chapter 5

The next day, I went on the blind date as planned.

In truth, the process of a blind date is like picking out merchandise; you display your pros and cons to see if the other person meets your expectations.

This time, the man laid out his requirements bluntly:

“I want to have children as soon as possible after we’re married. My mom is getting older and wants to have a grandson soon. My mom thinks that since I’m an only child, it’s too lonely, so it’s better to have two. My mom isn’t in good health, so I’ll provide the house and car after the wedding, but we have to live with her. My mom prefers a light diet…”

A married friend of mine once told me that the older people get, the more they lose the ability to feel their hearts flutter.

I suspected I might be the same.

The man in front of me was handsome and wealthy, yet I found the meal utterly boring.

It seemed the only way I could find any amusement was by counting how many times he said “my mom” in a single sentence.

After the meal, we split the bill, and I headed down to the underground garage alone, preparing to drive home.

But there, in the garage, I saw a familiar figure.

He looked just as surprised to see me.

“Xiao Shan?”

“Lu Xinyu?”

I walked over. “What a coincidence. You’re here…” My gaze drifted to the car beside him.

“Getting a car wash,” he replied.

I paused. His home was an hour’s drive from this mall. He hadn’t even driven yesterday-did he really come all this way just for a car wash today?

Besides, wasn’t he supposed to play tennis this morning?

“And you? Is the blind date over?”

I nodded. “Ah, yeah.”

An underground garage wasn’t exactly the best place for a chat. I was about to wave goodbye when I heard him say, “If you’re free this afternoon, do you want to play tennis?”

I blinked at him, startled.

“Something came up this morning, so I couldn’t go,” he explained. “It’s no fun playing alone in the afternoon.”

“Are you coming?”

I actually had plans this afternoon.

The illustration class I’d signed up for out of boredom met every Sunday afternoon.

“Sure,” I heard myself say after a long moment. “I’m free.”