Today’s first candidate, also Ji Han Zhuo’s first blind date, was no ordinary person. Bai Xuefu, the only daughter of the Bai family, had just returned to the country a few months ago. In no time, she had been listed by the elders of Beijing’s upper-class families as one of the most desirable daughters-in-law (or granddaughter-in-law).
However, her appearance didn’t quite match her name.
A beige fitted cheongsam accentuated all her physical advantages. Her chestnut hair was loosely tied up with a pearl clip. Her features were strikingly beautiful, with a pair of captivating fox-like eyes slightly upturned, exuding an aggressive charm that made her unforgettable.
“Xiao Zhuo, come quickly. This is your Uncle Bai’s daughter, Xuefu. You two used to play together when you were little.”
“Xuefu, this is my grandson, Han Zhuo. Handsome, isn’t he? Definitely hasn’t ‘grown crooked.’ I, an old man, never lie.”
In Old Master Ji’s mind, attending the same banquet and sharing a meal in childhood counted as “playing together.”
Bai Xuefu smiled politely. The old man probably had some misunderstanding about the phrase “grown crooked.”
The man, dressed in a silver-gray bespoke suit, walked toward them with steady steps. His features were strikingly handsome yet cold as frost and snow, aloof like an immortal untouched by worldly dust. He exuded an air of noble arrogance, revealing warmth only when facing Jiang Xizhi.
Ji Han Zhuo had mysophobia and generally avoided excessive physical contact with others. To show good manners while avoiding a handshake, he spoke before Bai Xuefu could. “Hello, I’m Ji Han Zhuo.”
After greeting her, he sat on the sofa farthest from Bai Xuefu, then gave her a meaningful glance—a mix of reminder and warning.
Seeing this, Bai Xuefu replied seriously, “Hello, Mr. Ji. I’m Bai Xuefu.”
Ji Han Zhuo gave a noncommittal nod.
Old Master Ji, noticing how politely they interacted as if conducting business, tried to bring them closer. “Why call him Mr. Ji? Just use his name.”
Bai Xuefu smiled without responding.
Throughout the meal, Old Master Ji ate little but talked so much he nearly ran out of saliva. Any further intentions he might have had were extinguished—there was no spark between them, with neither side showing interest.
Out of courtesy, however, Old Master Ji asked Ji Han Zhuo to drive Bai Xuefu home after the meal. He watched them leave through the gate before turning back, sighing to himself on the way: Such a perfect match in talent and appearance—why wasn’t there any chemistry?
After Old Master Ji had walked away, Bai Xuefu dropped her act. She sat on the roadside flower bed without any regard for her image, her ladylike demeanor completely gone, and complained, “If I’d known it was you, I wouldn’t have come. Acting like this is exhausting.”
Ji Han Zhuo didn’t respond directly. Instead, he asked, “Should I ask Rong Ye to pick you up?”
Hearing the name from Ji Han Zhuo’s lips, Bai Xuefu immediately perked up and waved her hand. “No need at all. Just give me his number. I’ll get back on my own.”
She dared not ride in Master Ji’s car—she was afraid it might shorten her lifespan.
Since Bai Xuefu had helped him today, Ji Han Zhuo handed over Rong Ye’s new phone number without another word. As he got into his car to leave, Bai Xuefu reminded him, “You should explain today’s situation to your grandfather yourself. And don’t spread the word about my blind date.”
“Naturally.”
Both of them understood the situation perfectly.
Shortly after Ji Han Zhuo left, Bai Xuefu stood up. Strolling leisurely, she began contemplating her grand plan to pursue her man.
Bai Xuefu was not interested in Ji Han Zhuo, nor did she dare to be. What truly interested her was the person by Ji Han Zhuo’s side—Rong Ye.
Bai Xuefu and Rong Ye had once been a couple, but in Bai Xuefu’s words, Rong Ye was narrow-minded, while she herself loved to have fun. One careless misstep led to things going too far, angering Rong Ye so much that he broke up with her, returned to the country overnight, and even changed his phone number. Bai Xuefu then chased after him all the way back to China.
Bai Xuefu had agreed to the blind date today originally to give Rong Ye a sense of crisis, but who would have thought her match would be Ji Han Zhuo? She had to admire her parents’ audacity—arranging a blind date with someone like him. Were they trying to shorten her lifespan?
Not long after getting into the car, Ji Han Zhuo called his grandfather. “Grandfather, please stop meddling. I have a girlfriend, and we’ll be getting married soon. I hope today’s incident is the first and last time.”
There was a full minute of silence on the other end before his grandfather snapped back to reality and began shouting, “Since when do you have a girlfriend, and one you’re marrying soon? How come I didn’t know? You’ve really grown bold! Which family’s daughter is she…”
Ji Han Zhuo found his grandfather’s questions rather irritating and simply replied, “Grandfather, don’t worry about it. I’ll tell you once everything is settled. And please don’t disturb her. If you interfere even a little, I’ll delay the wedding by another day.”
With that, Ji Han Zhuo hung up.
The distance between the southern and northern suburbs was not short. By the time Ji Han Zhuo returned, Jiang Xizhi had already finished bathing and was lying in bed scrolling through her phone. After washing up, Ji Han Zhuo lifted the covers, lay down beside her, and wrapped his arm around her.
He shared his plans with her. “I’m planning to host a birthday banquet for you next month.”
Jiang Xizhi immediately put down her phone and turned to look at him. “A birthday banquet?”
In her previous life, Ji Han Zhuo hadn’t thrown her a birthday banquet. Could it be that everything had changed because she told him this afternoon that she wanted to go back to school?
“Yes, the company happens to need a celebration event next month, so we’ll combine it with your birthday banquet,” Ji Han Zhuo said casually, his eyes half-closed, long lashes veiling his gaze, his expression inscrutable.
Jiang Xizhi frowned slightly, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Just as she was about to refuse, Ji Han Zhuo spoke again. “One of today’s conditions.”
The implication was clear: if she didn’t agree, she could forget about going to school.
Jiang Xizhi wasn’t foolish and understood perfectly. After weighing the pros and cons, she replied, “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
No matter what, nothing could stop her from going to school. Returning to school was the first step toward leaving Ji Han Zhuo.
“I want to start school next week. I already talked to Yueyue about it this afternoon.”
Ji Han Zhuo pursed his thin lips, remaining silent. Jiang Xizhi knew he was displeased and added, “You can’t make me break my promise, can you? Besides, you agreed this afternoon. I promise I’ll stay by your side for the next few days, following you wherever you go.”
Seeing that the man remained unmoved, Jiang Xizhi kissed him on the cheek, shook his arm, and cooed, “Please, let me go, okay?”
Ji Han Zhuo pointed to his right cheek, which hadn’t been kissed, giving her a look that said she should figure it out herself.
Jiang Xizhi immediately leaned in like an eager puppy and planted another sweet kiss, her voice dripping with honey. “Thank you, Ah Zhuo.”
Pleased by her flattery, Ji Han Zhuo didn’t forget to warn her. “Don’t talk to any boys, and come straight home after school…”
Jiang Xizhi didn’t want to listen to his nagging, so she replied perfunctorily, “Mm-hmm, I promise. I’m tired, let’s sleep.”
After saying that, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Ji Han Zhuo gave her a helpless look, kissed her forehead, and then the two embraced and slept.