Chapter 5
While waiting for Song Muqing to arrive, Lu Xuefeng pondered whether the route from Z University to the Tingnan Theater, and then to the Yue Lai Ge restaurant where they were meeting, was truly on the way.
Lu Xuefeng had never been to Z University. The art school he attended was in a completely different direction, quite far away.
As he was about to open a map app to check the route, a black car stopped in front of him. Lu Xuefeng instinctively guessed it was Song Muqing’s.
It had taken less than ten minutes; he hadn’t waited long.
The car door opened, and Song Muqing stepped out.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Lu Xuefeng shook his head. “Not at all.”
Song Muqing reached out to open the car door for him, a gesture that surprised Lu Xuefeng slightly. “No need, I can do it myself.”
He wasn’t accustomed to being waited on and disliked troubling others. Even with Lan Xin as his assistant, Lu Xuefeng often handled small tasks himself.
Seeing this, Song Muqing retracted his hand and returned to the driver’s seat.
“Would you like to listen to some music?” he asked.
Lu Xuefeng also felt they didn’t have much to talk about for the moment, and music seemed like a good option to avoid awkward silence.
Song Muqing played instrumental music, soothing and gentle, perfect for setting the mood.
Lu Xuefeng observed the route as they drove, still voicing his doubt, “Isn’t it a detour to come here from Z University?”
“Not really,” Song Muqing’s hands gripped the steering wheel as he expertly made a turn, entering another road. “It’s not too far out of the way.”
Lu Xuefeng considered that the purpose of this dinner was a blind date, yet it was his first time being driven to the meeting place by the other party.
It felt rather strange.
Lu Xuefeng felt that ever since meeting Song Muqing, unusual things kept happening.
Small, subtle things, yet nothing illogical.
A red light was approaching, and they slowed down with the flow of traffic, coming to a stop.
“Why did you come to pick me up?” Lu Xuefeng asked during this pause.
Song Muqing’s fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the music. He glanced over, the afternoon light softening his features.
“Would you believe me if I said it was for myself?”
“Yourself?”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t quite understand.
“I wanted to make a good impression. It’s a bonus point.”
Lu Xuefeng still didn’t understand what needed extra points. They were just having dinner and a chat; there was no need to score each other.
Song Muqing looked into his eyes, seemingly aware of his confusion. He couldn’t help but smile, patiently explaining, “I’m hoping you’ll consider me more favorably.”
Lu Xuefeng finally understood.
“Do you care that much?” he met his gaze.
“Of course.”
There was no ambiguity in Song Muqing’s words.
The light turned green, and the car started moving. Song Muqing’s attention returned to driving.
Music flowed through the car, sunlight streamed in, and the atmosphere was peaceful.
Lu Xuefeng continued to think about his words, a subtle feeling stirring within him.
None of the previous candidates had valued his opinion so much, nor had they mentioned wanting to earn points with him.
If scored, his previous two blind dates, starting with their lack of punctuality, had been deducting points, as if it were just a necessary procedure.
But Song Muqing was actively trying to win his favor.
And he admitted it so frankly.
Lu Xuefeng thought this was almost unfair.
Yue Lai Ge was located on Nanjiang Road, an area with numerous restaurants. Thanks to its good reputation, the restaurant was always busy. As it was nearing dinner time, it was somewhat crowded.
Lu Xuefeng had made a reservation. A waiter led them to a private room towards the back on the second floor.
For just two people, they didn’t need a large space, only a quiet environment.
Lu Xuefeng was treating tonight. He had already ordered a few dishes, so they could be served immediately without waiting. If it wasn’t enough, they could order more.
When making the reservation, Lu Xuefeng had asked about Song Muqing’s dietary preferences. He had no particular restrictions, so Lu Xuefeng had asked Jin Hong for recommendations and ordered a few local dishes based on his suggestions.
As soon as they were seated, Song Muqing handed him something from behind. “Here.”
“What is it?”
“A meeting gift,” Song Muqing said.
Lu Xuefeng accepted it hesitantly. It was a neatly wrapped gift box.
He looked at Song Muqing, realizing he hadn’t prepared anything in return. “Sorry, I…”
Song Muqing knew what he was about to say and, for the first time, interrupted him gently, “It’s just a small gift. Don’t feel pressured.”
Song Muqing had been carrying it when they got out of the car. Lu Xuefeng had assumed it was a personal item and hadn’t asked, not expecting it to be a “meeting gift” specifically for him.
This term suggested the other party attached great importance to this meeting.
“Open it and see.”
Lu Xuefeng opened the box. Inside was a car air freshener, and a faint tea fragrance wafted through the air.
“Scent is a very personal thing,” so Song Muqing had chosen a universally appealing fragrance. He explained, “Compared to other scents, I think tea fragrance suits you better.”
Lu Xuefeng picked it up and took a closer sniff.
It was a clean, refreshing scent, with the subtle aroma of tea, blended with hints of wood and grapefruit, also very light and harmonious, not cloying.
Lu Xuefeng disliked overly sweet scents. One of his own perfumes also had a tea fragrance, so he found this scent agreeable.
“I like it very much,” Lu Xuefeng admitted, then asked, “Does this count as another bonus point?”
He lowered his eyes, carefully placing the air freshener back in the box, his slender, pale fingers deftly closing the lid.
Song Muqing’s gaze lingered on his beautiful knuckles for a few seconds before he denied it. “No, you’re treating me to dinner, so naturally, I should offer a small token of appreciation. It’s just common courtesy.”
His words revealed his good manners.
The dishes arrived, and they decided to chat while they ate.
Song Muqing asked, “Mr. Lu, you’re not a local, are you?”
“I’ve lived in Wu City since university and have been working here ever since.”
“Do you plan to return to your hometown in the future?”
Lu Xuefeng shook his head slightly. “After I brought my grandmother here, there’s no family left in my hometown.”
There was nothing there for him to miss.
“Grandmother…?” Song Muqing realized the only family member he mentioned was his grandmother.
Lu Xuefeng set down his chopsticks, not intending to hide anything. “Mr. Song, to be honest, my family situation is rather unique. I no longer have contact with my parents. My grandmother is my only family, but her health isn’t good, and she’s currently hospitalized.”
His expression softened when he mentioned his grandmother. Song Muqing seemed to understand his eagerness to marry, likely related to his grandmother’s situation.
Song Muqing understood his feelings. He had come to this meeting with his own future in mind, so he wouldn’t be ambiguous about such matters.
“In that case, let me reiterate. My job is stable, I’m not particularly busy and have time to spend with a partner. My students have a favorable opinion of me. My family is still around, and they’re all reasonable and easy to get along with, not the type to make things difficult.”
He laid out his situation, even though Lu Xuefeng was already aware of it.
“We’ve only interacted three times, and I don’t know what kind of person you perceive me to be. If you decide to proceed, I will fulfill my duties as a partner, caring for and supporting our elders, cherishing each other, and spending the rest of our lives together.”
His words were sincere, making it difficult for Lu Xuefeng to refuse.
But reason prevailed.
“Mr. Song, to be frank, I’m almost thirty and haven’t been in a relationship.”
Someone almost thirty without relationship experience seemed unusual in today’s society.
But Lu Xuefeng didn’t express any shame when saying this; he was simply stating a fact.
Song Muqing wasn’t bothered at all. “There’s no rule that one must have relationship experience by a certain age.”
“My point is, I might not be very good at maintaining a relationship.”
“I’ll handle it.”
Song Muqing looked at him.
His words sounded confident, as if he were experienced.
“What about Mr. Song’s relationship experience?”
Lu Xuefeng was prepared to hear that he had been in several relationships. Honestly, he didn’t mind.
Song Muqing chuckled softly. “Actually, I haven’t been in a formal relationship either. I haven’t met anyone who made me want to pursue a relationship.”
“…How is that possible?” Lu Xuefeng murmured softly.
“Hmm?”
“I’m just surprised. Someone like you, with good looks and such favorable conditions, should have many admirers. How could you not meet anyone suitable?”
He found it hard to believe that Song Muqing had no relationship experience.
Hearing this, Song Muqing looked at the person in front of him.
Elegant, noble, like a lotus flower untouched by the world, standing before him. Every gesture exuded an aloofness that made him seem inaccessible.
Yet, it also made one want to get closer.
He couldn’t help but say, “Perhaps my standards are high.”
Then Song Muqing posed the same question: “Isn’t that the case for Mr. Lu as well?”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t think his standards were particularly high, unlike Song Muqing’s situation.
“I’m just not used to intimate relationships.”
Song Muqing nodded thoughtfully. “But you need a marriage, don’t you?”
“That’s right.”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t deny it.
He placed his chopsticks on his bowl, raising his eyes slightly, his expression somewhat indifferent.
“So, I’m curious, why me?”
“Mr. Song, what do you want from me?”
