I heard that I have a girlfriend.

I Heard I Have a Girlfriend#

I really like writing the "I Heard" series of articles, starting with the first one I wrote when I started my career, "I Heard You Know Python". So, after half a year, I decided to write another one called "I Heard You Have a Girlfriend". Why am I writing this today? Because tomorrow, the new keyboard she bought for me will arrive, and my old keyboard is retiring, so I thought I'd write something to commemorate it.

How did we meet?#

Many people ask me this question: "How did a tech guy like you meet someone who studies music?" My usual response is: "We met on Zhihu" (please Zhihu, pay me for the advertisement and transfer the money to my Alipay account before tomorrow).

Alright, let's get serious. We did meet on Zhihu (advertisement fee +1). At that time, we were in the same Zhihu group, and then we added each other as friends.

Most of the time, I have a habit of not chatting much after adding a girl. But luckily, we had a common interest from the beginning, which is raising cats. She has an orange cat at home, and I have a mother and daughter. In a sense, these three cats became our matchmakers (go back and buy them some canned food).

We started chatting formally around the time school started. At that time, she had trouble sleeping. One night, before going to bed, she jokingly said, "Bless me to sleep well tonight." The next day, she said she actually slept well last night (as a straight guy, I don't even know if I have that kind of power. I asked her, but she wouldn't tell me, damn it).

Taking advantage of this opportunity, we started chatting, including ordering takeout to reward each other for the frustration of going to class/work. We went out for hot pot twice (straight guy's way of flirting).

In early November, after finishing PyCon 2018, she said she wanted to give me a gift. She enthusiastically made an appointment with me on Monday and gave me the first gift, a Hermès tie and tie clip. The pattern is cherry blossoms, which is my favorite. However, I still haven't had a suitable occasion to wear this tie. So, please, everyone, if there is any occasion where formal attire is required, including but not limited to being a groomsman, hosting, lending money, fighting, or doing pyramid schemes, please let me know.

As for how we officially became a couple, it's quite dramatic and full of the helplessness of a straight guy (she still complains about it now).

On the evening of November 6th, we suddenly started talking about Singles' Day. She said she hoped to find a boyfriend by the end of the month. Without thinking, I blurted out, "I can be your boyfriend!" As soon as I said that, I could tell that she wasn't happy. I was wondering, could it be that she likes me? Huh? That's impossible, right? So, I seriously asked her this question repeatedly. Then she admitted, "Yes, I do like you." (Later, she criticized me for repeatedly asking a girl if she likes me! (as a straight guy)). So, that's how we got together.

After reading this whole story, I bet you're all wondering how someone like me could find a girlfriend, right? If you really want to know why I could find a girlfriend, I'll share three principles with you:

She's blind enough.
She's blind enough.
She's blind enough.

Oh, by the way, I forgot to introduce her to everyone. I won't tell you her real name. Her stage name is Jing Che (which is also my nickname). She's from Shandong and has many identities, such as being Comrade Li Zheao's girlfriend and a piano major in her third year of college, etc. Anyway, please say hello to her and give her your guidance!

Daily Life in a Relationship#

What does it feel like to be in a relationship? Jing Che (not me) has a good summary: "Being in a relationship with you feels like raising a big dog that is really good at acting cute."

Let me share with you some aspects of our daily life in a relationship:

The first time we went to the cinema, we were torn between watching "An Elephant Sitting Still" and "Ralph Breaks the Internet". She asked, "Should we watch an animated film at the cinema?" So, I remembered that. Later, when we wanted to watch another movie, we were torn between "Aquaman" and "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse". I really wanted to watch "Aquaman", so I said, "Spider-Man is an animated film!" She said, "Okay, let's watch 'Aquaman'." Later, she complained, "Hmph, I knew you wanted to watch 'Aquaman', did you think I didn't know?"
After she won an award in a campus card design competition, she suddenly told me one night, "I used half of my prize money to buy a magical water for myself and the other half to buy a set of pirate-themed keyboard and mouse for you (but because of the school's incompetence, I can only get it tomorrow). How about that?" I was so excited and said, "Wow, that's great! Wait, why are you encouraging me to play games?"
One day, we went to see Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". At first, I wasn't used to it and almost fell asleep. Jing Che was pinching me the whole time.
We went to see "Twelfth Night" again. Suddenly, I remembered that we had bought tickets for "Don Quixote" in January. So, I asked her, "Are we going to see 'Don Quixote'?" She looked at me with disdain and said, "You illiterate person, it's 'Don Quixote'! Disgusting!" I felt wronged and immediately ordered a set of "Don Quixote" from JD.com (which I still haven't read). Later, she sighed and said, "Why are you so easily swayed?"
After I quit my job in November, I stayed at home resting. After receiving the offer from Ele.me, I told her about it, and she said, "I knew it. I dreamed about my high school entrance exam score!" How about that? Amazing, right? I said, "Amazing, amazing, amazing, my half-immortal, half-immortal."
We both like to eat strawberry candied haws. One time, when we went to see a new house (we rented it), we forgot to take the strawberry candied haws with us!
One night, she said, "If you don't give me strawberry candied haws, I'll stay up all night!" She replied, "Oh, if you can handle it, then stay up all night" (Is this how girlfriends talk to each other?)
Before I started my new job, Jing Che asked if she should give me a bouquet of flowers. I said, "Yes, please!" Then she innocently asked, "What if you get fired for abusing dogs?" I replied righteously, "A good company doesn't allow its employees to abuse dogs." The following Monday, just as I arrived at the office, I received a bouquet of flowers (it turns out that the flowers arrived just in time).
Jing Che made a cocktail called "Snowball" one night. Let me tell you, it was really delicious. I got greedy and drank a bit too much, and then I pretended to be dead in bed. Jing Che looked at me helplessly and said, "From now on, you're not allowed to drink alcohol! Not even a drop!"
In February, it snowed in Beijing. I couldn't resist and went out to roll in the snow when we went out for dinner at night. I ended up losing my phone. The next day, I picked up my phone from the police station. Jing Che looked at me helplessly and said, "Are you going to keep rolling in the snow?"
On March 6th, when I came home from work, I saw a big cake, and Jing Che jumped out happily! Today is our 120th day together! Let's celebrate!
Before Jing Che went back to school, we would hug each other every day after work (even when going out (but not after she went back to school (crying)).

Conclusion on Love#

Actually, many people are curious about how two people from completely different worlds can be together. To be honest, I also worried about this at first. But I realized that many of my concerns were unnecessary. Love is a process of mutual adaptation and understanding. We watch plays together, make fun of them together, tell each other stories from our respective fields, and share our emotions and family situations. Of course, we also playfully tease each other and make jokes.

In a sense, love is a process of mutual recognition and achievement. Sometimes, I jokingly say that she must be blind to end up with me. She would seriously tell me, "I'm not blind." So, I'm very fortunate to have met such a lovely, intelligent, and sensible girl. I will work hard with her to maintain this relationship.

Finally, after feeding you so much dog food, I should wrap it up. I wish everyone who reads this article, if you already have your loved one, all the best and happiness. If you haven't met that special someone yet, please don't rush, and please believe that one day, you will find the person you love.

(By the way, the cover of this article is my dear Jing Che!