Chapter 5 - I Should Get To Know Her A Little Better (1/2)
Ye Jie came with his parents to the Star Night Hotel for the date fixing meeting. After Lu Yuhan left, Ye Jie's desire to have a perfect wedding with a perfect girl was also destroyed. He didn't want to fall in love again, not that deeply. In the end, he felt it was a better choice to marry someone his parents chose for him.
They were seated on a corner table when he saw the Xu family patriarch, Xu Chaun walking inside the restaurant with his cane in hand. His son, Xu Cheng was lagging behind, hand in hand with his wife Fu Lan. The last person to enter was a girl in wide-legged pants and an over-sized shirt. Her long black straight hair that reached her waist was left untied making a mess in front of her face.
There were huge glasses perked up on her small nose but Ye Jie was busy in contemplating, 'Where have I seen her?'
When the Xu family arrived, Ye Jie greeted them warmly knowing how much Xu's mattered to his own grandfather when he was alive. Grandfather Xu patted Ye Jie's shoulder happily in acknowledgment.
"This is my granddaughter, Xu Mey," Grandfather Xu placed his hand on her back as he introduced her to everyone. Ye Jie saw the way she only nodded in greeting and kept her head lowered like an obedient little girl. Even her hands were clasped in front of her.
They all took seats on the table as Xu Mey sat opposite to Ye Jie. His eyes didn't leave Xu Mey for a second. With her lowered head, he couldn't even see her face properly which enraged him.
"Xu Mey doesn't talk much. She spent most of the years in hostels, so it gets difficult for her to adjust with new environments." Father Xu explained with a doting smile on his face as he caressed his daughter's head.
His actions infuriated Xu Mey who kept repeating, 'hypocrite' inwardly. She lost her affection or whatever feelings she had for her father a long time ago. Now, he was just a father in name. For her, his presence was close to non-existing.
"Xu Mey, I heard you've gotten your arts degree from The Nation Arts School," Mother Ye took the initiative to involve her in the conversation. But Xu Mey replied with 'Ummn' while nodding. But that didn't discourage Mother Ye as she continued, "Are you planning on working after the marriage?"
"Yes, I would like to try," Xu Mey replied in a soft timid voice making Mother Ye's heart soften. Inwardly, Xu Mey wanted to slap herself for using such a sweet tone that could make even her feel nauseous.
But she still didn't raise her head. She always avoided raising her head in the presence of her family because she knew her efforts in hiding her contempt and disdain for them will go in vain.
When Ye Jiu heard her voice, suddenly a cherry lips beauty came into his peripheral vision. 'No, it can't be her.' He shook his head ignoring his own thoughts. 'But what if it's really her?' That thought made his heart feel stuffed up. 'Would I like her to be here?' He asked himself again and in reply, his heartbeat quickened. He calmed himself with a glass of water.