"Mom, I'm home!"
As Bai Suxiang opened the door and stepped inside, she called out.
"Dinner is almost ready, go wash your hands first!"
Hearing her mother's voice, Bai Suxiang put her bag down in the room and went to the bathroom to wash her hands.
Her family was a typical middle-class household. Her father, Bai Fuchi, and her mother, Guo Xiufang, were both educators. To others, such a family would be considered a quintessential intellectual one, a "scholarly family" in the truest sense of the word.
"Later, you can tell her what Aunt Liu mentioned, so she's mentally prepared."
"If anyone's going to say it, you should. It's easier for you women to talk about these things. How can I, a grown man, get involved?"
Bai Fuchi said, irritably tossing aside the garlic he was holding.
It wasn't that he couldn't say it, but he felt a sense of inexplicable resentment knowing that his dearly raised daughter was about to marry someone else.
Guo Xiufang was unaware of his inner turmoil, assuming he was simply a scholar, perhaps a bit aloof.
"Alright, alright, I'll say it. I'll say it. Are you satisfied now!"
Guo Xiufang said, pouring the vegetables into the wok, the spatula clanging rhythmically.
"Turn on the range hood! It's not like there's no electricity. Why make the house smell so bad? What kind of impression does that give!"
Bai Fuchi complained again, then casually flipped the switch for the range hood and walked out.
"Dad! Why did you call me back? What's up?"
Seeing Bai Fuchi emerge from the kitchen, Bai Suxiang asked.
"What's up? Ask your mother. Your mother has something to tell you."
Although Bai Fuchi felt a bit unhappy, he couldn't pinpoint why. His daughter was of marriageable age, and it wasn't for nothing that people talked about arranged marriages.
Originally, the family were all scholars who valued free love. However, with people constantly talking about "arranged meetings" in their ears, the couple had relaxed their stance and were not opposed to the idea.
"Okay, the last dish. Go! Bring them all out!"
Guo Xiufang emerged from the kitchen with a plate of food and instructed.
This was clearly directed at Bai Fuchi. Upon hearing it, he immediately got up to retrieve the dishes from the kitchen.
Bai Suxiang quickly went in, "I'll help!"
The three of them busied themselves for a short while, arranging the dishes on the table. Bai Suxiang noticed they were all her favorite dishes: sweet and sour pork ribs, Dongpo pork knuckle, steamed pork with preserved vegetables...
Bai Fuchi looked at the dishes and sighed, wondering what his daughter was made of. She loved these greasy dishes day in and day out, yet never seemed to gain weight.
He wished he could make her plump and round, then no one would snatch his precious daughter away.
Bai Suxiang was busy picking at her food and didn't notice her father's expression, nor did she know his thoughts.
"Xiao Xiang, I have something to tell you."
Guo Xiufang, as she sat down and dished out rice, said.
"What is it? Let's talk after dinner. We're eating now, why talk about it? You're something else!"
Bai Fuchi's words, instead of calming things down, immediately ignited Guo Xiufang's temper.
"I'll talk about it now! If you don't want me to say it, then don't let me say it! It's my business when I talk!"
"Alright, alright, Mom. What's gotten into you two today? If you have something to say, just say it!"
Bai Suxiang quickly intervened to de-escalate.
While their home wasn't as chaotic as some others, occasional arguments between her parents did occur. Growing up, she was used to it.
The difference was that before, she only knew how to avoid them; now, she had learned how to mediate.
Bai Fuchi, startled by the outburst, fell silent. His own anger seemed to dissipate, and he started eating his meal quietly.
"Today, when I went to the market to buy groceries, I ran into your Aunt Liu."
"Just say what you have to say. You know me, I don't need any beating around the bush!" Bai Suxiang said after taking a few bites of rice.
"Alright, then I'll be direct. Aunt Liu has introduced you to someone. This young man is quite handsome and talented. He works as a doctor at the city hospital and has a good income. We can arrange for you two to meet when you have some free time."
Fearing she wouldn't finish her sentence and be interrupted by Bai Suxiang, thus jeopardizing the matter, Guo Xiufang blurted it all out at once.
"An arranged meeting? Mom, what era are we in? We still need blind dates? I'm not going!"
Bai Suxiang refused.
She hadn't even properly pursued love yet, how could she be dragged into the grave of marriage through a blind date?
She thought that a direct refusal, given her parents' open-mindedness, would surely mean they wouldn't force her.
To her surprise, Guo Xiufang said rather sternly, "I advise you to be more realistic and find a good family to marry into soon. Haven't you heard about the 'leftover women' phenomenon? Mom is worried you might..."
"Worried I might what? Worried I won't get married?"
Bai Suxiang said with a smile, then took another few mouthfuls of rice. "Don't worry, I'll definitely get married. Otherwise, I won't get married and will stay with you forever!"
"What nonsense are you talking! We don't want you to stay with us forever!"
Guo Xiufang feigned anger.
Bai Fuchi remained silent. He felt a mix of happiness and worry at his daughter's strong resistance.
Seeing that the situation was not right, Bai Suxiang quickly ate a few more bites and hastily concluded the meal.
"I'm full. You two eat slowly!"
Although Guo Xiufang wanted to nag a bit more, Bai Suxiang had already retreated to her room.
"I say, why aren't you saying anything?"
"What should I say? Look at her attitude. Do you think I can convince her? Besides, with my daughter's qualifications, there are plenty of young men who would be vying for her. Why the rush!"
Bai Fuchi replied.
Guo Xiufang had nothing to say. The matter she had planned had taken an unexpected turn. It seemed she would have to decline Aunt Liu's kind offer.
Perhaps due to exhaustion, Bai Suxiang slept until morning.
When she woke up, the house was quiet. Her parents must have gone to work.
Indeed, after Bai Suxiang finished her morning routine, she found breakfast left on the dining table.
"Home is the best. Breakfast is all ready!"
Just as Bai Suxiang was about to sit down and eat, she noticed a note on the table.
"Xiao Xiang, you've grown up. Your parents can't interfere with your freedom of marriage, but you can reconsider the matter of the blind date. The young man's name is Li Langqing, his phone number is..."
The moment Bai Suxiang finished reading "Li Langqing," the Qilin Jade vibrated slightly.
She couldn't help but press it with her hand. "What's going on?"
But after a slight tremor, the Qilin Jade became still again.
"Never mind, I'll keep it. Perhaps it can be used to test someone's reaction."
Thinking this, Bai Suxiang put it in her bag. Liu Sandao had sent her a message, asking her to return to the company.
Bai Suxiang couldn't understand why, as a deity, he was still working at that company. Did he own the company?
Liu Sandao had received a call from the company early in the morning, stating there was a major arrangement that required him and Bai Suxiang to return for a meeting.
"What major arrangement? Could it be that the system upgrade and renovation is complete?"
Liu Sandao pondered this question on his way to the company.