CHAPTER 386: CHAPTER 379: ZHONG ANMEI IS BEING FORCED TO MARRY

Zhong Anmei didn’t even wait for Sisi to coerce the truth out of her; the girl took the initiative to come clean on her own.

After attending Qiqi’s wedding, Zhong Anmei couldn’t help but rush to Sisi’s school the next day. Sisi had just finished her art class for the high schoolers and was packing up her art supplies on the podium when a student came to report.

"Mr. He, someone is looking for you. She said she’s waiting in your office."

"Alright, thank you!" Sisi thanked the boy who delivered the message with a smile; the adorable little boy blushed, said "You’re welcome" in a soft voice, and ran off.

Sisi shook her head and smiled; these boys always blush when they speak to her, which is just too adorable.

The boys: Teacher, you’re so good-looking, and you’re about the same age as us; our little hearts pound when we talk to you!

After Sisi packed up her art supplies, quick-witted boys ran over to take her things to the office. Sisi followed them with a smile.

She did not expect that it was Zhong Anmei looking for her. Seeing her shy and timid appearance and thinking about what happened at Zhuge Yun’s house yesterday, Sisi had a pretty good idea, but she still pretended to be unaware.

She took Zhong Anmei to a nearby restaurant; she had another class in the afternoon, otherwise, she would have taken An Mei home to cook for themselves.

"What’s up? How come you are free to visit me today?" Sisi teased.

Zhong Anmei, far from her usual straightforward and generous demeanor, hemmed and hawed for a while without stating her purpose. Finding it amusing, Sisi decided not to tease her anymore upon seeing her face as red as a monkey’s butt, and asked with a smile, "Isn’t it just the thing between you and Shangguan Qing? What can’t you say about it?"

"Sisi, you know?" Zhong Anmei looked up in surprise.

"With the fuss Shangguan Qing made yesterday, only a fool wouldn’t know. Do you think we’re blind? Tell me, when did you two get together?" Sisi rolled her eyes.

Now that it was out in the open, Zhong Anmei, who was not shy or delicate, honestly told Sisi about her and Shangguan Qing.

It turned out to be a cliché heroic rescue story; the hero saving the beauty is an overused trope, but it remains the most direct and effective method of pursuing a girl.

After Zhong Anmei got into university, she wanted to help lighten her family’s load. So, she bought some electronic watches and radios wholesale from He Xuewen and went door-to-door selling them in residential areas.

With her sweet mouth and good looks, plus being a university student, Zhong Anmei’s business was pretty good. She made quite a bit of money, and seeing their sister doing well, Zhong Anping and Zhong Ankang didn’t try to hold her back.

However, because Zhong Anmei’s business was so good, some local thugs had already set their sights on her – partly because of her attractiveness as well as wanting to discover her supply channel.

Zhong Anmei was cornered by these thugs in a dead-end alley. Seeing the lecherous look in these ruffians’ eyes, even the usually brave An Mei was afraid. She didn’t fear getting hit, but she was terrified of losing her virtue.

Just as Zhong Anmei was preparing to fight with a do-or-die attitude, Shangguan Qing appeared, effortlessly dealing with the thugs all by himself.

Actually, Zhong Anmei had met Shangguan Qing once before, at Sisi’s house. Shangguan Qing had come for dinner once, and from afar she had just greeted him without speaking a word. She never expected to be rescued by him today.

"So you were moved to tears and pledged yourself to him?" Sisi teased while eating her food.

"Nothing of the sort, who would do that? He came looking for me," Zhong Anmei said shyly.

"Oh, so you’re saying it’s mutual affection between the lady and the gentleman? Then why did Shangguan Qing come to find you yesterday?"

Zhong Anmei’s face turned even redder, hesitated for a moment, then made up her mind and said, "Shangguan Qing proposed to me last month, but I didn’t accept. We’ve been in a cold war for a long time, and he came to make amends yesterday."

Sisi was genuinely surprised. These two have been pretty successful in their secret endeavors, huh? They’re already at the point of discussing marriage?

"Zhong Anmei, you’ve done a pretty tight job keeping it a secret, huh?" Sisi glared at her resentfully – a true friend-turned-foe, concealing it so well.

"Sisi, don’t be mad. I just haven’t had the chance to tell you. It’s only been half a year since I’ve known Shangguan Qing, who knew he’d propose so suddenly."

Zhong Anmei was extremely vexed. Who does this? Proposing after knowing each other for only half a year, isn’t that faster than a train?

Sisi: True to Shangguan Qing’s style, with that speed, that efficiency, tsk tsk, Yang Shu really needs to learn from him.

"So why didn’t you agree to his proposal? You don’t seem to dislike Shangguan Qing."

Sisi didn’t understand. If the two liked each other and were of suitable age, what was there to refuse?

"I just feel that our relationship is moving too fast. I don’t really understand his character. After all, marriage is a lifetime commitment." Zhong Anmei frowned.

"So what do you plan to do? Break up?"

"That’s exactly why I came to you; I don’t know what to do. Aren’t you more experienced than me?" Zhong Anmei said ingratiatingly.

Sisi pinched her brow, sensing something off with those words, but she didn’t think too much about it and simply said, "That’s easy, Shangguan Qing is a good comrade, which none of us can deny, although his looks are somewhat lacking."

"How is he lacking? He’s very manly!" Zhong Anmei was unhappy and immediately defended her beloved’s image.

Sisi couldn’t help but laugh. Well, she had unwittingly become the villain. With this kind of fervor, what was there left to consider?

"Alright, I think you might as well stop considering and just marry him sooner."

Zhong Anmei rolled her eyes at her and said, "Isn’t it too soon? It feels a bit rushed."

Sisi sighed. Why does everyone like to discuss relationship problems with her? She doesn’t understand love at all!

"Does the length of time really matter? Haven’t you heard of love at first sight? Maybe Shangguan Qing is smitten with you at first sight, intending to marry no one but you," Sisi said with a half-smile.

Zhong Anmei blushed again, and Sisi didn’t bother to say more nonsense. Zhong Anmei’s current state was clearly one willing to marry and one willing to wed. It’s just because of some inner troubles that she’s being coy – which is normal, as girls should be a bit reserved!

"How about this? I think it’s better to ask An Ping and An Kang for their opinion. After all, they are your brothers, and for such major life decisions, you should consult with them."

Sisi didn’t want to make such decisions for her friend. When it comes to marriage, she, as a friend, shouldn’t interfere too much.

Zhong Anmei thought for a long time before finally nodding in agreement to discuss it with her two brothers.

After lunch, Zhong Anmei took the bus back to school. Sisi also walked slowly back, when a voice reached her ears.

"Mr. He, are you here for lunch too?"