Please Be More Serious Chapters 65 i 66

Pink Keepsake Folding Box 

Just a reminder; running commentary throughout

 Sputtering start to your dream engines:

Finding your dream journey.

Yin Ting read the paper seriously till the last full stop. She sniffed and tried to hold back her tears. She looked up at the three men watching her, and smiled at her father and brother, ‘You all know about it, don’t you?’ This gift.

Guohao and Yin Shi nodded.

She turned to Zhengqing, and her tears could not help but fall. (Zuben: I reiterate, this girl is rich why does she need a giveaway to go where she wants?)

She leapt at Yin Shi and hugged him, ‘You’re all so kind to me.’

Yin Shi was flustered and tried to shake her off. First of all it was embarrassing, secondly, because she didn’t want either her boyfriend or her father to be jealous, she chose him. Did she want to put him into trouble?

She let him go and tried to calm down. She turned to Zhengqing and announced, ‘I want to participate!’

‘Good!’ Zhengqing smiled. He knew she would be eager.

‘On May the first, the media promotions will begin. The main platforms are mobile and internet. The activity platform is under development. But it will be fast. On that day, sign up begins; go to the page submit your plan. It can be combined with Weibo or other blog accounts. Use any form of expression; text, pictures, video. Voting will be done in July, and the finals in August to coincide with the summer vacation. The finalists will be followed by film crews so that we can use some video material for publicity.

Though, she had read it in the document he gave her, it was still exciting to hear Zhengqing talk about it.

‘After I win,’ she said happily, ‘I don’t want the prize money; I want to donate it to my friends in the mountains and the orphanage.’

Guohao smiled, ‘That is if you win.’

She lifted her chin, ‘Of course.’ She turned to Zhengqing and said, ‘You don’t have to help me. I’m sure there will be no problem.’ (Zuben: You call him Please Be Serious and you think assume he’s going to help you. This is already ridiculous as it is!)

‘How can I help you? It’s impossible to go through the back door. The whole process is notarised. The data management is being done by a platform partner. This is an activity being sponsored by a subsidiary company. The main office only provides resources. All implementation is done on their end. I just read reports and sign contracts. It isn’t good to interfere.’ (Zuben: You don’t know the right kinda people, dude)

‘That’s good.’ Ying Ting said, ‘I don’t want you to help. But your prize money is not much, 1^st prize is only 100,000yuan.’

Zhengqing rubbed her tyrannical head, ‘Well, we also have to pay all the participants and the film crews’ travel expenses, as well as accompanying staff, there are other expenses that have to be factored in. This is a very expensive activity.’ (Zuben: Again, you’re a rich girl with houses!)

Yin Ting wrinkled her nose at him, ‘You must be looking for hotels to sponsor you.’

‘Is it so easy to look for?’ he asked raising his eyebrows. Yin Ting scowled at him.

‘Even if is was, the brand effect of Yongkai, the years of credibility and commercial accumulation, the publicity, all these translate into higher costs.’ The Vice President of Yongkai was in front of his girlfriend, there was no shame is saying is company is not rich.

It was a pleasure to have a pleasant tiff.

‘In any case, it is not much.’ Yin Ting said,

‘You haven’t got it yet?’ Zhengqing laughed, he liked her naughty side.

‘Of course, I can get it.’ Yin Ting replied confidently.

‘My colleagues have been contacting several online travel experts, such as “Kōng qìqiú”, “Huā er bù lǜ”, and invited them to participate.

Yin Ting began to scream, ‘I know them, I’m a fan of their blogs!’ she said her voice filled with excitement.

‘Well I hear their fans number in the millions.’

‘Yeah…’ Yin Ting suddenly seeing that there was a hurdle to overcome. ‘Well…that…winning or losing is not important. Participation is!’

Guohao and Yin Shi laughed at her. Yin Ting wrinkled her nose at Zhengqing. He raised his hands in mock surrender, ‘I didn’t laugh.’ He said.

‘I blame you anyway,’ she said with a grin.

He gave her and indulgent smile and said, ‘Pick where you want to go. Feel free to write all the chicken dumpling thoughts you have about it. Take pictures. Make a video. We can post it on the biggest video platform so you can get more views. There is a lot of interest in this event. And the production company want to make it into a reality show type documentary. Your dream trip with be recorded and spread to everyone.’

Yin Ting wanted to cry again.

‘But, it will be hard to do this. It will need lots of preparation, and time. If you get to travel, it may take a month or two. You have to be prepared.’

She smiled and turned to her father who said, ‘There’s nothing to worry about at home, maybe except your brother.’

Yin Shi was aghast. Why was it him? He wasn’t an ailing old man. He wasn’t the one who was sick and secretly wanting to go to heaven to see his wife, but then forgot no one died of a fever anymore.

‘I will help look after everyone.’ Zhengqing announced.

Guohao and Yin Shi shot him glares.

‘I must think of it deeply and choose a good place. With only five candidates in the semi-finals and two in the finals, getting chosen is not a sure thing.

Yin Ting smiled, ‘I must think about it deeply. Choose a good place and think of a good story. With only five semi finalists and two finalists, I don’t necessarily have the chance to enter. I want to catch a chance to enter in the primary contest, where I can gather more fans. Then the competition can be more even, and I have a chance to get to the finals. Everyone can eat chicken soup. It would be good to have a large platform.’ She said.

When Zhengqing was leaving, Yin Ting saw him off. They took a stroll around the neighbourhood.

Zhengqing told Yin Ting that he had met with Guohao and told him of his plan. He knew her dreams and understood her concerns. He and Guohao were in accord in this regard. He hoped that Yin Ting will let go and do what she wanted to do.

‘This event is a start. You know that everyone’s career has a chance to start. There are many things you want to do, but it seems that there is no time or drive to start. But once you do, it is a new and open world. I hope this will give you the momentum you need to become a traveller.’ Zhengqing said to Yin Ting.

Yin Ting put her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

‘Xiaoting, you’re a clever person. Your intelligence would not fit in a cubicle with office workers.’

‘If I start running around, who will feed you?’ she asked softly.

‘Aren't you coming back? Don’t you get food from a restaurant? He asked her, and then he said, ‘This week’s food hasn’t been as nice. Have you changed the restaurant?’

Yin Ting was still, and then she said, ‘I cooked it.’

Zhengqing he held her from him and smiled in delight, ‘You cooked it?’

‘I’m not terrible. The restaurants use heavy seasonings. I want to make lighter and healthier meals.’ (Zuben: *snort)

‘Yes you’re right.’ Zhengqing said pulling her into his arms again.

‘I mean it; don’t worry about home. If you have to go far, I will call your daddy and your brother everyday, and come to see them often. Maybe take your dad out on weekends. Although he is being a hard nut, I will persevere.’

Yin Ting laughed, ‘Who will come to see you?’

‘Your dad…maybe your brother.’ Zhengqing said patting her head, ‘I have to work hard to delegate some of the work, so I can adjust the way I work. What you have said, I have listened.’

‘You’re fine as you are.’ She said, she was touched, ‘When I remember asking you to leave work at six on time, I realise I was very naïve.’

‘You’re not’ (Zuben: Stop indulging her)

‘I shouldn’t have forced someone to do what I wanted. People can be happy doing their own thing. You like to work hard, have a good meal and rest well. You can’t sing, don’t enjoy watching moves, but I have friends I can do that with. Everyone has their own space and when they are free they are together. It should be good like that. But we haven’t had a chance to get tired together. My dad is too stubborn.’

‘He is not too stubborn.’ Zhengqing replied.

They were near a park bench, so she pulled him over to sit.

‘That’s true,’ she said, ‘I think my dad has softened a bit. He let you come to my house for my birthday. He’s just a bit embarrassed. (Zuben: By what?) It’s going to be alright. If I am away, I will ask my Aunty Jiajian to cook for you, and send it to you. When you have free time, come to my house and eat with my Dad. If you have to travel, let my brother know and he will take care of Miao-dada (Zuben: I can’t tell you how happy I am not to be typing that name 200 times). You see, family members are good things too.’

Zhengqing laughed, he leaned back against the park bench to look up at the sky. Yin Ting was describing a life he’s never imagined he could have. Right now, he didn’t want to think about working overtime, and then going home to an empty home.

‘I am very happy, Xiaoting,’ he said, ‘I hope you’re happy too.’

She smiled and replied, ‘I am ah.’

‘I think you can win this event. I think you will win. You are a good person and a gifted traveller. You will not be buried under.’ (Zuben: Y’all haven’t thought of the implications of one of the contestants dating the VP of the promotional company)

‘Okay! You send me to the gas station!’ she said pumping her clenched fist. ‘But I still think your prize money is meagre.’

‘Hey!’  He protested.

She laughed.

❀

Yin Ting began to prepare in earnest for the competition. She flipped through photos and diaries she had made in the past, collated information, and tried to find the best idea that would gain her entry. (Zuben: Minutae…minutae)

Show was a women’s shoe brand, therefore the protagonist is female. So she was looking for a story with a female protagonist. (Zuben: No shit)

Yin Ting had travelled to Greece, while she worked there her boss Chinese, who told her a lot of touching stories. There was a young college girl that went to Egypt. She loved the culture there and hoped to stay as a guide and write a book. Maybe she could contact her and see how she was doing. In Huashan, she met a woman who had lots of stories.

She spent two weeks collecting the information. Talking with the people she had met while travelling and writing a lot of proposals. Yet, she didn’t know which one to choose.

She took her plans to her family to know their opinions.

Guohao thought the stories were too plain and not sensational enough.

‘That is the taste of your old man.’ Yin Shi said mockingly, ‘He watches too many dramas. So annoying, everything is always over the top.’

‘What do you think is better?’

‘Why all these “been there done that” locations? Why not Antarctica? For your travel photos, I think the Antarctic is new and interesting. It would be fresh, people would be interested.’

‘It’s only you that it is rare for.’ Guohao mocked him in return, ‘Everyday on TV or the internet, there is always one documentary or the other about Antarctica. Since all you do everyday is watch girl group music videos all day long, Antarctica would be new to you.’

Zhengqing looked at Yin Ting’s prepared mission and said, ‘There is no point, and it lacks commercial value. Follow up will be difficult.’

Yin Ting sneered. What is business value? Is it not to find a dream journey? (Zuben: A commercially viable dream journey)

She decided to ask others first. The registration date was still far ahead.

❀

On May the first, the event adverts were launched on schedule.

The next day, the online travel blogger, “Kōng qìqiú” announced on Weibo that she was entering the ‘Show’ competition. And she wanted to go and find a person who had helped her – in Greece. “Kōng qìqiú” had photographed the man’s side view but not clearly. She had had to leave the hospital in Greece for financial reasons. But the story captured the internet denizen’s imaginations. (Zuben: What a bollocks of a time waste. Well, be wearing Show shoes while doing it!)

Okay, Yin Ting was now clear on what constituted to lyrical, novel and commercial value. She silently drew a line across Greece on her list.

On the fourth, another travel blogger announced her participation. She wanted to do to Dubai. Two years ago, her friend wanted to start a business and the friend wrote on pieces of paper the places she wanted to go. “Huā er bù lǜ” secretly added Dubai to the pile to tease her friend. But it was the place her friend picked. She went to Dubai and started her business without hesitation. Opened a restaurant, (Zuben: met a Sheikh) and succeeded. “Huā er bù lǜ” would like to use this even to go and see her.

‘She is my idol, and she is very successful’ “Huā er bù lǜ” wrote on her blog. She also added a link to her friend’s restaurant blog and website.

Okay, a crowd pleasing story and an exciting location.

On May seventh, another blogger announced she was participating in the event and her location was Antarctica. “Ai zǒulù de nǚrén” wanted to go an see the Aurora Australis. Simple.

Yin Ting was worried, ah. Picking Antarctica when it would be mid-winter! She looked at the event page and many people had signed up. Regardless of whether they were popular bloggers or not, big boss or small, everyone’s location and story seemed so interesting.

‘Your marketing team is working too hard.’ She muttered to herself. ‘Your shoes don’t go to Antarctica. Isn’t it a hard pass?’

But…where was she going choose to go?

  

❀❀❀

  Inspiration from unlikely places:

While Yin Ting pondered, Yin Guohao became ill.

It was a Saturday.

Yin Shi went on holiday and wasn't back until the new week. Yin Ting and a few of her friend had gone to see Qin Yufei. Lately, pregnant Yufei was feeling down, so Gu Yinjie had called Yin Ting in hopes that she could come and cheer her friend up.

As Yin Tin left, she said to her father, ‘Tomorrow is Serious’ birthday. We should have a meal out with him.’

‘I’m not his father.’ He replied, ‘Why would I want to eat with him on his birthday?’

Yin Ting was a little disappointed. Would he not let her celebrate with Zhengqing? If she had known, she would have changed the visit to Yufei till tomorrow and used visiting Yufei to see Zhengqing. (Zuben: An oldie but a goodie plan. It works so well, especially if your friend is in on it. Just don’t get your ass knocked up)

But her father continued, ‘Young people’s activities should be arranged by the young. There is no need to drag an old man about.’

‘Oh! You’re right, dad!’ Yin Ting quickly replied, her spirits rising. Did this mean they were allowed to date and didn’t have to bring light bulb daddy along? (Zuben: I don’t understand how light bulbs correspond to the third wheel situation. Could someone who is well versed in Chinese/Asian culture enlighten me?)

‘What did I say?’ he asked grumpily.

Yin Ting became dumbfounded. But she cuddled his arm acting spoiled, ‘I haven’t agreed about you two yet,’ he continued, ‘don’t make a big deal with the lip service. Get the mall to negotiate with your dad.’ (Zuben: *shrug*)

‘Yes.’ She said in a coaxing manner.

‘But if you dare say it, you have to take action.’

‘Yes,’ she said placating him. She looked at the time, realising she would be late, she kissed her father’s cheek. ‘I’m off. I will consult with you about activities for the elderly.’

‘Who is elderly?’ he asked arrogantly.

Yin Ting laughed and kissed him again. ‘See you later, dad.’

When Yin Ting left, his face fell. This morning, he woke up with an uncomfortable belly. But the last time he was in hospital, it scared the children. And he really didn’t like the hospital; it always reminded him of his wife’s last days. And Doctor Daxu was aggressive. Guohao took some medicine, eat some porridge and took a nap.

In the afternoon, Zhengqing called to see how he was. Guohao was uncomfortable and his tone wasn’t good, but Zhengqing didn’t mind, he chatted with him a bit then they rang off.

The housekeeper had left after lunch, and Guohao was home along. He was feeling really uncomfortable. He got a hot water bottle and lay on the bed, holding the bottle to his stomach, he slept a bit more.

After Zhengqing had suggested they spent more time together, he could often call. Sometimes they chatted about business. He would also see if they could go out for a walk, or do something with the family. But Guohao did not promise anything. He did not hate Zhengqing; he was very appreciative of the younger man. He just did not feel that he was the man to make his daughter happy for the rest of her life. In that, he must be a bad person. Yet, so far Zhengqing had behaved better than he had expected, but he would not soften too quickly. Something easily won would not be cherished. A test passed easily was not a test.

Guohao lay on the bed, thinking about whether Zhengqing will free his daughter from her burdens and let her do what she wanted. Would he support her, lover her dream and create the life she wanted for her. (Zuben: Why can't she create the life she wants herself?) If so, he would agree with their relationship. But for now, he needed to observe them.

Though he tried to relax and be comfortable, his stomach got worse. He had to go to the bathroom to vomit. As the heaving grew worse, he relented and called Zhengqing.

Zhengqing listened to the situation calmly then asked, ‘Is there someone around who could drive you to the hospital?’ (Zuben: if there was, would he be calling you?)

‘The housekeeper is off for the rest of the day and the driver has taken his family out for the day.’ Guohao replied.

‘Do we need to call an ambulance?’ he asked while picking up his car keys and putting on his jacket.

‘It’s not so serious that I need the emergency ward.’

‘Alright, get your medical records together, and the medicines you have been taken. I will come and get you in twenty minutes.’ Zhengqing said. His calm voice made Guohao feel at easy. If it was Xiaoting, he would be panicking.

‘Please don’t tell Xiaoting, she hasn’t been out for a while, I don’t want to ruin her day.’ He said. It was his fault that she hadn’t been out to see her friends. But he would not admit it to Zhengqing.

‘Alright,’ he also felt that it was too early to tell Yin Ting before they got to the hospital and confirmed the situation.

Twenty minutes later, Zhengqing arrived at the Yin residence. Guohao appeared dressed neatly carrying a folder with his documents and a medicine bag.

Yin Guohao insistent on sitting in the back seat, so Zhengqing humoured him. He vomited again on the way. Zhengqing understood why he wanted to sit in the back.

At the hospital, Zhengqing raced to get Guohao booked in, and then he got a hot water bottle to help warm his stomach. When they finally got to see the doctor, she looked at his previous records and asked about Guohao’s current diet and medication. Guohao hadn’t been taking his medication. His gastritis was rather serious, and he must be readmitted so thorough examinations would be performed to make sure his condition had not deteriorated.

Yin Guohao threw a tantrum; he did not want to be admitted.

‘Listen to the doctor.’ Zhengqing said, is tone was calm but authoritative.

Guohao just stared at him and did not speak, so Zhengqing continued, ‘You have to get treated, so that Xiaoting can be at ease. I don’t want to call her and tell her your father is ill and throwing a tantrum.’ He used the tone that he adopted when training people in the company. It seemed to work, because Guohao closed his mouth.

Zhengqing got Guohao a private room.

While they waited, he could see that Guohao was becoming more uncomfortable. He went to see if the doctor could prescribe him something to make him more comfortable. But the doctor said that Guohao’s treatment plan was not determined yet, so they would have to wait for the director. (Zuben: How does that make sense? It should be done from the moment he’s seen the doctor and placed in the appropriate ward or something close)

Zhengqing marched to the emergency department, and found the director. The authoritative voice and his domineering expression got him what he wanted. Before an hour was up, Guohao had many doctors attending to him.

Before they could have food brought over from home, Zhengqing wanted to ask the doctor if there were any dietary restrictions. As he headed for the doctor office, he overheard a doctor and nurse talking about Guohao,

‘That old man is back again, but he’s not as cantankerous this time.’

Zhengqing was mollified. Yin Guohao’s reputation seemed to be well documented. After speaking to the doctor, he returned to Guohao to ask him to call their housekeeper to make some mild porridge. Then he called Yin Shi to apprise him of his father’s situation.

When Yin Shi heard Zhengqing was with him, he was relieved. He said he would come back quickly, but Zhengqing told him not to worry and just call.

He called Yin Ting, who panicked and said she would come at one. But Zhengqing calmed her down, and told her to bring pyjamas and her father’s daily necessities. If she brought them, it would save two trips. His tone was soothing which made Yin Ting calm down.

While Zhengqing was arranging things, Guohao lay quietly on his hospital bed not knowing what to think. Zhengqing sat on a chair that had been placed near the hospital bed, and did not speak.

After a while, Guohao opened his eyes to find Zhengqing looking his phone. Zhengqing looked up when he felt the older man’s gaze,

‘Are you feeling better?’ he asked Guohao.

‘Yes, a little.’ He replied. He did feel much more comfortable now that he had taken his medicine, but he still felt sick.

‘What are you doing?’ he asked Zhengqing.

‘Reading my emails,’ Zhengqing replied concisely, ‘Mobile phones are very convenient. You can deal with business matters while away from work.’

Guohao did not feel guilty about it and went back to sleeping. Zhengqing returned to his emails.

After a long while, Guohao blinked awake. He seemed to have slept.

‘Is Xiaoting coming?’

‘Soon. She went home first to get your things. Don’t worry.’ Zhenqing replied calmly, but Guohao was irritable.

‘All this lying on a hospital bed, isn’t it better to be home?’

‘It would not be convenient when the doctors want to run their tests.’

‘Do you live in the hospital’ Guohao asked him.

‘No.’

‘Then you don’t know how hospitalisation feels.’

‘I don’t know.’ Zhengqing replied, ‘Your discomfort is because you are unwell, not because you are in the hospital. Being in the hospital is to cure your illness and make you no longer uncomfortable. This is the correct logic.’  (Zuben: If the hospital wasn’t comfortable, there wouldn’t be bed hoggers in existence)

Guohao continued to complain.

‘You have to see the bright side,’ Zhengqing continued unafraid of him, ‘Although, the hospital is not as convenient as home, you will get better here. There should be no prejudice.’

Guohao continued to harangue him.

Yin Ting arrived at this moment, she paused at the door as she heard Zhengqing speak, ‘If you don’t want to be in hospital, you should take better care of your health. Think about Xiaoting, she is so worried about you.’

Guohao did not say anything, Zhengqing continued, ‘With your wayward temper, how can she go?’

It seemed he hit Guohao’s sore spot.

Yin Ting could not help but smile. It was as though he was talking to a child, yet Guohao did not jump up and hit him. (Zuben: Isn't that because he’s a man?)

She pushed the door open, pretending she had only just arrived. ‘Dad,’ She greeted with a smile.

When Guohao saw his daughter, his spirits lifted, but he grumbled anyway, ‘Your dad is sick in a hospital bed, not in a hotel room. Why do you look so happy?’

‘I could go and buy two bouquets to place on either side.’ Zhengqing said. (Zuben: 😂😂)

The room was silent. Father and daughter were stunned, and then reacted to Zhengqing’s suggestion on getting flowers to the hospital room could seem more like a hotel room.

‘Not funny at all,’ Guohao grumbled.

Yin Ting laughed.

‘I wasn’t joking.’ Zhengqing protested seriously. He felt the flowers would improve the room.

Guohao was speechless, Yin Ting laughed even harder.

‘What is so funny?’ he asked as he took the things from her and put them in the provided closet. Yin Ting rose on her toes to kiss him.

Guohao coughed behind them. Zhengqing and Yin Ting looked at each other and laughed.

‘Dad,’ Yin Ting called coming over to sit on the bed with Guohao, ‘Do you feel better?’

‘I’m fine.’ Guohao replied. This time, though he was hospitalised, his daughter was calmer. And she was laughing. It was much better, ‘It’s the old worry. Nothing big.’

‘He will have dietary restrictions from now on.’ Zhengqing said to her, ‘There are still tests to be run, so his treatment plan and diet plan need to be done. But for now, no spicy food, no alcohol or strong teas.’

‘Won’t everything be tastless?’

‘A Shi and Xiaoting are not married and have children yet.’ Zhengqing said.

Guohao was stunned.This was a cunning lesson; if he did not take care of his body, how would he enjoy his grandchildren in the future. He had never considered this before. (Zuben: You are a weird Asian parent) All he had thought about was eventually leaving this mortal coil and going to join his beloved wife.

When Guohao didn’t say anything, Zhengqing went to ask the nurse if there was a flower shop nearby.

Guohao looked at his daughter. She was smiling at the door Zhengqing just went out of. It was a gentle sweet smile that reminded him of his wife.

Guohao thought for a long while, then said to Yin Ting, ‘Tomorrow is Mother’s day. You and Zhengqing go to the graves to see your mother. And his mother.’

Yin Ting was stunned and ecstatic. Did it mean her father approved?

But he did not say any more. He just grumbled and complained about being in the hospital. The doctors were useless, and the bed was hard, the pillow was short. Yin Ting stared at him. But when Zhengqing returned with the flowers, her father went quiet. Yin Ting realised her father didn’t want Zhengqing to take revenge.

Yin Ting went to get water and secretly laughed for a long time. Occasionally, Please be Serious’ lectures were a good thing. But she would never admit it.

❀

The next morning, Zhengqing visited Guohao to check up on him and made him eat his breakfast. When Yin Ting arrived, she found the two men playing chess. As she watched them from the doorway, her heart was filled with warmth.

Yin Shi returned from his trip and came straight from the airport. Yin Guohao pretended to be angry, ‘I thought I was going to die. And you only just came back. You stay here. Xiaoting you take Qing to go and see your mother. Remember to buy fruit she likes and flowers. Tell her I will come as see her after I get discharged.’

As Yin Ting left, with Zhengqing in tow, she looked back at her father and brother and had an epiphany. She knew where she wanted to go for the competition.

They went to the cemetery and wished their mothers a Happy Mother’s day.

She spoke of her plans to her mother, ‘I’ve thought about it. I won’t be able to win the event, but instead of doing something that would be popular with people. I want to do what I am good at. I will use this opportunity to show the world – to see the world through my eyes.’

Yin Ting clasped her hands and closed her eyes. She thought she could hear her mother say, ‘Jiāyóu!’

(Zuben: It’s just the wind, dear)

 Index ❀ Chapters 67 and 68