Love in the Fast Lane - Novelbike

Tang Ning’s father and his Third Uncle got heavily drunk. On a cold winter afternoon, they somehow decided to go for a stroll outside. Even though it wasn’t snowing, the weather was freezing. Given Tang Ning’s fragile constitution, even he would rush upstairs immediately, let alone these two old men. They would undoubtedly suffer, especially after drinking; going out in this cold, wouldn’t they fall ill?

Tang Ning quickly stopped the two old men. Without much effort, he simply opened the windows and doors. In no time, the two groggy men sobered up. Although there was heating, the cold wind from outside couldn’t be entirely kept at bay.

Finally, things quieted down. Third Uncle grabbed the phone and called the drama mom. This time, instead of immediately sending her daughter away, she cautiously stated that they should wait until the New Year and then decide after seeing the person. As for Third Uncle, her words were, “You yourself are drunk, can we trust your judgment?”

Mo Zihan agreed with her mom’s caution. Just as she was expressing her approval, her mom interjected, “Don’t get too happy too soon. You’re already living together; if you don’t get married, what are you expecting? Listen, when you come back this winter vacation, bring Xiao Tang to meet all the relatives. Your dad and I will also take a look at Xiao Tang. If he’s a good person, I don’t care about your career or anything. As soon as spring starts next year, you two get married!”

What? Marriage? Is this a joke?

This is still considered a topic unfit for minors. Talking about this now, isn’t it a bit too early? Mo Zihan felt a bit shy, truly shy. She’s a proper person; she hasn’t even experienced early romance. Discussing this now, is it appropriate?

Well, no need to think about this anymore. The most pressing issue is that the elders have already made the decision. She might as well enjoy a bit of pre-marital life in advance. This kind of enjoyment isn’t something everyone gets to experience, right?

With this thought in mind, Mo Zihan stopped overthinking. She sent her slightly drunk Third Uncle back to his place and took a walk with Tang Ning. The wind was cold, but they seemed to enjoy it. Without needing to speak, just walking side by side, their hearts seemed to find a serene peace.

“What should we do now?” Mo Zihan asked softly after walking for a while, unsure of where they had ended up.

Tang Ning pointed to the bare bench by the roadside. “Let’s sit for a bit.”

The bench was cold. Tang Ning didn’t make a show of taking off his coat to lay it down for her. Instead, he sat on the windward side, and the only thing on the bench was his pair of gloves. Mo Zihan didn’t feel particularly moved but rather comforted. It felt familiar, and she enjoyed it. If she had wanted some grand gesture, it would have been easy to achieve. For Mo Zihan, even though she hadn’t experienced much, she felt as if she already had. She knew deeply what she wanted and what she desired.

And wasn’t she now enjoying exactly what she wanted and desired?

She relished all of it, even though hardships would surely come. Life’s hardships always lurk like shadows, ready to pounce and gnaw at your nerves when you’re least expecting it. But can any hardship compare to the difficulty of making a decision?

Mo Zihan knew that once a decision is made, the hardship stops being a hardship. The hesitation and melancholy before making the decision are actually the real obstacles. These obstacles lead you to magnify the hardships infinitely. These magnified hardships are merely psychological pressures, pressures you amplify yourself.

For Mo Zihan, once a decision is made, there’s no more pressure.

“What do you want to do?” Mo Zihan asked Tang Ning in return, thinking about this.

Tang Ning lit a cigarette and took a deep drag without saying anything. Mo Zihan understood, though, that he didn’t know what to do either, or perhaps he did know but just didn’t want to say it aloud, or maybe he couldn’t say it aloud right now.

That was just the kind of person he was; if he didn’t want to say anything right now, it meant he was conflicted. But what was he conflicted about? Mo Zihan couldn’t be sure. Maybe he was debating whether to continue this act or not, or perhaps…

Mo Zihan suddenly felt a bit out of it, as if experiencing a sensation she had never felt before, not even when her heart was pounding the hardest. This feeling, a mix of dizziness and nausea, was uncomfortable, but she found herself oddly willing to taste it. It was a novel experience.

“How about we…” Tang Ning suddenly looked at Mo Zihan, hesitating.

Mo Zihan somehow understood what he meant, but did this count as a confession? Didn’t it feel a bit sudden and insincere? And wasn’t it too brief? It had only been a short time, and no one had ever confessed to her like this before. Could this really work?

She felt a bit frustrated. Who dates like this? Sure, being sudden might be okay, but ignoring the important setting? Saying something so vague and unclear? And she was supposed to just go along with it?

“Yeah, let’s keep going,” Mo Zihan said as she sniffled; it was getting a bit cold.

When they got back home, it was already past ten, nearly eleven. Tang Ning’s parents were already asleep. There was prepared ginger tea and hot water in the living room. Mo Zihan didn’t really like the taste of ginger tea, but the brown sugar water was bearable.

Tiptoeing back to the bedroom, Mo Zihan climbed into bed and suddenly sneezed twice. She took her temperature with a thermometer and realized she had a fever. Perhaps it was all the recent stress. Within no time, her fever worsened. Medicine wasn’t helping, and Tang Ning didn’t bother getting his bedding from the top of the closet. He was busy boiling water and then running outside to find medicine. Around midnight, Mo Zihan woke up once, shivering despite her rising temperature. Tang Ning didn’t know what else to do; he wasn’t a doctor. Hastily, he carried Mo Zihan on his back to the clinic and waited outside most of the night. He was used to staying up late, but when Mo Zihan felt better the next day and saw him, his eyes were red like bottles of red ink.

Mo Zihan couldn’t help but chuckle. She glanced at the bedside table, where Tang Ning, wide-eyed, seemed to be using all his strength just to stay awake. “Mom and Dad came by. The doctor said your irregular eating habits have made you very weak, basically malnourished. So, starting tonight, there won’t be an inch of space left in our refrigerator.”

Mo Zihan retorted, “Shameless! I didn’t realize you could be so thick-skinned. ‘Our refrigerator’? Who said it’s ‘our’ house? You should tell your parents that malnourishment isn’t really something they need to worry about. After all they’ve worked so hard their entire lives, they deserve to rest.”

Tang Ning sighed. “I want them to rest more too, but they said this morning they feel more settled at home. I can’t change their minds.”

Mo Zihan blinked. “Hehe, I have an idea.”

Tang Ning looked puzzled. Mo Zihan giggled. “They care about us, right? So, since I’m sick, even though I still need to attend my classes, the doctors already said I’m not in great health. How about I just stay weak? I bet they wouldn’t leave me in your care and would decide to stay. What do you think? You can thank me later.”

Tang Ning laughed heartily, raising a thumb in admiration. “Genius, pure genius! You’re so scheming and meticulous. Alright then, we’ll try to keep them here a few more days. But it might cramp your style, staying in such a small room, right?”

Mo Zihan, pretending to scratch him, felt slightly indignant. With thousands of characters in the Chinese language that could be used to compliment someone, why did he choose the two that suggest cunning and scheming?

However, Mo Zihan’s little trick worked. Tang Ning’s uncle and aunt left after staying with the grandparents for just over a week, but Tang Ning’s parents stayed, vowing to look after Mo Zihan until she was back to full health.

Tang Ning’s mother insisted, saying they wouldn’t leave until Mo Zihan was healthy and chubby.

Time passed day by day. Tang Ning’s parents stayed for more than a month. Mo Zihan didn’t get chubby; just as she started to show signs, Qi Xiaomeng teased her mercilessly, forcing her to return to her original shape.

Tang Ning’s mother took her to the hospital again for a checkup, which confirmed she was in good health. Seeing that Mo Zihan truly wouldn’t become chubby, they finally returned home.

Winter vacation was upon them, and with only a few days left before the New Year, there was still a whole other family awaiting them at home.

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