My mom: "Someone's going to add you on WeChat later. Reject them." Me: "?" My mom: "He's a 6'1" cutie." Me: "What? Why? Do you think he's too hot for me?" My mom: "I was chatting with his mom, and I thought she was bragging about her son, so I bragged back that you had a 4.0 GPA, cooked like a chef, did all the housework, were naturally gorgeous, and hated spending money. Who knew she'd actually want you for her son! So remember to reject him." Me: "..." 1 I added him on WeChat, only to discover it was my ex-boyfriend. Julian sent a message: "When we were together, how come I didn't know you had a 4.0 GPA, cooked like a chef, did all the housework, were naturally gorgeous, and hated spending money?" I typed, deleted, typed again. "Let me explain... no, let me clarify." Julian wouldn't let it go. "Go on, elaborate." I stammered, "That was just my mom talking nonsense... actually I..." Julian: "Oh." Early the next morning, my mom dragged me out of bed, muttering, "Hannah, someone's coming over later. Dress nice, don't embarrass me." I rolled over, grumpy. "Who's coming over this early?" My mom yanked my blanket. "The lady who liked you last time and wanted you as her daughter-in-law." "She got my number somehow and said she's bringing her son over for New Year's greetings." I woke up instantly. "What... Mom! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" "We need to be prepared for battle!" Suddenly, the doorbell rang. I jumped out of bed and fled into my bathroom. "Mom, remember to tidy up my room!" Looking in the mirror, I saw myself in dinosaur pajamas with a bird's nest on my head. Good thing I ran fast... Being an 8 AM class girlie paid off. I did a "no-makeup" makeup look in fifteen minutes. Clothes make the man. I put on a Chanel-style suit with fur trim on the cuffs and collar. I even spritzed some of my expensive perfume. Julian had never seen me dressed like this. This should stun him. Knock, knock, knock on my door. "It's open, come in." Julian pushed the door open and locked it behind him. I stood up and flashed him a sweet smile. For a second, I saw a flash of amazement in his eyes. Admit it, Julian, you're obsessed with me. His gaze fixed on me. "Why didn't you dress like this when we were together?" He stepped closer. Damn, looking at his face, I understood why they say physical attraction doesn't lie. I pretended to be calm. "Ex-boyfriend, you're crossing the line." "This is too ambiguous." Suddenly, he took a step forward, trapping me between his arms and the vanity table. Eye to eye, Julian chuckled. "But I think you look best without makeup." I glared at him, about to break free. "Hannah, come help with the dishes!" My mom yelled from the kitchen, startling me. I pushed him away with my freshly manicured hands. "Julian, get away from me." He acted as if nothing happened and went to the kitchen with me. 2 It was obvious my mom was very satisfied with Julian. At the dinner table, she kept piling food into his bowl until it formed a small mountain. I was so jealous. But Julian's mom seemed to like me too. During the meal, she kept putting food in my bowl as well. "Hannah, which university do you attend?" Julian's mom asked. Me: "Auntie, Tsinghua University." Julian's mom put down her chopsticks. "What a coincidence! Julian went there too!" "Did you two ever meet at school?" Not only met, we kissed. I answered before Julian could: "Auntie, Julian's major is near the southeast gate, and mine is near the north gate. We were worlds apart." Yep, we were familiar strangers. "Besides, he graduated a year ago. It's hard for us to bump into each other." My mom was confused. "When did you know what major Xiao Jiang was in? And when he graduated?" I answered seriously: "Uh, he told me just before dinner. Ask him if you don't believe me." I looked at Julian for help. Julian raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Hannah and I chatted briefly before dinner." Seeing our interaction, Julian's mom started shipping us. "In-law, I think Hannah is not only beautiful but has a great personality." "And the kids get along well. How about let them get married after Hannah graduates next year?" I almost spat my rice onto Julian's face. Fast-food marriage? The two moms sat on the sofa holding hands, discussing our "wedding" as if no one else was there. "Young people like living on their own. I'll buy them a wedding house so they can do whatever they want." "That way, there won't be any mother-in-law drama." "And while we're still healthy, we can help take care of the grandkids." No wonder the internet says Gen Z is polarized. Some are getting married and having kids, while others are still sneaking spicy strips in the kitchen at twenty-something. In the kitchen, only Julian and I were left. He didn't let me wash dishes but wanted me to chat with him. So I rested my chin on my hands, watching his back as he washed dishes. A man doing housework is indeed hot. The next second, I looked up and met his gaze. His eyes flickered, lips curling. "Hannah, are you free this Saturday?" He never plays by the rules. Calling me by my full name means trouble. I looked at him warily. "What do you want?" His smile remained. "Taking you to a banquet on Saturday." "Mm, you going?" "Yes, of course!" Hesitating for a second is disrespectful to a banquet. Saturday morning, Julian came to pick me up. "Auntie, Hannah and I are heading out." "Okay, have fun!" Now, both parents assumed we were dating. Maybe that's the only perk of dating Julian... No need to report where I'm going. But Julian didn't tell me the banquet was at his house. It was his grandfather's 90th birthday. I didn't bring a gift. At the door of the Jiang residence, I felt embarrassed going in empty-handed and tried to sneak away. But Julian caught me. The next second, he grabbed my collar. "Hannah, where are you going?" He narrowed his eyes, voice low. I felt guilty and stammered, "Julian, it's all your fault. I didn't even prepare a gift. My mom says never visit someone empty-handed. So, I'm going back." "No need. I prepared it for you." Just like that, Julian dragged me inside. I almost dug out a three-bedroom apartment with my toes. "Hey, where's the gift you mentioned?" "Right in front of you." The next second, Julian pulled me down to kneel with him. "Grandpa, this is your granddaughter-in-law!" "Good! When is the wedding?" "Next year." I was dumbfounded. Went to a banquet, got married off? Is Julian getting revenge on me? 3 Actually, my first meeting with Julian was during freshman registration. Among many seniors, I fell for him at first sight and designated him as my orientation volunteer. Back then, the post about the Computer Science God gallantly carrying luggage for a freshman girl went viral on the campus forum. Yes, I had my eyes on Julian. I declared, "This man is mine!" My roommate looked over and shook her head. "Hannah, wake up. That's Julian Jiang." "So what?" "Senior girls say he's ignored every confession so far. He has a famous quote: 'If you don't like someone, there's no need for a story.' "More importantly, there's a campus beauty, Lynn, always around him." That just fired me up. I asked around. Confirmed they weren't dating. And Julian was in the top major at Tsinghua, known as the "Computer Science God." Top GPA every year, national scholarships. Excellent genes. Freshman me was ambitious. They say it's easy for a girl to chase a guy, right? So I pursued him aggressively. Until winter, I followed him everywhere. That winter was exceptionally cold. Julian caught a cold right before a competition and was in bad shape. It was obvious he cared about this competition. I ran up to him mysteriously. "Julian, you look troubled. I heard of a secret remedy for colds. Want to know?" He perked up. "What is it? Does it work?" I kept him in suspense. "Mm, they say it works every time." "Tell me." I looked troubled. "Do you... really want to try?" Julian nodded heavily. "Okay!" I looked like I was sacrificing myself. I pulled Julian to a flower bed. "Close your eyes first." He obediently closed his eyes. I climbed onto the flower bed. Nervous and scared. I just gently pecked Julian's lips. It was my first kiss. The next second. Unexpectedly, Julian cupped my face and deepened the awkward kiss. Julian won the award, but I got sick. That night, he took me out for spicy chicken pot. I teased him, "Brother, your cold seems completely gone!" "I told you it was a secret remedy. Super effective." Julian's ear tips turned red silently. He put a big piece of meat in my bowl. "Shut up." "After we eat, I'll buy you medicine." Back at school, he uncharacteristically dragged me to the track field for a walk. Suddenly, he had a bouquet of roses in his hand. "Hannah, will you be my girlfriend?" "Yes!" And so, we were together. 4 Just as I got up from the floor, Julian's mom handed me a red envelope. I tried to refuse. "Auntie, I can't take this." "It's fine, take it." She stuffed a thick envelope into my arms. Julian smiled. "Take it. It's Mom's gesture." "Okay, thanks Mom." Huh? What did I say? "No, I mean, thanks Auntie." I ignored the man muttering beside me, "You'll call her Mom sooner or later anyway." Soon, all the relatives arrived. The living room was bustling. Julian and I sat in the corner of the sofa, trying to be invisible. But his aunt walked towards us. "Julian, is this your girlfriend?" Auntie was basically the captain of our ship. Before I could say no, Auntie rushed over. "Forgot to introduce her, this is my daughter-in-law." I pinched Julian's arm, wishing the floor would swallow me. Julian glanced at me, smirking. "Auntie, this is my fiancée." My face flushed red. When did I become a fiancée? Afraid I'd be bored, Julian's mom patted his shoulder. "Julian, go play with Hannah. I'll entertain the guests." "Okay, Mom." Julian led me to his room. The room was minimalist, black, white, and gray, very clean. Cleaner than mine, at least. I leaned against his bookshelf and coughed. "Um, long time no see. How's work?" "Good. Successful career, just that my partner ran away halfway!" "Oh." I looked calm but was panicking inside. "Why didn't you chase her back? Means you didn't love her enough." "Because I loved her, I respected her decision." I looked up and saw the ceramic doll I gave him still there. I pointed at it. "You still have this?" He pinned me against the wall, looking down at me. Julian is 6'1", I'm barely 5'4". Under the light, his sharp profile cast a shadow over my face, enveloping me. We were so close. I was nervous, swallowing unconsciously. I shrank back, gathering courage. "Julian, do you still like me?" "Hannah, why are you so dumb? This time, I won't let you run." "Why did you break up with me?" I didn't know how to answer. Guilty, I slipped under his arm and ran home. 5 I thought he wouldn't come find me anytime soon. Unexpectedly, the next day Julian was downstairs. "What? Harbin? THE Harbin?" On the phone, Julian said he was taking me on a trip and gave me thirty minutes to pack. My mom didn't object and even helped me pack. "You're 21, don't stay home all day. Young people should go out and meet friends." "Mom, that's not what you said when I wanted to go to Yunnan with my roommates freshman year! You refused!" "Different situation. With Xiao Jiang, I'm 100% relieved." "Aren't you afraid your precious daughter will get taken advantage of?" "If Xiao Jiang likes you, I'm happy for him to take advantage." "..." Before leaving, Julian emphasized, "Southern potato, you can't handle the cold. Bring thick clothes." What's wrong with being 5'4"? I got angry. Fine, you messed with the wrong fluffy cotton ball. Harbin was popular lately, hotels were hard to book. Julian booked a twin room near Saint Sophia Cathedral. First time sharing a room with a man. Dropped bags, went out. Harbin was a real-life Frozen. Free frozen pears on the street, sliced and plated. Walking near the cathedral, I suddenly wanted to tease Julian. "Brother, take a picture of me~" In the past, Julian was terrified when I called him "Brother" in front of classmates. He'd blush every time. Julian hesitated, then doted, "Okay." "Brother will take it for you." Why isn't he playing by the rules? Julian took me to see the winged horses and the artificial moon. When the hot air balloon rose, we saw the fire reflected in each other's eyes. "Hannah, let's get back together!" I nodded. "So why did you break up with me back then?" So he was waiting for this. Beauty is indeed a trap.
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