Please Be More Serious Chapter 56

Chapter 56
Chapter 56 Father In Law Is Like The Sky  When Yin Ting returned, Zhengqing quietly told her of her father’s arrangement. ‘Karaoke?’ Yin Ting asked surprised. She had not expected her dad to bring out this move. Completely out of their expertise, ah! ‘Which songs to do know?’ she asked, thinking of how to help him. Zhengqing looked thoughtful, but Yin Ting understood from his expression, ‘Nothing, huh?’ ‘Does the national anthem count?’ he asked trying to salvage his pride. Actually, he couldn’t sing the national anthem in its entirety either. (Zuben: Live life in the next 24 hours) Yin Ting frowned and said, ‘Fine, I understand.’ ‘I listen to music,’ Zhengqing said trying to fight for his points, but though he listened to music, they weren’t music with words. Yin Ting gave him a helpless look and began to call her friends to see if anyone was free for a karaoke evening, so that Zhengqing could hide in the crown and not be embarrassed. But unfortunately due to the holidays, everyone had prior plans. Yin Ting patted his shoulder in encouragement. He could only rely on himself. That evening, Zhengqing joined Yin Ting’s family for dinner at a restaurant. Yin Ting decided ‘who ever strikes the first blow was the victor’, there would be singing tomorrow there was nothing that could be done about it, but maybe a shift in activities might tip the balance in their favour. ‘Right father, during the vacation would you be going fishing?’ ‘Fishing?’ ‘Zhengqing like fishing,’ she said trying to lobby on Zhengqing’s behalf, ‘Zhengqing and I went a few weeks ago, even though it is cold, the fish were biting. You guys can do and compare your big catches.’ They had been practicing this project so they knew what to expect, but her father said, ‘The fish may be active, but sitting in the cold is not good for my old bones.’ Yin Ting chuckled and gave her father a look, she didn’t expose that he had gone fishing only just last month with his friend and it wasn’t colder at this time than then. ‘Young people should do more vigorous activities, sitting around fishing is depressing. Why not go hiking, get your body moving then you won’t be cold.’ Hiking? Yin Ting glanced at Zhengqing, there shouldn’t be any issue with this activity, ‘Hiking sounds fun. Let’s do that.’ Yin Ting thought that this might be good; her father must think that Zhengqing was too stuffy and wanted to look for a suitable activity for young people. Yin Ting thought her father must love her dearly, ‘Hiking is fine, but are you physically up to it?’ ‘I am fine. Don’t underestimate my old bones, but I will walk up till the café in the foot hills. You can go to the summit, and help me get a talisman from the temple at the summit.’ “Don’t underestimate my old bones?” and “I’ll wait for you at the café?” Zhengqing did not comment. ‘Alright!’ Yin Ting replied hearing her father wanted a talisman. ‘So like today, Zhengqing just pick us up tomorrow and we go to karaoke, then the day after we rest and then after we go hiking in the hills.’ Yin Ting was very happy, they would be able to rest on the third day, so she can go on a date with Zhengqing. Activities with her dad were only for the next few days, and then after she and Zhengqing can go back to dating. She smiled at Zhengqing while thinking her dad really liked Zhengqing, because he was thinking of activities that he might enjoy. Zhengqing returned her smile, but in his brain all he could think about was karaoke singing tomorrow. He decided to be a waiter tomorrow; making sure everyone’s throats were well watered with tea, beer or water. The next day, Zhengqing w

ent to sing at the karaoke club. Yin Ting entered the booth excited; she immediately hogged the microphone. Yin Shi selected a bunch of songs and so did Yin Ting. She turned to Zhengqing and said, ‘Look after my dad,’ and she went ‘centrestage’ with her brother to sing. Zhengqing happily complied, while Yin Ting sang several songs. Guohao eventually said, ‘You’re being selfish; don’t keep the microphone to yourself. Let others sing.’ ‘Don’t worry about it, she can sing,’ But Guohao pretended he didn’t hear the younger man, ‘You can sing anything. Let Xiaoting choose for you.’ Zhengqing decided to bite the bullet and say, ‘I really cannot sing, so it’s okay if they sing.’ Yin Ting was about to defend Zhengqing, but her father laughed, ‘If you don’t sing then I shall, I cannot let them hog the limelight.’  Zhengqing raised his eyebrows; this whole family seemed to be full of tyrants. As he watched, Guohao proudly said to Yin Shi, ‘Ah Shi, put on Taking Tiger Mountain for your dad.’ Yin Shi hurriedly put on the song, and Guohao took the mic and began to sing. The tone of the music was imposing, Zhengqing thought. Yin Ting came to sit beside him and ate a slice of fruit. ‘How does a karaoke have Peking Opera songs?’ ‘The owner is dad’s old friend, the older folks like Peking Operat songs. This is one of their best rooms.’  Is that so? Zhengqing wondered. He didn’t know what to say. After the imposing song came to an end, Yin Shi and Guohao sang a duet, followed by a pop song and then another opera song. Yin Shi then sang Teresa Teng songs one after the other. Yin Ting watched her father as she  told Zhengqing, ‘My mother loved Teresa Teng’s songs. She used to listen to her songs without rest. After she died, dad would not let me play Teresa’s songs.’ Yin Shi got tired of singing, Yin Ting rose and said, ‘Dad you rest I will sing a few songs.’ ‘You sit down.’ He said to Yin Ting and did not let Yin Shi change over. It seems dad was the King Tyrant, it wasn’t a disgrace to have lost to the older man. (Zuben: Heck knows why you were bothering in the first place) That evening, the family dined together and Guohao asked Zhengqing about his family background and their circumstances, Zhengqing answered his questions in his usual polite manner. While the spoke, the two siblings watched with interest, Yin Shi said to Yin Ting, ‘This is normal father in law to son in law topic ah,’ Yin Ting thought so too. She watched her father listen to Zhengqing. His complexion was usual, he looked amiable. She found it hard to conceal her happiness. The next day, nothing much happened, the Yin family visited their relatives and friends during the day and in the evening Yin Ting went to see Zhengqing at his house. The two lovers snuggled in his couch giggling more than chatting, ‘Please be more serious, after the Spring Festival, let’s live well.’ ‘The Spring Festival does not need to end for me to live well.’ He replied. She gave him a smack, ‘I meant that after the Festival, we won’t be busy and we can cultivate our love life.’ ‘When I was busy, I loved well.’ He answered, in his opinion even when he was working and busy, he held her in his heart and loved her. She smacked him again, ‘Seriously!’ ‘I’m very serious.’ ‘Oh, I called you so many times and you didn’t even answer me. You’re too accustomed to me calling you by your nickname, but I can’t do that when we are among relatives or friends.’ ‘You finally realised that giving me a nickname isn’t good,’ He said using his knuckles to rub her head gently, ‘as well as teaching bad habits to children.’ Little stone also called him Uncle please be more serious. Yin Ting made a face, ‘But calling you Qiu-zong is even more strange.’ ‘You could just call me Zhengqing like your dad and brother do.’ Yin Ting frowned, ‘Won’t it be a bit weird?’ It was his name, but why did she feel weird or prefer to should “please be more serious”. ‘Hmm, or you can call me something else?’ he said. ‘What?’ ‘Husband.’ Yin Ting was silent as a blush stole over her face, ‘Cheeky,’ she said as she smacked him with a cushion. ‘I’m not wrong, ah.’ He said laughing. ‘Well…’ she replied staring at him as her face got redder, and her expression got more bashful. Zhengqing could not help but kiss her, making her blush even more. Zhengqing laughed. Yin Ting sat up incensed, and gave him more kisses on his lips saying, ‘Hurry up and blush too!’ Zhengqing laughed even harder, but she kept kissing him and saying, ‘Hurry up; blush!’ He laughed till his stomach ached, and held Yin Ting so they fell back on the sofa together. Eventually they quieted down, ‘I hope we can always be like this,’ ‘What?’ ‘The way we are now; happy together.’ ‘Isnt that accomplished? We are all together.’ (Zuben: Don’t congratulate yourself until you marry the girl) ‘I’m so happy my dad likes you.’ Zhengqing was in agreement, he was happy about it too. The next day; they went hiking. Zhengqing had bought his gear for the trip. He was full of joy wearing his new hiking bag and boots. (Zuben: Hopefully you’re wearing comfy socks or you gonna get blisters). He was happy about his first hiking trip. Yin Ting, Yin Shi and Zhengqing were all winded when they got down from the mountain to meet Guohao who had been sitting at the café. When Zhengqing saw his smile, he wondered if this had been a test of his physical fitness, since he was a lot older than Yin Ting. The next day, Guohao suddenly decided that he wanted to go for a trip around an ancient town and stay for a few days, he asked Zhengqing if he would come.  He should be back to work then, but Zhengqing could not refuse, so he emailed his secretary and asked her to sort out his leave for the day. So once again Zhengqing was designated driver and he drove them down to the old town. Yin Ting and her family had visited it before, so she played guide to Zhengqing as they stayed in the town for three days. The trip went without incident. He became very familiar with Yin Shi and his manner and jokes. He understood Guohao more, and he though that if he needed to pick a gift for the elder man again, he would have no problem. Soon after the Spring Festival vacation, Guohao contacted him, ‘I want to chat with you alone. Do not tell Xiaoting.’ He said calmly. Zhengqing consented, but the request made him unsettled. They made an appointment to meet at seven PM at a restaurant. ‘Tell Xiaoting that you won’t be meeting her that evening, you need to work overtime visiting a client.’ Zhengqing agreed, but he thought himself a tad stupid. Maybe he was being stupid from nervousness. On the day, Zhengqing had a growning sence of unease. Yin Guohao’s sudden invitation sparking questions in his head and he could not talk to Yin Ting about it. He would have liked to talk her so they could discuss it, but Guohao had asked him not to tell her. At six-fifty, Zhengqing arrived at the restaurant to find Guohao already there; waiting for him. His uneasiness deepened. He greeted the older man, and settled in his chair. They exchanged pleasantaries as they got drinks, and discussed mundane topics throught their dinner. After dinner, tea was ordered. Guohao took a sip of his tea and said, ‘Zhengqing, I appreciate you.’ ‘Thank you, Uncle.’ He replied, his heartrate rising. ‘From a businessman’s point of view, you are a rare talent.’ Guohao said. ‘Thank you, Uncle.’ Zhengqing replied with a mirthless laugh. Businessman? Shouldn’t he be another identity in Yin Guohao’s eyes? A sense of trepidation crept up on Zhengqing. He was nervous.

Chapter end