Xia Jiao never dreamed that the “friend” her good friend mentioned would turn out to be her former English tutor.

When she was younger, her parents ran a fruit store in another city, so they entrusted Xia Jiao to her grandmother while they focused on their work.

Xia Jiao’s hometown was a small town where she grew up until middle school, after which her parents brought her to live with them for high school. The educational resources in the small town were nothing compared to those in the capital. Xia Jiao only started learning English in the third grade, but her English teacher actually skipped the phonetic symbols and stiffly asked them to repeat the words.

In middle school, Xia Jiao had a weak foundation in English and was afraid to speak. Out of a possible 120 points, she could barely score in the 50s. Finally, her parents noticed her poor performance in that subject. After much discussion, they finally gritted their teeth and spent a lot of money to send Xia Jiao to the capital to attend tutoring classes during the summer vacation.

This tutoring program was organized by a group of college students from prestigious schools, featuring small classes with only sixteen students. At that time, Xia Jiao was starting to grow taller, and she was even taller than some of the boys her age.

When they arranged the seating, Xia Jiao was naturally placed on the sides to avoid blocking the view of the board for the students behind her.

Xia Jiao suddenly found herself thrust from her small town into a bustling metropolis, and everything felt unfamiliar.

The classmates who attended the tutoring class together drank soy milk and ate fried dough sticks, but Xia Jiao couldn’t eat any of them. After school, the classmates returned to their own homes, and the only place Xia Jiao could go was to her uncle’s house in Beijing, where he owned a steamed bun shop. She slept in an attic with her cousin, climbing up a ladder from the bathroom and carefully avoiding bumping her head, unable to straighten her back.

Xia Jiao was aware that she was intruding on her cousin, so she stayed late in the study room at the tutoring center, burying herself in her studies until she almost missed the last bus home.

Her Mandarin wasn’t great, and she felt out of place in the glamorous world around her. It was as if she had stumbled into someone else’s life. Everything vibrant and bright belonged to others, she was just an inconspicuous blade of grass in the green belt.

As a sensitive adolescent girl, Xia Jiao struggled to make friends. Aside from studying hard and attending classes, her remaining time was spent daydreaming, trying to avoid thinking about her loneliness.

Then, one day, an unexpected incident happened. Xia Jiao fell asleep during her evening study session and woke up to find she had missed her time.

The last bus had already left.

She didn’t have much money, and taking a taxi home felt a bit extravagant. Plus, if she took a taxi, she wouldn’t be able to buy the newly released Hui Yi magazine…

Feeling frustrated, Xia Jiao heard someone knock on the classroom door. The bright fluorescent lights illuminated the room, and a gentle voice came from outside: “Xia, are you having any trouble?”

Xia Jiao looked up.

Now there were no fluorescent lights, no blackboard, and no printed materials smelling of ink.

Instead, it was a blind date arranged by her best friend at an elegant courtyard restaurant. In a private dining room, through the thin sliding doors, a mature man in a black shirt was looking at her with a hint of confusion.

Compared to before, his appearance hadn’t changed much, time had simply refined his demeanor. Wen Chongyue now exuded a gentle warmth, his character more approachable, like exquisite jade that has become more understated with time.

He said, “Sorry, you—”

“My name is Xia Jiao,” Xia Jiao said cautiously. “Teacher Wen, do you remember me? I attended your tutoring class back in 2012 to learn English.”

Wen Chongyue raised his eyebrows, “Tutoring class?”

“Yes,” Xia Jiao replied. “One night, I missed the bus, and you drove me home.”

As she spoke, Xia Jiao’s voice was barely above a whisper. She had always struggled to interact with strangers and was nervous around teachers when she was in school. Now, with Wen Chongyue embodying the qualities of a stranger, a male, and a teacher, it was already a considerable feat for her to maintain a normal conversation.

Jiang Wanju, who was confused at first, finally understood. She said, “Could this be the legendary fate?”

Wen Chongyue looked at Xia Jiao and smiled, “What a coincidence, Xia Jiao.”

Xia Jiao felt herself start to shrink away.

Like a little hedgehog, she desperately wanted to curl up and hide, preferably turning into a complete ball and running into the bushes, where no one could see her.

Xia Jiao never imagined she would be on a blind date with her former teacher, and she couldn’t help but cast a pleading glance at Jiang Wanju.

Unfortunately, Jiang Wanju only patted her shoulder, smiling, “Make sure to seize the opportunity.”

Xia Jiao: “…”

Xia Jiao had no idea what she was supposed to seize. She couldn’t view Wen Chongyue as just an ordinary man. All she could do was sit stiffly in her seat, and as she felt her palms beginning to sweat, she heard Wen Chongyue ask, “What kind of tea would you like? Mao Jian, Zhu Lan, Yu Qian, or Xiang Pian?”

Xia Jiao replied softly, “Xiang Pian.”

She always chose the last option.

With her indecisiveness and social anxiety, whether at an ice cream shop facing the sales person’s recommendations or in a restaurant contemplating drink choices, she always ended up picking the last one. In tense situations, only the last option managed to stick in her mind.

All meals here were by phone reservation. After providing the number of guests and dietary restrictions, the manager would arrange the menu according to the season. However, guests still had the choice when it came to tea.

The tea was soon served on a shiny brass tray, featuring a delicate porcelain teapot and two small teacups. There was no need for a covered bowl here. Wen Chongyue personally poured tea for Xia Jiao, who couldn’t help but stand up and took the tea with both hands, saying respectfully, “Thank you, Teacher Wen.”

Wen Chongyue chuckled, “Do you call every man who wants to marry you ‘Teacher’?”

Xia Jiao froze for a moment, opening her mouth to say something.

Wen Chongyue handed her a teacup filled to seven-tenths full. He said, “I’m no longer your teacher, so you don’t need to be so formal… Xia Jiao? Can I call you Xiao Xia?”

His voice was gentle, like he was soothing a frightened little hedgehog.

Xia Jiao nodded, “Sure.”

“Just call me by my name,” Wen Chongyue said. “My name is Wen Chongyue. I assume Wanju has told you?”

“Yes.”

Xia Jiao replied in a mechanical manner while her mind lingered on what he had just said.

Wen Chongyue continued, “I’m eight years older than you and currently work in IT—”

“Wait,” Xia Jiao interrupted, hesitating. “What do you mean by that?”

“I’m already old enough to get married,” Wen Chongyue said, placing his hands together and smiling. “Xiao Xia, I think you’re the perfect person to marry.”

Xia Jiao was taken aback.

It was the first time she had encountered someone who was so direct and open about their intentions, leaving a socially anxious person with no way to hide, even unable to speak in a roundabout way.

At that moment, the dishes were served: mandarin chicken congee, clam meat with double bamboo shoots and pearl abalone, sweet and sour pineapple fish, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, fresh fruit beef cubes, and red bean balls paired with fresh fruit beef cubes…

Clearly, Wen Chongyue was not one to adhere to the rule of “no talking while eating.” While Xia Jiao kept her head down eating, he calmly expressed his needs.

“To be honest, I want to choose my partner for the second half of my life,” Wen Chongyue explained slowly, “instead of being arranged by elders.”

Xia Jiao understood.

She recalled Jiang Wanju saying that Wen Chongyue wanted to marry soon to avoid being set up by elders for blind dates.

Xia Jiao hadn’t expected things to progress so quickly.

She listened quietly.

Wen Chongyue said, “I will take on the responsibilities expected of a husband. As for work, barring any unexpected circumstances—this ‘unexpected’ refers to one or two instances each month—I’ll finish work by seven and come home.”

“I don’t have any addictions to smoking or alcohol, I might smoke occasionally and drink only in small amounts,” he said. “If you mind, I won’t smoke at home.”

“I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, or surfing. I go out once a month. Of course, if you prefer a quiet time, I’m more than happy to stay at home with you and read.”

Xia Jiao slowly sipped her porridge.

The chicken in the porridge had completely dissolved, and the rich meaty aroma blended well with the greens, making it fresh without being greasy.

“I’ve heard from Wanju about the nature of your work and understand your challenges. I believe I have more personal time than you do,” Wen Chongyue said. “I can take on more household chores, including organizing clothes, cleaning, and cooking.”

Xia Jiao put down her spoon.

She widened her eyes and asked, “You can cook?”

“Can you call me ‘you’ (你, nǐ)^[1]In Chinese, using “you” (你, nǐ) can indicate a more casual and personal relationship compared to formal titles or surnames. Wen Chongyue’s request suggests a desire for a more … Continue reading?” Wen Chongyue replied half-jokingly. “We’re here for a blind date, not a work report.”

Xia Jiao felt her ears flush. She regretted wearing thick thermal underwear that morning.

Wen Chongyue continued, “I can cook some simple dishes. I can handle breakfast and dinner at home in the future. Of course, if you want to bring lunch to work, I can also take care of your lunch meals.”

Xia Jiao pinched her chopsticks and tentatively asked, “What dishes do you think are complicated?”

Wen Chongyue responded, “For example, eggplant with shrimp paste. However, if you’d like to try it, I’d be happy to make it for you when we have some free time during our days off. I just can’t guarantee it will taste good.”

Xia Jiao smiled slightly and picked up a piece of beef.

Wen Chongyue said calmly, “I understand that a marriage without an emotional foundation can make you feel anxious. So we can discuss things gradually—about family, marriage, and children.”

Xia Jiao looked up.

“In my plan for the next six years, I don’t intend to have children. If, by chance, we do have a child, I will take on the responsibilities of a father and husband and raise the child together,” Wen Chongyue gazed at her intently. “Can you accept that?”

Xia Jiao nodded vigorously.

Wen Chongyue observed her expression, patiently waiting for her to continue.

He wasn’t in a hurry. He filled her cup with tea, pouring it seven-tenths full. This was the proper way to brew tea, filling it too full would cause it to overflow, so three-tenths of the cup should be left empty to allow the aroma to develop over time.

Xia Jiao asked, “Do you have any requirements for your future wife?”

She hesitated.

Wen Chongyue’s conditions were truly exceptional. Although they hadn’t discussed finances, Jiang Wanjun had already hinted to Xia Jiao that Wen Chongyue’s material conditions were exceedingly favorable—almost too good to be true in the blind date market.

This was also Wen Chongyue’s first blind date.

There is no such thing as perfection in this world.

Even if it did exist, it wouldn’t fall into the hands of Xia Jiao, who was completely unprepared and socially anxious.

Xia Jiao was very cautious. Even though Wen Chongyue appeared to be an almost perfect marriage candidate, she wanted to know if there were any hidden traps or flaws behind that facade.

“Yes,” Wen Chongyue said. “I cannot accept long periods of separation. I need my wife’s companionship and loyalty.”

Xia Jiao felt relieved and earnestly promised, “Of course.”

“And,” Teacher Wen said politely, “I need frequent intimacy.”