Chapter 52.1
“Mom said the guy is introverted and shy, so you need to be more proactive. Don’t let him think you’re just a boring person with a nice face; otherwise, you’ll end up with one meal and no more.”
“I’ve checked, and the main reason for failed blind dates is usually mismatched values. Hmm… your values are very upright, so that shouldn’t be a concern.”
“Next is male chauvinism and conservative thinking. You need to respect others and be considerate of their feelings, okay? You absolutely cannot only talk about yourself or dismiss the other person. First impressions are very important.”
“Oh, and also being stingy. Guys who are tight-fisted don’t end well…”
Lu Xingxing was really focused on her brother’s lifelong matters. Not only did she spend last night researching various blind date strategies, but she also took screenshots of all the valuable references, just short of printing them into a manual.
If only there had been more time!
With her sisterly advice filling his ears, Lu Yao stepped on the brakes at a red light, lightly tapping his fingers on the edge of the steering wheel. He watched the countdown end, and the red light turn yellow and then green.
He wondered how long this red light would stay on.
“… Finally, always remember to be polite and gentlemanly. If the other person isn’t your type, you need to maintain your composure and avoid making them uncomfortable. If they are your type, then you need to pay extra attention to your attitude and behavior—be polite but not overly attentive, and keep a comfortable distance. Most importantly, avoid making any physical advances!”
“That’s all.” Lu Xingxing, who had talked herself dry, took a sip of water to clear her throat and asked Lu Yao, “Bro, did you remember everything?”
Lu Yao gave a perfunctory nod.
Lu Xingxing, “Is there any other question? If there is, you can ask now. Once we get to the venue, it’ll be too late.”
Lu Yao pressed the accelerator and turned the steering wheel left, “Is that all the strategy you have?”
Lu Xingxing, “Ah, what else do you want?”
Lu Yao, “You didn’t mention how to handle it if you get angry?”
“Come on, big boss, this is a blind date strategy, not a relationship strategy!” Lu Xingxing was exasperated. “You’re already thinking about the second and third steps before even starting the first one?”
Lu Yao smiled and didn’t respond.
The car turned into the alley where the restaurant was located. Lu Yao searched for a parking spot and asked Lu Xingxing casually, “Do you have the contact information for the guy?”
“How could I have it if you don’t?” Lu Xingxing unbuckled her seatbelt and said, “I hope you do well and that we get to add a new brother to our friend list soon.”
Well, that was expected.
Lu Yao parked the car, got out, locked it, and walked toward the private restaurant where they had a reservation.
Perhaps apologizing in person would be more effective, he thought. After all, every minute spent in conflict was a waste of life that could have been used for a hug.
“Hello, do you have a reservation?”
Lu Yao gave the last digits of his phone number. After the receptionist checked the computer, she stood up and said, “Yes, the number three private room. Please follow me.”
They walked through the inner corridor and stopped at the slightly open door. The waitress gestured, “Here it is. The food will be out soon; please wait a bit.”
Lu Yao thanked her, and as the waitress turned to leave, he was called back by Lu Xingxing.
As if afraid of being overheard, she whispered, “Excuse me, are we the first to arrive? Or is there someone already inside?”
The waitress hesitated and nodded, “Sorry, did we make a mistake?”
“No, no.” Lu Xingxing waved her hand, smiling, “No problem, just checking. Sorry for taking your time.”
“It’s no trouble,” the waitress assured, finally confident enough to leave.
Lu Xingxing took a deep breath, checking her brother’s outfit to ensure everything was okay. Rubbing her palms together, she pushed open the door—
Bang.
The door, which had been slightly pushed open, shut again due to a lack of force.
Lu Yao was bumped by Lu Xingxing’s rapid retreat and supported her shoulder, “What’s wrong?”
“I-I-I…”
Lu Xingxing patted her chest, eyes wide, pointing to the private room and then at Lu Yao. After a moment, she covered her mouth and exclaimed, “Big Boss Lu, you’ve won the jackpot!”
Lu Yao, “What jackpot?”
“Do you remember the incredibly handsome guy I mentioned seeing at the company entrance?”
Lu Xingxing’s eyes were as bright as stars, “He’s sitting inside right now!”
Lu Yao recalled the nonsensical message he received earlier and was momentarily speechless at such a coincidence.
Perhaps he should find a chance to tell Lu Xingxing that not only is he sitting inside now, but he’s also seen her exam papers, answered questions about the types of her questions, and played games with her all night.
Lu Xingxing, excited and invigorated, couldn’t hide her enthusiasm even in a lowered voice, “Promise me, Big Boss Lu, that you’ll win him over? Let’s work hard together and have him come to our house for the New Year this year!”
Lu Yao pushed her head back toward the door, “Let’s go in first.”
Lu Xingxing marveled at the wonders of fate and bounced lightly to the reserved table. When someone looked up at her, she gave her brother a thumbs-up behind her back.
Oh my, he looks even better up close!
“Brother, do you remember me? We’ve met before.” Lu Xingxing smiled, eyes full of anticipation. “Last time, by the roadside, you helped me with my luggage.”
Yu Le nodded in surprise. Of course, he remembered, but he didn’t expect her to be Lu Xingxing.
It wasn’t entirely unexpected; he had turned around at the time because the girl’s voice sounded familiar.
“What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to see you again. Maybe this is the wonderful fate~”
Lu Xingxing emphasized this, not forgetting the other main character of the day, and swiftly stepped aside, “Let me introduce you. This is my brother, Lu Yao.”
Yu Le then looked at Lu Yao, his brows slightly moving.
Lu Yao was dressed quite formally today, looking somewhat like a CEO. Unfortunately, mere beauty wasn’t enough to cool his temper.
As for Lu Yao, from the moment he entered the room, his gaze was blatantly fixed on Yu Le.
They hadn’t seen each other for several days. When they last parted, Yu Le was a docile and obedient kitten being coaxed to sleep. Now, he was the cool and indifferent blind date sitting across from him.
Mr. Lu, who had never regretted his decisions, felt a rare moment of regret today. Perhaps he really should have brought Yu Le back that day.
“Say hello!” Lu Xingxing tugged at his clothes, exasperated, and squeezed out through gritted teeth, “Why are you standing there like a fool? Do you still want to get married or not?!”
Lu Yao didn’t move, but Yu Le took the initiative to stand up, extending his hand with a smile, “I’m Yu Le. Mr. Lu, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The boyfriend’s attitude was clear, so Lu Yao could only cooperate and extend his hand, “Mr. Yu, it’s a pleasure.”
But as soon as their fingers touched, Yu Le withdrew his hand, clearly unwilling to shake hands.
Lu Yao looked at his lonely right hand hanging in mid-air, feeling both amused and helpless.
It seemed this blind date was destined to be “bumpy.”
The two of them sat down facing each other. Lu Xingxing dutifully sat beside her brother. The dishes quickly arrived. As she ate slowly, she kept her ears open, observing the situation.
But aside from moving a few signature dishes in front of Yu Le, there was no communication between them—no words, gestures, or even eye contact.
This wasn’t a blind date; it was more like sharing a meal with a tablemate.
Lu Xingxing’s internal alarm bells went off: This is bad; the worst thing for a blind date is meeting a mute, and Big Boss Lu has made a big mistake.
She needed to rescue the situation quickly!
“Ahem.”
She cleared her throat deliberately, catching Yu Le’s attention and starting to try to salvage her hopeless older brother’s image, “Um, my brother is like that, he’s not very articulate… No, I mean, he’s generally very reserved and composed, so he doesn’t talk much.”
“I’m not very talkative either.” Yu Le looked at Lu Yao with a regretful smile, “Mr. Lu, it seems we’re not very compatible.”
Before Lu Yao could respond, Lu Xingxing’s pupils dilated in shock.
What’s going on? Why did they already talk about incompatibility at the very beginning?
Fearing that her attempts to smooth things over would only make things worse, Lu Xingxing, hidden under the table, jabbed her brother urgently: Say something! Don’t let this chance slip away!
Lu Yao, “We haven’t really gotten to know each other yet. How does Mr. Yu know we’re not compatible?”
Yes, yes, yes!
Lu Xingxing nodded vigorously, understanding that they needed to get to know each other better. She wasn’t going to let it go easily!
Yu Le thought for a moment and nodded, “Alright, but may I ask what qualities Mr. Lu has that are worth knowing about?”
“I know the answer!”
Lu Xingxing hurriedly raised her hand and pointed at her brother like showing off an exhibit, “Look, this face isn’t too bad, right?”
Yu Le’s gaze swept over Mr. Lu’s superior appearance. He pursed his lips, showing some difficulty in his expression.
Lu Xingxing’s heart sank. It seemed that her brother’s looks weren’t enough. He wasn’t winning Yu Le over!
“It’s okay, there’s more. My brother is… very upright!”
Lu Xingxing racked her brain to recall her brother’s virtues, “He’s 27 this year, about to turn 28, and he’s never been in a relationship or even had a fling.”
Yu Le, “Really?”
Lu Xingxing, “Yes, yes, it’s a big plus!”
Yu Le, “If someone hasn’t been in a relationship by almost 30, can I reasonably suspect that Mr. Lu might have some character flaws or other issues?”
Lu Yao, “……”
Lu Xingxing, “……”
Lu Yao put down his chopsticks.
Lu Xingxing, thinking she had once again made things worse, swallowed hard, “He, he doesn’t really have any flaws. It’s just that he spent a lot of time in the military, you know, there weren’t really any opportunities for relationships.”
“Oh, right.” Yu Le recalled something with her hint, “I heard Mr. Lu is a retired special forces soldier?”
Lu Yao, picking up on this, nodded, “Yes.”
Lu Xingxing felt hopeful; after all, who wouldn’t like a cool, handsome soldier!
However, Yu Le said apologetically, “For personal reasons, I actually don’t prefer someone too outstanding as a partner.”
Lu Xingxing, “……”
Lu Xingxing wanted to gasp for air, “He’s 189 cm tall!”
Yu Le, “That’s a bit too tall.”
Lu Xingxing, “He can cook!”
Yu Le, “There are many people who can cook.”
Lu Xingxing, “He’s also a CEO!”
Yu Le smiled, “He’s probably too busy to spend much time with family.”
