What made it even worse was that these labels could stack together like nested dolls—
His ex–blind date before last and his most recent ex–blind date were having dinner… and ran into him while he was on a blind date with his current match.
Lin Yunxu hadn’t meant to go on so many blind dates. It was just that when he was abroad before, his family couldn’t get hold of him. Recently, however, they’d finally caught their chance—both sides of the family joining forces.
Lin Yunxu took it all in stride. Better to channel than to block—wasn’t it just blind dates? The more, the merrier. Bring it on.
If Yu Yiling and Lin Zhang found out he’d gone on so many blind dates just to “fight fire with fire” and ended up in this situation, they’d probably laugh their heads off and call it well-deserved.
His vision nearly went black. Ms. Yu Yiling was completely unreliable!
How could she introduce blind dates who knew each other?! Chu Zheng and Cen Qing were actually friends—was the entertainment industry really this small?!
Cen Qing hadn’t been excited for long before noticing the man standing beside Lin Yunxu. The young man couldn’t hide anything—his gaze instantly turned wary.
Lin Yunxu: “…”
He’d seen plenty of big scenes before. He had already made things clear to Chu Zheng and Cen Qing—so what was there to feel guilty about?
The only thing that mattered now was that the man beside him was his current blind date. At the very least, he owed him basic courtesy.
So Lin Yunxu cleared his throat and said to Ji Zhanming, “This is my friend Chu Zheng, an excellent actor—you’ve probably seen him on screen.” Then, gesturing to Cen Qing, “Cen Qing, also a friend, a fashion photographer.”
Ji Zhanming nodded in understanding.
This one’s a friend. That one’s also a friend.
Lin Yunxu clearly sensed the man beside him glance at him again.
He pretended not to notice.
Following the usual process, Lin Yunxu continued introducing Ji Zhanming.
“This is…”
He paused subtly for two seconds.
When introducing Ji Zhanming, clarifying that the other two were just friends was out of respect—he wasn’t coming to a blind date while entangled in ambiguous relationships.
But he didn’t need to explain his relationship with Ji Zhanming to them.
Just as he was about to introduce only Ji Zhanming’s professional identity, the man smoothly spoke first:
“Hello.”
Lin Yunxu’s heart skipped a beat, and then he heard Ji Zhanming say, “Ji Zhanming—also Lin Yunxu’s friend.”
Lin Yunxu: “…”
They were all adults. Aside from Cen Qing, no one showed anything on their face. Chu Zheng even politely shook hands with Ji Zhanming.
Lin Yunxu’s smile nearly cracked. “We’ve finished eating, so we won’t disturb you any longer.”
This wasn’t the kind of relationship or setting that called for prolonged conversation. After a brief exchange, he and Ji Zhanming headed out.
Night had deepened, and the rain outside had grown heavier.
They stood under the eaves waiting for the valet. The narrow overhang couldn’t fully shelter them, so they both opened their umbrellas.
Lin Yunxu glanced sideways at Ji Zhanming a few times, suspecting the man had done that on purpose.
Either it was a casual tease, or a small counterattack for his earlier remark about “not being able to refuse.”
Sensing his gaze, the man calmly met his eyes.
There was no visible emotional fluctuation—serious and proper, nothing like someone who would do such a thing.
For a moment, Lin Yunxu even wondered if he was overthinking it. Just because he himself was calculating didn’t mean everyone else was.
A gust of cold wind swept through, carrying the chill of a spring night.
“Do you want to go inside and wait?” Ji Zhanming asked.
Lin Yunxu shook his head. “It’s stuffy inside. Some fresh air is nice. The car should be here soon.”
As he spoke, Ji Zhanming saw the young man smiling faintly as he lightly handed his umbrella over.
“Could you?” he asked.
Ji Zhanming noticed the coat draped over his arm and understood, taking the black long-handled umbrella.
As they stepped closer, the edges of their umbrellas touched. The one shielding the other tilted slightly outward, blocking the rain blown sideways by the wind.
Moist air blurred into a misty haze in the night.
Under the umbrella, the young man slipped on a dark green trench coat, its hem swaying in a clean arc.
His movements were unhurried, and from time to time, his gaze would rest gently on Ji Zhanming.
Ji Zhanming suddenly recalled their first meeting—when the young man had tilted his wrist to indicate how to return the necklace, wearing that same look.
In the quiet hotel corridor, his expression had been warm, almost making him seem harmless.
Yet in that very state, he had spoken softly—but unmistakably firm—into the phone:
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re asking me to bring an idiot who disregards work ethics and engages in unfair competition to a high-level conference, correct?”
“Even setting aside whether he’d damage my reputation, have you considered the consequences if something goes wrong at an event of this level?”
“A threat? Of course not. Just a friendly reminder.”
He had spoken in Spanish, his tone low—anyone unfamiliar with the language might not even realize he was arguing.
And yet, none of that negativity had spilled over onto Ji Zhanming.
The words were for the person on the phone, but the attitude was reserved for him.
Whether it was the gesture of returning the necklace or casually handing over the umbrella just now, actions like these—coming from someone of Lin Yunxu’s status—could easily be misinterpreted as arrogance.
Between equals, even a small favor carried subtle boundaries.
But clearly, the young man left no room for such misunderstandings.
The pause in his gaze was an invitation for a response, a respect for the possibility of refusal, and an expression of both request and gratitude.
Their occasional eye contact turned a one-sided favor into a mutual exchange—conveying respect rather than entitlement.
Even when he couldn’t interrupt his call, he hadn’t been perfunctory.
This kind of upbringing wasn’t something one could fake occasionally. It flowed as naturally as breathing—something ingrained deep in his bones.
A person like him made one truly understand the “honor” in the phrase “it’s my honor to serve you.”
The young man casually tied his belt, outlining a slim waist, then adjusted his cuffs and collar.
Ji Zhanming thought—well… it wasn’t entirely impossible to sense the air of someone raised in privilege.
After all, there wasn’t a trace of hurried anxiety about troubling others.
Rain pattered against the umbrella. No one spoke, yet there was a quiet sense of peace.
Lin Yunxu had originally planned to go straight from the heated indoors to the car without putting on his coat.
Unexpectedly, the car was slower than expected. If he caught a chill, he’d surely be nagged later.
After tidying himself, he took his umbrella back.
“Thank you.”
Soon, the car arrived through the rain.
With the valet opening the door, Ji Zhanming didn’t step forward again, only escorting him to the car. “Drive safely.”
Lin Yunxu knew that unless it was for work, they likely wouldn’t meet again.
There was nothing to regret. If they didn’t click, so be it.
Ending things properly, he smiled and nodded. “You too, Mr. Ji. Drive safely.”
After receiving the response, he closed his umbrella, got in, and drove off.
In the rearview mirror, the man stood at the restaurant entrance under his umbrella—tall and straight—gradually blending into the night. Lin Yunxu calmly withdrew his gaze.
Only after the car disappeared did Ji Zhanming get into his own car and leave.
It was late by the time he got home. The smart lights turned on at his arrival.
After changing his shoes, he turned and saw his grandfather sitting upright on the sofa.
He paused, then walked over as usual. “Why are you here so late? And sitting in the dark without saying anything?”
The old man snorted. “Gave you a scare, didn’t I?”
Ji Zhanming: “…”
Seeing him sit down calmly, pour himself hot water, and still not speak, Ji Ping grew impatient:
“You can’t squeeze a word out for ages—say something already!”
Ji Zhanming smiled faintly and asked, “Say what?”
“Tell me about that young man. Isn’t he great?”
Objectively, he was excellent—flawless.
But sometimes, being flawless was the problem.
The only time Ji Zhanming had seen Lin Yunxu’s most genuine side tonight was when they ran into his previous blind dates.
For a brief moment, the young man’s expression had gone blank.
Ji Zhanming couldn’t help but find it amusing.
The old man pressed on, “And the result? How did it go?”
Ji Zhanming shook his head. “Not great.”
“How could that be? You two seemed perfectly matched. What’s the issue?” the old man couldn’t understand.
Ji Zhanming took a sip of water and replied slowly, “Because I can’t squeeze out a word for ages.”
Ji Ping: “…”
Seeing he was about to anger him, Ji Zhanming stopped joking and explained, “We’re not a good match.”
The old man sighed.
Ji Zhanming watched him. At thirty-one, this was his first blind date.
His grandfather had been anxious for years, yet rarely pressured him—only testing the waters now and then, and dropping the matter after rejection.
This time, when the match was introduced, Ji Zhanming happened to be present.
After learning who it was, his grandfather had been extremely satisfied—seeing him as a rare, flawless choice.
Perhaps he liked him so much that he finally spoke up.
A decisive man in all other matters had been uncharacteristically cautious, as if afraid of forcing him.
Seeing that, Ji Zhanming had softened and agreed.
Now he regretted it. It was never going to work—his agreement had only given false hope.
So he explained seriously:
“He comes from a good family, has a gentle personality. Even if he’s mature enough not to need pampering, he should at least be with someone attentive and considerate.”
“I’m not that kind of person. I can’t do it, and I don’t want to. Besides, I don’t think he’s interested either. Why force it?”
Ji Ping sighed. “You’ve never experienced it—you don’t understand. When you like someone, you naturally care.”
“But if there’s no spark, then forget it.”
Ji Zhanming wasn’t surprised. His grandfather rarely forced him in important matters.
Sometimes, he would rather be scolded—it might ease his guilt a little.
The old man’s temples were completely white now, deep lines etched between his brows. He said no more.
Ji Zhanming fell silent as well. Seeing him about to stand, he quickly reached out to support him.
“It’s late, and the weather’s bad. Stay here tonight.”
“You should rest early too. Don’t work so late.”
“Mm,” Ji Zhanming replied.