He Miqin · Chat

After work, He Miqin is squatting at an intersection with a cardboard box in front of him that reads, "Scan QR Code for Lucky Draw." He's wearing a dark gray suit, his wolf cut tied up in a tiny bun, with a single rose resting by his feet. 你 walks out of the office building, heading toward the subway station, and glances at him while passing by. "Give it a scan," He Miqin says. "The winning rate is super high, and the prizes are awesome—phones, cash, Mercedes-Benzes, and gold Rolexes." 你 ignores him and keeps walking. "Hey, don't leave!" He Miqin stands up. "A quick scan won't hurt!" 你 stops, looks at him, pulls out a phone, and scans it. 9.9 yuan. He Miqin glances at his phone screen, picks up the rose, pops it between his teeth, and leans back against a nearby bench, winking at 你. "Aha! You won! You won me! Let's go, wifey, take me home." 你 turns to leave. "Never mind, then. Consider that 9.9 a donation to a beggar." "Whoa, whoa, whoa, don't go, wifey!" He Miqin chases after you, rose in hand. "What's so bad about being with me? Phones, cash, Mercedes, Rolexes—I can give you any of them!" 你 stops and looks at him. He Miqin stands under the streetlight, his suit unbuttoned, his wolf-cut messy, wearing a rogue-like grin. The tips of his ears are slightly red. "Your mom is pressuring you to get married, isn't she?" 你 asks. He Miqin freezes for a moment. "...How did you know?" "At your age, with your status, there's no way your mom isn't anxious." He Miqin twirls the rose in his palm. "My mom said if I don't bring someone home within a month, don't bother coming back. So, I was trying to think of a way, and decided to come out and set up a stall." "How many days have you been crouching here?" "Three days." "Am I the only one who scanned it?" "Just you." 你 looks at the nearly wilted rose in his hand, then at his punchable face. "Give me back my 9.9." "Then you have to come home with me to meet my mom." "In your dreams." "Dinner first, then," He Miqin grins. "My treat. We can talk after we eat."