“Come, let’s have a toast for Xiao Bing’s promotion.”
“Ok. Thank you.”
“Hurry up and eat. Try my braised pork belly.”
“Wow…… it’s hot and delicious.”
“Eat more. Have some fish too.”
Dong Xuebing let out a loud burp after dinner and sat at the sofa with Aunt Xuan to watch the news. In the past, Dong Xuebing seldom watch TV. It was because there were no TV in his university hostel and his family was poor. Whenever he has free time, he will be working part-time to make ends meet. He does not have the time to think of the current affairs. But now, Dong Xuebing was a leader, and he changed. He needs to take note of the current affairs as this will be useful for his future prospect.
On TV, the Central Government officials were talking about housing reforms.
Qu Yunxuan laughed and teased Dong Xuebing. “Our Xiao Bing is interested in news now?”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “I need to work hard for my future.”
“My advice to you is not to aim too high.” Qu Yunxuan crossed her legs. But she remembered she was wearing a short slip dress and she quickly closed her legs and playfully pinched Dong Xuebing’s nose. “You must be lucky to get promoted, and you must cherish this opportunity. You must secure your position first and don’t think of climbing up too soon. Your foundations are too week and lack the experience. Take one step at a time.”
Dong Xuebing slowly nodded. “I know. I will try not to make any mistakes first.”
“That’s right. It is not easy to be a leader. You have to take care of your relationships with others.”
The news ended, and after the advertisements, it was the weather report.
While watching the weather report, Qu Yunxuan was rubbing her the back of her neck. “It will be cold tomorrow? Remember to wear more clothes tomorrow.”
Dong Xuebing acknowledged and looked at Qu Yunxuan’s neck curiously. “Are you having shoulder aches? Is it because of dinner just now? I said I will help you, but you refused.”
“It’s not about making dinner. These few days I am very busy with work and have no time to rest.”
“Here, sit straight. I will massage your shoulders.”
“Hehe, no need. I will be fine after a good night sleep.”
“We are so close, you don’t need to be so polite to me. Hurry and sit upright.”
“Ok…… Fine. After the massage can you help me do Gua Sha?”
“Ok.” Dong Xuebing had designs on Qu Yunxuan. He was not far from fulfilling Aunt Xuan’s dream of setting up her own company. Now, he aimed to get into Aunt Xuan’s good books, and this way, she will agree to be his girlfriend in the future. Dong Xuebing took out the Gua Sha oil and scrapper. He dripped a few drops of oil on Aunt Xuan’s neck and start the Gua Sha. “Aunt Xuan, if you have neck aches in the future, let me know. I will help you with Gua Sha or massage.”
Qu Yunxuan, who was sitting upright with her head face down, smiled. “Ok. Thank you.”
“There is no need to thank me. You have been cooking and doing the laundry for me these two months. I should be the one thanking you.” Dong Xuebing was standing behind the backrest of the sofa, looking at Qu Yunxuan’s fair neck. She was leaning slightly forward, and Dong Xuebing could see the fullness of her bosom through the opening of her dress from the top. Dong Xuebing could feel his temperature rising. His first reaction was to tiptoe to try to see more of Qu Yunxuan.
“Xiao Bing, is it done?”
Dong Xuebing quickly looked away and replied. “Yes. It is very red.”
Qu Yunxuan bunched up her hair and said. “My left shoulder is aching the most. Help me, Gua Sha, that part.”
“Ok…… Ah…… It’s all purple now. You caught a wind?”
“Maybe it’s because I forgot to close the windows last night.”
The last time when Dong Xuebing massaged Qu Yunxuan was through her clothes. But this time, he was rubbing her smooth back. The feeling was different. After Dong Xuebing performed Gua Sha on Qu Yunxuan’s neck and upper back, his hand was aching.
“You are tired? Take a break.” Qu Yunxuan grabbed his hand and massaged it.
“It’s fine. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. I can feel the knots on my neck loosen.”
Dong Xuebing knew that Qu Yunxuan’s impression of him had increased. It might not be a lot, but it was better than none. He knew it will take time for her to change her impression of him. He looked at Qu Yunxuan, who was gently massaging his hand. He could feel the warmth of her hands, and he thought to himself. ‘Is this considered holding hands? Huh? This should not be holding hands. Sighed…… when can I hold her hands?’
Dong Xuebing asked himself the same question again. Does Aunt Xuan like him?
Dong Xuebing had asked Qu Yunxuan whether if she would consider dating him after she set up her own company, during his second confession in the hospital. Qu Yunxuan did not answer him and avoided the question. She should like me, but she was too shy to admit it……. But her reaction might also be she does not like me and did not want to reject me directly…….
Does she like me or not?
How does she feel about me? Could it be that she is in between?
Qu Yunxuan released his hand and smiled: “Ok. You watch TV by yourself. I will go and soak the beans, and we will have beans porridge tomorrow morning.”
The TV was playing the opening theme song of a drama. The melody is gentle and sweet.
Dong Xuebing felt it was a pleasant ambiance. He blinked and mustered his courage to grab Qu Yunxuan’s hand. He wants to see if she will allow him to hold her hands. If she allows, that means she likes Dong Xuebing. But if she shies away, that means…… nothing. She might not mean anything even if she dodged.
Half a second……
One second……
Dong Xuebing’s fingers held Qu Yunxuan tightly. He was looking forward to her reaction.
Qu Yunxuan looked at him sternly and retracted her hand. “What are you doing? You have no respect for your elder! Are you looking for a beating?”
She hides from me!
She still does not accept me!
Dong Xuebing immediately said the magic word silently. BACK!!!
……
“I will go and soak the beans, and we will have beans porridge tomorrow morning.”
“Ok. Add more barley rice. I like to eat barley rice.”
“Ok.”
Dong Xuebing!
You still need to try harder!
