Chapter 113: Dinner
Geng Haoshi hurriedly spoke up, “You must have misunderstood—”
Before he could finish, Li Ling waved his hand dismissively, adopting the air of someone with experience. “Don’t say another word. I was young once too; I understand.”
Understand my foot! Geng Haoshi wanted to continue explaining, “No, Uncle—”
Li Ling didn’t give him the chance. He waved his hand again and went on as if talking to himself, “I’m not some old-fashioned relic. I know you young people have your own ideas. But things like taking wedding photos? It’s best to let the elders know.”
Saying there was no misunderstanding! This is not something to admit lightly! Geng Haoshi was about to speak again when the door to the CEO’s office swung open.
A young woman appeared, one hand on the door handle and the other clutching some documents. She said respectfully, “President Li, shall we start the meeting now?”
“All right, I’m coming.”
After speaking, Li Ling looked at Geng Haoshi with a tone full of sincerity. “Young man, since you’ve already taken wedding photos, you’d better get along well from now on... As for marriage, I think it’s a bit early. Wait until you graduate.”
He strode to the door, then turned back and added, “And don’t you dare bully my daughter!”
Without waiting for a response, Li Ling strode away, leaving Geng Haoshi standing there in utter confusion.
By the time Geng Haoshi gathered his thoughts, Li Ling had already disappeared from sight.
“This is bad, really bad! How did I just freeze up? Now the misunderstanding’s even bigger!” He was filled with regret for not explaining in time.
“Senior, you really are here!”
Just then, Li Shishi appeared at the door of the CEO’s office, accompanied by teammates Yang Mimi and Lin Ling.
Li Shishi ran over to Geng Haoshi, looping her arm through his, her big eyes sparkling with innocence. “Senior, what did my dad talk to you about?”
“Heh, nothing much—just some casual chatting,” Geng Haoshi replied, of course not revealing the details of his conversation with Li Ling in front of Yang Mimi.
“Casual chatting, but you went all the way to the top floor for it?” Lin Ling, always one to stir up trouble, saw right through Geng Haoshi’s feigned calm.
“Shishi’s dad just felt a connection with me, so he pulled me in for a chat... yeah, that’s it.”
Hearing this, Lin Ling only grew more suspicious.
At that moment, sharp-eyed Lin Ling noticed several photos on the CEO’s desk near Geng Haoshi’s position.
Geng Haoshi caught her gaze and quickly said, “Aren’t we supposed to shoot the brand promo video? Let’s hurry downstairs.”
He hurried them out the door, but only Lin Ling lingered to examine the photos on the desk.
Riding the elevator down, Lin Ling leaned close to Geng Haoshi’s ear and whispered, “I’ve seen those pictures. If you don’t want this to leak... well, confession is the best policy.”
That afternoon, back at Chen Zhi Gymnasium, Lin Ling dragged Geng Haoshi to a secluded spot and began her “interrogation.”
“Tell me, when did you take those wedding photos?” Lin Ling nudged him with her elbow. “You little rascal, and you didn’t even tell your big sister.”
“Lin Ling, those aren’t wedding photos,” Geng Haoshi replied, then proceeded to explain everything from start to finish.
After hearing the story, Lin Ling couldn’t help but laugh. “Hahaha, that sounds just like something Shishi would do.”
“So, her father has accepted you as his son-in-law before the wedding?” Lin Ling teased further.
“Lin Ling, I’ve told you everything, but you can’t tell Mimi about the photos,” Geng Haoshi said with concern.
“Why, afraid Mimi will misunderstand?” Lin Ling said casually. “Actually, you and Shishi make a pretty good match. Besides, you and Mimi are impossible.”
Geng Haoshi was stunned by her sudden remark. “Why can’t Mimi and I be together?”
“Because she’s going to study in America. Do you expect to maintain such a long-distance relationship?”
“America... study abroad...” Geng Haoshi stood there dumbfounded, like a wooden doll who had lost all awareness.
...
That night, Geng Haoshi lay in bed early but tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
The next day at Chen Zhi Gymnasium, Yu Manman began intensive training sessions with the Tiancheng Polytechnic University basketball team in preparation for the finals.
The second and third days passed the same way.
On the fourth night—just one day before the National College Basketball League finals—Yang Mimi took charge of cooking in the gym’s kitchen and dining area, with Li Shishi and Lin Ling assisting her as they prepared a lavish dinner for the coaches and players.
The food was all laid out, and everyone was seated.
“I have something to tell you all,” Yang Mimi said, stealing a glance at Geng Haoshi before continuing, “Tomorrow morning, I’m going to America.”
Everyone, except Lin Ling and Geng Haoshi, froze for a few seconds.
“Mimi, why such a sudden decision to go to America?” Li Shishi was the first to break the silence.
“I’ve actually been preparing for it for a month now...” Yang Mimi answered, again glancing at Geng Haoshi.
At that moment, Yu Manman and the other players instinctively looked toward Geng Haoshi.
“America’s a good place... big, with few people... that’s great...” Geng Haoshi mumbled incoherently, then picked up his chopsticks and stuffed some food into his mouth, nodding while chewing. “This dish is really good. It tastes like braised pork...”
The players all shook their heads in unison, knowing full well Geng Haoshi was clearly rattled.
“Braised pork flavor?” Li Shishi sampled the dish and chewed thoughtfully. “I don’t taste any braised pork.”
“Everyone, eat up quickly before it gets cold,” Yang Mimi urged, sensing the awkward atmosphere.
...
After dinner, Li Shishi and Lin Ling went to the study room to prepare for tomorrow’s final exams.
Because the next day was the first day of the National College Basketball League finals, Geng Haoshi and the others didn’t have to train as intensely as usual—they only did some basic exercises.
At 8 p.m., while Geng Haoshi was resting, Yang Mimi brought him a bottle of water and sat beside him.
“Second Brother, are you upset that I didn’t tell you earlier about going to America?”
“No... Mimi... I...” Geng Haoshi had a lot to say, but when words reached his lips, he didn’t know how to begin.