Histoires de fantômes

Chapitre 13

“Alright,” the editor-in-chief turned to us and said, “You two rascals, you’d better take good care of Ah Qing this afternoon.”

I didn't say anything, and Ah Xiao said with a grin, "Then you don't need to tell me."

I wondered what the editor-in-chief was up to. Why did he want the two of us to accompany A-Qing? Was he being controlled again? But why was he called A-Xiao? Didn't Huan Ji say that all of Pei Qing's information would disappear and no one would remember her? Why did she suddenly reappear? And not only did the editor-in-chief remember her, but A-Xiao also remembered that they were elementary school classmates.

I had a nice lunch at the editor-in-chief's house. Pei Qing was chattering away at the table, acting like a happy girl. I found it strange, but I couldn't see anything wrong with her.

In the afternoon, Sima Xiao and I accompanied her for a walk on the street. While she was trying on clothes, Sima Xiao suddenly said to me, "Hey, did you notice?"

I was startled, thinking that Sima Xiao had also figured something out, and exclaimed, "What? What did you figure out?"

"Why did the editor-in-chief make the two of us accompany his niece?"

"I don't know," I said, feigning ignorance to see what he meant.

"Idiot, I bet he's the one who asked Ah Qing to find a nephew-in-law between us."

"Ah," I said, relieved, but still a little doubtful, "Really?"

"What's there to not know? Neither of us has a girlfriend, and we're both pretty handsome."

To be honest, I quite agree with what he said, and I couldn't help but laugh.

He looked at me and said, "Dude, I have to ask you for help this time."

I asked, puzzled, "Beg me? Beg me for what?"

"I've had a crush on Pei Qing for many years, and we were elementary school classmates. You have to give me your blessing."

I blurted out, "Why are you making me give it to you again?"

I knew I'd said the wrong thing as soon as the words left my mouth.

As expected, Sima Xiao asked in confusion, "What do you mean 'again'? When have you ever given way to me?"

I chuckled and said, "I misspoke, haha. I meant you're afraid you can't compete with me, right?"

"I'm telling you not to mess with me. We're good buddies, we can't turn against each other over a woman, right?"

I chuckled inwardly; those words sounded so familiar. Seeing how seriously he was looking at me, I could only say, "Don't worry, I won't steal your dream girl."

He thought to himself, "Even if you gave it to me, I wouldn't dare take it. It's not like I don't want to live."

Ah Qing came out after trying on the clothes and asked, "How is it? Does it look good?"

"Beautiful, beautiful," Sima Xiao said hurriedly.

Ah Qing smiled.

Sima Xiao said, "So, did you buy it?"

Ah Qing looked at me and said, "What do you think?"

I saw her try on a yellow dress, and it looked great, so I nodded and said, "Not bad."

Ah Qing changed her clothes and said to us, "Let's go."

Sima Xiao said, "Why don't you buy it?"

"I think it makes my face look darker."

"No, your face is quite fair."

I couldn't help but laugh when I heard that. Ah Qing said, "I kind of want to eat ice cream."

Sima Xiao pointed to the ice cream parlor not far away and said, "They have them there, I'll go buy some."

Without saying another word, he ran off to buy it.

Seeing that no one was around, I looked closely at A-Yu and asked, "Who exactly are you?"

She asked in astonishment, "What did you say?"

Seeing that her expression didn't seem fake, I quickly said, "It's nothing."

"Then why did you ask me who I was just now?"

"Oh," I said quickly, "I think you're so beautiful that I wanted to ask if you're a fairy from heaven."

She chuckled, glared at me, and said, "You're so glib; I didn't even notice."

I could only manage a silly smile, but deep down I was filled with doubt.

Just then, Sima Xiao ran over with three ice creams and said, "What are you two talking about, so happy?"

“No, I said he’s just glib,” Pei Qing said with a grin.

Sima Xiao's expression stiffened as he said, "Really? Ah Ming didn't notice."

I sighed inwardly and said, "Don't worry, I always keep my word. I was just telling Ah Qing that you're our magazine's most eligible bachelor."

Ah Xiao suddenly laughed, a little embarrassed.

Ah Qing asked curiously, "What are you talking about? What do you mean by keeping your word?"

We both said together, "It's nothing, we were just joking."

"Where do we go now?"

I wanted to try Ah Qing again, so I said, "Let's go to the wonton stall on Sixth Street." I wanted to see her reaction.

But after I finished speaking, they both looked at me strangely.

I asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Ah Xiao said, "What wonton stall? Do you want the three of us to go eat wontons now?"

Ah Qing also said, "Yes, we just finished eating and we're not hungry at all."

"I'm not hungry." I was at my wit's end; I really didn't know if this girl was being genuine or not.

Sima Xiao said, "I know a lot of fun places, I'll take you there."

Ah Qing clapped her hands and laughed, "Great, great!"

Then we went shopping and to the park with Sima Xiao. After half a day, I was exhausted. Seeing how excited they were, I made an excuse, pretended to say a few words on my phone, and then told them I had some things to do at home and had to go back. They didn't mind at all, and Xiao even gave me a grateful look.

Chapter Twenty: A Smile as Bright as Spring Light

I received another call from the editor-in-chief before going home.

He asked, "Where are you all? How was it, Ah Qing? Did you have fun?"

"Happy, happy, Editor-in-Chief, Qing and Xiao are having a great time. I had some things to take care of at home, so I came back first."

"What? The two of them are together?" The editor-in-chief's tone seemed a little off.

"What's wrong? Is everything alright?"

"It's nothing. I'm just worried that Xiao will take the opportunity to fawn over Qing."

I laughed and said, "What's wrong? Xiao told me himself that he likes Qing."

“Sigh, what do you know? That kid Xiao is such a womanizer, I’m afraid he’ll cheat on Qing.”

I asked, somewhat puzzled, "Then why do you still want Ah Xiao to play with Ah Qing?"

"Didn't I ask you to go?"

"You called me? Yes, Editor-in-Chief, I was just about to ask you why you called me again. As long as Xiao is with Qing, he's fine. He's better at having fun than me."

“Sigh, silly boy, you don’t even understand this. I only feel at ease with you two, because you’re honest and Ah Xiao is good at playing around. But now that you’ve come back alone, I’m worried again.”

I was stunned for a moment before I understood what the editor-in-chief meant. I almost vomited blood and asked, "You want me to play with A-Qing because I'm old?"

“Yes, if you play with A-Qing, you can protect her from A-Xiao’s tricks. I was going to give you a red envelope later, but now you’ve come back on your own…”

I didn't have the strength to listen anymore; it was an insult to me.

Suddenly, I remembered something and wanted to confirm it, so I asked, "Editor-in-Chief, do you still remember the incident of Ah Xiao sleeping?"

"Xiao is sleeping? What time is he? During working hours! This is outrageous! I'm docking his pay."

"No, no, he's sleeping at home."

"Sleep at home, Ah Ming, do you know what you're saying?"

I understood somewhat, and quickly said, "It's nothing, I'm a little tired, I don't even know what I'm saying, I'll hang up now if there's nothing else."

"Okay, then you get some rest. I'll call them and have Ah Xiao take Ah Qing home."

As soon as I finally stepped inside the house, my dad ran up to me with a beaming smile and said, "Ah Ming, why are you only coming back now? There's a girl waiting for you."

"A girl?" My inner alarm bells rang. "Who?"

When I ran into the house, I saw my mother talking to a woman in a green dress.

My mother smiled as soon as she saw me and said, "Ah Ming, Miss Mei has been waiting for you for ages."

The woman stood up and turned around. I almost fainted. She was none other than Huan Ji Mei Shui Xing.

I blurted out, "How did you end up in my house?"

Mom frowned and said, "Ah Ming, what are you saying? Miss Mei came here specifically to see you."

I calmed myself down and put on a big smile, saying, "Ah, I'm so happy and surprised. Miss Mei, have you eaten yet?"

She looked at me with amusement, but said, "No, I came here today specifically to taste your cooking."

My mom beamed and said, "Okay, okay, I'll go prepare right away. You two talk, you two talk."

She said, "I'll help."

My mom said, "No need, no need, please sit down."

“That won’t do. How can I just eat for free? I have to do something.” It would be good if I could learn something from your aunt.

Then the two of them happily went to the kitchen to cook, and their dad came over and whispered with a smile, "Not bad, kid, your girlfriend is so pretty."

My mind was in turmoil, and I could only say, "She's not my girlfriend."

“Still denying it? They’ve already come to our house, kid, what are you and your dad embarrassed about?”