Especially Fond of You

Chapter 24(B, Wang Miao’s Perspective)Episode

Bernard's email didn't bother Wang Miao much because she hadn't planned on responding to him anyway.

She replied saying she was busy with work and couldn't make time to be his tour guide, apologizing for the inconvenience.

However, Bernard persisted, sending another email saying she was his only Chinese friend, he missed her a lot, and if she couldn’t travel with him, at least they could have a meal together.

Wang Miao thought he was exaggerating. There were three Chinese exchange students in their class back then, so how could she be his only Chinese friend? Foreigners often liked to exaggerate.

She put the emails out of her mind, continuing with her usual routine of teaching, feeding the dogs after work, and tutoring Wang Xiwen in English at home.

Wang Miao thought Wang Xiwen was better than she was at that age. When she was in high school, she always rushed to finish her homework on the last night of vacation, but Wang Xiwen had finished hers a day early and was asking for help with the questions she couldn’t solve.

After finishing the last question, Wang Miao pulled out her constantly vibrating phone to find that Bernard had sent her five emails, each one more heartfelt than the last, sincerely inviting her to lunch the next day. Each email even included selfies of him at various tourist spots.

Hmm, he was quite good-looking.

Wang Xiwen, peeking over her shoulder, exclaimed, “Wow! Who is this handsome guy?”

Wang Miao put her phone away, “A classmate from my time studying in France. He’s visiting China and wants to have lunch with me, but I don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

Wang Miao sighed, “Because I think he has feelings for me.”

Wang Xiwen rolled her eyes, “So what if he does? It’s just a meal. After that, he’ll go back to France. No big deal! He came all the way here, possibly just for sightseeing, but as a host, you should show some hospitality.”

Wang Miao looked at Wang Xiwen, feeling conflicted, “You seem very enthusiastic. Do you want to meet him?”

Wang Xiwen thought for a moment, “As the saying goes, debts of the father are repaid by the son, and the mother’s debts by the daughter. Although you’re not my mother, you’re like one. Since this is a debt of emotion, let me repay it for you!”

Wang Miao laughed, tapping her on the head, “Why are you always eyeing the men around me? Weren’t you planning to become Gu Lin’s bride?”

“Uncle Gu is great, but you’re already dating him! You can’t be greedy!”

What a mess. Wang Miao didn’t want to argue anymore. It was late, and she planned to rest up for Gu Lin’s return so she could look her best for him.

But just as she lay down, another email from Bernard came in, this time with a restaurant address and a note that he’d be there at noon, waiting until the meal ended, accompanied by a crying emoji, indicating he’d eat alone if she didn’t show up.

Who cares if you're lonely?

Annoyed by his persistence, Wang Miao’s frustration was interrupted by Wang Xiwen, who came into her room, eyes wide with an innocent request, “Auntie, can you take me out tomorrow if you’re free? I need to buy a birthday gift for a friend and want to eat BBQ at that place near XX Street.”

Did this girl spy on her emails? How coincidental was it that she wanted to go to the same street Bernard mentioned?

Wang Miao thought for a moment, guessing it was because that area was a tourist spot with lots of small shops. Gu Lin had said he’d be back in the evening for dinner, so she had time during the day to accompany Wang Xiwen. But what about Bernard? Should she meet him briefly? Otherwise, his persistent emails might continue, and Gu Lin might find out.

Feeling a headache coming on, Wang Miao agreed to Wang Xiwen’s request. Once Wang Xiwen ran off happily, she reluctantly picked up her phone to reply to Bernard, agreeing to the lunch.

The next morning, Wang Xiwen woke her up with an annoyingly loud voice.

Why is this girl so energetic?

Slowly washing up and eating breakfast opposite Wang Xiwen, she noticed her niece had put on makeup. Wang Miao poked her face, “Did you put on makeup?”

“No, it’s just sunscreen.”

“You even applied eyeliner.”

“No, my eyelashes are just dark.”

“Eyeshadow too, glittery.”

“No, it’s sweat.” Wang Xiwen denied everything, lowering her head to drink porridge, “All my skincare products are bought by you. You’ve never bought me makeup, so I don’t have any!”

Forget it. The girl was at an age where she liked to dress up. As long as she wasn’t going to school with it, it was fine.

Hastily applying some light makeup, Wang Miao put on a starfish-patterned dress, grabbed a sunhat, and went downstairs to get the car.

Instead of retrieving her car, she found Gu Lin.

When Gu Lin honked and smiled at her through the car window, her heart skipped a beat. It had been days since she last saw him, and she missed him terribly.

Distracted, she mentioned she was taking Wang Xiwen out, and Gu Lin suggested they all go together.

As she approached the car, Wang Xiwen preempted her, “We’re going to XX Street to buy a birthday gift, then having lunch with Auntie’s French classmate!”

Wang Miao wanted to roll her eyes. Normally so smart, why did she fumble at a critical moment?

Gu Lin opened the door for her to sit in the passenger seat and smiled as he asked, “What French classmate?”

“A Ukrainian classmate from when I studied abroad. He’s visiting China. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? Forget it, I won’t go to lunch with him. Let’s eat by ourselves.” Wang Miao belatedly felt uneasy. Though language barriers might prevent him from discovering anything, it was better to avoid potential misunderstandings.

“It’s fine, let’s all eat together. Since he’s a rare friend, it’s okay.” Gu Lin’s eyes twinkled at her, “We can have dinner alone tonight.”

“And you’ll bring me back, right...” Wang Xiwen meekly asked from the back seat.

“Of course.” Gu Lin started the car and glanced at the rearview mirror, “You look beautiful today, Xiwen.”

Wang Xiwen beamed, and Gu Lin seemed in a good mood.

Only Wang Miao felt something wasn’t quite right.

The pedestrian street was crowded, so Gu Lin dropped them at the entrance and went to park the car.

Once out of the car, Wang Miao warned Wang Xiwen, “Don’t say anything that might cause a misunderstanding with your Uncle Gu.”

“Okay.” Wang Xiwen covered her mouth, “I won’t mention that the Ukrainian uncle likes you.”

“He doesn’t like me. I was bluffing. I think everyone likes me!”

“…” Wang Xiwen made a hand gesture, “666.”

Wang Miao slapped her hand away, “Don’t talk nonsense, got it?”

Seeing Wang Xiwen nod earnestly, she stopped nagging.

In the pedestrian street, Wang Xiwen searched for gifts from shop to shop while Wang Miao and Gu Lin trailed behind.

The street was bustling. A sanitation worker pushed a trash cart through, and people hurried to make way. Wang Miao, jostled by the crowd, nearly fell.

Gu Lin, behind her, caught her, half-embracing her to his chest.

She felt the warmth of his body through her shoulder blades—a very intimate gesture.

Turning to look at him, she explained about her high heels, “I have canvas shoes in the trunk. I planned to switch while driving.”

“Let’s buy a pair. It’s not convenient to walk like this.” Gu Lin moved his hand from her shoulder to hold hers.

A nearby shoe store displayed a variety of styles, from retro to modern. Gu Lin picked up a simple pair with a red Mickey Mouse design, “How about these? They match your dress.”

Wang Miao took the shoes, “Has anyone ever criticized your taste?”

Gu Lin laughed, putting the shoes back, “Then you pick.”

Wang Miao wasn’t in the mood to choose shoes. It was almost noon, and she felt like Cinderella, anxious about the impending meeting. She quickly grabbed a pair of white satin shoes embroidered with blue flowers.

Gu Lin asked the price. The shopkeeper quoted high, “Three hundred sixty.”

Wang Miao instinctively bargained, “One hundred eighty.”

“Deal.” The shopkeeper quickly packed the shoes.

Gu Lin paid, chuckling, “Did we still get ripped off?”

“Probably. Quite a markup.” She took the shoes and walked to a wall to change.

Gu Lin took over, “You’re wearing a dress; it’s inconvenient to bend. I’ll do it.”

Wang Miao, leaning against the wall, watched Gu Lin squat to change her shoes, feeling more nervous. Would he throw the shoe at her if he found out she had lied?

Shaking her head to dispel the thought, she resolved to handle whatever came next.

Wang Xiwen, holding a gift box, emerged from a nearby shop and, seeing their pose, asked, “Are you filming a TV drama?”

Gu Lin stood, packed Wang Miao’s high heels, and took Wang Xiwen’s gift box, checking the time, “You’re supposed to meet at twelve, right? It’s a forty-minute walk. Let’s go.”

“Ah

, okay.” Wang Miao nodded.

She was in standby mode, the unexpected situation failing to trigger her fight-or-flight response. She felt dazed, almost resigned, thinking, “Bring it on.”

Walking to the restaurant, Wang Miao was distant, and Gu Lin noticed, “What’s wrong? Didn’t sleep well?”

Looking at Gu Lin’s gentle face, Wang Miao felt like crying. If he found out she had been pretending, would he still treat her this well? Would he still marry her?

She leaned on his arm, voice tinged with sadness, “You said you’d come back today, but I was too excited to sleep last night.”

Gu Lin smiled, patting her head, saying nothing.

Entering the restaurant, Bernard stood up and waved, “Elaine!”

Forcing herself to perk up, Wang Miao greeted him, explaining she had brought her boyfriend and niece.

Gu Lin arranged for a bigger table and approached as Bernard moved to hug Wang Miao. Gu Lin quickly pulled her aside, “We’re moving upstairs.”

Wang Miao saw through his little trick and almost laughed.

His action flipped a switch in her, reigniting her fighting spirit. Bernard was just a minor hurdle. He’d only be here once, and with the language barrier, what trouble could he cause?

What was she afraid of? Bring it on!

As Gu Lin looked over the menu, Wang Miao, using a calm tone, told Bernard in French that her boyfriend was conservative and didn’t like other men getting too close to her or talking about past relationships. She hoped Bernard wouldn’t say anything to upset him.

Bernard widened his eyes, full of concern, “Are you being held captive?”