Chen Yu had a place to stay and wasn’t in a rush to look for a new house. Just choosing a real estate agency took him a considerable amount of time. In the end, he settled on a local agency that had been operating in Xifu City for twenty years, with three branches. While their listings didn’t match those of large chain platforms, they were still respectable. The nearest branch was at the Old Silver Building, not far from his coffee shop.

He didn’t look at houses frequently, usually visiting one every other day. Each time he went to the agency, he would encounter different clients, most of whom came with their families, at least in pairs. It was rare to see someone come alone like him.

Chen Yu couldn’t help but think about the person he would live with in the future. What kind of decoration would they like? Cats or dogs, or perhaps some fish and potted plants?

Chen Yu didn’t know, and he wasn’t even sure if such a person existed.

Some things, it seemed, couldn’t bear too much thinking. One day, after Chen Yu finished looking at a house and returned to his coffee shop, he saw Aunt Zhang chatting with the cashier.

Aunt Zhang had a matchmaking business on the street and loved introducing partners to unmarried people in the neighborhood, especially those like Chen Yu, who had some assets and were over thirty but still unmarried.

As soon as Chen Yu entered, she turned around with a bright smile. “Xiao Chen is back.”

Chen Yu nodded, went to the lounge to put away his scarf and coat, and when he came out, Aunt Zhang was already sitting with a cup of coffee. Seeing Chen Yu, she waved him over. “Xiao Chen, are you busy? If not, come and chat with Auntie.”

Aunt Zhang was decked out in gold, and when she waved, her gold bracelets, necklace, earrings, and rings all sparkled. Chen Yu took a cup of water and walked over.

The rent was adjusted annually, and it was almost the end of the year, so she was likely here to discuss the rent.

Aunt Zhang came straight to the point. “Xiao Chen, the rent will go up next year. Auntie is here to let you know.”

Chen Yu nodded and asked, “How much?”

Aunt Zhang extended her somewhat plump hand and spread out five fingers. “The same as last year, five percent.”

“Alright.”

After discussing the rent, the conversation turned back to Chen Yu. “Xiao Chen, you’re still alone this year?”

Aunt Zhang had a lot of experience dealing with young people and knew that they generally didn’t like being pressured to marry. She spoke as though it was casual conversation, but Chen Yu’s response this time was different. In the past, he would have given a simple answer, and Aunt Zhang would have moved on, knowing he didn’t want to discuss it.

This time, however, Chen Yu shook his head and said, “I haven’t found the right person.”

Chen Yu had actually opened up today!

Aunt Zhang’s spirits lifted. “Not finding the right person is no problem. You have such good conditions. Tell Auntie what you’re looking for, and I’ll introduce you.”

Chen Yu thought about what Ning Qianjin had said—someone with his conditions should go to a matchmaking event.

Matchmaking…

Facing Aunt Zhang’s expectant gaze, Chen Yu found it somewhat amusing. “I like men. Can I still go to a matchmaking event?”

“Like men?” Aunt Zhang repeated, as if she hadn’t understood.

Chen Yu lowered his eyes. “I’m gay.”

Chen Yu’s past experiences had made him cautious about discussing his sexual orientation outside of the bar. Saying these three words wasn’t easy for him, but Aunt Zhang’s reaction was different from what he had expected.

Perhaps times had changed, or maybe because Chen Yu wasn’t her son, she didn’t look at him strangely. After a moment of shock and confusion, she digested the information and said hesitantly, “I suppose so.”

Then, looking at Chen Yu’s face and considering his conditions, she said firmly, “Of course! Being gay doesn’t change anything. You still have excellent conditions. In matchmaking, it’s all about conditions. The better your conditions, the more choices you have.”

Aunt Zhang knew most of Chen Yu’s background, so she asked him what his requirements were. Chen Yu gave a simple answer, but Aunt Zhang waved her hand and said, “No, no, young people often don’t know how to state their requirements clearly. What kind of conditions are these? Matchmaking is about finding someone to marry and live with. No one starts by thinking about infidelity. What does ‘stable income’ mean? Is a stable two thousand yuan considered stable?”

“Be more specific. Age, height, appearance, education, family conditions, and salary—all these details.”

Chen Yu had never encountered such a formal matchmaking process before. Real matchmaking was different from the casual redstring tying at Ning Qianjin’s bar.

Seeing that Chen Yu wasn’t speaking, Aunt Zhang encouraged him. “Don’t be shy. Matchmaking is different from dating. Both sides need to lay out their conditions and requirements. Once everything matches, then you can move on to the next step.”

Chen Yu thought carefully. “Age shouldn’t be too different. Family conditions and education don’t matter much. Salary…”

He was financially independent, and supporting one more person shouldn’t be a problem. He had no specific requirements in this area. Seeing him hesitate, Aunt Zhang shook her head. “Let me help you.”

These requirements were almost nonexistent.

She put away her notebook, feeling that today hadn’t been a waste. Not only had Chen Yu agreed to matchmaking, but she had also expanded her business. If men could date men, then women could date women too!

Aunt Zhang felt a renewed sense of purpose and began to ask Chen Yu for advice. “Xiao Chen, since you like men, tell me, how do you introduce partners? Is it better to meet at a coffee shop or a restaurant?”

“Do you go to the movies on dates?”

Chen Yu thought about it. The only place he had met people like him was in the bar. How could you go on a date in a bar? But it wasn’t appropriate to say that.

He replied, “I’ve never been in a relationship, so I don’t know.”

Aunt Zhang felt sorry for him. “You just haven’t met the right person. Don’t worry, leave it to Auntie. Finding a partner is something that will happen if you have the right mindset.”

She didn’t mention Chen Yu’s previous reluctance and used another example. “Do you know the lawyer upstairs, Lawyer Meng? His name is Tingchuan.”

The law firm and the coffee shop were on adjacent floors. Most of the lawyers and staff from the law firm had visited the coffee shop. The cashier, Xiao Lan, was a bit of a suit enthusiast and had a good relationship with the receptionist next door, so she knew all about the lawyers in the firm.

Chen Yu had heard Xiao Lan mention Lawyer Meng many times. He knew that Lawyer Meng was a partner in the firm, often ordered espresso, and had recently won a major case. However, Chen Yu and Lawyer Meng had no personal interaction.

Chen Yu said, “I’ve seen him a few times.”

“Ah, his mother has entrusted me with this,” Aunt Zhang said, then suddenly thought of something, looked at Chen Yu for a moment, and lowered her voice. “Do you think Little Meng might also like men?”

Chen Yu didn’t know if Lawyer Meng liked men. Ning Qianjin might have a good idea, but he didn’t have that skill, and neither did Aunt Zhang. However, she could ask directly.

After leaving the coffee shop, Aunt Zhang turned left and went upstairs.

Xiao Lan was puzzled. “Why is she going back up?”

The Old Silver Building’s side street wasn’t long, and it could be crossed in two minutes. Nearly a quarter of the shops on this short street belonged to Aunt Zhang’s family. When she had something to announce, she usually started with the law firm, then the coffee shop, and normally the next place would be the flower shop next door. Why was she going back?

Chen Yu shook his head and didn’t say anything. Xiao Lan had just asked out of curiosity and went back to work. The coffee shop wasn’t very busy with dinein customers on weekdays, but there were many takeout orders.

About ten minutes later, the automatic door opened and closed, and Aunt Zhang returned, looking pleased and speaking with enthusiasm.

“Xiao Chen, would you like to go on a matchmaking date with Tingchuan?”

Xiao Lan’s eyes widened, and Chen Yu put down the latte art pitcher.

Aunt Zhang, worried that Chen Yu might refuse, said a few good things about Lawyer Meng. “I’ll tell you, I know Tingchuan’s family. His parents are very openminded. He’s very capable, having opened his own law firm at a young age.”

“He’s also goodlooking, a perfect match for you.”

The date with Lawyer Meng was set for Monday at the coffee shop.

Thanks to Aunt Zhang’s shout, everyone in the shop knew their boss was going on a matchmaking date with the lawyer upstairs. Xiao Lan also played a significant role in spreading the news—Chen Yu wasn’t sure whether to be relieved that she hadn’t told her good friend, the receptionist from the law firm, Xiao Mei.

Xiao Lan’s reasoning was that they were on different sides of the family, so it was better not to discuss it for the sake of their friendship.

Chen Yu:

Chen Yu’s sexual orientation, which he had never openly discussed, seemed to become more ordinary in the context of this formal matchmaking.

On Monday, everyone on duty in the shop waited for Meng Tingchuan with Chen Yu.

However, Lawyer Meng was late, and he sent Xiao Mei to deliver the message.

The way he spoke didn’t sound like he was delegating work. Xiao Mei thought it was a regular friend meeting and even asked Xiao Lan, “When did Lawyer Meng get so close to your boss?”

Xiao Lan pretended not to know. After Xiao Mei left, the people gathered around the counter sighed in disappointment. “Why is he so late?”

“Exactly, being late for a matchmaking date is unacceptable.”

“He might have had some work. I’ve noticed our upstairs neighbors are always busy.”

“Still, boss, deduct points from him!”

Chen Yu: “…”

Chen Yu dispersed the crowd around the counter. “Do you all want me to handle all these takeout orders?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the automatic door beeped, and a cold draft blew in, bringing the street noise closer.

Chen Yu looked up and saw a tall, wellbuilt figure enter, bringing a chill with him. The door closed behind him, and the noise faded, replaced by the clear sound of his shoes on the wooden floor.

Meng Tingchuan was wearing a dark gray suit and a matching tie, with sharp features that looked somewhat stern.

His gaze swept over the few people at the counter and finally settled on Chen Yu. He walked over and extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Meng Tingchuan.”