Love in the Fast Lane - Chapter 48 - Buying "Safety"

The next morning, Qi Xiaomeng called nosily to ask how the sleep was last night. Mo Zihan naturally told the truth. Amid Qi Xiaomeng’s exclamations, Mo Zihan sighed with particular ease and comfort, “Sigh, he’s still too honest.”

Pfft…

As soon as Mo Zihan’s words came out, Qi Xiaomeng burst into laughter on the other end. She yelled in a loud and sharp voice, “Too honest? Hey, Mo Zihan, I didn’t realize it before, but you’re quite eager and impatient. You really surprised me this time.”

Mo Zihan suddenly realized where Qi Xiaomeng’s thoughts had wandered. She spat, “Could you be a little less shameless? I’m being serious here, and you’re taking it elsewhere! Can’t your thoughts be a bit purer, even just a little?”

Qi Xiaomeng played the innocent and cute card, “I am very pure. Didn’t you say yourself that he was too honest and made you disappointed? How come I’m the one at fault for speaking the truth now?”

Mo Zihan face-palmed and sighed deeply, “I’ve realized that hanging out with you is eventually going to ruin my entire reputation. What I meant was that Tang Ning stupidly volunteered to help me out by coming home with me to deal with family affairs during the Spring Festival. What were you thinking? Can you be normal for a change and not act lovesick?”

Qi Xiaomeng snorted, “With a man like Tang Ning, it’s not called being lovesick, alright? So, does that mean your mission is accomplished?”

“Of course, it is. Why wouldn’t it be? That’s why I said he’s too honest.”

Qi Xiaomeng lamented, “What am I supposed to do then? I think I’m going to be pestered to death this New Year. You need to help me out. This Spring Festival, you have to come stay at my place for a few days or else you can wait to collect my body.”

It can’t be that bad, right? Mo Zihan scratched the tip of her nose and sniffed.

Qi Xiaomeng asked, “So, how did you… ahem, lure Tang Ning into your little trap?”

Mo Zihan burst into a cackle; after all, the office door was closed, and no one outside could hear.

Just last night, after she proposed letting Tang Ning help her to relieve some of her family pressure, Tang Ning felt uneasy about it and apologized to Mo Zihan, saying, “You’re doing me a big favor here, and I’m dragging you into it. If there’s anything you need me to do…”

Under the covers, Mo Zihan’s eyes lit up. Not needing much, she thought: Just come home with me and help out, okay? Easy, right? I’m being kind to you, aren’t I?

However, these words couldn’t be said out loud. Since you’re so honest, if I don’t take advantage of you, it would be a waste, right?

So, Mo Zihan squeezed out a face full of helplessness and pain. She crawled out from under the covers, looked at Tang Ning, and said in a very melancholic and dramatic tone, “There’s no way around this. You know how the elderly are thinking these days. What can we do? I can’t bring them over like you did and then send them back after pretending, right? Besides, it’s almost New Year, and I haven’t been home in years. I definitely have to go this year. During the New Year, I don’t have close guy friends-um, Qi Xiaomeng doesn’t count, not in a normal relationship. My family wouldn’t accept that, and we wouldn’t either. We’re all normal, regular people, right?”

By playing the pitiful and cute act, Tang Ning believed her. After scratching his head for a long time, he finally managed to stammer, “Well, if you don’t mind, I don’t need to go home for the New Year anyway.”

Hmm, hmm, you said it, not me. I didn’t force you!

Mo Zihan was nodding vigorously in her heart. However, she knew she had to play it cool.

“Well, you know, once we get home, it’s the elders’ domain. It’ll be hard to fool them. I’ve only helped you out a little bit, so if this is too much trouble…”

“It’s no trouble at all. I have nothing to do anyway. I’d even like to take the chance to do some traveling and sightseeing, just to relax. With the experience we’ve had pretending these past few days, it shouldn’t be an issue, just more people to meet. No problem.”

Mo Zihan flashed a shy smile, showing her little fang-like teeth, and said gratefully, “Then I’ll be troubling you. We need to make some arrangements for you, but it won’t be much. It’s only a few days.”

Tang Ning rubbed his hands together, “Alright, then I’ll go take a shower.”

As soon as Tang Ning left, Mo Zihan laid back on the bed and burst into soft giggles like a fox that had eaten honey. Who would’ve thought he’d be so easy to fool? Looks like I’m set for this year after all.

But why like a fox that ate honey? Do foxes eat honey?

Oh, who cares, it’s a minor detail, you get it?

The next morning, as soon as the day broke, Mo Zihan awoke immediately. She heard rustling sounds coming from the kitchen and quickly roused the soundly sleeping Tang Ning. Tang Ning listened for a moment and said, “It’s my mom. She gets up very early and is making breakfast for you. Hmm, it might not be the best. You…”

Mo Zihan felt a warm sensation in her heart and quickly urged him to stay in bed while she dashed out. “You know I’m not picky about food. As long as it’s edible, I’m fine. You go back to sleep. I need to hurry.”

…

Of course, how she felt during breakfast was something she wouldn’t share with Qi Xiaomeng. It wasn’t about being distant; some things are meant to be savored privately.

“Darn it, how do you get so lucky? Alright, the more I listen, the more annoyed I get. I’m going back to sleep. So irritated!”

Qi Xiaomeng’s frustration caused Mo Zihan to burst into laughter. Her good mood that morning spread to her subordinates, making them more efficient. They managed to complete a day’s worth of statistical work by noon.

However, this good mood was soon replaced by awkwardness.

At noon, after returning home and finishing lunch, Tang Ning’s father went out for a walk with the elderly. During lunch, Tang Ning’s mother had a lot on her mind but clearly did not plan to go out. She quickly washed the dishes and called Mo Zihan, who was helping, into the living room. She then pulled Tang Ning, who was writing a draft in the bedroom, out and brought up an incredibly awkward topic with grave seriousness.

“When do you two plan on getting married?”

As soon as the words were out, Mo Zihan blushed with embarrassment and immediately realized why Tang Ning’s father had such a serious and solemn expression when he left with the others.

“Um, we don’t have any plans for that right now.” Having no other choice, Tang Ning had to take the lead in answering.

Tang Ning’s mother sternly said, “If you don’t have plans right now, why aren’t you being more careful? I see a lot of people these days getting pregnant before marriage. Are you planning that too? If so, you need to get your marriage certificate first.”

“Um, we’ll be more careful. We just forgot to buy them these past few days. We’ll get some, alright?” Tang Ning’s ears turned red with embarrassment, realizing what his mother’s concerns were.

After his mother went back to the bedroom to tidy up and get ready to go out, Tang Ning explained to a confused Mo Zihan, “We forgot to buy safety supplies, and that’s what’s been worrying my mom.”

Safety supplies? What are those?

Soon enough, Mo Zihan understood. Safety supplies-of course, they were talking about condoms.

Wow, okay, she really thought a lot about it. Maybe too much.

Wait, I better remember this. While it’s embarrassing, Mo Zihan was certain that when she went back home for the New Year, her drama mom would absolutely think along the same lines. Rather than face even more awkwardness later, it might be better to handle this now.

“So, what should we do now? Maybe we can ask someone if they have some we can borrow?” Mo Zihan, lying lifelessly on the bed, suddenly thought of a solution while poking her cheek with her finger.

Tang Ning looked at her with a conflicted expression, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Mo Zihan felt like his gaze was saying, “Are you an idiot?”

“What? Is there something wrong with that idea?” Mo Zihan didn’t see anything wrong with it. If not borrowing, did he expect to buy them himself? That would be even more embarrassing!

Reluctantly, Tang Ning explained, “That’s not something you can just borrow. How about you pick some up on your way back? We won’t even need them, so it’s fine, right?”

Mo Zihan flipped over, enraged, “What? Me buy them? Are you out of your mind? First of all, I’m helping you here. Plus, I’m a girl! How can you ask me to do such an embarrassing thing? I refuse!”

With no other choice, Tang Ning sighed and gave in, “Fine, I’ll go. Weren’t there vending machines around before? I remember seeing them. Hey, don’t give me that look-I’ve never used them. I’m inexperienced.”

Mo Zihan scoffed in disbelief.