Around half past eleven at night, Ruan Nianchu returned home in a strange atmosphere.
She was escorted home by Li Teng.
Throughout the journey, he didn’t say a word except for asking her address. On the other hand, Li Xiaoyan chatted cheerfully, easing the awkwardness a bit.
Upon reaching the residential area, she quickly thanked them and got out of the car as if being chased by ghosts. After all, as Qiao Yufei once said, if a light bulb is left open for a long time, it will be struck by lightning1being a third wheel for a long time will bring trouble.
As soon as she entered the house, Ruan Nianchu’s mother’s voice came from the living room, nagging, “If I had known it would be this late, I would have had your dad pick you up. Your workplace is really something, organizing performances until midnight… Haven’t eaten dinner, have you? I’ll cook some noodles for you.”
Ruan Nianchu changed into slippers and replied, “No need. I had a work meal earlier.”
Ruan Nianchu’s mother frowned, “In such a hurry, you probably didn’t eat enough. Go take a shower first, and then have something to eat.”
Ruan Nianchu had no choice but to agree and slowly make her way to her room, leaning against the wall for support. Seeing her awkward movements, Ruan Nianchu’s mother’s gaze shifted downward, landing on her legs. Her eyebrows tightened even more, “What happened to your leg?”
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Fbl lmrzykdle, “R vokpvle kv y ckv clqsal tskdt sd pvytl, kd y bwaau.”
Brsd blyakdt vbkp, Swyd Lkydnbw’p xsvbla qlzv csvb ydtau yde ekpvalpple. Fbl vwadle yaswde, qlvnble psxl xleknkdyz okdl yde cydeytlp, pnszekdt, “Zsw’al yzalyeu yd yewzv, yde usw pvkzz xydytl vs vokpv uswa qssv. Twaau wr, pkv esod.” Gp pbl prsjl, pbl rwzzle Swyd Lkydnbw vs vbl psqy, “Myjl sqq uswa pbslp.”
Swyd Lkydnbw eked’v eyal vs alpkpv yde iwknjzu vssj sqq bla pbslp, rzynkdt bla kdfwale qssv sd Swyd Lkydnbw’p xsvbla’p zyr. Fbl qsanle y pxkzl, “Ysx, cl tldvzl, R’x uswa sdzu eywtbvla yqvla yzz.”
Swyd Lkydnbwp’p xsvbla nszezu pdsavle, rswale psxl xleknkdyz okdl, yde yrrzkle kv vs bla poszzld ydjzl. Swyd Lkydnbw nswzed’v blzr cwv pnalyx kd rykd. Swyd Lkydnbw’p xsvbla pnszele bla, “Zsw bwav uswaplzq nyalzlppzu yde pvkzz byhl vbl dlahl vs nau kd rykd. Odewal kv.” Tsolhla, bla byde’p pvaldtvb psqvldle, yde pbl yeele, “Ju vbl oyu, R byhl psxlvbkdt tsse qsa usw vs pll.”
Swyd Lkydnbw twlpple obyv kv oyp, “Vbsvsp sq rsvldvkyz czkde eyvlp?”
Swyd Lkydnbw’p xsvbla pxkzle yv bla yde dyaasole bla lulp, “Mbkp vkxl, Gwdv Nkw qswde qswa qsa usw, yde R’hl rakdvle vblka rbsvsp. R osd’v xyjl kv ekqqknwzv qsa usw. Kwpv nbsspl sdl qasx vblx.”
Swyd Lkydnbw pktble pkzldvzu, dsv wdelapvydekdt oblal vbl “tsse” kd tsse vbkdtp oyp aktbv dso. Fsxlvkxlp, pbl yexkale bla xsvbla’p prkakv sq dlhla tkhkdt wr, lprlnkyzzu kd vbl xyvvla sq qkdekdt bla y ryavdla. Slzwnvydv yp pbl oyp, pbl yzoyup nssrlayvle. Gqvla yzz, bla xsvbla oyp kd bla xkeezl ytl, yde byhkdt y bsccu oypd’v lypu, fwpv yp vbl pyukdt tslp—pbl eked’v nyal, yp zsdt yp bla xsx oyp byrru.
Fs Swyd Lkydnbw pvyule iwklv qsa y xsxldv, lmvldele bla byde, yde pyke, “Qkhl vblx vs xl.”
Ruan Nianchu’s mother was momentarily surprised, “Did you change your attitude? So proactive?”
Ruan Nianchu shook her head, “I’m afraid that if I see the photos later, I won’t be able to eat.”
Ruan Nianchu’s mother raised her hand as if to give her a slap.
A few minutes later, four printed photos were placed in front of Ruan Nianchu. Ruan Nianchu’s mother gave a stern lecture, “Choosing a partner is not like chasing celebrities. For men, loyalty and reliability are the most important, looks can’t be your only consideration. Among these four, the one with the lowest education is a master’s degree holder, some work in a physics research institute, and others are in finance—they are all top talents.”
While listening to her mother’s advice, Ruan Nianchu absentmindedly picked up one photo. With just a glance, she placed it back beside her. She nodded, “I can tell he’s talented. ‘Incredibly intelligent.'”
Ruan Nianchu’s mother choked, almost infuriated by her, “Aren’t there still three more to choose from? Hurry up and pick one, so I can have Aunt Liu schedule a meeting with them.”
Ruan Nianchu picked up the other three photos. These single men varied in height, weight, but they all were locals in Yun City with decent jobs. After looking at each one, she finally chose one with a pleasing appearance and handed it to Ruan Nianchu’s mother, yawning, “Let’s go with him.” After saying that, she stood up, ready to go to the bathroom for a shower.
Just as she took a few steps, she heard Ruan Nianchu’s mother and Aunt Liu talking on the phone.
“Xiao Liu, the one Nian Nian chose who works at the bank, contact him and arrange a meeting… Yes, that young man surnamed Chen. What? You have another one there? What does he do? Oh, I see.” Ruan Nianchu’s mother frowned, thought for a moment, and added, “Just forget it. Please help contact the one at the bank. Thanks.”
Ruan Nianchu’s mother hung up the phone.
Ruan Nianchu picked up an apple, took a bite, and casually asked, “What did Aunt Liu say?”
“Nothing much. She said she knows a friend’s child who is also single. She asked if you want to see the photos.” Ruan Nianchu’s mother said, “She mentioned he’s a thirty-three-year-old Air Force Colonel and already holds the rank of deputy brigade commander. I thought, even if you like him, he probably wouldn’t be interested in you. So, I rejected it.”
Air Force Colonel, deputy brigade commander.
Ruan Nianchu’s ears caught these two pieces of information first. This coincidence reminded her of the reunion today with that long-lost friend and his tall and glamorous host girlfriend. She jokingly said while nibbling on the apple, “A high-ranking officer, still single at thirty-three, sounds unlikely.”
“Probably too busy.” Ruan Nianchu’s mother shrugged and sighed, “Military men don’t have much time for love affairs.”
“That makes sense.” Ruan Nianchu nodded, went into the room to get her pajamas, and casually asked, “Did Aunt Liu tell you which brigade he’s in?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.” Ruan Nianchu responded casually, “Maybe I have a friend who knows him.”
“Airborne brigade.”
As soon as these words were uttered, Ruan Nianchu’s indifferent expression froze. For a moment, her mind was filled with countless absurd thoughts. She couldn’t believe such a coincidence. So, she asked again, “What’s his name?”
Ruan Nianchu’s mother shook her head, “I don’t know.”
Then, unexpectedly, Ruan Nianchu handed the phone back to her mother and said, “Quick, ask Aunt Liu right away.”
“…,” Ruan Nianchu’s mother felt inexplicable. Her daughter, who was usually careless and almost indifferent to worldly matters, suddenly showing intense curiosity about a person was rare.
For reasons unknown, the call was made. After getting the answer, Ruan Nianchu’s mother relayed it to Ruan Nianchu without any changes, saying, “That person’s last name is Li. Li Teng.”
A glint flashed in Ruan Nianchu’s eyes.
She couldn’t believe such a coincidence. However, sometimes irony strikes too quickly, like a tornado.
After that, Ruan Nianchu didn’t actively inquire about Li Teng from her mother. Instead, it was Ruan Nianchu’s mother who, with some doubt, asked her if she was more interested in that Air Force officer.
Ruan Nianchu did not deny it. In fact, being single men themselves, compared to the elite talents who were either bald or slightly chubby, she was indeed much more interested in Li Teng.
Who allowed him to be handsome, and she happened to be someone who appreciates good looks.
For this answer, Ruan Nianchu’s mother was very pleased. Her daughter lacked experience in romantic relationships, and for over twenty years, she had never sparked any romantic interest with the opposite sex. Finding someone who piqued her daughter’s interest was a rare occurrence.
She decided to give her daughter a surprise.
Aunt Liu had been a matchmaker for most of her life, eloquent in speech, and highly efficient in her work.
On the third afternoon, Ruan Nianchu received a WeChat message from her mother. Opening it, she found a business card attached with her mother’s explanation: Aunt Liu sent this; it’s the WeChat of your blind date. Add and chat.
Ruan Nianchu glanced at the business card, put down her phone, and continued humming her tune.
Soon, Ruan Nianchu’s mother’s second message came: Did you add him? Take a screenshot and send it to me.
“…,” Ruan Nianchu closed her eyes, pinched her brow, and after a moment, she tapped into the business card. Both the profile picture and personal information were blank, with only a WeChat name composed of numbers: 0714.
It looked quite dull.
After a moment’s thought, she sent a friend verification to the bank guy: Hello, Mr. Chen Anqing, I am Ruan Nianchu.
About ten minutes later, he accepted.
Ruan Nianchu took a screenshot of the chat interface and sent it to her mother, considering the task completed. Her mother replied with a smiling emoji and text: Aunt Liu has already arranged a meeting time and a restaurant for you two. 7:00 PM tonight, at Beiyuan, in a private room named “Feng Ya Song.”
Ruan Nianchu remained silent for a few seconds before responding with an “Oh.”
Her mother: Remember to touch up your makeup, put on lipstick, and tidy up your clothes and hair after work.
This time, Ruan Nianchu directly locked the phone screen. Unexpectedly, as soon as she put it down, the WeChat notification sounded again. She picked up the phone, and the sender was from “0714.”
——The meeting is delayed; the meeting time is changed to 8:00 PM.
“…,” staring at the words on her phone, Ruan Nianchu couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Looking at the photos before, this bank elite seemed slightly chubby and amiable. She didn’t expect such an icy CEO-like contrast.
Probably the legendary “unexpectedly cute.”
She found it amusing, and her mood suddenly improved. She replied: OK.
*
During the evening rush hour, Ruan Nianchu swayed on the subway, almost being squeezed into a pancake. Fortunately, just as she entered the Beiyuan restaurant, her phone rang. Ruan Nianchu’s mother’s new WeChat appeared: Touch up your makeup and tidy up your hair, don’t forget.
It reminded her.
Ruan Nianchu looked at the mirrored pillar in the hotel.
In the mirror, she was plain-faced, with black hair hanging on her shoulders, slightly messy. Thanks to her good foundation, she didn’t appear too shabby without makeup.
After looking at herself for a while, she tidied up her hair, took out the lipstick, and applied it to her lips. Although she had no illusions about this blind date, presenting herself with light makeup was a form of respect and couldn’t be neglected.
After getting everything ready, she walked into the restaurant. The waiter greeted her with a smile, leading her to the elevator.
Beiyuan’s decoration style was very traditional Chinese, with an antique charm. After getting off the elevator, from the lobby to the corridor on the fourth floor, lanterns were hanging everywhere. Ruan Nianchu stopped at the door of the private room in Feng Ya Song.
Chen Anqing hadn’t arrived yet, and there was no one else in the private room.
She frowned and glanced at her phone. It was 7:50 PM now, still ten minutes before the appointed time. She sat down nearby, ready to complete some in-game tasks.
As she connected to the Wi-Fi, footsteps suddenly echoed from behind.
Ruan Nianchu was stunned and subconsciously turned around.
A person walked out of the restroom. He was tall, and the dark light of the palace lanterns outlined a sharp silhouette over his head, with black trousers and a handsome yet indifferent face. The same cold and casual expression.
No difference from what she remembered.
After a moment of daze, Ruan Nianchu came back to her senses, curled her lips, and gave him a seemingly natural smile. “Are you waiting for someone here? Sorry, I might be in the wrong place.” After saying that, she was about to leave.
The man threw the hand towel into the trash can, glanced at her faintly, “You’re not in the wrong place.”
“…,” Ruan Nianchu’s movement abruptly stopped.
Behind her, he calmly sat back in his chair, unbuttoning two buttons, “Your blind date is me. Sit.
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Did he look for her???? Oh, I hope he did… I hope she haunted his dreams over those 6-7 years! 🤭😍