Please Be More Serious Chapter 55-56

Happy New Year everyone. Wishing you happiness, peace of mind, and I hope you achieve everything you want from life this year!

Chapter 55 Outsmarting Father In Law

Zhengqing’s gifts were two pounds

of tea and a hand crafted besopke tea set. The tea was said to be organic, and

it was only produced in small quantities; three thousand pounds at the maximum.

The teapot was from a famous potter that Yin Ting’s father long admired. She

had asked a friend to find it for a her, he had taken a long time to get it.

She had originally intended to gift it to her father on her birthday, but

sacrificed such a good present for Zhengqing.

The gift totalled up to thirty

thousand yuan. Zhengqing felt it was too extravagant. Tea is just for drinking,

put it in a tea cup with hot water and go for it. Would the tea be more

fragrant from the special pot, would it magically taste better? But he made

made no outward comment, and he insisted on paying for everything. For his

future Yue Zhang, he had to pay; it was a man’s pride.

So the eve of the Lunar New Year,

he carried the precious gift box and presented himself at Yin Ting’s family

home.

When he entered, Yin Guohao

welcomed him with a smile. Zhengqing and Yin Ting greeted each other with a

look and a smile. They were all very happy.

Zhengqing handed Guohao his gift.

He nodded his thanks after being told what it was, ‘Let’s have a cup of tea

together after dinner.’

Yin Ting took the tea set with a

smile, ‘I’ll take this to the kitchen and get it ready,’ she said.

Zhengqing and Yin Ting had gone to

classes to learn how to brew tea specially. Zhengqing sat with Guohao and

talked about tea, but Guohao did not say much, he seemed that he was

uninterested. Zhengqing became nervous.

Fortunately, Yin Ting returned. The

family chatted and laughed. Soon it was time for dinner, and the family moved

to the table.

The table seated for; Guohao sat at

the head, Yin Ting sat to his right and Yin Shi to his left. Zhengqing sat

across from Guohao.

Though there were only four people,

there were eight dishes; very luxurious, Zhengqing thought.

Yin Ting served red wine, first her

father, then her brother then Zhengqing.

Guohao raised his glass for a

toast, ‘I wish my children a happy new year.’

Yin Ting took Zhengqing’s hand and

they rose, with a wide smile she toasted, ‘Wishing father a happy new year, of

good health and good luck in everything.’ Zhengqing bowed. Yin Shi also rose

and said, ‘Dad, the same goes for me.’

Guohao did not pick on his son for

being lazy, but looked at Zhengqing and said, ‘I wish you the best in the new

year,’ with a smile. Zhengqing got nervous, was there a hidden meaning there.

The meal continued with Yin Ting

making jokes and everyone chatting. It was such a warm atmosphere that

Zhengqing almost cried.

He had not eaten a family meal like

this in years.

He truly wished that he could

freeze time in this moment; this moment of such a simple happiness.

Zhengqing felt the emotion become

too much for him to surpress excused himself from the table and asked for the

bathroom. There, he tried to calm his emotions.

He truly hoped this family became

his family. (Zuben: *sniffle)

When he came out Yin Ting was

waiting outside with a look of concern,

‘What happened?’ she asked softy,

‘Are you feeling uncomformtable?’

Zhengqing did not reply, but pulled

her into his arms and held her there. She gave him a pat on the back, and

kissed him, ‘You’re like my dad, you both like to be spoiled.’

Zhengqing gave her a sceptical

look, where did he like being spoiled? He never threw a tantrum to be spoiled.

He only ever knew hard work ever since he was young. He didn’t grow up in an

environment where he could have been spoiled. He really was spoiled. But he

really liked the way she spoiled him. He found her so cute, he hoped she would

like being spoiled by him.

There was a cough behind them. It

was Yin Shi,

‘If you two lovebirds don’t mind, I

would really like to use the toilet. I can’t hold it any longer. So can you

leave the path to the bathroom clear and find somewhere else to be intimate.’

Yin Ting blushed and swatted at

him. Yin Shi jumped out of the way and pushed them aside as he entered the

bathroom. Yin Ting managed to land a punch as he entered. He gave a yelp and

closed the door,

‘Don’t stand here you two,

otherwise I would be embarrassed that you will hear.’

Zhengqing laughed and pulled Yin

Ting away.

He liked Yin Shi, he thought. When

they returned to the table, it was only Guohao there. He decided he liked his

future father in law too. When they had chatted at the wedding, he had been

very polite and did not put on any airs. He really liked family.

After dinner, the family moved to

the living room. Yin Shi cut up some fruit while Yin Ting served the tea, then

they sat to watch TV,

Guohao watched the New Year show on

TV for a little while then turned to his children and said, ‘Tomorrow, we’ll go

to the cemetery to see your mother,’ he paused then turned to Zhengqing, ‘Would

you like to go together? Your parents are there too.’

‘I had intended on going, so it

would be nice to go together. Thank you.’ He and Yin Ting shared a look and she

winked at him. He was also very happy, it looked to be that his relationship

with Yin Ting was no acknowledged by her father. Guohao was willing to invite

him along to visit their desceased. It seemed that he was being regared as a

member of their family.

It was hard for Zhengqing not to

smile foolishly.

‘We’ll visit out loved ones, and

then go for a stroll in the park. The New Year’s celebrations should be

lively.’

‘Lovely!’ Yin Ting said, ‘We should

go together. Why don’t Zhengqing drive us? His car is big enough for all of us.

Would be very convenient.’

‘I have no objection to that,’

Zhengqing quickly replied.

Guohao also did not have any

objections, so their plans were decided.

After the night watch ended after

midnight on the Lunar New year, Zhengqing made to return home. Guohao told him

to drive home carefully and Zhengqing took his leave and bade him goodbye. Yin

Ting saw him off to the gate.

‘Very good, very good,’ she said

very excitedly. ‘It looks as though my father doesn’t have any problems with

you. He likes you. I know it!’

They both laughed foolishly.

Later that night, Zhengqing lying

on his bed could not sleep due to excitement. He thought of the first half of

his life, the poverty, the ups and downs,

but he had worked diligently and hard, and God saw his efforts and this was his

reward. He had his successful enterprise, and now has his love.

Oh right! And fat Miao.

Zhengqing held out his hand, and

Miao-dada came over and lay next to him. The fat cat had recently had his

sterilisation surgery. It has gone well and the cat recovered well. But

afterwards, Miao-dada began acting clingy, always wanting cuddles. When

Zhengqing got him, he came up to sit near him. Even when it came to sleeping,

the cat slept on the bed with him. Zhengqing loved the cat dearly and let it

sleep but the result was the cat was now accustomed to sleeping on the bed.

Zhengqing stroked Miao’s soft fur

and said, ‘When I marry Xiaoting, you can’t sleep on the bed you know? Good, very

clever Miao.’ (Zuben: That’s what you think, bub)

He couldn’t wait to marry Xiaoting.

He smiled at the thought. He wanted to have a family; Xiaoting’s family. If Yin

Guohao did not want to give her up, he was willing to live with his father in

law. Although, it would be more comfortable just the two of them, but he can be

obliging to his father in law moods. He could see that Guohao relied very much

on Yin Ting, so then, he would not be happy to have her married and away from

home. That would not be good, he thought as he continued to stroke Miao’s fur.

But didn’t father in law have a cat allergy? He remembered Yin Ting saying

something like that; then they couldn’t live together. Good, then it would be

just the two of them (Zuben: And the cat)

Although, Zhengqing knew it was too

soon to be thinking about such things, but the expectations of a happy future

made him very happy.

The next day, Zhengqing told his

parents of the happenings in his life. He had come with Yin Ting before; so

they knew her. How he had been invited to dinner with Yin Ting and her family,

and how he had been accepted well. He told his parents to be rest assured; he

was doing well.

Guohao took flowers to his wife’s

grave and was there a long time. They gave him privacy to speak to his dead

wife.

Afterwards, they joined other

people going to the park to see the park to see to New Year’s day celebrations.

Zhengqing had never been before so

he got lost until Yin Ting gave him proper directions.

The park was very lively, the the

celebrations was bright and extravagant; far beyond Zhengqing’s imaginations.

Zhengqing had trouble adjusting to the manic atmosphere, but Yin Ting was in

her element; getting water and food for the group, pulling Zhengqing to go with

her on the amusment rides. Guohao watched his daughter’s antics fondly.

Zhengqing was tired out very quickly, so Yin Shi went along with her. Zhengqing

sat with Guohao.

‘The park has changed a lot from

last year,’ the older man said to him, ‘the flowers and decorations were added

for the Spring Festival.’

Was that so? Zhengqing thought. He

had been in this city for so long, he had not know about this park. There had

never been any time.

Guohao looked at him and asked,

‘Haven’t you ever been here?’

Zhengqing shook his head.

‘When you and Xiaoting are on

dates, where do you go?’ (Zuben: Prepping for bedroom movements)

‘Um…shopping and eating.’ Zhengqing

replied nervously. Most of their time together spent at his place together.

‘Where do you go to eat?’ he father

asked.

‘Er…’ Zhengqing racked his brains

to remember the the restaurants they had eaten at.

Guohao nodded with a smile.

Zhengqing breathed a sigh of relief

thinking the questions were over, but Guohao asked, ‘Don’t you do to the

movies?’

‘Er…’ He’d never been. But was

Guohao’s question about doing naughty things in a dark theatre?

‘Never been.’ He replied

truthfully.

Guohao smiled and nodded.

Was he satisfied with his answer?

Then Guohao asked, ‘Are you busy

tomorrow?’

What was this question about?

Zhengqing wondered. He tried hard to think of something interesting he could be

doing instead of being at home. Yin Ting was on the pirate ship ride and could

not save him.

Guohao pulled out his phone, ‘Ah

little cousin. It’s me Uncle Hao! Is there a free room in your club’s karaoke?

…Give Uncle.’

Zhengqing was dumbfounded.

‘Hao! That’s good. We’ll go in the

afternoon and have dinner there. It doesn’t matter…You greet the manager for

me…When I come, I will come to say hello…Good….Happy new year.’

We they going to sing at a karaoke

bar? How come the elderly were trendy these days? Zhengqing felt like he was

going to die.

He…no…He will sing! (Zuben: It’s

time to lip sync for your life!)

The Taking of Tiger Mountain - http://chineseposters.net

Chapter 56 Father In Law Is Like The Sky

When Yin Ting returned, Zhengqing

quietly told her of her father’s arrangement.

‘Karaoke?’ Yin Ting asked

surprised. She had not expected her dad to bring out this move. Completely out

of their expertise, ah! ‘Which songs to do know?’ she asked, thinking of how to

help him.

Zhengqing looked thoughtful, but Yi

Ting understood from his expression,

‘Nothing, huh?’

‘Does the national anthem count?’

he asked trying to salvage his pride. Actually, he couldn’t sing the national

anthem in its entirety either. (Zuben: Live life in the next 24 hours)

Yin Ting frowned and said, ‘Fine, I

understand.’

‘I listen to music,’ Zhengqing said

trying to fight for his points, but though he listened to music, they weren’t

music with words.

Yin Ting gave him a helpless look

and began to call her friends to see if anyone was free for a karaoke evening,

so that Zhengqing could hide in the crown and not be embarrassed. But

unfortunately due to the holidays, everyone had prior plans. Yin Ting patted

his shoulder in encouragement. He could only rely on himself.

That evening, Zhengqing joined Yin

Ting’s family for dinner at a restaurant. Yin Ting decided ‘who ever strikes

the first blow was the victor’, there would be singing tomorrow there was

nothing that could be done about it, but maybe a shift in activities might tip

the balance in their favour.

‘Right father, during the vacation

would you be going fishing?’

‘Fishing?’

‘Zhengqing like fishing,’ she said

trying to lobby on zhengqing’s behalf, ‘Zhengqing and I went a few weeks ago,

even though it is cold, the fish were biting. You guys can do and compare your

big catches.’ They had been practicing this project so they knew what to

expect, but her father said,

‘The fish may be active, but

sitting in the cold is not good for my old bones.’

Yin Ting chuckled and gave her

father a look, she didn’t expose that he had gone fishing only just last month

with his friend and it wasn’t colder at this time than then.

‘Young people should do more

vigorous activities, sitting around fishing is depressing. Why not go hiking,

get your body moving then you won’t be cold.’

Hiking? Yin Ting glanced at

Zhengqing, there shouldn’t be any issue with this activity, ‘Hiking sounds fun.

Let’s do that.’

Yin Ting thought that this might be

good; her father must think that Zhengqing was too stuffy and wanted to look

for a suitable activity for young people. Yin Ting thought her father must love

her dearly, ‘Hiking is fine, but are you physically up to it?’

‘I am fine. Don’t underestimate my

old bones, but I will walk up till the café in the foot hills. You can go to

the summit, and help me get a talisman from the temple at the summit.’

“Don’t underestimate my old bones?”

and “I’ll wait for you at the café?” Zhengqing did not comment.

‘Alright!’ Yin Ting replied hearing

her father wanted a talisman.

‘So like today, Zhengqing just pick

us up tomorrow and we go to karaoke, then the day after we rest and then after

we go hiking in the hills.’

Yin Ting was very happy, they would

be able to rest on the third day, so she can go on a date with Zhengqing.

Activities with her dad were only for the next few days, and then after she and

Zhengqing can go back to dating. She smiled at Zhengqing while thinking her dad

really liked Zhengqing, because he was thinking of activities that he might

enjoy.

Zhengqing returned her smile, but

in his brain all he could think about was karaoke singing tomorrow. He decided

to be a waiter tomorrow; making sure everyone’s throats were well watered with

tea, beer or water.

The next day, Zhengqing went to

sing at the karaoke club.

Yin Ting entered the booth excited;

she immediately hogged the microphone. Yin Shi selected a bunch of songs and so

did Yin Ting. She turned to Zhengqing and said,

‘Look after my dad,’ and she went

‘centrestage’ with her brother to sing. Zhengqing happily complied, while Yin

Ting sang several songs. Guohao eventually said,

‘You’re being selfish; don’t keep

the microphone to yourself. Let others sing.’

‘Don’t worry about it, she can

sing,’

But Guohao pretended he didn’t hear

the younger man, ‘You can sing anything. Let Xiaoting choose for you.’

Zhengqing decided to bite the

bullet and say, ‘I really cannot sing, so it’s okay if they sing.’

Yin Ting was about to defend

Zhengqing, but her father laughed, ‘If you don’t sing then I shall, I cannot

let them hog the limelight.’

Zhengqing raised his eyebrows; this whole

family seemed to be full of tyrants. As he watched, Guohao proudly said to Yin

Shi, ‘Ah Shi, put on Taking Tiger Mountain for your dad.’

Yin Shi hurriedly put on the song,

and Guohao took the mic and began to sing. The tone of the music was imposing,

Zhengqing thought. Yin Ting came to sit beside him and ate a slice of fruit.

‘How does a karaoke have Peking

Opera songs?’

‘The owner is dad’s old friend, the

older folks like Peking Operat songs. This is one of their best rooms.’

Is that so? Zhengqing wondered. He didn’t know

what to say.

After the imposing song came to an

end, Yin Shi and Guohao sang a duet, followed by a pop song and then another

opera song. Yin Shi then sang Teresa Teng songs one after the other.

Yin Ting watched her father as she told Zhengqing, ‘My mother loved Teresa Teng’s

songs. She used to listen to her songs without rest. After she died, dad would

not let me play Teresa’s songs.’

Yin Shi got tired of singing, Yin

Ting rose and said, ‘Dad you rest I will sing a few songs.’

‘You sit down.’ He said to Yin Ting

and did not let Yin Shi change over.

It seems dad was the King Tyrant,

it wasn’t a disgrace to have lost to the older man. (Zuben: Heck knows why you

were bothering in the first place)

That evening, the family dined

together and Guohao asked Zhengqing about his family background and their

circumstances, Zhengqing answered his questions in his usual polite manner.

While the spoke, the two siblings watched with interest, Yin Shi said to Yin Ting,

‘This is normal father in law to son in law topic ah,’

Yin Ting thought so too. She

watched her father listen to Zhengqing. His complexion was usual, he looked

amiable. She found it hard to conceal her happiness.

The next day, nothing much

happened, the Yin family visited their relatives and friends during the day and

in the evening Yin Ting went to see Zhengqing at his house. The two lovers

snuggled in his couch giggling more than chatting,

‘Please be more serious, after the

Spring Festival, let’s live well.’

‘The Spring Festival does not need

to end for me to live well.’ He replied.

She gave him a smack, ‘I meant that

after the Festival, we won’t be busy and we can cultivate our love life.’

‘When I was busy, I loved well.’ He

answered, in his opinion even when he was working and busy, he held her in his

heart and loved her.

She smacked him again, ‘Seriously!’

‘I’m very serious.’

‘Oh, I called you so many times and

you didn’t even answer me. You’re too accustomed to me calling you by your

nickname, but I can’t do that when we are among relatives or friends.’

‘You finally realised that giving

me a nickname isn’t good,’ He said using his knuckles to rub her head gently,

‘as well as teaching bad habits to children.’ Little stone also called him

Uncle please be more serious.

Yin Ting made a face, ‘But calling

you Qiu-zong is even more strange.’

‘You could just call me Zhengqing

like your dad and brother do.’

Yin Ting frowned, ‘Won’t it be a

bit weird?’ It was his name, but why did she feel weird or prefer to should

“please be more serious”.

‘Hmm, or you can call me something

else?’ he said.

‘What?’

‘Husband.’

Yin Ting was silent as a blush

stole over her face, ‘Cheeky,’ she said as be smacked him with a cushion.

‘I’m not wrong, ah.’ He said

laughing.

‘Well…’ she replied staring at him

as her face got redder, and her expression got more bashful. Zhengqing could

not help but kiss her, making her blush even more. Zhengqing laughed.

Yin Ting sat up incensed, and gave

him more kisses on his lips saying, ‘Hurry up and blush too!’

Zhengqing laughed even harder, but

she kept kissing him and saying, ‘Hurry up; blush!’

He laughed till his stomach ached,

and held Yin Ting so they fell back on the sofa together. Eventually they

quieted down,

‘I hope we can always be like

this,’

‘What?’

‘The way we are now; happy

together.’

‘Isnt that accomplished? We are all

together.’ (Zuben: Don’t congratulate yourself until you marry the girl)

‘I’m so happy my dad likes you.’

Zhengqing was in agreement, he was

happy about it too.

The next day; they went hiking.

Zhengqing had bought his gear for

the trip. He was full of joy wearing his new hiking bag and boots. (Zuben:

Hopefully you’re wearing comfy socks or you gonna get blisters). He was happy

about his first hiking trip. Yin Ting, Yin Shi and Zhengqing were all winded

when they got down from the mountain to meet Guohao who had been sitting at the

café. When Zhengqing saw his smile, he wondered if this had been a test of his

physical fitness, since he was a lot older than Yin Ting.

The next day, Guohao suddenly

decided that he wanted to go for a trip around an ancient town and stay for a

few days, he asked Zhengqing if he would come.

He should be back to work then, but Zhengqing could not refuse, so he

emailed his secretary and asked her to sort out his leave for the day.

So once again Zhengqing was designated

driver and he drove them down to the old town. Yin Ting and her family had

visited it before, so she played guide to Zhengqing as they stayed in the town

for three days.

The trip went without incident. He

became very familiar with Yin Shi and his manner and jokes. He understood

Guohao more, and he though that if he needed to pick a gift for the elder man

again, he would have no problem.

Soon after the Spring Festival

vacation, Guohao contacted him, ‘I want to chat with you alone. Do not tell

Xiaoting.’ He said calmly.

Zhengqing consented, but the

request made him unsettled.

They made an appointment to meet at

seven PM at a restaurant.

‘Tell Xiaoting that you won’t be

meeting her that evening, you need to work overtime visiting a client.’

Zhengqing agreed, but he thought

himself a tad stupid. Maybe he was being stupid from nervousness.

On the day, Zhengqing had a

growning sence of unease. Yin Guohao’s sudden invitation sparking questions in

head and he could not talk to Yin Ting about it. He would have like to talk her

so they could discuss it, but Guohao had told him not to tell her.

At six-fifty, Zhengqing arrived at

the restaurant to find Guohao already there; waiting for him. His uneasiness

deepened. He greeted the older man, and settled in his chair. They exchanged

pleasantaries as they got drinks, and discussed mundane topics throught their

dinner.

After dinner, tea was ordered.

Guohao took a sip of his tea and said, ‘Zhengqing, I appreciate you.’

‘Thank you, Uncle.’ He replied, his

heartrate rising.

‘From a businessman’s point of

view, you are a rare talent.’ Guohao said.

‘Thank you, Uncle.’ Zhengqing

replied with a mirthless laugh. Businessman? Shouldn’t he be another identity

in Yin Guohao’s eyes? A sense of trepidation crept up on Zhengqing. He was

nervous. Very nervous.