Chapter 51.2
This strange twist of fate made Yu Le’s lips curl upwards uncontrollably.
He deftly twirled the paintbrush between his fingers, and was about to speak when he suddenly remembered another key point, “Wait, so you knew it was me all along, starting from when I entered the mountains?”
“Not that early.” Lu Yao said, “It was the day before Cheng Xiwu’s engagement.”
Yu Le vividly remembered those two days. He recalled how, after drinking too much that night, he had let slip a lot of information, so it was surprising that he hadn’t been discovered.
His smile slowly flattened, “Then why didn’t you tell me?”
Lu Yao, “At that time, you seemed very resistant to the idea of a blind date. I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid you’d develop a negative attitude towards me and feel uncomfortable staying here.”
Yu Le, “Were you worried I’d feel uncomfortable, or were you worried it would affect your ulterior motives?”
Lu Yao admitted his thoughts openly, “Both explanations aren’t wrong.”
Yu Le responded vaguely, “Hmm,” before continuing, “So why did you still not tell me after we were together for so long?”
“Time dragged on, and I ended up forgetting,” Lu Yao said. “Also, I hadn’t found a suitable opportunity to bring it up—”
“You’ve been hiding it from me for so long, Boss Lu, you’re quite something.”
Before Lu Yao could finish, Yu Le scoffed, “I even worried my parents might have a bad impression of you, and I went back and dealt with the blind date issue to avoid getting scolded, all to keep it from you.”
Lu Yao finally sensed that something was off in Yu Le’s tone.
It seemed the situation had deviated from expectations and was developing unfavorably. Lu Yao paused for a moment and asked directly, “Le Le, are you angry?”
Yu Le ignored the question, “Do my uncle and aunt know about this?”
Lu Yao, “Not yet.”
Yu Le, “Do they also not know you have a boyfriend?”
Lu Yao, “Yes.”
“Alright.” Yu Le said briskly, “I understand now.”
On the other end of the line, Lu Yao couldn’t see Yu Le’s expression and couldn’t read much emotion from his tone. Feeling helpless and knowing that the other party might be upset, Lu Yao felt uncomfortable, “Le Le.”
Yu Le made it clear he didn’t want to continue the conversation, “You just got home, so rest well. I have some things to do. I’m hanging up now.”
“…”
Lu Yao, listening to the busy tone, rubbed his temples in frustration.
He hadn’t anticipated this as a potential issue.
No, it wasn’t a potential issue; it had already erupted.
After some thought, Lu Yao put down his phone and decided to take a shower to cool down and think about how to apologize and make amends.
When he finished his shower and was about to call Yu Le again to gauge his mood, his mother’s call came through first.
“Son, still awake?” Mrs. Lu’s voice had a trace of concealed excitement.
Lu Yao, “Not yet, Mom. What’s up?”
Mrs. Lu, “I have good news about your blind date.”
Lu Yao had a bad premonition, “What’s going on?”
Mrs. Lu, “The other party’s mother contacted me just now. She said her child is almost done with his busy schedule and will be returning to Xuan City tomorrow. The child feels sorry for making you wait so long, so he plans to meet you tomorrow when he returns and asked what time would be convenient for you.”
Lu Yao’s forehead twitched.
Mrs. Lu, “Your grandfather’s condition has stabilized, so you don’t need to stay by his side constantly. I’ve already replied to the other party: 5 PM tomorrow, at the most famous private restaurant on Hua’an Street. You should book the place and arrange the dishes.”
Mrs. Lu, “Oh, and one more thing: since the child is a bit shy and feels uncomfortable being alone with a stranger, I discussed it with his mother and we decided that Xingxing will accompany you tomorrow.”
Lu Yao, “…”
Lu Yao, “Lu Xingxing will come with me?”
“Why wouldn’t she?”
Mrs. Lu said, “If we elders went, it would probably be even more awkward for you. Xingxing is the most suitable person we could think of.”
Mrs. Lu, “Alright, that’s all I have to say. You handle the rest. Make a good impression. If you mess things up because of some careless mistake, just wait and see how your dad and I will deal with you.”
…
Afterward, Lu Yao tried calling Yu Le several times, but each call ended up being disconnected. Given the situation, it was understandable that messages weren’t being returned.
Before 4 PM the next day, Lu Xingxing excitedly came to find him, declaring she had prepared the most comprehensive blind date strategy, and success was just around the corner!
Although Lu Yao wasn’t sure what kind of strategy was needed for a blind date with his own boyfriend.
What he really needed was a strategy for apologizing.
Lu Xingxing slipped into his room to help him pick out clothes, muttering something he couldn’t quite understand.
Lu Yao leaned against the door, absently fiddling with his phone, thinking about how he might be able to get Yu Le to answer his call.
“Bro, bro! Hurry up and change clothes!” Lu Xingxing called out loudly, “Quickly, I’ve got everything ready for you.”
With no clear solution, Lu Yao snapped back to reality, put away his phone, and walked towards the room.
While changing, Lu Xingxing continued chattering through the door, “I’m on a mission today—to resolve any awkwardness, create the right atmosphere if needed, and make sure you two end up together!”
“I’ve arranged the process: first, a meal to chat and get to know each other, then afterward, we’ll head to Hua’an Street to check out the cultural events. Since the guy isn’t from Xuan City, you should give him a good tour.”
“Of course, I’ll accompany you the whole time. Once you’re familiar with each other and can talk on your own, well… no, once you get his contact info, I’ll retreat. You’ll be responsible for getting him home, and you can handle the rest.”
“Remember to maintain your gentlemanly manners throughout. The first impression is crucial as it directly affects whether there will be another meeting.”
Lu Yao listened with half an ear and thought that if Xingxing could retreat now, that would be ideal. He texted Yu Le to ask where he was, whether he was feeling warm, and if he needed a pickup.
Just as he sent the message, he was met with a conspicuous red exclamation mark:
The other party has enabled friend verification. You are not yet friends with them. Please send a friend verification request. You can chat only after the request is approved.
Lu Yao, “…”
Ugh, it seems he really needed to re-add him.
