Do Not Reconcile 25 - 26

 

25 Rich Girl

Huo Mu was a member of the class committee, he was responsible for collecting the class’ homework and handing out graded work, and pinning up the position list.

When the results list for the test came out, he was one of the first to see it. He looked for his position, then went to see who was last; as expected, it was Jin Guanguan.

Shu Lin came up to look at the list. Seeing the last position, she laughed mockingly, ‘She’s last again. Jin Guanguan is really big boobed and brainless. Sitting with you hasn’t helped matters. Wouldn’t this affect your study? You hate her so much; wouldn’t it be best to get the class teacher to change your seating? I’m sure if you tell the teachers that she’s always last, they would agree. Or if you tell the class teacher you prefer to sit with me so your academic performance will continue to be fine, they would agree.’ (Zuben: God, she’s so long winded)

Huo Mu subconsciously frowned, he refused, ‘No, the teacher arranged it as it is. Let it be.’

Shu Lin had assumed that because he hated Guanguan so much, he would have readily jumped at the chance to change seats. If you really hate someone, you’d want to be far away from them as possible.

She probed further, ‘You; you don’t like her, do you? Are you tempted by her because she’s pursuing you?

His expression was indifferent but he didn’t reply. Although there was no outward reaction, there was no subconscious refutation which could only mean that he might have some feelings for her in his heart.

Jealousy rushed into Shu Lin and she tried to change his mind, ‘Huo Mu, this rich girl is just having her fun. We are ordinary people, but Jin Guanguan is different. Do you think she could have gotten into this school with her shitty academic performance? Her parents donated the new computer building, that’s why she was admitted.’

‘Have you seen her things? Her school bag costs more than 30,000yuan. Her shoes cost thousands as well. Her winter coat from a high-end designer brand. She can have whatever she wants. This kind of girl is just chasing you to pass the time.’

‘She sees your face and your academic performance. These upper class people pay attention to levels. It is impossible for your family to match hers, and her family would definitely not have you.’ (Zuben: Shu Lin stop watching melodramas. And is this the kind of thing you tell the guy you like; he’s not good enough?)

Huo Mu knew that Guanguan lived a carefree life and had surmised that her family was well off. But after such a cold reminder, he was stunned. He had not expected that his life would be so different from hers.

Guanguan usually followed him home after school. He paid special attention that afternoon after they parted ways, she got into a chauffer driven Mercedes.

He realised the gap between him and her.

He was glad he didn’t like her. He just had a little feeling, but it was best to strangle it in it’s infancy before it grew. He wouldn’t get deeper. (Zuben: Mired. Mired.)

The following day, when Guanguan got to her desk, Shu Lin brough her bag and school books and tossed them on her desk. She glared at Guanguan haughtily as she said, ‘Jin Guanguan, you have been sitting beside Huo Mu for the last month, but your academics have not improved. Our teacher is worried that you will drag Huo Mu, so he has asked me to change seats with you. From now on, you will be at my seat.’

Shu Lin’s smile was triumphant.

Guanguan was shocked, she had gotten comfortable at this desk, but now she was being made to change her seat. And Huo Mu was here, she wanted to be with Huo Mu.

‘No, I don’t want to. I like this seat. I’ll go speak to the teacher and tell him I will try harder.’

Her shamelessness angered Shu Lin.

She turned to Huo Mu, ‘Huo Mu, you heard what the teacher said, so you know I’m not lying. Since, Jin Guanguan doesn’t want to move, you can move to my seat and exchange with my seatmate.’

Huo Mu was hesitant but he picked up his books. Guanguan watched in trepidation as he packed his stuff and left. She nearly burst into tears; why did he treat her like this? (Zuben: Cos he has low self esteem)

Shu Lin eyed her disdainfully.

‘Stop!’ she said, ‘You don’t need to go. I’ll change places with Shu Lin. Your seat is good. You might not be able to see the board properly from the back.’

At least here, there was a breeze and the fan blew over. Huo Mu sweated a lot in the summer. She didn’t want him to suffer, so even if she didn’t want to, she packed her things and moved seats. As Huo Mu watched her tidy up and go to the back, he didn’t understand why he felt like his chest was being stabbed by a knife; it was particularly uncomfortable. (Zuben: Lovu)

Guanguan accepted it at first; if the teacher thought he hadn’t improved and moved her seat, she had to try harder. So, she decided to study seriously, so she could bounce Shu Lin back where she belonged. (Zuben: What did Shu Lin’s seatmate think of all this, or were they just melon seed eating?)

Watching Shu Lin sitting beside Huo Mu everyday irritated her so much she could not bear it.

She was stimulated to study harder.

She didn’t forget her bubble plan, she met Huo Mu every morning to give him breakfast at the school gate. During school hours, if she noticed his bottle was empty, she would get him water.

But Huo Mu never actually avoided her.

One free period, their teacher got them to play games – citing they didn’t always have to think about studying all the time. Luckily, Guanguan ended up in a group with Huo Mu. They ended up playing Truth or Dare at the turn of a pen.

The pen pointed to Huo Mu, and he was asked; Truth or Dare. He chose truth.

Shu Lin piped up and asked, ‘What kind of girl do you like?’

Huo Mu glanced at Guanguan for just a brief moment. But the fact that his mind went to her, he thought it was incredible. She sat there with her eyes twinkling in curiosity and expectation.

He replied with a reluctance he found strange, ‘Smart, high IQ, gentle and virtuous, and quiet.’ (Zuben: Marry a computerised doormat?)

Everyone assumed that he was referring to Shu Lin.

Shu Lin blushed feeling a bit embarrassed.

She had assumed that her crush wasn’t reciprocated, so she had been too embarrassed to confess. But now hearing what Huo Mu had said, plain as day, maybe they could get together. (Zuben: It could be someone else in another class, you know)

When Guanguan heard his reply, she was a little depressed, but it didn’t matter. She just hadn't succeeded in getting his heart yet. Once she was successful, his preferences would change.

🌕

Guanguan woke up. She realised she had been dreaming of the past a lot these days, and it always left her feeling empty and lonely. That morning, she touched the corner of her eyes and found them wet with tears.

She felt ridiculous.

She didn’t understand Huo Mu, and she didn’t know if all men were like this. If he hadn’t liked her then, why had he treated her so preciously when they were together? He had treated her so well; she didn’t think she could marry anyone else. (Zuben: *lonesome sigh)

She realised his arms were around her. She glared at him and wanted to smack him angrily.

Huo Mu didn’t need to go to work that day, so he slept in. It was a rare day off. It had been a long time since he’d had a good night sleep. He suffered with insomnia, but last night he slept deeply. He knew it was because Guanguan was by his side. He went to sleep with her scent around him. In the middle of the night, he could smell her and drew her into his arms.

Guanguan didn’t want to hug him.

Huo Mu woke up and let her go. She went to the bathroom to take a shower while Huo Mu tidied the bed, and put the sheets in the washing machine. (Zuben: How many bedsheets does this guy have?)

While Guanguan brushed her teeth, he potted around busily behind her. Looking in the mirror one could imagine that they were a long-married couple that were still loving.

As Huo Mu washed up, Guanguan brought out her makeup bag, and began to dress up. Huo Mu knew girls used cosmetics but he never knew the extent; there were so many things!

As she put on eyeliner, Huo Mu was frightened she was going to poke her eyes out! (Zuben: Hell, I’m afraid I’m gonna poke my eye out using those things.)

26 Didn’t go to Havard at all

Guanguan finished the eyeliner, then put on mascara a bit roughly. Huo Mu felt distressed watching her. He watched her intently ready to help in case she poked her eye.

Once she was done, she backed up and turned to him, ‘Why are you staring at me?’

Huo Mu narrowed his eyes as he asked, ‘What are you up to today?’

‘Going to work.’

‘Then, can I pick you up after work and take you to dinner and a movie?’

Guanguan looked nonchalant, ‘I’ll have to think about it, I’m not sure that I’ll be free. Maybe someone else will ask me out. I’ll see.’

Huo Mu gave a dull, ‘Oh. Alright.’

He had wanted to take her to breakfast and to work, but Guanguan refused.

‘We should keep our distance. After all, we’re just sex friends. What would it look like if you took me to breakfast and work? I’ll take a taxi. I don’t want to get into your car.’

She left coldly, and took a taxi to work.

Huo Mu was confused, why was she so angry with him? He just didn’t want her to have to take contraceptives, it was bad for her.

Huo Mu had nothing to do that day, so he pottered about the flat waiting for news from Guanguan.

Hoping she would have time for him.

Guanguan didn’t really want to go to work, but she didn’t want to face Huo Mu so soon, and she had put on make-up, so she went to work.

Guanguan sat at her desk as if she had been watching the drama all the time. At past three, there was a message from Huo Mu.

Are you free now? Can I make a date for tonight?

She had been moody, but seeing his message put her in a good mood.

She didn’t have anything on, she just wanted to annoy him.

We’ll wait and see. I’m not sure. Very busy right now.

At five ‘o’ clock, he sent another message: It’s time to get off work; are you free now? I can pick you up if you’re ready.

She looked at the message and laughed.

She did not reply.

Let him suffer. It felt good.

At seven, she replied: I just saw your message just as I was about to go home. Seeing you are so sincere, if you show up at the shop in half an hour, I’ll go to dinner with you. If not, then that’s okay.

Huo Mu turned up in front of the shop in under half an hour. When Guanguan got in, he asked her where she would like to go.

She asked to go to a very pricey restaurant.

She had accompanied him, without complaint, in his time of hardship. Now that he had some money, she was not going to allow him to spend it on other women.

He made no comment and drove.

It was strange for the two of them to go to a high-end restaurant when once upon a time, they ate at fast food stalls, and cheap eateries where a large portion of food cost only tens of yuan.

In those days, Huo Mu had felt so guilty. Guanguan was suffered with him. At the time, he had no money or ability to take her to nicer places. But she never looked down on him, she had happily gone to the cheap places with him. She had loved Shaxian food.

So today, Huo Mu was very happy. He now had the ability to support Guanguan and take her somewhere nice. At that time, he had vowed that he would ensure that Guanguan lived a good life, she would not eat cheap food with him.

When they entered the restaurant, they ran into an old classmate: Shu Lin.

Shu Lin was surprised to see them.

She had noticed them from the distance. Once she was sure it was them, she came up to say hello.

‘Jin Guanguan, Huo Mu. I thought it was you but I wasn’t sure. I can’t believe the two of you are still together, after all this time.’

Shu Lin hadn't changed very much from her teenage self. Her hair was still shiny and black, she looked gentle. She was wearing a nice suit, like an elite in the workplace.

Hearing the subtext in Shu Lin’s words, Guanguan did not want to reply that they did break up. But she didn’t know what to retort.

Huo Mu took her hand as said, ‘Yeah,’ with a smile.

She looked at them, and said ‘Okay. I hope to see you both again sometime. I have a business meeting so I can’t chat too long.’ With a wave, she returned to her table.

Guanguan watched her go, she could help but be jealous of her elite career woman status. (Zuben: Success shouldn’t be measured by others’ yardstick)

‘She seems more mature now than she did in the past, and sexier. Do your regret breaking up with her?’

‘I never had anything to do with her, nor did I have any feelings for her. We were just ordinary classmates.’

Guanguan didn’t believe it; Shu Lin had told her he had applied to Havard together with her, and he confirmed that he was going abroad with her. Huo Mu definitely had special feelings for her but they were not together. (Zuben; You believed him a few days ago...what is this half step forward and light years back situation, Guanguan)

Guanguan was too upset to eat. She got up and went to the toilet to freshen up. She didn’t expect to run into Shu Lin.

Shu Lin was washing her hands, and Guanguan took out her compact to touch up her make-up.

Shu Lin asked trying to look casual, ‘How is it that you and Huo Mu are still together? I never expected that you would last this long.’

Guanguan did not like Shu Lin, she had been unpleasant to her during high school. Always hostile, when Guanguan never gave her any trouble.

Guanguan patted her face, and said with a mocking smile, ‘It really pisses you off that we are still affectionate. I guess you hadn’t been able to get him while you were at university together.’

Shu Lin looked at her in confusion, ‘What do you mean in university together? Huo Mu didn’t go to Harvard. I asked him to come, but he refused. I thought he stayed in China.’

Guanguan was dumfounded. Shu Lin was about to walk by her, but Guanguan grabbed her arm, ‘Hold on, what do you mean by this? Why didn’t he follow you to Harvard? He got an acceptance letter. He went there. (Zuben: Writer or is it Guanguan who is being dumb? Class captain told us that Huo Mu never went abroad, he applied to local schools)

Shu Lin brushed her off, ‘Who told you he went to Harvard? He never applied; how would he get an acceptance letter. There were only two in our school who went; me and other person from class C. Huo Mu never went there.’

Guanguan was stupefied. She didn’t hold Shu Lin as she left.

Why did he tell her he was going to Havard? (Zuben: This isn’t news)

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