Sizing Up the Competition

"Miss Walker, what is going on here?" Guang asked, trying to keep his voice devoid of emotion.

"I was researching the historical pirate-prince, Koxinga," Annie replied.

"He offered his assistance." Annie continued as she gestured toward Wang Wen Bo. The two men eyed one another as unspoken words passed between them.

"I'm sure Mr. Wang is busy with his course work. Chinese history is my specialty so if you have questions you should direct them to me." Guang said stiffly.

"You must be very busy yourself, professor. I can help her." Wang Wen Bo interjected. Annie glanced between both men, confused but uncertain about what she was missing.

"Annie knows that I have plenty of historical books and other texts at my home. I can help her outside of school." Guang said, dropping the information about her being at his home before. Why he was doing this was beyond him. He was too old to be competing for the heart of a young woman. He should stop before it went any further.

But as expected, Wang Wen Bo was shocked. He stared at Annie as though seeing her for the first time. What kind of girl was she to go to the home of her professor?

"Look, can one of you just help me understand the translation of this book?" Annie asked.

"Let Mr. Wang be of assistance. I've more pressing issues." Guang said, now firmer in his resolve to avoid time alone with Anna.

Annie stared at him, confused by his conflicting words. Did he intend to help her or not? Apparently not. She turned toward Wang Wen Bo. But he was already gathering his books, not wishing to be involved with a girl seeing her professor outside of class.

Annie sat in confusion about what had just happened. She had the impression that she had upset both men but was unable to think of the reason why. She sighed, gathered her belongings and left the library.

If the old fashioned research method wouldn't work, there was always Baidu. She took a taxi back to her apartment, once again thankful that her father allowed her to live off campus and not in the dormitories.

She found articles and encyclopedic articles about Koxinga. She would spend her evening researching and reading what she could find. She didn't understand why she felt compelled to find out information about her dream but she read on anyway.

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Guang sat at the desk in his home office and groaned. No matter what he did he couldn't get Annie of off his mind. Lesson plans, reports, creating assignments, none of it could erase how he'd felt the night before. It had been so long since he'd held a woman. And he wasn't certain he'd ever been with one so enthusiastic about his advances.

He crumbled yet another piece of paper and pulled at his hair. His phone rang, cutting into his fantasy. He groaned when he saw the caller ID. It was his mother.

"Hello mom, how are you?" He asked in attempt to be polite.

"Guang, I'll get right to the point. I've set up a blind date for you this weekend."his mother announced.

"But Mom—", he began.

"'Your daughter told me that the girl was just a student and not marriage material ." She cut him off.

Not marriage material? She was literally his dream woman but she was off limits. That didn't mean his heart and mind could be held in check.

"Mother—" he tried again but she interrupted him.

"No excuses. See you this weekend." She said and ended the call.

He sighed and put his head to his desk. Why couldn't he be left in peace? He'd done his duty and married the woman his parents chose for him. It only gave him a headache. He wasn't willing to make that mistake a second time.