Chapter 38: Agreeing to the Blind Date

“I just said the same thing to him, but he absolutely refuses to eat. He insisted on waiting for you to come back,” Feng Jin chimed in at the right moment.

Hearing this, Wang Xiaoke looked at Wang Chengyao, both amused and exasperated. “Dad, what’s on your mind? Why not just tell me so I can figure out a way to help?”

This was exactly the opening Wang Chengyao was waiting for. Watching Wang Xiaoke’s expression, he carefully said, “I’ve arranged a blind date for you.”

“What?” Wang Xiaoke was dumbfounded. “Dad, why would you arrange a blind date for me?”

“You’re not getting any younger,” Wang Chengyao explained. “I just want to take advantage of the time I have left to help you find the perfect husband.”

Cough, cough. He added, “It’s just my little wish. Can’t you fulfill it for your father?”

Looking at her father’s hopeful, albeit dimming, old eyes, Wang Xiaoke hesitated before replying. “Dad, what’s with all this talk about wishes and fulfilling them? It’s bad luck to say things like that. Call off this blind date. Your daughter, as beautiful as a flower, doesn’t need such arrangements!”

“Xiaoke,” Wang Chengyao sighed, “while your confidence is admirable, I’ve already promised the other party. Do you want me to gain a reputation for going back on my word?”

With that, he closed his eyes, adopting a resigned expression. “Fine, Xiaoke, go on back. This is all my fault for meddling. Since I made the decision, I should be the one to deal with it. I shouldn’t have called you back. You probably find this old man terribly annoying right now, don’t you?”

Struggling to his feet, Wang Chengyao continued, “I’ll go and apologize to them. It’s not good to waste their time. After all, I’m just an old man. Even if I sacrifice my pride to apologize, at most, people will just laugh at me. It’s really no big deal.”

Wang Xiaoke felt a headache coming on and quickly stopped him. “Even if you’re going, you have to take your medicine first.”

“What’s the point of taking medicine when I won’t be able to face anyone afterward?” Wang Chengyao muttered.

Wang Xiaoke was speechless. She could see it clearly now—her father was absolutely determined to make her attend this blind date.

“Fine, fine. There’s no need for you to go. I’ll go instead, alright?” She sighed helplessly.

“Xiaoke, I don’t want to force you,” Wang Chengyao said, holding her hand. “If you really don’t want to go, it’s okay.”

“Dad, stop overthinking it. I’ll go. Now hurry up and take your medicine. If you’re still unwell after a nap, we’ll go to the hospital, okay?”

At this point, how could Wang Xiaoke not realize she’d been tricked by her father? However, since he was sick, she couldn’t truly go against his wishes. She reluctantly agreed, though whether she’d actually go or not was up to her.

“Then promise me, when the time comes, send me a photo of the boy,” Wang Chengyao said, taking advantage of her reluctant agreement.

Wang Xiaoke felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. The smile on her face nearly faltered as she forced out a response through gritted teeth: “Fine.”

Cough, cough. “Oh, and I’d like a picture of the two of you together,” her father added.

Seeing him coughing so badly, Wang Xiaoke didn’t want to provoke him further. With strained patience, she replied, “Dad, don’t you think you’re asking for too much?”

“If you don’t want to agree, that’s fine too,” he said, his expression turning forlorn. “After all, I’m old and used to being a burden.” Faced with her father’s melancholy look, Wang Xiaoke swallowed her objections once again.