1 – Mistaking Someone for a Blind Date
Early September, autumn. The imperial capital.
The sky was overcast, thunder rumbling as fine threads of rain drifted down from above.
On the rainy city streets, few people were about, with only the occasional pedestrian passing by under an umbrella.
Su Qinghe, wearing a moon-white long-sleeved dress, stood beneath the eaves at the subway exit, holding an umbrella in one hand and her phone in the other.
The phone screen was lit as she looked down at it, confirming the meeting spot she had arranged with her blind date.
According to the location shown on the map, the café they had agreed to meet at wasn’t far from here—about a five-minute walk.
Su Qinghe opened a transparent umbrella and stepped into the drizzling rain.
It was already September now, and the early autumn breeze carried moisture, rustling her light, thin skirt. She couldn’t help but shiver.
An autumn rain brings a chill…
As she pushed open the glass door of the café, the bell hanging above it let out a crisp “ding-dong.”
Su Qinghe walked in and placed her umbrella on the stand by the door.
Her blind date had already arrived early and had texted her, saying he was wearing a black jacket, seated at a sofa spot by the window, with a magazine on the table.
Su Qinghe headed straight toward the window area. At a glance, she spotted a handsome man in a black suit sitting by the window, a magazine in his hands.
“Sorry to keep you waiting…” Su Qinghe walked over and sat down across from him, her eyes curving into a slight, apologetic smile.
Hearing Su Qinghe’s words, Lu Yanci closed the magazine in his hand and looked up at her, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Lu Yanci raised an eyebrow and asked softly, “Hmm? And you are?”
Meeting Lu Yanci’s gaze, Su Qinghe spoke in a gentle voice, “My name is Su Qinghe. I’m your blind date for today.”
“Hello, Miss Su.” His voice was deep and languid.
Lu Yanci nodded politely at Su Qinghe. His expression was calm, but a flicker of doubt rose in his mind—when had his mother arranged another blind date?
His somewhat indifferent demeanor made Su Qinghe feel a bit awkward.
“Mr. Lu, do you usually enjoy reading business magazines?” To ease the awkwardness, Su Qinghe casually picked a topic.
“Yes.” Lu Yanci gave a slight nod. “Keeping up with trends in the business world is part of my work.”
“Oh…” Su Qinghe was about to say something more when the phone in her bag suddenly vibrated.
She took the phone out of her bag and said to the man across from her, “Sorry, let me take this call.”
Looking at the note displayed on the screen: Lu Qiming.
Su Qinghe paused for a moment, her clear eyes filled with confusion. It was her blind date, Lu Qiming, calling her.
Then… who was this man sitting across from her?
Su Qinghe pressed the answer button and held the phone to her ear.
“Hello? Miss Su. Haven’t you arrived yet? It’s raining outside—do you need me to come pick you up?” Lu Qiming’s voice came through crystal clear to Su Qinghe’s ears.
And it was indeed crystal clear, because… Lu Qiming’s voice was coming from not far behind her!
Su Qinghe steadied her breath and lowered her voice, saying, “No need. I’ll be there soon.”
Meeting Lu Yanci’s narrowed eyes, Su Qinghe stood up, gave an awkward smile, and said softly to him, “Sorry, I think I mistook you for someone else.”
With that, Su Qinghe lowered her head slightly, picked up her bag, and quickly walked away.
Behind the green plant wall in the corner of the café, Su Qinghe leaned against the wall, let out a light sigh, and raised her hand to cover her face in frustration.
Oh my god!!
She had just mistaken her blind date for someone else and even said a bunch of nonsense to him!
It was utterly embarrassing—she wanted to dig a hole right there and crawl into it.
But her actual blind date was still sitting there, waiting for her.
A few minutes later, Su Qinghe walked out from behind the plant wall as if nothing had happened.
“Hello, are you Mr. Lu Qiming?” Su Qinghe walked over, this time carefully confirming she hadn’t made a mistake before speaking.
“Hello, I’m Lu Qiming.” Lu Qiming looked up at Su Qinghe and gave a slight nod.
Only then did Su Qinghe take a seat in the chair across from Lu Qiming.
Compared to the man she had mistakenly approached earlier, Lu Qiming’s appearance was rather plain. He wore a casual black jacket, had a slightly round face and build, and sported black-rimmed glasses.
“Miss Su, what would you like to drink?” Lu Qiming raised his hand to signal the waiter over to take their order.
Without even opening the menu the waiter handed her, Su Qinghe ordered a hot latte with practiced ease.
After the waiter turned and left, Lu Qiming began chatting on his own. “Miss Su, I heard you just came back from Italy. How was it? Are you adjusting well?”
Su Qinghe replied with a smile, “It’s fine. Nothing I can’t adjust to.”
After all, she had only been abroad for four or five years. Coming back to Huaxia, where she was born and raised—how could there be anything to feel unaccustomed to?
“That’s good.” Lu Qiming adjusted his glasses, took a sip of coffee, and continued, “I heard you’ve been looking for a job lately?”
“Yes. I’ve already received an offer. I’ll start work next Monday.”
Her coffee was brought over, and Su Qinghe picked up the small spoon, stirring the coffee idly.
Lu Qiming said, “Actually, you don’t need to find a job.”
Su Qinghe looked up, puzzled, wondering what he meant by that.
“My mother said that if I marry you, she hopes you’ll quit your job and stay home to focus on taking care of the household.”
Lu Qiming paused briefly, then continued, “Working is exhausting—you have to put up with your boss and coworkers. Why bother? I work at a major internet company. With my year-end bonus, my salary is around seven figures. Supporting a family definitely won’t be a problem.”
Su Qinghe curled the corner of her mouth, finding it ridiculous. “Working isn’t just about money. Becoming a top fashion designer has been my dream for years. And I’ve been working toward it all along.”
If she had to become a full-time housewife after marriage, then what was the point of all the education she’d received and the life values she’d been pursuing?
Judging by Su Qinghe’s tone, she probably didn’t agree with the proposal.
Lu Qiming let out a sigh. “I’ve never had great health since I was a child, and my current job often requires working overtime until the early morning. My mother said that in the future, I need to marry someone who can take care of me.”
Su Qinghe couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Mr. Lu, hiring a nanny is very convenient these days. I suggest you just find one directly.”
She could see it now—Lu Qiming was a textbook mama’s boy, never going three sentences without mentioning his mother.
Lu Qiming said disapprovingly, “How can that be the same? A nanny works for money—how could she truly care for someone with her heart?”
Su Qinghe smiled faintly. “Mr. Lu, I’m afraid I can’t meet your requirements. I don’t think we’re a good match.”
“Well, let’s just be friends then.” Lu Qiming looked out the window, where raindrops struck the glass, leaving winding trails of water behind.
Lu Qiming felt a pang of regret. He prided himself on his superior qualifications and had always held high standards. It was rare to come across a girl who caught his eye today—unfortunately, she was one with ambition.
After sitting for a while, Lu Qiming finished the coffee in his cup, then rose and said he had something urgent to attend to, taking his leave first.
Su Qinghe leaned back against her chair, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the man she had mistaken for someone else moments ago.
He was slightly bowing his head, continuing to read the magazine. Warm-toned light fell across his face, outlining a profile that was flawless and refined.
It was her own oversight earlier—she hadn’t noticed that every piece of clothing he wore was anything but ordinary.
Either bespoke tailoring, or top-tier luxury brands.
How could such a distinguished and handsome man possibly be here for a blind date?
Su Qinghe averted her gaze, picked up her bag, and rose to head toward the restroom.
When Su Qinghe came out of the restroom, the man in the suit had already left.
And on the seat where she had been sitting, there was now a black suit jacket.
Su Qinghe walked over and picked up the jacket, and a slip of paper slowly fluttered down onto the chair. She bent down, picked it up, and glanced at it.
The handwriting on the note was bold and forceful, bearing only three words: “The weather’s turned cold.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Su Qinghe’s eyes. Was he worried she might catch a chill, and that’s why he’d left his jacket for her?
They had only met by chance…