The Reluctant Bride Book I

Hygiene.

‘Thank you,’ Tan Pan Ting said to Gu Jiao Wen.

Tan Pan Ting took a bite of the chicken leg and Gu Jiao Wen whispered in her ear, ‘I didn’t wash my hands.’

Tan Pan Ting dropped the chicken leg on the table and she spat the piece of chicken leg out of her mouth.

‘Tan Pan Ting!’ Tan Zui Shi and Wen Xue Fang called out at the same time.

Tan Pan Ting coughed and rubbed her chest. Her finger pointed accusingly at Gu Jiao Wen. She wanted to curse him but only coughing sounds came out of her mouth.

Gu Jiao Wen held Tan Pan Ting’s hand and he rubbed her back.

‘Eat slowly,’ Gu Jiao Wen said innocently.

‘You!’ Tan Pan Ting said and pushed Gu Jiao Wen’s hand off her hand. ‘Gu Jiao Wen, you’re unhygienic!’

‘Pan Ting, you’re unhygienic,’ Wen Xue Fang said. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Pan Ting, where are your manners?’ Tan Zui Shi asked. ‘Is this how you should eat dinner?’

‘Dad, mum, it’s Gu Jiao Wen who’s unhygienic,’ Tan Pan Ting said. ‘He didn’t wash his…’

‘Enough,’ Tan Zui Shi said. ‘Jiao Wen kindly picked up a chicken leg for you. Why are you being rude toward him?’

‘Uncle, it’s my fault,’ Gu Jiao Wen said. ‘I shouldn’t tease Pan Ting while she’s eating.’

‘Jiao Wen, it’s not your fault,’ Tan Zui Shi said. ‘It’s my fault. I didn’t teach Pan Ting manners.’

Tan Pan Ting couldn’t do anything to vent her frustrations. She glared at Gu Jiao Wen and regretted she couldn’t drink all his blood.

‘Tan Ping, don’t be angry at me,’ Gu Jiao Wen said and held Tan Pan Ting’s hand. ‘I’m sorry. It’s my fault.’

‘Get lost!’ Tan Pan Ting said and pushed Gu Jiao Wen’s hand away. ‘I don’t need your fake kindness. This is all your scheming.’

‘Pan Ting, didn’t you hear Jiao Wen say he’s sorry?’ Wen Xue Fang asked.

‘I don’t need his sorry,’ Tan Pan Ting said. ‘I didn’t do anything wrong. Dad, mum, if you both love him this much then you both don’t need a daughter like me.’

Tan Pan Ting stood and ran out of her parents’ home.

‘Uncle, aunty, I’m going to chase after Pan Ting,’ Gu Jiao Wen said and chased after Tan Pan Ting.

After Tan Pan Ting ran a long distance, she realised it was a dark and hot night, which added to her frustrations. What happened to her goal to win in her own territory? Why did Gu Jiao Wen have to win again and in her own family home?

‘Ah…’ Tan Pan Ting yelled to the dark night sky.

Gu Jiao Wen covered Tan Pan Ting’s mouth.

‘Don’t be noisy,’ Gu Jiao Wen said. ‘Come home with me.’

***

End of Chapter Seventy