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Chapter 11: Forcing Her to Choose While Suppressing Emotions
Li Huanhuan arrived at the teahouse for today’s blind date.
Only after arriving did she realize it was very close to the Sirius Club. It was too late to change the location, so she could only pray she wouldn’t run into Qin Shi or Hu Xun and the others.
It wasn’t guilt, just the potential awkwardness of a chance meeting that made her uneasy.
She hadn’t sat long before Aunt Luo’s nephew arrived.
“Sorry, something came up with the team and delayed me,” he said.
The man was about 1.8 meters tall, a bit on the lean side, dressed in a navy blue work uniform, and wore a black baseball cap—he looked like he had rushed over. When he removed the cap, Li Huanhuan could see his face.
Just as Aunt Luo had described—around 30, decent-looking, a faint crease between his brows forming the shape of the Chinese character “川,” and a calm demeanor. He looked like a serious person in daily life.
Li Huanhuan remembered his surname was “Yang.”
“No worries, I just got here too,” she waved casually.
Yang Shantai sat up straight across from her. With a clatter, he placed a bunch of keys on the table.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked, picking up the drink menu.
Li Huanhuan glanced over quickly. “A cup of jasmine tea.”
“Anything else?” he asked.
“No, that’s it.”
“Alright.”
Yang Shantai called over the waiter and ordered a jasmine tea for her and a chrysanthemum tea for himself. Soon, the two cups of tea arrived.
White steam curled up from the cups, adding a touch of warmth to the winter day.
Yang Shantai looked at her and said, “I’m Yang Shantai, 30 years old. I currently work as a coach at a club.”
Li Huanhuan thought his name sounded familiar, like she’d heard it somewhere before, but she didn’t dwell on it. She lifted her cup, feeling the warmth spread through her palms. “I’m Li Huanhuan, 26, a video content creator.”
“Miss Li, may I ask—were you forced into this blind date?” Yang Shantai suddenly asked.
Li Huanhuan was briefly stunned but quickly composed herself.
She’d been on 80 blind dates. She’d met direct types before who jumped straight to this question. She was well-prepared.
“How about you, Mr. Yang? What’s your take on this?” she replied with a smile.
Rule 1: Never admit it outright.
Otherwise, you risk two outcomes:
This question is a trap. Any answer is risky. Without knowing his character, best not to be too honest.
Rule 2: Toss the question back smartly.
Then respond based on his reaction.
In just two seconds, Li Huanhuan mapped out a strategy in her mind. Yang Shantai, however, seemed straightforward.
He clasped his hands and put them on the table. “I don’t strongly oppose blind dates, but let me be honest with you first. Because of my work, I dedicate most of my time to my club—even my personal time. I may not be an ideal partner.”
“You mean, you can’t focus on a relationship right now,” Li Huanhuan realized he was sincere.
“Yes, that’s what I meant.”
Used to dealing with team members, Yang Shantai was blunt and didn’t mince words. “My current priority is my esports team. I hope to lead them to championships—next year, the year after, and many years to come.”
A man fully devoted to his career.
That was Li Huanhuan’s impression of him.
Which suited her just fine. She didn’t want to date either. She loved creating content and wanted to dedicate her life to making videos—achieving her goals and dreams.
But in traditional views of love and family, her ideals were often hard to understand. So she was very cautious in choosing a partner.
Relieved, Li Huanhuan leaned back in her chair and smiled. “Mr. Yang, seems like we’re on the same page.”
Yang Shantai, seeing her relaxed smile, was momentarily stunned. He quickly lifted his teacup and nodded. “Yes.”
He looked down to drink his tea.
Li Huanhuan was keeping an eye on the time. She’d leave soon. The location being close to Sirius made things risky. She happened to glance at his baseball cap—it had a logo that seemed familiar.
“Mr. Yang, you mentioned you work at a club—may I ask which one? I recall there’s a Sirius Esports Club nearby.”
Please let it not be that one, she thought.
Yang Shantai paused, then nodded. “Yes, I work at Sirius.”
“No way…”
Her smile froze.
“That’s the one! Parrot recommended their egg tarts during practice—they’re really good!” a voice came from the restaurant entrance.
Leading the group was Hu Xun with bright red hair. He’d worked hard to persuade Qin Shi to join them. At the door, he kept talking.
“Not too crowded!” said Sa Sa, a short-haired girl from the Sirius women’s team and Hu Xun’s distant cousin.
“Let’s check the counter. What’s their specialty today~” Hu Xun was drawn to a huge poster of egg tarts and rushed ahead excitedly.
Sa Sa, Zhou Jianyu, and the bespectacled Akun followed him.
Qin Shi was at the rear.
Hands in his pockets, he was about to enter when his gaze froze—he’d spotted Li Huanhuan in the corner.
She was here too?
He hesitated, then saw her sitting across from a man in a blue work uniform. From his angle, he couldn’t see the man’s face, only part of his back obscured by a potted plant.
Knowing Li Huanhuan, a hardcore homebody, this was strange.
And on a Saturday afternoon, no less—on what looked like a date?
A blind date?
The thought hit him like a seasoning rack knocked over—soy sauce, vinegar, salt, MSG, pepper… a swirl of emotions.
Just then, Yang Shantai’s phone rang.
He gestured apologetically and walked away to answer.
Li Huanhuan checked the time—about ready to wrap up and leave before anyone else recognized her.
She sensed someone approaching and assumed Yang Shantai had returned. She looked up and began, “Mr. Yang, I think we’re done here. Thank you for…”
The rest stuck in her throat.
Staring at her was Qin Shi.
“Qin… Qin Shi? What are you doing here?” she asked, stunned.
They hadn’t spoken since that fallout outside the seafood restaurant. She didn’t expect to see him again anytime soon.
But now he seemed even stranger—colder, with complicated eyes. He said nothing, just glared at her and walked off.
What?
Li Huanhuan was baffled.
Before she could make sense of it, Qin Shi returned, standing in front of her again. His jaw was tight, his emotions barely contained:
“Do you have to go on blind dates?”
“What?”
Li Huanhuan blinked in confusion.
He took a deep breath, fists clenched, eyes locked on hers. “Two choices: either choose me, or I’ll tell Fox about your secret blind dates. Pick one.”
“What? Why should I pick? And what does this have to do with Can Yang?”
“Oh, so Can Yang, huh? So close, so casual.”
Qin Shi looked like he was going to explode. Jealousy twisted his face.
“You like him, don’t you? You bought him tea eggs, helped him with his injuries, ditched me and left me standing in the cold for two hours!”
He was on a roll now. “I just don’t get it! If you like Fox, why go on blind dates with me and others too? Or do you just enjoy blind dates? If so—fine, I’ll join in! But I won’t let you date anyone else!”
He leaned in over the table, eyes burning into hers.
“Li Huanhuan, give me your answer! You don’t want Fox to think you’re a two-timer, do you? Am I not good enough? Aren’t I enough?”
This was not the Qin Shi she knew.
Jealousy had made him irrational.
Li Huanhuan stared at his face, mouth half open, searching for any sign he was joking—but found none.
“You… are you insane? Why are you saying this?”
That stuff about liking Can Yang, and seeing other men—it was outrageous!
“Are you mentally unstable?” she snapped, unable to hold back.
“You think… I’m crazy?” Qin Shi’s eyes reddened.
She thought he was the problem?
She gave Fox tea eggs… but he was the problem?
Qin Shi looked devastated.
“Miss Li, I’ve got to—Qin Shi?” someone called.
Qin Shi turned. His expression froze.
“…Old Yang?”