Lu Jia originally thought her aunt was just joking.
On the morning of the third day of the New Year, she came over to pay her New Year’s respects and was preparing to head home.
But her aunt grabbed her wrist and asked what type of woman she liked, with every intention of not letting her go until she spelled out some specifics.
Lu Jia thought that the casual family chat earlier had indeed served a purpose.
Unable to break free from her aunt’s grip, she had no choice but to roughly describe a few of Sheng Shubai’s traits.
That way, once they were officially together, her family would know she liked this type and might feel more favorably toward Sheng Shubai.
The region couldn’t be too far away, the age should be older than hers—any number of years was fine; good-looking, long hair, tall stature, not a gloomy personality, and ideally an art teacher or similar profession for common topics.
With all those criteria added up, it was actually quite strict. Lu Jia figured this would discourage the elders from meddling further on her behalf.
When she mentioned the common topics at the end, her aunt pondered that it didn’t need to match perfectly and slapped her thigh.
“There’s just the right art student for you—she’s only two years younger than you. Let me tell you about that girl—”
A phone call rang out opportunely.
Lu Jia didn’t want to hear any more and quickly made an excuse to slip out to the courtyard. “…Miss Sheng?”
The Lu family customarily returned to their Linchang residence for the New Year. The houses outside had courtyards, and in winter, the plants had mostly withered, with a layer of snow—not too thick, not too thin—covering the brick-and-stone ground.
Her boot soles crunched lightly on the snow with each step.
“Have you gotten home?”
Sheng Shubai asked her. “I sent a few messages earlier and haven’t heard back.”
More than ten minutes ago, Lu Jia had said she was at her aunt’s paying New Year’s respects, had already eaten lunch, and was preparing to leave. But with no reply to the messages, she was a bit worried.
Lu Jia coughed uncomfortably. “Not yet. My aunt pulled me aside to chat about some other stuff.”
She put on her earphones and looked down at the messages Sheng Shubai had sent—reminders to stay safe and questions about whether she’d arrived home.
“What did you chat about? You sound a bit distracted while talking to me.”
Lu Jia hesitated. “…Just some casual talk.”
She had no intention of telling Sheng Shubai that her family was trying to set her up on a blind date.
It wasn’t deliberate concealment, after all—she wasn’t going to meet anyone, and letting her mom and aunt nag a bit was fine.
But Lu Jia felt that if Sheng Shubai heard about it, the woman would tease her endlessly the next time they met.
They had agreed to make it official after the New Year, and it was already the second day of the New Year, yet there was no movement from the woman.
Lu Jia had been back in M City for a full week, and they contacted each other frequently every day during that time.
Every so often, she’d receive a video from Sheng Shubai.
Some were recent printmaking pieces recovered at the family exhibition hall, others were casually snapped scenery, or glimpses of what she was doing: teasing Sheng Shuyun’s cat or teaching the old lady’s parrot to talk.
The woman didn’t appear on camera, only showing her hand or voice, laced with a soft, pleasant tone.
Every message charmed her just right, without overstepping.
Lu Jia knew that this New Year, the other woman had returned to the Sheng Family Old Mansion, and her relationship with the elders had eased considerably. She was genuinely happy for her.
The New Year affairs for both families didn’t require their involvement, so they had plenty of free time to message anytime. Even in the past few evenings, they’d added a habit of late-night calls before bed, hanging up only when one of them fell asleep.
Lu Jia was very satisfied with their current dynamic, except for one thing she hesitated to bring up:
When exactly after the New Year did Sheng Shubai mean for them to confirm their relationship?
In Lu Jia’s view, the first day of the New Year counted as after.
But she remembered how hastily she’d agreed that night in the car, so she held back repeatedly, planning to ask Sheng Shubai in person once back in C City.
They were so far apart now; it was understandable if the woman didn’t mention it.
She’d already made excuses for Sheng Shubai, but seeing no sign of her bringing it up made Lu Jia feel a bit stuffy inside.
By coincidence, just as she chatted a few sentences with Sheng Shubai and was about to hang up, her aunt came out of the house, phone in hand, calling out, “Xiaojia, do you want to come take a look at that girl’s photo? She’s really pretty—you’re bound to like her.”
Lu Jia was at a loss. “Auntie, I don’t want to look…”
She squeezed her eyes shut.
The next second, Sheng Shubai’s voice came through the still-connected earphones. “What girl? Whose photo are you looking at?”
Her tone carried a slightly suppressed edge.
“I’ll tell you later,” Lu Jia whispered hurriedly.
Her aunt didn’t force her to look. “That girl said she wants to get to know you. You young people can meet up and see how it goes—worst case, just make friends.”
Lu Jia: “…I already have someone I like.”
Her aunt gave her a sidelong glance. “Are you together?”
Lu Jia shook her head honestly. “But soon—”
“Soon doesn’t mean yes. Don’t I know you young people?”
Seeing her niece refuse to open her eyes no matter what, her aunt waved her hand dismissively and let her go, then tapped into the matchmaker group chat to consult her old sisters again.
It was always like this.
Lu Jia thought helplessly that without exception, her grandma and mom saw her as a blockhead—twenty-plus years without a clue, and the person she liked might not even be reliable, who knew when they’d actually get together.
So they all urged her to meet a few, just to make friends.
The road was a bit congested, but her mom and grandma had drunk some wine, so Lu Jia drove and couldn’t check her phone conveniently.
Once home, she went to her room and called Sheng Shubai, but no one picked up.
After waiting a bit, she got a reply to her message:
“My phone wasn’t with me earlier. Is your family setting you up on a blind date?”
Lu Jia confessed honestly: “Yes, but I have no plans to go.”
Just after sending that, she saw several more messages from her aunt, attached with a document saying this one perfectly matched her criteria at 100%.
The other girl was out of town but very sincere, could come to M City tomorrow for a meal in person, and had even booked a restaurant spot.
How could they find someone so quickly? Lu Jia thought helplessly.
She didn’t even open the document, just screenshotted the chat and forwarded it to Sheng Shubai: “Another one came. I’ll go reject her first.”
Almost simultaneously, a video call invite from Sheng Shubai popped up.
Upon connecting, Lu Jia saw the background was a mall, with President Sheng and Liu Assistant standing beside her, seemingly picking out clothes for Sheng Shubai.
Lu Jia greeted them with a Happy New Year, and the camera switched to rear view, revealing six or seven coats laid out for selection.
“Which one do you think looks good?”
Sheng Shubai panned the camera over them one by one. “I took photos while trying them on earlier—I’ll send them to you.”
Unlike her usual style, the six or seven photos showed sleek, formal cuts paired with a silk-white dress shirt underneath, as if Sheng Shubai were heading to an important meeting.
Seeing Sheng Shubai in such a style was rare, so Lu Jia saved each one. “They all look good. I like the one you’re wearing now the most.”
The blockhead complimented straightforwardly, and it sounded genuinely nice.
Sheng Shubai’s eyes curved. “I could buy them all, but I can’t wear seven at once—it’s not a runway show.”
She glanced to the side, where her older sister was picking clothes with her sister-in-law.
She pointed at the ones she’d tried on, signaling Sheng Shuyun to handle the checkout.
Lu Jia was curious. “Do you have something important to attend? It’s rare to see you dressed like this.”
Aside from the opening ceremony at the start of school, when she’d seen Sheng Shubai in a deep ink suit delivering a speech onstage. Normally, even winter coats were styled casually by her.
Sheng Shubai’s expression paused for two seconds before she replied, “I need to attend a rather formal occasion, so I have to dress seriously—came out to buy clothes on short notice.”
Lu Jia acknowledged it with an “oh.”
Given the Sheng family’s status, attending various events during the New Year was normal.
She just wondered what grand occasion required Sheng Shubai to specially pick out clothes.
Before she could say more, another message from her aunt popped up, asking if she was free tomorrow or if they should reschedule with the other side for the day after.
Lu Jia sighed softly. “My aunt’s urging me to meet again. I’ll have to call her later and make my stance clear.”
Sheng Shubai raised an eyebrow. “You could go once first, then turn her down.”
The woman’s expression in the video was calm and unruffled, showing no displeasure at the idea of Lu Jia going on a blind date.
“But I’m yours.”
Lu Jia furrowed her brows to retort.
But Sheng Shubai drawled leisurely, “After all, the elders mean well. Plus, that restaurant happens to be owned by a friend of mine—the manager you met before is from M City too.”
“Her family has a printmaking piece of very high collection value that isn’t exhibited publicly. She owed me a personal favor before; I’ll contact her later, and tomorrow she can take you to see it.”
A printmaking piece endorsed by Sheng Shubai wouldn’t be something ordinary exhibitions offered.
It was at least on par with the treasures specially reserved space for in the Sheng Family Exhibition Hall—possibly even higher caliber.
Lu Jia’s eyes lit up, though she hesitated. “Is that okay? I’ve only met your friend once.” They hadn’t even spoken.
Sheng Shubai chuckled lightly. “It’s fine. She knows about our relationship and has a good impression of you.”
Only then did Lu Jia relax.
When replying to her aunt, she carefully worded it: no interest in the girl, just happening to pass by for something else, and it wouldn’t happen again.
The next morning early, her mom woke her up. “Aren’t you going on that blind date today?”
Lu Jia rubbed her eyes—it wasn’t even seven yet. “…I’m not interested in her; I’m just going there for something else.”
She’d explained several times the night before, but Lu Qiaoyuan and Lu Manwan just eyed her silently.
These two elders had naturally seen the document too. They’d wanted to discuss it at dinner, but Lu Jia had insisted they not mention it in front of her.
She sighed helplessly, got up, and sent Sheng Shubai a good morning message, receiving an instant reply of “Good morning.”
“Miss Sheng, you’re up this early too?”
Lu Jia asked.
Sheng Shubai had talked with her on the phone until after eleven last night; by her usual habits, she should sleep until eight.
The other side showed “typing…”
As Lu Jia brushed her teeth, she glimpsed a message pop up: “I have something very important today, so I got up a bit earlier.”
Followed by a photo: the woman in yesterday’s outfit, with subtle makeup done. The seductive charm around her brows and eyes was fully restrained, replaced by an air of elegant composure.
Lu Jia didn’t know what occasion warranted such seriousness from Sheng Shubai.
Since the woman didn’t volunteer it, Lu Jia didn’t pry, just quietly saved the photo to the album dedicated to Sheng Shubai.
She picked up the carving knife, facing a neat little block of wood as she felt for the right angle and inspiration.
By nearly ten o’clock, Lu Jia had simply freshened up and was ready to head out.
Her features were naturally attractive, and lately, with her harmonious time spent with Sheng Shubai, her complexion glowed unusually. A bit of base makeup already made her look prettily soft.
Before leaving, Lu Qiaoyuan clutched her hand reluctantly.
Lu Jia could only say helplessly, “Grandma, I’m just going for a meal.”
She didn’t know what about this person elicited such a reaction from her grandma. It felt like her grandmother thought her granddaughter would be whisked away the moment she stepped out.
In any case, she definitely couldn’t compare to Sheng Shubai in every aspect.
New Year traffic was inevitable, but luckily they’d moved from Linchang back to the city yesterday, so it wasn’t far.
When the car parked outside the restaurant, it was just past eleven.
Lu Jia had arrived early on purpose.
She had no interest in the document and hadn’t even clicked it open, so she had no idea what the girl looked like, but the other side must have seen her photo.
She planned to pick a conspicuous spot, and when the girl came looking for her, she’d politely decline first.
Lu Jia got out of the car and pushed open the restaurant door.
It was still before peak dining time, with only a few tables occupied.
She was just about to scan around for a good seat when her gaze suddenly froze on one spot.
Sheng Shubai propped her chin, gazing leisurely toward her.
