Vol 2 Chapter 22 (2/2)

”You don't have to worry whether it is in fas.h.i.+on or old fas.h.i.+oned.”

As a matter of fact, both of Mai Ding's parents were actually rather free, and had a lot of free time to spare. That explains their desire to have a grandchild as soon as possible.  ”I've already planned this with your mom. Tomorrow we'll head to one of those nice cafes in town for this. And if you decide not to go, you will see what I'll do to you.”

After careful consideration, Mai Ding decided to agree. It wasn't going to kill him anyway, but he thought that it would be good to let An Ziyan know. It was his responsibility as An Ziyan's lover. Between lovers, being truthful was a good thing. Yet, he wondered why he lied to An Ziyan about his age before.

”Alright. Just this once. If this doesn't work, I won't go for another one.” Mai Ding concluded.

”I am actually introducing you to a lovely lady. I have full confidence that it will work. Fine, I promise you that this will be the first and last.” His father said firmly.

Suddenly the door bell rang. Mai Ding's mother ran to see who it was, saying, ”Ding Ding, please watch the stove for me. I'll open the door to see who it might be. It might be Auntie Hui pa.s.sing us some stuff as usual.”

When Mai Ding's mother opened the door, she saw a guy standing at her door step, and he had a golden aura about him. He looked familiar and she finally recalled where she had seen him. Mai Ding had earlier shown her his picture. She had never seen someone as good looking as this guy standing before her. He was, of course, An Ziyan.

”h.e.l.lo. Are you Mai Ding's sister? I'm looking for Mai Ding.” An Ziyan said politely.

”You have such a glib tongue. What sister are you talking about? I'm his mother.” she laughed.

”That cannot be. You must be joking. You look really young.” An Ziyan added.

Mai Ding's mother smiled like a little girl.

Mai Ding thought he heard An Ziyan's voice and nearly puked blood. He ran to the door and the look of fear on his face was unmistakeable. ”Why are you here?” he asked curtly. ”Is that the tone you use on a friend?” Mai Ding's mother rebuked him.

An Ziyan pa.s.sed him a paper bag of stuff. ”You dropped this in my car just now”

He definitely did this on purpose. He could have just called me but he just had to come here, Mai Ding thought to himself. ”Thank you my dear cla.s.smate. You can leave now.” Mai Ding's mother kicked him aside. ”I'm so sorry, handsome.”  Handsome?

”It's ok Auntie. I gave Mai Ding a lift home just now because I had an appointment around here and so it was on the way. I'm sorry to intrude.”

”No no no. There's no intrusion. Our Mai Ding is usually more polite than this. I'm not sure what's up with my son today. Perhaps it's because he's going on an arranged date tomorrow”

”Oh? An arranged date?' A chill ran down Mai Ding's spine.”

'Yes, our dear Mai Ding can't compare to you, and so his Dad and I have arranged for him to meet his sweet girl, and I'm so glad our Mai Ding agreed to go along. Maybe he's just happy about it.” she added. What she didn't realise was that she had just sealed Mai Ding's fate.”Oh really?” Every word made Mai Ding worry even more.

'Anyway, handsome boy, do you want to stay for dinner. I'm so sorry for troubling you, having to send our dear son home.”

”It's ok, Auntie. I have something on later.” After saying this, he turned to Mai Ding, still smiling.

”Won't you come out for a while for..a.. chat?” There was a pause and then An Ziyan shouted, ”Right now!”

Mai Ding ran out obediently. Mai Ding's mother waved goodbye to him, ”Please come by more often, handsome.”

An Ziyan was now walking in front, and Mai Ding was trailing behind. ”An Ziyan, it's not how you think it is. I hope you don't misunderstand. I wanted to tell you about it. How would I know that you would show up at my place suddenly?” An Ziyan stopped. Mai Ding didn't and b.u.mped into him, hurting his nose.

”So you were just going to tell me about it. You mean you are actually intending to go?”

”Yes I did agree but I only did it to appease my parents.”

”Are you intending to do this forever?”

”My family is not like yours. I need time.”

”How much time do you need?”

”How would I know?”

An Ziyan continued to walk on. ”Please don't be angry. Please don't just walk away. I will always stay by your side. But my dad is a very conservative man. If he forces me to make a choice between you and my family, I'll be in a dilemma. Between the love of my life and my family, must I really make a choice? Can't I have both?” But An Ziyan never intended to force Mai Ding to choose him over his family. He knows that it was pointless to deal with the ordeals of the future. After all, the both of them should just count their blessings and live each day as if it were their last.

”I just don't want you to go for these arranged dates.”

”But...”

”There is no 'but' here. I don't need you to make a choice between your family and me. But I cannot accept that the fact that my boyfriend is going on an arranged date. It's me or that date.”

”I definitely choose you. As long as you are one of my options, I will always choose you.”

----

To be continued...

<script>