I’m Not Going to Be Bullied By a Girl

Xiao Qin took out the phone from her Mickey Mouse bag, but her face turned pale after she saw the caller ID.

“Its my mother.”

Xiao Qin shushed me and He Ling as she picked up the phone with a guilty conscience.

“Hi mom, are you not working overtime today?”

Since I was right beside Xiao Qin, I could her Auntie Rens impatient voice in the phone.

“Why do you want your own mother to work overtime everyday? Tell me the truth, where are you right now?”

“I… Im at a bookstore buying reference books…”

“Buying reference books? Then why does the surroundings sound so noisy?”

“Thats because a beautiful female author just came to do a signing, thats why its so noisy…”

“Why would she come to a small city like Dong Shan City? Whats her name?”

Xiao Qin scratched her head and said: “Im not sure, I heard others call her Water Celery sensei….”

Isnt that your pen name? Are you fantasizing about yourself doing a signing while lying to your mom?

“Is that right?” It sounded like Auntie Ren didnt really believe her, “Then can you tell me what the first five people in line look like?”

“Uh… the first person is a bald headed uncle with a flat nose. Hes wearing a special forces style watch on his left wrist and he has a faint large scar on his right wrist which could be a burn. I think hes a chef…”

Thats because youre describing the chef who just came in for the night shift! I mean, why would he even ask you for a autograph?

“As for the second person…” Xiao Qin scanned the restaurant for interesting characters, “Its a girl with a round face like an apple. She came together with her dad. Her dad seems to be in his thirties, hes tall and skinny and is wearing a light gray suit…”

He Ling suddenly began making fearful gestures to me.

Why do you keep pointing to the stairs? Is there a colorful character that Xiao Qin should pay attention to? Xiao Qin is a great liar, so even without your help, she wont make any mistakes.

I was frightened stiff as I looked towards the direction where He Ling pointed.

Auntie Ren was the one walking down the stairs! She tied up her hair into a ponytail as she wore a yellow martial arts uniform like Bruce Lee, with a black vest on the outside. She was holding her phone while angrily walking to our table in large strides.

“The third person is….” Xiao Qin looked around to find someone to describe and she came face to face with her mom and she froze.

Auntie Ren looked down at Xiao Qin to my left, “Is the third person someone who has a vicious face, but wanted to try to look like a good person, but ultimately failed… is it Ye Lin?”

Xiao Qin drooped her head down.

The furious Auntie Ren completely overlooked He Ling who was sitting across from us. He Ling, who had already met Auntie Ren at the dojo, was even more afraid of her than Xiao Qin. She sat still without making a sound hoping Auntie Ren wouldnt notice her.

Xiao Qin muttered: “Auntie Zhang is so nosy, I hop her grand kids get internet addiction…”

“What did you say?” Auntie Ren glared at her and Xiao Qin shut her mouth.

I felt awkward being stuck between Auntie Ren and Xiao Qin.

I looked at Auntie Ren and I was afraid she would harm her body and her child from being so angry.

Does Auntie Ren still not know that shes pregnant? She was probably too confident in those morning after pills she took.

Or does she already know but shes too afraid to get it verified since she hasnt prepared herself yet?

“Auntie Ren, please calm down. Xiao Qin actually came out this late to make you happy.”

“Make me happy? Do I look happy? The two of you are sitting so close like a pair of lovers…”

I pointed to He Ling who was across from us, “Auntie Ren, we have another person with us. We were discussing things with the three of us.”

Auntie Ren who saw He Ling exclaimed in surprise and lost a lot of her anger. Since I wasnt with Xiao Qin alone, then the chances of us doing something she was worried about dropped.

“Auntie Ren… hello.”

He Ling tried to act as politely as possible.

“Do I know you?” Auntie Ren asked.

Xiao Qin suddenly said: “She was the one who picked up moms necklace.”

Auntie Rens pupils contracted.

“You… you look like youre only a student…”

He Ling replied confused: “I am a student. Auntie Ren, its because you made too big moves, thats why the necklace fell off. I already fixed the hook for you, so dont worry…”

Auntie Ren became embarrassed: “How… how did you know I made big movements?”

“Um… well its because you didnt try to hide it or cover it up, everyone saw.”

“You guys… thats outrageous. Even if its to find my necklace, you cant watch the hotel security tapes, and you shouldnt be watching it together.”

“Hotel security tapes?” He Ling blinked in confusion.

I covered my face.

Auntie Ren still believes she lost her necklace in the hotel room while she was on top of him! She probably thought He Ling was a student who was working part time at the hotel and looked through the security tapes with the other staff.

Auntie Ren trembled and shifted her gaze towards Xiao Qin. She wanted to see if her daughter knew about what happened between her and my dad.

If thats the case, she would be ashamed of herself. She was just berating her daughter about staying out so late, but it turns out she pushed down her daughters boyfriend in a drunk frenzy.

Auntie Ren relaxed when Xiao Qins expression didnt change much.

In order to clear up the misunderstanding, I explained:

“Auntie Ren, you lost your necklace at the dojo. He Ling was the one who was competing with me at the time. Shes also the daughter of one of my dads friends and youve met her before.”

Auntie Ren finally came to a realization. She glared at me like she was angry I didnt tell him sooner.

“So you have the necklace?”

Xiao Qin took out the necklace from her bag and showed it to her mom.

Auntie Ren breathed out in relief and took the necklace to inspect it, then she wore it on her neck.

“Auntie Ren.” I continued to explain, “Xiao Qin wasnt on a date with me, but we were treating He Ling to a meal as thanks.”

Auntie Ren nodded as she felt a lot better after she got back her necklace that had a special meaning to her.

“Thats true, but you guys should tell me in advance.”

Xiao Qin chimed in after she saw her moms mood had gotten better: “I was worried I would disturb your work.”

Auntie Ren expressed her thanks to He Ling, but it made He Ling embarrassed in return.

“Auntie Ren, I didnt know the necklace was that precious to you. Otherwise, I would have returned it sooner.”

Auntie Ren sighed after a while, then said to the two girls, especially to Xiao Qin:

“Girls always have to protect themselves. Having kids is dangerous, understand?”

Xiao Qin and He Ling both nodded vacantly as they had no idea why Auntie Ren suddenly told them that.

Hey, Auntie Ren, why are you saying that in front of me? Are you saying the two of them will get pregnant simply by sitting next to me? And youre the one whos pregnant with my dads kid!

Auntie Ren then said: “Xiao Qin, I drove here, so come home with me now.”

“Eh.” Xiao Qin was surprised. “Are you not mad at me anymore. Lets wait until were done with the meal, Im still planning…”

Xiao Qin, who misspoke, covered her mouth but it was too late.

“Thats why Im taking you away. Do you think I dont know what youre thinking as your mother? Were going home.”