Chapter 1101: Perplexed and Smitten (161)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In real life, she had a square jaw and a rectangular facial shape. There was a stark contrast between the condition of the skin on her face and that of her neck. Clearly, she had been using a significant amount of whitening products on her face. It was also obvious that she had used false eyelashes and some eyelid tape to form a crease on her monolids and turn them into double eyelids.
Given how mediocre she looked even with makeup on, one can only imagine how much worse she would look barefaced…
He was not judging someone by their appearance. Rather, she simply looked way too different from the photos of herself that she had uploaded onto the internet.
“There’s still another fifteen minutes to go. Have a seat, I’ve already ordered some coffee for you.”
“Oh, alright, thank you.” She sat down and picked up the cup of coffee. Staring at him, she said, “I really didn’t expect myself to have been selected. I was over the moon. Hence, I dolled myself up before coming.”
Fan Shixin expressed assent, not wanting to talk to her much. However, he could not reject her directly since she had already made her way down to meet him.
He asked casually, “Ms. Xia, what do you usually enjoy doing in your free time?”
“I usually just go to work most of the time. During my free time, I enjoy playing with my mobile phone and watching some Korean dramas.” She asked, “Did you add sugar to the coffee?”
“Yeah, it’s going to be too bitter otherwise.”
“I can’t drink it anymore, then. I’m on a diet right now to lose weight. I’m going to gain even more weight if I drink this cup of coffee,” she said while putting the cup down.
Fan Shixin said casually, “One cup won’t matter. Women look better with some meat on them.”
Upon hearing his words, Ms. Xia blabbered on excitedly, “I’m really elated. I signed up with the intention of just trying my luck, yet I actually hit the jackpot. What’s your mobile number? I’m really pleased with you. My parents were over the moon when they heard that I was going to go on a blind date with you. They told me to bring you home to see them if the date goes well today.”
Fan Shixin said with a tinge of aloofness in his voice, “I’m afraid Uncle and Auntie are going to be disappointed.”
The smile on Ms. Xia’s face vanished instantly and she asked in bewilderment, “Why…”
“I’m sorry, but you’re not the ideal type of woman that I’m looking for.”
Ms. Xia’s heart shattered, and she felt as if she had fallen straight from Heaven to Hell. “Shall we be friends, then? Just give me your contact number…”
“I don’t intend to be friends with you.”
In usual situations, the woman would have stood up to leave at this moment. After all, it was a matchmaking session, and there was no point in staying since he had already made things so clear. However, Ms. Xia could not bear to leave at all.
Fan Shixin had no choice but to stand up and get the tab for the coffee before heading upstairs to wait for the next candidate.
Upon seeing his actions, Ms. Xia had no choice but to leave reluctantly, for she felt too embarrassed to stay.
The second candidate was Mu Wansheng.
He did not wish to miss the opportunity of meeting someone whom he was interested in just because of status.
Hence, he had replied to her and decided to meet her, after which he would find out if they were suitable for each other or not.
Mu Wansheng showed up punctually at six o’clock.
She was dressed in a pair of light-wash ripped jeans, which she had paired with a white short-sleeved top and a black backpack. Her curly long locks were draped across her shoulders. Fan Shixin heaved a huge sigh of relief the moment he saw her.
Because she was not a catfish.
She looked exactly the same as she did in her photos.
“Are you Mr. Fan?”
“Yes, please have a seat.”
“No, I’m here to apologize to you. I didn’t sign up out of my own accord. My mother was the one who did it on my behalf. I already have a boyfriend, and I don’t plan on going on a blind date. Hence, I decided to come and express my apology to you personally. Thank you for choosing me, but I’ve already deleted my photo and information on the webpage.”
Fan Shixin was speechless.
He felt like he was on the verge of despair. I knew it, matchmaking and blind dates never work…
“It’s alright, Ms. Mu. In that case, there’s no need to waste each other’s time anymore.” He stood up and made his way downstairs without even glancing at Mu Wansheng.
Throughout the short journey from the café to his car, Fan Shixin had been pondering about the way his subordinates, Jin Qingyan, and An Xiaoning would react once he tells them about the situation…
His heart was about to shatter just at the mere thought of it.
I’m not going to tell them the truth.
Over my dead body will I do that.
He did exactly what he intended to.
When he arrived back in Wei Ni Estate, the gossipy Xiao Bai asked, “Chief, Chief, were the ladies at the matchmaking session today pretty?”
“Yes. I’m sure you know what my taste in women is like. How could I possibly be interested in average-looking women?”
“Was it successful, then?” Xiao Bai asked.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve only met two out of the five thousand candidates that I’ve shortlisted. How can I make a decision so hastily? I’ll decide after meeting a few more.”
“That makes sense. I wish you all the best in finding a beautiful wife soon, then. Hehehe.”
“If you chuckle once more, I’ll make you go to the bathroom and pick up soaps. Hurry and resume your duty.”
Xiao Bai exclaimed in shock, “Chief, you’ve been influenced by Xiao Huang and the rest, you’re so mean!”
Fan Shixin pressed his lips together and chided, “What are you waiting for? I’m giving you five seconds.”
As soon as Fan Shixin finished speaking, Xiao Bai sprinted away and vanished out of sight.
—
“Brother, there you go,” said Xiao Li, who handed Yan Ge two documents. A sullen expression formed on his face the moment he perused the information written on the documents.
Noticing that he was remaining silent, Xiao Li said, “Fang Erlan is indeed not the owner of the car. The car was newly bought today at a price of about 4.5 million dollars.”
“Got it, you may leave.”
“Okay.”
After his assistant left, Yan Ge leaned against the couch and sank deep in thought. His male intuition had told him that something was wrong.
He sent Fang Erlan a text message, and she showed up at his apartment a long while later.
“What did you call me here for?”
“Do I need a reason for doing that? Sit.” He sat up straight, appearing to be out of sorts.
Fang Erlan sat down on the couch beside him. Seemingly having sensed that he was upset, Fang Erlan asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Who is… Xiao Chenyang?”
“My cousin.”
“Didn’t you say that you were the one who bought the car? Why is it registered under his name? You claimed that it’s a secondhand car, but it was clearly bought just yesterday. Why do you have to lie to me about that?”
Seeing that he had already found out, Fang Erlan was a little unsure of how to react. She explained, “I… I… said that mainly because I didn’t… didn’t want you to be mistaken. After all, it’s rather inappropriate for my cousin to be willing to be my bodyguard when he can afford to buy such an expensive car…”
“It’s indeed very inappropriate. However, no matter how I see it, he just doesn’t seem to be your cousin.”
Fang Erlan’s heart skipped a beat, and she asked anxiously, “Who else could he be…”
“You’re still lying at this juncture!” Yan Ge exclaimed. He handed her the documents and said, “Take a look.”
Fang Erlan did not expect for her lie to have been exposed so soon…
She was at a sudden loss for what to do at the sight of the grave expression on Yan Ge’s face. She took the documents from him and took a look. After reading through the content, she knew that she could not hide the truth about Xiao Chenyang from Yan Ge any longer…