I'm A Math Idiot, So What? - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Beware of Greed and Anger (3)

We slept soundly under the cotton quilt until just before dawn. I vaguely sensed movement in the room, but my eyelids were too heavy to open until a sharp “Ah!” jolted me awake.

Mom was back.

I rubbed my eyes and mumbled, “Mom, what’s wrong—” Then I realized.

She had been trying to slip into bed in the dark, only to find someone else there.

Fang Congxin, you really screwed up this time!

Fang Congxin looked just as startled as I was, but he reacted quickly, kneeling obediently on the bed and saying, “Good morning, Auntie.”

Mom backed away, flustered. “Oh, um—I couldn’t sleep on the hospital cot, so I thought I’d come back to catch some shut-eye—I’ll head to a hotel now. You two, carry on, carry on.”

Fang Congxin immediately slid off the bed. “I’m so sorry, Auntie! I’ve been so busy lately I completely forgot you were coming back. I’ll leave right away—”

Mom pushed him back onto the bed. “It’s alright. You’re used to staying here; forgetting is natural. You just get some sleep. I’ll go.”

Fang Congxin pulled Mom back onto the bed. “You’ve been up all night. You should get some rest.”

“You sleep.”

“No, you sleep.”

“Fine, you two sleep. I’ll leave.”

Then they both simultaneously smacked me on the head.

What did I do to deserve that?!

The situation was incredibly awkward.

Fang Congxin and I had nowhere to go, and though Mom was exhausted, she couldn’t just kick us out and claim the bed for herself.

So the three of us ended up sitting in the living room playing Fight the Landlord.

Yes, at five in the morning, we were playing Fight the Landlord.

This had been Mom’s idea, so Fang Congxin didn’t dare call it “stupid.” Not only that, he had to sit at the dining table with his hair sticking up, shuffling the cards with utmost respect.

As Mom sorted her cards, she sighed, “Ah, Xiaomeng hasn’t even finished college yet.”

Fang Congxin’s hand froze mid-deal.

“But young people are impulsive, right? We elders understand.”

I kicked Mom under the table.

Fang Congxin turned to me, his face impassive, and whispered, “You kicked me.”

“…But understanding is one thing; worrying about whether the young people are just caught up in a momentary infatuation is another matter entirely.”

“What if someone falls head over heels in love, only to abandon them after the initial passion fades?”

“Mom, do I look like I’m capable of being swept away by temporary infatuation?”

“Shut up,” Fang Congxin and I said in unison.

Fang Congxin, perhaps startled by my mother’s sarcastic tone, pulled a small, round ring from his pocket as if by magic. “Auntie, Lin Meng and I are dating with marriage in mind.”

I was still chewing on a potato chip when he said this. I nearly spat it out, leaned across the table, and stared at the ring. “Holy crap, you weren’t here to propose last night, were you?”

Fang Congxin shot me a glare before turning back to my mother, his tone respectful. “This ring is a keepsake from my mother. I always keep it with me. I want Lin Meng to marry me and stay by my side forever.”

Why are you being so harsh with me? I thought. You’re the one proposing, not my mother.

I stared at the simple ring for a moment, thinking, Damn, this ring must have a hook in it, or how else would it make me want to try it on so badly?

Mom was actually just trying to tease Fang Congxin, but she hadn’t expected him to suddenly propose so earnestly. She quickly straightened up and said, “Well, Xiaomeng’s father isn’t here either. This… I… I’m also being someone’s mother-in-law for the first time. What’s the proper procedure for this?”

I swallowed a potato chip and wiped my mouth before saying, “Mom, come here, I’ll explain the procedure. First, you need my consent.”

Fang Congxin looked at me strangely. “Don’t you agree?”

I returned his bewildered gaze with my own. “And why exactly should I agree?”

Seriously, we’ve only been dating for a few days, and you already dared to hit someone for another woman behind my back, then acted like nothing happened while flirting with me? How could I possibly marry you?

Besides, you held me all night last night. How am I supposed to know if you’re a modern-day Liu Xiahui or just… incapable?

Some things require a little more consideration, don’t you think?

Of course, the real reason is simply that things haven’t even progressed to the point where marriage should be on the table, right?

Fang Congxin looked blankly at my mother, his would-be mother-in-law, who had failed to get her way.

My mother turned my face back and forth, blinking several times.

Then Fang Congxin whispered in my ear, “Auntie kicked me a few times. She might have been aiming for you.”

I licked my lips and said dryly, “Of course I’m open to dating with marriage in mind. But there’s a difference between that and actually agreeing to get married. Heh, I think we should just let things take their course.”

My mother, surprisingly clear-headed in this critical moment, said, “That’s true. Xiaomeng is still young. You two should get to know each other better first.”

And so we continued playing Landlord under an even more awkward atmosphere.

I could clearly sense Fang Congxin’s anger simmering beneath the surface.

My mother noticed it too and deliberately yawned loudly a few times, claiming she was going to bed and leaving us to continue playing.

How are we supposed to play Landlord with just two people? I thought. You started this mess, Mom. Clean it up before you leave! Mom, I’m a little scared. Don’t go, Mom.

My mother slammed the door shut behind her.

I gathered my cards. “Let’s keep going.”

Fang Congxin lowered his voice. “I want an explanation.”

How to handle a handsome, talented, and wealthy man pressuring you for marriage? I would never have dared to even imagine such a scenario before. If I’d posted about it online, I’m sure the comments would have been full of snark: “Been drinking since dawn?” or “What’s on the menu tonight?”

After all, I’m grown up now. The days of anxiously awaiting talent scouts as a child are long gone.

So, being completely inexperienced and unprepared, I had to improvise my response.

“I know you gave me this precious ring under pressure from my mother, partly to ease her concerns and partly to show how serious you are about our relationship. I’m truly grateful.

But marriage is a momentous decision that requires careful consideration.

We haven’t been together long enough to anticipate all the challenges that might arise. Besides, I’m still studying and don’t feel any urgent need to marry.

If everything goes smoothly, marriage will naturally follow. There’s no need to rush things.”

I sensed Fang Congxin’s anger stemmed primarily from being publicly humiliated in front of my mother. As a man accustomed to success and smooth sailing, he probably couldn’t accept “No” as an option. I tried to deliver my explanation earnestly, hoping he would listen with an open mind.

Fang Congxin listened with a cold expression, staring fixedly at me. “If we love each other, marriage is the inevitable destination.

I was simply bringing forward that destination a little sooner than expected, given the circumstances.

The real reason you’re refusing is because you don’t love me as much as you claim.

But that’s fine, Lin Meng. I’ve always believed love should be equal and balanced. I was too hasty today.

I’ll propose again when you genuinely, wholeheartedly love me.”

If you took those words with a different tone, you might think he was being understanding and even trying to see things from my perspective. But the way he said it, it didn’t sound like he was trying to comfort me at all, especially that last line—it was practically accusing me of playing with his feelings. I asked him with all the patience I could muster, “When did I ever say I ‘casually liked’ you?”

He bit his lip and pointed toward the entrance. “That day you said here that you easily fall for anyone who treats you well. Give it a few more days, and if someone else is nice to you, you’ll forget all about me.”

Ha! You’d expect nothing less from a Peking University graduate—his memory is truly remarkable. He took the staircase I’d built for myself when he rejected my confession and smashed it right back down on my head.

I was so furious, my liver ached and my heart pounded so hard it hurt my chest. After forcing myself to calm down, I finally managed to say, “Just because I like you more doesn’t mean I have to be ‘mature,’ ‘understanding,’ or ‘tolerant.’ You can do whatever you want outside—tell me about it if you feel like it, and keep it to yourself if you don’t. Meanwhile, I’m supposed to just wait humbly for you, letting you hug me when you want, sleep with me when you want, and generally act however you please with me. Yes, you’re impressive, but does liking me mean I should be eternally grateful? You propose marriage, and I’m supposed to thank you as if you were granting me a divine favor?”

Who says I can’t give a cold laugh too? I sneered, “You’re right. I’m someone who controls my feelings effortlessly. Who knows who I’ll fancy next? Since that’s how it is, why would you want to marry me? Why would I want to marry you? You think I’m fickle and casual? Fine, I’ll show you ‘casual.’ Lin Meng, from this moment on, I’ve decided I don’t like you anymore.”

“Take back that last line,” Fang Congxin growled, his jaw clenched so tightly the muscles bulged. He glared at me fiercely.

“Take it back my ass! What this woman says is like water spilled—there’s no going back. Hear me out if you want, but if not, get the hell out.”

This time, Fang Congxin took me at my word. He got the hell out immediately.