Lin Mo couldn’t sleep well all night. In his dream, Lin Xian’er invited him to help her, and he somehow half-reluctantly agreed. The second half of the dream would need at least 10,000 words to describe.
In the dream, Lin Xian’er’s face turned into Su Qing’s, then into Shen Qingyue’s, and finally into all three together.
Lin Xian’er’s fingers, her breathing, the scene on the screen.
At dawn, Lin Mo was still sleeping groggily in his dream. He was woken by a knock on the door.
“Lin Mo, it’s dawn. Time to get up. Breakfast is ready.” Lin Xian’er’s voice came through the door, very natural, as if nothing had happened.
Lin Mo sat up, his mind still dazed. After a few seconds. ‘Was last night a dream?’ He looked down at himself. His clothes were on properly, the blanket was on properly. ‘It wasn’t a dream, right?’
“Got it,” he replied.
Lin Mo finished washing up, then went downstairs.
The dining room was already full of people. Lin Xian’er’s parents, grandparents, two aunts and uncles, and a little cousin. Lin Xian’er was sitting next to his usual seat. When she saw him, she smiled.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Lin Xian’er’s gaze was calm, the corners of her mouth curved in a natural arc.
Lin Mo’s heart skipped a beat. “It was okay.”
He sat down next to her. Lin Xian’er ladled him a bowl of porridge and pushed it over. “Eat more. There’s a lot to do today. Lunch might be late, and you might not be able to eat freely at that dinner.”
Lin Mo lowered his head to drink the porridge, not daring to look at her. He could feel her gaze on him, but didn’t dare to raise his head to confirm. His mind was in a mess. ‘How can she act like nothing happened? Doesn’t she remember last night? Or is she pretending not to?’
“Lin Mo,” Lin Xian’er’s mother spoke, her voice very gentle, “Your Uncle Lin’s old friends are coming for lunch today. You can chat with them.”
Lin Mo looked up. “Okay, Aunt Lin.”
“Don’t be nervous,” Lin Xian’er’s mother smiled. “They’re all old friends, Xian’er’s elders.”
Lin Mo nodded. Lin Xian’er next to him said softly, “They’re just a few elders, casual chat. Don’t be nervous.”
“I’m not nervous,” Lin Mo said. But the unnaturalness in his voice showed he was still a bit nervous. However, Lin Mo was an old actor after all, and quickly adjusted himself.
In the morning, in the living room. Lin Xian’er watched TV with her grandparents, Lin Mo sat nearby, distracted. He was thinking about last night, wondering why Lin Xian’er could be so natural, wondering how he should face her. ‘Is she this good at acting too?’
“Lin Mo.” Lin Xian’er suddenly called him.
“Huh?”
“Help me look, why isn’t this remote responding?” She handed the remote over, her fingers touching his hand.
Lin Mo’s hand trembled. His heart started racing again. He took the remote and pressed a button. “The battery is dead.”
“Oh,” Lin Xian’er pulled her hand back. “Then I’ll go buy one.”
“I’ll go,” Lin Mo stood up. He wanted to go out for some fresh air.
“Do you know where the small shop is?”
“No.”
“Then let’s go together.” Lin Xian’er also stood up. The two walked out the door. The sunlight was nice, the sea breeze blowing over. Lin Mo walked ahead, Lin Xian’er followed behind. Neither spoke.
“Lin Mo,” she suddenly spoke.
“Mm.”
“About last night…”
Lin Mo’s footsteps paused.
“Don’t take it to heart,” Lin Xian’er’s voice was very soft. “I… sometimes act like that. Don’t overthink it. After all, I’m alone at home, and you’re not really my boyfriend, so I have to rely on myself.”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Lin Xian’er walked up beside him, side by side.
Lin Mo turned to look at her. Sunlight shone on her face. Her expression was calm. There were faint dark circles under her eyes; she hadn’t slept well either.
“Mm,” he said.
Lin Xian’er smiled.
The two continued walking. The small shop was at the corner of the intersection, very close. They bought the battery and walked back. Neither mentioned last night again.
At noon, the guests arrived. Three middle-aged men, all dressed very elegantly. Lin Xian’er’s father greeted them at the door, exchanged a few pleasantries, and led them into the living room. Lin Mo was arranged to sit next to Lin Xian’er.
“So this is Xian’er’s boyfriend?” a man with glasses asked with a smile.
“Yes, Lin Mo,” Lin Xian’er’s father introduced. “Xian’er’s classmate.”
“Young and promising,” another man nodded. “Which school do you attend?”
“Alice Royal Academy,” Lin Mo said.
“Alice?” The man with glasses was startled. “That’s an aristocratic school, isn’t it? I hear it’s hard to get in. And they don’t really recruit male students, do they?”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Lin Xian’er’s father smiled. “Classmate Lin Mo has good grades.”
The men exchanged glances and didn’t press further. They started talking about other topics: the stock market, real estate, recent policies. Lin Mo couldn’t understand, nor could he join in, so he just sat beside them drinking tea. Lin Xian’er occasionally glanced at him, an apologetic look in her eyes. He shook his head, indicating it was fine.
Halfway through the meal, Lin Xian’er’s father suddenly put down his chopsticks. “Lin Mo, come to my study after the meal. I have a few words I want to say to you.”
Lin Mo was taken aback. “Okay.”
Lin Xian’er glanced at her father. “Dad, what do you want to talk to Lin Mo about?”
“Nothing. Just a casual chat. What, are you afraid I’ll eat him?” Father Lin smiled. “You help your mother clear the table.”
Lin Xian’er wanted to say more, but Mother Lin gave her a look. She shut her mouth and glanced at Lin Mo. That glance held worry.
Lin Mo’s heart skipped a beat. ‘What’s this about? A private talk? Did I mess up somewhere? Or was last night discovered?’ A chill ran down his back.
After the meal, Lin Mo followed Father Lin upstairs. The study was at the end of the corridor on the second floor, the door open. It wasn’t big inside—a desk, a few chairs, and a calligraphy scroll hanging on the wall. Father Lin had him sit down, and he sat across from him.
“Don’t be nervous,” Father Lin smiled. “Just a casual chat.”
Lin Mo nodded. But his fingers tightened on his knees.
“Would you like tea or coffee?”
“Tea is fine.”
Father Lin brewed two cups of tea and handed one to him. Lin Mo took it—it was hot—and set it on the table. Father Lin held his cup, leaned back in his chair, and looked at him.
“Lin Mo, where is your hometown?”
“The provincial capital.”
“Provincial capital? Which district?”
“South of the city.”
Father Lin nodded. “What do your parents do?”
Lin Mo hesitated. “My mom works at a supermarket. My dad… is no longer with us.”
Father Lin’s teacup paused. “When did that happen?”
“When I was little.”
Father Lin was silent for a few seconds. “Then your mother raised you alone. That must have been hard.”
“Mm.”
Father Lin took a sip of tea and set down the cup. “Xian’er had a hard time as a child too. Her mother and I were busy with work, so she grew up with her grandparents. Her grandmother wasn’t in good health, and she had to help take care of her. She’s been sensible since she was young, never asking for anything from the family.”
Lin Mo listened. Father Lin continued, “Later she got into this school, and we were very happy. The school is good and close to home. She comes back every week to have meals with her grandparents. Her grandfather has bad legs, and every time she comes back, she massages them. She massages for half an hour and never complains of being tired.”
Lin Mo didn’t know why Father Lin was saying all this. But he listened carefully.
“Xian’er seems carefree, but she’s actually very attentive. She’s never made us worry since she was little. No need to push her to study, no need to manage her life. We don’t have many demands for her, just that she’s happy.” Father Lin looked at him. “You know, she’s never mentioned a boy to us before.”
Lin Mo’s heart tightened.
“You’re the first.” Father Lin’s voice was even. “So her mother takes it very seriously. So do I.”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Father Lin picked up his cup and took another sip.
“Lin Mo, what do you think of Xian’er?”
Lin Mo was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… what do you think of her as a person?”
Lin Mo thought for a moment. “She’s great. Very smart, very independent, has her own ideas.”
Father Lin nodded. “So what do you like about her?”
Lin Mo opened his mouth. ‘How should I answer? I can’t say “like” because it’s fake. But I can’t say I don’t like her either.’
“She…” he thought, “she’s very real. She doesn’t put on a front. Being with her is very comfortable.”
Father Lin looked at him for a long time. Then he smiled. “That’s good.”
He put down his cup, stood up, and walked to the window. He looked outside.
“Lin Mo, do you know what Xian’er’s grandfather used to do?”
“No.”
“He used to be a city leader,” Father Lin’s voice was soft. “He retired many years ago. But there are quite a few old friends who are still in office.”
Lin Mo didn’t know how to respond. Father Lin continued, “Her grandmother’s family is in business. Her uncle owns several factories, not huge in scale, but they’re considered notable within the province.”
Lin Mo listened, thinking to himself: ‘Why is he telling me all this?’
“Our family isn’t extremely wealthy, but we are comfortably well-off,” Father Lin turned back and looked at him. “Xian’er has never suffered since she was young. And we don’t intend to let her suffer.”
Lin Mo nodded. “That’s as it should be.”
Father Lin looked at him and smiled. “Lin Mo, you’re an honest kid. I can tell.”
Lin Mo didn’t know how to answer. Father Lin walked back and sat down.
“I’m not opposed to you and Xian’er,” he said. “But there are some things I need to make clear to you.”
Lin Mo’s heart raced. ‘Here it comes.’
“Since Xian’er was little, we’ve tried to satisfy everything she wants. It’s not about spoiling her; it’s because she deserves it.” Father Lin looked at him. “The person she wants, we hope is the best as well.”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Father Lin continued, “You’re a good kid, but you’re still young. The road ahead is long. Whether you and Xian’er can make it to the end, no one can say for sure.”
Lin Mo nodded. Father Lin looked at him for a moment.
“Lin Mo, what are your plans after graduation?”
“Haven’t thought about it yet.”
“Have you thought about graduate school?”
“I have.”
“Which school?”
“Not decided yet.”
Father Lin nodded. “And can your family… support you for graduate school?”
Lin Mo was silent for a moment. “My mom isn’t in great health. I want to start working as soon as possible.”
Father Lin didn’t speak. He picked up his cup and took a sip.
“Lin Mo, do you know Xian’er’s cousin from her aunt’s side?”
“No.”
“Her cousin got married two years ago. The groom’s family is in real estate, with several properties in the provincial capital.” Father Lin’s voice was even. “The wedding was held at a five-star hotel, with several hundred guests.”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Father Lin continued, “I’m not saying the spectacle is important. I’m saying, what kind of environment has Xian’er grown up in? What kind of partners do the relatives and friends around her find?”
Lin Mo understood. He was saying—your family doesn’t match ours.
“Lin Mo, don’t overthink it,” Father Lin smiled. “I’m just chatting casually.”
Lin Mo nodded. “I understand.”
Father Lin looked at him for a while. “You’re a smart kid.”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Father Lin stood up. “Alright, let’s go down. They’re still waiting.”
Lin Mo stood up too. As they reached the door, Father Lin suddenly stopped.
“Lin Mo.”
“Mm.”
“Are you… serious about Xian’er?”
Lin Mo’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes.”
Father Lin looked at him for a long time. Then he nodded. “That’s good.”
He pulled open the door and walked out. Lin Mo stood there, his heart racing. He didn’t know if he had passed the test. He didn’t know if Father Lin believed him.
He went downstairs. Lin Xian’er was sitting in the living room. When she saw him, she stood up. “What did my dad say to you?”
“Nothing. Just a casual chat.”
Lin Xian’er looked at him. “Really?”
“Really.”
Lin Xian’er stared at him for a few seconds. Then she smiled. “That’s good.” She sat down on the sofa and patted the spot beside her. “Come sit.”
Lin Mo walked over and sat down. Lin Xian’er leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder. Her hair brushed against his neck, ticklish.
“Lin Mo.”
“Mm.”
“Did my dad tell you about our family situation?”
Lin Mo was startled. “How did you know?”
“He does this every time,” Lin Xian’er’s voice was very soft. “With those blind dates before, he always talked to them first. After the talk, they never came back.”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Lin Xian’er lifted her head and looked at him.
“You didn’t get scared off, did you?”
Lin Mo looked at her. Her eyes were bright, with worry in them, and something else.
“No,” he said.
Lin Xian’er smiled. She rested her head back on his shoulder.
“That’s good.”
The living room was very quiet. The TV was on, playing a variety show. Lin Xian’er’s grandparents were on the balcony enjoying the sun. The little cousin was playing with building blocks on the carpet. Everything seemed normal. But Lin Mo knew that Father Lin’s words weren’t just casual chat. He was reminding him—you’re not good enough for my daughter. But Lin Mo didn’t feel offended. Because he knew: he wasn’t real. He was just acting.
He sighed. Lin Xian’er leaned on his shoulder, eyes closed. Her breathing was light, puffing on his neck, ticklish. He remembered last night. Remembered her hand, her breathing, the sounds from the screen. His heart started racing again.
He closed his eyes. ‘Stop thinking. Stop thinking. She’s Lin Xian’er. She’s senior. She’s just a fake girlfriend. Not real.’
He repeated it in his mind several times. But his heart still didn’t slow down.