Gu Chengjin had no idea that Zhou Bai had been keeping her matchmaking activities a secret from him.
Zhou Bai’s family lived in Ningshi, right next to Jiangcheng, just a two-hour bus ride away.
The Zhou family ran two factories in Ningshi, which made them fairly well-off. Though they were worlds apart from the Gu family, they still counted as middle class.
Zhou Bai was the younger daughter of the Zhou family, with an older sister named Zhou Lan.
Zhou Lan was only two years older than Zhou Bai and had married early, to a man whose family owned a small company.
Zhou Bai’s parents weren’t highly educated, but they managed the two factories well.
So they believed that girls didn’t need too much education—it was more practical to marry early.
Zhou Bai was no longer young, so it was time to put marriage on the agenda.
Of course, they had no idea their daughter was planning to apply to study abroad. Nor did they know that Zhou Bai had already been married for two years.
That year, they had been busy arranging matchmaking meetings for their daughter.
This wasn’t Zhou Bai’s first time returning home for a matchmaking session.
This time, it was her brother-in-law Zheng Ke who had introduced her to someone. The man’s family owned a trading company, he was the only son, and his parents had already bought him a marital home. It was said that if things worked out, the betrothal gift would easily exceed a million. His family wanted a well-educated daughter-in-law, making Zhou Bai a perfect match.
“Why are you so late? Your brother-in-law and Xiao Wang have been waiting for ages.”
Zhou Bai got off the bus and went straight to the agreed-upon restaurant without even going home first.
Zhou Lan was waiting at the entrance and hurried over when she saw her, complaining quietly.
Zhou Bai explained, “The car broke down on the way. There was nothing I could do.”
“Your clothes are too plain. If you don’t have money, just tell Mom and Dad, or even me. Girls your age should buy more nice clothes.” Zhou Lan complained again when she saw Zhou Bai’s simple linen dress.
Zhou Bai smiled awkwardly.
The dress was from a well-known designer Gu Chengjin had found, custom-made for her as part of a brand. A single dress like this cost more than her sister’s salary for half a year.
“You’re finally here.”
As soon as the two walked in, Zheng Ke stood up, and a man beside him followed suit.
“Zhou Bai, let me introduce you. This is Wang Dong. Wang Dong, this is my sister-in-law Zhou Bai. Isn’t she pretty? A top student from Jiang University. How many top students from Jiang University come from a place like ours?” Zheng Ke introduced proudly.
Wang Dong’s eyes lit up, and he nearly drooled. “Absolutely. This is the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful top student.”
Zhou Bai, however, couldn’t bring herself to smile.
Zhou Lan had told her that Wang Dong was twenty-five, just two years older than her, but why did he look old enough for her to call him “uncle”?
Although she knew the matchmaking wouldn’t work out, her family’s taste in candidates seemed to be getting worse. It gave her the illusion that she was desperate to marry?
“He looks a bit mature, but his family is rich,” Zhou Lan whispered, poking her and explaining quietly.
Zhou Bai smiled bitterly.
Could he possibly be richer than Gu Chengjin?
She didn’t even want Gu Chengjin.
Zhou Lan and Zheng Ke found an excuse to leave, letting the two of them talk properly.
“Your sister and brother-in-law have already told me about your situation. Don’t worry, I don’t mind,” Wang Dong spoke first, adopting a tolerant attitude toward Zhou Bai.
“Huh?”
Zhou Bai was taken aback. What was there for him to mind?
“What did my sister and brother-in-law tell you?”
She really didn’t know what she had that would make him mind.
“Your sister and brother-in-law said you’ve loved reading since childhood, have an introverted personality, and don’t socialize much. I’m someone who enjoys making friends and has an outgoing, straightforward personality. Honestly, I don’t have much interest in introverted girls like you. If it weren’t for your brother-in-law repeatedly assuring me that you’re truly beautiful, I wouldn’t have come. Now that I see you, your brother-in-law was right—being this pretty makes any other shortcomings irrelevant. Once we’re together, I’ll take you out to have fun. My parents also like highly educated girls, and you fit the bill perfectly.”
Zhou Bai was so embarrassed she wished she could dig a three-bedroom apartment with her toes.
At least with the previous blind dates, she could finish the meal before parting ways. But with this one, she didn’t even have the interest to sit through a single meal.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Wang, I don’t think we’re compatible. I’m used to being introverted and don’t like outgoing people. I also don’t want someone outgoing to take me out to have fun.”
“Zhou Bai, that’s not acceptable. I don’t even mind your personality, so why are you putting yourself down? How about this—we finish the meal, and I’ll take you to buy some nice clothes and sing at a KTV. You won’t feel so self-conscious then.”
“Mr. Wang, are you not listening? What I mean is, I’m not interested in you. Let’s split the bill for today’s meal. I’ll go to the front desk to pay my share, and you can take your time eating.” Zhou Bai stood up, intending to leave.
Unexpectedly, Wang Dong turned out to be a narrow-minded man. The moment he heard Zhou Bai wasn’t interested in him, he flew into a rage.
He stood up and grabbed Zhou Bai’s wrist, angrily demanding, “What makes you think you can reject me? So you’re a bit pretty and have a higher education—what else do you have besides that?”
“I think those two things are enough,” Zhou Bai replied calmly, shaking off Wang Dong’s hand.
“You… Anyway, I like you, and this has to work out today,” Wang Dong declared arrogantly, his eyes wide with anger.
Bang!
As soon as Wang Dong finished speaking, the door to the private room was kicked open from the outside.
Both Wang Dong and Zhou Bai were startled.
Zhou Bai stared in shock at the person who entered—someone she didn’t recognize at all.
Wang Dong, on the other hand, pointed at the intruder and shouted, “Who the hell are you? Do you know who I am?”
“You’re exactly who I’m here to hit.”
The man threw a punch, knocking Wang Dong to the ground.
Zhou Bai screamed in fright, wondering if she should call the police. Suddenly, someone approached from behind, covered her eyes, and pulled her out of the room.
“Let me go!”
Zhou Bai struggled, her heart pounding with fear. Not only had there been violence, but now she was being kidnapped in public?
However, after struggling for a moment, she caught a whiff of the person’s scent—a faint, crisp fragrance of fresh grass, unique to Gu Chengjin.
“Gu… Chengjin?”
“At least you still remember me.”
The man released her, his tone tinged with anger.
Zhou Bai quickly turned around and, sure enough, saw Gu Chengjin.
The dim light fell on the man’s sharply defined face, accentuating his handsome features.
Zhou Bai felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, frozen in place. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to discuss a business deal, right next door. Who would’ve thought my wife would be on a blind date?”
Gu Chengjin’s thin lips parted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Zhou Bai felt both embarrassed and ashamed. “I can explain this. It was arranged by my family. Just like you, it’s all an act.”
“So, this is your way of getting back at me for the rumors with that actress? Zhou Bai, I didn’t know you were so petty and vindictive.”
Gu Chengjin leaned closer, his unique fresh scent growing more intense as he looked at her eyes with a half-smile.
No, it’s not like that. Zhou Bai wanted to explain again.
Another pig-like scream came from the private room, startling her and reminding her that Wang Dong was still inside.
“Hurry and stop the people inside. After all, he was introduced by my brother-in-law. It won’t be good if he gets seriously hurt.”
“You’re quite concerned about him, but unfortunately, I’m just here for a meal with a client. I can’t control who’s beating him up inside—who knows who he offended. You’re not allowed to interfere either. I still have to settle accounts with you. How can you worry about someone else’s life or death?”
Gu Chengjin forcibly pulled her away.