Austere and restrained is a man’s protective color; for you, I only want to possess fiercely.

—° Shang Fuyan

The spring chill was lingering in Lancheng.

Due to staying up late writing, Song Xi was still immersed in her sweet dreams.

She dreamt of herself and the male lead from her novel, engaging in indescribable scenes that were blurred and hazy.

The scenes grew more intense.

Just as it reached the most critical moment, a series of knocks came from outside, pounding incessantly.

Before she could react, her mother pushed open the door, “Xi, get up quickly, dress nicely, and after lunch, go meet the high-quality match Aunt Zhang introduced to you.”

Song Xi felt a bit resistant and answered with her eyes closed, “Let’s cancel it; I don’t want to go.”

“You agreed just a few days ago, why are you backing out now?”

Song Xi felt helpless, sitting up in bed and looking at the gentle and beautiful middle-aged woman. She patiently explained, “Mom, your daughter is only 22, not yet past her prime, right?”

“You’ve already started working, so you’re not a child anymore. Finding a partner is something you should do while you’re young; otherwise, you’ll only meet less suitable people in the future.”

Faced with her mother, who was also a Chinese teacher, Song Xi couldn’t argue back and could only agree reluctantly.

It’s just a formality anyway, not a real romantic meeting.

She wouldn’t go to great lengths to dress up or please any man.

The time for the meeting was conveniently set for two o’clock in the afternoon.

Song Xi wore a simple, soft pink sweater and paired it with light blue slim-fit jeans, very plain.

With that, Song Xi left the house with her crossbody bag, ignoring her parents’ disapproving gazes.

To them, their daughter’s casual outfit was a clear sign of her reluctance, as if she had “displeasure” written all over her face.

But how could they refuse a friend’s well-intentioned introduction?

Who knows, it might just work out. It’s time for their daughter to fall in love. Always eating dog food is no good at all.

According to the address given by her mother, the meeting place was the Cloudtop High-Rise Café on Finance Street. With fifty floors, it was a landmark building in Lancheng.

Song Xi had been there a few times. The prices were exorbitant, with a regular coffee costing around 70 to 80 yuan.

Add a few desserts, and an afternoon tea set would cost about 300 to 400 yuan.

It was said that her blind date was a university professor. Although the salary was high, she was determined not to take advantage of him and decided to go Dutch.

Song Xi thought the man might be a middle-aged uncle; otherwise, why would he still be single at nearly thirty?

This thought led her to recall her first-year archaeology professor, who could be described with twelve words: dignified demeanor, handsome appearance, austere and restrained.

Adding to this, the fiery dream from last night, Song Xi’s cheeks flushed.

Too presumptuous.

Absolutely… a case of disrespectful student and teacher.

Song Xi had her own little secret, one she might hide for the rest of her life, something he would never know.

Riding the elevator to the top floor of the café, a waiter approached her warmly, bowing politely, “Good afternoon! Do you have a reservation or anything else?”

Song Xi glanced at the information on her phone and replied, “I have a reservation, at table seventeen.”

“Please follow me.”

Song Xi followed the waiter to a window-side table.

At that moment, the man lifted his head, and their eyes met through his gold-rimmed glasses.

Song Xi was stunned, too shocked to speak. Her feet felt as if glued to the spot, unable to move forward or backward.

The man rose gracefully, his voice gentle, “Song Xi?”

After a moment of shock, Song Xi hurriedly nodded, “…Yes.”

The man smiled slightly, “Come, sit down.”

Song Xi nervously fiddled with her bag, trying to hide her inner turmoil as she slowly sat down across from him.

What a mortifying situation!

— Her blind date was her University Professor.

If she had known beforehand, Song Xi would have spent at least two hours getting ready.

It was all her fault for not asking for the name of her blind date, only remembering that he was nearing thirty.

While she was lost in thought, she heard his deep, magnetic voice, “What would you like to drink? Order something.”

He then handed her the café’s menu.

Song Xi flipped through it casually and told the waiter, “A Velvet Latte.”

After the waiter left, the man spoke again, “I’m Shang Fuyan, an archaeology professor at Lan University. You don’t need to be nervous; just treat this as a regular meeting between friends.”

Song Xi carefully pondered his words and asked, “You were also forced into this blind date by your family?”

Hearing this, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses. Shang Fuyan replied slowly, “It seems you’re quite resistant to this kind of meeting.”

Song Xi waved her hand, “Not really…”

If she had known it was him, why would she have kept pushing it back?

She wondered why such an outstanding man like Professor Shang was still single.

Noticing her confusion, Shang Fuyan looked at her, “Ask whatever you want to know.”

“Um… why are you still single?”

“I haven’t had the time, nor have I met the right person.”

Song Xi was skeptical about this answer.

Back at Lan University, there wasn’t a single girl who didn’t admire him. His classes were always packed, with many students auditing. Even now, the scene would likely be the same.

Though he was 29, his face showed no signs of aging; rather, he looked even younger. How was that possible?

Although she had been his student for over half a year, it seemed he had no memory of her.

“Professor Shang, are there no girls pursuing you now?”

“No. I have no first love, no lovers, no ambiguous relationships.”

Upon hearing this, Song Xi’s heart began to race. Wasn’t this a golden opportunity?

If she missed it, she might as well just bash her head against a wall.

“Professor Shang, actually… I was once your student.”

As she said this, Song Xi carefully observed his expression.

But his face, too austere and restrained, betrayed no emotion.

“Which year were you in?”

“I started in 2020.”

Shang Fuyan seemed to be recalling, and after a few seconds of silence, he asked, “The female student who ranked second in the province in the arts and chose archaeology?”

The roller-coaster of emotions made Song Xi suppress her excitement, “Yes, that’s me.”

“Then why didn’t I see you after the first semester of your freshman year?” the man asked.

Song Xi paused, finding it difficult to speak about what happened next.

Shang Fuyan noticed this and promptly said, “If you don’t want to answer, you can refuse; you don’t need to feel any pressure.”

Song Xi laughed, clearly feeling reassured by his words.

“There’s nothing I can’t say. Professor Shang, I think I should tell you the truth.”