mimicking his serious tone of voice she said, ‘Myrequest is that you do your work well, and look after me.’

She giggled, ‘See your tone ofvoice, so commandeering.’

Zhengqing thought about it andlaughed as well. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘Then let’s let nature take itscourse.’ Zhengqing said, ‘When we are free to see each other, we will. We won’tmake uneccesary sacrifies on either part. We have been told worst thing thatcould happen.’ Like he told Guohao, he did not feel any pressure to be aperfect boyfriend anymore because Guohao did not give him any room tomanoeuvre. He had asked them to break up; there was no room, nothing worse thanthis situation. So even if they didn’t meet often, even if Yin Ting’s rulescause him to lose a bit, it didn’t matter. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK 

They were still in love with eachother.

‘Did your dad say you should neversee me again?’

‘He didn’t say that, but he said hedidn’t approve of us dating. He has always been strict with us.’

Zhengqing was silent, trying toa.n.a.lyse what her dad’s thought process was. a.n.a.lysis of the intentions of theopponent was very important, so that he could deduce what his next steps wouldbe. He knew Guohao would not do something as stupid as commanding them not tomeet. But, since he asked them to break up and did not approve of theirrelationship, he still had control over them.

As he was thinking, Yin Ting said,‘Don’t be unhappy with this but this weekened, lets not meet for the time being.My dad just put this matter before us, for us to immediately do the oppositewould be rude. Elders must say their piece and see that it has been taken onboard. Why don’t we let him calm down a bit and we progess slowly, and withtime, eventually convince him.’

‘I think so too.’ His stance wasnot to come into direct conflict with a person with strongly differingopinions, but leave and consider options, and return from a different angle andchange their mind. In the end, earn victory. (Zuben: The way this paragraphcame out on the translators was just…I sincerely wonder if it reads better inChinese)ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘Then you aren’t angry?’ To be honest,Yin Ting was very affected by her father’s words. But when Zhengqing told herhe was waiting for her, she had no idea what to do. But in his arms, she couldlaugh and feel joy again. She decided: I must try again. She had not done wellin the past, but she would change her way of doing things. Though she did notwant to ruin Zhengqing’s glory or make him hate her, she did not want to givehim up so easily. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

If love could be shaken easily, itmust not be love.

‘I am not angry; we have a long wayto go. I will try to speak to your father again.’

‘I am so happy you came or I reallydon’t know how I would have been this night or tomorrow. My mind was in chaos. Whatmy dad said is justified, I was really persuaded.’

‘So I came.’ If he hadn’t been ableto see her that night, he didn’t know what he would have done.

‘Fortunately, you came.’ She saidsoftly and hugging him around his waist.

Zhengqing placed a kiss on top ofher head. She looked up and gave him a small kiss on his lips. With a smile,she held up her index finger for a promise, ‘Well, shall we implement plan Bfor our love?’

Zhengqing laughed. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

Ying Ting continued, ‘If plan Bdoesn’t work, we will implement plan C. Why turn the car around?’

Zhengqing laughed and repliedhelplessly, ‘Because of the corner?’

‘Yes,’ she replied brightly, ‘PlanA has not worked, we go to plan B; we have to be tactful and flexible.’

Zhengqing laughed again, Yin Tingglared in mock indignation, ‘I am talking very seriously here.’

He laughed even harder, she did notlook very serious at all, ‘I just remembered that day I picked you up when yourbike was broken, and you told me you had plan A, B and C.’

‘Of course.’ Yin Ting said, ‘Don’tunderestimate me, ah. I am not a stupid woman. Just wait and see, I will showyou how clever I am.’

‘Yes, you are the cleverest.’ Hereplied flattering her.

Yin Ting rested her head on hisshoulder. She looked out the window, and kept looking. Zhengqing wondered whatshe was looking at: was it her dad? The hairs on his neck rose, he turnedaround but there was no one. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘Don’t scare me to death, ah.’ Hesaid.

‘What’s scaring you?’

‘Nothing.’ He didn’t want her toknow; he was afraid of her father.

‘Please be more serious, tell me, in love, what is gla.s.s?’

‘Same s.e.x love.’ Zhengqing repliedquickly, not wanting to think.

Yin Ting gave him a light smack,‘Chicken soup brain.’

Chicken soup again? Zhengqinglooked out the window,

‘Wind and rain, this is love?’

‘No that is rational. The gla.s.sallows you to see the outside, and the horizon, but also protects you from thewind and rain.’

‘Hmm, it makes no difference tome.’

‘But it is also a barrier, if youwant to go out you will have to break it. Once shattered, its shards will hurtyou and stop sheltering you.’

‘Then you should change to temperedgla.s.s.’ He quipped.

Yin Ting glared. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘Don’t be silly. Besides, oneshould break the gla.s.s, because otherwise, you will be stuck in the protectivesh.e.l.l, can only look at the scenery and not experience it.’

‘Ah.’

Men were such puzzling creatures,Yin Ting thought as she smiled and continued, ‘Like one can see that there are lovers, but theyare very far away.’

‘Okay.’

‘Like us now?’

‘Not quite like us.’ He replied.She really liked making this kind of chicken soup jokes. Yin Ting stared athim, so he said, ‘Maybe, kind of…’

Reason protected them but inbreaking the beauty of reason to dream, they could get hurt.

‘So we need to think of a way.’

‘A way to manage our differences,and get your father’s approval,’ but he thought that the solution to the issueswould be more intuitive. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘The first step for me,’ Yin Tingsaid, ‘is to hand over the accounts back to you. I no longer hold any depositto meet delivery.’ She sighed. ‘After talking to my dad, I realised all thosethings were naïve, and would have eventually put pressure on you. Overtime, youwould eventually stop complying and it would become useless; the originalintention long forgotten.’

‘Then I will help you keep it. Wecan make a date, and read the diaries in a year’s time. I am looking forward toputting them in a cabinet.’

‘That sounds good.’

Just then Yin Ting’s phone rang,she looked at the display; it was her father.

‘It’s my dad.’ She said. Both theirexpressions collapsed. Seeing their mirrored expressions, they laughed at eachother. 

She picked up the call. Her fatherasked her where she was and asked her to come back home quickly. Yin Tingreplied she was on her way.

‘I’ll go with you.’ He said.

Her expression became alert. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘Not to talk to your dad, don’tworry.’ He said ruffling her hair, ‘I want the diary pages. I was here for themanyway and since we aren’t going to meet up this weekend, I want the pages.’

She laughed, ‘Just like a kid,’ sheteased.

Yin Ting returned to their houseand quickly came back with the diary pages. As she was about to run off, hepulled her back and stole a long kiss before he let go.

Yin Ting ran back to theirapartment with a smile on her face, and found her dad in the sitting roomstaring at her. She put on a bright expression, ‘Dad, don’t be annoyed. We havetalked and we see where you are coming from. We will pay attention.’

She did not say they were breakingup. Guohao made a non-comittal sound.

‘Why don’t we go fishing tomorrow?’she suggested.

Guohao did not reply for a bit, andthen he said, ‘Fish what fish? It will be boring with you. Let’s go and see amovie.’

Yin Ting grinned, ‘Alright.’

‘Then the day after tomorrow we’llgo shopping, I want you to help me pick some clothes.’

(Zuben: Daddy is a sore loser)

‘Ok,’ she replied still smiling. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

Guohao watched her for a while,then without any more petulant words, he returned to his room.

Yin Ting rushed to her room andcalled Zhengqing, ‘Are you driving? Not yet, ah. I just had a brief moment withmy dad.’

‘What happened?’

‘He wants to go to the moviestomorrow and shopping the day after.’

Zhengqing laughed, ‘So he’sdeclaring war?’

‘I think he also has his own planB.’

‘Yes.’

‘Please be more serious, setbacksequal incentives.’ Yin Ting was fired up.

‘That is the best att.i.tude.’

‘Please be more serious, do youknow why the car gets powered by petrol or diesel?’

Zhengqing laughed, ‘Xiaoting, withthis kind of setback, other people will be sad, but you’re happy. Is your brainchicken soup?’

‘No, I am just very motivated.’

‘Alright, why is a car powered bypetrol?’

‘So that we can cheer, cheer, cheerup!’

Zhengqing burst out laughing, ‘Sochildish.’

‘I am not!’

‘This is childish.’

‘It is not.’

Zhengqing could not help but laughas he drove home; so you can shout cheer cheer cheer.

But while father in law setting hisplan B in motion, it looks as though they would have to work hard to cheer inthe future. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

Chapter 62 Counter moves

The next day, Yin Ting and herfather went to the cinema.

The movie they were seeing was set for ten ‘o’ clock in themorning. It was a melodramatic romance about a man and woman, who met and fellin love at first sight. Their pa.s.sion burned bright, soon the woman waspregnant and they got married. The two of them were happy about their marriageand hopeful about the future, but real life invaded their idyll, and theirpa.s.sion began to ebb. They started to quarrel and have cold wars. Theydisagreed with each other’s suggestions and plans, and disliked details of eachother’s lives. They fell into a cycle of blame, coupled with the husband’snegligence, they finally divorced. Ten years later, they each found other peopleto fall in love with, but looked back on their lives resentfully. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

When she realised this was the filmher father chose, Yin Ting was speechless. He was trying to reinforce hismessage.

Yin Ting sighed inwardly and took ashot of the film poster, ‘Putting it on my blog,’ she told her dad.

Guohao did not reply. Yin Tingposted the picture and captioned “This is the film my dad took me to see.” Shewanted Zhengqing to see it. (Zuben: You’d think he didn’t want you to getmarried at all.)

When they took their seats, YinTing could not concentrate. She put her phone on mute, but kept looking at itto see if Zhengqing had commented. The other blog followers were full ofpraise, calling Yin Ting’s father trendy for going to see a movie about younglove.

Yin Tin complained in her mind; itis not for your guys to understand, it was for her family’s Serious tounderstand, but where was he? ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

Ten minutes pa.s.sed, and Yin Tinglooked at her phone again. Zhengqing had made a post.

He put up a picture of a gasstation and the staff were cheering his car captioned: Do you know why carsstart on gasoline?

Yin Ting burst out laughing. Atthis time, the theatre was very quiet, people were getting engrossed in thefilm, so her laugh caused a lot of people to turn and look at her. Guohaoglared at his daughter; didn’t she know she was being embarra.s.sing right now?

Yin Ting covered her mouth, stilllaughing.

Why does a car reply on gasoline tostart? Because you can cheer: Come on! Come on!

It was even funnier to her because hehad teased her about it yesterday calling her ‘chicken soup brain’. He was socute. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

After this, her heart was calm andshe began to concentrate on the movie. It was actually good. The story and thecinematography were excellent.

At the end, she thought the mostsensible thing they did was to sign the divorce papers. (Zuben: There was a lotmore to this but I honestly didn’t want recount a bloddy imaginary movie. So ifyou want to read it yourself, please feel free to google translate it)

The movie brought to mind her andZhengqing’s relationship, but it spurred her on to be more vigilant. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

She looked at her blog page againto see that Zhengqing had posted again. It was very cute: Miao-dada was dressedin little clothes and a little hat, held in Zhengqing’s hand as he took thepicture in the mirror; Miao’s eyes looked wide, helpless and innocent. Thepicture was captioned: Hostage.

She burst out laughing again,though she tried to stop herself from laughing too loud, it was too late, shehad distracted the other cimena goers, who were being touched by the movie.There were indignant glares at her.

Her father tried to look as thoughhe didn’t know her.

ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK
Zhengqing was really cute, shethought.

That evening, the both of themvideo chatted. They talked about their day, after the movie Yin Ting and herdad went to eat and then visited a friend of his. Zhengqing went to the gym,played hostage with the cat, and then worked a bit.

It looked like everyone was doingfine. The two of them laughed. Though they could not have their date, they feltfulfilled. She told Zhengqing about the movie, and told him her thoughts on it.Zhengqing listened, and they chatted while his hands were busy with something.

When she was finished talking, hesent an attachment to Yin Ting. When she opened it, she was surprised. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

He had scanned the pages of thediary they were creating and added one that he had created himself.

Yin Ting was touched by this. Shewas almost moved to tears. They really could be much stronger than the couple inthe movie. This was the other side. (Zuben: It’s not like you’re caught in afiery pa.s.sion anyway)

‘Now we both have a copy. Neitherof us will forget.’ He said.

Yin Ting laughed, ‘Your plan isvery complicated ah’ but also very encouraging.

‘It’s not complicated, this is justthe beginning.’ He said in his usual serious manner.

Yin Ting sniffed and said, ‘My planB is much simpler.’

‘How so?’ ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘It is very good. I will be good to my dadand good to you, so much so you will shout loudly that you cannot bear it. Thenyou’ll listen to me.’

‘Doesn’t sound like a good idea,’

‘I disagree.’

‘You can take care of your father.And be good to me, I will remember. No need to do more than that.’ Zhengqingsaid. (Zuben: I don’t know what she’s going for here)

Yin Ting laughed, how could somethingbe too good? Maybe, she was wrong, maybe what she thought was good was not. Maybea change of mind was what she needed.

The next day, Yin Ting wentshopping with her dad. While they were shopping for her father, she looked atthings that may look good on Zhengqing, so they could come together some other time.

 The surprising thing was Zhengqingwent to see the movie by himself. Alone!

 When they chatted, Zhengqing told her what hethought of the movie. It seemed that the both of them had different opionionson the subject matter, but it was still fun to discuss them.

‘Very interesting, next time weshall go and see a movie together.’ He said. His chances of watching a moviewas small, but his girlfriend had told him the plot was interesting, so he wentto see it.

‘Alright! We should see a horrormovie together.’ Yin Ting said excitedly rubbing her hands together. Discussinghorror movies was fun, and it also had the added advantage creating opportunityto be hugged and spoiled by her boyfriend. She wasn’t afraid of horror movies,but being spoiled was a must. (Zuben: What if he’s the scared one?)

For their day’s entry Yin Tingwrote: You went alone to see a movie, though I could not go along with you, Iwas very touched. Though we interpreted the plot differently, we had a fundiscussion about it without acquiescing to the other. For the first time, wehave a date to go and see a horror movie; your blank look was funny.  You made me realise that sometimes change andreactions aren’t always excitement or tears. Let’s continue simply and laughlots together.

Monday was the same as always,Zhengqing read emails, went to meetings, signed doc.u.ments etc. Yin Ting calledhim that morning,

‘Dad doesn’t want me to go out andplay. He said there is a virulent flu going around.’ (Zuben: OMG, so naff. Isthis his plan B? It isn’t going to last though)

‘Ah.’ Zhengqing nodded. So this washis plan B; not scold or shout, but gently restrict her movements. And if shequarrelled, it would lead to contradictions and conflict, ‘Then listen to him.’(Zuben: For how long?)

‘I think so too.’ Yin Ting saidrelieved he was thinking the same as she was. She had been worried he would notbe happy. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

‘Are you working overtime today?’

‘Yup.’ Today was a busy day full ofmeetings; he would need the time to catch up on his paper work.

‘Then I will send you dinner,alright?’

‘Alright.’ He replied. She hadn’tminded that he was working overtime.

At half past six, Zhengqing was inhis office working when his secretary placed a big package on his desk,

‘Miss Yin sent this over, it’s yourdinner. She also said she sent you an email.’

Zhengqing remembered what Yin Tinghad said a while ago, “I want to get into your friend circle; starting withyour secretary.”

He laughed, and thanked hissecretary. She asked if there was anything else she could help with. He toldher it was only doc.u.ments involving the meeting, and let her go home. He turnedto the package that had been sent, it was a nicely packed dinner. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

He looked at his emails; there wasone from Yin Ting. She had not bothered him in his meeting or text orcalled.  She wrote: The box ismicrowavable. The square boxes are food, the round one is soup. Warm it up,don’t eat it cold. Eat it all and do not throw anything away.

At the end she said: Although Ican’t eat with you, I hope you can eat warm good food. Eat well and work hard. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

Zhengqing warmed the food in the officekitchen, and ate. His stomach and heart were filled with warm. ALLABOUTMYNOTHINGS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

❀Chapter 63&64