Fated Marriage Chapter 4

Chapter Four

In the afternoon, Qin Song called Zhang Yu and notified her that tonight he and Han Ting Ting were coming over their place for dinner. He asked Zhang Yu not to act surprise when they arrive. Unfortunately, he overestimated Zhang Yu. When he was holding hands with Han Ting Ting and walked through his parents’ front door they saw Qin Yun in the living room reading a newspaper.

‘Oh, why didn’t you two call to say you were eating dinner here tonight?’ Qin Yun asked.

Han Ting Ting’s eyes widened and looked at Qin Song whose body stood completely straight. Zhang Yu was running joyfully to greet them. Zhang Yu’s innocent smile momentarily froze then mouth was closed as Zhang Yu ran behind Qin Yun’s back to dodge the bullets shot by Qin Song’s eyes.

Qin Yun saw his wife’s frightened look behind his back and knew straight away Zhang Yu made a mistake.

‘Are you two going to stand there all day?’ Qin Yun asked. ‘Come in, it’s nearly dinner time. Zhang Yu, go ask the chef to cook dishes that Ting Ting likes to eat.’

Qin Yun looked at his wife to let her know she should take the opportunity to escape or she wouldn’t live long enough to eat dinner.

‘Ah… I ordered the dishes already. There’s the sweet and sour prawns and fishes that Ting Ting likes to eat,’ Zhang Yu said naively.

Zhang Yu didn’t take advantage of the escape route her husband made for her.

Qin Yun annoyed that his good intentions couldn’t be appreciated by his blank wife, walked to the dining room and didn’t worry about her wellbeing anymore.

At the dining table, no one talked and each person sat in an awkward silence.

Qin Yun was a man with few words, he comfortably ate and didn’t bother to pick up food for Zhang Yu.

Qin Song sipped a spoon full of soup and squint his eyes at Zhang Yu who had her head buried into a bowl of rice.

Han Ting Ting felt the atmosphere was too tensed. She looked left then right, smiled and coughed twice to break the silence.

‘The sweet and sour fish is delicious!’ Han Ting Ting said.

‘Girls all love eating sweet dishes,’ Qin Yun teased and picked a fish portion to put into Zhang Yu’s bowl. ‘Ting Ting, if you like the food here then come over often.’

‘Yes, dad. Qin Song always tells me my cooking is no good and that I should come here to learn how to cook properly,’ Han Ting Ting said and made Qin Yun’s smile even warmer.

‘Qin Song, what have you been busy with at work lately?’ Qin Yun asked.

It was rare the father and son spoke to each other harmoniously.

Qin Song’s chopsticks that were scooping rice suddenly froze and he kept his head down.

‘Busy with my own business,’ Qin Song said coldly.

Qin Song treated his dad with indifference, different how he treated other people around him.

Qin Yun recognised his son’s att.i.tude toward him and his rare smile faded away.

In the beginning the Zhang household searched for a decent girl to marry Qin Song, because Qin Yun’s health was poor and Qin’s company needed someone stable to inherit the head position. Han Ting Ting thought it was the same reason why Qin Song agreed to the arranged marriage. After interacting with Qin Song for a period she could see that wasn’t Qin Song’s real reason. He didn’t care about inheriting Qin’s company. But if he married her to comfort Qin Yun it didn’t make sense why the Qin father and son’s relations.h.i.+p was strained.

Even if Qin Yun was a stern dad and didn’t have anything in common to talk about with Qin Song… Qin Song’s personality was usually lively but he chose to keep a respectful distance with his own dad…

‘Ting Ting… Ting Ting!’ Zhang Yu called.

‘Ah,’ Han Ting Ting said.

Han Ting Ting was deep in thought and was brought back by Zhang Yu’s serious tone. ‘What… What’s wrong?’

Zhang Yu saw that the father and son wore frozen faces and didn’t say anything but she wanted to express her grievances to her daughter-in-law.

‘I asked if you and Song Song can stay the night. After getting married, you two haven’t slept here before. Sleep here tonight and you and I can have a mother and daughter gossip session,’ Zhang Yu said.

If she slept here tonight… then she’d need to share a bed with Qin Song.

Qin Song saw her silent plea for help.

‘I want go home and sleep in our own bed,’ Qin Song said.

Qin Yun who was eating suddenly stood up and silently walked upstairs.

‘Song Song, your dad’s health isn’t good. Why do you have to provoke him? Sleeping over one night won’t kill you. You’ll be sleeping with your wife not with your father!’ Zhang Yu said.

‘When did I make dad angry?’ Qin Song asked and slammed his chopsticks on the table.

‘If you want to go home then get out of my sight!’ Qin Yun said and thumped the stair rail. ‘Zhang Yu, after you finish eating come upstairs with me and let them leave.’

Qin Yun’s outburst startled Han Ting Ting. She turned to Qin Song to see his reaction. His eyes were hard to read but he held the chopsticks tight enough for the veins on his hand to pop up.

‘Qin Song…’ she called him gently.

He lifted his head, his lips were still pressed together but his hand released the chopsticks.

A man that got to be called dad, was scary to what extent?

When Han Ting Ting was a kid she used to admire Tu Tu’s dad. Tu Tu’s dad smiled a lot and told Tu Tu funny stories. Whatever Tu Tu did, Tu Tu’s dad wasn’t solemn or glared at Tu Tu. Tu Tu even dared to draw a mustache on him when he was sleeping then put a cold hand on his neck to laugh. Tu Tu’s dad hugged Tu Tu, spun her around and praised Tu Tu. ‘My daughter is smart and adorable!’

Tu Tu’s dad nicknamed her ‘Mao Mao’ (plush toy), it was a funny nickname like Tu Tu was a little cute animal. Han Ting Ting was always envious of their father and daughter bond.

Han Ting Ting’s dad was a stern and an intimidating dad like Qin Yun. If she was brutally honest her dad was a lot scarier than Qin Yun.

Han Ting Ting’s dad wasn’t talkative. He disciplined her with three methods – be furious, death stare and pound table. During her school days after each end of year exams, she’d cry anxious tears as she’d scoop a bowl of rice. But nearby her house Tu Tu’s father would laugh and joke. ‘Mao Mao, you failed again? Don’t worry, it was me that failed to pa.s.s down my brilliance to you.’

The day after exam results she’d cry all the way to that person’s house. That person would rub her head and offer comforting words. ‘Ting Bao you failed? So did Tu Tu. Don’t worry lots of your cla.s.smates failed too.’

She’d cry until she heard the magic bribe.

‘Ok, don’t crying anymore. Ting Bao, don’t be too hard on yourself. Nearly everyone in your cla.s.s failed because of the no good exam questions. Ting Bao, don’t cry anymore and I’ll take you to buy ice-cream,’ that person said.

‘Ok!’ Han Ting Ting said.

Except for Putt Putt, no one else knew she hated eating ice-cream. She only picked up the habit of eating ice-cream whenever she was upset, because that person always bought her ice-cream to comfort her.

‘Ping!’ the microwave beeped.

Han Ting Ting slapped her cheeks to forget about that person. She opened the microwave, took out the warm gla.s.s of milk and walked upstairs.

Qin Song’s bedroom door was wide opened. He was laying on his bed with his arms and legs stretched out and staring at the ceiling.

‘Qin Song!’ Han Ting Ting called and knocked on the door. ‘You only ate a bit during dinner. Are you hungry?’

‘Get out!’ Qin Song said.

Han Ting Ting fumbled back away from the threshold of the door and only stuck her head through it. ‘Do you want to drink milk? It’s heated up.’

Qin Song sat upright and coldly looked at ‘little country bun.’ ‘You, come here!’

Han Ting Ting obediently brought the gla.s.s of milk into his room. But he didn’t take the gla.s.s from her. His arms were crossed and stared up at her. She was the one standing, but the way he stared up at her was as if he was the one standing and looking down at her. She felt a chill on her back and lowered her head.

Han Ting Ting was scared of Qin Song when he acted serious. During those times she realised she was married to Qin Song, the Qin household’s precious heir, Commander Zhang’s favourite grandchild and was a stakeholder of Liang’s company. No matter how sweet and childish Qin Song behaved, she couldn’t forget they didn’t belong in the same world.

‘Tell me,’ Qin Song said. ‘Was I the one who made my old man angry?’

Han Ting Ting lifted her head. ‘What?’

‘How did I make him angry?’ Qin Song asked.

‘You didn’t… I know you didn’t… I understand, it’s not that you didn’t want to sleep over their place, but your dad doesn’t know why,’ Han Ting Ting said and gave him the gla.s.s.

Qin Song gulped down the milk in one go, burped and gave the empty gla.s.s back to ‘little country bun.’

He laid back down on the bed, stared at the ceiling and was deep in thought.

‘Qin Song, dads and mums have a lot of differences. Most dads have trouble or too embarra.s.sed to show that they care… it’s not that your dad doesn’t love you,’ Han Ting Ting said.

Qin Song’s forehead creased and he gave ‘little country bun’ a dagger.

‘Who did you say didn’t love who?’ Qin Song asked.

Han Ting Ting was startled and gulped down saliva.

‘I was talking about myself…’ Han Ting Ting said.

‘You’re such a fool, of course your dad doesn’t like you. What dad doesn’t like having a son?’ Qin Song said and propped his head up with his hands and arms.

Qin Song turned back to her. ‘Hey! Where are you going?’

Han Ting Ting’s back faced him and she was heading to the door.

‘Come back!’ Qin Song said.

Qin Song grabbed her arm and she was forced to sit down on the bed.

After an awkward silence, Qin Song opened his mouth. ‘Did you agree to go on a match making date to see me because your dad forced you?’

‘No my dad didn’t,’ Han Ting Ting said with her head down and shook a finger. ‘It was my choice.’

‘You’re lying. Doesn’t every girl want to marry someone decent?’ Qin Song said.

Han Ting Ting’s body straightened. ‘Marrying you… is not marrying someone decent?’

What… Qin Song glared at ‘little country bun.’ She was dead meat! It was as if she didn’t talk back at him each day then she’d feel uncomfortable.

‘Han Ting Ting!’ Qin Song squint his eyes and grilled her. ‘Tell the truth. You’re in love with someone else right? Your parents were against you and him being together and you married me out of anger right?’

Qin Song used to think she was a gold digger. But when they were discussing about compensation he’d give her after they divorced, she refused to take anything from him. It made him realised she didn’t marry for money.

‘That’s not it. I wanted to get married quickly so my parents wouldn’t have to worry about me anymore. My parents have struggled a lot because of me,’ Han Ting Ting said.

Han Ting Ting’s hands were fisted and whitened and her eyes had a layer of misty tears. ‘Besides, that person had never said he loved me. Nothing had happened between him and me.’

Han Ting Ting scrunched her face, she was always uncomfortable remembering the past.

Qin Song had only made a wild guess and was surprised he’d hit the mark. His interest peaked, he sat up at shoulder level with her on the bed and egged her on. ‘The two of you were never together? Then why would your parents move houses to stop you from running into him?’

Han Ting Ting was taken back. Her eyes swirled in circles as she tried to focus on Qin Song. Her dad had warned her that she wasn’t allowed to talk about it to outsiders! How did Qin Song know?

‘How did you know that my family moved houses to avoid him?’ Han Ting Ting asked.

‘Your family was living comfortably in a rural district then suddenly your family moved far away and you were in a rush to find a husband. Of course it’s not hard to guess why your family moved houses,’ Qin Song said in his as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

Han Ting Ting wrinkled her forehead in distress and let out a long sigh. ‘It’s all my fault. I’m not good!’

Qin Song’s curiosity raised a notch. ‘Why aren’t you good?’

‘That person never said he loved me, it was a one sided love… I’ve always loved him. After my dad found out, he was furious. I was scared my dad would go look for that person and I’d be disgraced… that person didn’t love me…’ Han Ting Ting rattled on about her troubles that she’d never confided to anyone else but Putt Putt.

‘Why was your dad against you having feelings for that person? Was it because he’s married?’ Qin Song asked.

Han Ting Ting nodded then shook her head. ‘That person was married. He has a daughter named Dong. Dong’s mum died giving birth to Dong. Dong Dong’s adorable! She’s like a beautiful doll!’

‘Hey! Don’t change the subject,’ Qin Song said impatiently. ‘Your dad was against you being a step-mum to that person’s child right?’

Han Ting Ting nodded. ‘And… that person never said he liked me either. Whenever he worked overtime he’d ask me to look after Dong Dong, because Dong Dong is a student at my preschool.’

‘Before you left, didn’t you say one word to him?’ Qin Song asked. ‘If after you left silently and he was like you and hid his feelings, what are you going to do now?’

‘That person wouldn’t hide his feelings,’ Han Ting Ting said dejectedly. ‘That person loved Dong Dong’s mum, a love that can’t be replaced. I knew long ago, if I were to stay by his side for the rest of his life, in his heart I could never surpa.s.s Dong’s mum. That person is too loyal.’

Qin Song pursed his lips and collapsed on the bed.

Han Ting Ting was in a state of self-pity thinking about the past. Her knees were bent and her chin rested on her knees. She looked like a pet waiting to be patted lovingly.

‘Han Ting Ting!’ Qin Song called and kicked her gently to get her attention. ‘Your dad separating you two love birds, you don’t resent him?’

‘Of course I don’t. That’s my dad. I’ll never resent my dad no matter what happens, he’ll always want what’s best for me,’ Han Ting Ting said.

Little waves fluttered in Qin Song’s eyes.

Han Ting Ting didn’t discover Qin Song’s mood and continued to confide in him. ‘The way we see our love lives isn’t the same way our parents see our love lives. Usually when parents say something isn’t good for us is because they have their own reasons. Even if I’m upset, I still listen to their advice.’

The night had fallen, but it was particularly dark in that moment. Qin Song returned to the past events, his impulsive youth, did whatever that pleased him and causing that absurd mess… years later, he still couldn’t face his past actions or avoid what would happen in the future either. The seriousness of his actions made him suffer and regretful… all because he didn’t listen!

‘Qin Song, did you get married because of your dad right? When I clean your study room, I see a lot of research articles in English and they’re all about lung cancer. It shows that you care a lot about your dad,’ Han Ting Ting said.

Han Ting Ting lifted her head and saw Qin Song laid on his side with his back toward her. ‘But why is it that you rarely chat with your dad? Like tonight at dinner. Your dad wanted to talk to you and show an interest in you but you shrugged him off.’

‘A few years ago, my old man renounced our father and son relations.h.i.+p. Why would my old man still care about me?’ Qin Song said coldly and stared up at the ceiling.

‘Then you must have done something to make him that angry,’ Han Ting Ting said.

‘Even if he was angry, he shouldn’t cast me aside like that. What sort of a dad sided with an outsider and didn’t need his own biological son?’ Qin Song said.

Han Ting Ting felt that they chatted a lot more than usual and it wouldn’t be good for her to stay longer. She picked up the empty gla.s.s, got off the bed and walked to the door.

Han Ting Ting got to the door and Qin Song suddenly opened his mouth again.

‘That person loved his wife a lot, what traits does he have that makes you love him?’ Qin Song asked.

Han Ting Ting stood still. ‘Loving someone… it’s hard to specify why clearly.’

Han Ting Ting paused to ponder Qin Song’s question for a while. ‘That person is handsome, good natured, tackles everything in a mature manner… when he started building his career he worked hard, he worked many late nights. Me and Dong Dong would pick him up from work, his office was scattered with doc.u.ments and the dim lights twinkled, it was a beautiful sight. When he stepped out of the building he’d put on his jacket and the pa.s.sing wind would flutter his jacket like he was from a martial arts novel. The wind blowing and the jacket fluttering…’

Qin Song hated ‘little country bun’s’ love forlorn trance and hurriedly ushered her outside his room.

On an autumn’s day, Qin Song was in a good mood packing up his office to leave. Then he put on his jacket and suddenly an image of ‘the wind blowing and the jacket fluttering’ sprung up and he remembered the look of ‘little country bun’s’ love forlorn trance. It left an uncomfortable feeling in his heart. He scrunched his face and pushed the b.u.t.ton to turn on the speaker phone. ‘Today everyone needs to work overtime!’

‘Ah!’ Qin Song’s secretary said.

‘Give me all of the paper work scheduled for tomorrow and the whole week too!’ Qin Song said in a serious tone.

‘Yes, straight away,’ Qin Song’s secretary said.

Later that night, everyone was working hard at Qin’s company. By the time it was half past seven at night, Qin Song couldn’t stand it anymore and called home.

‘Why haven’t you called me to ask why I’m still not back from work? The night sky’s been dark for a long time!’ Qin Song said.

‘Oh… why haven’t you finish work yet?’ Han Ting Ting asked.

On Han Ting Ting’s end there were gurgling sounds of a baby. She was coaxing a baby boy whilst balancing her phone.

‘I’m working overtime,’ Qin Song said.

‘Mmm… on the way home remember to buy baby formula and a teething brush. Don’t forget!’ Han Ting Ting said.

The baby boy was laughing gleefully and Han Ting Ting didn’t hesitate to hang up the phone.

Qin Song grimaced and grudgingly hung up the phone. He vented his frustrations by scratching his work desk.

The autumn days gradually became colder as it approached winter.

Autumn arrived and Qin Song’s birthday neared. Qin Song was an only child, Commander Zhang’s beloved grandson and a major stakeholder of Liang’s company. That was why Qin Song’s birthday each year was a glamourous event. The autumn that was here was a more special season, because it’d be Qin Song’s first birthday celebration after marriage. Big boss Liang ordered Rong Yan to prepare a birthday banquet befitting of Qin Song’s grandeur status.

When Qin Song was looking over his birthday guest list and made a special request to Rong Yan. ‘Ask Chen Yun to bring along her husband and their daughter.’

Rong Yan narrowed his eyes and glanced at Qin Song. ‘Do you need to give special treatment to Chen Yun’s family?’

‘It’s not about compensating her for doing contract work for Qin’s company…’ Qin Song said. ‘No matter what get her to bring her family.’

A disgruntled Rong Yan stood with the guest list in hand and left.

Qin Song by himself sat back on his chair and held his chin. Would the ‘little country bun’ understand at his birthday celebration that there was nothing going on between him and Chen Yun after she sees Chen Yun’s family?

On Qin Song’s birthday, Han Ting Ting woke up early, dressed and applied makeup.

When Qin Song walked downstairs to grab a gla.s.s of water, he was met with a rare sight. He saw a girl with her hair down to shoulder length in a white dress and the morning sunlight behind her silhouetted her body. His sleepy eyes became wide awake.

‘You… what are you doing?’ Qin Song asked.

Qin Song was in disbelief that he didn’t recognise the girl was ‘little country bun.’

Han Ting Ting fiddled her dress and smiled shyly. ‘Qin Song… do you think what I’m wearing is suitable?’

‘Um, looks good. I’ll take you to the hair salon in the afternoon to give your hair an up style, that way it’ll show off your neck,’ Qin Song said.

Qin Song didn’t know why Ting Ting who had a small stature had such a long and slender neck that was appealing.

‘What? We’ll be going there in the afternoon?” Han Ting Ting asked.

‘We don’t need to get to the venue until night time,’ Qin Song said.

Qin Song sat on the sofa, crossed his arms and looked at ‘little country bun.’ ‘It’s early morning and you’re already decked out. Did you intend to strut in front of me all day?’

‘I thought… we had to greet a bunch of guests or something…’ Han Ting Ting said and bent her head.

‘We’re not getting married. Why would we need to greet guests?’ Qin Song happily explained.

Qin Song thought ‘little country bun’ looked beautiful in her white dress. It illuminated her white skin and pink blush, like a fresh baked bun out of an oven. One look and anyone would have the urge to eat it… Qin Song coughed twice, stood and went to pour a gla.s.s of milk to cool his body down.

The doorbell rang. ‘Little country bun’s’ face had turned red, she ran to the door and she nearly slammed into the door. Qin Song nearly spat out his milk as well.

The Xiao Tao father and son duo stood at the door in awe of Han Ting Ting who was dressed to the nines. Xiao Tao’s dad was silent after a while.

‘Oh, Miss Han… morning!’ Xiao Tao’s dad said.

‘Morning!’ Han Ting Ting said awkwardly. ‘Is everything ok?’

‘Ah… I need to go pick up Xiao Tao’s mother from the airport. I wanted to ask if you could watch over Xiao Tao for a little a while, about three hours. But… will it inconvenienced you?’ Xiao Tao’s dad asked.

Han Ting Ting saw her neighbours checking her out up and down and didn’t know where to place her hands.

Han Ting Ting didn’t know when Qin Song came to the door either, until he had an arm wrapped around her shoulder.

‘Honey, what seems to be the problem?’ Qin Song asked.

Qin Song disliked critters talking too long with his ‘little country bun,’ especially when she was dressed… provocatively.

With Qin Song too close to Han Ting Ting, it made it hard for her to breathe and she wanted to bolt.

‘No trouble. I’m not busy with anything. Xiao Tao, come in dear,’ Han Ting Ting said.

She hastily farewell Xiao Tao’s dad and closed the door.

Xiao Tao held his aeroplane model, had his head up and stared at Han Ting Ting. ‘Miss Han, you look beautiful in that dress! Like a G.o.ddess!’

Han Ting Ting rubbed the little man’s head and her face blushed redder.

‘One is the same as another, there’s nothing beautiful!’ Qin Song said.

Qin Song felt even a juvenile critter monopolising his ‘little country bun’ made him uncomfortable.

‘Han Ting Ting, go change your clothes! How are you going to cook in that dress?’ Qin Song said.

Han Ting Ting pulled her dress up and ran to her room.

Xiao Tao’s gaze followed the direction of Han Ting Ting’s fading body. ‘She looked really beautiful! Uncle, you’re not honest!’

‘What would a kid know? If you keep talking nonsense, tonight I’ll call for a monster to come eat you!’ Qin Song said.

‘Uncle…’ Xiao Tao said. ‘There’s no such thing as monsters! Why is uncle so childish?”

‘Uggh…’ Qin Song m.u.f.fled, hid his face and went away…

Under the hands of a stylist, Han Ting Ting was like a blooming lotus flower after the rain, a pure beauty, forever fresh… Qin Song was in a trance watching her. His heart thought, how could a change in hairstyle cause such a transformation?

‘Young master Qin is in a daze! Ah, newlyweds, their love burned like fire!’ the stylist teased.

Qin Song pretended to bend his head and cough. But, Han Ting Ting was his legitimate wife, if he wanted to perve on her, who could stop him… his heart felt a foreign sense of happiness.

Qin Song’s a.s.sistant rushed to Qin Song and gave Qin Song a jewellery box with silver edges. Inside the jewellery box was a b.u.t.terfly shaped necklace, the spread wings were intricate and vivid like a b.u.t.terfly in flight.

‘I got it for you,’ Qin Song said.

Han Ting Ting was stunned. It was the first time she received something so exquisite and she felt breathless.

Qin Song saw Ting Ting’s naively staring at the necklace in her hand, and felt like he’d accomplished a huge achievement. He picked up the necklace and put it on around ‘little country bun’s’ neck. When he was adjusting a wing, his fingers brushed pa.s.sed Ting Ting’s collar bone and they tingled. Behind her back, Qin Song’s eyes were gentle that even he wasn’t aware of.

Qin Song sat beside Ting Ting. He saw ‘little country bun’s’ innocent trance and couldn’t resist grinning. ‘Do you like it?’

Han Ting Ting nodded and lifted her head. ‘Is it expensive?’

‘You’re really a country b.u.mpkin!’ Qin Song said.

Qin Song felt the ‘little country bun’ was indeed a bore and the gentle atmosphere vanished. He glared at her out of resentment. What was wrong with that ‘little country bun’? Didn’t she know how to express grat.i.tude with gestures? Would it kill her to lean into him, give him a kiss and thank him?

Han Ting Ting wasn’t affected by Qin Song’s glare. She continued to bend her head and went back to a dreamy state staring at the b.u.t.terfly wings. Qin Song was in a grumpy mood for a while but she didn’t take any notice so he turned away and cursed in his heart. That b.u.t.terfly and that b.u.t.terfly’s owner, how hateful!

When Qin Song held Han Ting Ting and entered the venue, a wave of people turned to admire the captivating newlyweds. Everyone knew that Qin Song was young and handsome. But no one knew that Qin Song’s wife was a youthful beauty that deeply moved hearts.

Han Ting Ting was praised by different groups of people continuously. It was like she was brainwashed into thinking she was an otherworldly beauty that mere mortals couldn’t match up to her beauty.

Then when Chen Yun appeared, Han Ting Ting felt free from their brainwas.h.i.+ng.

Tonight Chen Yun wore a tight fitting champagne dress that bared long slim legs. Chen Yun’s movements were regal as Ting Ting’s b.u.t.terfly necklace, it left Ting Ting paralysed.

Ting Ting pressed her hand against her b.u.t.terfly necklace, she couldn’t swallow or digest anything. She felt like she was a sinner who stole someone else’s lover.

Qin Song smiled and stepped toward Chen Yun. Ting Ting was again treated to the picturesque vision of the two lovebirds. Ting Ting silently stood back to distance herself from them.

Qin Song noticed Ting Ting backing away and immediately pulled her toward him.

‘Ting Ting, you’ve met Chen Yun. She’s Liang’s PR manager. With her tonight is her husband and daughter,’ Qin Song said.

Qin Song was smiling too brightly that Ting Ting pitied him and thought his heart must be bleeding!

Ting Ting had an epiphany. She understood why Qin Song’s parents didn’t approve of the beauty in front of her and why Qin Song agreed to marry her. Qin Song loved a woman with a husband!

‘Ting Ting?’ Qin Song called gently.

Ting Ting became alert and hurriedly chatted with Chen Yun’s family.

Qin Song watched from the sideline. He thought that Ting Ting finally realised she misunderstood him! ‘Little country bun’s’ guilty look and attentiveness toward Chen Yun’s family, put Qin Song in a relaxed mood.

Tonight Qin Song was the main attraction. It was expected that all the guests wanted to have a toast with him. Qin Song couldn’t avoid drinking wine and Ting Ting who was always beside Qin Song was also asked to toast with them.

‘She doesn’t know how to drink. I’ll drink on her behalf,’ Qin Song said whenever someone wanted to toast Ting Ting.

Ting Ting thought that Qin Song must have wanted to use alcohol to escape reality and forget about another man’s wife. She looked at Qin Song with pity and concern.

Qin Song after circling around the room to accept congratulations, he felt light headed and that the room spun. He embraced Ting Ting in his arms and stared down at her.

Qin Song felt that Ting Ting was looking endearingly at him. His heart felt itchy like a bird was pecking at it.

Qin Song wondered if he could kiss Ting Ting… wanted one kiss from her…

‘Qin Song! Do you feel uncomfortable?’ Ting Ting asked. ‘Do you want to throw up?’

Qin Song was taken back… she was indeed a ‘little country bun,’ she couldn’t read his mood at all!

‘Hey, I’ll take you to the bathroom,’ Ting Ting said.

Ting Ting pitied Qin Song’s unrequited love, he couldn’t receive love back so he wanted to be drunk.

Under Ting Ting’s excessive care, Qin Song was forced to throw up in the toilet. Then Qin Song laid down on a bench whilst Ting Ting turned his face left and right to wipe off the stains on his face with a wet towel.

Ting Ting was well prepared and took out a bottle of mouthwash. She gave Qin Song the mouthwash and in his dizzy state he thought it was water and gulped half the bottle. He choked and grabbed onto his throat.

‘Han Ting Ting…’ Qin Song said. ‘Do you want to murder your husband?’

Ting Ting used one hand to pat Qin Song’s back and tilted half her body toward him to rub his chest with the other hand. He couldn’t underestimate the soothing comfort and the burning sensation in his throat was compressed down.

Qin Song rolled over and forced Ting Ting down easily.

Ting Ting was startled, her widened round eyes looked bright, her cherry lips glistened and Qin Song pressed their bodies closer.

‘I’m… I’m… I’m sorry…’ Ting Ting stuttered.

Their unexpected intimate position made Ting Ting nervous.

When their foreheads touched, Qin Song’s hot breath was blown onto Ting Ting’s face. Then her cheeks blushed red, her body was white, soft and looked ravis.h.i.+ng.

Qin Song let out a laugh. ‘It doesn’t matter…’ Qin Song said. ‘Let’s even the score!’

Qin Song bent his head down and accurately bit her lips and quickly swallowed her lips.

Too hot… everything suddenly darkened, Qin Song was like a fire burning through gra.s.slands, Ting Ting struggled within the flames endlessly and couldn’t escape.

Breathing became difficult, Ting Ting clearly heard gasps of the two bodies pressed together, one belonged to Qin Song and the other one was a strange sound that came from her.

Qin Song’s lips stirred between Ting Ting’s lips and tongue, he always wanted to swallow her. What was more frightening was his embrace. Obviously everyone had two arms, two legs and a head. But he was like a dragon wrapped around her, controlling her completely, no matter if she turned left or right, she was caged in his embrace.

Ting Ting leaned back more and more. Qin Song increasingly felt he wouldn’t be satisfied enough. He only tasted ‘little country bun’ for a bit and he felt her body was water soft, as if he used a little more force and she’d melt. He viciously kissed her until her lips were red and swollen, one hand gripped her waist, one hand held her neck and pulled her body into his chest. He wanted to dissolve her body into his body.

The mint flavour of the mouthwash mingled with the lingering kiss, it started off spicy, later changed into a light sweetness, a sweetness that was distinct and unforgettable. Many years later, Qin Song still only used that brand of mouthwash.

Rong Yan swore on his attractive looks that he only wanted to go to the bathroom! Rong Yan opened the door slightly, not in his wildest dreams did he expect to see one dark body and one white body wrapped around each other and each body pa.s.sionately feasting on the other body… Rong Yan closed the door made from mahongany wood, but in his state of shock he forgot to move his body backward and the door collided into his forehead.

The loud bang shocked the two people who had their bodies intertwined together. Qin Song glanced at the door and saw someone. His anger from being interrupted was more poignant than his other feelings of awkwardness and embarra.s.sment.

Beneath Qin Song, ‘little country bun’ was soft, eyes misty, makeup askew and lips swollen. He pulled her closer to him and protected her from being seen by that someone at the door.

Ye Mu was standing near the bathroom waiting for Rong Yan and ran to him after she heard a bang.

‘What happened?’ Ye Mu asked.

Rong Yan who was given a fierce dagger aimed at his sore forehead from Qin Song, turned around and faced his ‘little beast’. ‘Ye Mu, I want you to give me the same birthday gift that Qin Song received today.’

Ye Mu saw the bathroom scene through the gap of the door, her face turned red and she quickly pulled her shameless husband to retreat from an angry Qin Song.

In the bathroom was a tranquil silence. Qin Song’s chin was pressed on top of Ting Ting’s head and she couldn’t see his expression.

Qin Song didn’t say anything but Ting Ting felt his heart pound. Her mouth tasted of his scent combined with the mint mouthwash and that woke up her senses. Her heart felt bitter sweet because her first kiss was taken.

End of Chapter Four, except summary of the other Liang sworn brothers’ similar embarra.s.sing experiences.

The summary will be translated at the beginning of Fated Marriage – Chapter Five.