Splash.

Pan Ting, why didnt you tell me and your mum? Tan Zui Shi asked.

I wanted to wait until I found another job, Tan Pan Ting said. Its hard to find a job right now.

Pan Ting, is the market slow right now? Chen Ting Yu asked.

Aunty, I Tan Pan Ting said.

Lately the security on the streets are tightened, Gu Jiao Wen said. Its hard for Pan Ting to find a job.

Everyone, including Tan Pan Ting didnt understand why security on the streets affected Tan Pan Tings job hunting.

Pan Ting, did you send your resume to the new karaoke bar opened last month? Gu Jiao Wen asked.

What? Tan Pan Ting asked.

Pan Ting, arent you familiar with places like the karaoke bar? Gu Jiao Wen asked.

Gu Jiao Wen! Tan Pan Ting said. Dont say nonsense. Im looking for a legitimate job.

Nonsense? Gu Jiao Wen asked. Didnt you say a street worker is at least human?

Gu Jiao Wen, if you keep saying nonsense then Im not going to be courteous toward you anymore, Tan Pan Ting warned.

If the elders werent at the table, Tan Pan Ting would have kicked Gu Jiao Wen to hell.

Pan Ting, you finding a legitimate job is like a headless chicken looking for its head, Gu Jiao Wen said.

Chicken your mother, Tan Pan Ting said. She slammed the table. Youre the chicken. Your whole family are chickens.

Tan Pan Ting picked up the glass of water, and threw it at Gu Jiao Wens face.

Gu Jiao Wen, go fk yourself, Tan Pan Ting said.

Tan Pan Ting grabbed her bag from the shaky table, stood and stormed out of the cafe without looking back.

The parents were dumbfounded. They didnt understand Tan Pan Tings outburst, and why Gu Jiao Wen was smiling while he wiped his wet face.

Uncle, aunty, dad and mum, Gu Jiao Wen said. Im marrying Pan Ting.

What? the parents asked together.

Jiao Wen do you know what youre saying? Chen Ting Yu asked.

Chen Ting Yu thought she was too old to understand the love lives of the younger generation.

Yes, Gu Jiao Wen said firmly. Right now Pan Tings upset with me. But Pan Ting and I have known each other for a long time. She says my good looks make her feel insecure. She acts childish to get me to pay attention to her more often. Uncle, aunty, Im serious about Pan Ting. Please give your blessings to let me marry Pan Ting. Shes upset with me for not agreeing to meet uncle and aunty sooner. The truth is I want to marry Pan Ting soon.

Outside the cafe, Tan Pan Ting was oblivious about Gu Jiao Wen spewing nonsense about their non-existent love lives.

Tan Pan Ting hailed a taxi home. At home she confided with Zheng Jia Ju for two hours over the phone about the hateful Gu Jiao Wen. After she hung up, she drank a glass of water to clear her dry throat and watched to TV while waiting for her parents to return home.

When Tan Zui Shi and Wen Xue Fang returned home, Tan Pan Ting was surprised to see them in good spirits.

Pan Ting, put your job hunting on hold, Tan Zui Shi said. You can use this free time to mentally prepare for marriage. Yours and Jiao Wens wedding date is set for next month.

Tan Pan Ting shivered uncontrollably.

Pan Ting, this weekend go with Jiao Wen to the city to meet the rest of Jiao Wens elders, Wen Xue Fang said. You can take pre-wedding photos with Jiao Wen in the city too. Jiao Wens family wants to pay for yours and Jiao Wens wedding reception.

Pan Ting, you dont need to worry about anything except looking after your health, Tan Zui Shi said. After youre married, you cant be childish anymore. Jiao Wens a good man, you shouldnt bully him.

Tan Pan Ting choked on another glass of water.

Wen Xue Fan patted Tan Pan Tings back, and she smiled at Tan Zui Shi.

Zui Shi, look at how happy our daughter is, Wen Xue Fan said.

Who said I must marry the MF Gu Jiao Wen? Tan Pan Ting asked. Dad, mum, I dont want to marry Gu Jiao Wen.

Pan Ting, what did you say? Tan Zui Shi asked.

I said I dont want to marry the MF Gu Jiao Wen, Tan Pan Ting said.

You Tan Zui Shi said.

Wen Xue Fang held Tan Zui Shis arm to stop him from slapping Tan Pan Tings cheek.

Zui Shi, we can discuss this in a reasonable manner, Wen Xue Fang said. Dont hit our daughter.

Tan Pan Ting, I dont care what you want, Tan Zui Shi said. Yours and Jiao Wens wedding day is settled. If you dont marry Jiao Wen, Ill disown you.

True to Tan Zui Shis words, the following day he didnt let Tan Pan Ting leave her bedroom, and he didnt let her friends visit because he didnt want Tan Pan Ting to be a runaway bride.

Tan Pan Ting vented online with Zheng Jia Ju.

Summer Night Sky: Help me escape.

Angel Jia Ju: I cant help you. I called your dad. He wont let me take you out before youre married.

Summer Night Sky: Tell my dad that as my bridesmaid, he should at least let you visit me.

Angel Jia Ju: Do you think Im a real angel? How am I supposed to sneak you out of your home right under your dads nose?

Summer Night Sky: Im going crazy. Tell me what Im supposed to do.

Angel Jia Ju: What else can you do except marry Gu Jiao Wen? Didnt you say hes handsome?

Summer Night Sky: You can go to hell. I rather marry a pig than marry that MF cop.

Angel Jia Ju: There is nothing I can do to help you.

Summer Night Sky: What happened to the sisterhood code of helping a girlfriend in need?

Angel Jia Ju: Its not like someone wants to kill you. Gu Jiao Wen only wants to marry you.

Summer Night Sky: Im being forced to marry him is the same as someone killing me.

Angel Jia Ju: Why dont you act like you want to marry him? When your dad puts his guard down, you can run away.

Pan Ting, why are you still in your pjs? Wen Xue Fang asked from the door. Hurry and change your clothes. Uncle and aunty will be here soon.

Tan Pan Ting quickly closed her chat screen with Zheng Jia Ju.

Mum, I dont want to marry Gu Jiao Wen, Tan Pan Ting said.

Pan Ting, stop being childish, Wen Xue Fang said. Listen to me, and go change your clothes.

Mum Tan Pan Ting said.

Wen Xue Fang closed the door and left before Tan Pan Ting could protest again.

Angel Jia Ju: Pan Ting, what happened? Why didnt you reply?

Summer Night Sky: His parents are coming here to visit me soon.

Angel Jia Ju: His family works fast.

Summer Night Sky: Dont joke about my depressing life if you dont want me to kill you.

Angel Jia Ju: You dummy. Why dont you think of a way to make him call off the wedding?

Summer Night Sky: Like what?

End of Chapters Thirty-Four to Thirty-Six