Ch 23: Ex-boyfriend?

Being told that she had experience with blind dates was a devastating blow to Xiao Yao.

She had been on countless blind dates, picking and choosing, only to fall into a pit of trouble, ultimately marrying a barely familiar stranger.

Although a little depressed, since someone was offering a free lunch and a chance to watch the fun, why not?

Xiao Qiang set the blind date location at a Chinese restaurant near the school. With only a 90-minute lunch break, after clocking in, the two headed straight for the restaurant.

On the way, Xiao Yao teased, “How did you agree to a blind date? Did you give up on Mu Yang?”

“You don’t know how demanding my mother is; crying, making a fuss, and threatening suicide. I just want some peace and quiet.” Pausing, Xiao Qiang added, “Did you move in with that person?”

Xiao Yao nodded, “I haven’t moved my things yet.”

But whether she moved or not wasn’t important; he had already meticulously prepared another set of daily necessities for her.

“Then let me have your house,” Xiao Qiang felt a little embarrassed. Although they were relatives, their relationship wasn’t good. Suddenly asking for someone’s house seemed cheeky. “I won’t live there for free; I’ll pay you rent. But since we’re sisters, don’t gouge me. You know how much my monthly salary is; could you make it cheaper?”

Xiao Yao raised an eyebrow, looking at her in surprise. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you suddenly moving out? Did you have a falling out with your maternal aunt?”

“Not really, it’s closer to work.”

Xiao Yao thoughtfully hummed, she didn’t need the rent money, so she gave her the key. “No need to pay, just help me clean occasionally.”

To Xiao Yao’s generosity, Xiao Qiang only said thank you, without excessive emotion.

The blind date was a bank clerk named Shang Yu. He was tall and thin, fair-skinned, and in ancient times, he would have been a gentle scholar. However, to prevent Xiao Qiang from looking down on him, he deliberately took off his suit and wore a white shirt to show off his arm muscles.

“Don’t let my thinness fool you; it’s all lean muscle,” Shang Yu said with a shy smile, quickly putting his suit back on.

It was clear that the man was very fond of Xiao Qiang. After all, Xiao Qiang’s beauty was striking; she was a glamorous and aloof type, and even though she was too lazy to make perfunctory conversation and spoke little, she was still alluring.

Xiao Yao, on the other hand, couldn’t stand the awkward atmosphere and often subtly guided the conversation. Eventually, somehow, Xiao Yao ended up chatting with the blind date, while Xiao Qiang, propping her chin, looked around, completely distracted.

In the end, she used the restroom as an excuse and left.

Xiao Yao didn’t know if Xiao Qiang had left her behind, she waited at the table, casually chatting with Shang Yu.

“Did Miss Xiao grow up in Beibin City?” Shang Yu used public chopsticks to serve her a dish, placing it on her plate. Xiao Yao said thank you but didn’t eat it.

“My hometown is Yinghui City, Ning Province. I only moved to Beibin City a few years ago.”

“What a coincidence! Me too!” Shang Yu’s eyes lit up. “Where did you go to university? Ying University?”

Xiao Yao hummed, “But I only finished my freshman year. Something happened, so I took a leave of absence, then transferred to Beibin City to finish university.”

Shang Yu clapped his hands, so excited he almost jumped up. “I know who you are! No wonder you look so familiar. Your full name is Xiao Yao, right? You were a student union officer at Ying University, and you were the campus belle of your year.”

“You know me?”

Xiao Yao also found it amazing. After living in Beibin City for so many years, she had never met a former classmate. However, being called the campus belle in her current state was somewhat embarrassing.

“Of course I know you! I was the student union chairman of that year!”

Shang Yu marveled at the coincidence of fate, his eyes shining as he looked at Xiao Yao. “You’ve changed a lot, but you’re even more beautiful than before. Are you still with your boyfriend? After all these years, you should be married by now, right?”

Xiao Yao paused her chopsticks, looking up at Shang Yu. “Boyfriend?”

Shang Yu’s expression immediately cleared. “Sorry, so you’ve broken up.”

“Wait, you said I had a boyfriend? During my freshman year?” Xiao Yao was shocked by this news. She had no memory of this at all.

“Did you forget?”

“Did you forget?” Shang Yu was also curious. “How could I forget? You were very popular at school back then. Boys who liked you often waited at the student union meeting room to give you flowers, so I have a very strong impression of you. I remember that when you said you had a boyfriend, many boys were depressed and went drinking.”

Xiao Yao didn’t bother recalling those pursuers, she wondered if she had made up the boyfriend to get rid of those persistent people.

As she racked her brains, the table was suddenly tapped with a knuckle. “What are you doing?”

Xiao Yao looked up and froze.

Zhuang Lingyun, in a suit, was there. She stood up immediately. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you.” Zhuang Lingyun glanced at Shang Yu, waiting for her explanation.

Xiao Yao looked around and didn’t see Xiao Qiang, understanding that she had been stood up. She cursed Xiao Qiang under her breath, apologizing to Shang Yu.

“I’m sorry, my sister probably left already, and I have to go too.”

Shang Yu was very gentlemanly. He stood up and smiled, “It’s okay, Xiao Yao, can I have your phone number? I’d like to let you know about our class reunion.”

In the past, Xiao Yao would have ignored him, but remembering what Shang Yu had said, she was curious. Thinking that she might have a chance to meet some of her old classmates and ask them about it, she gave him her number.

Out of the restaurant, Zhuang Lingyun’s face was ashen, his expression dark and stormy.

“Flirting with men in front of me, you really don’t care about me.” He was drowning in jealousy, but the woman beside him looked like it was no big deal, as if he was overreacting.

“Okay, I was here to accompany Xiao Qiang on her blind date, but she left me halfway. Besides, that guy is my senior. What’s wrong with giving him my phone number?”

“What’s wrong? Can’t you see the way he looked at you?” Whether it’s a blind date or an interview, if the main person doesn’t get chosen, the companion gets picked instead; it’s not uncommon.

Xiao Yao wanted to laugh, “What look? Could he possibly be interested in me? Am I as pretty as Xiao Qiang?”

“In my eyes, ten Xiao Qiangs wouldn’t equal a single fingertip of yours.”

Xiao Yao looked surprised, then teased playfully, “I’ve always thought there was something wrong with your eyesight.”

Zhuang Lingyun rolled his eyes in exasperation. “When did you become so close to Xiao Qiang? You’re even accompanying her on blind dates.”

Xiao Yao shrugged, “Came for a free meal and to watch the fun.”

There was also another reason. She had been really upset by what she heard in the office. To avoid seeing those people in the cafeteria at lunchtime, Xiao Yao decided to go out with Xiao Qiang.

“Don’t participate in such events again.” Zhuang Lingyun, his face dark, vigorously ruffled her hair. “Did you hear me?”

“Okay, okay, I heard you.” Xiao Yao smiled and patted his hand away. “Zhuang Lingyun, how many ex-girlfriends have you had?”

Zhuang Lingyun looked at her, his expression subtly changing. “Why are you suddenly asking this?”

“We know nothing about each other. To take our relationship further, shouldn’t we get to know each other better?”

“Knowing you is enough for me.” He casually put his arm around her shoulder, took her scarf and wrapped it around his neck, bending slightly, their heads close together as they walked.

Xiao Yao didn’t press further. “I’m going back to my mother’s tonight. Grandmother is leaving tomorrow, so I won’t be home tonight.”

Zhuang Lingyun’s fragile heart suffered another ten thousand points of damage. “Xiao Yao, you did this on purpose, right? Leaving me alone in the room on our wedding night, and making me spend the next day alone?”

Xiao Yao giggled, “Or, should we go back together tonight?”

Zhuang Lingyun had no choice, he gritted his teeth, “Fine!”

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