In early November, winter arrived in Nancheng.
Qian Duoduo had just walked out of the hospital with several large bags of traditional Chinese medicine when her phone started buzzing in her pocket.
With both hands full, she looked around and found a bench nearby to sit on before pulling out her phone.
The caller ID was an unfamiliar number.
She assumed it was just another spam call and didn’t plan to answer.
But buzz buzz buzz, buzz buzz buzz—
After declining twice, the phone kept vibrating, as if it wouldn’t stop until she picked up.
Helpless, Qian Duoduo hesitated for a moment before sliding to answer, cautiously greeting, “Hello?”
“Took you long enough to answer, little sis.” A man’s voice came through the receiver, casual and laid-back. “It’s your bro Yu.”
Qian Duoduo blinked, a trace of confusion on her face — Bro Yu? Which Bro Yu?
She fell silent, awkward but still polite.
The man on the other end didn’t seem too pleased with her reaction and added, “We had dinner together last Wednesday night, remember?”
Then she recalled.
Chen Yu, a small-time businessman who ran his own bar.
A local with a decent family background, he’d been introduced to her by a colleague as a “high-quality” blind date.
On paper, Chen Yu was definitely a competitive candidate in the dating scene — his looks were above average, and his family conditions were solid — but Qian Duoduo wasn’t fond of his vibe.
He struck her as too slick, too unserious.
After their brief dinner last week, Chen Yu had asked to add her on WeChat, but she politely declined. Once they parted ways, she’d more or less forgotten all about him.
The unexpected call genuinely caught Qian Duoduo off guard.
She paused, then offered a puzzled smile: “Mr. Chen, is there something I can help you with?”
“Just wanted to see if you’re free tonight — thought we could grab a meal.”
“Sorry, I have to work late tonight.”
“A web celeb like you pulling overtime?” Chen Yu scoffed.
Qian Duoduo frowned.
She had majored in tourism management in college and worked as a tour guide at a small travel agency after graduating.
In her free time, she’d post videos of herself cooking and eating online.
Partly thanks to good timing in the industry, and partly thanks to her looks — smooth facial features, porcelain skin, a soft, sweet beauty with no hint of sharpness — she quickly gained popularity.
In just a year, she’d amassed 300,000 followers across various platforms.
After careful consideration, Qian Duoduo eventually quit her tour guide job and signed with the largest MCN in Nancheng, becoming a full-time food blogger — in other words, the “web celeb” Chen Yu had just mocked.
Sensing the disdain in his tone, Qian Duoduo felt a twinge of discomfort.
But she didn’t show it much and simply replied with a smile, “No matter the job, if the work isn’t done, you have to stay late to finish it.”
“Fine, fine.” Chen Yu sounded like he was backing down. “If not tonight, then tomorrow night. Surely you’re free then?”
“I’ve been pretty busy lately,” Qian Duoduo declined again, gently.
“C’mon, sis, you’re really not giving your bro any face here.” Chen Yu’s tone turned sour. “It’s just a meal — why act so high and mighty, pushing back like that? Playing hard to get only works if you don’t overdo it.”
Chen Yu had been smitten with Qian Duoduo at first sight.
The petite influencer stood at 1.65 meters tall, curvy with long, shapely legs, and fair skin.
Her almond-shaped eyes held a glistening charm, her expression both coy and tender.
There was a natural allure in her features that was impossible to ignore. She was, in a word, irresistible.
So now, his mood had soured.
After bragging to his buddies about scoring a hot influencer, getting the cold shoulder like this felt like a slap in the face. How was he supposed to save face?
“Mr. Chen, I made it clear last time — we’re not a good match,” Qian Duoduo said calmly, neither humble nor aggressive. “And I really am busy. Please stop putting me on the spot. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now. Goodbye.”
With that, she ended the call before he could say another word.
*
She’d been at the hospital early in the morning to pick up traditional medicine for her grandfather, running around the whole morning without a single bite to eat — Qian Duoduo was starving.
She pulled out a piece of bread she’d brought from home, tore open the wrapper, and took a big bite.
The soft mochi and sticky purple glutinous rice melted together on her tongue, sweet and comforting, instantly sweeping away the irritation from a few minutes ago.
Qian Duoduo’s eyes curved into a smile.
Delicious.
Just as she was happily munching on her bread, her phone chimed with a WeChat message: [Duoduo, Chen Yu — the CEO Chen — asked me for your number today. I gave it to him. He’ll probably be in touch.]
It was from the colleague who had introduced her to Chen Yu.
Qian Duoduo paused with her phone in hand for a couple of seconds before typing a reply: [Sweetie, I don’t think Mr. Chen and I are a good match.]
That colleague had only met Chen Yu a few times and didn’t know him well. She had introduced him to Qian Duoduo simply because he seemed decent-looking and came from a good background.
Unaware of the details, the colleague continued trying to persuade her: [Chen Yu is a promising young man—wealthy, handsome, and in high demand. Opportunities like this don’t come often! You should really give it a shot!]
Qian Duoduo didn’t want to talk behind Chen Yu’s back, so she simply replied: [Mr. Chen is too outstanding. I don’t think I’m good enough for him.]
Colleague: [?]
Colleague: [Come on now — you’re independent, kind, successful, gentle, and drop-dead gorgeous! Why sell yourself short? Any man lucky enough to date you should be thanking his ancestors!]
Qian Duoduo thought for a moment, then typed: [You’re right.]
Colleague: […]
Colleague: [So… not even open to giving it another chance?]
On her end, Qian Duoduo puffed out her cheeks and sent over an awkward scratching-head emoji, letting her colleague read between the lines.
Colleague: [OK, got it.]
Qian Duoduo: [Sorry for wasting your kindness.]
Colleague: [No worries. When it comes to fate, you can’t force it.]
Qian Duoduo: [Flowers.jpg]
After exchanging a few words with her matchmaker colleague, Qian Duoduo finished the last bite of her bread.
She dusted off her hands, tossed the wrapper into the trash, picked up her large bags of medicine, and left the traditional medicine hospital.
*
As soon as she walked through the door, Qian Duoduo heard the clatter of pots and pans from the kitchen.
While changing her shoes at the entrance, she called out, “Mom, I’m home.”
Seconds later, Zhang Xuelan came out of the kitchen wearing an apron.
Seeing Qian Duoduo, she asked, “Still the same medicine as before?”
“More or less,” Qian Duoduo replied, taking off her winter coat and wool scarf, revealing her rosy, wind-chilled face. “I showed Dr. Shao Yisheng a picture of Grandpa’s tongue. He adjusted a few herbs, but overall it’s similar to the previous prescription.”
Zhang Xuelan reached out and pinched her daughter’s cheek, her smile warm. “Go wash your hands—Mom’s got something to discuss with you.”
Qian Duoduo froze, then turned her head, confused. “What is it?”
Zhang Xuelan didn’t answer directly. The look in her eyes was telling.
Qian Duoduo’s guard instantly went up. “Mom, don’t tell me you’re trying to set me up on another blind date?”
Zhang Xuelan chuckled. “Look at you — it’s just a date, not sending you up a mountain to fight tigers.”
“Oh god,” Qian Duoduo sighed heavily. “Aren’t you worried all these failed blind dates are going to give me trauma?”
Zhang Xuelan kept laughing. “It’s not that bad.”
Qian Duoduo said, “I told you before — ten blind dates a year, max. The last one was number ten. Which means the blind date quota is officially maxed out for this year!”
Zhang Xuelan crossed her arms and shook her head. “But that last one wasn’t set up by me, so how does that count against my quota?”
Qian Duoduo: “…”
She hadn’t expected her mom to twist the logic like that. Her eyes widened, and her face flushed red with indignation.
Seeing her expression, Zhang Xuelan couldn’t help but let out a snort and covered her mouth, giggling.
She knew her daughter well — sensible and obedient since she was little, the easiest kid in the family to manage.
Plus, this girl had a soft heart and couldn’t say no for long.
A few more nudges and she’d cave.
With that thought, Zhang Xuelan softened her voice. “Sweetie, this boy is really a good one. Trust Mom—just go meet him.”
Qian Duoduo mumbled in protest, “You said the same thing about all the others.”
Zhang Xuelan cleared her throat loudly, waving her gold-bangled right hand with conviction. “This one’s different from the rest. This one’s solid!”
Qian Duoduo shook her head, leaned over to grab a biscuit from the coffee table, and crunched on it—completely tuning her mother out.
Realizing her daughter was determined to push back this time, Zhang Xuelan gritted her teeth and played her trump card. “Duoduo, just meet this one. After that, no matter how it goes, I won’t interfere with your love life again. I swear I won’t nag you anymore. Deal?”
Now that was an enticing offer.
As soon as the words left her mom’s mouth, Qian Duoduo’s dark eyes lit up. Her steel will began to waver. “…Really?”
Zhang Xuelan: “I swear on it.”
“Okay.” Qian Duoduo nodded. “You said it—you can’t go back on your word.”
“I won’t.” Zhang Xuelan beamed with joy the moment she agreed. “I’ll send you the guy’s info in a bit. You two can add each other on WeChat and start chatting.”
＊
With a face like a movie star, Qian Duoduo had always been popular.
From junior high through college and into working life, she was never short of admirers.
But she’d never once felt a spark with any of them.
At first, Mr. and Mrs. Qian were confident that their daughter — with her looks, personality, and career — would never have trouble finding someone.
But this year, after she turned twenty-six without even one relationship under her belt, the two of them started to panic.
And so, at the start of the year, Qian Duoduo’s blind date journey began — whether she liked it or not.
After ten straight failed dates, Qian Duoduo was worn out.
She wasn’t particularly interested in the so-called “reliable” eleventh candidate her mother was now pitching. She just wanted to get it over with.
She had the afternoon off.
After lunch and a shower, Qian Duoduo crawled under the covers, ready to play some games, when her phone buzzed with a WeChat message.
It was from Zhang Xuelan:
[Lu Qiming, 32 years old, height 190 cm, weight 90 kg, stable job, progressive mindset, decent looks.
Currently serving in the PLA Army, stationed in Nancheng, rank of lieutenant colonel.]
Seeing the last few words, Qian Duoduo raised an eyebrow slightly.
Army lieutenant colonel? A military officer?
While she was still distracted, a friend request popped up.
Qian Duoduo’s fair fingertips tapped the screen and opened it.
The sender’s nickname: Lu.
Profile picture: an almost completely black image of the night sky.
The friend request included a line of clean, cool-toned text: [Hello, Miss Qian. I’m Lu Qiming. It’s a pleasure to meet you.]
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