September 24, 2018, the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Chang Bin held his phone between his cheek and shoulder, talking as he poured cat food for his beloved cat, "Arthas."
"... She's very beautiful. Although I don't have a photo, you can definitely believe what I'm saying. I've already told you about her background; she's a middle school teacher and prefers mature and stable women. Tell me more about interesting things that happened at work, emphasizing that you're reliable and responsible. She's a relative of my colleague. Knowing my colleague's personality, if he says she's reliable, then she's basically reliable. There shouldn't be any major problems..."
Seeing Chang Bin hang up the phone, Wang Han, who was wearing an oversized T-shirt and eating snacks while watching TV on the sofa, turned around and said, "Are you introducing someone to your good buddy again?"
"Well, as his mentor in life, of course I have to help him with this important life event!" Chang Bin said with a smile.
"Oh, oh, oh! 'Leader' my name? You're clearly the worst student in your dorm!" Wang Han retorted.
"So you're not just a guide for academics, you're a guide for life! Life isn't judged by grades!"
"I've heard you mention your two roommates many times. When are you going to invite them out for dinner so I can meet them?" Wang Han asked tentatively. They had only been together for a few months, but she had already secretly decided that he was the one she wanted to build a family with.
"Sure, if Xiang Kun succeeds in his deal with that female teacher, I'll give him a good beating, then we'll all go out to eat together. As for Liu Chuang, that kid's busy trying to get into Nass in America. Once he's made it big, we'll form a group and go to America to give him a real beating!"
Wang Han said, "Oh right, you're having dinner with my dad tonight, didn't you? I've prepared the clothes you need and the gift you'll bring; they're in the room. Be ready to leave before 3 PM!"
Hearing this, Chang Bin touched his nose and whispered, "Okay, sure."
"Huh? Are you nervous? Don't worry, my dad may seem a bit old-fashioned, but he's easy to handle. Just go along with what he says."
"Nervous? Not at all. The word 'nervous' doesn't exist in my dictionary, Chang Bin."
"Yes, yes, stay confident."
In the bathroom of his rented apartment, Xiang Kun washed and dried his hair, then thoroughly cleansed his face with the facial cleanser he had bought a year ago but had only used five or six times. He then looked at himself in the mirror.
"Your dark circles are quite noticeable, but thankfully I wear glasses."
After putting on his glasses, Xiang Kun raised his hand and smoothed the hair on the top of his head, revealing his forehead, which was starting to recede.
"Damn it, is it true that long hair tends to fall out more easily...?" Xiang Kun brushed his bangs down, putting aside his worries about his hair volume, and then straightened his T-shirt.
Loose-fitting jeans, a Uniqlo T-shirt with an Illidan print, and low-top Converse sneakers—it certainly doesn't look particularly unique or fashionable, but it's probably not inappropriate either, right?
Xiang Kun resisted the urge to send a selfie to Chang Bin and ask for his opinion, feeling that doing so would seem too fussy and girly.
He picked up his phone and looked at the information he had gathered from online platforms such as chat, WeChat Moments, Weibo after obtaining the female teacher's WeChat from Chang Bin the day before yesterday.
Then I flipped through it, and below is the analysis based on this information, as well as the arrangements for today's meeting.
"The other person is quite fond of literature. Their favorite poet is Li Bai, their favorite lyricist is Li Qingzhao, they like Qian Zhongshu's writing, and they like Murakami Haruki. As a history teacher, their favorite dynasty is the Tang Dynasty. Hmm, we can start with these aspects when chatting and cater to their interests." Although Xiang Kun wasn't very interested in history and literature, he still took some time to do his homework these past two days, and at least he could recite the names of those famous people's representative works.
"As for myself, I could talk about the business trip I took with my boss, the funny things that happened on the way... Hmm, I'll just copy a couple of jokes from a joke book and mix them together, it shouldn't be hard to tell. Then I could talk about the embarrassing thing my boss did, like mistaking a client. Uh, will she think I'm talking badly about my boss behind his back, that I'm not mature or steady? Hmm, never mind, I'll cut that part out."
"After we meet, we'll greet each other first, then stroll around the square for a bit. When it's almost time, we'll go for lunch. I'll ask her if she has any suggestions. If she says anything is fine, I'll ask her what she likes. If she likes spicy food, we'll have four options; if she doesn't like spicy food, we'll have three. These restaurants are all quiet enough to chat at. But today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, won't it be too crowded? What if we have to wait in line? Should we decide on one place first and make a reservation in advance?"
"After dinner, we can go straight to the movie theater on the top floor of the mall. There are three options, and it all depends on her preference. If she's easygoing, I'd suggest 'Storm of Corruption 3'? It has Louis Koo, so it shouldn't be too bad. Hmm, but is this kind of genre suitable for watching with a girl? Or how about 'Cry Me a Sad River'? I read in the reviews that it's suitable for couples?"
"After the movie, if she's tired and wants to go home, take her home. Otherwise, I suggest sitting in a coffee shop. There are three coffee shop options, or you could sit in the bookstore's drinks area; she'll definitely enjoy reading. But that seems too boring. How about going to the amusement park? But today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, so it'll probably be crowded."
Although he had prepared a plan and several contingency plans last night, Xiang Kun still couldn't help but make several revisions when he reviewed them today.
At 9:20 a. m., fearing traffic congestion, Xiang Kun arrived at the agreed location forty minutes early. He found a seat in the mall, sat down while waiting for the others, and reviewed his plan to see if there were any oversights.
At 10:13, Xiang Kun met the female teacher who had come for the appointment. She was indeed Chang Bin had described, quite elegant and beautiful.
After introducing themselves, Xiang Kun suggested, "Let's look around first..."
"Let's go sit in Starbucks for a while, it's been so hot on the way here," the female teacher said, pointing to a Starbucks not far away.
"Oh, right, right, okay, um." Xiang Kun was inwardly annoyed. How could he have forgotten to consider today's weather? What a blunder! He should have bought her a drink beforehand! But what flavor does she like?
They chatted for over an hour in the coffee shop. Xiang Kun was completely focused, constantly engaging with the female teacher's topics and trying to keep the conversation within her comfort zone. However, something was odd. The teacher didn't seem inclined to discuss Li Bai, Li Qingzhao, or Qian Zhongshu, nor did she mention anything about Tang Dynasty history. She simply chatted casually about class, the current educational environment, and workplace situations. This was quite different from what Xiang Kun had learned about her personality online, leaving him unsure how to respond. He felt his preparation was insufficient...
Seeing that it was almost time, Xiang Kun suggested, "How about we grab a bite to eat together..." He had already made a reservation at a restaurant in advance, having compared more than a dozen popular restaurants in the vicinity on his way here, and this was the one he was least likely to go wrong with.
"Let's go to Pizza Hut. I have two coupons, which I can use. I really like Pizza Hut pizzas," the female teacher said, already getting up to grab her bag.
"Ah, um, that... okay." Xiang Kun hesitated for two seconds, then gave up on telling them that he had already made a restaurant reservation. After all, the other person had already said they liked pizza and had even brought two vouchers. If he made the reservation himself, it might upset them.
Lunch was quickly finished, Xiang Kun suggested, "How about we go see a movie? There are some movies showing right now..."
"Sorry, I don't like watching movies."
"Oh, there's a coffee shop over here... uh..." He suddenly remembered they had just come from Starbucks, so he changed his mind and said, "There's an interesting bookstore here, shall we go check it out?"
"I prefer buying books online." The female teacher smiled politely, then glanced at her phone and said, "I have something to do this afternoon, shall we call it a day? We can talk again later?"
"Oh, okay, okay."
After being refused when he offered to walk the female teacher to the subway station, Xiang Kun watched her departing figure and sighed softly, "It's hopeless, isn't it? Hmm, it's probably hopeless again."
He lowered his head somewhat dejectedly and walked back into the mall, intending to go upstairs to watch a movie. While eating, he had worried that there would be too many people watching the movie today and he wouldn't be able to buy tickets at the last minute, so he had booked two tickets in advance. However, when he wanted to cancel them, he found that the cancellation period had expired.
Since the tickets are bought and can't be refunded, I might as well take a look myself; I'm already here.
At 6 p. m., Xia Libing was in her room, staring at the four media player windows arranged side by side on her computer screen. Two Chinese dramas, one Japanese drama, and one Korean drama were playing, and all of them featured the female lead.
Xia Libing paused one of the video players and slowly sketched her own smile in front of the mirror next to her. She repeatedly observed the expressions of the people in the video, and then tried it repeatedly in front of the mirror, finally finding a smile that she thought she had imitated quite well.
"Xiao Bing, dinner's ready."
The mother's voice came from outside.
Xia Libing put the computer into sleep mode, then got up, left the room, and sat down in the dining room.
The father, who was looking at his iPad, looked up at her and froze. The mother, who was carrying dishes over, also froze when she saw her.
Xia Libing narrowed her eyes into slits, and the corners of her mouth curled up, giving her the expression of a fox who had successfully stolen a bite.
The mother said helplessly, "Xiao Bing, you don't need to force these expressions at home. Just relax and be your most natural self."
"Oh," Xia Libing responded, her expression returning to normal.
The father beside him breathed a sigh of relief and adjusted his glasses, "This expression is still the most pleasing to the eye."
9 PM.
Tang Baona was at her maternal Mr. Feng's house, drinking tea, eating mooncakes, chatting with family and relatives, discussing current events, and interesting stories from various small families.
Then the conversation naturally turned to the marriage prospects of the Tang sisters, Tang Baona and Tang Baoting.
"Nana, Tingting, do you have boyfriends yet? Your aunt and uncle are waiting to hold their grandchild!" my older cousin asked.
"Hehe, no rush, no rush." However, it was Tang's father who spoke first, waving his hand in a very Zen-like manner. "These things can't be rushed, can't be rushed, we have to choose slowly, choose slowly..."
After the relatives' attention shifted to the older sister, Tang Baona quietly got up, walked to the side, and then took out her phone to send WeChat to Yang Zhen'er:
"Will you pick me up later to go get some late-night snacks?"
Yang Zhen'er: "Hey? You escaped from the clutches of your aunts and uncles?"
Tang Baona: "It's alright, my older sister is here to support me, hehe."
Yang Zhen'er: "Speaking of which, my cousin asked about you again today, saying he wants to get to know you. Hmph, although my cousin is fairly honest and decent, I know he's not your type, so I rejected him for you."
Tang Baona: "Mmm, I'll rely on you to support me from now on, I won't get married."
Yang Zhen'er: "Screw you! If you don't get married, I'm going to get married too!"
As they were chatting, her second cousin suddenly came over and asked, "Nana, who are you talking to?"
Tang Baona was startled. "Oh, it's Zhen'er, Yang Zhen'er."
"Oh, the one from the Yang family. By the way, you really don't have a boyfriend right now, do you?"
No, really no.
"Then let me introduce you to someone."
"Oh? Why don't you introduce her to my sister first? She's single right now, and she needs it more..." Tang Baona immediately started to promote her sister.
"Hey, Bao Ting just confessed that she already has a boyfriend, and his age doesn't match Bao Ting at all. Here, take a look, I have a photo of him. He's a returnee from the UK, now working in finance..."
11:30 PM.
8:30 AM San Francisco time.
With a Mexican chicken burrito dangling from his mouth, a laptop he hadn't had time to put in his bag in one hand, and a briefcase full of documents in the other, Liu Chuang hurriedly walked towards the secondhand Accord outside his apartment.
After getting into the car, Liu Chuang quickly finished the chicken roll, started the car, and was about to drive off when his phone suddenly rang.
He picked it up and saw that it was a domestic call.
"Hello? Mom? Why are you calling me at this hour all of a sudden?"
"I figured you should be up around now. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is only half an hour away in China, so I'm calling you right now."
"Mid-Autumn Festival already? Time flies..." Liu Chuang exclaimed. "Mom, did you and Dad go back to your hometown? Are you with Grandpa? How is Grandpa's health?"
"Yes, your grandpa is in good health, he just talks about you a lot. But he's already asleep, you can call him again tomorrow and say a few words."
"Okay, okay, Mom, you take care of yourself too."
"Don't worry, I recently joined a senior citizens' Tai Chi club. It's all old ladies, and we practice Tai Chi together. By the way, how's your company doing? If you need money, remember to tell your family. Um, if you don't want to ask your dad, just tell me. I still have quite a bit of savings on the side..."
"Mom, don't worry, I'm doing great. The money comes from an investment company. As long as our project is good, they'll have plenty of money. There won't be any problem."
"That's good, that's good. You mustn't push yourself too hard. Remember, your family supports you. Don't stubbornly hold a grudge against your dad. Actually, he's already softened his heart, and he misses you a lot too..."
Liu Chuang pursed his lips, blinked hard, and said, "Don't worry, Mom, I know."
"I was planning to send you some mooncakes in advance, but your uncle told me that customs is a bit complicated, so I asked your cousin to find someone to make them at a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. You should be able to pick them up today; it's not far from where you live. The address is..."
After hanging up the phone, Liu Chuang, who was in a hurry, deliberately drove off on a detour to the Chinese restaurant to pick up the custom-made mooncakes.
Back in the car, Liu Chuang took out a piece and ate it. According to the time, it should be just past midnight in China.
The custom-made mooncakes were actually quite ordinary in taste, cloyingly sweet. He had never liked mooncakes in China, but he was enjoying them immensely, and somehow, a hint of saltiness had crept in.
When he came to his senses, he realized that he was already in tears.
----Divider----
Wishing all my book lovers a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, a joyous family reunion, and a truly fulfilling celebration.
The Mid-Autumn Festival special chapter is merely a supplement to the main text; whether you read it or not doesn't make much difference. It's just a little change, and I hope you enjoy it.