Yong Zhixu clearly hadn’t expected to run into the heroine of last night’s dream the moment he stepped outside.
He paused briefly, and their gazes inevitably met.
The morning sky after the rain was exceptionally clear and blue.
The clouds overhead seemed to have secretly sipped on cocktails, trailing into an intoxicating, vibrant red.
Bathed in the magnificent morning glow, the woman’s eyes were as clear as ice-cold water, her lips as richly colored as flower petals.
With just a casual glance from her, he felt as though time had frozen.
The heartbeat hidden in his chest, like drumbeats, quickened abruptly without warning.
So loud that he almost thought the person across from him could hear it in sync.
The palm holding the prayer beads had unknowingly grown damp with sweat, exactly like in last night’s dream when she had walked toward him.
He averted his gaze and smiled calmly. “Miss Tangxi, good morning.”
His voice carried a clarity as if steeped in fine wine, like jade shattering in the wind. Combined with his handsome appearance, his words gave off a refreshing, pleasant feeling.
Perhaps afraid that Tangxi Li might misunderstand, he quickly added, “I didn’t expect us to be neighbors across the hall. What a coincidence.”
Tangxi Li’s gaze returned to his face. Noticing his fair complexion now slightly flushed, she wondered briefly—was it that hot?
She paid it no mind and responded indifferently, “It is quite a coincidence. Good morning, Mr. Yong.”
“Out for a morning run?” Seeing the fine layer of sweat on her elegant forehead, Yong Zhixu guessed and asked, while raising a hand to rub his ear tips, which had grown too warm to ignore.
“Mm,” Tangxi Li answered politely. Since he was Zhou Zhou’s friend, she felt she ought to show some courtesy.
However, she wasn’t one for socializing much, and after replying, she didn’t know what else to say.
Just as she was about to turn away, a silver Lamborghini roared to a stop between them.
The window rolled down, and Chen Zui leaned out, both surprised and delighted to see her. “Tangxi Li?”
He had spotted his third brother talking to a woman from afar and wondered who it was—turns out it was her.
His gaze swept past her toward the European-style villa behind, a thoughtful expression appearing on his handsome face. “Do you live here too?”
Tangxi Li replied politely, “I just moved here.”
“That’s really such a coincidence!” Chen Zui unbuckled his seatbelt, got out of the car, and stepped forward to strike up a conversation.
But just then, two Audi sedans with white license plates starting with “京V” suddenly approached from the east and west, closing in on them from both sides.
Chen Zui and Yong Zhixu’s expressions changed simultaneously.
“Oh no, Minister Lin! Third brother, get in the car!” Chen Zui turned and dashed back to the driver’s seat.
Yong Zhixu also opened the door and got into the passenger seat.
Perhaps sensing their intention, the two cars sped up.
Before Chen Zui could start the engine, they blocked the Lamborghini tightly from the front and back.
The car doors opened, and from the front vehicle, a middle-aged woman in a white professional suit stepped out first.
She appeared to be in her forties or fifties, wearing black high heels and sporting a neat, ear-length bob. She carried herself with poise and efficiency, her sharp eyes exuding a commanding and authoritative presence.
Accompanying her were four young special police officers.
Dressed in police uniforms, helmets, and goggles, each held a P90 submachine gun. Moving with agile steps, they formed a protective formation, closely surrounding the middle-aged woman.
The sense of pressure was overwhelming.
Tangxi Li raised an eyebrow, immediately recognizing the woman as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.I often see her on international news; seems to be named Lin Suiying.
Looking at her resemblance to Yong Zhixu, Tangxi Li vaguely guessed their relationship.
However, she had no intention of watching the drama unfold and turned back to her own home.
Inside the Lamborghini, Chen Zui, seeing they were surrounded from both sides, gave Yong Zhixu an apologetic look that said, “I can’t help you.”
“Third Brother, it looks like you can’t avoid today’s blind date.” He turned off the engine and advised, “Just go. What if you hit it off?”
Yong Zhixu didn’t respond. He opened the car door and greeted his mother, whom he hadn’t seen in days. “Good morning, Minister Lin. Weren’t you supposed to fly to M Country early this morning?”
Lin Suiying glanced at her watch, a shadow of worry crossing her brow. “I requested a two-hour delay from your grandfather so I could accompany you to the blind date.”
Because he had stood up so many girls before, there were hardly any young women left in their social circle willing to be set up with him.
Matchmakers were full of complaints too—whenever they heard it was for her son, they’d shake their heads vigorously.
Some even hinted openly or discreetly that her son might be gay, which infuriated her.
But to be honest, if he hadn’t repeatedly assured her he wasn’t gay, she would have suspected it too.
After all, what decent son remains single at 27 without ever having had a girlfriend?
The other young men in their compound around his age had gone through countless girlfriends.
Truly, the emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuchs are dying of worry.
“Let’s go, get in the car. The Qiao family’s daughter has already set off—we can’t be late.” Lin Suiying was pressed for time and growing impatient.
Yong Zhixu didn’t move.
Lin Suiying rested her hand on the car door, frowning. “Xuer, this blind date was arranged by your grandfather. If you don’t go, I won’t be able to explain it to him.”
She pulled a photo from her bag. “I’ve seen the Qiao family’s daughter—she’s very beautiful and works at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences now. Her grandfather served with your grandfather, and her father is your father’s colleague. It’s a well-matched union.”
The more Lin Suiying spoke, the more pleased she felt, with a strong intuition that if her son just met the girl once, they would definitely click.
But Yong Zhixu remained completely unmoved, not even glancing at the photo in her hand.
He shot a pleading look toward Chen Zui.
Catching on immediately, Chen Zui’s eyes darted around as an idea struck him.
“Minister Lin, Third Brother can’t go on the blind date with you!” he declared loudly. “Because Third Brother… he…”
Lin Suiying glanced at him, waiting for him to continue.
Chen Zui cleared his throat, not a trace of guilt on his face: “He already has a girlfriend!”
The statement landed like a thunderclap, stunning both Lin Suiying and Yong Zhixu.
“He has a girlfriend?” Lin Suiying exclaimed in surprise.