“Miss Wen, you’re already twenty-six. You’re not getting any younger, so I’ll just be blunt.”
The man sitting across from her on the blind date lifted his chin slightly, his eyes full of arrogance and superiority.
“I earn 5,000 yuan a month. After we get married, I’ll give you 2,000 yuan each month. But you’ll have to quit your job. My mother isn’t in good health, so you need to get pregnant within six months. My family has been passing down the family line through a single son for three generations, so you must give birth to a boy.”
Wen Qingli’s fingers paused around her coffee cup.
“Does your family have a throne to inherit?”
The man adjusted his glasses and smiled smugly.
“Our house is about to be demolished for redevelopment. We’ll get at least three apartments in compensation. Once you marry into my family, you’ll become a landlady collecting rent. Marrying me would let you move up in society.”
Wen Qingli almost laughed in disbelief.
“Mr. Wang, even a nanny earns more than 2,000 yuan a month these days. With a brain like yours, I’d suggest making an appointment with a psychiatrist first.”
She picked up her handbag and stood to leave.
The man flew into a rage.
“Who are you trying to fool? With that innocent-looking face, you’re obviously a gold digger. When you were younger, you must’ve let plenty of rich men play with you. Now that you’re getting old and no one wants you anymore, you’re looking for an honest guy like me to take over—”
Before he could finish, a cup of warm coffee splashed across his face.
“Your mouth is so filthy. Wash it out!”
Ignoring the increasingly furious expression on his face, Wen Qingli strode out of the café.
As she neared the counter, she caught sight of a tall, broad-shouldered man.
He was dressed entirely in black. His hair was cropped short, his features sharp and handsome, and his whole body radiated the rugged aura of someone who was not to be approached.
The moment she saw his face, Wen Qingli froze.
It was Lu Zheng.
The boy she had secretly loved since high school.
The one she had quietly admired from afar for years.
It had been many years since they’d last met.
He probably wouldn’t recognize her anymore.
As if sensing her gaze, the man accepted the takeaway coffee from the barista and looked in her direction.
Wen Qingli immediately lowered her long, fluttering eyelashes and hurried away, her heart in chaos.
Once outside the café, she was about to hail a taxi when a deep, magnetic voice sounded behind her.
“Wen Qingli.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and even her breathing tightened.
She instinctively turned around.
Lu Zheng was walking toward her.
He was even taller than he had been in high school—probably around six foot three. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, handsome and sharp features.
He exuded a rugged masculinity that practically overflowed with testosterone.
A faint smile appeared on Wen Qingli’s delicate face.
“Lu Zheng… long time no see.”
He gave a slight nod.
“Long time no see.”
His dark eyes rested on her fair, beautiful face.
“Were you on a blind date just now?”
Wen Qingli nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed.
She had never expected today’s blind date to turn out to be such a disaster. It was the first time she’d ever thrown coffee at someone. She had simply been pushed too far.
Facing the man she had secretly loved for so many years, she had no idea what to say.
Just as she was wondering how to end the awkward encounter, his deep, pleasant voice rang out again.
“Do you want to get married?”
Wen Qingli froze.
Her clear almond-shaped eyes widened in shock.
“W-What did you say?”
Lu Zheng’s sharp jaw tightened, his dark gaze steady.
“My family is always forcing me to go on blind dates too. If you’re in the same situation as I am… we could get married.”
She could hardly believe what she had just heard.
Her blood rushed to her head.
Had she heard him correctly?
He was asking her to marry him?
So suddenly?
“If you don’t want to, that’s fine.”
Almost before he finished speaking, she nodded.
“I do.”
The tips of her ears instantly turned bright red.
She immediately regretted answering so quickly.
Couldn’t she have acted a little more reserved?
Now it looked as though she’d been wanting to marry him all along.
Lu Zheng took out his phone and opened an electronic copy of his medical examination report.
“This is my health report.”
Only then did Wen Qingli come to her senses. She hurriedly took out her own phone and showed him her electronic health report as well.
After they had both looked through each other’s reports, Lu Zheng lowered his gaze to her.
“If you have any expectations for marriage, you can tell me.”
She gently bit her lower lip.
“Can we keep it just for dealing with our families… and not make the marriage public?”
He gave a quiet nod.
“Mm.”
“What about you?” she asked. “Do you have any requirements?”
“I’m a criminal police officer. My work is demanding. I’m often out on assignments, and overtime and all-night shifts are routine. After we’re married, I’d like us to treat each other with mutual respect and not interfere in each other’s lives. We’ll only accompany each other when our parents expect us to.”
Wen Qingli understood immediately.
Mutual respect. No interference.
The unspoken meaning was clear:
He wasn’t looking for love.
She smiled politely.
“Actually… that’s my ideal kind of marriage too.”
In the shortest time possible, the two of them discussed all the details of their flash marriage.
Lu Zheng glanced at his watch.
“Did you bring your ID card?”
Wen Qingli nodded softly.
“I did.”
“Let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau now.”
Her fingertips tingled, and her heart began racing uncontrollably.
Right now… they were going to register their marriage?