“I-I haven’t even accepted his proposal.”
“Tsk.” Han Muzi looked at the diamond ring on Yan’s finger and decided to make fun of her. “The diamond ring is already on your finger. What are you waiting for? Don’t you like Qing a lot?”
“I do. But… he almost got engaged to some other woman before me! He should be happy that I’ve already forgiven him for that.”
The smile on Han Muzi’s face vanished. “So, you knew about it.”
Yan was startled as she looked at Han Muzi. “What do you mean, Muzi? Did you know all along? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“The reason why I didn’t tell you was simple: in Qing’s eyes, you mean the world to him. That’s why I didn’t think there was a need to tell you only for you to worry. I’ve also spoken to Xu Yanwan at that time and she tacitly acknowledged that Qing’s already taken. I thought that was the end of it, but I guess I was wrong.” Even though Xu Yanwan was not malicious, based on Han Muzi’s conversations with her two days ago, Han Muzi felt that she was the kind of woman who would do anything for love.
In general, people were sensible and rational. However, when it came to emotions, it was easy for people to lose themselves. This was the point where emotions and lust would cast off all worldly restraints. But as long as no one was hurt, one could do whatever one desired. As a matter of mutual respect, no one had the right to criticize anyone. Therefore, knowing that Han Qing already had a girlfriend, it was not ethical of Xu Yanwan to sabotage Yan.
“Oh, right.” Yan remembered something important. “On the day I left, she sent me a message on WeChat.”
“Message? What message?”
“She was telling me that although she’s engaged to Han Qing, now that he’s with me, he’ll be responsible for me.”
Han Muzi was rendered speechless. Such a crafty comment! This side of Xu Yanwan surprised Han Muzi. The feeling she had about Xu Yanwan was different between the first time the two met and when they met again the other day. People are unpredictable, Han Muzi thought.
“Muzi, I don’t know if it’s just me being narrow-minded, but I feel like she’s trying to make a point in that message. The other day, I even found her sitting in the passenger seat in Qing’s car. Even though she’s an old friend of the Han family, I really don’t like her, nor do I want to be friends with her.”
“Mm-hmm.” Han Muzi nodded. “Then don’t. If she irritates you, you should let her have a taste of her own medicine. That sounds fair to me.”
“It’s all my fault. If one day, the relationship between the two of your families breaks down, I’m to…”
Han Muzi understood what Yan was trying to say before Yan even finished her sentence. She gently patted Yan’s cheek. “Don’t worry. If anything happens, I’ll shoulder it for you. After all, whatever relationship there is belongs to the older generation; now, in our generation, we’re merely friends, and we don’t owe each other anything. As long as Yanwan doesn’t do anything outrageous, nothing between the two families will change.”
Yan heard this and nodded.
The second day, Han Qing came to pick Yan up to tailor her wedding dress. He did not tell her where they were going until she asked after getting into the car. Hearing that he was bringing her to tailor her wedding dress, her face immediately blushed. “I-I haven’t even agreed to your proposal. Why are you bringing me to tailor the wedding dress?”
“It doesn’t make a difference.” Han Qing stared at her with a gentle smile. “Since we’re not in a rush, we can get the measurements done first and pick a style, then you can take your time to decide whether or not to marry me.”
Yan was at a loss for words. Before this, he told me not to let him wait for too long. Now he’s saying that we’re in no rush. Pfft. Men. They’re more fickle than women!
“Fine.” Yan shrugged dismissively. “Since you’re in no rush, I’ll take my time then. How long does it take to get the measurements done? Perhaps I can make a decision then.”
Han Qing could tell that Yan was a little grumpy. At this point, the car came to a stoplight. After the car stopped, Han Qing leaned over. “Are you upset? Didn’t you say you needed more time?”
Yan was startled as he leaned over. She turned to the stoplight and saw that there were more than fifty seconds to go before the light turned green. What’s he going to do? Is he trying to make a point? She remained silent while Han Qing leaned even closer. “Why don’t you agree now?”
Yan puckered her lips. “You were just saying that you’re in no rush and that I can take my sweet time. Now, you’re saying that I should just say yes this instant? Dream on.”
“Sooner or later, you’ll be mine. It doesn’t matter whether you think it through or not.”
His stare embarrassed Yan, who snorted and rebutted, “No one’s ever said that. Who do you think you are?” As Han Qing’s face slowly approached her, Yan blinked and reminded him, “The light’s about to turn green.”
Han Qing turned to look at the light and realized it was time to go. Then, he reluctantly sat back in his seat and continued driving.
After twenty minutes, they arrived at the bridal shop. Even though they were here to get the measurements done, the moment they entered the bridal shop, Yan was instantly attracted to the many different designs and just stood right there without moving. Standing next to her, Han Qing leaned next to her ear and commented, “Look at you. You’re utterly obsessed with these wedding dresses. Didn’t someone say that she didn’t want to marry me?”
His remarks almost made Yan choke on her saliva. She gave Han Qing a look and responded, “Being obsessed with wedding gowns doesn’t mean I want to marry you.” As she finished, she brushed him off and walked further into the shop.
Just as Han Qing was about to catch up with the lady who was throwing tantrums, his phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and the pleasantness in his eyes immediately disappeared. Before he answered it, he hesitated. “Hello?”
“My apologies, Han Qing. I really don’t want to call you at this moment. But something’s just gone wrong here in the company, so…” Xu Yanwan sounded somewhat apologetic, awkward, and helpless.
Han Qing’s eyebrows squished together in a frown. “I’ll call you back once I’m done.”
Right before he hung up, an uproar came from Xu Yanwan’s end of the phone. It sounded like a fight. Xu Yanwan exhaled. “I’ve been trying to calm them down, but they just won’t stop. Perhaps it’s because I’m by myself now and there’s no one in the Xu family to back me up, so no one listens to me anymore.”
Han Qing pursed his lips while looking at Yan. Finally, he commented callously, “Given your ability, if you can’t even handle such a minor matter, you’re going to have a hard time in the future.”
Han Qing’s words broke Xu Yanwan’s heart, but she could only pretend to smile in response. Shouldn’t I have known? He’s always cold and indifferent toward me. He’ll never say any kind words to me.
