He looks nervouly at her. "I tried to call you. However you seems to be busy."
"yeah i got a lot of spam calls. So i really pick up calls. Work is a lot too. What is it that you are needing from me?"
"You haven't seen my text, am i right?"
"I ... I think it's best. You ..." She look at the flowers blooming at her side.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"No. You are not a monster. Why should I..."
He takes a step closer to her. Her heartbeats are in a fast pace. "Then will you like to go out with me?"
"Are you high on something? We are now standing at my family's land. Inside there is your future wife!" He takes another step closer. "I ..."
"Daniel!" Both of them hears Mei Qin calling for Daniel loudly and sounds like she is getting near. Daniel turn around to see how near she is by the time he turn back to Xue Qin she have disappear. "Daniel! There you are! My family is waiting for you." She attempts to circle her hands around his arm but he move faster before she does that. " All your family members?" She nod her head
"You sure everyone is there? Not a person missing?"
"Yes all of them are waiting at the dining room. Why?"
"Nothing. Let's go"
Xue Qin who is hiding behind a huge bush is down on her knees crawling. She heard their conversation. She knows that she is never included in any family events unless her uncle and Nan Qin's protest, she will be included. Watching the couple walk off, she craw away towards the door to her apartment.
She takes nearly forty minutes later to appear on the dining room. Mrs Gu give her a distaste look and ask "Where have you been? Being late for dinner is not a good habit."
"Work. I have to settle some urgent mattes."
"Don't do it again next time. Arrange your work before dinner. It's the only time we get to sit together.Besides that it's the first time Daniel is siting with us for dinner. How can you make a guest wait."
"it's ok Mrs Gu. I am fine. I know that work is sometimes unavoidable. Urgent cases comes without proper timing. Can't blame it on her, you know."
"Oh see Daniel so understandable. My mei mei will be in good hand later.Continue eat eat."
Xue Qin eat in silence. Nan Qin keeps picking up food to put on her plate. Daniel watch quietly on the side while chewing his meat. Mei Qin notice her future husband is staring at the front but she pretend she did not see anything. Mr and Mrs Gu is happy to see everyone at the dining table but Mrs Gu did not like to see her son so attentive to Xue Qin however she feels like there is no choice in saying about this. If she wants to stay in this house longer, Nan Qin can do wonders on it.
"Daniel, how about we arrange to have a family meetup on both side. We can do Lunch or dinner."
"Mr Gu, i will arrange that. I will let you know"
After dinner, everyone sits in the living room. The TV is switch on and fruits are place infront of them. Nana Qin continue to peel fruits and put it on Xue Qin's plate. Daniel who see this, clear his throat " Looks like Nan Qin likes to serve Miss Han."
"Ah these two. Have been like this since they are kids. Nan Qin treats everyone especially girls really nice. If you have someone sweet maybe you can introduce her to Nan Qin."
"Mum!" He spat his strawberry out. Mrs Gu giggle like a young girl. "See my son is so shy. How can he find a girl with his shy nature. I have to step in and help my son. As tall and handsome he is, this boy of mine needs a helping hand. Xue Qin, you have to help ger ger too." Xue Qin who is engross with the news have a shock when her name is call. Her eyes open wide to look at Mrs Gu.
"Haven't you hear a word i said?"
"No. I am watching the news. What ..."
"Here eat this." Nan Qin stuff a strawberry into Xue Qin's mouth.
On a Saturday afternoon, Daniel had arranged for the family lunch together. The family travel in two cars arrived at the restaurant. Inside, Daniel is patiently waiting, he welcome the Gu family upon seeing them. His mother too waited at the lunch table with a young man. He is being introduced as Daniel's cousin, Edward Wei. He is a friendly young man who talk a lot and click well enough with Nan Qin. He also approached Xue Qin and talk to her. They seems to hit off well enough as they are both laughing and talking about today's affair. "Here comes my bro! Daniel might be stiff but he is a funny guy. He is a shy workaholic! "
"I am not shy. Not a workaholic."
"You are bro! Shy when you see someone you like. I remember ..."
"What type of girls he did had a crush on?"Suddenly Mei Qin join in the group and sit next to Daniel.
"His crush. In high school. She had this dark long hair. Always painting. He likes her. Say, Xue Qin your hair is so dark like that girl's hair" Edward rub his chin and lean forward. Xue Qin got uncomfortable and take a slip on her orange juice. Mei Qin see this she circle her arm around Daniel's arm. "Well it's a common hair colour. If you like i can turn my hair dark too." Daniel push her hand off."Not everyone looks good in it."
Lunch proceed peacefully with laughter. Before they end lunch, Edward ask for Xue Qin's number infront of everyone. Nan Qin and Daniel visibly got agitated. Both men walked around Xue Qin and not sure how to interrupt the conversation.