"Did you tell him about the engagement? I mean your boyfriend?" Li Mei asked. "Yes." "And? What was his reaction?" "Not good of course," she replied. "I understand but you should remember that Jianyu is a nice man. He will treat you well. In two days, you're going to be engaged. It's high time to forget about him." "I know. Thank you."
At night, Li Fei talked with Liling. "You've been lost," she told her. "I know, I have been up and down these past days. Getting a license, selecting competent workers, all that," she said. "I understand. Are you done with everything?" "I'm almost done and hopefully, I will be opening in a week's time after making the advertisements. I can't wait for you to see everything," she said excitement evident in her voice. "I honestly can't wait too. I know it's going to be amazing."
"So then tell me, how far with the engagement? Are you seriously going for it?"
"I have no option Liling." "I get. I'm really sorry that I couldn't attend. But then I remember that it's not real, so there's no big deal," she joked and heard her sigh. "What is it? How are things between you two?" asked Liling. "I don't even know. I haven't heard from him ever since he left Beijing." "That's so sad. I saw him today. He accompanied Jing Yue to have a look at the place," Liling reported. "Ohh, how is he?" asked Li Fei. "Apart from his usual expressionless face, he didn't seem to be so fine," she replied. "I just hope he's fine."
...
Opening her eyes, they squinted trying to adjust to the light and a yawn escaped her lips. She looked at the clock and saw that it was six in the morning. Stretching her body, she sat up and a sigh escaped her lips. She couldn't get a wink of sleep during the entire night. Today was the day of the engagement party. She didn't know if she was doing the right thing but all she knew was that she had to do it and there was no going back. Her phone rang and she saw that it was Jianyu calling.
"Yes?" she picked. "Good morning," Jianyu greeted. "Good morning too." "How was your sleep?"he asked. "Honestly, I couldn't sleep at all," she replied. "Me too." Surprised, she asked," Why wouldn't you sleep?" Excitement and anxiousness, he thought in his mind but he decided to say," Nervousness. Which is normal." "Oh, I'm nervous too," she said.
"Okay. I called to tell you that we have a problem." "And what is that?" "I told my parents about the engagement just today morning. I did it because I didn't want them to be shocked if they found out. And guess what, they told me that they are coming this instant." "Oh my God! That is not good Jianyu. I don't want to lie to your parents too," she said.
"I know but we have nothing to do. They are really adamant on not missing the party." Taking a deep breath, she said," I understand but it's just making me feel more guilty." "You shouldn't worry. We can always think of something in the future."
After hanging up, Li Fei pondered over what Jianyu had said. She didn't want to drag the act way too far. To even include his parents, she didn't want that.
She looked at Jin Liwei's number once again. She had been doing it almost everyday, all the time. She wondered how he was doing, what he was thinking. Not even once did he call to check on her. All this would have been easier if he was by her side supporting her. Because to her, other people's opinions didn't matter and only his did. She placed the phone back on the table and started passing her fingers through her hair in an attempt to make it less disorganized.
"Good morning to the most beautiful daughter in the world," Li Mei said as she came in with breakfast. "Good morning Mom," she answered. "Have some breakfast and relax. Today is such a nice day," she said placing it on the bed. I don't think so, she thought. "You know what, I just received a call from Jianyu's mother and she told me that they are coming." "Yeah he has just told me." "I'm so eager to meet them. They have raised him really well," she said. "Mom about the reporters, I hope you didn't invite any," she inquired. "Uhm...Just a few of them," she said. "Mom?!" Li Fei exclaimed. "Very few. I think like two only," she said. Li Fei couldn't believe it. They talked about it. "What is it? Eat up," she said and she could only shake her head in disbelief.
In the afternoon, Li Jiang arrived home and he went to see Li Fei's room. "How are you feeling today, FeiFei?" he asked. "Normal." "Congratulations once again. I hope you put your entire focus and attention on your fiancee big sister," he said and she only looked at him. "Stay away from that man, will you?" he said. "What about you? You're going to make twenty three. Ain't you attracted to anyone?" she asked. At this, Li Jiang became flustered and his face turned red.
This gave her joy to tease him more and she said," I think there's someone. Tell me about her." He hurriedly stood up and said," I will go help mother." "No, don't go yet," she said but he stood up to leave. That was enough to let her know that there was someone in his life.
When it came to late afternoon, the make up and hair stylists came in accompanied by Li Mei. Given Li Bao's condition, they had decided to host the party in their home at the back yard. Li Fei took a seat in front of the mirror and the hair stylist started working on her hair.
As she was still working on her under Li Mei's advise and supervision, a maid came to interrupt them. "Ma'am, a lady called Ms Yan is standing outside the room. Should I let her come in?" "Oh, yes please. Let her come in."