Chapter Thirty-Two: The Blind Date

Having the car borrowed from Pei Jiayin made things much easier for Yu Youchu.

Although she was a rather frugal person, her penny-pinching was always for the sake of her family; when it came to spending money on her parents, she would never let them go without. She had often considered bringing them to live in Beijing, but the housing prices and cost of living there were worlds apart from their hometown in Hebei Province. With her entry-level salary, it was simply out of the question. Besides, even if her mother never said it aloud, Yu Youchu knew that as a rural teacher, her mother had put down deep roots in that land and could not just walk away. She would have to wait until her mother retired to discuss the matter with Li Guifang again.

Yu Youchu sighed, exited the subway station, and began searching for her mother in the crowd.

"Over here! Chuchu!"

Li Guifang’s voice remained as booming as ever. Even from a distance, Yu Youchu easily pinpointed her mother’s location and hurried toward her.

Her mother wore a simple, guileless smile. She carried a large bag on her back, pushing a wheelchair with one hand while waving at Yu Youchu with the other. Perhaps influenced by her mother’s smile, Yu Youchu felt her own expression soften.

Her father sat in the wheelchair, wearing a dark brown cotton-padded jacket that had been washed until it was faded. His legs were covered by a blanket. He sat up straight, smiling steadily at his daughter, his wrinkles bunching together. Yu Youchu suddenly felt a tug at her heart.

"Dad, Mom, how was the trip? Have you eaten?"

Yu Youchu took the handles of the wheelchair from her mother and naturally began to push her father forward.

"We’ve already eaten, and the trip was fine."

Yu Youchu nodded and led her parents out of the station. Before she could explain, both parents were taken aback by the car waiting for them.

"Chuchu, where did this car come from?"

Pei Jiayin’s car was impeccably maintained; its matte black finish exuded a low-profile sense of stability.

"It’s my roommate’s car. The one I told you about before, Mom, you’ve seen him."

"Such a nice car—you must be careful driving it!"

Yu Youchu rubbed her nose, sensing that her mother was already leaning toward favoring Pei Jiayin.

"Make sure you thank the young man properly. He helped us out last time, too."

"I definitely will. Let’s get in; don’t just stand here. Is that bag heavy?"

The father, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "What young man? You’re sharing an apartment with a grown man?"

Yu Youchu felt a moment of awkwardness. *Dad, you really know how to focus on the important details*, she thought. Even Li Guifang, who hadn't caught on at first, suddenly realized the implication.

"That’s right! Chuchu, is this person reliable?"

"Don't worry, Mom and Dad. He’s a dependable person. If he weren't a decent man, I wouldn't be standing here perfectly fine in front of you." Yu Youchu conveniently ignored the events of the first night she moved in.

She and her mother helped her father into the car and folded up the wheelchair.

"You met him last time, don't you know what kind of person he is?"

Li Guifang clearly let out a sigh of relief. "That’s true. That young man does look quite distinguished."

Yu Youchu drove out of the station, heading toward the hospital. As soon as she sat down, Li Guifang sighed comfortably, "This car is so comfortable!" After a while, she seemed to remember something, but seeing Yu Youchu focused on driving, she held back. However, she looked restless, as if sitting on pins and needles.

Yu Youchu caught a glimpse of her mother in the rearview mirror and assumed she was suffering from motion sickness. "Are you feeling stuffy? Should I open a window?"

"No, no." Li Guifang waved her hands frantically.

A while later, she returned to her fidgeting state. This time, Yu Youchu knew her mother had something to ask.

"Mom, just say what’s on your mind. Don’t hold it in; I’m getting anxious just watching you."

Yu Youchu brought the car to a smooth stop at a red light. Thanks to her ex-boyfriend, her driving skills were rock solid. Even though she hadn't driven in a long time, she could feel how incredibly smooth Pei Jiayin’s car handled; starting and stopping felt as if there were no inertia at all.

Li Guifang finally spilled the beans. "It’s like this: the other day, a student's parent was chatting with me and mentioned that their son works in Beijing..."

Yu Youchu understood instantly—her mother was trying to set her up! For some reason, her heart tightened, and Pei Jiayin’s face flashed across her mind.

"Mom, I just graduated! I’m in no rush to find a partner," Yu Youchu blurted out.

Li Guifang grew anxious. "When it comes to finding a partner, you have to strike while the iron is hot. How will it be easy to find someone when you're older?"

"Mom! I’m only twenty-three!"

"Isn't twenty-three the perfect age? The young man is three years older than you, a graduate of a top-tier university—you’ll definitely have common ground. I’ve seen his photo; he’s very handsome and works in your district, I think at some jewelry company... Baoli Jewelry, yes. And he’s tall and sturdy..."

"Mom! I’m not in a hurry!"

Yu Youchu pursed her lips—a sign of her irritation. Seeing this, Li Guifang softened her tone.

"Chuchu, listen to Mom. I’ve already told them you’d go to meet him. Just go once. Whether you're satisfied or want to pursue anything further is entirely up to you. I won't interfere, okay?"

Her father, listening from the back, chimed in, "We shouldn't rush this. If the girl doesn't want to, let it be."

Yu Youchu felt a sense of comfort. "I haven't been broken up for very long, have I? I haven't even finished enjoying being single yet. Let your daughter enjoy it for a while longer."

She tried to play the spoiled daughter to get out of it, but Li Guifang glared at her father and then narrowed her eyes at her daughter.

"But I’ve already promised them, and the young man has agreed, too. It wouldn't be right for me to go back on my word..."

What else could Yu Youchu say? She supposed she would just have to clarify things with the man when the time came; she couldn't let her mother be branded as someone who didn't keep her word. Gritting her teeth, she decided that she would never let her mother pull a "presenting a done deal" move like this again.

"Fine, Mom. I’ll go."

Seeing that Yu Youchu had finally conceded, Li Guifang happily took out her phone. "I’ll send you his WeChat right now. You two can make arrangements and chat properly."

Chat by herself? She could just explain everything on WeChat; there was no need for such a complicated charade. But a mother knows her daughter best; Li Guifang had already guessed Yu Youchu’s hidden intentions.

"Don't you try any tricks. I’ve already booked the place for next Wednesday, and I’m going to video call you while you’re there."

Yu Youchu curled her lip. "Don't worry, Mom. Don't you trust your own daughter? Last time..."

Li Guifang’s face flushed; knowing Yu Youchu was about to bring up the time she had gone to confront someone at their door, she quickly cut her off.