“Wasn’t it said the vice president would be promoted to president? Why did someone suddenly get parachuted in?” Wen Yao finally understood why the vice president had been in such a bad mood these past few days. Losing a promotion and a raise—no one would be happy about that.
Li Shu shrugged helplessly. “Who knows? We small employees only found out at the last minute. But honestly, whoever becomes president doesn’t really affect us.”
Wen Yao thought about it and agreed. They were just ordinary employees—whether the president was promoted or brought in externally didn’t really concern them.
At that moment, Yu Qian called.
“Wen Yao, are you free at noon? I’d like you two to meet first. If it feels right, you can chat more.”
Wen Yao didn’t expect things to move this quickly. Thinking of Xin Xin, she still nodded. “Yes, Professor Yu.”
“Then let’s meet at the same café. I’ve already given him your contact information.”
“Okay.”
Tinglan Café
As Wen Yao reached the entrance of the café, she received a call from her blind date.
“Hello, Miss Wen. I’m the one Aunt Yu introduced. Have you arrived?”
Hearing his voice—slightly deep and steady—Wen Yao didn’t feel any dislike.
“I’ve already arrived.”
“I’m wearing a white shirt.”
Wen Yao walked into the café and glanced around. In the corner, she spotted a man in a white shirt holding his phone, still on the call.
“Alright.”
After hanging up, she walked straight over, pulled out a chair, and sat down across from him.
She looked up at her blind date. Professor Yu had said he was quite handsome—and seeing him in person, she had to admit it was true. He looked mature and composed.
Especially his eyes—unlike the sternness one might expect, they were gentle.
“Hello, I’m Wen Yao. Professor Yu should have told you—I have a daughter.”
“Yes, Aunt Yu mentioned it specifically. She said your daughter is very cute and lovable.” Shen Cunshu smiled. “Let me introduce myself. My surname is Shen, given name Cunshu. I’m a high school teacher, thirty-two years old this year. I own a house and a car, and I have no bad habits.”
As he spoke, he looked at Wen Yao with a faint smile in his eyes. “Miss Wen, are you really twenty-six?”
Wen Yao felt a little embarrassed. “Of course. I’ve been working for over four years since graduating from university.”
“Don’t be nervous. You look like a college student—that’s why I asked.” Shen Cunshu called a waiter and ordered two coffees and some desserts.
Watching his every move, Wen Yao noticed his natural elegance and scholarly demeanor. A man this outstanding—why was he still single?
It didn’t quite make sense.
“Mr. Shen, may I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead,” Shen Cunshu replied gently.
“Mr. Shen, you’re excellent in every aspect. Why are you still single?”
“I was in a seven-year relationship before. After we broke up, I’ve been single ever since.” He smiled, a hint of helplessness in it. “You know, I’m already thirty-two. My parents are anxious, so naturally they keep urging me to get married.”
Hearing about the seven-year relationship, Wen Yao paused. A relationship that long must have been deep and meaningful—it was a pity it ended.
It also made her realize that Shen Cunshu was here on a blind date mainly because of family pressure.
“Mr. Shen, let me explain my situation first. I have a four-year-old daughter. I hope that whoever I date can genuinely like and accept her—and that she can like him too.”
She paused briefly. “If you’re in a hurry to define a relationship or want to get married quickly, then we might not be suitable.”
Instead of answering immediately, Shen Cunshu asked, “Miss Wen, what do you think of me?”
Wen Yao answered honestly, “Mr. Shen is very good—excellent in every aspect.”
“That’s quite a formal answer.” Shen Cunshu smiled and continued, “I think your considerations are very thoughtful. Even if we date, your daughter should be able to accept me. Marriage is a lifelong matter—it’s right to be cautious. I’m not in a hurry to get married. We can take things slowly.”
After talking with Shen Cunshu, Wen Yao found the conversation comfortable and easy. He didn’t make people feel uneasy at all.
It was actually rare to meet someone as outstanding and sincere as Shen Cunshu on a blind date.
But sometimes, liking someone really depends on feeling—not just how excellent they are.
Still, perhaps Xin Xin would like him.
So she decided she wanted to give it a try.
“Then let’s start as friends. During this time, if Mr. Shen meets someone he likes or has other thoughts, you can say so at any time. What do you think, Mr. Shen?”
Shen Cunshu nodded. “Alright, let’s start as friends.”
Wen Yao still had to go back to work. After adding each other on WeChat, she left.
When she returned to the company, Wen Yao heard her colleagues discussing the arrival of a new president parachuting in. It seemed like the decision was already finalized.
Although it had little to do with small employees like them, there was a saying—when a new official takes office, they always make changes. One way or another, it would affect everyone.
“Wen Yao, I just heard the latest news—the new president has been confirmed and will take office next Monday,” Li Shu rushed over to tell her.
Wen Yao noted that Monday wasn’t far away.
“The vice president even had people clean and redecorate the president’s office today. They also moved in a lot of fitness equipment. I heard the new president likes working out. Not sure what he looks like, but his body must be great.”
Li Shu looked excited. “I’m really curious what the new president is like.”
After hearing this, Wen Yao didn’t think much of it and focused on the design drafts in her hands.
After work, on her way home with her daughter, Wen Yao bought some ingredients.
She opened the door, hung her bag behind it, and put an apron over her neck. “Xin Xin, play by yourself for a bit. Mommy’s going to cook.”
“Okay, Mommy.” Wen Xin placed her schoolbag on the sofa, took out her unfinished drawing and crayons, and lay on the dining table to continue drawing.
Wen Yao skillfully washed the tomatoes and pork ribs. Xin Xin loved tomato scrambled eggs and ribs—she had been cooking since she was ten, and these two dishes were her specialties.
When the ribs were done, a delicious aroma filled the air.
“Mommy, Mommy!”
Hearing her, Wen Yao turned around and saw her daughter running over with a drawing in her hand.
Wen Xin raised the drawing with both hands. “Mommy, look at my drawing! There’s Daddy in it!”
Wen Yao took the drawing. It was the unfinished one—on the blank space to the left, a figure had been added. It was a man, much taller than her in proportion, with a buzz cut.
Was this how her daughter imagined her father?
“Mommy, my friend Xu Ziyang’s dad also went to a very faraway place.”
Wen Yao looked down at her daughter. The little girl tilted her face up, eyes full of expectation. “Mommy, I want to video call Daddy. Can I?”
She froze, not knowing how to answer.
Seeing her mother silent, Wen Xin raised one finger. “Mommy, just one minute, okay?”
Wen Yao crouched down in front of her, holding the drawing. Looking into her daughter’s hopeful eyes, she spoke gently, “Xin Xin, Daddy is very busy every day. Can you wait a little longer?”
Wen Xin asked in confusion, “Why are other daddies not busy?”
Wen Yao explained, “Because their jobs are different. Some jobs are just very busy.”
Although Wen Xin didn’t fully understand and felt a little disappointed, she believed her mother.
“Okay then… when Daddy isn’t busy anymore, we’ll video call, okay?”
Looking at her sensible daughter, Wen Yao’s heart ached.
It also made her feel that trying to get to know Shen Cunshu was the right choice.
“Okay.”
Ever since adding Shen Cunshu on WeChat, he had been messaging her almost every day, sometimes just a short sentence or two.
【I originally wanted to invite you and your daughter to a movie this weekend, but unfortunately the school has arrangements. When I get back, can I take you both out to dinner?】
【That’s fine, Mr. Shen.】
On the weekend, Wen Yao took her daughter to the cinema. A new animated movie had just been released.
She bought one ticket—Xin Xin was short enough that she didn’t need one—and then got a bucket of popcorn.
After paying, she held the popcorn and looked down, only to realize Xin Xin was gone. Panic instantly set in.
She looked up and scanned the lobby, spotting Xin Xin chatting happily with a little boy.
Holding the popcorn, Wen Yao walked over and saw Xing Yu standing beside the boy. She subconsciously tightened her grip on the popcorn bucket.
Why was he here?
It had been more than ten days since they last met. She thought they wouldn’t run into each other again.
The city was so big, and there were so many cinemas—so why did they have to meet here?