Fancy Me, Professor!

They say that in Arabic, there are 12 levels of friendship.

Most of our "friends" are level 5 or below, and many of us don't have a single level 12 friend.

1.      Zameel – someone you have a nodding acquaintance with

2.      Jalees – someone you're comfortable sitting with for a period of time

3.      Sameer – you have a good conversation with them

Those are the first three levels of friendship, but from here on, it starts getting a bit more serious.

4.      Nadeem – a drinking companion (even with just tea) that you might call when you're free

5.      Sahib – someone who's concerned for your wellbeing

From this point, the real "ranks" of friendship is now shown in the following levels.

6.      Rafeeq – someone you can depend upon and go on a holiday with them

7.      Sadeeq – a true friend, someone who doesn't befriend you for an ulterior motive

8.      Khaleel – an intimate friend, someone whose presence makes you happy

9.      Anees – someone with whom you're really comfortable and familiar with

10.  Najiyy – a confidant, someone you trust deeply

11.  Safiyy – your best friend, someone you've chosen over other friends

12.  Qareen – someone who's inseparable from you and you know how to think (vice versa)

Shi Lian always liked this concept when she read about it. In her life, she would see Shu Xian as in between 11 and 12, but for some reason, when it comes to talking to Zhang Ren even though they just met…

She found him being in level 9—making her want to confide in him first before she tells the specific problem to Shu Xian.

She thought that she would need to have a solution first, before telling Shu Xian everything what she's worrying about.

As Shi Lian pulled Zhang Ren away from the university, he couldn't help but chuckle and wonder at the same time, not seeing her act this way ever—panicking as if there is a grave problem.

"What's wrong, Shi Lian?" he asked, Shi Lian, stopping in her tracks and looking at Zhang Ren with a blush on her face.

With her letting him go and with her hands at the sides turning into tight fists, she sighed, looking straight into his eyes as she answered him shyly.

"M-my mother is setting me up in a blind date as early as now and I… I don't want it."

Zhang Ren arched a brow at her, already deducing what has happened.

"And? You got me because… you said you are in a relationship with someone?"

"Yes!"

Shi Lian frustratingly ran her hand through her hair, Zhang Ren, not minding it. With Shi Lian furrowing her brows in worry, she looked at him, further telling him what happened.

"So, you see… my mother wanted me to marry by the time I graduate, yeah? And she says that even though I don't push with business, being married to someone with a known company can be helpful and uh… I don't want to marry right after I graduate!"

With Shi Lian now being too emotional, she walked back and forth in front of the car as the driver waited, the girl continuing to vent to Zhang Ren.

"I have things I want to do! I want to travel the world! I don't care if I have to do it alone—I just want to enjoy life and not bound by marriage!"

Zhang Ren crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Erm… the family you're marrying into will be rich, anyway. They will allow you to do anything that you want even after marriage."

"Nooooo…"

Shi Lian is teary-eyed at this point, surprising Zhang Ren for seeing her like this for the first time.

"I don't want to marry. I want to be a mysterious, rich aunt! Surprise my older brother's children that they have such an aunt like me!"

Zhang Ren couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head as he listened to Shi Lian's frustrations.

"You see, I don't want to get married. I want to enjoy life and do work that I probably would enjoy, you know? To be honest, I'm still indecisive about the degree I took now—but at least I'm enjoying. But still, though… I want to take things easy and not get married after graduation!"

Zhang Ren nodded slowly, listening to Shi Lian ramble on and on.

"I wouldn't want to show my defiance during marriage, too, so I would have no choice but to help in the man's company—whoever that person is… but I really, really want to shove the thought of marriage aside!"

"Well, alright, okay, I get it…" Zhang Ren chuckled, smiling at Shi Lian. "What do you want to do?"

"I told my mother that I'm in a relationship. We should show her how much we love each other—my brother will be coming to dinner with me to help me since I pleaded from him, too, to testify for me."

"Oh, so you like… told them that you told your older brother first that we're in a relationship? Alright. I can act this along."

With a relieved sigh coming from her, she couldn't help but knit her brows together, already feeling embarrassed towards Zhang Ren for asking so much from him when they just even met.

"I'm so sorry you have to do this with me. It's just that Shu Xian is my only friend and I don't know other men so much—I wouldn't want to act this with a stranger, too…"

Playfully rolling his eyes, Zhang Ren patted her head, already seeing her desperation.

"Alright, alright… you don't have to apologize—I already see how much you don't want this to happen," he said, making Shi Lian smile. "I can see that you trust me well enough to help you. Don't worry—I'm indeed willing to help."

With that, Shi Lian hugged Zhang Ren suddenly, surprising him with the action, especially with what she said next.

"Good! Let's go! They're already waiting at home."

"What?" Zhang Ren widened his eyes. "It's tonight!?"

"Yes," Shi Lian answered, scratching the back of her head. "I'm sorry… but you'll still help me, right?"

Zhang Ren couldn't help but chuckle. With him already holding Shi Lian's hand, it took her by surprise, both of them already walking towards the car.

"I have no choice—you already asked this much, yeah? Get used to acting it now, then, since we're going to meet your family tonight."

As they both entered the car and with Shi Lian quiet with how Zhang Ren's grip tightened, Shi Lian thought it was just a teasing gesture but at the back of Zhang Ren's mind…

He already knew that he might be getting something that he needed.