Chapter 7(A, Gu Lin’s Perspective)
1336 Words
Following Wang Miao home to meet her parents was already surreal, but Gu Lin didn't expect it to get even stranger. The night after meeting her parents, Wang Miao called him and said she wanted to start dating.
Gu Lin agreed almost immediately, but after hanging up, he couldn't sleep. He got out of bed and made instant coffee, sipping it to quench his thirst.
It wasn't the fastest he'd seen. During his graduate studies, a classmate went on a family-arranged date and got engaged within a week. Later, he saw her without the engagement ring and learned she was now dating a senior. Gu Lin was amazed at how quickly things could change.
Clearly, those who resort to dating are eager to marry. Even someone as reserved as Wang Miao was pushed by her family to take the initiative. It must have been her family's idea. Why else would she propose dating right after he visited her home?
Gu Lin finished his coffee, feeling a bit empty. Wang Miao's intent to "date" was surely aimed at marriage. And him? Was he ready for this?
When he registered on the dating site, he was motivated by spite after his breakup with Shen Lingxin. Now that he found a match, the bitterness was gone, replaced by uncertainty.
The next morning was uneventful, and after a busy morning of appointments, Gu Lin finally got home around two in the afternoon.
Gu Er, his dog, sniffed him thoroughly, seemingly satisfied that there was nothing unusual before returning to play by the window. Two days ago, when Gu Lin returned from Wang Miao's house, the dog had crazily tried to drag him to the bathroom as if intending to throw him into the toilet like his phone.
Gu Lin skipped lunch but wasn't hungry. He grabbed a beer, downed half of it, and put the rest on the table before taking a nap.
When he woke up around four, he thought about his new girlfriend, Wang Miao, and then about his friend Fan Sizhe, deciding to call the latter for dinner advice.
Fan Sizhe was reluctant, saying he needed to accompany his girlfriend. Desperate for guidance, Gu Lin pleaded, and Fan Sizhe eventually agreed to come over after cooking for his girlfriend. Gu Lin seized the opportunity, asking him to bring extra food.
After some cursing, Fan Sizhe showed up over an hour later with food and drinks. Most of the food was bought, except for some rice and stewed beans he had made himself.
They set the table, and between bites of food and sips of beer, Gu Lin poured out his concerns.
“I agreed to date a girl yesterday. I couldn’t sleep all night, worrying I might waste her time if it doesn’t work out.”
“I knew this whole dating thing wouldn’t work for you,” Fan Sizhe said, popping a peanut into his mouth. “You’re just like when you wanted to marry Shen Lingxin to win her back. You’re not ready to settle down. Be honest with the girl. Tell her you’re not ready to get married so she can find someone else.”
“No,” Gu Lin objected. “I really like her.”
“Yeah, right. Is there any woman you don’t like?” Fan Sizhe tossed a peanut skin to Gu Er, who played with it. “Why don’t you just live with Gu Er? He doesn’t pressure you to marry.”
Gu Er, dissatisfied with the peanut skin, barked until given a whole peanut. Fan Sizhe added, “See, easy to please.”
Gu Lin slapped the table, glaring at Fan Sizhe. “I asked you for advice, not to mock me. If you’re just going to gloat, go back to your girlfriend!”
“Fine, fine,” Fan Sizhe relented, seeing Gu Lin’s serious expression. “Let’s talk seriously.”
Gu Lin shook his head, “No need for serious talk. I’ve decided. I’ll date her and see where it goes. Maybe I’ll end up getting married. My mom worries about my love life.”
“Sure, and maybe she’ll dump you first,” Fan Sizhe retorted. “Why would she even consider you? She must not be picky.”
Gu Lin didn’t mention how he had emulated Fan Sizhe’s serious demeanor, avoiding any light-hearted banter to seem mature. But why did this approach still win Wang Miao’s favor?
Fan Sizhe noticed Gu Lin staring at him and sighed, “Alright, I take it back. You do have the looks to attract young girls.”
Gu Lin’s past girlfriends were indeed young and impressionable, easily swayed by his charm and generosity.
Fan Sizhe checked his watch, “You’re almost done eating. I promised Gu Jin I’d be home by ten.”
Gu Lin also checked the time. It was only 7:45 PM.
Fan Sizhe cleared his throat, “I know you too well. You won’t settle down until you’re in your grave. Some people are just born restless.”
“My parents seem pretty stable.”
“Maybe you were an accidental child,” Fan Sizhe joked.
“Get lost,” Gu Lin waved him off. “Go back to Gu Jin.”
Fan Sizhe made a show of leaving but returned, seeing Gu Lin’s glare, “Alright, alright. I’ll go.”
As the door closed, nearly catching Gu Er’s nose, the dog whimpered, seeking comfort from Gu Lin, who was also feeling sorry for himself.
Why did others get to have loving girlfriends?
Oh right, he had a girlfriend now too.
A somewhat confusing girlfriend.
He dialed Wang Miao’s number, not sure what to say when she answered. After a few moments of silence, she mumbled about bad reception and hung up.
Gu Lin laughed and called again. This time he suggested, “Had dinner? Want to go for a walk?”
“A walk?”
Gu Lin remembered they lived far apart. “Sorry, sleepy mistake. I’m off tomorrow. Want to have lunch?”
“I have a class in the morning, free in the afternoon. How about lunch?”
“Lunch, tea, and dinner. Can I book you for the whole day?”
Wang Miao chuckled, “I thought you’d call to back out.”
“Back out?” Gu Lin pretended to be puzzled, then softened his tone. “I was too excited to sleep.”
“Don’t fool me. Weren’t you on night duty?”
“When there are no emergencies, we can rest. But I was too happy yesterday, had three cups of coffee, couldn’t sleep.”
Wang Miao laughed, “I thought you were serious and didn’t joke around.”
“I’m different with my own people. My warmth is reserved for them.”
They chatted for a while, but Gu Lin, feeling tipsy, decided not to push his luck. He wished her goodnight.
Wang Miao seemed surprised, “Do you always go to bed this early?”
“Early to bed, early to rise. You should also get more rest.”
“Doctors really take care of themselves,” Wang Miao noted. “And clean and hygienic too.”
Gu Lin glanced at the messy living room and deflected the praise, blaming the mess on Gu Er. He decided to clean up just in case Wang Miao visited unexpectedly.
Wang Miao said her class ended at noon, so Gu Lin arrived at 11:30. Her language school was in a business district near his home. Picking her up regularly would be convenient.
Wang Miao came out at 12:15, still limping slightly. Gu Lin got out to help her into the car, gently checking her ankle. “It’s getting better.”
He noticed her blushing, finding it endearing.
“You said you wouldn’t date patients…” she muttered, then corrected herself, “Oh, I’m your girlfriend now.”
Gu Lin smiled, resisting the urge to pat her head. He was happy today. Tomorrow might bring marriage, but today was for dating.
- Writer
