Chapter 2: Failed Blind Date

Inside the KFC on Changning Road.

There weren’t many diners on the second floor. Taking advantage of the empty restroom, Song Chunhui carefully checked his appearance in the mirror. From his slicked-back hair to his crisp suit, he was quite satisfied with the man in the mirror. That mature and steady aura screamed social elite. If today’s blind date didn’t work out, it would be a waste of the expensive suit he bought, not to mention the leather shoes that cost him a few hundred bucks.

When he received the text from the woman, Song Chunhui was a bit excited, his mind filled with sweet and soft images. The frustration he felt at the hospital with Ma Jianguo earlier that morning seemed insignificant now. He quickly took off his black-framed glasses, breathed on the lenses, and instinctively reached for his suit’s hem, feeling a bit embarrassed at his own nervousness, like a teenager.

Returning to his seat in the corner, Song Chunhui deliberately didn’t go downstairs to greet the woman, wanting to take a good look at her first. The cleaning lady had shown him a photo, but he didn’t trust it until he saw her in person. With today’s beauty filters, anything could be faked. If she was genuinely honest and virtuous, he might consider taking her out for dinner and a movie. After all, he didn’t want to waste money for nothing.

Half an hour passed, and the woman still hadn’t shown up. The excitement and nervousness in Song Chunhui’s heart vanished. He thought the woman had no sense of time or was deliberately late to test him, even though their text conversation had been pleasant. It was strange since she had chosen the meeting place. Could she have gone to the wrong store? He reconfirmed the location with her and asked where she was, but got no reply.

A few minutes later, his WeChat chimed.

Chunxun: [Hui Ge, how’s the blind date going?]

By this point, Song Chunhui had lost hope. He didn’t want his junior to laugh at him for being desperate, so he didn’t reply. He hadn’t told Meng Chunxun the truth last night; the blind date was just a side trip. His main reason for returning was to see Ma Jianguo and see if he could get transferred back to Jiangcheng. Maybe a dying man would have a change of heart and do some good for his next life, but instead, he just got a bellyful of anger.

Suddenly, a notification sounded. Song Chunhui opened the text message. The woman apologized, saying she had an upset stomach and would arrive around three. Since he was already there, a little more waiting wouldn’t hurt. When three o’clock came, he almost didn’t recognize his blind date. The woman wasn’t wearing makeup or dressed up, looking more plain and heavier than in the photo.

Wasn’t this just not taking him seriously?

“Sorry, I’m late.” The woman glanced at Song Chunhui before sitting down, then looked at him again, seeming a bit uneasy.

Song Chunhui took in her reaction while sizing her up. Her appearance was average but not unattractive, her skin fairly pale, and her overall demeanor seemed honest and straightforward. He happened to like women with fuller figures, and she was slightly plump. Being an only child, her parents could help with childcare, so they could continue the conversation.

So, Song Chunhui flashed his polite signature smile and said, “It’s fine. I was thinking of going downstairs to order a meal, but when you said you weren’t feeling well, I didn’t dare to.”

The woman awkwardly tucked her hair behind her ear and shook her head, saying, “I already had lunch, so I’m not hungry. No need to order.”

Song Chunhui knew she was interested in him and was just shy, so he got straight to the point, detailing his situation: thirty years old, 1.8 meters tall, graduated from a prestigious university, owns a house and a car, doesn’t smoke or drink, only occasionally having a drink when socializing.

He lifted his chin slightly, his eyes filled with undeniable confidence, and added, “Aunt Wang is just a cleaner and doesn’t know much about our company. You know about Norin Group, right?”

The woman shook her head, clearly unaware.

Patiently, Song Chunhui introduced the famous Norin Pharmaceutical Group in Jiangcheng, explaining its size and financial strength, and how his previous department had so many people. As a senior specialist, he handled orders worth millions, boasting endlessly, even unintentionally showing off his Rolex watch until the woman interrupted.

“Aren’t you selling medicine in Ancheng?” the woman asked, puzzled.

“…” Song Chunhui’s mouth twitched, cursing Ma Jianguo in his heart. At the head office, suppliers treated him with respect, calling him “General Manager Song.” But at the lousy branch in Ancheng, he was called a “medicine peddler,” unable to sell medicine, with no performance to show, always on the brink of failure.

He explained, “Ancheng is just a branch. As I mentioned, I’m a graduate of a top university, and my outstanding abilities at the head office led the leadership to send me to manage the branch.”

The woman was stunned by his boasting, and after he finished, she thought for a few seconds before asking, “You’re so excellent and good-looking, why are you still going on blind dates?”

Song Chunhui was well aware of his advantages and disadvantages in the dating market, but he had an absolute advantage with this woman. In other words, if she didn’t appreciate him, she’d regret it in the future.

However, before he could respond, the woman suddenly asked, “Are you, um, straight?”

“…” Song Chunhui was momentarily stunned, immediately realizing she was deliberately late and probably didn’t want to be there. Because he was too outstanding, she doubted she was a good match for him and suspected he might be gay.

He smiled again and said, “I’ve been focused on my career all these years, and now that things are stable, I want a family. But without a suitable partner, I’m quite helpless. A perfectly straight man like me being mistaken for something else.”

The woman looked embarrassed, hesitating to speak.

Song Chunhui was long past the age of being lovesick. For older singles, blind dates were more like negotiating a lifelong partnership of mutual needs. He told the woman he planned to marry next year.

“Also, I really like kids and want two, preferably a boy and a girl,” Song Chunhui continued enthusiastically. “If we date, I can definitely give you a good life. You can stay home and take care of the kids while I strive to get transferred back to Jiangcheng and move up the ladder.”

After a brief silence, the woman honestly told Song Chunhui that she didn’t want to be on this blind date, and it was her aunt who had been texting him.

Song Chunhui was startled, relieved that their text exchanges hadn’t been inappropriate.

After a short interaction, he felt okay about the woman, though not particularly fond. But feelings could be cultivated. As long as they could live a proper life, be frugal, do laundry, cook, and take care of kids, he didn’t ask for much. Unexpectedly, the woman dropped a bombshell.

“My aunt didn’t tell you clearly, but I was previously engaged.”

Song Chunhui’s expression changed instantly, thinking of getting up and leaving. Being previously engaged was no different from being divorced.

The woman was indeed honest, sitting there explaining that before getting the marriage certificate, she discovered her fiancé was gay, marrying her just to have children, which made her fear marriage.

Why did it sound like she was implying something? Song Chunhui quickly clarified, “You just met the wrong person, not me. But indeed, good men like me who don’t smoke or drink and are ambitious are rare. It’s really because of work.”

The woman initially had a good impression of Song Chunhui, but hearing his confident speech, which reminded her of her scumbag ex-fiancé, made her uncomfortable.

“Since we’re talking, I’ll be straightforward. I’m quite traditional. I don’t mind if you have a low education or a low salary. As a woman, it’s enough to manage the household well. I’m genuinely looking to get married, and I just want to know one thing,” fortunately, there weren’t many diners on the second floor, so Song Chunhui glanced at the staircase and asked in a low voice, “You haven’t been pregnant before, right?”

“You…” The woman stood up abruptly, staring at Song Chunhui with her mouth open, finally saying softly, “You men are all the same.”

Song Chunhui understood, watching the woman leave in anger. He remained seated, showing no intention of apologizing or chasing after her. Instead, he felt he had been deceived and wasted his time and energy.

Besides, what did other men being no good have to do with him? Just because she had been hurt, she shouldn’t pin it on him. He didn’t gamble, visit brothels, smoke, or drink excessively. He could earn money and live a good life. How did that make him a bad person?

When he met Meng Chunxun later, Song Chunhui poured out his grievances, venting everything he felt: “Chunxun, I’m so frustrated. Nothing’s going right. Damn it!”

“Old man can’t take it anymore,” Meng Chunxun thought, seeing Song Chunhui cursing. “You might as well take it out on me. I can handle it.”

Song Chunhui asked his junior, “Do you think my standards are too high? I don’t mind if she’s been with a man, but if she’s had an abortion, that’s a deal-breaker. It bothers me.”

“Yeah,” Meng Chunxun nodded in agreement, “definitely a deal-breaker.”

Song Chunhui: “The more I think about it, the more upset I get.”

Meng Chunxun: “Don’t be mad, Hui Ge. This can’t be rushed. Focus on your performance first, earn money, and wait until your house is ready.”

Song Chunhui: “Can’t these damn gays stop messing with women? It’s so hard for us straight men to find a wife.”

Innocent bystander Meng Chunxun: “…”

Song Chunhui checked the time and sighed, “I should head back to Ancheng. I’ll wash up and get some sleep early. That bed last night was so hard, it made my back hurt.”

“Alright.” Meng Chunxun handed over a set of pajamas and two old-fashioned polo shirts, “Bought them on sale.”

Song Chunhui gratefully accepted the clothes, glanced at his junior’s delicate face, and sighed, “If only you were a girl.”

“Hui Ge, I…” Meng Chunxun bit his lip.

“Alright, enough. I have a meeting first thing in the morning.” Song Chunhui, always straightforward with his close junior, turned and left after speaking.

Ancheng and Jiangcheng weren’t far apart, but the branch office was in a remote county under Ancheng, over 200 kilometers away in total. To save money, Song Chunhui took the national highway. Leaving Jiangcheng, he felt a bit reluctant, but this trip had been full of misfortune. If he had known, he wouldn’t have come back.

*

Li Huan regretted returning to Jiangcheng.

He slouched on the sofa, his head resting against the back, eyes fixed on the TV screen, his thumb rapidly switching between the joystick and buttons on the controller. Even when the door opened, he remained unmoved, ignoring the juice his mom brought in.

“Zhuangzhuang, give your eyes a break. Stop playing.”

Li Huan was annoyed and didn’t respond.

Lan Xiu didn’t understand how her well-behaved, studious son, who had always been obedient and focused on his studies, suddenly fell into this state. After returning from studying abroad, he didn’t want to inherit the family business, started smoking, drinking, getting tattoos, and even learned to play with women. It was clear he had been led astray by that Cheng family boy.

She sat down on the other end of the sofa, gently coaxing, “Listen to your dad. Go to Ancheng for some experience. He’s doing it for your own good. He wouldn’t really cut ties with you.”

“Mom,” Li Huan said, “don’t speak for him.”

Lan Xiu looked at the bandage over her son’s right eye, her eyes welling up with tears, choking up as she spoke, “If you don’t shape up, what will happen to the Li family?”

“…” Li Huan had no interest in his dad’s pharmaceutical company, but he couldn’t stand seeing his mom cry. Reluctantly, he put down the game controller and sat up, “I never said I wouldn’t go.”

Lan Xiu felt a bit relieved.

Li Huan: “As long as you’re happy, don’t worry about me.”

Lan Xiu: “You child…”

Seeing Mrs. Lan about to start crying again, Li Huan immediately wrapped an arm around her, snuggling against her shoulder, “Just kidding, Mom. You can’t ignore me. We’re on the same side.”

A week later.

Li Huan smoked a cigarette facing the barren land. The cigarette was a gift from Cheng Yao, who pitied him and stuffed a pack into his coat pocket, but not a single cent.

He should have known. His mom would always side with his dad, thinking he was up to no good. They really sent him to this godforsaken place to suffer.

Dragging his suitcase, Li Huan slowly walked into the “Jinhui Pharmaceutical Agency” building, noticing a middle-aged security guard in the guardroom playing on his phone, humming a tune, looking quite content.

Seeing a tall, handsome stranger, the security guard immediately put down his phone and got up, leaning against the window to call out to Li Huan, “Young man, are you the new intern?”

In front of him was an old building full of nostalgia, with old tin houses behind it, and even the concrete ground was full of potholes. It was too rundown.

Li Huan was already a bit fed up, politely responding, “Yes, sir.”

The security guard was enthusiastic and chatty, offering to show Li Huan around, asking all sorts of questions: which school he graduated from, where his hometown was, what his parents did.

Li Huan was overwhelmed, responding with vague answers, not a single truth. When he couldn’t take it anymore, he politely declined, “Sir, no need to escort me. I’ll go find General Manager Liu directly.”

The security guard was surprised, then smiled obsequiously, “Oh, I haven’t seen General Manager Liu today. He’s not in the office. Which department are you in? I’ll take you there. This building is quite confusing. It’s your first time here, don’t get lost!”

The ten o’clock sunlight was just right, and the security guard’s spittle sparkled in the light. Li Huan took a step back in disgust, almost wanting to curse.

He took out his phone from his jeans pocket, indicating he needed to make a call. Once the security guard left, he immediately dialed a number, “Give me Liu’s phone number.”

“It’s on the business card,” the other person reminded.

Li Huan squinted, staring directly at the sunlight. His right eye felt uncomfortable, but he didn’t look away, then said, “I tore it up.”

“Got it, I’ll text it to you.” The other person reminded Li Huan again, “You’re an intern now, with a one-year probation period. Chairman Li hopes to see your change and progress next year. Contact me if there’s anything special. Goodbye.”

Hearing the underlying message, Li Huan blocked his dad’s secretary after receiving the text.

A mere lackey, where did he get the nerve to lecture him? They were all too deep into their roles. He was just here in Ancheng to experience life.

Business Department Manager’s Office.

Song Chunhui had just finished a meeting with his subordinates and returned to his office, gritting his teeth in frustration.

He wanted a sip of tea to soothe his throat, but his thermos was empty. No one had the initiative to fill it for him, despite him being the business manager. His subordinates were all unruly.

He opened the drawer to find a tea bag, and coincidentally, his phone rang. It was General Manager Liu calling, definitely not good news.

Song Chunhui looked down on Liu Wenjin, a nepotism hire with a general manager title, who was often absent, driving a million-dollar BMW, doing who knows what outside.

Unfortunately, Liu was his current boss, so he couldn’t show his disdain and had to put on a smile, “General Manager Liu.”

“Xiao Song, there’s a new intern at the company. Please arrange for him, take him to the staff dormitory, and then show him around the company.”

Upon hearing this, Song Chunhui wanted to curse Liu Wenjin’s ancestors. Did he really think the company was his personal toilet, dumping all sorts of trash here? The business department was already full of freeloaders, all nepotism hires.

He hated nepotism the most, yet he also hated that he had no connections.

“Alright, General Manager Liu, don’t worry. I’ll take care of it right away.”