Chapter 18
The next morning at nine o'clock, Shi Ye was already pacing in the living room.
She stared at the clock on the wall, the little grumbling voice in her head holding a morning meeting: "So today is the legendary 'four-person date'? No, 'four-person bricklaying'? No, 'four-person matchmaking operation'? Anyway, I have to match Qi Jin and Lin Xiaoyu in front of Jiang Chen, but Jiang Chen likes Lin Xiaoyu, Lin Xiaoyu treats me like an older sister, and Qi Jin likes me—this relationship is more complicated than a spider web!"
She glanced at the art supply box in the corner of the living room, which belonged to the original owner's mother and had been found in the attic last night. Several other boxes were piled up next to it, containing other old items she had found—an old-fashioned camera her father had used when he was young, a sewing machine left by her grandmother, and some old books.
"Can these things really be used for an exhibition?" she muttered. "Aren't they too old?"
My phone vibrated; it was a message from Lin Xiaoyu: "Sister Shi Ye! We're off! Senior is driving, and Jiang Chen and I are in the car!"
A photo was attached—in the car, Qi Jin was in the driver's seat, Lin Xiaoyu was in the passenger seat and looked back making a peace sign, and a handsome boy wearing glasses was smiling shyly in the back seat.
Shi Ye stared at the photo for three seconds, only one thought in his mind: "Why is Lin Xiaoyu sitting in the passenger seat?! Shouldn't that be reserved for... Wait, what am I thinking?! What does it matter to me who sits in the passenger seat?!"
She replied with an "okay," and then continued pacing.
At 9:50, the doorbell rang.
Shi Ye took a deep breath and opened the door. Four people stood outside—Qi Jin, Lin Xiaoyu, and a boy she didn't recognize, presumably Jiang Chen. And… bodyguards?
"Who is this?" Shi Ye pointed to the burly man in a black suit standing behind Qi Jin.
“Bodyguards,” Qi Jin explained, “We need manpower to move heavy objects.”
Shi Ye: "..." So Qi Jin brought his bodyguards too? Isn't this lineup a bit too big?!
"Sister Shi!" Lin Xiaoyu rushed over and hugged her. "I missed you so much!"
The boy wearing glasses behind her walked over and nodded politely: "Hello, I'm Jiang Chen, Xiaoyu's classmate."
Jiang Chen was quite handsome, tall, and wore gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a refined appearance. He didn't look like someone who could lift heavy objects at all.
"Hello." Shi Ye nodded. "Come in."
The group entered the house. Jiang Chen's eyes lit up when he saw the boxes in the living room: "Are all of these going to be moved?"
"Yes," Shi Ye said, "Some of them are quite heavy, thank you for your help."
"No trouble at all!" Lin Xiaoyu excitedly ran to the painting box. "Is this Sister Shi Ye's mother's painting supplies? Can I take a look?"
"Okay." Shi Ye opened the painting box.
Lin Xiaoyu carefully took out the sketchbook, opened it, and was stunned when she saw the self-portrait.
“This is…” she looked up at Shi Ye, “your mother?”
"Mm." Shi Ye nodded.
"So beautiful..." Lin Xiaoyu said softly, "It's so well painted."
Qi Jin also walked over, glanced at the painting, and her eyes flickered. She looked at Shi Ye, but Shi Ye avoided her gaze.
"Do we have to move all of these?" Jiang Chen asked, pointing to the boxes.
“Yes,” Shi Ye said. “The camera and sewing machine are quite heavy, so it might take two people to carry them.”
"I'll do it! I'll do it!" Lin Xiaoyu raised her hand. "I'll carry the sewing machine with my senior! Senior Jiang Chen and the bodyguard will carry the camera! Sister Shi, you take the painting case and the books!"
Shi Ye: "..." This assignment... Lin Xiaoyu and Qi Jin are in one group? Jiang Chen and the bodyguard are in another group? Wait, what about her? She's all alone?
“I’ll help too…” she said.
"No need, no need!" Lin Xiaoyu waved her hand. "The painting box is very precious, Sister Shiye, please carry it carefully! The books are also heavy, let the bodyguard carry them!"
Shi Ye looked at Qi Jin. Qi Jin nodded: "That's settled then."
And so the assignment was decided. Shi Ye always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
They started moving things. The first thing they moved was a sewing machine, which was indeed very heavy. Qi Jin and Lin Xiaoyu each carried one side, slowly making their way out.
"Is it heavy on your side, senior?" Lin Xiaoyu asked.
"It's alright," Qi Jin said. "How about your end?"
“It’s a bit heavy, but I can handle it!” Lin Xiaoyu said through gritted teeth.
Shi Ye followed behind them, carrying the painting box. Watching their seamless teamwork, the progress bar in his mind seemed to light up. Excellent! Interaction! Cooperation! Building rapport!
But the next second, an accident happened.
As Lin Xiaoyu was going down the stairs, she slipped and cried out, "Ah!"
The sewing machine tilted, and Qi Jin quickly steadied it, shouting, "Be careful!"
But Lin Xiaoyu had already lost her balance and was about to fall—Jiang Chen rushed forward and caught her.
"Are you alright?" Jiang Chen asked, his eyes filled with concern.
"N-nothing..." Lin Xiaoyu steadied herself, her face slightly flushed. "Thank you, senior."
Shi Ye: "..." Wait, this plot isn't right! It should be Qi Jin supporting Lin Xiaoyu! Jiang Chen, why are you stealing the spotlight?!
She looked at Qi Jin. Qi Jin had already placed the sewing machine steadily, his expression calm: "It's good that you're alright. Let's continue."
The first attempt to matchmake failed.
Next, they moved the camera. The camera was heavier, so Jiang Chen and his bodyguard lifted it together. Lin Xiaoyu directed from the side, "Be careful! This is a very antique!"
Qi Jin walked over and said to Shi Ye, "Give me the painting box, you take the books."
“No need, I can…” Shi Ye wanted to refuse.
But Qi Jin had already taken the painting box: "The books are lighter, you take that one."
Shi Ye had no choice but to go get the books. The books were indeed relatively light, but as she carried a stack of books and watched Qi Jin carefully carrying the painting box, that bit of physical discomfort returned to her heart.
"System," she asked in her mind, "does this count as a failed matchmaking attempt?"
"Current situation: Qi Jin interacts less with Lin Xiaoyu, while Jiang Chen interacts more with Lin Xiaoyu. It is recommended to adjust the strategy."
Shi Ye: "..." How to adjust this?! She can't exactly tie Jiang Chen up, can she?!
After everything was loaded into the car, the group set off for Qi Jin's house. In the car, Lin Xiaoyu sat in the passenger seat, Jiang Chen sat in the back seat, and Shi Ye... also sat in the back seat with Jiang Chen.
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
"Senior Jiang Chen," Shi Ye tried to start a conversation, "you're studying architecture?"
"Yes." Jiang Chen nodded. "I'm a senior now, and I'm preparing for my graduation project."
"You must be very busy. Thank you for helping out."
"You're welcome." Jiang Chen smiled. "Xiaoyu's affairs are my affairs."
Shi Ye: "..." Why does this sound a bit ambiguous?
She looked at Lin Xiaoyu. Lin Xiaoyu was chatting with Qi Jin: "Senior, where do you keep all your old things?"
“The basement,” Qi Jin said. “There’s a dedicated storage room.”
Wow! I really want to see it!
Shi Ye thought to himself: The basement, the storage room, the dim lighting, the cramped space... This environment is perfect for creating opportunities to be alone!
The car arrived at Qi Jin's house. As soon as she got out, Lin Xiaoyu excitedly looked around, exclaiming, "Senior's house is so big!"
"It's alright," Qi Jin said. "This way."
She led everyone to the basement. The basement was indeed very large, with a special storage room filled with all sorts of things.
"These are all..." Lin Xiaoyu's eyes lit up, "Antiques?"
“They’re not antiques, just a few years old.” Qi Jin turned on the light. “That typewriter was used by my father when he was young. That tea set was collected by my grandfather. And those books all belonged to my grandmother.”
Lin Xiaoyu felt like she had entered a treasure trove, touching this and looking at that: "Can I borrow any of these?"
"Okay," Qi Jin nodded. "Just be careful not to break it."
"Absolutely not!" Lin Xiaoyu promised. "I will treat them like precious treasures!"
We started moving things. There was quite a lot to move this time—a typewriter, tea set, some old books, and a few pieces of old furniture.
"Let's divide the work!" Lin Xiaoyu suggested. "My senior and I will move the typewriters, Senior Jiang Chen and the bodyguard will move the furniture, and Sister Shi... Sister Shi, you just keep an eye on things!"
Shi Ye: "..." She's become an audience member again?!
“I’ll help too…” she said.
"No need, no need!" Lin Xiaoyu waved her hand. "The typewriter is heavy, my senior and I can carry it!"
Shi Ye looked at Qi Jin. Qi Jin had already started moving the typewriter, and Lin Xiaoyu quickly went over to help.
The two men carried the typewriter out. This time it went smoothly without any mishaps.
Shi Ye followed behind, the progress bar in his mind lighting up again. Great, successful interaction!
But when they reached the stairwell, Lin Xiaoyu suddenly said, "Senior, wait a minute, my shoelace is untied."
She put down her typewriter and bent down to tie her shoelaces. Qi Jin also put down his typewriter and waited for her.
Just then, Jiang Chen carried over a small cabinet: "Xiaoyu, do you need any help?"
"No need, no need!" Lin Xiaoyu quickly said, "It'll be ready soon!"
She tied her shoelaces and picked up the typewriter again. But perhaps because she had been squatting for so long, she felt a little dizzy and swayed slightly when she stood up.
Qi Jin immediately helped her up: "Are you alright?"
"N-nothing..." Lin Xiaoyu shook her head, "I'm just a little dizzy."
Jiang Chen put down the cabinet and walked over: "Would you like to rest for a bit?"
"No need!" Lin Xiaoyu insisted. "Let's continue!"
The second attempt at matchmaking was barely successful? But Jiang Chen interfered again!
Shi Ye felt that this task was becoming increasingly difficult.
After everything was loaded onto the truck, it was already noon.
"I'll treat everyone to dinner," Qi Jin said. "There's a nice restaurant nearby."
"Okay, okay!" Lin Xiaoyu raised her hand. "I'm hungry!"
Jiang Chen nodded: "I'll do as President Qi says."
Shi Ye had no objection.
The restaurant was a private kitchen that Qi Jin frequented. The four of them sat down in the private room. Qi Jin naturally sat next to Shi Ye, Lin Xiaoyu sat on the other side of Shi Ye, and Jiang Chen sat next to Lin Xiaoyu.
After ordering, Lin Xiaoyu excitedly began to explain her design concept: "I want to transform a typewriter into an art installation, with succulents growing inside! Tea sets can be turned into lamps, and old books can be made into sculptures..."
She spoke with great enthusiasm, and Jiang Chen looked at her with tender eyes.
Shi Ye noticed this detail and a thought struck her. Jiang Chen liked Lin Xiaoyu; it was obvious. So what if… she tried to matchmake Jiang Chen and Lin Xiaoyu? That way, Lin Xiaoyu would have a place to belong, and wouldn't Qi Jin finally give up?
No, the task is to bring Qi Jin and Lin Xiaoyu together, not Jiang Chen and Lin Xiaoyu. The system will flag it as a failure.
She has a headache.
The dishes were served. Qi Jin naturally picked up some food for Shi Ye: "This is what you like."
Shi Ye looked at the food in her bowl, and that physical discomfort returned. Why did Qi Jin put food on her plate in front of so many people?! Lin Xiaoyu and Jiang Chen were watching!
"Thank you," she said softly, lowering her head to eat.
Lin Xiaoyu looked at them, her eyes darting around, and suddenly said, "Senior is so kind to Sister Shi!"
Qi Jin didn't say anything and continued eating.
Jiang Chen glanced at Qi Jin, then at Shi Ye, his eyes thoughtful.
After dinner, the group headed to Lin Xiaoyu's house. Lin Xiaoyu had an empty room that she used as a studio, which was already filled with some of her own artwork.
"These are all things I make in my spare time!" Lin Xiaoyu introduced. "This is a chair made from an old bicycle, this is a decorative painting made from bottle caps, and this is a small sculpture made from scrap wood..."
Looking at the works, Shi Ye thought they were indeed very creative. Lin Xiaoyu really had talent.
“Great,” Qi Jin said. “The exhibition can be divided into several areas: a memory area, displaying old objects; a creative area, displaying your renovation works; and an interactive area, allowing visitors to experience the renovation process.”
"Yes!" Lin Xiaoyu's eyes lit up. "That's exactly what I was thinking! Senior, you understand so well!"
Jiang Chen nodded: "That's a great idea. I can help design the exhibition area layout. I studied architecture and I'm quite good at spatial planning."
"Great!" Lin Xiaoyu clapped her hands. "Then I'll have to trouble you, senior!"
Watching the three of them discussing so enthusiastically, Shi Ye suddenly felt like an outsider. She didn't understand design, art, or architecture... all she could do was try to bring people together, and even that failed.
“Sister Shi,” Lin Xiaoyu suddenly called out to her, “what do you think?”
"Huh?" Shi Ye came back to his senses. "I think...it's great."
"Be more specific!" Lin Xiaoyu pulled her along, "Which part is the best?"
Shi Ye looked at the design drawings and randomly pointed to one: "This one... has a nice lighting design."
"Really?" Lin Xiaoyu said happily, "This is my proudest part! My senior also said it was good!"
Shi Ye looked at Qi Jin. Qi Jin was looking at her with gentle eyes.
She quickly looked away.
The discussion lasted all afternoon. By the time it ended, it was almost dark.
"Thank you all for your hard work today!" Lin Xiaoyu said. "Once my design exhibition is a success, I'll definitely treat everyone to a big meal!"
Qi Jin nodded: "Just tell me what you need."
Jiang Chen also said, "You can contact me anytime."
Shi Ye: "...Hmm."
Qi Jin escorted Shi Ye home. Once again, only the two of them remained in the car.
"Are you tired today?" Qi Jin asked.
"It's alright," Shi Ye said, "It's just... I feel like I can't be of much help."
“You’ve helped a lot,” Qi Jin said. “Xiao Yu really likes those art supplies.”
Shi Ye recalled Lin Xiaoyu's expression when she saw the self-portrait, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions. Using the original owner's mother's things at a design exhibition should be a good thing, right?
“Qi Jin,” she suddenly asked, “do you think… Xiao Yu and Jiang Chen are a good match?”
Qi Jin glanced at her: "What are you trying to say?"
"I just... I think they get along really well," Shi Ye said. "The way Jiang Chen looks at Xiao Yu, it's obvious he likes her."
"so what?"
"So..." Shi Ye carefully chose his words, "wouldn't it be nice if Xiaoyu and Jiang Chen were together?"
Qi Jin was silent for a moment: "Shi Ye, what exactly do you want to do?"
"I..." Shi Ye was speechless.
"You wanted to set me up with Xiaoyu, and now you want to set Xiaoyu up with Jiang Chen," Qi Jin said. "Who do you really want to be with whom?"
Shi Ye was speechless. Who did she hope would end up with whom? She hoped the mission would be completed, that the world wouldn't collapse, and that Qi Jin wouldn't disappear... As for who Qi Jin ended up with, did it matter?
"I..." she said with difficulty, "I just hope everyone is doing well."
"Does that include yourself?" Qi Jin asked.
Shi Ye was stunned.
“If you really want everyone to be well,” Qi Jin said, “you should ask yourself what you want.”
The car stopped in front of the Shi family's house. Qi Jin didn't get out of the car, but just looked at Shi Ye: "Shi Ye, you can run away, you can play matchmaker, you can do whatever you want. But one day, you will have to face yourself."
She paused for a moment, then said, "I'll wait for you until then."
Shi Ye got out of the car and watched Qi Jin's car drive away. His mind was a mess.
What did Qi Jin mean by that? Facing himself? Facing what?
She went back to her room, lay on her bed, and stared at the ceiling.
My phone vibrated; it was a system message: "Today's mission progress: Qi Jin's favorability towards Lin Xiaoyu is 50/100 (+1), Lin Xiaoyu's favorability towards Qi Jin is 49/100 (+1). Jiang Chen's favorability towards Lin Xiaoyu is 85/100. New data: Jiang Chen's favorability towards the host is 30/100."
Shi Ye stared at the last line of text: "Jiang Chen's favorability towards the host: 30/100?"
Jiang Chen has feelings for her? Why?! They only met for the first time today!
“System,” she asked, “is this data accurate?”
"Accurate. Jiang Chen's initial attraction to the host may be due to: 1. The host's appearance; 2. The host's close relationship with Lin Xiaoyu; 3. Other unknown factors."
Shi Ye: "..." What is all this nonsense!
She felt she might really not be suited to be a matchmaker. Not only did she fail to bring Qi Jin and Lin Xiaoyu together, but she also managed to make Jiang Chen develop feelings for her?
Is this task still doable?!
She put down her phone and covered her face with a pillow.
Today was a chaotic, unsuccessful day, and now there's a new problem.
Will things get even worse tomorrow?
She didn't know.
All she knew was that the mission had to continue.
And her heart seemed... even more confused.
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