Shen Mianmian felt that she should be honest with her family. She couldn't let them keep having expectations and disappointments, nor could she waste her blind date's time.

So, I went back to my room to change my clothes and then returned to the living room.

In the living room, the three of them sat on the sofa, eagerly waiting for her.

Seeing this, Chen Mianmian was both amused and exasperated.

Shen Sui asked impatiently, "Sister, did that person do something offensive? Don't be angry, there are still more normal people in the world. I'll ask a few of my senior brothers if they're single later. As long as you don't mind if they're a little younger than you, you can try my senior brother."

Chen Mianmian sat down, pondered for a moment, and then said with a serious expression, "My blind date didn't do anything offensive. He's a good person, it's just that I don't feel anything for him."

Mr. Shen was getting anxious. "Feelings again? Can't you be a little more clear-headed? You're thirty years old. If you were twenty-nine, I could understand if you wanted any kind of feeling, but you're thirty!"

Mother Shen also said, "Yes, marriage is different from dating. Marriage is more about cooperation. As long as the conditions are right, feelings can be cultivated slowly."

Shen Sui's tone changed, "Sis, you...you don't actually like women, do you? Why don't you come out? I'll support you. I'll convince my girlfriend to have a baby for you later?"

Chen Mianmian rolled her eyes at him, "Find a girlfriend first, you single dog."

His deep, fair, and handsome face was full of disdain. "I'm not like you. If I want to find someone, I can find someone anytime."

"Then go ahead and look for it."

"My studies come first."

"My career comes first. I'll be promoted to deputy section chief by the end of the year. You still don't have a job after graduation, do you?"

“You…” Shen Sui was speechless, tears streaming down her face—if only her sister used the same skills she had for roasting her brother on finding a partner, she would probably be a Casanova by now.

Mother Chen said, "You two stop arguing. What time is it and you're still fighting?" Then, with an anxious expression and a sincere voice, she said, "Mianmian, tell Mom the truth, what are you really thinking? Mom knows you've never been interested in dating since you were little, but... you're thirty years old after all! Or... do you really like women? Although... but... if you really like women, tell your parents, and your parents will try to accept it."

Shen Mianmian was amused and laughed, but soon her smile turned bitter. "Mom, my orientation is normal, I just don't have anyone I like."

“You can’t stay single forever if you don’t have someone you like, can you?” Mr. Shen said anxiously. “Why don’t you treat marriage like roommates and find someone with the same personality to live with?”

“Yeah, sis, I have a senior brother who doesn’t want to get married either. He’s childless by choice. Why don’t you two give it a try?” Shen Sui said excitedly.

Shen Mianmian is not out of touch with reality. She knows that in this conservative province with a high college entrance examination, it is indeed a bit outrageous not to be in a relationship by the age of thirty.

She had also considered finding someone to solve societal prejudices, but she resisted the mere thought of living under the same roof as a man.

There was once a person who, in order to fight for her rights, was determined to defy fate.

In order to keep her, they agreed that she would have a child after the provincial examination.

To register for the children's exam, someone as shy and socially awkward as him went to ask his father's friend for help, getting completely drunk in the process.

He worked so hard, but she married someone else just to please society.

How despicable is she?

She clearly remembered that he begged her to stay time and time again; even when he finally took the poison to fake his death and was tormented by pain to the point of being emaciated, he still held her with his cold hands and repeatedly told her to wait for him.

She still remembers when he asked her if she was leaving, she lied to him confidently that she wouldn't, but in her heart she was thinking: Don't be ridiculous, who would give up their family and life for a man they've only known for a few days?

But once I actually came back, I started to miss him, think about him, and worry about him.

Because of her, he regained hope for life.

Now that she's gone, will he lose hope again?

She hopes he can let go and start a new life.

But at the same time, she selfishly hoped that he would never forget her, just as she would never forget him either.

Shen Mianmian shook her head. "I'm sorry... Is it because I'm not getting married that people are talking about me? I'm planning to move out."

The three were surprised.

Mr. Shen immediately said, "No! There's so much hostility in society these days. We're worried about a single young woman like you living alone outside."

"Yes, we won't rush you, is that not okay?" Mother Shen said anxiously.

Shen Sui didn't say anything. He sat cross-legged on the sofa, scrolling through his phone's contacts, trying to figure out which senior brother would be the best to introduce to his sister.

Chen Mianmian said earnestly, "I know my behavior was very unreliable, and I'm sorry. I tried to convince myself before that I should find someone suitable, slowly cultivate feelings, or simply make them life partners. But..."

Today was my blind date, and just imagining what it would be like to live with him in the future fills me with a strong sense of resistance. I tried to fight that resistance, but the feeling only grew stronger, so strong that I felt like vomiting.

I went to the bathroom and tried to mentally prepare myself, but I still felt nauseous. Finally, I decided to let it go, so I went back to the table, explained that I wouldn't pursue the relationship further, apologized, and offered to treat him to dinner.

After saying that, the resistance and urge to vomit immediately disappeared. "I'm sorry... I really tried, but I couldn't do it! From childhood to adulthood, I've never been one to take things as they come. If I were, I would have stayed there."

As Chen Mianmian spoke, she became more and more agitated, until tears streamed down her face, which frightened the others.

"Mianmian, don't cry! We won't force you anymore, okay?" Mother Shen was so frightened that she also started crying.

Mr. Chen sighed, “Yes, isn’t this what we’re discussing? We’re not going to arrange any more blind dates. We’ll live at home for the rest of our lives. It just so happens that your parents don’t want you to get married.”

Shen Sui also said, "Yes, yes, if you think I'm superfluous, I'll move out right now, as long as you help me with some of the rent."

Looking at her understanding and tolerant family, Chen Mianmian cried even harder.

...

That night.

Chenmian lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling with her swollen, red eyes.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

The door opened, and Chen's mother cautiously entered. "Are you asleep? Is it convenient for us to chat for a few minutes? Just a few words."

Chen Mianmian hurriedly got up. "What's up? What's the matter?"

Chen's mother sat on the edge of the bed and summarized her thoughts, "Well... your father and I just had another discussion, and we both think... have you broken up with your boyfriend?"

"..."

"You don't seem like someone you don't like, son. Tell me the truth, have you fallen for a married man? Are you having an affair?"

Chen Mianmian sighed helplessly, thinking to herself that her parents had a vivid imagination. "No, he wasn't a mistress, he... is dead."

"..." Mother Shen was stunned for a moment, "...Dead? Really dead?"

Chen Mianmian lowered her eyes, "Yes, if he were 'alive,' I would go to the ends of the earth to find him."