2 – First Meeting
It was still early. Chi Wanwan curled up on the sofa with her tablet, watching a TV drama.
While watching, she studied the actors’ expressions and acting skills.
After graduating from a drama school’s acting program, she had been working in the entertainment industry and had now signed with an entertainment company.
However, her manager Chen Jie had over a dozen people under her, and the good resources never came her way.
The entertainment circle was never short of beautiful women with great figures.
In terms of looks and figure, Chi Wanwan was no less than anyone else, but she was just too stubborn.
Chi Wanwan didn’t like socializing with investors and directors, unlike other female artists who could put themselves out there.
Over time, her manager gave up on her too. Only minor supporting roles—the ones others had already picked over—ended up in her hands.
At five in the afternoon, there were still two hours before Shen Yu’s arrival.
Chi Wanwan put down her tablet and tidied up the room a bit. This small apartment had been decorated by her to feel very cozy.
Although they were meeting at home, it was still a blind date, after all.
Chi Wanwan opened her wardrobe and picked out a lotus-pink knee-length dress.
After changing, she also applied some light makeup.
Once she was ready, she walked to the kitchen, tied on a black-and-white checkered apron, and began preparing the seafood she had bought.
Opening the plastic bag, four crabs—each bigger than a palm—were still crawling around energetically, brandishing their large claws at her.
Chi Wanwan put on gloves and scrubbed the crabs clean with a small brush.
With swift, decisive movements, she dispatched the crabs.
Then she cut each crab into four pieces.
She had originally planned to make spicy crab, but she wasn’t sure if Shen Yu could handle spicy food.
So she could only switch to making Typhoon Shelter Crab instead.
Chi Wanwan planned to fry the crab and minced garlic before Shen Yu arrived, so that once he got there, she could stir-fry everything right away.
After busying herself in the kitchen for a while and getting all the ingredients ready, the phone beside her rang with a crisp chime.
Chi Wanwan dried her hands and answered the call.
“Mr. Shen. Have you arrived?”
“Yes, I’m at the parking lot downstairs from your building. I need an access card to take the elevator up.”
His voice was deep and resonant, giving people a sense of steadiness and reassurance.
“Okay, wait there for a moment. I’ll come down to get you.”
“Alright, got it.”
After that, both parties hung up.
Chi Wanwan grabbed her access card and keys, changed into a pair of flat shoes at the door, and left the apartment.
Walking to the underground parking lot, Chi Wanwan looked around. A few meters away, a tall man pushed open his car door and got out.
It was a black Volkswagen sedan, the paint still fresh—it looked like it had been recently purchased.
The parking lot was very quiet. Apart from him, Chi Wanwan didn’t see anyone else.
She walked over and asked softly, “Excuse me, are you Mr. Shen?”
“I am.”
Shen Yu turned his head to look at her, and only then did Chi Wanwan get a clear look at his features.
Shen Yu’s facial features were sharp and angular, impeccably handsome. His pupils had a hint of dark brown, making his gaze seem even deeper. The cold glint flickering in his eyes gave off an air of indifference and detachment.
He was also dressed very meticulously—a navy blue shirt on top, paired with black dress pants. Both the shirt and trousers were pressed crisp and straight, without a single wrinkle.
This was completely different from what Chi Wanwan had imagined.
Shen Yu tucked the car keys into his pants pocket, walked up to Chi Wanwan, and said, “Let’s go.”
“Alright, this way.” Chi Wanwan nodded and took the lead, walking ahead to show the way.
In the elevator, Chi Wanwan stood beside Shen Yu and vaguely felt a chill in the air.
This… could she save on air conditioning costs in the summer?
“Ding~~”
The elevator reached the tenth floor, and the doors slid open. Chi Wanwan stepped out, with Shen Yu following behind her.
Stopping in front of room 1008, Chi Wanwan unlocked the door with her key.
“It’s a humble little place, please bear with it.”
“No worries.” Shen Yu stepped into the narrow entryway and asked, “Do I need to change shoes?”
“No need. I don’t have any men’s slippers anyway. Have a seat on the sofa, I’ll keep cooking—it’ll be ready soon.”
Chi Wanwan thoughtfully turned on the TV, switching it to the news channel so Shen Yu could watch something.
Two strangers sharing the same space.
The sound of the TV helped ease a bit of the awkwardness.
This apartment was a studio unit, with no separate living room.
Shen Yu sat on the sofa, with the nightstand and bed right beside him. He glanced around briefly, then quickly averted his gaze.
Chi Wanwan turned on the range hood and gas stove, starting to steam garlic butter shrimp while using another pot to stir-fry crab.
Before long, the aroma of Chi Wanwan’s cooking filled the small apartment.
Listening to the news broadcast on TV and smelling the fragrance of the food.
Watching Chi Wanwan’s busy figure, Shen Yu felt a sudden stir in that moment. This kind of warm, everyday life was something he had never experienced.
Although his parents were deeply in love, all the household chores were handled by servants—his mother had never set foot in the kitchen.
After more than half an hour of work, Chi Wanwan had made four dishes: Typhoon Shelter-style stir-fried crab, garlic butter shrimp, pan-seared steak, and a vegetable salad.
“Mr. Shen, dinner’s ready.” Chi Wanwan set out the dishes, bowls, and chopsticks, then turned to call Shen Yu over.
Shen Yu washed his hands and sat down across from Chi Wanwan.
“It looks excellent.” Shen Yu complimented.
This wasn’t just empty flattery on Shen Yu’s part—Chi Wanwan’s dishes were vibrant in color, fragrant, and looked appetizing.
“Thank you.” Chi Wanwan smiled warmly. “Go ahead and try it. I haven’t made stir-fried crab in a long time. When I was frying it, I almost burned it.”
Shen Yu nodded and picked up a piece of crab to taste.
The freshness of the crab perfectly combined with the aroma of the fried garlic, savory on the palate. It was even better than what the chefs at restaurants made.
“Quite delicious.”
Shen Yu genuinely admired her cooking skills.
Naturally, Chi Wanwan was delighted that Shen Yu praised her dishes.
After all, these dishes had taken quite a bit of effort.
During the meal, Chi Wanwan and Shen Yu didn’t talk much, only exchanging a few casual remarks.
After finishing the meal, Chi Wanwan cleared the dishes and placed them in the sink.
She brewed a pot of oolong tea, sat down in the seat next to Shen Yu, poured a cup, and slid it in front of him.
“Mr. Shen, is there anything about me you’d like to know?”
Shen Yu shook his head. “No.”
Before coming here, he had already learned everything from his grandfather over the phone. He had a general understanding of Chi Wanwan’s situation.
Chi Wanwan blinked, a smile tugging at her lips. “Then, may I ask you a few questions?”
“Go ahead.”
Shen Yu picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and waited for Chi Wanwan’s questions.
“I’d like to ask about your work situation, income, and housing. Could you briefly tell me about them?”
These questions Chi Wanwan asked were what most people on blind dates cared about most.
“I’m currently in the startup phase. I’ve opened a small company, but it hasn’t started making a profit yet. As for the house, I bought it in Yingcui Huating, three bedrooms and two living rooms, paid in full. As for the car, it’s the Volkswagen you just saw, also paid in full.”
Chi Wanwan nodded lightly. Although Shen Yu’s current income was unstable, having a car and a house in the capital was already considered quite good.
Because Chi Wanwan asked this kind of question, Shen Yu felt a little uncomfortable. Was she trying to find out whether he was a wealthy catch?
Then he was afraid he would disappoint her.
After finishing the cup of tea in his hand, Shen Yu stood up and took his leave.
Chi Wanwan walked Shen Yu to the underground parking lot and watched him drive away…