“It’s alright, I will have plenty of chances to contribute to her future.” Mo Liuxi was struck by his sudden remark, but he could sense that his words were spoken out of jealousy and envy. “You wouldn’t understand what it feels like to have a daughter as your firstborn… you might never know. I have to thank Yan Su for that. I will be good to her for the rest of her life.”
Nian Junting gave him an uncommitted smile as they held each other’s gaze. Mo Liuxi’s mere presence bothered and annoyed him. “Why? Are you planning to get married this year? Have you graduated yet?”
“Not yet, but I’m of legal age to marry. I must get married next year. I’ll be paying a visit to my in-laws during Chinese New Year. Anyway, do you have any tips on how to butter up the in-laws?” Mo Liuxi asked with excitement. “I remember you managed to please my mom quite easily back then.”
“Kid, you wanna be like me?” Nian Junting looked at him with his deep soulful eyes. “I was mature, down to earth, and successful. I went through all sorts of things with Luosang. What have you done with Yan Su? What have you done for her, to be exact? You donated your sperm and got her pregnant, and they had no clue of your existence the entire time. When you finally appear before them, they’ll have to face the fact that you’re younger than Yan Su — a kid, far from maturity and adulthood. If I were Yan Su’s parents, I would strangle you to death.”
Mo Liuxi kept quiet.
Nian Junting looked at his grim expression and leaned further into his chair. His mood was somehow lifted. “Are you done? You can leave with your CD then. I still have work to do.”
“I’m on my way out — not sticking around with someone so hostile towards me,” Mo Liuxi smirked as he stood up. “Oh right, please don’t tell my family about this yet. I don’t want to shock them. I’m planning on bringing Yan Yan out after winning over Yan Su’s family’s approval. If my parents know about Yan Yan, they will most certainly be anxious to see her. I don’t want them to cause too much distress to Yan Su’s parents.”
Nian Junting looked at him coldly and pursed his lips.
When Mo Liuxi had finally left, Nian Junting stood up and ruffled his hair forcefully with his two hands.
Did God open one door only to shut another on him?
Was he not as lucky as Mo Liuxi to have a daughter because he was too perfect and outstanding?
“Tingting, why did I bump into Mo Liuxi on my way in here? What is he doing here?” Xiao Si walked into the room with a grumpy expression. “That brat… the more I look at him, the more annoyed I get. Look at that face — what good is it for a boy to be so handsome? He’s got a pretty nasty personality too.”
“You’re right.” Nian Junting turned and echoed his friend’s thoughts. “He does get on my nerves too.”
‘You think so too, right?” Xiao Si sighed. “He’s the reason why I haven’t patched things up with Nuannuan till now. I feel like I’m about to become a monk in the temple — a vegetarian.”
Nian Junting burst into laughter. “Don’t insult the monks, they wouldn’t read the books that you did. They have a clean state of mind.”
Xiao Si fell silent.
The world was full of antagonism.
Some time had passed since then.
In the afternoon, back in the recording studio, Luosang picked up her phone during her break. She saw eight missed calls from Nian Junting.
He hadn’t been so crazy for a while. Luosang called him back almost immediately. “Junting, is it something important?”
“Let’s go on a date today — have dinner outside,” Nian Junting said. “I’m a little tired of Sister Lan’s cooking.”