"You're not so young anymore, are you not thinking about marriage, or are you guys..."
Before Xu Xiuhe could finish his sentence, Liu Bo was completely scared. Could it be that his boss knew they were faking?
"We are thinking, we're thinking. Isn't it because I'm usually too busy at work with her? We just don't have the time."
"Indeed, it's my fault as a boss. How about this, the New Year is three months away, I'll give you a long vacation before then, and the two of you can hold your wedding ceremony. It's not right to keep dragging this on. After the New Year, you can also have your honeymoon."
Xu Xiuhe made it sound nonchalant, but Liu Bo was scared out of his wits.
"Isn't it too sudden?"
Liu Bo was practically sweating in distress.
"Not sudden at all. You've known each other for so long, you're familiar with each other's backgrounds, and you've even met each other's parents. You can't let the girl wait forever. I think you can go get the certificates now."
Shen Yin once again witnessed Xu Xiuhe's matchmaking tendencies. Is he starting to rush for their marriage already?
Such a good boss, are bosses these days really this humanized? Constantly considering their employees' personal matters.
"President, I will go first."
Liu Bo wished he could fly out of this office.
"Don't worry, by then, the whole Heyuan Group will be your in-law's home."
As soon as Liu Bo went out, a group of junior assistants outside were watching.
"What's wrong with Assistant Liu, he is in such a hurry."
Xiao Li'er kept her head down. She hadn't told Yang Mo and the others that she had already taken leave and was about to go to the hospital.
"Mo Mo, Elder Sister Gu, you guys carry on. I have almost finished dealing with the files. I've got something to do and have asked for leave to take off early."
"Ok, drive slowly on your way back."
They could just tell Liu Bo if they need a leave, generally, it’s no problem to take time off, everyone has family matters to take care of. They bid Xiao Li'er to take care.
In a short while, Liu Bo also made his way to the elevator door.
As soon as he left, they could not keep their gossip hidden.
"Did you see that? I think these two are taking time off together. It's strange indeed, Assistant Liu actually asked for leave, he must have been asking for it in the president's office just now."
"He rarely takes leaves, usually only business trips, it’s indeed unusual."
"You think, could these two be going to get the marriage certificate now?" Elder Sister Gu said.
In an instant, their eyes seemed enlightened, filled with deep implications.
"Why didn't you wait for me to come down together?"
In the underground garage, Liu Bo asked sitting in the car.
"Isn't it too obvious? If we go together, they'd notice right away."
"Xiao Li, aren't you naive? If we go one after another, won't it look more conspicuous? It makes us look even guiltier."
"What do we have to feel guilty about? We're not doing anything bad together."
"With the imagination of your girl group, they probably think we're going to get our marriage certificate together."
"How is that possible? Marriage certificate? Impossible, that's outrageous, we're faking."
Xiao Li'er waved her hands, making statements that she herself didn't believe.
"Then what would make it real?"
Liu Bo, who had been looking down, suddenly lifted his head to ask this question. Whether it was his gaze or expression, they were both incredibly serious.
Xiao Li'er's eyes widened, her expression frozen as if she hadn't expected Liu Bo to utter such words.
"That, what do you mean by what you just said?"
Xiao Li'er couldn't meet Liu Bo's gaze, and her words began to stutter.
"What you think it means, is what it means."
After Liu Bo finished speaking, he started the car. Xiao Li'er felt an odd tingling sensation in her heart, something felt off.
She was silent for the whole drive.
The pair kept silent until the car pulled into the parking lot. Liu Bo exited and pulled several boxes of expensive-looking nutritional supplements from the trunk.
“Why did you go shopping? These must be expensive, let me transfer you some money.”
Xiao Li'er pulled out her phone and transferred Liu Bo 2000 yuan.
“Let's go.”
Liu Bo carried two boxes.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you."
“No problem.”
The two of them made their way to the hospital room. There were other patients there. Xiao's Mother was peeling an apple for Xiao's Father.
“Mom, how is dad?”
“Oh, Li'er, you're here. Ah, Liu Bo came too. You didn’t just come but also bought so many things.”
“That’s the least I can do. Auntie, how is Uncle?”
“I am doing fine.”
Xiao's Father was still lying in bed with an IV drip.
“Dad, you were fine. Why are you in the hospital?”
“Isn't it normal? As you age, your body isn't what it used to be. Some health issues are common, don't make a big deal out of it.”
“Oh, dear, that’s your daughter and son-in-law. How nice! Daughters are always better. My son...sigh.”
An older woman entered the room from outside.
The woman who walked in was the neighbour in the next bed, looking at Xiao Li'er with envy on her face.
“I have no serious problems. You shouldn't stay here. Hustle, go and get back to work.”
Xiao's Father waved his hand from the bed.
Xiao's Mother was unhappy and retorted: “You really have an issue. Liu Bo and Li'er came to see you out of goodwill, and you're not pleased.”
“You are blessed but unaware, my old man always yearns for our son to visit him. Till now, he hasn't shown up.” The woman from the next bed said.
“Is work busy?” Xiao's Mother asked.
“It’s okay.”
“Wow, handsome groom and beautiful bride, such a perfect match. Do you have children yet?”
The neighbour seemed to be a fairly familiar type, making everyone awkward with her question.
“No, Auntie, we're not married yet.”
“Oh, you aren't married yet? That will not do. You should marry early, especially girls. The earlier you get married, the earlier you'll recover. You two should get married soon. Hurry up, while your mom is still able to help with the kids.”
Xiao's Mother giggled and said nothing.
Xiao Li'er suddenly felt that the decision to visit her father today was a mistake.
“Yes, we will hurry up.”
“Ah, good lad. That’s like it.”
The woman from the next bed was very pleased upon hearing Liu Bo's words, feeling as if she had accomplished something great.
“Liu Bo, come have some fruit.”
Xiao's Mother handed Liu Bo a peeled apple.
“Auntie, I’m not hungry, you should give it to Uncle.”
"Just eat it when I give it to you, don't talk too much."
Xiao's Father, who was in bed, said grumpily.
Liu Bo was a bit embarrassed and took the apple to eat for a while.
Xiao Li'er then asked some questions about the illness and discharge time. She was ready to leave once she confirmed that there were no significant issues.
Once she was back in the car, Xiao Li'er began to apologize again.
"I apologize for how my father spoke earlier. If he came across as harsh, please don't take it to heart."
"I don't mind at all. It's perfectly normal. If my daughter were to be lured away by some scoundrel in the future, I reckon my attitude would be even worse than that of your father's."
…...
