Xiaoyu dragged her suitcase across the unfamiliar train station, rubbing her sore brows as she dialed a number.
"Hey, I just got here," she said.
"Want me to come pick you up for the night?" a woman's voice asked over the phone.
"No, I'm heading to Uncle Zhang's place tonight. I'll rest tomorrow and go straight to your wedding the day after."
"Alright, see you then!"
As soon as she hung up and was about to order a cab, her phone rang again. She answered with a tired sigh.
"Xiaoman, what now?"
"Sis, I have some unfortunate news," Xiaoman said gleefully, clearly enjoying herself.
"I'm already exhausted. Just say it. I'm on my way to Uncle Zhang's place."
"I eavesdropped on a call between Dad and Uncle Zhang. They were chatting about you—you know, how you're about to graduate—and then they started discussing your lifelong happiness. Guess what came next?"
Xiaoyu's heart skipped a beat. "…What happened?"
"Uncle Zhang mentioned his nephew in Huacheng. Just graduated from your university. Dad thought the two of you would be a perfect match. Soooo... tomorrow's meeting? Yeah, it's actually a blind date."
Xiaoman's voice was practically dancing with glee.
"What?! Are you kidding me?!" Xiaoyu screeched.
"Dead serious. Dad already agreed. And c'mon, if Uncle Zhang's recommending someone, it's gotta be decent, right? Anyway, I've done my part—good luck, sis!" Xiaoman laughed and hung up before Xiaoyu could reply.
Xiaoyu stood frozen in the chilly wind, clutching her phone like it had just betrayed her.
She had only come to Huacheng for an old high school friend's wedding. Her dad, not wanting her staying alone, arranged for her to stay at his friend's place until the New Year.
Uncle Zhang had always been nice. She agreed without thinking.
But a blind date?! And she didn't even know about it?
Panic rising, she flagged down the nearest cab. No way she was showing up at Uncle Zhang's now.
As she climbed in, her phone rang again. She saw the caller ID and flinched—Uncle Zhang's daughter, Zhenzhen.
"H-Hi, Zhenzhen."
"Hey Xiaoyu, are you here already? Uncle's on his way to pick you up."
"Oh, um, no need! I already arrived, but I'm meeting a friend for dinner. Might be out late, so I'll just crash at her place tonight. I'll come by your house tomorrow!" Xiaoyu lied smoothly, heart pounding.
"Okay, that's fine. Just be careful and don't stay out too late."
As the call ended, Xiaoyu slumped back into the seat with relief.
Back in his hometown, Chen Mo was dragged out of bed by his mom for breakfast.
"Amer, put on something decent. You're coming with me to visit your Aunt Xiao."
"I've seen her plenty of times. Why the nice clothes?"
"Make a good impression. Don't slouch around like at home. You're an adult now."
Chen Mo found something presentable and followed his mom out. He had fond memories of Aunt Xiao, or "Zhenzhen" as everyone called her. When they were younger, she often looked after him, gave him red envelopes during holidays, and helped the family when they were struggling financially.
Soon, they arrived at her house.
Aunt Xiao greeted them at the door. "Look at you! All grown up and handsome!"
"Thanks, Auntie. Where's Zhenzhen?"
"Oh, she's out visiting friends," she said casually. "Come sit in the living room. I'll help your mom in the kitchen."
As Chen Mo sat on the sofa, his enhanced hearing picked up the conversation in the kitchen.
"She's not here yet? I'll call and check."
She?
A thought hit him like a truck.
Blind date?!
Chen Mo nearly spat blood.
He'd just barely managed to sneak around at school to spend time with Xiaoyu—now he came home only to get ambushed by a setup?
Even if the girl was amazing… this was not how he wanted to meet her!
He tiptoed closer to the kitchen.
"Xiaoyu, why haven't you arrived yet? Lunch is ready."
Xiaoyu was in a hotel room, clutching her phone in disbelief.
"Uh… Auntie, I'm not feeling too great. Can we maybe reschedule?"
"Oh no! Should I send someone to pick you up? Your dad asked us to take good care of you."
"No, no, don't worry. It's nothing serious. Besides, I already have plans with some classmates today. I might be out for a while. I'll contact you when I get back. Bye, Auntie!"
She hung up immediately and collapsed on the bed.
"Dead Chen Mo! Freaking prophet! Your cursed mouth jinxed me!"
Outside the kitchen, Chen Mo sneezed.
He didn't even want to be right.
And now, his suspicions were confirmed—they were trying to set him up on a blind date.
"Mom, Auntie… I'm not feeling great. I'm going out to buy some medicine!" Chen Mo called out, then bolted from the house before they could reply.
"Amer! At least eat first!"
He nearly ran straight into Uncle Zhang, who looked puzzled.
"Chen Mo? What's the rush?"
"Er—just going to pick something up!" Chen Mo yelled over his shoulder as he vanished down the street.
Uncle Zhang shook his head with a smile. "Ran off like the wind."
Back inside, Auntie Xiao asked, "Where's Xiao Mo?"
"Gone. Probably figured out we were trying to introduce him to someone," Uncle Zhang chuckled. "Didn't Xiaoyu say she was with a classmate?"
"Yep."
"Alright, let's just eat. I'll call up a few friends and drink instead. No point forcing these two. They're fresh out of college—they'll adjust in their own time."
Chen Mo stood on the sidewalk, dazed.
That was close. If Xiaoyu found out about this, she'd roast him alive.
Right on cue, his phone rang.
Xiaoyu.
He answered instantly.
"Xiaoyu! What's up?"
"Your hometown's in Huacheng, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I'm in Huacheng too."
"You missed me that fast, huh? Where are you? I'll come pick you up!"
She sighed. "One of my friends is getting married. I came for the wedding, and I just found out my family's trying to sneak me into a blind date."
Chen Mo burst out laughing. "Same here! Let's run away together."
She sent him her location, and he was there in no time.
When they met, both looked like they'd been through a war.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Don't talk. Just let me sit here and recover."
Chen Mo laughed. "The great Xiaoyu, brought down by parental matchmaking."
"I swear I'm going to kill you. You jinxed it!"
She smacked his shoulder, only to yelp in pain.
"First time I've seen someone hurt themselves hitting someone," Chen Mo teased, grabbing her hand gently. "You're so violent."
"My little temper is part of the package," she said sweetly. Then she kissed his cheek. "That's your compensation. Now take me anywhere. I don't care where we go."
"Wanna come meet my parents?"
"In your dreams!" she shot back, blushing. Then, noticing his scarf, she asked, "Still wearing that thing?"
"Of course. Feels like you're right here with me."
Xiaoyu rolled her eyes. "Ugh, you've gotten so mushy."
Then, with a soft smile, she added, "Come with me to the wedding tomorrow?"