The next morning, Lin Yao ran to Xu Ke as soon as she woke up, “Well, did he reply to your message last night?” Xu Ke pulled out her phone, found Shen Mu’s message, and showed it to Lin Yao, letting her see for herself. Lin Yao took the phone, read the message, and burst out laughing, “He’s so humorous.” Humorous! Xu Ke silently gasped. It’s often said that a woman in love has zero IQ, but it seems Lin Yao’s IQ had already dropped from the moment she developed feelings. Such sharp-tongued words, and she found them humorous. For Lin Ge’s sake, Xu Ke gently said, “He has many girlfriends; he’s not really suitable for you.” Lin Yao handed back the phone, surprised, “Sister, this message clearly means he doesn’t have a girlfriend.” Xu Ke was speechless; truly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and sometimes, it’s like having manure in one’s eyes. He explicitly said he had many girlfriends, yet Lin Yao was convinced he didn’t! Alas, matters of the heart are often beyond persuasion; one must bump into the wall themselves to realize. Hopefully, Lin Yao’s infatuation was just a passing whim.
In the afternoon, while Xu Ke was cleaning, she received a call from Mo Xiaoxiao. “Hey, come out and help me with a blind date.” Xu Ke couldn’t help but laugh, “Why do you need me for your blind date?” “You can sit next to me to test if he’s a lecher. I hate lecherous men. If he doesn’t even glance at a beauty like you, then he’s trustworthy.” Xu Ke’s face flushed at the logic. “Hurry up and get ready, 7 PM at the Imperial Dynasty Restaurant, Room 205.” Xu Ke quickly said, “I’m not going.” Mo Xiaoxiao’s voice turned menacing, “You dare not go? If I end up an old maid, will you take responsibility?” Xu Ke laughed, “I’m not taking responsibility!” Seeing that being tough didn’t work, Mo Xiaoxiao softened her approach, “Please come and help me check him out. I think you have a great eye for men. Look at your Lin Ge, what a great guy, staying chaste in Wuhan for you for two years.” Xu Ke’s face warmed at the mention, feeling sweet inside. Lin Ge, studying at Wuhan University, had resisted the advances of many junior girls. After much coaxing, Xu Ke agreed, “Let’s meet at the restaurant entrance; I don’t want to go to Room 205 alone, it would be too awkward if you’re not there.” Mo Xiaoxiao cheerfully agreed, “Okay, okay.”
At 6:30 PM, Xu Ke left her house. Lin Yao followed her out, asking, “Where are you going?” “Mo Xiaoxiao asked me to accompany her on a blind date.” Lin Yao made an ‘oh’ sound, seemingly skeptical. Xu Ke didn’t explain further and took a taxi to the Imperial Dynasty Restaurant. Upon arrival, she found no sign of Mo Xiaoxiao. Checking her watch, it was already 6:50 PM. This girl, not even punctual for her own blind date? Xu Ke had no choice but to sit in the hotel lobby, bored, she thought of checking her phone but ended up re-reading Shen Mu’s message, trying to see any hint that he had no girlfriend. She had to admire Lin Yao’s perception.
“Didn’t expect to run into you here, and didn’t expect my message to be so memorable for you, reading it over and over.” Xu Ke, engrossed, was startled, dropping her phone onto her lap and then onto the floor. She turned around in panic to see Shen Mu standing behind her, smiling. Although his smile was charming, Xu Ke felt it was mocking. She blushed, picked up her phone, only to find it was broken. “I have something to do, I must go,” she said, hastily getting up, hearing Shen Mu’s laughter behind her. He could have laughed quietly, but he made sure she heard it, how infuriating. She felt she had hit rock bottom, the world was vast yet so small, to encounter such an embarrassing situation.
