Chapter 39: A Couple So Perfect You Could Make a Gold Statue of Them
A Couple So Perfect You Could Make a Gold Statue of Them
Xia Lei received a text message from Ning Yuan-Shan just as he arrived at Thunder Horse Workshop. The dinner was going to be at Polaris Hotel at 7:00pm.
Geeze, Uncle Ning didnt even ask my opinion. Whatever, Ill just go. We may work with each other in the future and its not a good idea to get on the bad side of a man like him. Ill take Xiao-An and Xiao-Hong with me and let them experience more of the outside world thought Xia Lei.
Ma Xiao-An was welding and Zhou Xiao-Hong was assisting. Ma Xiao-An had worked up a sweat and Zhou Xiao-Hong had too; her sweat soaked her work clothes and the wet material clung tightly to her bum, accentuating its fullness and invoking desires and fantasies.
Break time. Xia Lei clapped.
It was only then that Ma Xiao-An and Zhou Xiao-Hong discovered that Xia Lei was back. Ma Xiao-An put down the welding clamp in his hands and Zhou Xiao-Hong got to her feet and headed for the water dispenser.
No need to get me water. Xia Lei stopped her, Youre already tired and soaked with sweat, so theres no need to bring me water. You should drink some yourself.
Im not tired, Big Brother Lei. Ill get you a cup of water. Zhou Xiao-Hong wiped at the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand, and a dirty smear appeared on her pale forehead.
Xia Lei wasnt thirsty but when Zhou Xiao-Hong brought a cup right to his hands, he downed all the water in one go.
Ma Xiao-An washed his hands and walked over, Lei, have you finished the job at East Wind Heavy Industries?
Im done, said Xia Lei, Chairman Ning of East Wind Heavy Industries has offered to treat me to a meal as congratulations. Its meaningless if I go alone so Id like to bring the two of you.
Ma Xiao-An shook his head, Lei, Id better not go to such an important place. Its enough if you bring just Xiao-Hong and say she is your secretary.
Youre usually so thick-skinned so why are you being a chicken today? Is it because of Ning Yuan-Shan? Is he going to eat you up? said Xia Lei.
Ning Yuan-Shan is one of the big fish and Im just a little fish. I wont feel comfortable sharing a dinner table with him. Its better if I dont go, said Ma Xiao-An.
Big Brother Lei, I, Im not going either Zhou Xiao-Hong looked even more nervous and timid. She stuttered slightly as she said, Im just a mountain-girl and Ive never seen much of the outside world. Big Brother Lei, if you take me with you Ill embarrass myself. Im not going, Im not going.
You two Isnt it just a meal? Why do you two have to be so afraid of it?
Im not afraid, I just dont want to go. Xiao-Hong, you can go as secretary and take a look around. Go with Lei, said Ma Xiao-An.
Zhou Xiao-Hong shook her pretty head so hard her head looked like a rattle, Im not going and Im not a secretary.
Since talking didnt work, Xia Lei put the 50,000 on the table, Never mind if you two dont want to go. This is 50,000 yuan. Ill give it to you both as a bonus. You can use it to buy whatever you want.
Lei, what are you doing? Ma Xiao-An looked at Xia Lei in astonishment. He did not reach for the money.
Zhou Xiao-Hong also spoke nervously, Big Brother Lei, Im happy enough that youve taken me in. I havent even been here a month so why are you giving me such a large bonus all of a sudden? I cant take it.
Xia Lei smiled and said, My work at East Wind Industries earned us one million. Id intended on giving you even more bonuses but we also need money for upgrading our machine shop so its just 50,000. Please dont be upset that its too little and accept it.
Too little, my ass! Forget it, I dont like to hear that stuff. Fine, Ill take the money, okay? Ma Xiao-An took two bundles of money, then added, Xue is going to move to Jing Du to study soon. Ill go over to your place for dinner and see if she needs anything else for school.
Xia Lei frowned, Youre spending money on her again. Youll spoil her.
How is it as serious as youd described? Youre her brother and Im her Big Brother. Whats wrong with me buying her presents? Ma Xiao-An followed his own logic.
Do what you like, then. Remember to stay within some limits and dont let her get into the habit of spending a lot of money. Thatll be bad, said Xia Lei.
Ma Xiao-An laughed, Yeah, yeah. You nag more than my mother.
Zhou Xiao-Hong spoke up too, Big Brother Ma, take me with you too. Ill go to Big Brother Leis home to have dinner. Um Id like to buy Xue a little present too.
Sure, but youll have to wipe the tables before you go, said Ma Xiao-An with an evil smile.
Okay. Zhou Xiao-Hong picked up a cloth and went straight to wiping.
Take the money and put it away. Dont drop it. Xia Lei shoved money into Zhou Xiao-Hongs hands as he nagged.
Zhou Xiao-Hongs eyes were red; she was so moved she couldnt speak. When shed left her village to look for work, her greatest dream was to save 10,000 and send it home to her family and shed calculated that she would need to work hard for a year to reach that goal. However, shed only been in Thunder Horse Workshop for less than a month when Xia Lei gave her a bonus of 20,000. This 20,000 meant a lot to her. How could she not be moved?
Go, go. Do your work well. Xia Lei did not want to see her cry.
Okay. Zhou Xiao-Hong shoved the two bundles of money into her pockets and went to work on the tables with all her heart. Her hands moved vigorously left and right and her bountiful bosom also jiggled vigorously, almost hitting the tabletop.
Ma Xiao-Ans eyes were fixed on Zhou Xiao-Hongs breasts. He hadnt blinked.
Xia Lei smiled wryly and shook his head. He walked to Ma Xiao-An and spoke in a low tone, Shes an honest, hardworking girl, I tell you. Dont bring her any harm.
Ma Xiao-An also lowered his voice, Bro, what sort of person do you think I am? People of my moral conduct dont match with people like her. I wont harm her; Im just looking. Looking is not a crime and she wont get pregnant either, right?
Xia Lei slapped Ma Xiao-An upside the back of his head, You ass!
Ma Xiao-An took the hit. He wasnt the least bit angry and just continued staring at Zhou Xiao-Hong wiping tables while giggling.
In the evening, Xia Lei called a taxi to get to Polaris Hotel.
Before he could get there, however, Ning Jing called.
What is it, Big Sister Ning? greeted Xia Lei warmly.
Oh, its bad. Ning Jings voice sounded anxious over the phone.
What happened? Dont panic, speak slowly.
My uncle told my father about you. My fathers coming to the dinner tonight too.
What? Xia Lei was shocked.
My uncle made you sound like someone with supernatural powers and stopped just short of calling you the perfect son-in-law. My father was listening intently and he smiled but was also scolding me at the same time, saying how could I keep such a big thing from him. What What should I do?
Xia Lei felt a headache coming on, I, I dont know either. Ive never encountered this sort of situation before.
I have no experience either. Argh, its all my fault. I shouldnt have told my uncle you were my boyfriend without discussing it with you first. Ning Jing was at her wits end.
Dont panic, you were only trying to get your uncle to meet me and help me get that contract. How could I blame you? consoled Xia Lei.
Never mind, whats past is past so lets not bring it up again. My father has a bad heart; he cant get mad. Lets just work together to fool him one more time.
Xia Lei bit the bullet, Okay, lets pretend again. I cant act well though, so please dont blame me if anyone sees through it.
Its fine, its fine. You just need to change according to the situation. Okay, that should be it. Ill wait for you at the hotel. Ning Jing hung up.
Xia Lei was still holding onto his mobile phone, looking preoccupied. Hed thought that this was a celebratory party but it had turned out to be a family-related match-making date. He wasnt Ning Jings boyfriend but had to meet her father under the guise of being her boyfriend. This matter made his head hurt when he thought about it.
Bro, meeting the parents? The taxi driver looked back at him, grinning.
Xia Lei came back to reality, How did you know?
I heard you, said the taxi driver, You cant go like that. You need to get some appropriate gifts.
Xia Leis head had hurt enough but the taxi drivers words threw him into more chaos, How complicated can it be? I actually Forget it, please stop at the supermarket ahead. Ill go buy some gift.
The taxi driver laughed, Thats the right move.
The taxi stopped in front of Wal-Mart and Xia Lei strode into the supermarket. He went in empty-handed but came out with a large bag in his left and another in his right hand. Ning Jing did not say if her mother would be coming but in this situation, her mother would surely come to see her future son-in-law so he prepared two gift baskets; one for Ning Jings father and one for her mother.
Bro, youre good. Going for it like this. Youll make the future in-laws happy The taxi driver spoke candidly,
Xia Lei was in no mood to joke and he kept quiet. He just asked the taxi driver to hurry.
When he got to Polaris Hotel, Xia Lei paid the taxi fare and walked into the lobby. He saw Ning Jing waiting for him right away.
Ning Jing had dressed up specially for today. She wore a traditional blue and white porcelain-pattern dress, with a small, cute navy jacket above it and had a pair of simple and elegant mid-high heels on her feet. The overall effect made her aura of bookishness even thicker. There were many beautifully attired women in the lobby but she was the most special, eye-catching one. Xia Lei could not help praising her beauty in his heart when he first saw her.
Xia Lei walked over with his two gift baskets, smiling as he greeted, Im sorry Im a little late, Big Sister Ning. Did you wait long?
Ning Jing took small steps to him, looking nervous, Stop calling me Big Sister Ning. My uncle told my parents you are 25. Call me by my nickname tonight call me Jing.
Xia Lei nodded, Okay, got it.
Call Call me once and try it out, said Ning Jing shyly.
Xia Lei opened his mouth and dawdled for a bit before he could say it, Ji Jing.
Thatll work. Try to be more natural next time, dont sound so stiff. Ning Jing was like a military strategist on the battlefield. And, My fathers name is Ning Yuan-Hai. My mother is Zhang Hui-Lan. My father is easy to handle you just need to toast him at least two more times and hell be happy when hes had enough to drink. My mother is more difficult she will ask you a lot of questions. You have to be on your toes or shell see right through you.
Xia Leis head was spinning as he asked, What sort of questions will your mother ask?
Ning Jing answered right away, House, car, career situation, income, family members and the like. Youd better prepare what to say so you dont get it wrong.
Xia Lei smiled wryly, Sounds like youve been through this before.
A helpless look appeared on Ning Jings face. My mother forced me to attend match-making blind dates over ten times. How could I not know what shed ask?
Xia Lei suddenly felt like Ning Jing was actually quite pitiful.
Lets go. Ill hold your hand. Ning Jing took hold of a gift basket, then grabbed Xia Leis arm.
Both of them felt inexplicably nervous and embarrassed the moment the two of them held hands but they pretended to act natural and walked to the restaurant together.
Though they were a fake couple, people who saw them quietly admired them when they held hands. They were a couple so perfect you could make a gold statue of them.