Genius Club

7 PM.

Lin Xian sat in a familiar Western restaurant, a place he’d visited twice before. First, he’d come with Zhao Ying Jun, and the second time, he’d dined with Tang Xin. Now, he was back again, this time for a blind date arranged by Chu Shan He.

What a twist of fate!

That morning, Chu Shan He had woken Lin Xian with a phone call. Curious, Lin Xian answered and found Chu Shan He getting straight to the point. He had a friend’s daughter around Lin Xian’s age and thought they’d make a good match.

“Lin Xian, it’s time you thought about settling down. Building a career and finding a partner can go hand in hand. You’re alone in Donghai, and my friend’s daughter is both beautiful and from a good family. It could be good for you two to meet. If it clicks, great. If not, no harm done.”

So, it was a blind date.

Rubbing his eyes, Lin Xian sat up in bed, pondering this unexpected setup. His only knowledge of blind dates came from over-the-top skits online, which depicted them as near-apocalyptic encounters.

Currently, his life was a whirlwind of personal challenges and dangers. How could he even consider dating?

Yet, declining Chu Shan He’s well-intentioned offer without giving it a chance seemed impolite, especially given Chu Shan He’s status. Plus, building a good relationship with someone as influential as Chu Shan He could only help him as he was still establishing himself in Donghai.

After all, a blind date was merely dinner with a stranger—no strings attached.

“Haha, excellent,” Chu Shan He responded cheerily over the phone. “Let’s set it for 7 PM. I’ve reserved the entire second floor of the restaurant for privacy. Just go, talk, and order whatever you like. No pressure.”

Lin Xian appreciated Chu Shan He’s approach, respecting his feelings without making him feel obligated.

After hanging up, Lin Xian sighed. He was too kind-hearted, a trait his friend Gao Yang often pointed out as both a virtue and a flaw.

After a short nap, Lin Xian washed up and headed to the restaurant. He was familiar with the first floor from his previous visits but had never been to the second floor, which boasted a similar layout with an expansive view from its floor-to-ceiling windows.

Upon his arrival, the manager greeted him warmly, “Mr. Lin Xian, welcome. Mr. Chu has arranged everything. The entire second floor is yours tonight. Let me know if you need anything.”

Nodding, Lin Xian checked his watch. It was 7 PM, but his date hadn’t arrived yet. Given Donghai’s notorious rush hour, a delay was understandable.

He passed the time watching cars stream into the parking lot below.

It was early spring, the days were lengthening, and by 7 PM, dusk was giving way to night. The restaurant buzzed with activity, luxury cars filled the first floor, while the second floor remained a quiet enclave for his private event.

Finally, as darkness enveloped the sky and the restaurant’s lights twinkled on, footsteps echoed up the spiral staircase.

Tap, tap, tap. They were steady, confident steps.

The first thing he saw was bright yellow hair and a bubble of gum popping loudly. A young woman dressed casually in a baseball cap, white T-shirt, light jacket, and denim shorts made her way up.

Lin Xian felt a breath of summer as she approached.

Screech—

She walked directly to Lin Xian’s table, pulled out a chair, and sat down with a confident air.

“You’re Lin Xian, right?” she asked.

Lin Xian nodded. “Yes, hello, Su Su.”

Despite her tardiness, Lin Xian was unperturbed. Life happens.

The attentive manager soon arrived with menus. Lin Xian handed one to Su Su, saying, “Take a look and see if there’s anything you’d—”

“We’re not suitable,” Su Su interrupted bluntly.

“Huh?” Lin Xian stared at the girl in front of him, puzzled.

Is dating always this quick nowadays?

The manager was equally baffled, looking back and forth between Su Su and Lin Xian, unsure of what to say. He had witnessed many blind dates here, but none had concluded so swiftly.

“So… should we still order?” Lin Xian asked, feeling a wave of relief. He had been dreading how to kindly reject her without offending Chu Shan He. But now, it seemed unnecessary. She wasn’t interested in him either. Problem solved!

Su Su whipped out her phone, snapping a few pictures of Lin Xian, the surroundings, and the manager, as if she were collecting evidence. Then, satisfied with her work, she nodded.

“Bye,” she said, swiftly grabbing her bag and exiting.

“…”

“…”

Lin Xian and the manager exchanged looks of astonishment.

She had come and gone in a flash. Lin Xian never anticipated his first blind date would end so abruptly.

“Mr. Lin Xian… since you’re already here, why not stay for dinner?”

“Alright.” Lin Xian picked a few dishes he liked and handed back the menu. “These will do.”

Meanwhile, the lobby on the first floor was bustling, with a long line forming.

Outside, a sleek black Alphard pulled up at the entrance. The driver stepped out and opened the door for Zhao Ying Jun, who emerged in high heels.

The first-floor manager hurried over.

“Miss Zhao, welcome!”

Miss Zhao had been a frequent visitor lately and had upgraded her membership, earning the manager significant commissions, so he remembered her well.

However, he looked troubled today as he spoke to Zhao Ying Jun, “If you had called me earlier, I could have saved you a spot. But now, we’re fully booked, and the wait might be long. Maybe you could try another restaurant tonight?”

“No tables?” Zhao Ying Jun raised an eyebrow.

“Really? My driver checked, and the second floor looked empty. How can there be no tables?”

The manager bowed apologetically. “Miss Zhao, the entire second floor is reserved tonight. Only the first floor is open to the public. I’m truly sorry.”

“We only received the reservation request this afternoon. If you still want to dine tonight, I can put you on the waitlist and call you as soon as a table is ready.”

Reserved?

Zhao Ying Jun scoffed, folding her arms. Such a dramatic setup… it must be some rich young man trying to impress his girlfriend or celebrating her birthday.

“So romantic,” she remarked, observing the crowd exiting the restaurant.

Among them was a girl with vibrant yellow hair, chewing gum and wearing shorts.

“Let’s go,” Zhao Ying Jun told her driver with a grin. “We shouldn’t interrupt someone’s special night.”

She climbed back into the Alphard, and the driver began to pull away.

Through the car window, Zhao Ying Jun glanced at the brightly lit second floor…

Indeed, it was empty, except for one man at a window table… a very familiar figure!

“Stop the car!”

She rolled down the window and peered at the restaurant’s large glass wall.

The view was clear, showing the inside of the restaurant.

She wasn’t mistaken!

The lone man upstairs was her secretary—

Lin Xian!

What was going on?

Zhao Ying Jun blinked, confused. Renting out an entire restaurant didn’t seem like Lin Xian’s style. She thought she knew him well after all this time. He was typically low-key and not one to squander money like those wealthy young men.

“You go park. I’ll check this out.” Zhao Ying Jun instructed her driver, grabbed her purse, and entered the restaurant.

Meanwhile, in the parking lot, a red McLaren’s scissor door lifted. Su Su, still on the phone, climbed in, balancing the phone between her neck and shoulder.

“I’m done here. I’ll come find you,” she said.

“You’re too quick!” her friend exclaimed. “Didn’t you just go in for the blind date? How are you done already?”

“Haha, I told him we’re not suitable and left!” Su Su laughed triumphantly. “I even took pictures as proof! My sister just wanted me to go on the date, then she’d unfreeze my card. I went, didn’t like him, totally normal! Problem solved!”

“Haha… but isn’t that awkward? At least have dinner first! The guy must be hurt and disappointed.”

“Who cares!” Su Su chewed her gum, recalling the polite young man. “Though… he did seem kind of quiet, maybe a bit sensitive.”

“Then go comfort him!”

“No way!” Su Su started the roaring McLaren and glanced at the second floor’s glass windows. “If he’s upset, he’ll get over it. I—”

She spat out her gum.

“Wah?!” Her eyes widened in shock. “This guy’s a player! He’s on another date already!”

From her vantage point… the spacious second-floor restaurant, Lin Xian was still seated there.

But now, a poised, attractive woman was opposite him!

The woman was also dressed up, clearly there for a date!

The worst part, Lin Xian was talking and laughing with this woman! Even the food had arrived!

What was this, a speed-dating event?

Were there girls lined up downstairs? Was he picking brides? Did he think he was a king?

“So low!” Su Su gagged. “I’m disgusted! Am I just a backup?”

“What’s going on, Su Su?” her friend asked.

“My blind date! He’s got another girl lined up! Wow… I thought I’d only see this in dramas. Turns out, it happens in real life!”

“Really?”

“Yes! I’m watching from downstairs! I just left, and he’s already on another date! This guy’s a master at time management, not wasting a minute!”

“Haha, you got played.”

“Played my foot! I’m pissed!”

Bang!

Su Su slammed the door and stomped back towards the restaurant.

This was too much!

“Hanging up!” she told her friend angrily, glaring at the couple laughing and chatting on the second floor.

“If they hit it off… I’ll change my last name from Su!”