"But, I don't mind growing old with you" Wang mei winked at Xue xi.
"On serious note, what are are you worried for? With your face and brains, suitors and companies will be lining up for you."
"I'd like to live on my own, I don't want my family's 'charity'or 'genrousity'. I did not hear back from any of the companies and even If I do, I still cannot afford a place own my own." Xue xi looked at her friend longingly.
"First, It's not their 'charity', it is their 'duty' to provide for you and your 'right' after all you are your father's legitimate child and if you are not comfortable with it you don't need it. Secondly, you will hear back and Thirdly, you have a beautiful face, a bussiness degree and a best friend. As far as I can see you are blessed, my friend." Wang mei explains ticking her fingers off.
"Why do you always bring up my face ?" Xue xi asked shaking her head.
"One should know their strengths to be confident, loving yourself can do wonders you know. Just look at me. I am a wonder."
"Yes, you are." Xue xi agreed in a different tone.
"And your face you ask, I have a crush on you from our initiation in our freshmen year, don't tell me you didn't know." Wang mei started getting dramatic.
Xue xi played along and shook her head stifling her laughter.
"Well, now you know. If you say yes, we can be one of those 'best-friends turned lovers'."
"No, thank you. I like men."
"Bless me, I wouldn't have known if you didn't say so. I never saw you interested in men."
"But, it's alright, I'll wait for you to give up on men" now taking the persistent second-lead tone.
Xue xi laughed hard.
"I'm hurt. You are not taking me seriously. Fend for yourself these six months, we can get a place together when I am back if you still haven't figured it out."
Xue xi felt very lucky to have a friend like her. She always has a solution for everything and anything and mind you they are not always right. Or safe. When Wang mei is not preaching her about life or finding solutions for her problems, she has questions. A lot of them.
It's a miracle they graduated with her curiosity running wild , they would have been expelled if they were ever caught. Thankfully, Xue xi has amazing camouflage skills from all the years of trying to melt into the walls.
Xue xi swallowed a sigh. She is going to miss this this girl.
Overcome by emotion she hugged Wang mei.
"Does this mean yes, so can we get married after living together." Wang mei joked.
"Who is getting married?"
Wang shang returned with few cakes and the food has already arrived. They began eating.
"Xixi is getting married, dad. I just proposed her."
Wang shang shook his head as he is used to her antics.
"For the first time in my life, I wish you were a boy."
They had their meal, joking and talking heartily.
"Take care of your self." Wang mei reminded her before leaving.
Xue xi sent her friend away and sighed freely. She started walking back to her dorm.
It's time now. She exhausted all excuses to delay this moment.
It's time to pack up and go home.
Home full of strangers called family.