[009 This Is My Boyfriend]
Chen Ding had specifically asked Fang Zhilue to help him book a restaurant in advance, and had arranged to pick her up at the junction near the hospital after work.
As the end of the working day approached, Chen Ding received a WeChat message from Zhuang Yiyi saying she had a last-minute meeting with an uncertain end time, and asking him to go ahead and eat without her. This wasn’t the first time Zhuang Yiyi had stood him up, but it had become particularly frequent over the past month. Chen Ding felt a touch of resignation, yet he was well aware of just how busy Zhuang Yiyi was. Outpatient clinics, ward rounds, on-call duties, research, meetings… she had little time left for herself. Whenever Zhuang Yiyi did have a day off, she would spend most of the morning sleeping.
Chen Ding turned around and headed for the bar managed by Fang Zhile.
Fang Zhile and Chen Ding had grown up together, attending the same school from primary school right through to university; they were the very picture of childhood friends.
Fang Zhile had studied computer science at university. After graduating, he joined a major tech firm, but after less than six months, unable to endure the 0-0/7-style working hours[1]from midnight to midnight, 24/7 basically in the office jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2185223_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2185223_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); and the company’s brutal, oppressive culture, he resigned after collecting his end-of-year bonus. He then started his own business, but within two years, it was hit by a copyright infringement claim from a large corporation. The venture was a complete failure.
The bar was actually run by his younger sister, Fang Zhixi, but she merely owned it without managing it, so the responsibility fell on the unemployed Fang Zhile.
Chen Ding found Fang Zhile at the bar counter, discussing drink sales with the bartender. Spotting him, Fang Zhile asked, “Weren’t you supposed to be having dinner with your wife tonight?”
“She’s busy with work.”
Fang Zhile sighed, “Being a doctor isn’t such a great job either.”
Chen Ding teased, “Your current job isn’t too bad, is it?”
Fang Zhile chuckled, “You’re right. Even though I’m just a figurehead owner, it’s still far better than being an employee.”
Chen Ding chuckled lightly. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
Only then did Fang Zhile get to the point of his call. He had an aunt who was currently seeking a divorce, but her husband didn’t want to split up. “So, is there any way to get it sorted quickly?”
“Why does she want a divorce?”
“I don’t think there’s any major issue. My uncle doesn’t smoke, drink or play cards; they don’t have any major arguments, and he hands over his wages. But my aunt feels he doesn’t care about her, doesn’t do any housework, and doesn’t look after the children—just a few trivial little things, really. Do you and your wife have that sort of conflict?”
“Are you being polite?” Chen Ding gave him a sidelong glance. “I’ve only been married for three months.”
“Hahahaha. You’re a married man, after all.”
“No.” Chen Ding rarely even saw his wife. “I recall they have a child, don’t they? How old is he?”
“In his teens. That’s not our concern. Is there any way to get a divorce quickly?”
“No.” Chen Ding’s reply was brief and to the point.
Just as Chen Ding was explaining to Fang Zhile how complicated and difficult the current divorce process was, a young woman dressed in bright colours, with two blue ribbon bows clipped to her hair, rushed into Fang Zhile’s arms and clung to him, sobbing uncontrollably.
Fang Zhile steadied himself and realised the person in his arms was his younger sister; the people around them turned to look at the commotion caused by her intense crying. Fang Zhile gestured to Chen Ding, signalling for him to follow him into the private room.
As soon as they entered, Fang Zhile gently pushed the girl away. “Stop crying. It’s giving me a headache.”
Hearing this, Fang Zhixi began to sob even harder. Fang Zhile rubbed his temples in exasperation and looked at Chen Ding. “Let’s go out for a bit. She’ll be fine once she’s cried herself out.”
After more than ten minutes, Fang Zhixi, having cried herself out, pushed open the door from the neighbouring private room. With reddened eyes and a hoarse voice, she called out to Chen Ding, “Brother.”
“Mm,” Chen Ding replied. “What’s wrong?”
Hearing this, the distressed Fang Zhixi looked as though she’d finally found a loved one; the corners of her mouth turned down, and Fang Zhile knew she was about to cry again. “Don’t you dare cry!”
Fang Zhixi rubbed her eyes, tears streaming silently down her face.
Fang Zhixi explained to Chen Ding, “Just as I told you before, she’s fallen for a man. But he doesn’t like her and keeps rejecting her.”
“Has she been rejected again?” Though phrased as a question, it was effectively a statement of fact.
Hearing this, Fang Zhixi could no longer hold back and burst into loud sobs. Fang Zhile immediately cut her off. “Don’t you dare cry! If you cry, I’ll tell Chen Ding to leave right this instant!”
Fearing he might actually leave, Fang Zhixi rubbed her eyes and sniffled quietly. It was both comical and pitiful.
“What’s wrong today?” Fang Zhile asked.
Only then did Fang Zhixi speak, her words mingling with her sobs. She’d gone to the shopping centre to buy a drink earlier and had spotted him. He was accompanied by a woman and a small child. She’d gone over to say hello, only for him to introduce them as his wife and child.
Fang Zhixi simply couldn’t understand it. “What’s wrong with me, exactly? I’m smart and pretty, lively and lovely, innocent and carefree—what on earth gives him the right not to like me?”
Fang Zhile said, “He’s married now. Can’t you just find someone else to like? A man who’s better-looking than him, with a higher education.”
“No way…” Fang Zhixi was a total lookist, and a bit of an education snob too. “There’s simply no one better than him.”
Fang Zhile glanced at Chen Ding and pointed at him. “Well, isn’t that just the one? Look, if you’re unhappy, I’ll get Ding to accompany you over there so you can show off in front of him. Then tomorrow I’ll find you a handsome guy, and the day after that another one—a different one every day…”
“I don’t trust your taste. All the guys you find are absolutely hideous…”
“Well, surely Ding’s got to be alright?” Fang Zhile had barely finished speaking when Chen Ding chimed in from the side, “I’m a married man, you know.”
Fang Zhile whispered, “Just do me a favour. She’s been crying non-stop, and I really can’t take it anymore. If you’re worried your wife might get the wrong idea, I’ll give her a call and explain the situation. I promise it won’t cause you any trouble.”
Chen Ding glanced at the pitiful-looking Fang Zhixi; after all, she was a younger sister he’d known for so many years. “I’ll give her a call.”
Chen Ding rang Zhuang Yiyi, but the line was busy. He sent a WeChat message explaining the situation, then asked Fang Zhile and Fang Zhixi to record a voice message to explain things further.
Fang Zhixi reapplied her make-up, shedding the sad and dejected look she’d had moments before, and set off for the supermarket with renewed vigour.
When they returned to where they’d been, the man was already gone. Fang Zhixi looked at Chen Ding in bewilderment. “Brother, he’s gone.”
Chen Ding had guessed as much; Fang Zhixi sometimes acted on a whim without considering the consequences. “You could choose to call him and then go and find him. Or you could call me the next time you see him. The first option feels too forced, and with the second, I might not be able to answer your call on time. It’s up to you.”
“This is so complicated,” Fang Zhixi said, feeling dizzy. “Bro, just tell me what to do.”
“Go home.”
“Eh?” Fang Zhixi scratched her head. “You didn’t say to go home just now… Oh! They’re over there!”
Chen Ding looked in the direction Fang Zhixi was pointing and spotted two unexpected figures.
Before Chen Ding could react, Fang Zhixi had already grabbed his arm and was dragging him towards the pair.
Zhuang Yiyi hadn’t expected to bump into Yao Mu, his sister Yao Jia, and Yao Mu’s young niece at the supermarket after work.
Zhuang Yiyi gave a brief greeting and was about to go her separate way. Yao Jia called her back, thanking her for swapping shifts with Yao Mu last time and saying she’d like to treat her to a meal.
Unable to refuse, Zhuang Yiyi had no choice but to agree. Whilst they were buying household essentials, Yao Jia took her little daughter away, leaving only Yao Mu and Zhuang Yiyi behind.
As they were chatting, two people suddenly appeared before them.
Zhuang Yiyi looked on in surprise at the sudden appearance of Chen Ding, whilst Yao Mu gazed at the pair with confusion. Chen Ding, however, stared at Zhuang Yiyi for several seconds with an expression that betrayed no emotion, before shifting his gaze to Yao Mu.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed thick with tension.
Fang Zhixi, however, seemed oblivious to the strange atmosphere between the three. Clinging to Chen Ding’s arm, she fixed her gaze on Yao Mu. “Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend!”
Yao Mu cast a puzzled glance at Chen Ding, whose expression remained impassive. Subconsciously, he felt this must be a lie; recalling how Fang Zhixi had run off in tears moments earlier, he became even more certain of it.
Zhuang Yiyi, meanwhile, looked at Chen Ding in puzzlement. Chen Ding returned her gaze but made no response, his expression appearing somewhat cold. What on earth was going on?
Fang Zhixi didn’t see any sign of sadness or distress in Captain Yao Mu’s expression; in fact, he hadn’t even paid her any attention. She emphasised once more, “This is my boy-friend! My boyfriend! He’s brilliant! A graduate of Fudan Law School, a renowned lawyer, earning over ten million a year!”
“Congratulations,” Yao Mu said with a smile.
“Eh?” This reaction took Fang Zhixi by surprise; she was a bit taken aback. “Thank you?”
Yao Mu smiled gently; looking closely, one could detect his delight. He turned to Zhuang Yiyi. “Yiyi, is there anything else you want to buy? If not, shall we go and pay?”
Zhuang Yiyi reached out to rearrange the items in the trolley. “I think that’s enough.”
Just as she was about to turn the trolley around, a hand with prominent knuckles pressed down on it. “Let me help you.”
References[+]