Chapter 13: Is He Even More Handsome Than Your Dad in His Youth?

Jiang Xiaoci wasn’t the type to be overly sentimental. Once she had made up her mind, hearing his suggestion, she agreed without hesitation.

“Okay.”

At that moment, Lu Zhoushan finally understood what it meant to be overjoyed.

It was also the first time he realized that getting along between a man and a woman could actually be so simple—not nearly as complicated as he had imagined before.

Of course, he knew clearly in his heart: it was simple only because it was her.

She had a pure and uncomplicated nature, without all the scheming and twists and turns. And as it happened, he was someone who clicked with her perfectly.

And so, it worked out.

After agreeing to start dating the next day, the two of them sat together for a while longer. Lu Zhoushan paid the bill and, not wanting to be too forward on their first meeting, personally escorted her halfway home before they parted ways.

Since Lu Zhoushan walked her part of the way, Jiang Xiaoci arrived home earlier.

Her father, Jiang Decai, was working today. Her mother was alone at home, distractedly knitting wool.

Seeing her daughter return, the long-waiting Jiang’s mother immediately asked, anxiously, “So? How did the blind date go today?”

Jiang Xiaoci blushed and answered honestly, “Mom, it went really well. He’s a nice guy—and very handsome!”

It was rare to see her daughter this shy and clearly satisfied, so Jiang’s mother was instantly delighted. “Ah, that’s good to hear! I was worried that Matchmaker Wang exaggerated, making it sound better than it really was.”

Jiang Xiaoci smiled and said, “Auntie Wang has a kind heart. This time, she really didn’t lie to us.”

She thought to herself—indeed, she had thought Auntie Wang was boasting too, but it turned out everything she said was true.

Setting aside Lu Yaozu’s poor character as the so-called “good bamboo from a bad stalk” of the Lu family, the family background was indeed solid. Lu Zhoushan, as the treasured youngest son of the elderly Lu couple, was clearly well-loved. He was also undeniably good-looking, and from today’s interaction, he was articulate, poised, and of excellent demeanor.

Completely incomparable to Lu Yaozu, that arrogant and morally lacking second-generation brat.

Except for being a bit physically weak, Lu Zhoushan was almost flawless.

Of course, Jiang Xiaoci had no plans to mention that part to her parents. Ever since they had received the news recently, her parents had been living in constant fear, anxious to marry her off quickly to avoid trouble. She couldn’t give them more to worry about.

While they talked, Mama Jiang grew more and more curious. “You said the young man is good-looking—how good-looking?”

Jiang Xiaoci: “……”

Well, it seemed women were all the same. Even her mother, at her age, was this gossipy?

She gave a wry smile. “Well… how should I describe it?”

Lu Zhoushan was indeed handsome, but he gave off the impression of a sickly beauty. Could she really tell her mother that?

Of course not!

What parents would be willing to marry their daughter off to a frail and sickly man? Although in reality, after today’s meeting, she didn’t think his health was as bad as rumored.

But Jiang’s mother pressed on. “What’s so hard to say? Is he better-looking than your father was in his youth? Wait, I’ll find your dad’s old photo for comparison.”

As she spoke, Mama Jiang happily rummaged through the drawer and pulled out an old photo of Papa Jiang in his younger days.

In the photo, a young Jiang Decai was in his prime. He had well-defined features, thick eyebrows, and a slight upward curve to his lips. He wore a well-tailored, elegant dark suit that gave off the refined air of a cultured businessman—smart, without a hint of pretension. Even now, despite her age, Jiang’s mother couldn’t help but smile fondly at the picture of her younger husband.

Her daughter’s calm and savvy nature was just like how Papa Jiang had been when he was young.

Jiang Xiaoci looked at the photo, then at her beaming mother, unable to hold back a chuckle.

She compared her father’s youthful appearance in the photo with Lu Zhoushan’s image in her mind and thought for a moment.

Finally, with a playful grin, she said, “Mom, they’re two completely different styles. Dad was rugged and manly in his youth, while Lu Zhoushan is… more slender and delicate-looking.”

Because of his sickly appearance, he was slender—and that description was quite accurate. Jiang Xiaoci felt her answer was pretty good, and a faint smile lingered on her lips.

Seeing her daughter smiling nonstop while talking about the young man, Jiang’s mother, who knew her daughter best, also felt truly happy. Although the blind date was initially a forced decision, if her daughter really liked the guy, then the marriage wouldn’t be so reluctant after all.

Jiang’s mother teased, “Look at you—just talking about how handsome he is and you can’t stop smiling. Did you spend the whole day staring at his face?”

Jiang Xiaoci pouted, “No! He’s not just handsome—he’s also well-spoken and has a great temperament. Mom, I plan to go out with him tomorrow and see how things go.”

Jiang’s mother was thrilled. She felt this was pretty good. After all, if her daughter found a decent man, it would also fend off that sinister Lu Yaozu’s unwanted attention.

“Alright, as long as you’re okay with it. Later when your dad comes home, tell him—he’ll be so happy.”

Jiang Xiaoci nodded with a smile. With things going so smoothly, she was feeling quite happy herself. With Lu Zhoushan’s looks alone, being around him would at least be… easy on the eyes.

At the same time, Lu Zhoushan also returned to the Lu family’s old residence.

Entering the main hall, Old Master Lu was flipping through a copy of The Art of War. Despite being retired for years, the old man still dwelled on war strategy and military affairs, to which Lu Zhoushan responded with—

A snort.

Truly, old in age but not in spirit. The old man’s heart clearly still longed for his unforgettable military years.

Just like him. Even though his body was at home, his heart still belonged… to the battlefield.

Lu Zhoushan’s eyes darkened, a flash of icy sharpness and intelligence—completely out of sync with his weak appearance—briefly passed through his gaze. But very quickly, he looked up and returned to his usual pale and frail demeanor.

“Dad, I’m back. I’m going to rest,” he said as he turned to leave.

But Old Master Lu wouldn’t let him off that easily and barked, “Stop right there!”

Lu Zhoushan paused, clearly helpless.

The old man questioned, “So? How did the blind date go today? Did you talk properly with the girl?”

Lu Zhoushan coughed lightly, his expression calm. “Yes.”

They actually talked quite a lot—he even had to refill the teapot three times.

Old Master Lu: “…So, what did you think of the girl?”

Lu Zhoushan was concise: “Not bad.”

Far better than he had imagined. So good, in fact, that he couldn’t bring himself to say no.

Old Master Lu was speechless. How was he supposed to continue asking with answers like that?

As a father, he hadn’t expected the first date to be successful anyway—especially given his son’s indifferent attitude.

So he said to Lu Zhoushan, “Listen, even if this one doesn’t work out, you’ll have to keep meeting people. Sooner or later, you’ll find a good girl. With how frail you are, you should’ve had someone by your side taking care of you long ago.”

Lu Zhoushan walked a few steps over to the sofa, lazily slumped down, and replied bluntly: “There won’t be a next time.”