Gong Xuechang studied abroad for three years. After completing his Master and Doctorate studies, he returned to China to become an English professor at a college. In addition to English, he was also proficient in Japanese and Korean and knew a little German and French. He enjoyed doing translation work, so he had wide exposure to languages ââand other related works.
He became a teacher in his home country so he could practice his skills more even in his spare time. Translation was not limited to words, but it also required a certain understanding of the local culture, environment, its society , as well as a certain level of language aesthetics. Language was beautiful. Gong Xuechang firmly believed in this, and often told his undergraduates that their readings after class should not be limited to textbooks and rote memorization.
Because of his slightly good looks, his older senior professors set him up on many blind dates, despite having spent less than a year home. Gong Xuechang was far from anxious about his relationship status, but it was also difficult to refuse the kindness of the professors.
âXiao Fang is a talented girl from our school. She is also very cute, and she is just three years younger than you. Sheâs the perfect match! Her motherâs also my friend. We do dancing together with a community every day. A mother-in-lawâs personality is more important than anything else. I can guarantee this!â
âI have met her daughter Xiao Fang a few times! She is quiet and polite. I think sheâs working as a clerk for a company⦠Well, the important thing is that she has a stable job, and it wouldnât matter how much money she makes, right?â
Gong Xuechang felt overwhelmed by the professors. He had no choice but to nod.
The senior professor was even more elated. She was very enthusiastic about her new identity as a matchmaker. âThen Iâll send you Miss Fangâs WeChat contacts,â she said. Â She did not forget to pat Gong Xuechang on the shoulder. Â âDonât forget to contact her, boys should always take the initiative!â she reminded again.
Gong Xuechang could only nod. As a man, he was a gentleman. Although he was not keen on blind dates, he still understood that he should invite the girl out for a meal and pay the bill, since he had agreed.
After getting the other partyâs WeChat, he sent an invitation to be friends. Just looking at the other personâs profile picture, she was indeed cute. She was wearing a hello kitty headband. It looked like the picture was taken in Disneytown.
Gong Xuechang glanced at it a little more before putting his mobile phone in his pocket. Then, he took his lecture notes and headed to the lecture hall.
After two classes, he glanced at his phone again. The other party had not accepted his invitation. After two more classes, he glanced at his phone again. It was still not accepted⦠He checked it several times that night, but it still wasnât acceptedâ¦
It was not until he got up the next day that he saw the WeChat notification.
[Iâve accepted your friend request, we can start chatting now.]
When he saw the time of this notification, he narrowed his eyes.
02:33 am.
Did this girl sleep so late? Or did she stay up late?
He had no position to interfere in another personâs life. After glancing at it, he went to the school cafeteria to eat as usual. Then, he prepared for his lecture. Â At 3:30 in the afternoon, he finished his work and returned to the office. He was questioned by the senior professor again. After being urged, he had no choice but to send a message.
[Hello, I was introduced by Professor Zheng. Are you free to have a meal together?]
After Gong Xuechang finished sending the message, he politely added another sticker of an awkward smile to avoid embarrassment. But this embarrassment did not subside at all, and it continued until the early morning of the next day! The other party didnât reply until one oâclock in the morning the next day.
[Fang Xiaogong*: T-Tâ¦Sorry, Iâm not available. My schedule for this week is full. Maybe next week, but please let me know three days in advance, if possible T-Tâ¦]
*This is Fang Qiuyeâs WeChat name. Will be explained in the next chapter.
This subtle rejection did not make Gong Xuechang feel angry or annoyed. On the contrary, the two emojis made him take a second look.
[Gong Xuechang: It doesnât matter. I can tell that youâre busy.]
They were both grown ups, and one naturally understood if another person was declining an invitation. Â Gong Xuechang kept his mobile phone and continued to prepare and lecture classes.
This lasted until Aunty⦠Professor Zheng came to him again. She was very concerned.
âXiao Gong, have you guys met?â she began, then seeing his face, she added, âHuh? Not yet? Whatâs wrong? You didnât invite her out?â
Gong Xuechang thought for a while and decided to take the blame on himself. âWe were both busy.â
âWhat are you busy with? Both of you have time after you get off work!â Aunty exclaimed. Â âGosh, I donât know what to tell her mother. No matter how busy you are, you have to fall in love. You can be friends even if you donât get married in the end. Isnât that good?â
The professor of the English Department was indeed enlightened and had a modern mindset.
âYouâre always alone, and thatâs so boring!â she added. âThis month, the party is organizing some activities, and there are two extra concert tickets. You can take them and invite her to listen to the concert, and have a meal on the way.â
Gong Xuechang had no choice but to accept it. He sent another message to the other party.
[Miss Fang, are you free this Saturday?]
Today was Tuesday, but it met her request to invite her out three days in advance. This time, he didnât have to wait until early morning. A reply from the other party came after lunch break at noon.
[Fang Xiaogong: Bro, Iâm sorry. Iâve been too busy recentlyâ¦QAQ. Iâll apologize and buy you meal when Iâm free next time~]
Gong Xuechang paid attention to the emoticons again, and there was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.
[Sure.]
He didnât look at his friendsâ status often and he also rarely updated his status. But today, he couldnât help but look at it.
Her WeChat name, Fang Xiaogong, seemed to encapsulate her real life story; there was no time when she was not busy. In her status update, there were many photos of her staying up late, which showed the busy, daily life of the other party.