Chapter Sixty: The Start of Blind Dates

After seeing Chu Lin off, Chu Zhen didn't take me back to my place, but instead took me to his house.

"It's not really appropriate for us to always stay at Huang Yanyan's place, let's move back here!"

"No need, I'm looking for a place closer to the newspaper office."

"Lin Dang, I can't live without you, I can't live without you." Chu Zhen hugged me from behind. "I tried to forget you, but I can't. Chen Weiqi told me that he confessed to you. I'm worried. I'm worried that I'll lose you."

"Chu Zhen, no one in this world is indispensable to anyone else; it's just a matter of time." I wasn't swayed by his advances because I knew that Chu Zhen hadn't been completely honest with me. If there were any lingering doubts, our relationship would definitely not work out.

"But I can't live without you. It's been several years now. I'm already in my thirties, almost forty. You won't wait until I'm old and decrepit to marry me, will you?"

"Who said I have to marry you? You can easily find someone young and beautiful. You're in your prime right now, and with your excellent qualities, finding a wife should be easy for you. If you're really having trouble, I can help you place a marriage advertisement in the newspaper. Considering our relationship, I won't charge you." I smiled, trying to ease the awkwardness of the moment.

"I'm so glad to see you smile." Chu Zhen hugged me tightly. "I thought you'd never smile at me again!"

I regained my composure and turned to look at Chu Zhen.

"Chu Zhen, if one day you can put away your unpredictable nature and there are no secrets between us, perhaps we can still be friends. Right now, we are just Chu Lin's adoptive parents," I said calmly, picked up my bag, and turned to leave.

Behind him, Chu Zhen made no move and did not follow even when they reached the bottom of the stairs.

Chu Zhen hasn't changed after all these years. I thought that if he could catch up with me and explain after I said that, I would definitely be moved and agree to go back to the way things were before, but he didn't.

I looked up at the familiar window. Before, the light inside always felt warm, but now it was particularly glaring. I hailed a taxi and left this place. I knew I would never set foot in there again.

Days passed by, and I spent my days searching for news material, conducting interviews, editing, and publishing articles—my life was quite fulfilling. However, some well-meaning colleagues, concerned about my marriage prospects, would often introduce me to successful men. I didn't object; after all, I was well past the age of dating, and marriage was, after all, arranged by parents and matchmakers!

“Girl, I actually think Wang Sihong is a really good guy. The calm and composed aura he had when he chaired the meeting yesterday is unlike that of men his age. He was mature and steady. More importantly, he even chatted with me afterwards, asking about my well-being. Actually, he was just concerned about you.” My father met Wang Sihong at the meeting yesterday and started video chatting with me first thing this morning.

"It's impossible between us. We're too familiar with each other. It's not fair to make a move on someone you know well," I replied while making coffee.

“These days, aren’t there many couples who have been good friends for years and end up as husband and wife? You two are the best, you know each other inside and out, right?” the old father said persistently.

“You think that way, but others might not think that way,” I replied casually, unable to resist my father’s insistence.

"So you mean if Wang Sihong thinks that way, then you agree, right?" the elderly father said excitedly in the video. Just as I was about to explain, he hung up. When I called back, he refused to answer.

Sigh, it seems I've become a major headache for my parents. Oh well, let them do whatever they want. I picked up my computer and started researching.

Huang Yanyan is busy with work every day, and she's also busy with various social engagements on holidays. We see each other less and less, but we still send each other a message every day to say hello. So now, most of the time, I'm alone in my apartment. On days off like this, I can stay home all day. By the time I put down my computer again, it's already dark outside.

"Ding~" The doorbell rang.

"Wang Sihong? What brings you here?" I was quite surprised when I opened the door.

"I have a meeting on Monday, so I came early. Aren't you going to invite me in?" Wang Sihong said, lifting the things he was carrying.

"Sorry, I'm a little confused. Please come in!" I invited Wang Sihong into the house.

"The house is nicely tidied up, very cozy. Do you live alone?"

"It's my friend's house. She comes back to stay occasionally. I usually live alone. Sprite, right?"

"You still remember my hobby, don't you?" Wang Sihong sat down on the sofa. "I remember we both loved drinking Sprite back then, and after we drank too much, we'd burp."

"Brother, let's not talk about that, okay? I'm a girl, I need to maintain my image!" I handed the Sprite to Wang Sihong. "Are you going to the municipal government for a meeting about urban construction?"

"Hmm, how did you know?"

"I'm going tomorrow too! Have you forgotten I work at a newspaper?"

"I really forgot~"

I brought a glass of water and a chair, and sat down next to Wang Sihong.

"Don't you drink Sprite?" Wang Sihong asked.

"My stomach isn't feeling well right now, so I can't drink these things anymore."

"It's really not easy being alone in a foreign place. I really admire you. I remember when we were in school you wanted to be a reporter. Among all our classmates, you're probably the only one who has been fighting for your dream all this time."

"It's nothing. By the way, where are you staying tonight? Have you booked a hotel?"

"We came in a bit of a rush and hadn't booked a hotel yet. We came straight here after arriving in City A."

Wait a minute, now that I think about it, Wang Sihong had no idea where I lived, so how did he find this place?

"The address your dad gave me." Wang Sihong probably sensed my question and said it directly before I could ask.

"You seem to contact my dad quite frequently!"

"Lin Dang~" Wang Sihong put the Sprite he had been holding onto the coffee table, looked at me with a serious expression, but there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

"Um?"

"My uncle said that you've agreed to date me, is that right?"

I really didn't expect Wang Sihong to suddenly say something like that. When did I agree to that? Did I say something wrong during the video call this morning?

"Actually, I've liked you all these years, but you're too outstanding, and I always worried that I wasn't good enough for you. When I met you again, I was very excited, but I didn't expect that you had a boyfriend. However, I know that you broke up with him a long time ago and you're not against blind dates now. What I want to say is, if possible, it's good to keep the good stuff in the family, right?" Wang Sihong suddenly said such a long string of words. Apart from being a little nervous at the beginning, the rest of the words flowed as if he had memorized them for a long time.