2. A picturesque and romantic slow-motion scene.

3.

My dad somehow managed to get a second-hand dating guidebook. I followed the strategies in it step by step, learning about the other person’s preferences and habits, integrating myself into their life, and doing my utmost to win their favor.

There were no midway comments like “Do you have a selfie?” “Show me yourself” or “Can we video chat?”

He didn’t initiate those either.

In my personal perception, Wei Nanlin is a somewhat introverted person who doesn’t enjoy socializing much. He likes reading and keeping up with the news, never plays games, and rarely goes out to watch movies. It’s a bit dull. I even suspect he might have a cold personality.

We chatted this way, quite matter-of-factly, for a month. Only when I turned to the last page of the dating guidebook did I see the big words printed there: “This book is for attracting a girlfriend. For finding a boyfriend, please purchase Volume Two.”

I strongly suspect my dad used this when pursuing my mom.

Honestly, I don’t feel much about Wei Nanlin. He’s too reserved.

It was actually him who brought up the idea of meeting.

For a while, our company organized team-building activities, including overseas trips. I was completely absorbed in eating, drinking, and having fun. I didn’t even think about him. Around a week had passed without us contacting each other.

On the second night after returning home, he called me. Right off the bat, he said in a magnetic voice, “Hello.”

Although his voice was pleasant, I’m often harassed by those telemarketing ads, so I tend to hang up as soon as I hear “Hello.”

He persisted and called again, “Hello, is this Mr. Chu Qi?”

“I don’t have money, I don’t have insurance, I don’t have a gym membership, and I can’t afford a shop. Plus, my parents won’t let me take out a loan—how do you know my name? Where did you get my information?”

“…,” Wei Nanlin fell silent for a moment. “I’m Wei Nanlin, the one we chatted with on WeChat.”

I was wide awake, sitting up in bed in shock. “Hello, hello, hello… I’m Chu Qi.”

Wei Nanlin hesitated, and I could sense his uncertainty.

“It’s alright, if you have something, just say it. I can handle it.”

He cleared his throat, “I wanted to ask, are you not very satisfied with me?”

“Huh…?” My intonation went through several twists. “Why are you asking this?”

Wei Nanlin seemed puzzled, “Aren’t you dissatisfied?”

“No, no! It’s fine…,” I stammered.

Wei Nanlin: “Then why haven’t you contacted me in the past few days?”

Now you’re even putting on a pitiable tone!

“No, no, I’ve been quite busy these days.” I responded hypocritically.

“Oh, I see, so are you still satisfied with me?”

What kind of strange question is this?

Are you a customer service representative or something?

“I’m satisfied,” I politely gave a positive review.

Then, I heard him chuckle.

“Would you be interested in having dinner together? I’m off the day after tomorrow.” Wei Nanlin asked.

The day after tomorrow happened to be my day off, and I didn’t decline. Besides, Wei Nanlin’s voice was really nice, the kind that makes you imagine the handsome face of a comic character.

“Sure, that sounds good. Send me the time and address on WeChat.”

“No need for ‘you,’ ‘you,’ ‘you’ anymore, it’s a bit much for me. I’m younger than you…”

*the polite form of you

“Sorry, it’s become a habit. Let me rephrase it—then I’ll send the time and address to your WeChat.”

He actually said it again.

I couldn’t help but laugh; this person on the phone sounded completely different from the one on WeChat.

After my mom found out about this, she got even more excited than me. First, she took me to a men’s clothing store and bought me a new outfit, as if I were attending a wedding. Then she took me to Tony’s to get my hair done, transforming my arrogant, bored look into a plain and ordinary black.

“Chu Qi! It’s past four o’clock! Are you ever going to get ready? Didn’t you agree to meet the doctor at half-past five?” Mom shouted again.

I took off my toothbrush and rinsed my mouth, “Why rush? I’ll drive over, I’ll definitely make it in time.”

Wei Nanlin and I agreed to meet at a downtown Western restaurant. After parking my car, I sent him a message.

【Chu Qi: I’ve arrived in the parking garage. Have you arrived?】

【Wei Nanlin: I’m here too, inside the restaurant. When you enter, look to the right near the window. I’m wearing black clothes.】

【Chu Qi: Okay.】

The restaurant’s decor wasn’t extravagant, but it had a touch of bourgeois charm. A soothing English song was playing, and the warm yellow light created a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, the kind I liked.

“Hello, how many in your party?” a waiter greeted us.

I stretched my neck to look towards the window, “I’m looking for someone.”

The next moment, I widened my eyes in shock—

There weren’t many tables by the window. Sitting there were a young couple and a chubby bald man. The man was dressed in a black casual shirt. Presumably, it was too warm inside, so he rolled up his sleeves, revealing robust arms with a dragon tattoo.

Th-this… Is this really how a doctor dresses?

Completely different from what I imagined!

No wonder people say men with pleasant voices often look quite indescribable. This was a ten-thousand-fold indescribable!

And to top it off, he was already wolfing down his food!

Isn’t that disrespectful to me?

And he eats like a pig.

I won’t stand a chance against him in a domestic dispute, right?!

I completely gave up on the idea of probing his soul. I turned around and walked away, simultaneously blocking him on the spot.

By the time I got to the parking garage, his call came in.

“Have you arrived? This place is a bit hard to find. Should I come down to pick you up?”

In a cold tone, I said, “No need, you keep enjoying your steak. Does it matter if I come or not?”

“Huh?” Wei Nanlin seemed bewildered. “I haven’t even ordered yet.”

This time, it was my turn to be bewildered.

Mainly, this restaurant’s interior design was problematic!!!

The walls on the north and west sides were floor-to-ceiling windows, with entrances located on the north and south sides respectively.

Between the south entrance and the north window, there was a huge folding screen. When I entered from the south, I could only see the west window, completely missing the decor on the north side.

As a result, misunderstandings flourished.

He explained as he went downstairs, and I explained as I retraced my steps.

This is so damn messed up.

What kind of situation is this!

The restaurant was on the fourth floor of the mall, with a direct elevator. I gripped my phone and apologized, “Sorry, I thought you were that bald guy.”

Wei Nanlin: “It’s alright, I’m coming down. Wait for me at the elevator.”

I was already standing at the elevator.

“Ding—” the sound echoed.

The scene suddenly froze, both he and I were equally stunned.

Wei Nanlin wore a thin cashmere sweater, a white shirt underneath, and black jeans below, casual yet dignified.

Although I couldn’t discern if he had muscles, his physique was good, with long and straight legs, neither fat nor thin. The point is… this guy looked handsome.

The descriptions in novels such as “heroic and extraordinary,” “sharp eyebrows and starry eyes,” and “gentle and beautiful as jade” wouldn’t be an exaggeration for him.

Unfortunately, my vocabulary was truly lacking. The first superficial thought that popped into my mind was—damn, he’s really handsome.

“Hello there,” Wei Nanlin’s voice rang out again.

The live version sounded even better than on the phone!

I couldn’t control my emotions, letting out a wretched laugh, “Hehe, hello ah.”

We stood inside and outside the elevator, like the main characters in a TV drama meeting for the first time, gazing shyly at each other.

I could already envision a picturesque slow-motion scene filled with romance.

The next second—

The elevator door closed.

“Hey, hey, hey…”

Both he and I pressed the elevator button in a panic.

TN:

Such a clown duo haha