Too Much Time On Your Hands Early In The Morning?

The temperature rose in the city towards the end of the month

Shen Chen's mobile phone rang at first light.

She reached her hand to the bedside table for the phone and squinted as she glanced at the call screen. Throwing her mobile phone aside, she flipped her body to the other side and continued to sleep.

The caller had no intention to give up but kept calling. Her ringing mobile phone seemed at odds with the quiet morning.

Annoyed, she grabbed the phone in her hand and quickly swiped her white finger across the screen.

"Are you having too much time on your hands, Lin Xiaomiao?"

"You have one minute."

Shen Chen was in a black mood after getting woken up early in the morning. She was especially not willing to be close to those so-called rich people.

"We have not met for only a few days, and you have become so heroic, Shen Chen."

What had that to do with her?

"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have called and woken you up so early in the morning. I apologize. Please don't be angry."

"Who am I to deserve your apology?"

"Are you free this noon? Let's come out and have a cup of coffee."

"I'm not free."

"What about tonight?"

"Not free."

"What about tomorrow?"

"Not free."

"Then when will you be free?"

"Cut the cackle and come to the horses, Lin Xiaomiao!"

"Here is the thing…" Lin Xiaomiao paused for a second, then continued. "I am getting married next week, and would like to invite you to my wedding."

"Mhm."

"Would you be willing to become my bridesmaid?"

"Not interested."

"I need you in my team of bridesmaids. Please don't say you are not interested! More so, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me. I would appreciate it if you would come. Please think about it and let me know, would you?"

"I don't think so."

There was a silence on the other end.

"I will hang up now."

Shen Chen hung up on her without waiting for Lin Xiaomiao to respond. 

Holding the mobile phone in her hand and hearing the disconnect tone, Lin Xiaomiao got her knickers in a twist.

She stomped her feet. "Honey, how could people be so ungracious in this day and age!" Her voice was playful.

A candid voice came from the bathroom. "You husband has money. Why are you afraid of not getting enough bridesmaids? You don't have to beg them."

Lin Xiaomiao pouted. She was feeling not too happy. "I just want them to witness the good life and good husband I am having now."

Men sigh: women are realistic.

Shen Zhongming could no longer sit still knowing Lin Xiaomiao was going to spend close to a million on her wedding of the century.

"Are those rich people mad or something, girl? Spending so much on a grand wedding as if a king is marrying his concubine!"

"How much interest could a million earn in a bank?"

"By the looks of your schoolmate, Lin Xiaomiao, she doesn't even look like a million dollars. How did she get to find such a rich guy?"

Shen Chen shot him a look while sitting lazily on the sofa reading a magazine . "Wow, you even know how to use the 'look like a million dollars' idiom. It must have struck you hard."

"It really did. My daughter is pretty and has a curvy body. Except for your a-little-too-ill temper, you are perfect! I wonder why you have no taker."

"Haven't you realized the crux of the problem, have you?"

"What is it?"

"Because I have a terribly sick father!"