Sat.u.r.day, 11 am.
Being a jeans person, she particularly hates wearing skirts especially in such frosty weather. However it’s difficult to go against her mom’s imperial edict. This is what her mom bought her to wear to her blind date. Truthfully, it looks good on her since she has delicate looks. But to wear such uncomfortable things like skirts and high heels only bring great inconvenience into her life. Of course, when it’s necessary, she would still wear a dress and pretend to be ladylike.
“Mom, my legs are cold.” Xia Zhen attempts to arouse her mom’s motherly instincts.
Kang, kang. The clothing rack on the balcony falls over from the wind.
“The restaurant has heating. The mall has central air conditioning. The cinema is very warm.”
“What about crossing the road? Walking along the river?” There will be plenty of opportunities to be cold!
To get taken advantage of in the first meeting? Is she really her biological mom?
Tian Xue Fang’s smile doesn’t falter. “Don’t worry. If this doesn’t work out, there’s still another date.”
However, even it doesn’t end, she can still reduce the frequency of the dates.
Once again affirming her own belief, she eeks out an exaggerated smile. “Mom, don’t worry. I also want to find someone to love so I’ll perform nicely. I’m leaving. Bye.” What’s that about finding someone to love, it’s all talk.
Before Xia Zhen has even graduated, she has already came up with a plan to tackle the blind date problem.
Back in university Xia Zhen watched her cla.s.smates leave for blind dates one by one. The fact that she’s only being told to go on one when she’s 25 is already proof of her good fortune.
Raising her chest, she walks out the gate with fighting spirit. But the incoming gust of wind is enough to kill most of her momentum. She tightens her overcoat around her and huddles out of her neighbourhood to grab a taxi. There’s heating in the car!
There are 15 minutes until their meeting time. Xia Zhen wonders if her blind date has already arrived. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter. Even if the other party is late, she won’t be unhappy.
Surname Pei.
It takes only 2 seconds for her to remember his name. Xia Chen is satisfied with her memory. To think that she couldn’t even recall his surname until yesterday.
It’s a private residence restaurant that Pei Cheng An chose. It’s her first time here.
Xia Zhen likes how the restaurant is tastefully decorated.
She knocks and enters.
“h.e.l.lo.” Pei Cheng An stands up, politely greeting her.
A handsome researcher. He has a Master’s degree, about 30 years old, the age where a flower truly blossoms. He could be said to have almost no experience with romance. The word “almost” can be further investigated but she won’t probe. She doesn’t care what he researches in the inst.i.tute. Either way, he’s a high quality bachelor in all aspects.
If she says she’s obsessed and can’t forget him, that’s also reasonable.
“h.e.l.lo.” Xia Zhen smiles sincerely.
Xia Zhen can tell he’s a person who doesn’t like smiling. That’s quite natural for a man who does research in the inst.i.tute all day. Such a man can actually be attractive. Even though the celebrity she admires is Wong Cho Lam, who is funny, lively, and not very tall, it cannot hide the charm of the humourless Pei Cheng An.
Smilingly, Xia Zhen observes Pei Cheng An. He too, sweeps his eyes over her but only very briefly. To be polite, he only gives her naked legs a quick glance.
She walks over leisurely and sits with grace. “Thank you.”
Pei Cheng An returns to his seat opposite her. Picking up the menu, he tells her, “Ms Xia, please order.”
Truthfully, she has already pinpointed three dishes she’s interested to try despite the quick scan.
Smiling sweetly, Xia Zhen replies, “No.”
“Anything will do.”
Every time Xia Zhen sees posts and memes t.i.tled ‘Anything will do’, she can’t help despising the people who inspired those posts. She did this now so that she’ll be despised. She wants him to go home, complain about her, and then abandon her. That will make sure her first blind date will end in complete disaster, so she can relax for a period of time. Of course this can’t be achieved over a simple dinner. There’ll be more opportunities in the future.
“Admire…” Xia Zhen doesn’t know if he means those words or is simply being sarcastic. She narrows her eyes. She has quite a good eyesight, so she wants to observe him even more clearly. But she can only see his calm eyes and serious expression.
“Yes. These days many girls go on diets to slim down or like eating junk food. That’s not good.”
She only slimmed down in her second year in university. By then, the handsome boys were all taken.
Pei Cheng An agrees. “If there’s a proper diet, exercise is the best way to keep the body healthy.”
Pei Cheng An doesn’t look smug at all. Instead, he looks a little embarra.s.sed.
Pei Cheng An orders three dishes and a soup. He asks Xia Zhen if she has any opinions about his suggestions. She initially plans to make trouble at this point but she’s not sure if she can do it well. Besides, there are two dishes that she’s interested to try so she holds her tongue.
Xia Zhen has always been fond of watching beauties. It’s her opinion that women are more worth admiring than men. If not due the world’s perceptions, she would really like to find a beautiful woman and spend her life with her. Even though such a wish cannot be granted, but if she can spend 30, 40 years with her husband admiring beauties, that would be great too. That’s Xia Zhen’s view on love.
Xia Zhen, whose appearance is decent, has occasional admirers even during her heaviest years. There were a few plump-loving boys who told her things like, “I think you’re very lovable and very warm. Please be my girlfriend.” Xia Zhen reluctantly agreed a few times but before the honeymoon days were even over, she had already broken up with them. As for her lovers after that, she dated with them with an open mind. But the other party would always lament her lack of enthusiasm. In their words, they were frustrated with her because they cannot see affection in her eyes.
She has equal amounts of opposite s.e.x and same s.e.x friends and gets along with them wonderfully.
What kind of character is Pei Cheng An? For instance, after Xia Zhen praises the waitress’ beauty, this is what his response is like...
“Most angels don’t have beautiful faces...”