cнιcнarong ғlower [ ɴejιтeɴ ғαɴғιcтιoɴ ] ✔

Chapter 17

Previously on Chicharong Flower…

Neji had a deal with Tenten that in exchange for free pigs that she could use in her chicharong flower business, she would find him a proper fiancée that he could present to Hiashi, one that could meet her conditions. Naturally, since it meant freebies, Tenten seized the opportunity. However, she hadn't prepared herself for what was in store for her: when she was asked on the spot by Neji why she felt that he would ask her to play the role for Uncle Hiashi. It was worse than being floored in the Q&A portion of a beauty pageant, so she ended up running away, leaving Neji amused.

Now we continue…

…

Tenten, for the first time after several hours of staring at the screen unblinkingly, finally smiled, though exhausted.

Her mission was successful! After screening all the girls that belonged to her network in Friendster, she finally saw the right woman for Hyuuga Neji!

She scowled a little when she remembered what happened yesterday. Neji accompanied her then in the fiancée hunting to learn the mechanics of her latest business.

"That one… she looked pretty enough," said Neji, who was seated on a computer chair to her right. He was also looking at the computer screen, like her. "Why didn't you view the rest of her profile?"

"Ne-ji, earth to Hyuuga Neji!" She rolled her eyes. "Can't you see? She only has one picture in her gallery, and it's a beauty queen type of pic! It's very suspicious!"

He smiled. "You just can't accept the fact that there are other girls prettier than you."

She gave him an exasperated sigh, as if she was talking to a kid "My man, believe me. I am just looking after your welfare. What if the fiancée you get is really a beauty title holder, but of Ms. Gay Universe, right?"

He pointed to the screen. "What about that one? Why didn't you get her, too? All her pics in her gallery are the same."

"Neji, can't you at least have some taste when it comes to your partner preference?" Tenten pointed to the interests of the girl. "What kind of hobbies are those? Texting, shopping, reading pocketbooks, watching TV…do you want to have a lazy, unproductive woman for a lifetime partner?"

Neji frowned. "But I would just be introducing her to Uncle Hiashi only once. You're taking things too seriously."

"Naturally!" she exclaimed, her eyebrow arched. "Neji, you will be introducing her to your clan. It follows that even if it's all just pretend, you will still make your reasons for wanting that woman as realistically as possible." She looked at the said profile again with disgust. "Go over her hobbies again! Is that the kind of mother you want your future offspring to have!"

"OK, OK, sorry if I interrupted you." He was quiet as she scrolled down the profiles some more. After a while, he perked up. "How about that one?" He pointed to the hobbies. "Gardening, doing household chores, embroidery, and cooking. That would do, wouldn't it?"

Tenten grimaced. "Neji, are you ok? Those aren't the qualities of a wife…those are a maid's. Give me a break, Neji!"

The man groaned as she scrolled down the page once more. "You always have some kind of complaint in all of the women I pick" He smirked. "Why don't you just admit it? You don't want me to get married.""

Her heart and throat nearly collided at his sudden question. But her composure remained; the only sign that she was flustered for a time there was the tightened grip on her mouse.

"It's not that, silly. I was just thinking of the pigs I would get for my business once I do my job satisfactorily." She didn't know where she got her killer toothpaste smile that she was able to flash, but she managed to produce one. She felt like celebrating. "Hyuuga Neji, sometimes, your Narcissus alter-ego shows."

"Really?" His smile said anything but belief with what she said. Oh Lord, how she wanted to deliver a flying kick on his mocking face at that moment.

Tenten looked at the profile again, all smiles. Damn that Neji, making fun of her like that…

She grinned. At least, her problem was solved. Her job was done.

She sent a message to the woman.