Chapter 5: Bad luck

If I could name myself, I might add "Bad Luck" as my middle name because I don't understand why nothing is going well. First of all, I have cancer. Isn't that good news? And now, the one thing I need to complete my stupid plans won't even pick up the phone! It was a simple phone call - all you had to do was swipe and listen to the crap I was saying. "There's lunch downstairs, you don't have to eat all your nails," my mom said, and that scared me. How long had she been standing by the door? "Hello," a strange voice murmured, and I had to quickly end the call. "Lunch?" Mom asked, and I nodded. I didn't want to eat; I wanted to stay here and convince a stranger to marry me. I stood up and watched my phone ring. I turned to look at Mom and then my phone. I couldn't answer the phone and talk with Mom in the same room as me. I groaned and followed her downstairs. "Ámà," I whined as she dragged me downstairs. I could walk around perfectly fine; there was no need to rush. "Your dad is waiting, and the food will get cold," she cautioned, continuing to lead me to the dining room.

The table was decorated with a variety of different meals, as always. All I had to do was eat, get through dinner without talking to anyone, and go back to my room. I had more important things to do than eat. All this healthy food, and yet I'm here dying. Maybe I should just eat a lot of junk and make the most of my life.

"Mei Xing," Dad called out. "Hmm," I hummed and looked at him. "Aren't you hungry?" he asked, and I nodded. "I'm not. I just want to be in my room," I said, and he nodded. "You probably have better things to do in your room," he said, and I shook my head. "If that's the case, then eat your food," he ordered. "I just want to be in my room," I murmured. "What did you say?" he asked. I took a spoonful of seaweed soup and swallowed it. "I said the food is amazing," I replied with the widest grin on my face. Dinner dragged on for the longest time, and I just wanted to leave.

"So, you're getting married?" Dad asked immediately after he dropped his spoon. "Yes," I said and shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "What is his name?" Dad asked. I looked at Mom, hoping she would rescue me, but she seemed even more curious than Dad was. Name? I didn't know his name, and I couldn't just say any name. What if I said the wrong name? "Why do you want to know his name?" I asked Dad. "You're getting married to someone, and you don't want me to know his name? Isn't it important?" he asked me. Okay, he was right, but I couldn't just tell them a random name. "What if you could search him up?" I said. He looked stunned. "And probably meet him and try to make him run for the hills?" I asked Dad. He looked at me, words unable to leave his mouth. "No, Dad, I will not let you shame the man I love just because of your position," I said. I pushed my chair and stood up to leave when he banged the table. I stood frozen in my tracks. "That is no way to talk to your father, young lady," he said. "I will set a date for you to meet him. When you do, you can get all the information you want," I said and walked away.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I was out of sight. Any longer in their presence, and I wouldn't be able to keep up this facade. I ran up to my room and locked the door this time. I didn't want Mom snooping around. I ran to my phone, grabbed it, and ran to my bathroom. I dialed the number and waited patiently. I counted every beep, waiting for an answer. My eyes were starting to sting as multiple thoughts clouded my mind. What if he doesn't pick up this time? My mind was clouded with thoughts, and my eyes were teary. "Beep, Beep, Beep..."