Vol 1 Chapter 11 (1/2)

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Mai Ding was always a fast learner. When he was younger, he was usually under his mother’s supervision and learned many skills. These skills were often domestic in nature: was.h.i.+ng the clothes, cooking a meal for the family, etc. What most people did not know was that Mai Ding’s mother had an ulterior motive. Knowing that her son did not come from a well-to-do family, and did not look exceptionally good-looking, having these skills, she thought, would be a bonus when finding a wife. What she did not know, however, was that her son was already living a life that was very different from what she had planned and hoped.

Currently, Mai Ding was mopping the floor. His parents, on the other hand, were munching on melon seeds. Seeing how relaxed they were, Mai Ding could take it no longer, “Is this really fair? Do you know how difficult it was for me to travel home? And now that I’m home, you guys are actually making me do these ch.o.r.es while the both of you are enjoying yourself?”

“What are you talking about? It is only dutiful and appropriate that as a son, you are serving and respecting your parents.” His mother replied.

Just at that moment, Mai Ding’s phone started ringing, and the number on the screen was one that he did not recognize. “h.e.l.lo? Who are you looking for?” Mai Ding asked as he answered the call.

“Who else can I be looking for if I called your number?” It was that familiar, yet icy tone of voice.

Sheepishly,  and somehow feeling a little guilty, Mai Ding replied softly, “You actually have my number?”

“That day, after we did 'it', I saved your number when you were in the shower.”

Mai Ding blushed. “What do you mean by 'did it'? Can you be a bit direct about it?”

“That day, after we had s.e.x”

“You are obviously doing this on purpose, aren’t you? You may dare to say it, but, trust me, I shudder hearing it. Besides ‘did’ and ‘have s.e.x’, can’t you use a better phrase?”

“That day, after I thrusted into you”

“I…I…” Mai Ding was furious beyond words. He didn’t know how to respond to such insolence.

Without letting Mai Ding respond, An Ziyan continued, “Are you free tomorrow?”

“What's up?”

“Let’s go on a date.”

Even though he was asking Mai Ding out on a date, it sounded like a common request, as if telling Mai Ding, “Come. Let’s eat.”, however cliché and overbearing he might sound, his request made Mai Ding feel like he was the luckiest guy on Earth.

Afraid that An Ziyan would back out of the date, Mai Ding immediately replied, “Alright. I’ll set the alarm earlier tomorrow morning so that I can take the bus to your place. Please wait for me?” There were a couple of reasons why Mai Ding didn’t want An Ziyan to pick him up from his home. First, he was afraid his parents would find out about their relations.h.i.+p. Second, he didn’t want his boyfriend to feel tired even before the date. “And also…” Before Mai Ding could continue, An Ziyan had already hung up.

Seeing her son act so suspiciously, Mai Ding’s mother could tell that something was not right. She crept behind her son and took his phone. “Ding Ding, do you have a girlfriend?” she asked suddenly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Trying to retrieve his phone, he said, “What girlfriend are you talking about? I don’t have one!”

“You don’t have to lie to me. You are already old enough to have one. Your mom here won’t object to you having one. I am not some old-fas.h.i.+oned mother. Come, tell me.”

“There is nothing to say because I don’t have one.” Mai Ding protested.

Mai Ding’s mother glanced at the screen but saw only a string of numbers and no name was registered. She returned the phone to him, saying, “Ding Ding, if you have one, you must let me see her. I’m never wrong when it comes to people. I will be a good judge of that person’s character.”

“Okay.” he said as he quickly kept his phone and ran to his room. It was too risky to leave his phone around.

Once he was in his room, he quickly saved An Ziyan’s number and purposely registered him as “Cla.s.smate An” in his contacts. After that, he opened his closet, and tried to pick something out to wear for his date. After looking through all his clothes for nearly half a day, he managed to find something suitable. The next half of the day was spent in front of the mirror, trying on the clothes he had picked out. When everything was well prepared, he lied down on his bed, but couldn’t fall asleep. He tossed and turned as he lay there in nervous antic.i.p.ation of this date to come. “Alright!” he a.s.sured himself. “It will definitely be a date to remember!” And after tossing for nearly half the night, Mai Ding finally fell asleep.

The next morning, Mai Ding got up very early. He left a note for his parents telling them that he was going out, then he excitedly left the apartment.

When he finally reached An Ziyan’s house, he shouted, “An Ziyan!”

After a long while, An Ziyan finally opened the door. In his hands were his car keys. “Let’s go.” Not even a simple greeting was said. Mai Ding just obediently followed An Ziyan inside the car.

In the car, Mai Ding couldn’t help but ask, “So where are we going?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”