Lin Yunxu chatted casually with Aunt Wu while drinking water. From the open kitchen, faint voices drifted in from the living room. Even if he didn’t want to listen, certain keywords pushed their way into his ears.
Blind date?
He slowly straightened up, suddenly feeling like the situation was about to involve him. He quickly set down his glass.
“Aunt Wu, I’ve got something to do—I’ll head upstairs first.”
With that, he turned and walked toward the stairs. He had only climbed two steps when he heard Tang Lilan’s voice:
“Ji Zhanming.”
Lin Yunxu paused.
Hearing that it was Old Master Ji’s grandson, Yu Yiling was a little surprised and looked toward Tang Lilan.
Of course she knew of Mr. Ji Ping. Ever since the country entered a period of rapid development last century, the man had devoted himself wholeheartedly to shaping the city’s architectural landscape, profoundly influencing modern urban development. A figure whose contributions could be engraved on a monument of merit even a hundred years later.
He had long transcended the title of architect—he could be called a master artist.
Old Master Ji had an excellent reputation. Just hearing his name already inspired a degree of respect.
It was indeed a good family—well matched in status.
But Yu Yiling had already promised not to interfere in Lin Yunxu’s blind dates anymore.
“Lilan, you know our Wenwen—he’s fully focused on work right now, and he’s abroad most of the year, so it’s still…”
Before she could finish, Tang Lilan already understood and quickly tried to persuade her:
“Who can predict fate? I’ve met that child from the Ji family—he’s truly outstanding. It wouldn’t hurt to at least meet once.”
Yu Yiling smiled faintly.
She didn’t take phrases like “well-matched” or “outstanding” too seriously. Other people’s children might be excellent—but wasn’t her own just as good?
If anything, if they missed out, it wasn’t clear who would regret it more.
“Let’s just forget it…”
Yu Yiling was about to refuse when she caught sight of Lin Yunxu standing still on the stairs. She raised an eyebrow.
Normally, at the mention of blind dates, he would avoid it at all costs… Thinking this, her mind quickly spun through several ideas.
“But then again, Wenwen has always had his own opinions. I won’t decide for him,” she said, turning toward the staircase and calling out his nickname. “Wenwen, come listen to the person Aunt Lan is introducing—see if you’d like to meet him.”
Lin Yunxu: “……”
Seeing a chance, Tang Lilan became even more enthusiastic.
“That child, Zhanming—he’s tall and handsome, his looks are truly impeccable. I can’t even imagine how striking the two of you would look standing together!”
“He has a great temperament too. Our family lives in the same neighborhood as Old Master Ji, and I often see him come back to visit—taking walks with his grandfather after meals, going fishing with him on weekends. Tell me, how many young people nowadays have that kind of patience and composure? He doesn’t talk much, but every time he sees me and my husband, he greets us—calm, polite, never arrogant.”
“As for his family, no need to say more. He keeps himself clean, too. My husband said he works in artificial intelligence—an indispensable leading figure in a well-known tech company.”
Lin Yunxu listened quietly as Tang Lilan praised the man to the heavens.
Aunt Lan was smooth and socially adept, having played matchmaker many times—she could produce flattering descriptions by the basket.
In his mind, a little version of himself held a pen, ticking off “appearance” and “career.” The rest? Take it with a grain of salt—pending.
After finishing, Tang Lilan looked toward the young man sitting across from her on the sofa. A faint smile rested on his lips—polite, but not overly eager.
When she spoke, he looked at her, his gaze gentle. His attentive listening made people feel respected.
But she couldn’t read a single thought from his expression. She couldn’t help but think—this one, too, is very composed.
So she could only ask expectantly, “Yunxu, what do you think?”
Lin Yunxu smiled and nodded, calm and unreadable. “Aunt Lan has good taste, of course.”
So… did that mean he would meet him or not? Just as Tang Lilan was about to ask more clearly, Yu Yiling spoke first:
“Is it the Ji family’s child who wants to meet him?”
Tang Lilan froze for a moment, then pretended to slap her forehead. “Oh dear, look at me. Seeing how well-matched they are, I got carried away trying to make a good match.”
“I was chatting with Old Master Ji, and I heard he’s been thinking of finding someone for his grandson. The old man is worried too—his grandson is completely devoted to work.”
“You think Old Master Ji has that intention?”
Yu Yiling repeated the words slowly, then smiled, brushing nonexistent dust from her skirt.
“You know our Wenwen doesn’t have much interest in these things. He only goes when I push him. But from what I hear, the Ji family’s child really is quite good.”
“How about this—if the Ji family sincerely wants this, I’ll try to persuade Wenwen again. As for whether he agrees to meet, we’ll see then.”
Tang Lilan inwardly cursed Yu Yiling for being too shrewd, but her smile grew even warmer. “Of course, of course. I’ll talk to Old Master Ji when I get back.”
After the guest left, Yu Yiling let out a soft scoff. “She needs something from the Ji family and is using you as a favor to curry goodwill.”
Lin Yunxu chuckled softly and pushed the fruit platter toward her. “Calm down.”
Yu Yiling wasn’t particularly angry—after all, the Ji family was reputable, and Tang Lilan hadn’t just introduced anyone randomly.
But when it came to Lin Yunxu, she couldn’t help feeling annoyed.
“The Ji family probably doesn’t even know she’s playing matchmaker behind their backs. Maybe they’re not even thinking about blind dates. Believe it or not—if you had agreed just now, she would’ve turned around and told the Ji family it was you who wanted to meet, to raise their status.”
“She builds a connection, exaggerates everything, and ends up gaining favor from both sides. Whether it works out or not, she still gets credit. Meanwhile, we’d look like we owe her—and the Ji family—something for no reason.”
Lin Yunxu leaned forward, picked up a magazine from the coffee table, and flipped through it casually. “But I didn’t agree, did I?”
Seeing how unconcerned he looked, Yu Yiling gradually calmed down.
True—ordinary people couldn’t easily manipulate him.
If it were before, she would’ve dismissed it outright. But although she wasn’t familiar with Old Master Ji’s grandson, she had heard many praises about him.
And the part about the old man worrying about his grandson’s love life was probably true.
More importantly, judging from Lin Yunxu’s reaction… he seemed willing to meet.
Thinking of this, she glanced out the window—was the sun rising from the west today?
“Do you know that Ji family child?”
Lin Yunxu shook his head. “No.”
“Then why do you want to meet him?”
“When did I say I wanted to?” Lin Yunxu corrected. “At most, I’m not opposed.”
Yu Yiling studied him carefully. His expression was calm and indifferent—he truly didn’t seem to care either way. A hint of disappointment rose in her heart.
“Fine, then why aren’t you opposed to him?”
“It’s somewhat related to work—”
Work, work, work! The moment Yu Yiling heard that word, she got irritated.
She clutched her chest and stood up, muttering to calm herself, “Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. I’m at the age where I need to take care of myself.”
Listening to her muttering as she walked away, Lin Yunxu smiled and closed the magazine.
Lin Yunxu didn’t dwell on the matter and continued living his usual life.
A week later, just after finishing a cross-border remote meeting, he received a friend request from a stranger.
Participants were logging off one by one, but his work continued. He flipped through printed documents while his phone, resting by his arm, suddenly vibrated. Thinking it was a colleague’s message, he picked it up without looking.
Instead, he saw the request.
—Hello, Ji Zhanming.
No unnecessary pleasantries. Just five simple words of introduction.
Lin Yunxu raised an eyebrow, then turned off the screen and set the phone aside, continuing his work without a ripple.
An hour later, at 10 p.m., he finally finished.
He stretched his neck, relaxing his muscles, and picked up his phone to accept the request.
It wasn’t that he meant to ignore it. But once he accepted, he’d have to greet the other party, maybe exchange a few pleasantries.
And interrupting his workflow earlier would’ve reduced efficiency.
Better to deal with it after finishing—after all, the other person wouldn’t be waiting idly for his reply.
[L: Hello, I’m Lin Yunxu.]
After sending the message, he glanced at the empty chat box, then tapped on the profile picture.
It was a simple image of a sunrise.
Though warm-toned, it carried a hint of winter’s chill.
It reminded him of the tech company the other party belonged to—Guanzheng.
“Zheng” meant sunrise, and this man was one of its co-founders.
Lost in thought, a reply came quickly.
[Ji Zhanming: Hello. When would you be available to meet?]
No meaningless small talk—straight to the point.
Lin Yunxu smiled and replied just as directly.
[L: Saturday, 7 p.m.]