Si Jingyu woke up early in the morning. And early in the morning as well, the clothing store sent the dress that had been specially tailored for Shi Nianyao for the occasion.
Si Jingyu looked at the white dress and felt that it suited her daughter well.
There was a sort of pureness in Shi Nianyao’s personality, hence a white dress was very suitable.
At this thought, she lifted her head and looked upstairs. She then looked at the time.
It was already 10 a.m. There was an hour and a half left for their 11.30 a.m. appointment.
As a courtesy, they should have left by now. After all, the traffic in Beijing at this hour could get seriously congested.
But why hadn’t that young girl, Nianyao, come downstairs?
She walked up to her room and knocked on the door, calling HER, “Nianyao? Are you ready?”
Then she heard Shi Nianyao’s voice, “What? Soon, soon! No hurry!”
Si Jingyu shook her head helplessly.
Her husband, meaning Shi Nianyao’s father, Shi Jinyan, walked out in his suit and leather shoes. He looked at Si Jingyu and then at the door.
Time had not added many wrinkles to the man’s face, although through his experience in life he had aged like a fine and full-flavored wine. His face, and particularly his eyes, displayed happiness and contentment.
Looking at his wife and then at the door of his daughter’s room, he remarked, “She’s not out yet?”
Si Jingyu sighed and lamented, “You know her, she’s never liked these blind dates.”
She looked down at the time anxiously and continued, “I’ve arranged with Li Shu to meet at 11.30 a.m. If we’re late, even though we’re the girl’s family, it’s not good.”
Shi Jinyan smiled faintly and patted her on the shoulder. “Here, let me do this.”
Si Jingyu stepped aside.
Shi Jinyan walked up to the door and called her, “Yao Yao.”
“Ah! I know, I’m coming! Stop being so anxious!”
Shi Jinyan continued, “I’m giving you one minute. If you don’t open this door, I’m going to throw out all those posters in your study.”
There was a silent pause and then immediately, they heard the thumping of feet. Following this, the door flew open with a creak.
Shi Nianyao stood at the door and exclaimed, “Dad, I’m coming!!”
Posters?
That was her collection of Mo Xicheng’s photographs. She had every single one the promoter had released.
With that one remark, he had held his daughter by her Achilles heel. As the door flew open, he threw his wife a glance, but when he turned back to look at Shi Nianyao’s anxious face, he was stunned.
“You- you- this is—”
“Dad, hurry up. Didn’t you say we’re late? Why are you procrastinating? Hurry, hurry, hurry!”
As she spoke these words, Shi Nianyao ran downstairs.
She saw the dress that had just been delivered, thought for a second, picked it up and ran back upstairs. Without further ado, she quickly changed into it and ran downstairs again. Then she jumped into the car, all the time while Si Jingyu and Shi Jinyan both stared at her with their mouths agape. After she got into the car, she waved at them and said, “Hurry up. If you don’t get in, we’re going to be late.”
–
In the Beijing Grand Hotel.
Mo Zhi, his father and Li Shu arrived first to the reserved private room.
Seeing that the other party had not arrived, Mo Zhi at once twitched his mouth.
Quietly picking up his cell phone, he sent a message to Mo Xicheng: [Are you here yet?]
After a while, Mo Xicheng’s reply came back: [In half an hour.]
Mo Zhi nodded.
Half an hour was just nice.
Although the Shi family’s little missy was an ugly woman, he had never seen her. In case she was a beauty, he would accept her, but if she was too ugly, he would let Mo Xicheng have her.
