2 Third Wheeling (2/2)

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The soft jazz music played in the background amongst quiet chatter, the smell of rich foods and wine filled the air. Mao was very uncomfortable.

He hadn't expected them to take him to a classy restaurant like this, especially when he was still in his uniform, and he didn't even bother to shower this morning. Amongst the well groomed and well dressed customers he stuck out like a sore thumb.

”Cheers to our future!”, Zhao Detong grinned as he put up his wine glass and clinked it with Bing Bing's and Mao's glasses.

”Congratulations, I'm really happy for the both of you.” Mao Lu said robotically, he'd probably repeated this phrase like ten times.

”Are you okay Mao Lu?” Bing Bing asked, she could tell that his mood seemed pretty low.

”Just tired you know… And I guess a little jealous of you two… I can't help wondering when I'll find someone.” he laughed, his tone bitter. Inwardly he began screaming. What was he saying, why did he say that??? He must be drunk, or was it because he was tired, his tongue was so loose tonight. He almost cried.

”Awww, don't worry Lu I'm sure you'll find a girl that's right for you soon enough!” Bing Bing chirped.

Zhao Detong looked pretty surprised, ”I didn't realise you had such worries, in all the years I've known you you've never once brought up being lonely or anything about relationships. I didn't think you could have such worries.”

Fei Bing Bing elbowed Detong savagely in the chest, ”Don't be stupid, Mao Lu is human as well you idiot. Of course he has such desires.”

”If you need any help I know a bunch of amazing girls that I can introduce you to Mao Lu . Just say the word and I will start the matchmaking ASAP!”

”No-no-no-no-no!” Mao Lu fiercely protested. ”I don't need that. I'm not in a rush”. There was no way he'd let Bing Bing send him on blind dates. Plus he wasn't into girls, it just wouldn't work out.

Even though he protested throughout the entire dinner Bing Bing kept bringing it up, it didn't help that Detong was constantly joining in and encouraging her.

”Are you sure?” Bing Bing pouted. ”I think it'd be good for you to go out a little. It'd relieve your stress a bit.”

”I'm not even in the financial position to even think about such a thing. So it's probably best to leave it for later.”

”But when's later, that could be never.”

”I-”

”Why don't you call that girl.” Detong interrupted, ”y'know the one you had that crush on in high-school , the mystery girl.”

Mystery girl? Mao Lu was momentarily confused until he remembered the lie he'd told in high school. At the time Fei Bing Bing had caught him writing 'I love you, I love you, I love you' into his notebook.

Being who she was she immediately demanded an explanation. He couldn't say to her ”I was thinking of your boyfriend when I wrote it.” So instead he made up a girl that he'd seen around the area and pretended he had a crush on this imaginary girl.

It would have been fine if it ended there but Bing Bing had asked for an update of the situation every week, so he had had to make up a new story about the girl every week. In the end he said he'd gotten her number and she'd moved away.

Of course Zhao Detong found out about this story. And since Mao Lu refused to tell them her name they both called her the 'mystery girl'.

Mao Lu inwardly groaned. He just wished for this conversation to end.

Eventually he was able to get them off the topic and a few hours later they dropped him off home.

”You know,” Detong announced before Mao Lu got out of the car. ”You are going to be my Best Man right?” [2]

Mao Lu glanced at Detong and smiled weakly, ”Of course.”

”Awesome!”

”Sleep well Mao, bye bye” Bing Bing yelled and then he watched as they drove off in their Mercedes.

Life was hard.

[1] walking on eggshells, an expression meaning he had to be careful and cautious.