Please Be More Serious | Chapter 3

“If you sit on the other table, I’m the one who will lose face,” Qiu Zheng Qing reminds her with a strict expression.

“Right, right.” She reflects on her words. Indeed, she did not consider this.

In the washroom, Mao Hui Zhu is washing her hands. She checks at her makeup in the mirror, thinking how she can have the opportunity to talk to Qiu Zheng Qing privately. Of course, this would mean she needs to wait until that Yin Ting leaves. She actually invited him today to discuss an important matter. After meeting him, she is even more certain that her thoughts are right. Qiu Zheng Qing does not disappoint her. The ten years since graduation only adds a layer of maturity and stability, as well as capability and a sense of elite-ness. His hair is still there, he has no pot belly, his body is pretty built, and his appearance majestic. He is indeed a good partner, he is a very suitable partner for her.

She looks at the mirror again, staring at her reflection. She is also pretty decent. The old-fashioned ugly duckling has long since become a swan. But men and women cannot be compared. Men at 33-years-old are considered to be at their golden age. On her, she is actually called “leftover woman”. This is the negative side effect of her years surviving the battlefield, what a woman must bear in exchange for success.

She of course looks down on the nickname “Leftover Woman”. She does not bother about it, neither does she recognises it. But she is unable to change others’ perception of her. More and more of her friends are getting concerned about her marital affairs. What more with the people at her old home, those poor relatives. Even if she is overseas for many years, even if her appearance and bearing has long changed, she is unable to change her background. She cannot stop her relatives’ poisoned tongues. Furthermore, she really does feel that it is about time for her to start a family.

To be honest, she is still very traditional deep down. She has no interest in marrying foreigners and found no one suitable in her circle of Chinese friends overseas. This time she returns to homeland, after contacting Qiu Zheng Qing a few times, she remembers the past. In her youth, she once confused her feelings for this similarly hardworking young man. But back then she did not have the heart for romance. She also knew that even though she was poor, she had ambition. She swore to herself that she would do everything in her capacity to earn wealth and respect. Now she has made it. That time Qiu Zheng Qing was also as poor as she was. Therefore she was certain that even if she can return to the past, she would also not entertain any thoughts about the poor young man.

But now it is different. Qiu Zheng Qing still has not lost to her. This makes her happy. Therefore a sudden thought forms in her mind. She thinks that there probably isn’t anyone other than him that is more suitable to be her partner. They are completely the same. He will not look down on her, neither will he flatter her. Her poor relatives, as well as her many viewpoints, thoughts and actions, he will certainly understand. She thinks that dealing with such a partner would be very comfortable. There will be no more feelings of superiority or inferiority, they will be both completely equal. There is no one more suitable for her.

She wipes her hand clean, recollecting her emotions and walks out from the washroom. She hopes that everything will go smoothly today. But first, she needs to wait for that Yin Ting to leave.

When she returns to their table, she sees that Yin Ting is ordering that set of beef steak and red wine worth 358 yuan. Unable to resist, she stares at her. This girl is truly unabashed. She is only his colleague’s friend, she seriously dares to order such an expensive set dinner. She sizes Yin Ting up. Her dressing is only ordinary, neither did she put on makeup. Since she is riding that worn bike, she must not have many opportunities to come to such high-end restaurants. Thinking it in this way makes her even more uncomfortable. She is standing on Qiu Zheng Qing’s side, therefore she does not have a good impression of Yin Ting.

Mao Hui Zhu simply flips through the menu and orders a plate of pasta, salad and freshly-squeezed juice. To be honest, it does not matter what she eats. She does pay particular attention to such matters. Her main objective today is to meet Qiu Zheng Qing. No matter what, many years have passed, she has no idea how he turned out. Even if they are compatible during their conversations on the phone and online, but he must also not look too terrible in real life. Thankfully, his success and career is as good as his appearance. He has taken care of his looks and figure. Indeed he is a person who takes responsibility of his life.

Furthermore, she can tell from this date that he is a gentleman. She is very satisfied to know that. However, men should not be too much of a gentleman. She glances at Yin Ting. If one has too much manners, there will be people who will try and take advantage.

Qiu Zheng Qing has also made his order. The waiter gathers the menus and leaves the three of them staring at each other without talking.

Yin Ting opens a conversation topic. “Zoe, what is your occupation?” As a qualified third wheel, she feels like she is responsible for adjusting the mood. Mao Hui Zhu hands Yin Ting her name card while answering. She is the vice director of some foreign corporation’s branch in China.

Yin Ting sweat-dropped. She is just asking casually. Sis, do you have to be so serious? Furthermore, she would even bring around her name card on a Sunday, is this appropriate? Yin Ting hurriedly accepts the name card with respect and keeps on praising Mao Hui Zhu for being competent. Mao Hui Zhu politely smiles, thinking that there is nothing worth being prideful over Yin Ting’s compliments. She realizes that she has given her the name card out of habit. What is the use of giving her the name card? Yin Ting might even think that she is showing off.

Yin Ting turns around to look at Qiu Zheng Qing. He wouldn’t too have brought his name card? She is a little curious. She quietly probes him, “Director Qiu, do you have your name card?”

He raises his eyebrow. “You want one?”

Yin Ting sweat-dropped. Can she say no? She thinks over it and decides that it is better to be polite. “Thank you.”

On the other side, Mao Hui Zhu is handing Qiu Zheng Jing her name card, since she has already taken it out. They have not exchanged their name cards. He accepts it and offers her his. Yin Ting blankly watches as this scene unfolds.

This is truly a pair made in heaven!

It is not that she is overthinking it. She even dares to bet that even though these two are putting an act of exchanging name cards, in reality they are hiding underlying feelings for each other. It is her female instinct that tells her, plus her abundant experience of courting men – though, of course, not succeeding does not mean she has no experience – that the two of them has an unusual relationship.

Yin Ting stares at this and that. When Qiu Zheng Qing is about to keep his wallet, he notices her looking at him. He stares back. She immediately smiles and he secretly sighs, thinking that her smile means she wants his name card. Even though he does not think that there is any meaning giving her the name card, but since she has opened her mouth, then he might as well just give her one.

Yin Ting accepts it with a little embarrassment but maintains her smile. Things like returning name cards are too impolite. She thanks him and stuffs both name cards into the pocket of her jeans.

Mao Hui Zhu is looking at his name card, noticing that his company address. She remembers that one of her friends also works at the same building and casually mentions his company name. He also knows it and the two begin discussing what they know about the company. Naturally they begin discussing about economic operations, market manipulations, industry implications, etc.

Yin Ting keeps on sipping her water on one side. The conversation that sparked from a single name card ended up being endless. She prays that the food hurries up and arrives, she really is very hungry.

As if someone hears her plea, the waiter walks over carrying her appetizers including sliced bread, caviar, salad and soup. The entire table is occupied by her food. Mao Hui Zhu and Qiu Zheng Qing’s conversation stops. They both stare at the food. Yin Ting is a little embarrassed and asks, “Do you both want some?”

Mao Hui Zhu smiles. “Don’t be polite, ours will arrive soon.”

“Then I’ll eat first.” Yin Ting also unabashedly begins gorging on her food.

Thus Mao Hui Zhu and Qiu Zheng Qing continue their economic talk. After some time, their orders have also arrived. Yin Ting’s main course has also arrived. The two thirds of the table is covered with her food.

Mao Hui Zhu quietly glances at her. Seeing that she is eating with so much concentration, she decides to let it go and ignore the situation. She is not her friend anyway, they won’t have any relations in the future either. But she must remind that Qiu Zheng Qing that he does not need to be so kind to his colleague’s friend.

To be honest when Yin Ting sees the situation on the table, it is not that she does not regret it. If she knows it earlier, even if the food is horrible, she will still order something else. She did not expect that these people would be so interesting, having a dinner date is akin to like having a business dinner. Too unromantic. She hurriedly polishes off plate by plate of her food. If the table clears up a little, she will be less embarrassed.

She eats with much effort, and finally the table is no longer in such a terrible condition. Yin Ting breathes a sigh of relief and stops to rest for a moment. The other two elites are now discussing about Europe economics. Yin Ting mentally sighs, truly they are people who will contribute to the people, country and world.

If these two do not become a pair, she will definitely feel unsatisfied. They are too well-matched!

She has finished eating, it is such a satisfying feeling.

The waiter comes over to clear the plates. The area in front of Yin Ting is immediately clean. She ponders how to begin her farewell speech. A qualified third wheel must know how to be understanding and must withdraw after eating. She is ready.

Seeing Yin Ting making a face of concentration makes Qiu Zheng Qing frown. In return, him frowning has caused Mao Hui Zhu to frown. When Yin Ting lifts her head, she notices that they are both looking at her.

“I am done.” The beginning of her farewell speech is obvious and clear. Next is conveying her thanks. “The food is delicious, thank you Director Qiu for lending a helping hand. I have disturbed you for a long time, I’m truly sorry. Then, I’ll take my leave.” Next is stating her request. “But I still need Director Qiu to lend me 45 yuan, I need to collect my bike. I’ll return the money after.”

Her speech is fluent, her words clear, her manner firm. Yin Ting is very satisfied with herself.

Qiu Zheng Qing takes out his wallet and takes out 200 yuan. “45 yuan is not enough. What if something unexpected happens? Just keep the extra money as precaution. You can use it to take a taxi or eat something just in case.”

His generosity makes Mao Hui Zhu frown. Yin Ting indeed unabashedly accepts the money. “Okay.” She then stands up and says her farewell, and then leaves.

Mao Hui Zhu stares at Yin Ting as she leaves the restaurant. She cannot help but turn and asks him, “What is her occupation?”

“I think she’s working at some printing factory’s administrative department, I’m not sure.” If he did not remember it wrongly, Yin Ting once said that she is working at her father’s printing company.

“Your colleague’s friend? Are you two close?”

“Cannot be considered close.”

“What if she refuses to pay you back?”

He bursts out laughing. “She won’t.” He believes that Yin Ting does not even care about those few hundred yuan.

“To you, it may be a small matter. But some people will try to take any advantage at all. If she refuses to pay up, even if you only lost a few hundreds, you will still feel uncomfortable.”

“Thanks, you don’t have to worry about it, she won’t.” His tone is indifferent, obviously showing that he is not willing to discuss the matter further. Never mind the fact that it is impossible that Yin Ting will renege on her few hundreds yuan debt, she even uses some yet-to-occur incident to suspect other people due to her own lack of understanding. He does not appreciate this point. How he should treat a person, whether or not he should lend money, whether it is worth helping someone, he believes that he still have the ability to judge for himself. He hates it when people commands or criticizes him. In this aspect, he admits that he is a little chauvinistic.

Mao Hui Zhu tactfully drops the topic. She is still nobody to him, naturally she also does not have the right to dictate who he should or should not lend money to. Still, towards a person who can still spend so much of a stranger’s money, she really cannot accept such character. But this little matter does not at all affect her judgment that he is the most suitable marriage partner for her. She drinks some water and decides to go straight to the main topic.

“Qiu Zheng Qing, do you still remember I called after graduation and thanked you for being my competitor?”

He laughs. “I remember. I will never forget these words. I didn’t say it outright but that is also my opinion. Competition brings pressure, pressure motivates progress. That time I’m lucky to have you as my rival. Thanks to you, I manage to produce stellar results and manage to get into my dream company.”

“Ha.” She is overjoyed. “Looks like we’re not only similar, we also have telepathy.”

 He smiles.

She continues, “Furthermore we’re still single after so many years. I feel that we’re both rather fated. Therefore I want to ask you, are you willing to date me with marriage in mind?”