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Jiang Yining arrived at the café and headed upstairs. Just as she was about to look around for someone, she noticed a man waving at her.
She furrowed her brows slightly and walked over to the table, asking in disbelief, “You’re Mr. Chen?”
The man’s expression was visibly excited and delighted. “Yes, Miss Jiang. Hello!”
Jiang Yining felt as if her heart had plunged into the depths of an icy lake. She took out her phone and repeatedly compared it with the photo she had received, still refusing to believe what she was seeing.
Noticing her shock, the man pulled out his own phone and pointed at the screen. “That was an older photo of me. I actually have a decent foundation—looks change over time, after all.”
Jiang Yining looked at the man across from her—potbellied, with thinning hair on top. She pressed her lips together and fell silent for a moment before saying, “The matchmaker told me you were in your early thirties, about 1.8 meters tall…”
Looking at him now, he barely seemed to reach 1.7 meters. And as for the rest…
How could the matchmaker have the audacity to describe this man as a “handsome gentleman”?
He gave an awkward laugh. “Technically, it’s not wrong. My age does start with a 3, and my height is around 1.8 meters.”
He deliberately emphasized the words “around”, clearly quite pleased with Jiang Yining. She looked just as beautiful as in her photo.
Jiang Yining had a delicate oval face, with finely defined features and a graceful, gentle air. Yet in her gaze lingered a certain cool detachment that made her seem distant.
Though she wore no makeup today, her skin glowed with a natural rosy fairness. Her almond-shaped eyes shimmered with clarity, the outer corners slightly lifted, and her long hair draped casually over her shoulders. Just sitting there quietly, she was a breathtaking sight.
She was still a middle school Chinese teacher.
Afraid she’d find him lacking, the man quickly tried to redeem himself. “Miss Jiang, I know my looks aren’t great, but as the saying goes, older men know how to cherish a woman—and I have money.”
“I’m divorced and have a son. After we get married, if you don’t want children, that’s perfectly fine…”
“Heh!” Jiang Yining gave a sharp laugh, incredulous. “You’re divorced and already have a child?”
“Divorced and single,” he corrected.
How was this not outright fraud?
“Sorry, I don’t think we’re a good match.” Jiang Yining didn’t want to waste another word. She picked up her bag and stood to leave.
Panicked, the man grabbed her wrist in desperation, still trying to bargain. “Miss Jiang, on top of the 500,000 betrothal gift your Mother mentioned, I’ll throw in an apartment downtown!”
Jiang Yining’s face turned cold in an instant. “Mr. Chen, my Mother has passed away. Whatever promises someone else made on my behalf has nothing to do with me.”
Her wrist ached from the grip, and just as she was about to yank her hand back, a tall figure stepped in, casting a shadow over them. A long, strong hand clamped down on the man’s wrist, forcing him to let go of her.
The pain was so sharp it felt like his wrist might break. The man’s face turned pale as he snarled in anger, “Let go! I’m warning you—this is none of your business!”
He Chi tightened his grip, letting out a soft, mocking scoff. “Oh? So you can feel pain?”
“What, not convinced? Want to take a trip to the police station?”
Realizing He Chi wasn’t someone to mess with, and not wanting to escalate things with the authorities, the man could only apologize begrudgingly. “Miss Jiang, I got carried away. I’m sorry.”
The moment Jiang Yining saw He Chi, she was stunned. Her heart began to race uncontrollably, so fast she couldn’t even register what that man surnamed Chen was saying.
Only when He Chi looked her way did Jiang Yining snap back to her senses and give a slight nod.
He Chi let go of the man.
Jiang Yining looked up at him—this was the first time they’d seen each other in two years.
She’d heard from Teacher Lin that after He Chi left the police force, he started a business with friends out of town and rarely returned to Lin City.
Now, he looked even more composed and mature than before. His hair was cropped short, and he wore a loose black T-shirt with athletic shorts. Though casually dressed, he stood tall and broad-shouldered. The arm he had extended in front of her radiated strength.
He Chi had deep-set, well-defined features—thick brows, piercing eyes. When he wasn’t smiling, he appeared aloof and stern, with a sharp and imposing presence.
Seeing the dazed look on Jiang Yining’s face, he assumed she had been frightened, and softened his tone. “Are you alright?”
There were onlookers in the café, and Jiang Yining didn’t want to stay there any longer. She forced a faint smile. “I’m fine. Thank you for earlier. I have something to take care of at home, so I’ll be heading out. You go on with your day.”
He Chi had come up from behind her. She hadn’t noticed him when she first arrived on the second floor of the café.
The place wasn’t very big—he had likely overheard the entire conversation between her and Mr. Chen.
Jiang Yining never imagined that the first time she’d see He Chi again after two years would be under such embarrassing circumstances.
In contrast to Jiang Yining’s inner turmoil, He Chi remained composed. “I happen to be free right now. Let me give you a ride.”
Jiang Yining wanted to refuse, but when she saw He Chi following along, she swallowed the words.
In the car, Jiang Yining sat in the front passenger seat. She hadn’t even planned on coming to the blind date today, but her Father had pestered her nonstop. With no choice, she had agreed just to get it over with. She hadn’t dressed up, simply thrown on a random outfit before heading out.
Her slender, fair fingers quietly tugged at the hem of her shirt.
When He Chi asked for her address, Jiang Yining replied, “Jingli Residential Complex on Pingsheng Road.”
He Chi had barely spent any time alone with her in the past. He wasn’t the type to be overly talkative either. Seeing her gaze lowered, clearly not in the mood for conversation, he remained silent as well.
A light sheen of sweat formed on Jiang Yining’s palms. She rarely had one-on-one time with He Chi, and now she was so nervous she didn’t know what to do.
She lifted her gaze and, pretending it was unintentional, glanced in his direction. All she could see was his long, lean hand resting on the steering wheel, tendons faintly visible under the skin, exuding a quiet strength.
He Chi didn’t seem to notice her at all. Summoning her courage, Jiang Yining shifted her gaze upward and caught a glimpse of his chiseled, impassive profile.
Just then, they reached a red light. He Chi turned to look at her.
Jiang Yining reacted quickly, curving her lips into a smile. “I heard from Teacher Lin that you’ve been working with friends out of town. What brings you back?”
He Chi tapped lightly on the steering wheel, his tone casual. “Got tired of the fast-paced lifestyle. Came back to Lincheng to open a bar with some high school classmates—just for fun.”
“The bar’s over by Jiayu Plaza. Come by sometime if you’re free.”
Jiang Yining had been a well-behaved student back in school. His Mother had adored her.
Worried she might misunderstand, He Chi added a clarification, “It’s a quiet bar—more of a lounge, really. People come just to have a few drinks and chat with friends. It’s called Shiyou.”
Jiang Yining was slightly surprised, but she understood. He Chi had always lived a bold and unrestrained life—completely opposite from her own steady, orderly routine.
She smiled faintly. “Sure, I’ll bring some friends over when I get the chance, support your business and take in the atmosphere.”
In the past, every time Jiang Yining saw him, she had deliberately kept her distance. They were never particularly close, so He Chi took her words as mere politeness.
When they arrived at the entrance of her residential complex, Jiang Yining thanked him, “I’m here. Thanks for driving me back.”
She paused, her voice soft. “And for your help today.”
He Chi could tell that Jiang Yining hadn’t been keen on the blind date. He didn’t know much about her situation at home—only that after her Mother passed away, her Father had remarried.
After she spoke, he said, “Don’t mention it. If you ever need anything, just ask. We’ve known each other for a while, after all.”
Jiang Yining gave him a gentle smile. “Thank you.”
After getting out of the car, she stood there watching He Chi’s car until it disappeared from sight, then turned and walked into the complex.
The moment she turned back toward the residential complex, the smile on her face vanished completely, and a cold, resolute look gradually settled in her eyes.
Jiang Yining was slightly surprised, but she understood. He Chi had always lived a bold and unrestrained life—completely opposite from her own steady, orderly routine.
She smiled faintly. “Sure, I’ll bring some friends over when I get the chance, support your business and take in the atmosphere.”
In the past, every time Jiang Yining saw him, she had deliberately kept her distance. They were never particularly close, so He Chi took her words as mere politeness.
When they arrived at the entrance of her residential complex, Jiang Yining thanked him, “I’m here. Thanks for driving me back.”
She paused, her voice soft. “And for your help today.”
He Chi could tell that Jiang Yining hadn’t been keen on the blind date. He didn’t know much about her situation at home—only that after her Mother passed away, her Father had remarried.
After she spoke, he said, “Don’t mention it. If you ever need anything, just ask. We’ve known each other for a while, after all.”
Jiang Yining gave him a gentle smile. “Thank you.”
After getting out of the car, she stood there watching He Chi’s car until it disappeared from sight, then turned and walked into the complex.
The moment she turned back toward the residential complex, the smile on her face vanished completely, and a cold, resolute look gradually settled in her eyes.