Page 60 of He Is My Bride
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Lü Anne?”
“Yes, and who is this?”
The woman on the phone introduced herself as a reporter from a local daily paper.
Anne had to think fast.
“Well, you see, I’m not from here, actually, and I have never heard of such a publication. What’s your name again?” Anne spoke slowly, hoping to stall the reporter while she made a search on the name of the person and the paper she represented: yellow press. Celebrity news. Trash.
“You work as a personal stylist, is that correct?” the reporter asked.
Anne tried to think where the reporter could have possibly gotten her name, her number, and her occupation. Then Anne remembered: she’d given her card to that stuck-up sales representative. She’d seen Hanjun enter the store and likely figured out who Anne’s client was.
That sneaky bitch, how unprofessional!
“—I would like to ask you a few questions. Who—”
“I’m under a non-disclosure agreement, I can’t answer your questions.” Anne lied on the spot. There was no agreement, but her obligations were stronger than paper.
“We will offer a generous recompense if you would just tell—”
“The answer is no, goodbye.”
”-the sum of money your client used yesterday—”
Anne closed the phone and blocked the number.
—
Li Ying was happy to keep Hanjun in bed all day. The rest of the world disappeared as the newly betrothed began dreaming of their wedding day.
Only late in the evening Li Ying finally re-remembered what day it was. Besides his betrothal day, of course!
“It should be early morning in the States, I should call home.”
Li Ying was lounging on the couch in nothing but a bathrobe. Hanjun was the same way, coming from the kitchen with a cup of tea.
“I can’t wait to tell them—” Then Li Ying realized: he couldn’t tell the Qians the first thing about his engagement. “Tell them merry Christmas, I guess.”
Hanjun felt a sting of conscience when he saw Li Ying’s face drop.
“I got too excited for a second, I almost forgot.” Li Ying smiled apologetically at Hanjun.
“You should still call them.” Hanjun sat down next to him.
Li Ying took his phone out and dialed Uncle Qian. His foster father replied:
“Hi, Li Ying!”
“Merry Christmas, uncle!”
“Merry Christmas! How have you been?”
“Well, Christmas is not that big of a deal here, but I did some gift-shopping yesterday. Today, uh, I’ve just been chilling. Have you opened presents yet?” Li Ying held out his hand and turned it, letting the diamond catch the light and glimmer beautifully.
Li Ying and his foster father chatted about how the holidays had been going over at the Qians. Although Li Ying’s tone remained cheerful, he began to look rather forlorn.
