Please Be More Serious Chapter 59-60

Sping Splendor via Pintrest

Hello all.

Hope you've not been kept waiting too long.

It's February the month of Lurve *puergh*.

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Chapter 59 Daddy's Girl

Yin Ting’s phone rang a long time

before she picked up. Her voice was cheerful and energetic as she said, ‘Please

be more serious, are you finished with work?’

‘Yes,’ he replied, he found himself

chocked with unshed tears. He had to clear his throat twice.

‘Have you just finished

entertaining your clients?’ Yin Ting asked, ‘Did you drink? If you drank, get a

taxi.’

‘I didn’t drink,’ he replied. He

suddenly felt like he wasn’t ready to tell her, he hadn’t calmed down. His

heart was still beating fast, his thoughts were chaotic. He did not even know

how he would tell her.

‘It’s alright if you did not drink,

did you just finish or are you home already?’

‘Just finished. I’m in the parking

lot.’

‘Go home. When you get home call

me.’

‘Ah Xiaoting,’ he called, afraid

she would hang up.

‘What’s up?’ she asked

‘Um…tomorrow’s Saturday.’

‘Yes ah. We can meet up tomorrow.’

She said happily, ‘Today you were socialising, not working crazy overtime, so

no points are deducted, therefore, we can have a date tomorrow.’

Zhengqing closed his eyes as

Guohao’s words came back to him. Did they really have problems getting along?

Was he and Yin Ting’s approach to love completely different?

‘Tomorrow,’ he said, ‘let’s go to

the movies.’

‘Really?’ Yin Ting’s voice rose an

octave; she was very surprised. Zhengqing was suddenly distressed, it was just

going to the movies and he didn’t think of going with her. (Zuben: Well you are

dense in living life)

‘You actually decided to go to the

movies by yourself? So surprising!’ Yin Ting was very happy, ‘So we should go

out for lunch, then go to the cimena after. You go to the gym on Saturdays,

don’t you? My dad hasn’t come back; I will ask him what he wants to do

tomorrow. If there isn’t anything, I’ll have lunch with him while you are at

the gym. Then we can meet up afterwards for dinner and the cinema!’

‘I met your dad – had a meal with

him.’ He said, grasping the chance. ‘He’s on his way home now.’

‘You saw my dad? How clever. Where

did you meet? Did everyone know who he was?’

‘No…truthfully…’Zhengqing paused

while he thought of the words to tell her, ‘Truthfully, your dad asked me to dinner

tonight but he asked me not to tell you, so I told you I was entertaining

customers.’

After a little silence she asked,

‘What happened?’

‘Well, he…talked about the

difference in our personalities and the emotional risk we are taking by being

together.’

Yin Ting was quiet, then she said,

‘Please rephrase that again, in simple terms.’

‘That is, he has no confidence that

we can go the distance.’

Yin Ting could not believe it,

there had been no warning at all.

‘So what did this mean?’

Her father had been polite to

Zhengqing, they had even had a laugh at the Spring Festival. Why would he

suddenly look for Zhengqing to say such a thing?

‘Xiaoting, when your father gets

home he’s going to talk to you about his analysis. I called you to tell you

where I stand.’

Yin Ting suddenly felt cold. How

could this be? How could this happen? (Zuben: You can’t outwit an old fox)

‘Your father has his reasons, but

my feeling is that there are many difficulties and setbacks in life. The

chances of finding someone you like and who likes you are small. I have lots of

things to say, but I don’t know what your father will say to you. I just wanted

you to know that he didn’t convince me.’

Yin Ting’s heart was in chaos. She

suddenly felt overwhelmed.

‘What-what did he tell you?’

Zhengqing gave a small frown, he

could hear the distress in her voice, he replied her, ‘Through his observations

of us, there are disparities between us that he feels will develop into

problems in our relationship later on. He did his analysis and expressed his

opinion.’

‘I called to warn you that your

father does not have confidence in us, and he will talk to you about it. I

wanted you to be mentally prepared. But I also wanted to let you know I love

you and ask you not to give up. Do you hear me?’

Yin Ting’s head was blank. (Zuben:

This is the problem with counting your chickens before they hatch)

She didn’t reply.

Zhengqing called her name again;

she gave a vague reply,

‘Do you understand what I just

said?’

‘I understand.’

‘Can you repeat it?’

‘My dad went to look for you to

tell you he doesn’t want us to be together.’

‘No, my last words.’

‘Please be more serious, my heart

is in chaos.’

‘I know but you have to listen to

me. I love you, and I will never give you up.’ (Zuben: But does she feel the

same in the face of beloved daddykins.)

‘I hear you…’

‘Repeat what I have said.’

‘You love me and you will not give

me up.’

‘Good,’ he said, ‘your dad is on

his way home, he knows that I will call you. He was very calm when he talked to

me. It didn’t turn heated. There was no quarrel. Do not worry, okay?’

Yin Ting nodded but realise he

could not see her, ‘Yes,’ she replied.

‘I hope that you will listen to him

calmly. Do not get agitated, do not be sad. He wants what’s best for you, I

understand that. He didn’t hurt me. So don’t worry okay?’

‘Yes,’ she replied with a little

tremor in her voice. She was afraid.

‘So repeat what I told you again.’

‘You love me and will not give me

up.’

‘Good. Say it again.’

Yin Ting’s voice broke and tears

came down her face as she said, ‘You love me and will not give me up.’

‘Please remember that.’

‘I will.’

‘I know I have a lot of

shortcomings, and I am not like you. But I will adjust; we will find a good way

to get along that suits us. We’ve been working hard on our love,’ (Zuben: Doing

naïve things), ‘I will work hard and be with you so you can do what you want to

do. I promise okay?’

‘Okay.’ She said with a sob.

Zhengqing wanted to be with her and

take her into his arms in a fierce hug and comfort her. But he could only express

his determination over the phone. But words were not enough to express how he

felt about her.

‘Don’t cry.’ He said.

‘I love you too.’ She said

‘I know or I will insist.’

Yin Ting could not help but sob

more, ‘I’m sorry, I did not know my dad had such an idea. I thought he liked

you.’

‘Please don’t cry. He doesn’t hate

me, he just doesn’t thing I will be a suitable son-in-law. He did not embarrass

me, he was very respectful. We really didn’t argue. He wasn’t mean to me, so

don’t be sad or afraid. He just told me his opinion, and I told him my opinion.

Be calm and listen to him. Don’t worry about me.’ (Zuben: What if she chooses

to break up?)

‘Alright.’ She replied.

‘Now, go and wash your face, have a

glass of water and take deep breaths counting from one to a hundred. Will you

do that?’ He said to her gently.

‘Yes, I will.’ She replied

tearfully. She couldn’t speak, she could feel the tears welling up again but

she didn’t want him to worry.

Yin Ting hung up and went to wash

her face. She looked at herself in the mirror; her eyes and nose were a little

red, so she splashed cold water on her face some more. After that, she felt a

bit more comfortable. She made herself a pot of tea and drank two cups while

she was waiting. She looked in the direction of the entryway – her father had

not arrived. She thought of Zhengqing and her heart hurt, but she told herself

not to panic, she will listen to what her dad had to say.

Yin Ting started taking deep

breaths and counting, but she kept loosing her count. She started over again,

at one hundred and fifty seven, she heard the door open. And her father

entered. As their eyes met, they knew what happened (Zuben: psychic connection)

Her father took off his shoes and

said, ‘I am back.’

Yin Ting smiled and said, ‘Welcome

back. I made some tea.’

‘Pour your old man a cup,’ he said

as he came to sit on the couch.

Yin Ting brewed some more tea and

poured the steaming brew into a purple tea cup, and carefully placed the cup

before her father.

‘Thank you,’ he said. He stared at

the cup for a time but did not drink, ‘Did Zhengqing call you?’

She nodded.

‘Can daddy talk to you?’

She nodded, but could not say

anything, her eyes were turning red and tears were welling up.

Guohao smiled and said, ‘Go and get

a box of tissues.’

She went and returned with the box

in hand, her expression solemn.

Her father began by praising

Zhengqing’s work and life ethic. The he began to tell her his thoughts about

the differences between Yin Ting and Zhengqing. He asked her if she understood

his needs as a man in his position. His work was his whole world, but what

about her?

Yin Ting was unable to reply. Her

eyes were red but she did not cry, she had promised Zhengqing to listen to her

father calmly and rationally.

He told her he hoped she could

realise her dream of travelling the world, living freely. He doubted that Yin

Ting could understand or conform to the needs of a man like Zhengqing and she

will drag him down.

‘He is not a man that will get off

work on time,’ her father said, ‘at least not for a few more years. The work is

endless, and in his position, he cannot afford to take it easy like an average

worker. You laid rules and because he loved you, he complied. But in reality,

he cannot comply and in truth, he does not want to. And when he breaks the

rules, you will be angry and disappointed. Is this what you want?’

Tears were now pouring down Yin

Ting’s face, but she could not help but protest, ‘Then I would not bind him

with rules, would that do?’

Guohao sighed and pulled his

daughter into his arms, ‘You set the rules for the wrong person. Don’t you see;

you’re not suitable for him daughter?’

A sob finally escaped her lips,

Guohao took tissues to wipe her tears, ‘If you want to be good to him, you will

have to harm yourself, and if he wants to be good to you, he will harm himself.

Do you think that you will be happy with that? You said you like clouds because

they roam free in the sky, but if your pick it up and put it in a box, would it

still be the cloud you like?’ (Zuben: It works for some people)

‘I really like him, Daddy,’ she

said through her tears, ‘I’ve never liked anyone this way before.’

‘You’ve always chased boys, and

then when they reject you you come home to cry that you like this one or that

one. Is this not the same?’ her father reminded her. (Zuben: How is it the same

thing, Daddykins?)

Yin Ting sobs intensified, ‘It’s

not the same. I know it – it is totally different.’

‘Why do you like him?’

Through tearful hiccups, she said,

‘He is so kind. When he talks to children he will come down to their level so

that they don’t have to look up at him. He is very patient, even when a

discussion is boring, he would not interrupt but listens well. He has a goal that

he is aiming towards,’ she blew her nose, ‘He is kind to animals…’ she thought

of Zhengqing, helping Little Stone fix her collar, when he helped Xiao Han clean

his shoes, when he held Miao Dada and fell asleep on the sofa beside her. She

cried even more, she could not go on. (Zuben: It’s funny that his nervousness

with the kids came off as kind)

‘But there are other men like that

in the world.’

Yin Ting shook her head, ‘They are

not Zhengqing.’

‘Yes, so you should let him be

himself.’

Yin Ting sat shock still as though

she had been slapped. (Zuben: doshite?)

Guohao hugged her gently, ‘You

understand now, right? You simply do not suit each other.’

Zhengqing looked at his phone,

unease stealing his heart. He wanted to know what was happening with Yin Ting

but she could not call right now. When they finished talking, Yin Ting would

call him, so he should be patient and wait.

via Pintrest

Chapter 60

When Yin Ting returned to her room,

it was almost eleven. She knew that Zhengqing must be waiting for her phone

call and she should call him, but she was so very depressed. Although the tears

have dried, her heart was still heavy. She fell on to her bed, she did not want

to move or talk, she felt guilty and sad.

But she waited for her emotions to

calm down before calling him. But while waiting, she felt the tears fall. She

did not understand why she was crying, she had not been thinking of anything.

She dared not. Zhengqing had been right; there had been some truth in what her

father said. She had never taken into account Zhengqing’s position. She had

just thought it wasn’t good to work overtime and did not consider the pressure

he was under.

She had considered herself a good

girlfriend, carelessly doing as she pleased. In trying to cook, she destroyed

his kitchen. Her thoughts had been self-righteous.

‘You need to think about it, and

break up as soon as possible. Do not hold each other back.’ Her father had

said.

Although he hadn’t been harsh, he

had been firm in his words. He did not agree with them being together, and it

made Yin Ting sad. She knew his words were not casually spoken.

But not together? No Qiu Zhengqing

in her life? She could not imagine. (Zuben: You guys haven’t even done the deed

yet)

She had been lying on the bed for

heaven knew how long, when her phone rang, causing her to jump.

A quick look at the caller ID said

it was Zhengqing; she quickly grabbed a glass of water from her beside table to

drink. She had poured it last night, so it was cold down her throat. She

cleared her throat and answered the call.

‘Hello,’ she said softly, afraid he

would hear the distress in her voice.

‘Have you finished speaking with

your dad?’

‘Yeah,’ she said lightly, trying to

be spritited.

There was silence from the other

end of the call, as though he was waiting for her to say more. But when nothing

was forth-coming, he asked, ‘Your thoughts?’

She shook her head, ‘I don’t know

what to do.’

‘I understand.’ He said, his voice

was gentle.

Yin Ting suddenly found herself

crying again, ‘My father,’ she said tearfully, ‘he makes sense.’

‘That can’t be denied, but reality

isn’t as cut and dried.’ Zhengqing said trying to comfort her.

Yin Ting wiped the tears on her

face, ‘I realised I was so naïve; making you get home on time, penalty

points…they were so childish and selfish.’

‘I did not think so.’ Zhengqing

replied. (Zuben: I did)

‘But after a while you will find me

annoying and stupid.’

Zhengqing was silent for two beats

then said, ‘I thought so in the past but not now. A cute girl taught me to look

around me and see the good and beautiful in the world. Yes, I have a lot of

work but then I remember that there is someone who loves me waiting for me;

waiting to open the door for me, it makes me happy. This is very important to

me.’

Hearing that Yin Ting cried even

more; she had forgotten. At the start, she had been so happy to be there when

he came home, but she had forgotten the reason why they did it. She only

remembered that if he did not come back on time, she would not come to see him

the next day as punishment. She only wanted him to come home early. She had

forgotten that he rang the bell when he came home. The idea to wait for him at

his house was hers at the start, so they always ate at his house instead of

out.

She actually forgot. So her father

was right. (Zuben: Isn’t that just human nature?)

‘I’m sorry, I forgot.’

‘What did you forget?’

‘I forgot we had dates at home

because of this. I wanted to do it, but I forgot why I did it. I always wanted

something else.’ (Zuben: Maybe y’all shouldn’t be at home all the bleeding

time)

‘But you didn’t forget. You wrote

it in the diary. I read through it and saw it.’

Yin Ting wiped her tears and blew

her nose, ‘You read the diary?’

‘Yes.’

‘How many?’

‘No number, I just read it.’

Yin Tin wiped her tears, but did

not reply.

‘Your approach is good. You are

always clever in this way. So we will find a way.’

But Yin Ting had no confidence. Her

father’s thoughts were justified. She had never considered Zhengqing’s

position. She didn’t have a career; she’s always lived freely, so she had never

considered his side of things.

It wasn’t a problem of money, but a

man’s pursuit of achievement. (Zuben: Which in itself, is to assuage

insecurities about his past and people looking down on him because of it)

Her expectations of life and his

pursuit of achievement are in conflict.

There was certain death, so her

father said.

Though she tried, she could not

think of a way to solve it. If she was always waiting for him at home, she

would be unhappy. She had to be truthful to herself. Even if she was

forebearing and accommodating, she would not be happy, neither would Zhengqing.

‘What should we do?’ she asked.

‘Keep on going. Together.’

Zhengqing was very firm.

‘Can I?’

‘Why not?’

Yin Ting didn’t have the words to

describe her feeling. She wanted to keep going but she was now afraid, afraid

that their life will turn out as her father expected. And her father did not

agree with their relationship; she cared deeply about this.

Zhengqing sighed inwardly; he knew

that the impact of Yin Guohao’s words would be greater on Yin Ting than on him

because the relationship was of a beloved father and daughter. Yin Ting was

willing to give him up to prove her father’s importance. Guohao did not want

them to have a relationship; Yin Ting would be affected by this. His biggest

challenge was not Guohao, but Yin Ting.

If she lets go, then his hard work

would be for naught. Once some accepts a bad result, things tend to go in that

direction.

‘Do you remember the words you’ve

said?’

‘Which words?’ (Zuben: She says a

lot of nonsense, she can’t be expected tor remember all of it)

‘Why is the bright sun so far?’

Because, we need a bright and lofty

goal.

Yin Ting covered her mouth; she did

not want to cry out loud.

‘Why does the moon change phases?’

Because, change can be beautiful.

‘Why is coffee fragrant?’ (Zuben:

to give me a headache?)

Because after coffee went through

tribulations, it met milk.

Coffee met milk. He met her.

‘Please be more serious, I want to

see you.’ She said through sobs.

‘Good, come downstairs.’ He said.

‘What?’

‘Come downstairs, I’m at the park.’

Yin Ting finally reacted to his

words. He had been downstairs?! In front of her neighbourhood!

Yin Ting rushed out; she didn’t

stop to wash her face, she took no coat, did not change her shoes. She rushed

out of her room and met her father. She ran out the door and said, ‘I’m going

out, I’ll be back in a bit.’

She ran to the lift and jabbed at

the button. The lift answered quickly. She entered and watched the numbers tick

down, feeling amazement.

He had been here. He was outside

waiting for her!

Without waiting for the lift doors

to fully open, she rushed out. She ran out of the building, out to the park

infront of her neighbourhood, and then she saw Zhengqing’s car.

Next to the car, a tall man stood, hidden

in the shadows.

The man she loved. (Zuben: cue

violins)

Tears poured down her face and she

could not see the road but she just barrelled ahead – running headlong into his

familiar embrace.

‘Luckily it’s only the slipper that

flew this time.’

What could also fly? Yin Ting

grasped him tightly. She was really surprised he was there, and also really

touched. At this moment, she felt like a dog chewing the mud. (Zuben: I dunno

what that is about, don’t ask me)

Her brain conjured up the image and

she could not help but laugh.

Zhengqing looked down at her

tearful and breathless face, and hugged her really tight. He turned with her in

his arms and opened the door to the back seat. She quickly got in and sat.

Zhengqing looked at her helplessly.

She was crying and laughing. He went to the front, and got some tissues and

switched on the heater. He gave her the

tissues and went to look for where her missing slipper had flown to.

He laughed as he searched. He

laughed when he found it. She laughed too. He got into the back seat beside

her. (Zuben: Ho ho ho)

He put the slipper on for her, and

took off his coat and placed it about her shoulders,

‘Why did you run out like this? Aren’t

you cold?’

‘I’m not cold,’ she replied still

laughing. His face was close to hers as he put his coat about her, the

atmosphere suddenly changed. His coat was really warm and his breath was warm

against her skin.

Then Zhengqing lowered his head and

kissed her.

Yin Ting wrapped her arms around

Zhengqing’s neck deepening the kiss.

They kissed till they were

breathless, and Yin Ting pulled back looking into his eyes. They were full of

affection for her. The kiss warmed her heart. Then she remembered how she had

jumped at him; if she had been too quick she really would have fallen at his

feet and eaten dirt, or got her teeth knocked out.

Yin Ting laughed again. He looked

at her quizzically and she told him the reason.

Zhengqing asked, ‘Do you know why

slippers fly?’

Yin Ting giggled, ‘Quickly

explain.’

‘To make you laugh.’ He replied in

his serious manner.

Yin Ting burst out laughing. Not

that the answer was funny, or was it wonderful, but Zhengqing’s expression

while saying it was funny. She leaned into him as she laughed; would she be

happy without him?

‘So the effect of candy and a

flying slipper are the same, although they are two unrelated things.’

Yin Ting laughed again, ‘It was a

terrible one.’

‘But you laughed.’ He said as he

stroked her hair.

‘Well, I prefer candy.’ And the

slippers were for him.

Zhengqing was silent for a bit,

then he said, ‘Whatever the outcome, there are always a pair of shoes.’

Yin Ting laughed again, ‘You’re

annoying.’

This was not a time of humour, but

why was it that at the time of tragedy people could find humour? (Zuben: It is

not a tragedy, dear)

‘I wanted to ask you not to break

up.’

Yin Ting stopped laughing and

looked up at him.

‘If you look on the bright side,

your dad’s objections are good for us. If we know what to look for, we can make

a plan. We will certainly be able to solve problems that may arise. This is

better than no defence, and things end up being tragic.’

Yin Ting silently looked at him.

‘You know that I never give up

whatever I have set my mind on. From my childhood, in work and life. And now,

most importantly, you. Don’t worry; I will not be scared of by your dad.’

❀