After Marrying Professor Song 1

Chapter 1

“Mr. Lu, with all due respect, your requirements for a partner are a bit too stringent.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a sudden downpour accompanied by wind erupted outside. Large raindrops poured down, hitting the ground and leaves, creating a cacophony that disrupted Lu Xuefeng’s focus.

His gaze drifted, lingering for a few seconds on the forceful streams of rain, before returning to the person sitting opposite him – his blind date.

Lu Xuefeng asked softly, as if puzzled, “How are they stringent?”

He sat upright. Though possessing a strikingly beautiful face, his expression remained indifferent, giving off a strong sense of aloofness.

Jiang Jie recalled that from the moment he met Lu Xuefeng, he hadn’t seen a genuinely relaxed smile in his eyes. He seemed quite unattainable.

He didn’t beat around the bush, saying directly, “You mentioned earlier that you hope your partner has a stable income, a fixed residence, a compatible personality, a clean private life, and the ability to be mutually understanding and forgiving. I can meet all these requirements.”

Jiang Jie had a good memory, listing the requirements again. Staring at Lu Xuefeng, he continued to sing his own praises: “But no smoking or excessive drinking… that’s a bit difficult. You know, most adults these days indulge a little. In my line of work, it’s especially hard to avoid social engagements.”

Jiang Jie was a department manager at a listed company, requiring him to attend numerous drinking engagements.

Lu Xuefeng nodded in understanding, not offering any rebuttal.

His aversion to excessive drinking didn’t mean complete abstinence, but simply a dislike for a partner frequently returning home drunk.

It seemed Jiang Jie couldn’t avoid such situations.

This blind date was arranged by Aunt Chen from his neighborhood.

Lu Xuefeng had a general understanding of Jiang Jie’s background. He thought that Jiang Jie looked relatively stable and reliable in his photo, with a successful career – the type his elders would approve of. That’s why he agreed to meet and chat further.

“Mr. Jiang, I understand your work requirements.”

Lu Xuefeng touched the coffee cup on the table, taking a sip, the chaotic sound of rain against the glass window filling his ears.

He continued, “But I can’t compromise on this point.”

“Why?”

“It’s my grandmother’s request.”

Lu Xuefeng looked at him, his expression serious.

“…” Jiang Jie paused. Mentioning his grandmother, he suddenly remembered hearing from Aunt Chen that Lu Xuefeng didn’t have many relatives and that his grandmother was currently hospitalized, her condition not optimistic.

“I know about your grandmother’s situation, but I’m quite busy with work and I’m afraid I won’t have time to help care for her at the hospital.”

“It’s alright.”

Lu Xuefeng saw the avoidance in his eyes and subtly curved his lips. He hadn’t required his partner to care for his elderly family members.

“I’ve hired a professional caregiver, so it won’t trouble anyone else.”

That must be quite expensive.

Jiang Jie couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Do people in the arts earn a lot?”

Lu Xuefeng blinked slowly, about to answer, when he heard the other man ask as if he had forgotten, “What do you do again?”

“Dance choreographer.”

“Ah, right, choreographer.”

Jiang Jie murmured the word, “I don’t know much about that field. I haven’t heard much about dance dramas. Is it similar to plays? I’ve given tickets to some of our company’s major clients before, but I don’t really appreciate that kind of thing.”

He realized his words were inappropriate and quickly corrected himself, “Maybe Mr. Lu could cultivate my artistic taste sometime. With your professional introduction, I’m sure I’d understand a lot more.”

Lu Xuefeng gave a polite smile, neither speaking nor agreeing.

“I have an apartment in the city center, a new car, a good job, and I think my personality is alright. Based on your requirements, we should be quite compatible.”

Jiang Jie brought the conversation back on track. “Some things can be negotiated. You’re definitely my type physically. I don’t usually meet people like you. I don’t expect much monogamy in the art world, so I can compromise a bit.”

Lu Xuefeng paused, his hand holding the coffee cup stilling. His voice cooled slightly, “What do you mean by that?”

Jiang Jie smiled vaguely, not elaborating.

Lu Xuefeng naturally understood the implication. It seemed that when he mentioned wanting a clean and monogamous private life, the other party had been unhappy.

He hadn’t meant anything else by it, but Jiang Jie seemed to have misunderstood and overthought it.

Of course, Lu Xuefeng didn’t bother explaining. He placed the coffee cup back on the saucer with a crisp clink. After a moment of silence, he said, “Mr. Jiang, perhaps we’re not suitable. Let’s end it here today.”

Jiang Jie was surprised, not expecting the conversation to end so abruptly.

“How about this, let’s each take a step back and see how things go. You propose a condition, and as long as it’s within my acceptable range, I’m open to discussion.”

“No need.” Lu Xuefeng coldly refused.

“Mr. Lu, you…” Jiang Jie tried to salvage the situation. “We came here today hoping to find a good partner. You’re not giving this any chance… It’s not easy to find someone suitable in this circle, someone with good character and conditions.”

Lu Xuefeng was unmoved by his words, calmly stating, “I need someone who can get married soon. Under this premise, whether our personalities are compatible is very important. I don’t want to spend too much time compromising and adjusting.”

Moreover, this person clearly wasn’t here for a serious blind date. Rather than a partner, Lu Xuefeng felt he was more in need of a bed partner.

“So, my personality doesn’t suit you?”

“Mr. Jiang’s character needs improvement, and other aspects aren’t advantageous either…”

This time, Lu Xuefeng wasn’t very polite.

Jiang Jie’s face flushed, then paled, his emotions complex. He became a little agitated: “What do you mean…”

Lu Xuefeng wasn’t intimidated, looking back at him coldly, “I hope Mr. Jiang finds a suitable partner soon.”

Having reached this point, with the implication of dismissal clear, Jiang Jie didn’t need to say more.

He hadn’t been particularly keen on coming in the first place. It was well-known in the circle that artists were often difficult, picky, and self-important. Having come and confirmed this, he was disappointed.

Jiang Jie suppressed his displeasure, maintaining a last shred of dignity. He finished his coffee, gave Lu Xuefeng a dry smile, and got up to leave.

After he left, Lu Xuefeng finally had a moment of peace.

Reflecting on his interaction with Jiang Jie, Lu Xuefeng felt he didn’t meet his criteria for a marriage partner.

Not to mention Jiang Jie’s arrival being over ten minutes late without prior notice, throughout their conversation he had constantly, intentionally or unintentionally, revealed his sense of superiority. Coupled with the probing looks and invasion of privacy in his eyes, it all made Lu Xuefeng feel vaguely uncomfortable.

Now that same-sex marriage was legal, blind dates for same-sex couples seeking marriage were common. However, Lu Xuefeng had taken the time for two blind dates, neither of which had gone well. The other parties hadn’t met his expectations, leaving him somewhat tired.

He wondered if he was being too hasty.

The rain outside showed no signs of stopping, and pedestrians still hurried along.

Due to the sudden downpour, the cafe was busier than usual, but there were still plenty of seats.

When he rushed over from the theater’s rehearsal studio, his assistant, Lan Xin, had handed him an umbrella, saying it would rain in the afternoon and he should be prepared.

The umbrella had indeed proven timely.

After his date left, seeing the strong wind outside, Lu Xuefeng didn’t rush to leave. He still had some unfinished business.

Ling Hai, a dancer in his dance drama, had sent him a video that morning, asking for feedback.

Ling Hai was a newly promoted principal dancer, playing the male lead in Lu Xuefeng’s production for the first time. He was inevitably nervous, afraid of making mistakes, as performing in Lu’s work was considered quite fortunate.

However, he was earnest, willing to learn and correct his mistakes, with a positive attitude and a willingness to accept criticism. This was something Lu Xuefeng appreciated. So, he didn’t mind the trouble and naturally agreed to help.

Since he wouldn’t have time to watch it at the hospital later, Lu Xuefeng could only use these fragmented moments to scrutinize the dance, looking for areas that could be improved.

He had gone through the same process when learning classical dance, constantly practicing and reviewing, forming muscle memory. He watched carefully, listing both the strengths and weaknesses of the principal dancer’s performance, highlighting points that needed attention, the nuances of emotional transitions, and other easily overlooked details.

After sending his feedback to Ling Hai, Lu Xuefeng’s thoughts got a brief respite. His mind wandered, random thoughts flitting through his head.

At some point, the glass windows had become misty with rain, obscuring his view, showing only blurred green shadows.

Amidst the patter of rain, he heard someone walking with steady steps towards him, then sitting down opposite him.

For a moment, Lu Xuefeng thought it was his blind date returning for something forgotten.

He casually looked up, only to meet a pair of unfamiliar, clear, and gentle eyes.

Through thin lenses.

“Sorry to disturb you suddenly. Would you be willing to chat with me?”

“About marriage.”

Lu Xuefeng’s heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but freeze.

The man in front of him wore silver-rimmed glasses, with handsome features and a clear voice. Lu Xuefeng didn’t know why he had suddenly appeared.

Lu Xuefeng didn’t recognize him, but he wasn’t flustered. He remained silent, waiting for the other person to explain.

“It might be presumptuous of me to say this, but if you’re in a hurry to get married…”

Song Muqing’s gaze fell directly on Lu Xuefeng’s eyes, his expression so serious it didn’t seem like a joke. He continued –

“You might as well try with me.”

The rain lessened.

A plump raindrop slowly slid down the window, leaving a smooth, elegant trail of water, slightly damp.