CH 10

Chapter 10 - “What’s the name of my fairy-like arranged date from yesterday again?” (3)

“What do you mean by that?” Qiao Xi felt resigned. “Beautiful women, nice wine, fancy cars, a life of indulgence. Things that others will die for are all within your reach. Which one of them bored you so?”

“……”

Luo Xiu lifted up his eyes and looked out the window at the city at night.

The gold chain waved next to his neck and he smiled. Behind the lens, the dark brown eyes were filled with serenity and coldness.

“All of them.”

***

Gu Nian had nightmares all night long before she was woken up by a call from Gu Yuan, her mother.

Gu Yuan was divorced when Gu Nian was young. As such, Gu Nian took on this head of household’s surname. This wonderful head of household was 51 years old. Ever since her retirement, her biggest worries were mahjong and her only daughter’s romantic relationships.

Gu Yuan spent her entire night the night before “building the great wall” with her close friends. She was very excited as she was the winner for most of the night. As such, she didn’t get too upset even after she saw the text from Lin Nantian telling her that the arranged date was a flop. She merely advised Gu Nian patiently.

“Nian-er. Mom has faith in you. Even though your father is a scum but I know you will be able to find yourself a good husband.”

“WooMmm,” replied Gu Nian listlessly as she brushed her teeth.

“Mom had a failed marriage, but I have three advices from my experience that I must give to you.”

“Woo?”

“1. Don’t pick someone too handsome. 2. Don’t pick someone that is too rich. 3. Don’t pick someone who’s too manipulative. Any one of these will be trouble. You don’t want to end up with someone like that.”

Gargle. Gargle. Gargle.

After Gu Nian had finished gargling, she asked curiously. “What if he is all three?”

Gu Yuan went silent.

Gu Nian waited.

After a while, Gu Yuan finally carried on. “It’s almost noon. How are you still asleep?”

Gu Nian, “……”

Yup. That was her real mother for sure.

Gu Yuan went on nagging for another ten minutes before the phone conversation finally came to an end. Sitting on the side of her bed, Gu Nian started thinking about her nightmare from the night before.

She had forgotten about the beginning of it already but she remembered the ending part. She seemed to be crying with her arms around a human-size notebook with wings and explaining herself at the same time. “Don’t leave, Goose*. You need to trust Mom. Mom is not a psychopath. Mom loves you with all her heart… snifffffff….”

Gu Nian quietly covered her head with the blanket and tried to suffocate herself.

Until someone knocked on her door.

“Come in,” said Gu Nian.

Jiang Xiaoqing hung onto the door carefully and said, “Are you up?”

“Mmm.”

Jiang Xiaoqing walked inside. “I’m sorry about the package yesterday. I didn’t do it on purpose, really.”

“I know. It’s fine.” Gu Nian sat up. “It was me who asked you to help me and it really is fine.”

“Oh? Are you sure about that?”

“Mmhmm.” Gu Nian’s heart was bleeding as she forced a smile on herself. “Really.”

Jiang Xiaoqing let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, good, good. You seemed so downed earlier, I thought that is the reason of it. So what is bothering you then?”

Gu Nian blinked. “Yeah… hmm, my mother was rushing me to go on arranged dates.”

“Arranged dates?” Jiang Xiaoqing’s eyes beamed. “It so happened that I am going to meet up with this guy that I have met online. He had asked me to meet up with him at a bar and he will be bringing some friends with him as well. Why don’t you come with me?”

Gu Nian declined her invitation nicely. “Have you forgotten that we will be leaving to join the production team of Demons tomorrow? I need to pack up tonight.”

“We won’t be leaving till the afternoon. Besides, the production team said the location is very remote. All the more that we should have some fun before we take off!”

“I don’t like noisy places. I’ll pass.”

“Oh, alright then…”

Jiang Xiaoqing nodded regretfully.

Seeing that Jiang Xiaoqing was about to walk out of her room, Gu Nian hesitated a little and asked, “You are going by yourself tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“You mentioned that you met this guy online?”

“Mmmhmm.”

“……”

Her matter-of-fact answer silenced Gu Nian for a few second. Then, smiling, she said, “Okay, just give me a call if anything happens.”

Jiang Xiaoqing smiled and said, “Okay okay. I have told you many times in the past. I have your number on quick dial. Don’t worry. My friend is very nice. It’ll be fine!”

Gu Nian nodded. “You have fun then.”

“Okay!” said Jiang Xiaoqing as she walked out happily.