Her eyebrows were curved, with a hint of smile on the corners of her mouth, and she said: "Why are you so sensitive? I was actually complimenting you, saying that you are different."
I was curious about what she said, so I put down my chopsticks and asked, "You've been on so many blind dates, but haven't you met someone who's attracted to you and pursues you passionately?"
She raised her head slightly, with a hint of pride on her face, and said in a brisk tone: "The suitors are simply like crucian carp crossing the river, as numerous as the hairs on a cow."
I raised my eyebrows and asked, "Since there are so many suitors, why are you still single?"
She sighed softly and pretended to be angry and said, "Brother-in-law, your words really hurt my heart. But it doesn't hurt to tell you, because I rejected them all."
Hearing this, I felt relieved for some reason, and my tone unconsciously became cheerful: "Well, it seems that our meeting this time has added another chapter to your history of blind date rejections."
She was stunned for a moment, then instantly understood what I meant. A hint of stubbornness flashed in her eyes, and she said seriously, "I don't want to refuse this time. I really want to give it a try with you."
My heart skipped a beat and I said hastily, "I've never thought of developing anything with you, so it's not your turn to refuse."
Her face instantly became a little embarrassed, but she quickly regained her composure and said in a casual manner, "Okay, take your time eating. I suddenly remembered that I have something else to do."
After saying that, she quickly picked up the bag beside her, stood up, and walked towards the door without looking back. I looked at her back as she left, and thought to myself, this girl is really stubborn, even a little paranoid. Just as I was thinking about it, I saw her walk to the bar and whisper a few words to the waiter. It was obvious that she was going to pay half of the meal.
Seeing this scene, I completely relaxed, thinking that I could finally report this headache-inducing blind date “hard job” to my parents-in-law.
In the afternoon, my cell phone suddenly rang. I glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was my mother-in-law. In an instant, my heart suddenly tightened, and my hand holding the phone trembled slightly. I really didn't dare to answer the call.
All kinds of terrible scenarios emerged in my mind uncontrollably. I was afraid that Xu Tong would exaggerate my rude behavior during the blind date and tell my parents. Maybe my mother-in-law called to blame me and scold me severely.
After much hesitation, I pressed the answer button. Unexpectedly, the mother-in-law's joyful voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hongjun, Tongtong just called and said that you two had a great time talking and you both like each other, and there is a possibility of further development. I discussed with your father, if you are not busy tomorrow, why don't you come to our house for dinner with her?"
Hearing this, the blood in my heart seemed to be drained out, and I secretly groaned in pain. I instantly realized that Xu Tong was playing tricks. I quickly calmed down and tried to sound sincere, saying, "Mom, I've thought about it carefully and I don't think it's appropriate to go home now. We just met for the first time and don't know much about each other. If we rush to go home, it will affect the relationship between our two families if it doesn't work out in the future. Mom, you've always been the most reasonable. Please talk to Dad and let's spend more time together and wait until we know each other better before going home. Do you think it's okay?"
The mother-in-law was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, then smiled and said, "Hongjun, you are right. Your father and I are too impatient. Okay, you two should get to know each other first, and don't rush to come home."
After hanging up the phone, I felt relieved and took a long breath. My tense nerves slowly relaxed.
In the evening, my cell phone suddenly rang, and the caller ID showed it was Xu Tong.
"Brother-in-law," Xu Tong's voice came with a hint of playfulness and tentativeness the moment the call was connected, "Aunt didn't scold you, did she?"
I was slightly startled, but soon realized that the aunt she was referring to was my mother-in-law. "Your aunt didn't scold me," I frowned, and my tone unconsciously became serious, "but how could you lie to her?"
Xu Tong chuckled on the other end of the phone, "Brother-in-law, I'm desperate too! My family is urging me to get married, and I feel like I'm going to suffocate if this continues. Can you save me this time and we can keep each other warm together?"
"So, you want to pretend to be in a relationship?" I was shocked by her absurd idea, and my voice was full of surprise.
"Of course!" Xu Tong paused and spoke faster, "I really can't find a more suitable person right now. We know each other well, and we can work together to deal with the family. There is no psychological burden. We can delay it as long as possible, okay?"
I scoffed at her suggestion: "You are just trying to cover up your mistake. The paper will eventually come out. Don't even think about this!"
Xu Tong said calmly: "Brother-in-law, look at what you said, it sounds like I'm begging you. I don't believe you don't feel the pressure from my aunt and uncle."
I said nonchalantly, "Will it be okay if I go less often? I have thick skin and an even thicker face. I'm not afraid at all."
Xu Tong snorted coldly and said in a threatening tone: "Okay, then I'll call my aunt. Humph, come to think of it, you're just pretending to be filial, saying one thing in front and another in the back!"
Anger instantly flared up in my chest, and I said viciously: "Xu Tong! If you dare to talk nonsense, I will never forgive you..." The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I stopped abruptly, thinking to myself: No matter how harsh my words are, there is no way to punish her.
Xu Tong certainly thought so too. She said somewhat smugly, "Brother-in-law, you are smart and you know the difference very well. Let's coexist peacefully, cooperate for mutual benefit, and benefit from each other. This way, when I go home to see my parents, I won't be as nervous as a mouse seeing a cat."
I sighed and said helplessly, "Okay, you've forced me into this situation. But let's be frank. Let's make three rules: first, never meet in private; second, stop contacting each other frequently; third, I have the right to terminate this relationship at any time."
Xu Tong chuckled on the other end of the phone, and said in a brisk tone: "Brother-in-law, let alone three chapters, it doesn't matter if it's a set of rules. We are just using a trick to replace a dead person with a dead one, and we each get what we need."
I frowned and my voice unconsciously deepened: "I hope so. As long as we don't play the game of self-immolation, I'll be thankful if we end up getting burned down."
Without waiting for her response, I took a deep breath and hung up the phone immediately.
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