"Turn right in five meters to reach your destination."
"End of navigation."
The mechanical female voice spoke at breakneck speed, a stark departure from the usual navigation tones, punctuated by a steady tapping sound that drew the attention of a staff member near the café entrance, who peered out the door.
The first thing they saw was a slender figure standing still within a dappled patch of sunlight filtering through the trees. Head slightly bowed, jet-black hair fell smoothly, partially veiling a pale, delicate face.
Quickly, the figure lifted their head and turned around.
The staff member gasped sharply, stifling a gasp that rose in their throat.
Fragments of golden light danced gently, outlining the delicate, beautiful features on the fair, small face.
Yet, those almond-shaped eyes, which should have sparkled with vitality, held amber pupils that were still and calm, devoid of any glimmer.
Tap, tap. The sound echoed again.
The staff member belatedly realized it was the sound of a white cane tapping against the ground.
The café door stood open, its entrance marked by a low step.
Watching the cane cross the threshold and tap inside, the slender figure lifted its foot as if poised to step off the step unconsciously. The clerk hurried forward, frantically warning, "Careful!"
The loud voice startled sparrows from the treetops and drew curious glances from others inside the café.
Mingzhu paused, slowly placing her foot down. She landed steadily on the small step, her form not wavering in the slightest.
She listened intently to the approaching hurried footsteps, her slender white fingers gripping her cane. The corners of her eyes curved slightly as she softly murmured, "Thank you."
"...It's... it's nothing. But wow, you're amazing! This step is hidden inside, hard to see. So many people have tripped here. Our boss was just planning to fix it. I didn't expect someone who can't see could still..." "Ah, sorry, sorry! I didn't mean..."
She sounded like a flustered yet kind young girl.
Mingzhu smiled faintly, "looking" in the direction of the apologetic voice. Her tone was soft. "I'm used to it."
Her beautiful light amber eyes, framed by thick lashes, fluttered gently, as if truly brimming with honey.
The clerk fell silent, momentarily stunned by that casual acceptance.
Unable to see her expression, Mingzhuo lowered her head slightly, unlocked her phone screen, and confirmed, "Excuse me, is this Future Coffee?"
She had already caught the rich, mellow aroma of coffee, mingled with the sweet scent of cream, carrying a faint warmth through the late autumn air.
Still, she asked just to be sure.
The clerk responded eagerly, confirming there were two of them before offering a warm hand. "May I guide you?"
Mingzhe gripped her cane and replied softly, "If it's convenient, could I rest my arm on your shoulder instead?"
As the last syllable faded, she raised her hand slightly. The next moment, the young staff member warmly guided her arm and placed it on her shoulder.
Her fingertips touched the slightly coarse fabric.
Mingzhuo heard the attendant whisper, "It's a bit crowded in the store today. Shall I guide you to a spot further inside?"
"..."
Mingzhuo blinked. From the faint rustling sounds she could clearly detect, the store didn't actually seem that crowded.
But it was true that curious glances kept lingering on her.
The young attendant likely worried about her being constantly scrutinized, hence the offer of a more private spot.
Mingzhe couldn't help but chuckle softly, replying gently, "Sure thing."
A bit scatterbrained, but surprisingly thoughtful.
Following the attendant to a plush sofa, she settled in, folded her cane, and ordered a hot latte.
The drink arrived swiftly.
"Careful, it's hot."
Mingzhu thanked her, her fingertips slowly feeling their way across the table until they found the handle of the ceramic cup.
Her fingertips, chilled by the wind, touched the slightly warm surface.
Mingzhu lowered her gaze slightly, waiting quietly in her accustomed darkness for the agreed-upon time for the blind date to arrive.
-
Jincheng Airport.
Assistant Xiao Fang stood by the arrival gate, scanning the crowd with eager eyes.
When he noticed several people turning back repeatedly as they rounded the corner, Xiao Fang immediately stepped forward, ready to greet them.
Sure enough, after a few breaths, a tall figure emerged from the crowd. Standing at nearly six feet tall, he stood out distinctly.
The man wore a well-fitted suit. The deep black fabric accentuated his skin, cold and white like jade. His deep-set eyes were faintly weary, his brows slightly lowered, his face bearing the exhaustion of someone who'd worked overtime to finish a task.
Xiao Fang: "Mr. Shang!"
Shang Chi's eyebrows twitched slightly as he lifted his eyelids to look.
Catching his gaze, Xiao Fang grinned and raised his hand.
Shang Chi turned and walked away.
Xiao Fang: "?"
Xiao Fang: "Mr. Shang, look at me—"
The exit area was cramped, but Xiao Fang hurried after him and caught up with Shang Chi's long strides.
He stole a glance at the man's powerful legs encased in tailored trousers, muttering to himself, Like they're so impressive.
Shang Chi pinched the bridge of his nose, his tone irritated. "I just got back from handling branch office matters. All I want is to go home and sleep. You better have nothing important."
Xiao Fang gave an awkward smile. "The Madam sent me to escort you back to rest. The car is ready."
Shang Chi shot him a skeptical look before climbing into the waiting vehicle outside the airport.
The branch manager couldn't control his lower half, convinced his abilities were top-notch. He'd managed to acquire mistresses number three, four, and five, only for his own wife to discover everything.
His wife was no pushover either. While the manager slept, she sent a whistleblower letter packed with evidence of kickbacks and marital infidelity straight to headquarters. Then she slapped him awake and declared, "Divorce."
Shang Chi had been holed up in the R&D department when his older brother Shang Heng dragged him out and shoved him onto a plane.
After days of nonstop work sorting out the branch office's mess, he finally landed at the airport.
But seeing Xiao Fang's earnest, honest face, Shang Chi suddenly felt uneasy.
Half an hour later, his bad feeling came true.
Sitting in the backseat, Shang Chi stared expressionless at the gleaming glass windows of a roadside café, doubting his own ears.
"What did you just say? Repeat that."
Xiao Fang gripped the steering wheel, swallowed hard, and repeated with a nervous chuckle, "The lady said... she wants you to go on a blind date before coming home."
Shang Chi: "..."
Shang Chi: "How about I get married first before going home?"
Xiao Fang's eyes lit up: "If you'd like!"
A vein throbbed on Shang Chi's temple as he gritted his teeth: "Get lost."
Xiao Fang clutched the steering wheel tightly, his voice weak. "Mr. Shang, the lady and I agreed on 3:30. It's already 3:20. You should go in now. You can't be late."
"The lady said your brother and sister-in-law have already given her a little granddaughter. You're getting on in years and haven't even dated anyone. You have to go to this blind date today, whether you like it or not."
Shang Chi remained silent, his face grim.
Ever since his niece was born when he turned twenty-five, his mother, Mrs. He Yin, had been probing his romantic life, both openly and covertly.
Unfortunately, Shang Chi had poured his entire heart into AI engineering, burying himself in the group's R&D department. Forget romance—he wouldn't even give a glance to arranged meetings.
He'd dragged his feet and half-heartedly dealt with it for two years.
Finally, Mrs. He Ying lost her patience. Seizing the moment when Shang Chi returned to Jincheng, she had Xiao Fang drag him straight to the blind date venue.
"..."
Watching the time tick away on the car's display screen, Shang Chi frowned and asked coldly, "Whose family is she from?"
Xiao Fang paused, then quickly realized Shang Chi was asking about the woman's background. "Not from any particular family."
Catching Shang Chi's icy glare in the rearview mirror, Xiao Fang scratched his head, his voice growing quieter.
"It's a girl Mrs. He met recently. She said she really likes her and asked if you, Mr. Shang, could take a look and see if she'd make a suitable daughter-in-law."
"If you don't like her, Mr. Shang," Xiao Fang closed his eyes and shouted, "the Madam said she'll drag you to the hospital for an eye exam!"
Shang Chi: "..."
Shang Chi knew that last line was purely He Yin's attempt to provoke him.
But he was still annoyed.
Shang Chi clicked his tongue, stepped out of the car decisively, and walked straight into the coffee shop.
He wanted to see for himself what kind of girl could make He Yin so enthusiastic.
On a weekday afternoon, the coffee shop wasn't crowded. Amidst the rich, aromatic scent, only the hum of the coffee machine behind the counter filled the air.
Shang Chi stood at the entrance, tilting his head lazily as his gaze swept quickly around the seats inside.
A couple getting all lovey-dovey, a guy studying with headphones on, an auntie knitting, a delivery guy fast asleep with his head on the table...
And then, sitting at the very back, a young girl.
Her hair was as black as ink, her skin fairer than snow. She wore a long-sleeved dress, the puffed sleeves slipping slightly down, revealing a slender section of her wrist bones.
She cradled a porcelain cup, eyes lowered as she sipped her coffee.
Long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. Her tongue flicked out, wiping away the droplet lingering on her lips—petal-soft pink, with a tiny pearl-like dimple.
"..."
Shang Chi let out a silent, soft click of his tongue.
Oh no.
Ms. He Yin certainly had a sharp eye.
He actually kinda likes this one.