Please Be More Serious Chapter 63 ja 64

So Far Yet So Close:

Zhengqing and Yin Ting did not meet for more than two weeks.

Guohao had been very strict with Yin Ting curtailing her movements. He always had various excuses for her not to leave home. Yin Shi thought his sister was pitiful and wanted to help. He jokingly commented that Zhengqing was a good man, but his father replied, ‘He is a good man, but I don’t want him as a son-in-law.’

Yin Shi was shocked. They had thought Dad was coming to like Zhengqing.

‘This isn’t right. I will cover for you, you can sneak out.’ He told his sister secretly.

‘Would I still have to come back?’ she asked him

‘Of course!’ he replied, if she truly ran away dad will cut off his legs!

‘Could I do it more than once?’

‘Ah?’

'There is nothing to gain if you covered for me. What is the use of only seeing each other once or twice? I don’t want Dad to get angry and things to get worse. We video chat everyday, it’s not bad. We can hold on to the day Dad changes his mind. When his heart gets soft, or there is a good chance, we will be able to date again.’

‘But dad is very stubborn.’ He replied, thinking to himself, that his sister was very weird.

‘So am I.’ she replied with a grin.

With that smile, Yin Shi felt he didn’t need to feel his sister was pitiful.

Later on, she told Zhengqing that Yin Shi offered to help them. He laughed.

One evening, he went to Yin Shi’s bar to say thank you. They shared drinks and chatted for a long time. The common topic was Guohao and Yin Ting.

Yin Shi came to realise that the friendship of men could also develop from their shared loved ones, not just having things in common.

Yin Shi tried to appease Zhengqing not to be angry with Yin Guohao; his dad was very stubborn. Although he was a strange old man, he had tried his best to be a good father. Zhengqing was able to tell him about his meeting with Yin Guohao and what the older man said to him.

The elderly have their own truth and he could understand it. He had thought about it, at the very least he hadn’t used forceful means, and he and Yin Ting were in agreement. He avoided dealing with her father and avoided any escalation of the situation. As long as everyone was being gentle, there was still room for things to change. (Zuben: But for how long though?)

Yin Guohao may be observing them, but they were also watching him.

Yin Ting sent him dinner every day. To order those dishes, she had to spend time and effort. Zhengqing felt that Guohao must know about it but he hadn’t stopped Yin Ting.

When Guohao dragged Yin Ting shopping the other day with the excuse that she picked new shoes for him, she had also picked a pair for Zhengqing, he hadn’t stopped her. (Zuben: Because he thinks you would soon get bored and stop the nonsense.)

Zhengqing was wearing the shoes Yin Ting bought. He felt that Guohao’s mind was not as firm as Yin Ting. But, he still stopped Yin Ting from seeing him. For now, they did not intend to test Guohao’s bottom line. They intended to match him all the way, and tell him by their actions, they could make their relationship work. Even with different personalities and lives, they could be happy together.

They would find ways to adjust to accommodate each other. All this would be shown to Guohao.

Yin Shi sighed, ‘For me to meet brother in law more than he meets his future wife is not really appropriate –ah.’

Zhengqing laughed. Yin Shi joined him. Who was this old man against? Neither of the couple was sad about the situation. That old man liked to bellow, and then blame others.

‘Do you want to send something to Xiaoting, I can be your post man.’

Zhengqing looked thoughtful, then he replied, ‘Or I could take you home.’

Half an hour later, Yin Ting’s phone rang,

‘Gege!’

‘Your brother is drunk, come down and get him.’ The voice was not her brothers but Zhengqing.

Yin Ting quickly replied, ‘You’re drunk? I’ll come and get you.’ She left her room, and headed out.

‘Gege is drunk downstairs I’ll go and get him.’

Guohao nodded and she changed her shoes and went out of the house. She entered the lift and waited anxiously as it descended slowly. Once the lift doors opened, she raced out of the building to see Zhengqing standing there.

A large smile brightened her face as she flew into his arms.

Yin Shi saw his sister coming, he raised his hand in greeting but she didn’t even look at him as she ran into Zhengqings arms.

And Zhengqing wasn’t polite; he hugged her fiercely.

Yin Shi looked balefuly at the lovers; you guys realise I'm here, right.

But the two of them were in their own world, because they started kissing.

Yin Shi quickly turned away from them.

Zhengqing was reluctant to part, but he had to. Between kisses, he told her, ‘I went to your brother’s bar for a drink. The driver is still waiting, so I need to go.’

Yin Tin nodded, still holding him tightly. She hadn’t felt it when they hadn’t met each other, but now his arms were around her, she realised she missed him dreadfully.

‘We must persevere. Don’t worry; we will have all the time in the world soon.’

She nodded.

The two of them just stared into each other’s eyes not speaking. Just laughing.

They chatted everyday on the internet and the phone. But now they were face to face, there was till a lot to say, but no time to say it.

Zhengqing leaned down to kiss here again, ‘I’m off.’

Yin Ting kissed him again, ‘Go to bed early.’

Yin Shi walked a few steps away, he didn’t want to have to see and he didn’t want to have to listen to their boring lovers’ conversation.

When she turned to him, her face was pink and she had a cheeky smile on her face. Zhengqing waved to him and said thank you.

After Zhengqing left, Yin Ting was holding on to Yin Shi’s arm.

‘Don’t laugh so baldly.’

‘Gege, I really love you.’

‘Do not deal with your brother with your boyfriend’s flesh and blood.’ He said. He decided there and then to get a girlfriend. Then bring his girlfriend to show off their affection.

Zhengqing got energy from Yin Ting’s kiss. His confidence returned. The next day he was struck with inspiration. It happened during a meeting, when his secretary pushed the door open and headed in his direction with a document. He suddenly figured out Yin Ting’s glass riddle.

YongKai’s “Show” women’s leather shoes were one of his most popular brands. He knew that the brand was first created by Yin Guohao, Yin Ting’s mother was called Yu Xuping; which was why the brand was called “Show” and the brand’s marketing position has always been – the beauty and expression of women.

Zhengqing did not directly control “Show”, but all the brands were overseen by him. “Show”’s products were good, the channels were mature and the brand had a much esteemed reputation in the market. Zhengqing has always been assured of their plans.

In this meeting, “Show”’s general manager was presenting the brand’s marketing plans for the coming financial year. While listening to the report, Zhengqing had been struck with inspiration, because the plans were very detailed, the vision Zhengqing had was crystalised quickly in his mind.

After the other companies finished their marketing presentations, Zhengqing spoke up, ‘I have an idea.’

The conference room quieted down to listen to Vice President Qiu,

‘A Woman. A Dreamer.’

The manager of “Show” got nervous: Did this serious work man VP eat my emotional medicine today?

‘The try-out experience idea is clever, but I don’t think it would be enough to make a sensation.’ He said, ‘We can’t just let anyone try out the shoes, there is no threshold so people won’t be eager.’

And then? Everyone wanted to hear where VP Qiu was going.

‘A pair of versatile comfortable shoes a woman could wear while she realises her dreams. This process is shown to everyone and we create a platform to provide rewards.’

‘Sporting activities?’ someone asked.

‘That is an option. We can use the internet. With the theme: Traveller. A traveller discovers beauty and shares it with others. As long as women who wear “Show” shoes participate, we can provide financial support for their travel. The prerequisite is that they submit their plans for people to vote on which interests them the most. Then the shortlisted candidates are given “Show” shoes to wear while they realise their dream. They write their own stories, take their own pictures, and show themselves in essence. The most popular rated journey is the winner.

The attendees in the conference room nodded, ‘From the start, it is the beginning of a story. Not just beauty but a story to attract the public’s attention.’

‘Yes, and for them to show off.’ Zhengqing concluded.

‘This sounds more interesting than shoe try outs.’

Everyone began to discuss,

‘The theme is not just about travel, it’s about dreams. The person doesn’t have to be a tourist. Even their everyday life is good, right?’

‘Flat shoes have versatility, they can be casual or formal depending on what they are worn with. It reflects the characteristics of our personality.’

‘This would be easier to organise that pubic tryouts because the target population is a controlled one. We should talk to online travel bloggers; they can influence the population, and depending on their popularity, go to the finals. The influence of the campaign would be guaranteed.’

Was it? Zhengqing didn’t know about online travel blogs. He only knew that his heart’s Xiaoting was very powerful. In his heart, he knew no one else could spread beauty and dreams better than she could.

She had a dream to travel, he did not like to travel but he wanted her to realise this dream. (Zuben: Should you be abusing your power because of love?)

She had said a traveller is someone who sees beauty and tells everyone. He wanted to provide this platform for her to show everyone the beauty she saw.

He also wanted Guohao to see, two completely different people could promote each other. He wanted to use her mother’s brand to help her fly.

‘The blogger ‘Air Balloon’ has more than two million fans, many of whom are women who like to walk…’ his colleagues discussed amongst themselves.

Zhengqing came back down to earth, who has two million fans?! How many were his family’s XiaoTing’s fans? Maybe about twenty to thirty thousand?

(Zuben: Dream on, dreamer life is in the way)

 

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 Gifts of Love:

Zhengqing put the popularity contest out of his mind. The most important thing was to set down plans, and operating models.

Half an hour of heated discussion later, the framework was established. The finer details like advertising and media coverage would be sorted later.

They set the date for a complete plan by the start of April so that all relevant departments had time to cooperate.

After the meeting, Zhengqing was still excited. He wanted to tell Yin Ting the news. He wanted to tell her to choose a place to go, and wear her family brand shoes and blog about it.

But he knew he cold not tell her now. The plan had not been finalised, He hoped when he told Yin Ting, things would be settled and she would be pleased. She could buy a ticket and go to the places she had wanted to visit the most.

To achieve this, there was an important person he must convince first. He thought he could do it. (Zuben: Bad idea)

When Yin Guohao received the invitation from Zhengqing he did not show his surprise. He calmly listened to the younger man’s request to meet with him and they arranged to meet at the same fateful restaurant.

When Zhengqing arrived, Guohao was already there. They greeted each other politely, and they ate before they began discussion.

‘What do you wish to discuss with me? Is it to change my mind about you and Xiaoting?’ Guohao asked as he drank his tea, ‘My view hasn’t changed.’

‘I’m not here to ask you that. An old tune cannot solve the problem. It would be a waste of time.’ Zhengqing replied with a small smile, ‘I propose another angle.’

‘Like?’ Guohao asked, his voice cold showing no curiosity.

But Zhengqing nearly smiled at his manner and said, ‘That day you told us not to meet, Xiaoting gave me a riddle. She said that glass is like reason; it protects our hearts. Behind the wall of glass, we protected from the wind and rain, but we can see beauty in the distance. If we want to reach that beauty, we can’t because we are blocked by the glass. To reach it, we will have to break the glass, but after breaking it we can’t put it back together again. What can be done?’ (Zuben: If you are likening reason to something inflexible as glass, it makes no sense. I know there is a point to this)

Guohao did not reply.

‘When she said this, I pictured her and me on either side of a glass wall. We could see each other but could not touch. To reach each other, we would have to break the glass. If we don’t break the glass we would always be separated. Like you said; death chess.’

‘I don’t agree with death chess. But I ruminated on it in the back of my mind, could not think of the best answer. Until, I was in the conference room, and my secretary pushed the door open. It suddenly came to me.’

He looked at Yin Guohao, who was watching him.

‘Why break it? Is it not enough to make a door? Such a simple answer, took me a long time to think of it. I sit in that conference room at least once a day, the number of times people go in and out of that door is countless. Later I understood why it didn’t occur to me so quickly.’

Guohao smiled and continued to drink his tea.

‘Because Xiaoting asked me this question, I was thinking of an answer based on what she said. Kind of like stereotyping. I prejudiced and only considered destruction but missed the simplest solution, seen everyday.’

‘Are you saying I am prejudiced against you?’ Guohao asked. (Zuben: Yes)

‘In your mind, Xiaoting is an innocent romantic who wants to be a traveller. I am a workaholic. We won’t work out. You imagine our contradiction is between entertainment and work, but we get along, and not because we have to sacrifice the interests of one party,’

‘Isnt it?’ (Zuben: Don’t relationships require some sacrifice?)

‘Not completely.’

‘So how do you plan on convincing me? You just said the old tune wouldn’t work.’

‘I think a little bit of an adjustment would be good. I talk to Xiaoting everyday, and we have begun to know a lot about each other, but I have very little interaction with you. You grieve Xiaoting’s mother’s death. You are still filled with remorse, but also make Xiaoting accompany you and give up her dream. You believe I am like your past self, so you feel my presence in addition to yours is trying Xiaoting down. She would lose her zest for life.’

‘That is right.’

‘The past is past, you can’t change it,’ Zhengqing continued, ‘but now, you and I, we can change –adjust a little bit, for our loved ones. Not a hard line change, just a gentle adjustment.’

‘Such as?’

‘You and I can spend time with each other; fishing, dinner on occasion, you can teach me how to play chess, we can go to the theatre and watch a play…my parents left early so I don’t have experience of getting along with elders, but I would like to learn how to get along with you.’

Guohao was a bit embarrassed, he hadn’t expected Zhengqing to do something like this, ‘What is your goal? Tell me now.’

‘You don’t hate me, do you? You just don’t want me to marry Xiaoting. I want to replace Xiaoting in accompanying you. So that she can feel relieved and do what she wants. And you can put down your stereotypes, and see our commonality. Won’t that be good?’

Guohao was flummoxed; replace Xiaoting in accompanying him?

No struggle against the glass wall, but create a door?

Yin Guohao countered, ‘I already have a son.’

‘Who doesn’t enjoy talking about business. He doesn’t know about your business history, he doesn’t know what you current friends are working on or their progress in their endeavours. If you and I get along well, Xiaoting would be rest assured and she can be relaxed as she fulfils her own goals. And you can see how Xiaoting and I relate to each other to make each other happy.’

Guohao grunted, ‘It’s an easy thing to say…’

‘In a few days it’s Xiaoting’s birthday. Let's have it together.’

Guohao looked at Zhengqing, there was a smile in his eyes. Zhengqing hadn’t asked to take Xiaoting on a date, but to celebrate her birthday together as a family.

‘Alright.’

Zhengqing breathed a sigh of relief, excitement bubbling in his heart.

‘You must have a present for Xiaoting.’ Guohao guessed.

‘Yes.’

‘But that being said, I am still not allowing you to date, neither do I agree with your proposal. This is just to celebrate her birthday.’

‘It just means I need to work harder.’ Zhengqing said not discouraged or disappointed. He had expected it.

‘You have no time to accompany my daughter, but propose to accompany me. Isn’t it too much?’

‘I’m talking about Xiaoting travelling abroad. I can stay with you when I finish work and on the weekends.’

‘What is the difference between that and no company?’

‘Well, the difference between caring and not caring.’ Zhengqing didn’t mind the old man deliberately provoking him. He poured the for Guohao and smiled, ‘I will care for you and take care of you and in turn you will get to know me and accept me. Who would Xiaoting’s wings be tied to?’

Guohao was silent.

As the left the restaurant, Guohao said to Zhengqing, ‘There is something wrong with your solution. It is impossible to break the glass. And to put up the door you have to cut it, right?’

(Zuben: Nonsense allegories are nonsense)

Zhengqing was surprised, but Guohao merely laughed and got into his car.

For the first time, Zhengqing felt Guohao was not really against him and Yin Ting. (Zuben: Counting chickens again)

Yin Ting’s birthday arrived quickly.

That morning, the first thing Zhengqing did was go to her blog and wish her happy birthday.

She soon replied with: Sofa!!!!! (Zuben: ¬.¬) followed by a proudly dancing emoticon.

Zhengqing replied with a bit smiley face.

Afterwards, her followers began to send their birthday wishes.

A few minutes later, Yin Ting called. There was an excited squeal, ‘I only just found out.’

‘I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.’

‘Serious, you come here and let me take a bite’

Zhengqing laughed, ‘In the evening.’

Yin Ting’s birthday was being held in her home, just her family and himself. He was satisfied with that arrangement. One more, he decided that maybe Guohao was not really against them dating. Although, he hadn’t allowed him to date Yin Ting properly and neither had he taken Zhengqing up on the offer of going fishing together.

‘Please be more serious, I love you so much.’

She had just discovered that Zhengqing had changed his internet ID to her birthday followed by his: 413510.

‘Yes, I put you before me. You know people focus on the mantissa[1]. It’s to remind you not to forget my birthday.’

‘Don’t change it.’

‘I won’t. It’s my first birthday present for you.’

‘And the second one?’

‘When I see you tonight.’

That evening, Zhengqing presented himself to the Yin Family residence. In his hands was a box of stationery; little colourful notebooks, stickers, colour pens, and other knick-knacks.

When she saw the gift, she gave an exclamation of surprise. It a lot of the items came in her favourite shade of pink.

‘You actually went to buy this yourself?!’ she asked, her tone incredulous. She had expected he would by jewellery or something mature.

‘This is your second gift.’ He said solemnly.

‘Is there a third?’ she asked jokingly.

‘Yes.’ He replied.

She looked at him; he was carrying a laptop bag. She eyed him suspiciously. He smiled and said, ‘I’m going to sing you a birthday song.’

Yin Ting widened her eyes in mock shock, ‘Is it really you?’

‘Your father is around, be good.’ He said glancing at Yin Guohao’s direction, seeing the older man was not paying attention, he turned back to her and said, ‘He isn’t watching us, you can kiss me.’

Yin Ting laughed and took cover with an accounts book.

With her laughing so loudly, her dad must be watching them now, sure enough, he was looking in their direction. Zhengqing sighed and gave her a censuring look. But she grinned and wrapped her hands around his neck and gave him a peck, and rushed back to her dad’s side.

‘Dad, look! Please be more serious’ gift to me. It’s so pretty.’

‘Very nice.’ Guohao said flatly. He turned and gave her a box, and said, ‘This is father’s gift to you.’

Yin Ting beckoned Zhengqing over so they could open the gift together.

Inside were two boxes. When she realised what they wereYin Tin began to scream. It was a camera and the lens she’d always wanted. (Zuben: Isn't she a rich or well off enough to have bought such a thing herself?). Though she had a few lenses already, her heart had been itching to buy the latest camera and lens. She hadn’t expected her father to know.

She was so excited, she held on to her father’s hands as she said, ‘Thank you so much, dad.’

Yin Shi could not help himself, ‘Do you guys want to eat?’ These two men competing in a drama over a woman. (Zuben: I know right) He didn’t want to have to witness this at all. He had sat at the table pointedly but he was pointedly ignored.

Yin Ting announced they should eat. She had received great gifts. She took her father in one hand and Zhengqing in the other and led them to the table.

They ate. They drank. They talked and laughed. Soon, it was time to cut the cake. 

The candles were lit, the lights turned off, everyone began to sing birthday songs.

Zhengqing had practised a long and hard for this, but he still dare not sing. But Yin Shi pointed and shouted, ‘Happy Birthday to you! Get ready!’

Zhengqing began to sing in a small voice trying to hide under Guohao and Yin Shi. The result was open and found to be bad.

The other men did not sing at all.

He kept singing in that small voice like a thief, as he got more nervous, his singing went out of tune. It was too funny.

Guohao lowered his head. Yin Shi laughed – his shoulders shaking with it. He wouldn’t be sick if he didn’t say anything. Zhengqing steeled his heart, continued to sing and turned the volume up.

Yin Ting laughed so hard she was wiping tears from her eyes, ‘It’s the first time I’ve heard Happy Birthday to you sung out of tune. I’m very touched.’

Zhengqing blinked and in his usual solemn manner he said, ‘I can sing ten more times. Please don’t leave.’

Yin Ting burst out laughing even harder. Yin Shi jumped up and said, ‘How can a man’s man hold grudges? Revenge is too much. And you,’ he said pointing to his sister, ‘Why are you laughing?!’

Zhengqing gave him an exaggerated smile. The one who is laughing is you. Yin Guohao was also smiling. The smile lit up his features and his face was full of wrinkles.

The cake was cut and shared, and everyone moved to the living room where Yin Ting made tea for everyone.

Yin Shi took out his gift; it was a small laptop.

‘Wow!’ she cried, ‘The gifts I got today are really unexpected.’

Yin Shi smiled and glanced at Zhengqing. Zhengqing look out a document from the bag he was carrying and handed it to Yin Ting, ‘My third gift.’ He said.

Yin Ting took the papers full of suspicion. He was giving her documents? Was it a prenuptial agreement? Did he want dad to cut off his legs?

It wasn’t a pre-nup.

As she read, her eyes became hot.

My dream is to be a traveller.

What is a traveller?

It is to go to different places and see lots of beautiful things and share it with others.

 [1] Mantissa: Part of the logarithm after the decimal point.

Sorry for the typos, I was sleepy when I posted it. And I got bored of reading it over and over.

Hope yous had nice Easter breaks if you celebrate. And if you don't, hope you had a nice weekend/holiday/whatever.

Index ❀ Chapter 65-66