Font Size:
[Message from “Peaceful as Water”]:
“Hehe, hi there~ Auntie asked me to connect with you to date, get married, and hang out. Beep beep! 【Puppy with a Flower】.jpg”
“I hope we get the chance to know each other better.”
Staring at the message on her phone screen, Li Huanhuan felt like she couldn’t breathe.
She swallowed hard. She wanted to delete the contact immediately, but then pictured the angry face of her mother. In the end, she suppressed her embarrassment and managed to type two words:
“Hello.”
[0.0]: “Blind dates are just a way to meet people. I think we should at least get to know each other first.”
[Peaceful as Water]: “Exactly, that’s what I mean.”
[Peaceful as Water]: “I have low emotional intelligence, I’m not good at sweet talk. I just want someone to marry and live a decent life with.”
Li Huanhuan was stunned by the message again.
Even through a screen, the second-hand embarrassment was lethal. Her toes were curling into the floorboards. She just wanted to end this awkward WeChat conversation ASAP.
[0.0]: “Can I ask what your idea of a marriage partner is?”
[Peaceful as Water]: “I think it’s someone like you. I heard you’re kind of a homebody, and I think girls who stay home are good girls.”
[0.0]: “?”
[Peaceful as Water]: “I mean, do you think I’m wrong?”
[0.0]: “Sorry, I’m actually really short, over 100 pounds, and I like guys who are 6’1” and super handsome.”
[Peaceful as Water]: “Height doesn’t matter to me. I want someone real who wants to live a normal life. As long as you’re not super ugly, it’s fine. Most guys don’t really care about height anyway.”
[0.0]: “I’m actually super ugly.”
[Peaceful as Water]: “Even ugly brides have to meet the in-laws. In my imagination, you’re graceful, beautiful, and confident.”
Li Huanhuan lifted her hand and rubbed her forehead.
Why wasn’t he getting the message?
[Peaceful as Water]: “I heard you live in City C, so… about your apartment…”
Clearly hinting didn’t work, so Li Huanhuan decided to be blunt:
[0.0]: “Sorry, I don’t think we’re a good match. Sorry for wasting your time.”
Message sent. Silence.
Phew~
Li Huanhuan threw her phone on the sofa, leaned back on a pillow, and sighed.
Her name was Li Huanhuan, female, 26 years old. On the morning of her 20th birthday, she woke up and realized she was living inside a book. The book was about a genius e-sports player named Qin Shi, who relied on his incredible talent and skill to win match after match, eventually becoming the best in the world—a typical feel-good success story.
Qin Shi was the male lead. Li Huanhuan, on the other hand, had no special identity, no involvement in the main plot. She was just a background NPC, a random extra.
When she first realized this, she felt a bit down. She considered using her knowledge of the story to change her fate.
But… she was lazy, introverted, and completely uninterested in both socializing and e-sports. She didn’t want to latch onto Qin Shi just because she knew the plot, and she didn’t have the ambition to steal opportunities meant for the main character or “cheat” her way into success.
Because she hated social interaction, Li Huanhuan became a video blogger after graduation. In the beginning, she kept tabs on the male lead online, watching him go from rookie to rising star. But as time passed, she stopped clicking on the news. Eventually, even when she came across stories about Qin Shi, she didn’t care anymore.
Now, at 26, her video account had over 500,000 followers. That strange morning on her 20th birthday felt like a distant memory. The ideas of “main character,” “side character,” and “fictional world” faded away, and her life went back to normal. When she thought about it, it felt like a weird dream.
She was back to being an ordinary person.
Making videos, raising her cat, staying home, occasionally meeting friends—and going on increasingly frequent blind dates.
Li Huanhuan wasn’t a fan of blind dating, but her mother’s health wasn’t great. She didn’t want to upset her, so she reluctantly gave in.
Which brought her back to the recent disaster: Candidate #79, aka Peaceful as Water. A distant relative had introduced him. Although they weren’t close, the relative was an elder, and she couldn’t be rude. Thankfully, after going through 78 guys before him, she was a seasoned pro. Her plan? Use her signature stalling tactic, and apologize when her mom eventually followed up. That usually bought her a week of peace.
“Meow~”
A meow from above her head snapped her out of her thoughts.
She looked up from the couch and saw her fluffy white long-haired cat perched on the backrest, staring at her with emerald-green eyes.
“Meow~” The voice was crisp and aloof.
“Oh, Your Highness!”
Li Huanhuan immediately sat up, wanting to bury her face in that soft fur and inhale deeply. But before she could, the white cat gracefully leapt to the other end of the couch, still staring at her like royalty.
“Okay, okay, I’m getting your food now.” Li Huanhuan sighed and got up, heading to the pantry for canned cat food.
The fluffy-tailed feline followed her like a shadow.
Once served, the royal cat dined elegantly.
Li Huanhuan crouched nearby, sneaking a few pets while grinning like a fool.
So cute~
I could drown in your fur.
Noticing her sneaky touches, the cat shifted its body to avoid them, letting out annoyed meows in protest.
“Okay, okay, you win. I’ll stop.” Li Huanhuan withdrew her hand and propped her chin on her palm.
Ring ring ring—
Her phone rang.
She looked at the caller ID and froze. It was her mom.
Already?! Did she find out that fast?!
Li Huanhuan rubbed her face and, after three rings, picked up with a dramatic sigh:
“Hi, Mom?”
Two years ago, her stepfather had retired, and her mom followed him to the countryside for a chill life of gardening and fishing. But even from afar, she could still control Li Huanhuan’s life through her phone.
Was it about Peaceful as Water?
“Uh, well, I think…” Li Huanhuan started fumbling with her words, using her best gentle persuasion techniques.
She braced for a storm.
But surprisingly, her mom was calm.
Too calm.
Her heart started pounding.
Then came the bombshell—
“A new blind date? With Auntie’s son from the square dancing group? He’s two years younger than me… You’re meeting today… Hello? Hello?”
The call ended.
Buzz.
A WeChat message came in:
“Sweetie, 12:30 PM, Zijinghua Restaurant on Xinhong Road. Auntie’s son already made the reservation.”
[0.0]: “Wait, I just went on one!”
Mom: “That’s why you need to meet someone new! Can’t find Mr. Right if you don’t keep looking! This one’s really handsome!”
[0.0]: “…”
Oh god.
Li Huanhuan buried her face in her knees.
After a while, she turned her head to look at her cat, who was calmly grooming himself on the couch.
“What should I do?”
The cat gave her a cold glance and kept grooming.
“I don’t want to go out. I don’t want to go on another date…” Li Huanhuan flopped onto the sofa like a corpse.
When she snapped out of it, it was already 12:00—only 30 minutes to go!
She bolted upright.
Right on cue, her mom messaged her again to remind her about the time.
Frustrated, Li Huanhuan scratched her head, but ultimately decided to go. After all, she had a deal with her mom about blind dates.
The place was far, so she quickly threw on a long black coat and scarf. There was no time for a bus, so she gritted her teeth and called a ride.
Mom: “[Red envelope] – take a cab.”
Mom: “Did you leave yet? Hurry!”
Of course, Mom knew she would leave at the last minute.
Li Huanhuan sighed, sent a kissy emoji, and accepted the red envelope.
“Please don’t let it be another ‘Peaceful as Water.’”
She looked out the window at the flashing street signs. At this point, she had no expectations. She had no idea this blind date was about to flip her comfy hermit life upside down.
She reached the restaurant just in time, two minutes before 12:30. Though she hated blind dates, she hated being late more. She’d already scoped out the entrance and sprinted across the lawn.
Suddenly, she halted.
Wait—what table number?!
She quickly grabbed her phone to message her mom.
Just then, someone bumped into her from behind. Her phone fell onto the grass. As she bent down to pick it up, a voice came from above:
“Ah, sorry, Auntie! Are you okay?”
Li Huanhuan froze.
“Auntie, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to bump into you!” the person kept apologizing.
“Hu Xun! You’re being reckless again?” another voice called out.
A guy approached, picked up her phone, and handed it to her.
He had short hair, thick brows, and bright, energetic eyes.
He met her gaze and blinked, then smoothly changed his tone:
“Oh! You’re a sister, not an aunt. My bad—are you alright?”
“Big sis? Ah! Sorry, big sis, I didn’t mean to bump into you!” the red-haired guy also apologized.
Li Huanhuan pursed her lips, silently took her phone, and shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“Do you know where Zijinghua Restaurant is?” the bright-eyed guy asked.
Zijinghua?
Li Huanhuan paused and pointed ahead. “That way.”
“Thanks!” He smiled and turned to shout to his friend, “Xiao Shi, it’s this way! Let’s go!”
Li Huanhuan instinctively looked where he was pointing. In the distance, she saw a group of people turning around—and among them, a tall guy in a silver-gray down jacket. Something about his figure looked… familiar.
But she didn’t think too much about it.
“You’re really okay, big sis?” the redhead asked again.
“I’m fine.” She waved awkwardly.
“Okay, bye!” He ran off to catch up.
Li Huanhuan watched them go into the restaurant.
Wait—restaurant?!
Her own blind date! She snapped out of it and checked her phone. Her mom had just sent the table number. Letting out a breath, she quickly headed inside.