Have You Fallen in Love With Him?
When the bell went off that signaled the end of class, Su Yunhua stuck her head next to her friend nosily, “Yiyi, you better spill the beans here. What was on your mind when we were in class just now? Why did you blurt out your uncle’s name? Are you thinking of him? Don’t tell me you’re…”
“No way!”
She denied vehemently even though her face was starting to burn hot and fast.
“Why are you still denying it? Look at your face, it’s as red as a baboon’s backside!”
“…”
“Do you like your uncle?”
Her bestie still found it unbelievable.
She bit her lower lip and refused to answer, neither admitting or refuting the claim.
The truth was, even she was unable to tell what she was feeling exactly.
“Well, if you really like him, then I’m not going to fight with you!” Her friend made an exaggerated sweep with her arm. “A gentleman shall not fight over somebody else’s love! Moreover, you’re my BFF!”
“But I don’t understand what my feelings are towards him anymore…”
Vexed, she clenched her head and asked, “Besides, is it incestuous to like my own uncle?”
“… Do you want to hear the truth?”
“That goes without saying!”
“Well, it does look that way… but just a little; very little! It’s understandable, though! Your uncle is so striking, and you’re with him alone, day in and day out. If I were you, I won’t be able to resist the temptation too!”
“… What should I do now?” She was really caught in a sticky position this time.
“What else can you do? It’s too late now since you’ve already fallen in love with him! Still, I have to admire your courage. You went all out for him even though he’s your biological uncle! Even if you want to keep the best in your family for yourself, isn’t this overstepping the line?”
“Actually, the two of us aren’t related by blood,” the girl explained.
“Oh?”
“My father was adopted by my grandma; he’s not her biological son.”
“Oh, I see! If this is the case, then this whole matter is simple. Without any blood ties between you two, both of you can fall in love without any qualms!”
“What do you mean by the two of us? He doesn’t like me at all!” Pouting, she dipped her head and played with her last fingers dejectedly. “It’s only a one-sided love…”
“There’s a saying: A mountain stands between a man and his woman, and a piece of silk separates a woman from her man. If he doesn’t like you, you can win him over! No sweat! The Chi Yi I know doesn’t get discouraged easily!”
“I’m not discouraged!”
She looked up, straightened her back and said determinedly, “I’m not going to give up!”
“It’s a long-shot fight!”
Her friend patted her shoulder lightly and counseled solemnly, “Although I support you in spirit, I can see that your Third Uncle isn’t easy to win over, though!”
“…” The eager stance she took deflated instantly.
Honestly, this was what she felt about him, too!
“How about this? Why don’t you invite him for dinner tonight? Let me tell you, you can’t reveal your feelings to a man too soon. Take it slow and play the waiting game, understand? Men will bite the bait in this way! Quick, call him now for a date! You take the initiative first and then turn passive…”
“… Alright, let me try.”
She really took her friend’s advice and called her uncle.
The man was inside a meeting when her call came through. He stopped the meeting and walked to the window to take the call.
“Uncle!”
She called out delightfully when he picked up the phone.
“Yes,” he replied after a momentary pause. “What is it?”
“Let’s have dinner tonight, shall we?”
“Tonight?”
He raised his wrist to look at his watch. It was already four in the afternoon and the meeting was expected to drag till seven in the evening or so. He asked her, “What time will you finish your school today?”