Tang Tang shook her shoulders non-stop, "Just come with me, that suburban area is so much fun."
"Alright, alright, I'll go, just stop shaking me." Shi Xinxin quickly surrendered. Just then, there was a knock on Tang Tang's door.
"Come in," Tang Tang replied sweetly. It was Tang Mama, holding a plate of fruit.
"Auntie."
Tang Mama's smile returned upon seeing Shi Xinxin, easing her heart considerably. "I heard Tang Tang bothering you from the doorway. Did she bully you again?"
"No, she was just playing around with me."
Tang Mama shot her daughter a glance as she spoke, "She's so old, yet she still acts like a little girl. It's really troublesome."
"Auntie, don't scold her. I was feeling a bit down earlier, and to cheer me up, she invited me to play at the scenic garden in the suburbs. She didn't bully me."
Shi Xinxin defended Tang Tang.
"To the scenic garden? That's great! I heard the farmhouses there are quite good. Are you two going alone?" As she said this, Tang Tang suddenly realized something was amiss. She tried to stop Shi Xinxin, but it was too late.
"Yes, for now, it should just be the two of us going," Shi Xinxin blurted out.
"Just two girls going alone, that's not very safe. Why don't you ask Xiao Feng to join you? That way, I'll feel more at ease."
Shi Xinxin was stunned for a moment, not quite recalling who this Xiao Feng was, but the name sounded vaguely familiar.
"Oh, Mom, why do you always think of that Xiao Feng? How much benefit have they given you?" Tang Tang immediately became displeased upon hearing Xiao Feng's name.
Shi Xinxin was still in the dark. Tang Mama said earnestly, "What's wrong with that? I think he's good to you, and you don't dislike him that much. Why not spend more time together? Besides, I'm truly worried about two girls going out alone."
Shi Xinxin didn't quite understand what was being said at first. Was Tang Mama trying to arrange a blind date for Tang Tang? That would be rather awkward. She and Tang Tang were indeed two girls going out, and safety was a major concern.
But if it was someone arranged for a blind date, wouldn't that turn it into a blind date for two, with her as the outsider stuck in the middle, making it incredibly awkward?
"Mom, I've told you, marriage is for you to decide, but whether I marry is up to me. You can't still be arranging marriages like in the old society, can you?" Hearing Tang Tang say this, Shi Xinxin finally understood.
So, Tang Mama was referring to the fiancé she had arranged earlier. No wonder the name sounded familiar. They seemed quite fated, and hadn't he even stayed at their house for a period of time? Why was she so unwilling now?
Shi Xinxin's previous worry turned into an eager anticipation to watch the show. She was curious to see what kind of fiancé Tang Tang disliked so much.
She had heard when Tang Tang mentioned him on the phone that he was a good person and willing to stay at their house, so it seemed there shouldn't be any major issues.
Seeing the faint blush on Tang Tang's face, Shi Xinxin guessed she was feeling shy.
"You also said that marriage is decided by you, but getting along is up to you both. The problem is, you need to get along. If you two never see each other, how can you get along? It's settled then. Listen to me, ask him to come."
After speaking, Tang Mama gave Shi Xinxin a look, and Shi Xinxin nodded vaguely.
"Don't argue with me anymore, Mom. If you two don't get along, I won't force you, but you can't not even try to get along. Actually, I know you just want your freedom. My daughter has grown up and doesn't need me to manage her anymore..."
Her tone shifted, and Tang Mama's voice turned sad, on the verge of tears. Shi Xinxin became anxious and reached out to comfort her, but it wasn't of much use.
"My daughter has grown up and doesn't need her mother's concern anymore. I'm truly getting old and useless. I wanted to help my child with something, but I'm rejected and complained about. Oh, why is my life so bitter?"
Tang Tang was also helpless. Seeing her mother reciting lines from a dramatic opera so fluently filled her with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
But that's how old folks are. If you stubbornly refuse their good intentions, they'll start thinking like this.
"Alright, alright, Mom, I'll listen to you. I just wanted you to worry less. Mom, don't you enjoy playing cards and shopping with your friends more often?"
"Playing cards and shopping are just everyday life. What's more important than caring about your own daughter? It's settled then. Mom will call Xiao Feng."
Just a moment ago she was acting wronged, but as soon as Tang Tang agreed, Tang Mama's face instantly lit up with a smile. Shi Xinxin sighed. Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it is.
Tang Mama happily left the room. As soon as the door closed, Tang Tang sighed, "What am I going to do? To make you happy, I've even sold myself out."
"Didn't you stay at their house for a while? He shouldn't be too bad, right?"
"He's not bad, but it feels awkward always being addressed as his fiancée." Shi Xinxin chuckled. To put it plainly, Tang Tang was still feeling shy.
"I actually think you shouldn't worry so much. Imagine this: if there weren't this pre-arranged engagement, would you fall for him? If you could fall for him, then he would be your fiancé, and you his wife."
Shi Xinxin slowly helped her sort out her thoughts.
"Why would you deliberately reject him just because of this pre-existing title? What if he's actually your Prince Charming?"
Tang Tang turned to Shi Xinxin with a hint of resentment, "By fixating on this, you're treating your own feelings as a child's play. If you like him, you like him; if you don't, you don't. By deliberately rejecting him because he's already your fiancé, aren't you being irresponsible to yourself?"
"Okay, you have a point. But I just don't want to be so obedient to my parents. If they think this arranged marriage is right, then they'll arrange everything in the future."
This time, Shi Xinxin burst into laughter. "What else do you think they can arrange later? They've arranged the crucial matter of marriage for you. What else can they interfere with? Can they dictate your childbearing? Don't worry, they're just old and want to do more for you. Don't be so resistant to their good intentions. Look at me."
Shi Xinxin even used herself as an example. "If I had chosen a fiancé arranged by my parents today, perhaps I wouldn't have encountered such things."
"Oh, don't say that. Spit, spit, that's bad luck, it won't come true. How do you know there isn't a misunderstanding in this situation? You're overthinking again. Since we're going for a picnic, let's go buy some things. Shopping is the best way for girls to relax."