The Moon Festival Cousin Switch novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Not a Phase

Gao Chenyu stopped three steps from the old osmanthus tree and looked at them calmly.

Gold petals clung to Mengyao's hair, and Anqi's blouse was still half untucked on one side.

He took in every detail without hurrying.

"You left your own tasting," he said. "My mother was very upset."

"I'm sorry for that," Mengyao said. "Not for leaving."

"You were rude to my parents."

"I know."

"I'm not angry." He slipped his phone into his pocket. "I understand. It's a lot, a wedding. Everyone gets nervous. And I don't mind the rest."

"The rest?"

He looked at Anqi, then at the petals, then at Mengyao's flushed mouth.

He sighed.

"Girls go through phases," he said. "I'm not a narrow man. A few years of that is natural at university. After the wedding you can keep a friend, if you like. A close friend. Lots of wives do. I'd never be unreasonable."

The causeway was very quiet.

A magpie called somewhere in the branches.

Anqi stepped forward.

She did not know what she meant to say, only that she was done standing behind a door and a pineapple.

Mengyao put a hand on her arm.

"I'll do it," she said, very softly.

She came around Anqi's shoulder and stood in front of him with her bare feet in the dust.

She was a short soft woman in a green silk dress, holding a red cardigan against her chest.

She was shaking from her knees to her jaw.

"Chenyu."

"Yes."

"It isn't a phase."

He smiled indulgently. "Sweetheart."

"Don't," she said. "Don't call me that. You've known me for six weeks, and you've never asked what my trees are called."

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