Secret Love Nest '23 : The Paper Year

On Our Way Home

There is a saying.

Don't ask a lady her age and don't ask a man his salary.

But for us...its don't ask Qing and Dayu how much they have spent shopping in Shinjuku and Akihabara.

Just understand us if we say we bought two new luggages to fit everything we have bought in our shopping escapade. Not to mention a large box that Qing packed and sealed himself to go home with us.

(2 luggages and a large box?)

Look...we...are crazy people. Thank goodness we have money because if we don't...well, this would have not happened. I don't know.

We were possessed.

(By what?)

By demons who love shopping. What? We were in Japan. The place where curses (Jujutsu Kaisen) and demons (Demon Slayers) exist. As well as cute volleyball boys (Haikyu). We will not explain anything further than that.

(Good god)

Oh don't panic. Its okay. Its alright. We are still in the clear. I'm happy to report we didn't incur any debt in this endeavor we took. No one should panic. Or as Qing put it.

Qing: (while packing the box with things he bought) (challenging tone) I deserve this!

Me: Sure.

Qing: What?! I do!

Me: Yeah. I'm agreeing with you. Jesus. If you feel guilty, don't.

Qing: (defensive) I don't feel guilty.

Me: (sighing) You are just anticipating what others, especially your parents, will say once they know how much toys you bought.

Qing: (bristling) Fuck I care what they say! I used my money, not theirs!

Me: True. But lets admit it. The number might make your parents wonder if you'll squander your inheritance on toy figures. Because you know...its a lot. Like A LOT.

Qing: They can write me off their will, for all I care.

Me: Uhuh. Where is this confidence of yours coming from?

Qing: (grinning) From knowing that even though they can write me off the inheritance list, they'll never discard you. They'll leave a big chunks of their fortune to you, thats for sure. Especially my mother.

Me: Oh. I see. Its becoming apparent that this is your nefarious long term plan and the reason why you approached and pursued me.

Qing: (laughing) Guilty. I knew the moment I saw you that you'll make my parents fall for you so hard they'll overlook their son's crimes. Heck, they might even forgive me.

Me: (gesturing at everything he is packing) Not on this, I fear.

Qing: (exasperated) Thats why we won't let them know everything we purchased here!

Me: And what if they ask us point blank?

Qing: (shrugging) We'll lie.

Oh...life is so easy for him. I swear aside from growing up privileged, my husband has no concept of being in danger.

But eventually we finished packing and checked out of the hotel. We went to the Goddess' home. Its where we will spend the day before flying back to Beijing.

The Goddess and I did what we love to do together; cooking. We whipped out a feast for dinner. While eating, Mr.Lim proposed a toast for me.

Mr.Lim: (smiling at me with gratitude) Thank you for coming. She has been such a good actress that she has convinced me she was not lonely while we stay here but with your arrival, it made me realize what genuine happiness look on her.