When Manners Outpaced Thought

"Second Aunt, that's not my girlfriend. I already told Aunt Yang that."

"Oh dear, you silly child, why did you keep this from even your Second Uncle Second Aunt? We've watched you grow up, and it wasn't easy for your dad to raise you all by himself. Now that you've graduated from university and started working, your dad's biggest wish is for you to find a girlfriend, get married, and settle down. What's wrong with me meeting your Second Uncle?"

"..."

I could never win an argument with my Second Aunt; she's practically invincible when it comes to arguing with those gossipy women in the neighborhood.

"Ding Han, it's just a meal together, no problem."

Second Uncle said, "Don't worry, your Second Aunt and I won't say anything out of line. We'll dress presentably and definitely won't embarrass you."

"..."

I couldn't persuade her otherwise, "Let's talk about it later. She's quite busy with work. If she's free, we can have a meal together; if not, then forget it. I'm telling you upfront, I really can't make that decision."

"Okay, just do your best."

My Second Uncle hung up the phone with a happy smile.

I fell into deep thought.

What should we do? Should we discuss it with Lin Qingying?

She is the person involved, the female lead in Plan A.

But there's also a Plan B: find Ruolin to temporarily fill in and get through this!

If all else fails, there's always Plan C: ask Kou Mei for help; she'll definitely be willing.

It's settled then!

I couldn't help but feel a little smug. I really am a little genius at strategizing and winning battles from afar!

I turned around, walked out of the residential area, went to the street outside, bought two steaming cups of Boyá Juéxián), and then quickly returned to the residential area and went upstairs.

"Squeak~~~"

Upon opening the door, I saw Lin Qingying working on her laptop.

"You're back?" She looked up at me.

"Um."

I closed the door, walked over, put down the milk tea, then took out one of the cups and handed it to her, saying, "It's hot, just right, please have it."

"Oh?"

Lin Qingying frowned and said, "But I don't drink milk tea, and I shouldn't drink milk tea at night either."

"This cup of milk tea has a special meaning," I said.

"How so?"

She smiled slightly, revealing a look that said, "Let's see how you live your life in vain."

"Sit still!"

I quickly got up, took the guitar hanging on the wall, tuned it briefly, and started playing the intro, saying, "This is a love song about milk tea, listen carefully."

"Um!"

Lin Qingying sat upright, her beautiful eyes staring straight at me.

After the intro ended, I finally started singing the climax. "I warmed a cup of tea for you, don't forget to come home after dark, no matter how strong the wind or how dark the sky, I'll always be there for you, time will prove how much I love you, just quietly accompanying you as you grow up..."

After singing those few lines, I played a few notes on the piano as a closing piece.

That's it?

Lin Qingying surprise.

"Um."

I nodded. "I only remember the climax; I don't remember the rest of the lyrics."

"It sounds beautiful."

Lin Qingying looked at the milk tea in front of her and said, "Then let's make an exception..."

"OK!"

I quickly hung up the guitar, went over and tore open the straw packaging to insert it for her, then opened a cup for myself and sat down next to Lin Qingying to enjoy it quietly.

She took a sip and a smile appeared on her face.

The milk tea tastes good, of course.

"Ding Han..."

She suddenly turned to me and said, "You're being unusually attentive. I always feel like you're up to no good. Is there something you want from me?"

"Ah?"

I paused for a moment, then said hesitantly, "Actually, it's nothing big, just a small favor. But if you don't want to, then..."

"You go first," she interrupted me.

"OK!"

I gathered my thoughts and said, "Last time on my birthday, didn't you appear in Fatty's mom's video with me? She assumed you were my girlfriend. And you know how my aunts and uncles are, the news spread like wildfire, even my Second Aunt Second Uncle Second Aunt know. They're coming to Suzhou tomorrow for Second Uncle elder's birthday banquet, and they said they wanted me to bring you to have dinner with them tonight..."

"..."

Lin Qingying's beautiful eyes widened. "How could this be? This is a misunderstanding..."

"You still dare to say that?"

I glared at her and said, "Didn't you just agree to it back then? You even called Fatty's mom 'Auntie'!"

"I..."

Lin Qingying aggrieved. "I was drunk at the time, and my mind didn't keep up with my manners..."

I was speechless; what she said was absolutely flawless.

"Now that my second Second Uncle Second Aunt have decided you're my girlfriend, Fatty will take half the blame, and the other half will be yours."

I became a bit unreasonable and said, "You have to help me get past my second Second Uncle Second Aunt, otherwise I really won't be able to explain myself. My Second Uncle is alright, but my Second Aunt has a sharp tongue. Ying, it's really difficult for me as the younger generation. You have to understand..."

"Um."

She nodded slightly, but did not express her opinion.

However, her eyes showed some surprise, as if she hadn't expected me to call her "Ying".

Of course, the reason I call myself that is simply because I used to be a first-time buyer, and I'm used to it...

"How do you say?"

I took another sip of my milk tea and asked, "Are you free tomorrow night?"

"Let me see..."

She picked up her phone and sent a message to her assistant.

A short while later, she finally looked up and said, "There's a headquarters meeting tomorrow night, and I've arranged to postpone it by a day. The time is finally set. Have you arranged the hotel for Second Uncle Second Aunt yet? Or should I arrange it?"

"How can that be?"

I said speechlessly, "You paid for my birthday meal last time, and I haven't paid you back yet. Wait a few more days, I'll pay you back when I have the money."

"It's okay, we..."

Lin Qingying pursed her red lips, seemingly wanting to say something but then realizing it was inappropriate, so she stopped herself and simply lowered her head to drink her milk tea vigorously.

"Ding Han."

She suddenly turned to look at me. "I heard that the tea 'Boyá Juéxián' is particularly invigorating. If I drink a cup of this milk tea tonight, will I be unable to sleep? I have a full schedule of meetings tomorrow, and it would be very embarrassing if the person presiding over the meeting fell asleep!"

"You've already drunk half of it, why bother with these things?"

I slurped on my drink, glancing at her. "You're putting yourself on too tight a nerve. Relax a little. Sometimes you have to be a little impulsive in life, otherwise it's no fun at all."

"All right."

Lin Qingying nodded. "Then I'll be willful today, just this once."

Shortly after, the two finished their milk tea and went back to their respective rooms to rest.

I'm in a pretty good mood. I've gotten over my Second Uncle and Second Aunt's situation. For me, the ideal state in <Star Abyss> is peace and prosperity, where I have enough space and energy to improve my game level and attributes!

The next day.

When I finished washing up, Lin Qingying finally came out of the room, yawning constantly, with slightly prominent dark circles under her eyes.

"You..."

I stared at her in surprise.

"It's all your fault..."

Lin Qingying said, "I couldn't fall asleep for a long time, and I only managed to doze off for a while after two o'clock."

"It's a miracle if I can sleep at 2 AM."

I complained, "They also have a drink called 'Wànlǐ Mùlán,' that's really powerful. One cup of Wànlǐ Mùlán at night, and you'll be ready to take your father's place in the army at four in the morning, guaranteed to keep you energized..."

"Puff!"

Lin Qingying couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Go downstairs to buy breakfast, I'll quickly wash up and put on makeup, or I'll be late."

"Um!"

After having breakfast together, I hitched a ride with Lin Qingying to work as usual.

Morning.

"Drop!"

A message came from Lin Qingying: "I've booked a suite at the Binhu International Hotel for your Second Uncle. Our group has a partnership with them, so we got a negotiated rate, which is very cheap."

"How much is so cheap? I don't need a suite..."

I said with a bit of exasperation, "This is too extravagant. They might not even be used to it. How much is it? I'll transfer it to you."

"No need..."

Lin Qingying replied, "If you really feel bad about it, just buy a robot vacuum cleaner for your home."

"Okay, it's settled then. Will we have dinner at Binhu International Hotel too?"

"Okay, to make things easier, I've already booked a private room, I'll send it to you in a bit."

"..."

For a moment, I was speechless.

Shortly after, Lin Qingying sent me the room reservation information and the private room number for dinner, which I forwarded to my Second Uncle. Soon after, my Second Uncle called, expressing great surprise at the scale of the hospitality and asking if I had struck it rich. It took me a lot of evasion to finally get away with it.

"Ding Han, shall we have dinner together?"

Suddenly, the fat man asked from the side.

"No, my second Second Uncle Second Aunt are coming to Huaining tonight, I have to go and entertain them."

"Yeah?"

The fat man said, "I haven't seen the old couple in a long time either. Can I come along?"

"I won't bring it!"

I glared at him. "Your mom keeps telling everyone I have a girlfriend, and my second Second Uncle Second Aunt want to meet her. I had to ask Lin Qingying to pretend to be my girlfriend and have a meal with them. It's made me upset all day, all thanks to your mom!"

"Oh dear, how did you get it like this?"

The fat man scratched his head. "Damn it, you can say whatever you want, but why are you swearing..."

Really?

Standing nearby, Xu Hao chuckled, "Ding Han, Manager Lin really willing to have dinner with you and pretend to be your girlfriend?"

"Yes, I agree."

"Holy crap..."

Xu Hao was shocked. "Do you know what this means for a woman?"

"What?"

"The fact that she's willing to pretend to be your girlfriend means that deep down she doesn't reject you as a person. If you put in a little more effort, it's not impossible to make her your real girlfriend!"

Is that so?

I frowned and said, "Haozi, you make a lot of sense, but I heard from Fatty that you're still a virgin, right?"

"Damn it, can we please not bring this up again..."

Xu Hao, looking both ashamed and indignant, said, "Once I meet the right person, I'll take your virginity right away, so you'll have nothing to laugh at me for anymore!"

"It's okay..."

The fat man leaned back in his chair, making it creak, and grinned slyly, "If I remember correctly, Ding Han is also a virgin!"

"You wretched creature, shut up!"

I punched the fat guy so hard he flew eight hundred miles away.

However, a thought suddenly occurred to me: I don't think I'm a virgin after all; my precious first time was taken away by Lu Xiaobei in a completely daze...

What a tragedy!!!