I rubbed my temples. Why did I have to come up with that lie?
Auntie Lan said gently, âSo youâre Nanxingâs little uncle. She has told me all about you. Thank you for taking her in. The poor child, I like her a lot. She has been accompanying me for half the day already. I was about to send her back. Itâs perfect that youâve come to fetch her. Then I donât need to worry about her anymore. I have something to discuss with Jing Tian. Nanxing, Iâll see you tomorrow!â
Jing Tian and Tong Le were shocked. Auntie Lan pulled Jing Tian away. âLetâs go in. Mother has something to talk about with you.â
Jing Tian turned to tell Tong Le. âIâll call you later.â Tong Le nodded. I pulled on Tong Leâs hand and dragged him home.
âJing Tianâs mother doesnât like me. Why?â Tong Le was confused.
âThatâs not true. Youâre too sensitive.â I turned away from him.
âNo. Iâm sure of it.â Tong Le was very certain.
âHowâs Jing Ni?â I quickly changed the subject.
âHmm, she should wake up tomorrow afternoon. Remember to go to the hospital to accompany her after school. Jing Tian and I have something else to do.â His attention was successfully distracted.
âGot it. Iâll be there after class. Leave her with me. I wonder if Jing Ni will finally heal this time.â I was worried.
Tong Le said optimistically. âShe should be fine. Her treatment has gone for so long already. She wants to get better.â
I hesitated before saying. âLittle uncle, youâ¦â I still couldnât bring myself to ask.
Tong Le glared at me. âYou want to ask about my relationship with her again?â
I sighed and nodded.
âI had to say those things back then. It was a temporary measure and the best solution. What else could I do?â Tong Le said.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âI know. But little uncle, donât you like her at all? Jing Ni is a very good girl!â
Tong Le smiled wryly. âShe is your friend and I am your uncle. Thatâs all. Nanxing, you shouldnât worry too much or youâll get old so soon!â
âBut you admitted she was your fiance before everyone. Jing Tian was there too!â I was still worried.
âWell, do you think there was a better solution back then? It was just a stopgap solution. Matters of the heart canât be forced. Donât worry, Iâll talk to her after she recovers. As for the others, why should we care about what they think? I didnât need to rely on them so let them say whatever they want!â Tong Le shrugged.
âBut⦠But if you donât stay together, who would marry you in the future?â My mother was no longer around so I had to make sure my uncle got his happy ending on her behalf!
Tong Le knocked on my forehead. âMind your own business before you mind mine!â
I held my head and groaned, âDonât hit my head. What if you knocked me silly?â
He grabbed my shoulders and tickled my forehead. âAlright, Sister Xing, stop being so childish. Youâre already a big character who has made a name for herself. Speaking of, I heard Old Master Jing didnât like you so how did you get along so well with his wife? Whatâs going on?â
I once again changed the subject. âLittle uncle, did you encounter any danger when you were abroad? Someone threatened me with your safety! I was so mad!â
Tong Le huffed. âWhat danger? Who dares to threaten you through me?!â