Just then, the phone rang. Gu Wan’er looked at the caller ID, took a deep breath, and answered, “Mom.”
“The address and phone number are on your WeChat. Don’t be late.”
“Okay, got it.”
Tang Ling’s smiling voice came through again. “Also, was that girl this morning really not your girlfriend?”
“Mom, don’t read too much into it. She’s just a friend. How could she possibly be my girlfriend?” Gu Wan’er quickly denied it, wanting to shut down any potential misunderstanding.
Tang Ling sounded slightly disappointed. “Alright, fine. She probably wouldn’t go for you anyway.”
Gu Wan’er chuckled. Yu Xiaoduo’s mom was pretty blunt.
After hanging up, Gu Wan’er looked at herself in the mirror. She had to admit, Yu Xiaoduo wasn’t bad looking. Young and already driving a BMW—he’d probably fooled quite a few young girls. She wondered how his talk with Master Bai was going.
It was almost six after the haircut. The date was set for seven at a barbecue restaurant in the International Mall.
He’d been doing well today, so she figured she’d help him wrap up this date smoothly. She didn’t want people saying she was incompetent as a boss.
The International Mall was one of Longhai City’s major shopping centers, selling all sorts of brand-name goods. A paradise for women’s shopping, a graveyard for men’s wallets.
Generally, picking this place for a blind date meant the guy was in for a financial beating. If Yu Xiaoduo knew, he’d be out of there in a heartbeat.
But Gu Wan’er thought it was perfectly normal. She parked the car in the lot and, while still sitting inside, called the girl directly.
When the call connected, Gu Wan’er said cheerfully, “Hello, this is Yu Xiaoduo. Am I speaking with Miss Gu?”
A pleasant voice came from the other end. “Hello, have you arrived? I’m still stuck in traffic.”
Gu Wan’er thought the girl’s voice sounded quite nice. No wonder Yu Xiaoduo was so keen—he wasn’t just into legs, he was into voices too.
“No rush, I just got here myself. I’ll go ahead and order at the restaurant.”
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
After hanging up, Gu Wan’er got out of the car and stuffed the keys into her pants pocket. She paused for a moment, reconsidering. Didn’t guys usually like to flaunt their keys by hanging them off their belt loops or back pockets? Some of her younger male cousins practically wore theirs around their necks.
Even though it wasn’t a super expensive car, it could still score some points. So Gu Wan’er hooked the keys onto her back pocket. As she walked, the keys jingled and clinked with every step, practically announcing to everyone: Hey, look over here! This guy drives a BMW.
Inside the barbecue restaurant, Gu Wan’er ordered a set meal for two. Not expensive, just 198 yuan.
Her phone rang shortly after.
“I’m at the entrance. Which table are you at?”
“I’ll come meet you at the door.” Ever the gentleman, Gu Wan’er strode toward the entrance.
When she saw her date standing there, even Gu Wan’er had to admit she was pretty. A white dress, a butterfly hair clip, big eyes, and a high nose bridge. Though, something about that nose seemed… enhanced. And maybe the double eyelids had been surgically created? Still, overall, she looked pretty good.
Gu Xiaofang was also sizing up Gu Wan’er. She hadn’t expected him to be even better looking in person than in the photo, and tall too. Very nice.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Gu Xiaofang said with a sweet smile.
Gu Wan’er thought the girl seemed decent. This was a good chance to scout things out for Yu Xiaoduo. “No problem at all. I was early. Come on in.”
“Okay.”
As Gu Wan’er turned to lead the way, the car keys on her back pocket clanked loudly. Other diners couldn’t help but glance over.
One of them scoffed, “What’s the big deal? Driving a lousy BMW isn’t something to strut about.”
Gu Xiaofang followed behind, looking slightly embarrassed. This Yu Xiaoduo guy was handsome and clean-cut, but now he suddenly seemed a bit… tacky. Still, she didn’t write him off immediately. He was tall and good-looking, after all. That was a minor flaw she could probably fix later.
“Have a seat.” Gu Wan’er pulled out the chair, and Gu Xiaofang thanked her sweetly. It seemed those lost points had just been regained.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I just ordered a few things. Let me know if we need more.”
Looking at the plates of meat, Gu Xiaofang thought the guy wasn’t stingy. “This is plenty, really.”
As they made small talk, the meat sizzled on the stone grill, filling the air with a delicious aroma. Gu Wan’er racked her brain for conversation topics. This couldn’t keep being so awkward.
“Miss Gu, do you play video games?” Gu Wan’er figured guys always liked talking about this subject; it had to be a safe bet.
If Yu Xiaoduo had heard this, he would have flipped. Don’t get too carried away playing the part of a man! You’re a woman! Do you really think a girl wants to talk about video games on a blind date? Boss Gu, are you here to sabotage me?
Gu Xiaofang murmured, “I’m usually too busy with work. I rarely play. Do you play a lot?”
“I’m a total beast at games. I can carry you sometime.”
“Haha, okay, sure.” Gu Xiaofang played along, but the conversation died again immediately. Gu Wan’er was stumped. Why was dating girls so hard?
Gu Xiaofang tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked curiously, “Your aunt mentioned you work at Gu Corporation?”
Gu Wan’er breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, the girl was talking.
“That’s right. Gu Corporation has great benefits and good prospects. A very knowledgeable new general manager just started recently. I’m sure the company will reach new heights.” She couldn’t resist throwing in a little self-promotion.
Gu Xiaofang just let out a long “Oh,” and then looked down to eat her barbecue. It seemed he was just someone without much ambition. But hey, at least his looks made up for it. She’d see if he was willing to pay if they went shopping later.
Gu Wan’er was utterly confused. What is this girl thinking? How could she possibly not be satisfied with a catch like me?
The whole meal left Gu Wan’er feeling pretty frustrated. She felt like that 198 yuan had been a total waste.
“I’d like to go buy a few things. Would you mind coming with me?” Gu Xiaofang suddenly offered as they reached the restaurant exit.
Gu Wan’er’s eyes lit up. Now we’re talking.
“Of course.”
When they passed a bubble tea shop, Gu Wan’er generously treated the girl. By the looks of it, she was totally nailing this. Winning a girl over was easy peasy.
Carrying their teas, they wandered past shop after shop. Suddenly, Gu Xiaofang walked into a store that specialized in socks and hosiery. Gu Wan’er followed her in.
Gu Xiaofang looked over the stockings, seemingly considering buying a pair.
Leaning against the side, Gu Wan’er sipped her tea and offered some friendly advice. “For stockings, you really should go with a name brand. Balenciaga’s are good—breathable, soft, and they really flatter the leg line. I wear them all the time.”
The moment the words left her mouth, the women around them stared at Gu Wan’er, dumbfounded. Gu Xiaofang especially looked completely shocked.
A grown man wearing black stockings?
Gu Wan’er froze. Wait, what did I say wrong?
“Pervert!” Gu Xiaofang hissed, mortified. She lowered her head and ran out of the store.
The women nearby started whispering and pointing.
“That guy looks so normal, and to think he wears pantyhose.”
“Tsk tsk, that kind of kink is just gross.”
“Let’s get out of here before it’s contagious.”
Gu Wan’er was dumbstruck. She rushed out to explain, but Gu Xiaofang was nowhere to be seen. She tried calling, only to find she’d already been blocked.
Oh no… Oh no…
If Yu Xiaoduo ever found out about this, he was going to hit the roof.
