...That's quite thoughtful.
Ms. Wenfang spoke with a hint of smugness, seemingly pleased with her intelligence, and showed no sign of how shameless it was to force someone into a blind date.
I've experienced a lot in the first year of junior high these past two years. From the initial resentment and anger to the current acceptance of fate, I can even spare some time to think about what to eat for breakfast.
She gave a perfunctory reply, hung up the phone, and ended the incessant chatter in her ear.
The June sunlight in Lancheng was soft and comfortable, streaming into the room through the clean glass, making the room bright. A gentle breeze blew in from the balcony, stirring the white gauze curtains. On the large bed in the center, a ball of flesh, like a cicada pupa, swelled up and wriggled a couple of times.
The noise stopped for a moment, and the scene seemed to freeze. After a short while, a head popped out from inside.
Her messy black hair covered her head and fell on both sides of her face, obscuring her fair and full face, leaving only her oversized eyes visible.
Her pupils seemed to be larger than average, round and clear, with an innate charm and innocence. Even now, with her eyes still half-closed in sleep, they only added to her cuteness.
Chu Yi reluctantly got out of bed, rolled around on it a couple more times, dozed off for a few seconds while still clutching the blanket, and finally struggled to rush into the bathroom.
The cool water splashed on her face, and after tidying up, her sleepiness subsided considerably. Standing in front of the wardrobe, Chu Yi hesitated for a few seconds before finally picking up a simple pink sweatshirt and beige trousers, carrying her crossbody bag, and wearing sneakers before heading out.
With a bare face and her hair casually tied into a small bun at the back of her head, the girl had a full forehead, fair and moist cheeks full of collagen, and her eyebrows were like crescent moons, black and clear, with each hair distinct.
Walking down the street, while it might not be the kind of place that makes passersby stare and bump into lampposts, it is certainly refreshing and eye-catching, and it's the kind of place that gets more pleasing to the eye the more you look at it.
Chu Yi wasn't without suitors growing up, though none of them were the type to catch the eye. She had two or three suitors, but whether it was because she was influenced by shoujo manga growing up or because she just hadn't met the right person, Chu Yi never had a single relationship.
In the past few years, things were fine. Ms. Wenfang thought her daughter was obedient, well-behaved, and cheerful all day long. But since Chu Yi turned twenty-five and had not shown any signs of being in a relationship, she started to get a little anxious.
Over the past year, Chu Yi has been on countless blind dates under her pressure, encountering all sorts of oddballs, but it seems she has missed out on her true love.
Thinking of this, Chu Yi couldn't help but feel sad again, and sighed with his head down.
As Chu Yi approached the entrance of the residential area, the time was 10:20. It was only a five-minute walk from the coffee shop that Ms. Wenfang had mentioned. Chu Yi thought that she could also buy a cup of soy milk and a signature meat bun from the breakfast shop next to the residential area and eat them while walking there.
The meat buns at that shop are incredibly delicious, with thin skin and plenty of filling. One bite and the juices burst forth in your mouth.
Saliva uncontrollably welled up in Chu Yi's mouth. He swallowed hard and quickened his pace.
It's the weekend, and most people are sleeping in. The shops that usually have long queues only have a few customers, so Chu Yi quickly placed her order.
After scanning the QR code to pay with her phone, a new message popped up on WeChat. She casually opened it, and the good mood she had just felt because of the two steamed buns vanished instantly.
The sender was from her previous blind date.
【High Mountains and Flowing Water】: Have you eaten yet? [Sun emoji]
Chuyi: "..."
Looking at the strangely angled selfie in the small box, which resembled a middle-aged man's real portrait, she felt no desire to reply and even found it somewhat offensive.
She turned off her phone cleanly and efficiently.
"Buzz—", another vibration followed, and a second message popped up on the screen.
[High Mountains and Flowing Water]: The weather is nice today, perfect for going out and having fun~ First Day of the Lunar New Year: "..."
If I hadn't met him in person and known that the person opposite me was a chauvinistic STEM guy who immediately started discussing how many children she wanted after marriage and hoped her partner would be a housewife so she could better take care of the family—
I really have to give him a review.
So gay!
She continued to play dead, refusing to reply.
Even though Chu Yi has gone from explicitly refusing at the beginning to being perfunctory and now ignoring her, the other party remains unyielding.
[High Mountains and Flowing Water]: Want to go see a movie together? [Cute]
"..."
Chu Yi couldn't hold back any longer.
【一一】：No need, thank you.
With a blank expression, she quickly typed a line of text and sent it, testing the waters of being blocked for a few seconds before finally gritting her teeth and giving up.
Forget it, that's too hurtful.
Besides, he was just a bit annoying, popping up to bother her every now and then, but he didn't do anything immoral.
More importantly, the other party is the son of his father's best friend! For the sake of both families' reputation, Chu Yi wouldn't dare to blacklist him even if he had ten lives!
[High Mountains and Flowing Water]: Really? That's such a pity! The recent movies are all pretty good! [Images] [Images] [Images]
【一一】：[Smiling face]
【High Mountains and Flowing Water】: This last one has a particularly high rating, and everyone says it's perfect for couples to watch [shy]
"..."
Chu Yi gave up.
She decided to be rude again.
She simply turned off the internet.
Biting into a steamed bun, I walked with heavy steps, and could see the rooftop of the distant coffee shop in the distance.
The thought that a kindred spirit might be waiting for Chu Yi made her lose all hope, and she couldn't even taste the delicious bun in her mouth.
Sadness welled up inside her. Chu Yi hung her head dejectedly, sniffed, and wanted to cry, but couldn't squeeze out a single tear.
Having been single for so many years and experiencing repeated failures in blind dates, she often has pessimistic thoughts, feeling that she may never find love in her life.
Compromise is impossible; after much thought, it seems that my only fate is to grow old alone.
She wasn't afraid of being single; she was just afraid of never meeting a lover in her life.
This cafe is located on the side of the street, but because of the low foot traffic, it is always quiet and secluded. Eight out of ten times I've been there, I've hardly seen any customers.
She often wondered when the coffee shop would close down.
Even so, when pushing open the heavy glass door with its upscale decor, Chu Yi hoped it could last a little longer, because there wasn't another coffee shop with such style and tranquility for miles around.
The sunlight was perfect at that moment, illuminating the entire hall brightly and cleanly, while the bar, wine glasses, and overhead chandeliers exuded a strong artistic atmosphere.
As expected, the tables and chairs inside were neatly arranged, and the place was even more spacious and quiet than before, because there was only one customer sitting in the large space.
Chu Yi didn't even have time to think about whether the coffee shop was one step closer to closing down. When she saw that person, her mind went blank for almost a second, followed by an uncontrollable frantic scream.
So handsome!!!
The man sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window turned his head to look at the pedestrians on the street outside. Golden sunlight danced in his black hair, as if gilding him with a layer of gold. Even his almost perfect profile was so beautiful that it seemed unreal.
He wore a black suit and tie, with a sky-blue shirt underneath; the fabric was crisp, and he exuded a distinguished air. His expression as he gazed out the window was aloof and serious, his eyes so indifferent they seemed to hold nothing at all.
The visual impact of that outstanding appearance was greatly reduced, and what followed was an unconscious distance and an uncontrollable surge of admiration.
If I had to describe it with a specific feeling, it would be like seeing a prosecutor in a Korean drama who has just triumphed over a criminal in court and walks down the steps, exuding a solemn and incredibly cool aura that makes you want to bow down to him in his suit.
Chu Yi unconsciously took a breath, feeling that this was the first time in his twenty-six years of life that he had been struck by luck.
...
What followed proceeded smoothly.
Chu Yi is actually a looks-obsessed person. The moment she saw Qiao Anchen, she knew she was doomed. Later, the man's flawless personality and upbringing completely broke down Chu Yi's defenses.
The two began to get to know each other step by step: having meals together, dating, and then meeting each other's parents.
It took about a month in total.
Excluding Qiao Anchen's work and overtime, the total number of times they met was probably no more than ten.
Just when Chu Yi thought the two would gradually get to know each other and get married, Qiao Anchen's grandmother suddenly fell seriously ill. The old woman's greatest wish before she passed away was to see her only grandson get married.
Since they had already met each other's parents by then, they went ahead and got their marriage certificate.
Chu Yi only considered it for one night before agreeing. She was going to get married sooner or later anyway, and the man was Qiao Anchen, someone she loved; that was already a very lucky thing.
It seems there's no difference between being a little earlier or a little later. Love and marriage are a gamble. Life is so long, no one can guarantee that they will grow old together.
3. Chapter 3
The couple's wedding was very ordinary, neither as grand and glamorous as those in idol dramas, nor as shabby and casual. It was just like any other ordinary couple holding a ceremony at a hotel.
Chu Yi, dressed in a snow-white wedding gown, took her father's hand and, under the watchful eyes of relatives and friends, walked step by step down the red carpet, past the beautiful pink flowers on both sides, and came to stand in front of Qiao Anchen.
The stage was decorated in a dreamlike style, with balloons, colorful gauze, Roman columns, and crystal chandeliers overhead that shimmered with light. The emcee held a microphone, enhancing the atmosphere.
Actually, Chu Yi couldn't hear what he was saying very well. The man in her line of sight, dressed in a sharp suit, stood there watching her.
Today, Qiao Anchen seemed to have reached a new level of handsomeness, exactly how Chu Yi liked him. His eyes were very dark, and because of the slight smile at the corners of his mouth, he looked very gentle; his face was excessively handsome.
She was led by her father's hand, slowly, slowly placed in his palm, and then held tightly.
The two hands changed from two to one, as if to signify that the two of them had become a new family.
"Take good care of her." Chu Tian said softly in her ear. Chu Yi looked at Qiao Anchen, her eyes blurring uncontrollably.
She smiled, took a deep breath, tilted her head back, and blinked, evaporating the moisture inside into the air.
...
The banquet ended in the evening. After seeing off their relatives and friends and saying goodbye to both sets of parents, Qiao Anchen and Chu Yi returned to their new home.
This house was bought by Qiao Anchen after he started working. It's a spacious three-bedroom, one-living-room house, and Chu Yi moved in right away.
The bride's makeup was very heavy, and it took Chu Yi a long time to wash it off in the bathroom. Wearing her own pajamas, she looked at herself in the mirror and awkwardly tugged at the thin fabric of her clothes.
Back in his room, Qiao Anchen had already washed up and was leaning against the headboard reading a book under the lamp. The entire bedroom was decorated in a very festive style, with rose petals scattered on the bright red four-piece bed sheet, which Qiao Anchen had now pushed aside.
She hesitated at the door for a few seconds, then walked over.
"Finished washing?" Hearing the voice, the person who was engrossed in reading looked up. His dark eyes, though calm, seemed to carry a tangible heat as they fell on the person.
Chu Yi nodded, unconsciously swallowing.
"Yes, I'm all washed."
She moved over, hesitated for a moment by the bedside, then lifted the covers and lay down next to Qiao Anchen.
The night was quiet, and Chu Yi dared not move. She stared at the ceiling with her eyes open, her mind was dull, and her body was very tired after wearing high heels all day, but her nerves were involuntarily tense.
Suddenly, a crisp sound rang out, the overhead light went out, there was some movement around, and Qiao Anchen's deep, slow voice came from nearby.