Chapter 57: Deciding to Go on a Blind Date

Meng Xingzhe returned to his dorm room, unsure whether it was his teeth or his stomach that was aching. Either way, he felt miserable all over. Even the beef and potatoes Tian Huasheng had specially made for him, along with the crispy fried fish, failed to tempt his appetite. Normally, he would have devoured at least two bowls of rice with these dishes.

It seemed that ever since he heard Yao Jia wouldn’t be coming back for dinner, he had lost his appetite.

But it was obvious she would be dining with Yue Xuran.

He figured he should buy some antacid for himself tomorrow.

After dinner, he volunteered to wash the dishes. He wasn’t sure what had gotten into him, suddenly seeking out chores. He almost felt ashamed of himself.

Halfway through, Tian Huasheng chased him out of the kitchen.

“Bro! Please, just go relax in the massage chair, okay? I’ll finish the dishes!”

He hated when others doubted his abilities. “What, you think I can’t wash them as clean as you can?!” he demanded, glaring at Tian Huasheng.

Tian Huasheng stomped his foot in frustration and said, “No! Bro, just look down. You’ve already broken several dishes!”

He glanced down and was startled.

Wow, when did he manage to break a whole stack of dishes?

He tried to blame it on the dishes, claiming they moved first, but Tian Huasheng still pushed him out of the kitchen.

He resigned himself to Tian Huasheng’s advice and went back to his room to sit in the massage chair.

As soon as he lay back, his gaze landed on the spot on the bed where Yao Jia had once lain.

His breath caught, his heart warmed, and his body tensed.

He closed his eyes. He thought that as long as he kept his eyes shut and didn’t look at where she had been, he wouldn’t think about her happily dining with Yue Xuran.

He wouldn’t imagine them holding hands, feeding each other.

He wouldn’t envision Yue Xuran brushing rice grains from her lips with his fingers…

He wouldn’t imagine them kissing after dinner, regardless of their breath…

He couldn’t sit still any longer. He jumped up from the massage chair and began pacing the room.

Every step seemed to fuel his anger.

Outside, the sky had turned completely dark, yet she was still out with Yue Xuran. Didn’t she worry that her parents and sister would be concerned? How could she be so inconsiderate?

Meng Xingzhe stormed out of his room and into the living room, crossing his arms and plopping down on the sofa.

He was determined to see what time she would return and teach her that a proper young woman shouldn’t be out so late.

After finishing the dishes and cleaning up the broken pieces, Tian Huasheng entered the living room, pulling out a yoga mat to practice.

He noticed Meng Xingzhe sitting on the sofa, radiating an aura of hostility, as if engaged in a mental battle with someone.

Startled, he asked, “Bro, what’s wrong?”

Meng Xingzhe coldly replied, “Nothing, I’m just watching TV.”

“…” Tian Huasheng pointed out, “Bro, the TV isn’t on.”

“…” Meng Xingzhe released his crossed arms, reached for the remote on the coffee table, and turned on the TV.

As soon as the TV came to life, the sound of the front door echoed in response.

Meng Xingzhe whipped his head around.

Yao Jia had returned.

She was carrying a large bouquet of fiery red roses, symbols of love.

At that moment, Tong Yumo emerged from the bathroom and her expression changed upon seeing Yao Jia.

She looked like the school queen bee who suddenly saw someone she never considered competition looking more stunning than herself.

Tong Yumo’s gaze, laced with jealousy, scanned Yao Jia from head to toe. When her eyes landed on Yao Jia’s dress, there was a hint of surprise. But when her gaze reached Yao Jia’s shoes, she frowned slightly, then smiled, as if a possibility she didn’t want to acknowledge had been dismissed, leaving her relieved and pleased.

Before entering her room, she said to Yao Jia, “If I’m not mistaken, your dress is a knockoff of last year’s most popular luxury brand’s limited autumn and winter collection. An original would cost at least six figures.”

Yao Jia raised an eyebrow. “And how did you deduce that my dress is a knockoff?”

Tong Yumo’s face lit up with an innocent smile. “Well, your shoes are clearly only a few hundred yuan. If you were wearing an authentic dress, you wouldn’t pair it with such cheap shoes!”

She blinked, and in front of the two other men in the living room, added, “Actually, I have a couple of decent dresses. If you want to impress next time, you can borrow one from me. They’re not limited editions, but at least they’re genuine. If someone else spots your knockoff, it could be embarrassing!”

Yao Jia smirked. “Tong Yumo, when you truly have the ability to distinguish fakes, then you can act like an expert and judge whether my dress is a knockoff.”

Tong Yumo’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? I’m just trying to help you. Don’t attack me!”

Yao Jia had intended to spare her some dignity, but since she didn’t want it, Yao Jia decided to oblige.

“The bag you proudly showed off last week, claiming it was a gift from your family abroad—well, to be precise, flaunting it—why don’t you take it to the store for authentication tomorrow? As far as I know, the country your family visited never sold that brand’s model.”

Tong Yumo’s face turned ashen.

“You’re lying! I was just trying to lend you a genuine dress, and you attack me personally! My family would never buy me a fake bag! Yao Jia, you’re unbelievable!” She ran into her room, eyes red with tears.

Yao Jia kicked off her heels and rolled her eyes in exasperation. What a mess.

She carried the roses into the living room.

“I thought you were staying out with your boyfriend tonight,” Meng Xingzhe said from the sofa, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Yao Jia stopped in front of him, giving him a sidelong glance. “Don’t make inappropriate jokes. Why would I stay out with him?”

Tian Huasheng chimed in, “Wow, Jia, your flowers are beautiful!” Then he made a face at her and whispered, “Your comeback just now was awesome. Well done!”

Meng Xingzhe continued in his mocking tone, “Of course, flowers from a wealthy boyfriend are bound to be beautiful.”

His tone was so sarcastic that Yao Jia couldn’t help but retort, “Yes, they’re from my boyfriend. Aren’t they lovely? You couldn’t afford them, could you?”

With that, she took the flowers to her room.

Meng Xingzhe, who had been stewing in inexplicable anger all evening, felt his frustration dissipate with Yao Jia’s retort.

He deflated like a punctured balloon.

He thought about the bouquet of roses in her arms, how they burned like fire, clearing away his confusion and forcing him to think clearly and rationally.

Yes, she had a boyfriend.

What did it matter if he liked her?

He couldn’t become an immoral homewrecker.

He decided to suppress his feelings while they were still manageable.

In just over a month, he would be leaving anyway, and he wouldn’t have to see her anymore.

Once he found someone else who truly moved him, he wouldn’t even remember this infuriating little spitfire.

He rubbed his chest, took out his phone, and texted Meng Yutang.

[Dad, has your friend’s daughter returned from abroad? Arrange a blind date for us.]

He figured he might as well go on a blind date. Maybe he’d meet someone suitable and finally let go of his feelings for the little spitfire.

Meng Yutang’s reply came quickly, but the content left him speechless: [She’s back, but she’s already seeing someone else and getting married next month.]

Meng Xingzhe stared at his phone, breathless. It felt like even someone he hadn’t met had rejected him from afar.

Another message from Meng Yutang popped up: [Son, as your father, I have to kindly tell you: You’re always too late to act, missing out on everything.]

“………………”

Meng Xingzhe angrily tapped on his phone, asking: [Dad, what do you mean by missing out on everything?]

Was he referring to eating shit?!

Meng Yutang replied: [Everything means various opportunities, not just what you’re thinking. It just means you’re too indecisive, always missing out on the good stuff.]

Meng Xingzhe tossed his phone aside.

He felt a frustration welling up inside him, one that he tried to suppress but only seemed to grow stronger. Yue Xuran got there first, leaving him with nothing but the scraps. He had missed out on the hot meal he was craving.

His phone buzzed again.

Meng Xingzhe picked it up to see two new messages from Meng Yutang.

Meng Yutang: [You’ve been quiet for a while. Feeling down? Hahaha!]

“…” Why was his father so amused by his disappointment?

Meng Yutang: [Don’t be upset. I’ll set up another blind date for you. Back in the day, so many people wanted to marry me that now they can’t wait to become in-laws. Even those with sons don’t mind. Son, isn’t your father just so charming?]

?

Meng Xingzhe realized where his strong sense of self-confidence came from.

…It’s in the genes.

During a break at work, Tian Huasheng crossed the aisle to where Yao Jia and Meng Xingzhe were sitting, rubbing his hands together as he asked, “The fridge in the dorm is empty. What do you guys want for dinner? I’ll hit the market after work.”

Yao Jia looked up and said, “Oh right, Xiao Tiantian, you don’t need to get my dinner.”

Tian Huasheng was surprised. “You’re not having dinner? Are you on a diet?”

Meng Xingzhe snorted from the side. “Use your brain, kid. Your sister Jia is going on a date with her boyfriend.”

Yao Jia: “…”

She felt that Meng Xingzhe’s words were dripping with sarcasm.

Lately, he seemed to be full of it!

Tian Huasheng turned to Meng Xingzhe. “Bro, I’m older than Jia.” Then he asked, “What about you, bro? What do you want for dinner?”

Meng Xingzhe raised an eyebrow. “I’m not eating at home tonight either.”

Tian Huasheng was surprised again. “Why aren’t you eating at home, bro?”

Meng Xingzhe shot a quick glance at Yao Jia, so fast that no one noticed.

“I’m going on a blind date,” he told Tian Huasheng.

Tian Huasheng was surprised yet again. “With your looks, you still need blind dates to find someone?!”

Yao Jia scoffed. “What’s so great about him? Just because he’s good-looking? He’s drowning in debt. If someone actually wants him on a blind date, that’s quite something.”

Tian Huasheng looked like he found some truth in her words.

Meng Xingzhe turned to glare at Yao Jia. “Are you that unhappy about me going on a blind date?”

Yao Jia almost laughed. “Where do you get these wild ideas? I’m annoyed because you owe me money and haven’t paid it back!” She paused, remembering something, and her expression turned serious. “Did you break up with your last girlfriend before going on this blind date?”

The day after they found the child, she had talked to him about this. He had confidently promised to break up cleanly with his girlfriend before considering other dates.

He hadn’t mentioned it since, though he had taken a few other girls out for Pizza Hut.

Now he was skipping right to blind dates.

Tian Huasheng kept exclaiming, “Bro, I didn’t even know you had a girlfriend! Wow!”

Meng Xingzhe gritted his teeth and swallowed the blame. “You don’t have a sister-in-law now! I’m looking for a new one for you!”

Yao Jia rolled her eyes at him. “Hmph, men.”

Meng Xingzhe swallowed her disdain and eye roll.

Let her think he’s that kind of person. It would make her keep her distance, and their boundaries clearer.

Meng Xingzhe thought, maybe that’s for the best.