Chapter 2: A Man Like No Other

The matchmaker described the blind date as “a man like no other,” which piqued Bai Linglong’s interest. She barely glanced at the streets outside, vastly different from those in the future but rich in the era’s characteristics, and quickly jogged to the state-run restaurant across the street.

The first characteristic: black clothes and black pants.

Standing at the entrance, Bai Linglong peered inside and saw two men in black clothes and pants, each sitting at separate tables—one by the window and the other at the middle table.

“Early twenties, tall and handsome, over six feet, robust and masculine.”

The man by the window fit the description. As for the one at the middle table, he had a sturdy build, but his face was square like a brick, with bulging eyes like a temple statue, and a pitted complexion like the moon’s surface—not exactly handsome.

Furthermore, his age and height didn’t match.

This man seemed closer to thirty, with a height no more than five foot seven. She noticed his feet barely touched the ground while sitting on a high stool, indicating he was probably shorter than her.

Definitely not him.

So, she headed straight for the man by the window.

This man had a tall, upright posture, sharp features, and a robust, determined aura. His healthy bronze skin and popular buzz cut gave him a rugged look. Despite being seated, Bai Linglong was sure he was over six feet tall. This man’s appearance would be considered handsome in both the present and the future.

Additionally, he looked to be in his early twenties, while the other was closer to thirty.

“Hello, what’s your name?” A clear, clean voice reached his ears. Lu Jingchuan, who was reading a newspaper, looked up, instinctively responding, “Hello, my surname is Lu.”

Seeing she had found the right person, Bai Linglong sat across from him, her eyes brightening as she began to introduce herself, “My surname is Bai, Bai Linglong, 18 years old, from Chengyang County.”

Lu Jingchuan had never been in a relationship or on a blind date but understood this was the usual self-introduction process.

A thought crossed his mind: This is the surprise Aunt prepared for him!

His aunt had gone to great lengths, mysteriously telling him about a big surprise at the state-run restaurant. The surprise… was quite impressive.

The girl in front of him had fair skin, a beautiful, elegant oval face, tall and graceful, with bright, clear eyes like glass beads. She perfectly matched his aesthetic preferences.

His aunt really knew him well.

After the girl’s introduction, it was his turn. “My name is Lu Jingchuan, 23 years old.”

A five-year age difference—acceptable.

As Bai Linglong was about to speak, two women entered the restaurant—a middle-aged woman and a flamboyantly dressed young girl.

The middle-aged woman, smiling unsettlingly, dragged the young girl toward the man at the middle table, calling loudly, “Qing, sorry we’re late. This is my niece, Jinlian, surname Pan. I brought her to meet you. You young people should have a good talk.”

Pan… Jinlian!

Bai Linglong’s mouth twitched, her attention diverted. She forgot she was on a blind date and started watching the spectacle.

This Pan Jinlian had decent features and had dressed up for the occasion. She wore at least two ounces of powder, bright red lipstick like sausages, and braids adorned with colorful ribbons. Her voice was delicate, “Brother Qing, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Her affected tone gave Bai Linglong goosebumps, making her shiver involuntarily.

Brother Qing?

Bai Linglong’s mouth twitched again as she muttered, “Could this man be surnamed Ximen?”

Lu Jingchuan, seated across from her, had briefly glanced at the scene at the other table but quickly refocused on the girl in front of him. He had observed all her expressions and little movements. Just as he was musing over how interesting she was, he heard her mutter that amusing comment. His lips twitched as he raised his teacup to hide a smile.

“Uh-hum…”

Bai Linglong snapped back to reality. She was still on a blind date and shouldn’t be distracted by the commotion at the other table—it was disrespectful to her date.

“Would you like something to drink?” Lu Jingchuan asked first.

“Tea is fine,” Bai Linglong replied absentmindedly, but her stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly. She rarely felt embarrassed, but this time she did. “Sorry, I left in a hurry and haven’t had breakfast yet.”

Lu Jingchuan’s lips curved slightly as he poured her some tea and asked, “How about some fried dough stick and soy milk?”

“That would be great, thank you,” Bai Linglong said, sincerely grateful but not intending to let him pay. She started to dig out her money and food stamps.

Before she could hand over her money and food stamps, Lu Jingchuan had already stood up and taken his long strides to buy breakfast for her. He quickly returned with fried dough stick and soy milk. Before she could offer her money, he said, “Eat first.”

Bai Linglong didn’t stand on ceremony. She was genuinely hungry—she hadn’t had dinner the night before or breakfast that morning, and she hadn’t even had a sip of water. She was both thirsty and famished.

Other matters could wait until she was full.

“You said you’re from Chengyang County?” Lu Jingchuan, who had a good impression of this girl, decided to get to know her better. He assumed that his aunt’s recommendation had to be a good one.

Bai Linglong nodded while eating. She swallowed a mouthful of fried dough stick before replying, “Yes, I’m from Chengyang County. I arrived in Tancheng yesterday.”

Lu Jingchuan had also arrived in Tancheng the day before. He was on leave, specifically to visit his aunt and uncle. He continued, “Did my aunt tell you about me?”

“Your aunt?” Bai Linglong was momentarily confused, thinking about the matchmaker from the hospital. She smiled, “So that was your aunt? She only told me your height, age, appearance, and clothes. She hurried me over here, so I didn’t ask much before coming.”

When she smiled, two shallow dimples appeared, giving her a pure and lively look. Her eyes sparkled with brilliance, and her clear, bright smile seemed to flow directly from her heart.

Lu Jingchuan felt as if an electric current had just passed through him, leaving his well-tempered and steadfast soul momentarily shaken.

The big surprise his aunt had arranged was something he was determined to embrace.

With his mind made up, Lu Jingchuan formally introduced himself, “Comrade Bai Linglong, I am a soldier, a deputy regiment commander, unmarried, and I have never been in a relationship.”

“My family situation is relatively simple. My parents have been divorced for many years. I have a younger brother, and we both live with our mother. My mother and brother both work in the public security bureau. My father works in the water conservancy bureau and is remarried. We don’t see him often, but I do maintain contact with my grandparents, uncles, and aunts.”

After hearing his introduction, Bai Linglong was momentarily stunned and sensed something was off. Wasn’t the matchmaker supposed to have said that the blind date’s family worked in a state-run factory?