Hu Xiu had always disagreed with people who claimed that Xiao Zhi Yu could be cold and intimidating. Yes, he was naturally quiet by nature and had a resting-serious face, but in all the time she had known him, she had always found him approachable, rational and reasonable.
Of course, she also had an edge over other people; now that they had started dating, he was clearly partial to her, and so would always gaze at her with amused affection.
He was not looking at her with amused affection at that particular moment.
Hu Xiu sighed. “Nobody knows we are dating, and my parents just want me to be happy-”
“I tried my best to get out of it, but you know how they can be. And I am still not yet ready to tell them I am seeing someone-”
Xiao Zhi Yu crossed his arms, a frown on his otherwise poker face.
She continued, “I wanted to text the guy to tell him I am not interested, but apparently his phone is getting serviced. My father told him that I am free to meet him for coffee tomorrow afternoon.”
He simply stared at her in stony silence.
“Look, it is not a big deal, it’s just-”
He uncrossed his arms and slowly stalked towards her, “I seem to recall someone getting rather jealous when she thought I was out on a blind date.”
“Well, that was different, I did not know whom you were meeting and-” She backed away, stumbling a little as he continued to approach.
He can be intimidating, she realized. She’d just never been on the receiving end of it like this before. Had he always been that tall?
He leaned down, looming over her; resting his hands on the table she was now pressed against, “Is that so?”
Well, two can play this game, she thought. She went up on her tiptoes, linking her arms around his neck. Surprise flashed across his face before he schooled his features into his usual blank expression.
She smiled up at him, “Don’t be upset. Please?”
He scoffed, “You acting cute is not going to help you. Not this time.”
She kissed his cheek, “You have nothing to worry about, you know.”
He sighed, “I know that. Does not mean I have to like this development.”
“Look” she kissed his other cheek and pulled him closer, “It’s just coffee. It will be over in a matter of moments.” He remained silent, so she continued, peppering his face with little kisses. “I love you. You are the only man for me.” She pecked his nose.
His eyes softened, before he leaned in to steal a kiss. “I know that too.” He rested his forehead against hers. “Fine.”
“Thank you” she beamed. They shared another kiss.
“And hey” she joked, “If you want, you can come along. See how things go.”
He paused for a moment. “Alright.” His voice was calm.
Hu Xiu had been on a few blind dates before, but not like this one. Barely had she sat down when the guy, Wang Run Ze, had started droning about how he had been on dates with plenty of girls, but none were as pretty as her. He then went on to declare how well-suited they seemed, so very compatible, so promising. How anyone could gauge that based on 2 measly minutes of interaction, was anyone’s guess.
She tried to be polite, telling him that she had a prior engagement and had to leave in a short while, but he insisted that she stay, since he had already ordered a coffee on her behalf. One she promptly requested Lao Zhao to replace with a hot chocolate. It was easy to prepare, which meant she could finish it quickly and then leave this unpleasant situation asap.
“Why did you change what I’d ordered for you?”
“I do not like black coffee, it’s too bitter for me.”
“Oh? I thought you must be watching your weight, like girls usually tend to do.”
“No” she said through gritted teeth, “I don’t.”
“So” he continued, oblivious to her annoyance, “What do you look for in a partner?”
“Well, I am not actually looking for a partner right now-” He cut her off, waving his hand dismissively “That’s what they all say, till they end up with the right person. You don’t need to be so shy with me, Ms. Hu.”
Hu Xiu thought of her father arranging this date for her and held onto her temper, “I am not being shy, I am just being honest.”
“Aw, are you still trying to be coy with me?”
Hu Xiu took a deep breath and prayed for patience; she looked around to see if she could spot Lao Zhao. She was seconds away from engaging in physical violence. If this were Midnight Express, Wang Run Ze would already have been blown into smithereens.
“Ms. Hu, funny seeing you here.”
She turned to see Xiao Zhi Yu standing by their table, and immediately felt a rush of relief. Followed by confusion. Did he just call her Ms. Hu?
He continued, “It seems we both like visiting this particular café.” Turning to Wang Run Ze, he extended his hand, “Hello, I am Xiao Zhi Yu, Ms. Hu’s… colleague.”
“Oh, er, I am Wang Run Ze, Hu Xiu’s date.”
Xiao Zhi Yu’s eyes narrowed in a vaguely sinister manner. “Oh?”
“Blind date, we just met.” she corrected, glaring at the buffoon.
Wang Run Ze smirked, “Yes, we did. We are still getting to know each other. Anway, it was nice meeting you, Mr. Yu, but we must get back to our-”
Xiao Zhi Yu ignored him and turned to her, “Do you mind if I sat here while I wait for my friend? He’s running a little late.”
Wang Run Ze sputtered, “Huh, wait, but this is a date-”
She also ignored him and looked up at Zhi Yu, gesturing at the chair next to her, “Of course, join us, won’t you?”
“Thank you.” He sat down, shifting his chair ever-so-slightly closer to hers. It was too subtle for anyone else to spot, but it made her smile.
“How are you doing?” he asked casually. Hu Xiu knew what he was inquiring after.
“Much better… now.” His eyes warmed at the last part she’d whispered.
“Yes” Run Ze loudly interjected, “We were just talking about what we wanted in a relationship-”
“I was just telling him about how I have no interest in one.” she interrupted, taking a sip of water. She was getting tired of his obnoxiousness and wanted to end it and go on an actual date with her boyfriend.
Xiao Zhi Yu looked at her in mock surprise, “No interest? Why, Ms. Hu?”
Hu Xiu coughed mid-swallow, “What?”
He continued, “Being with a good partner can make all the difference in one’s quality of life, wouldn’t you say, Mr. Wang?”
Run Ze nodded energetically. Hu Xiu pressed her lips together in a bid to avoid laughing, before retorting, “I just want to focus on my job right now, Mr Yu. My work keeps me quite busy.”
Xiao Zhi Yu scoffed, “Our company’s intention is not to overburden employees with so much work that their personal life suffers, Ms. Hu. If you are that busy, I am sure I can talk to Ms. Yan and allocate some of your projects-”
“No!” she took a deep breath, “Please don’t do that. Look, I just have no interest in seeking a partner, so-”
“But why? Could it be that you already have someone?” Xiao Yu asked in an all-too innocent tone.
Wang Run Ze looked quite peeved at that possibility, “Is that true?”
Hu Xiu was torn between wanting to laugh and to fling something at Xiao Zhi Yu. If she did not play this right, this blind date from hell would tell her father about how she had a boyfriend. All because of said boyfriend. Who had clearly come just to cause mischief. So you want to play, huh?
She pretended to think, “It’s complicated, actually. I did meet someone, but now I’m not so sure he is worth my time...”
“Oh, that’s a relief.” Run Ze immediately replied, looking smug. Hu Xiu’s palm itched to smack the back of his head.
“Oh really? How so?” Xiao Zhi Yu sounded composed, but she knew better. His eyes had narrowed and his features looked subtly pinched. Serves him right.
“Well, he can be quite the fox, you know? Always up to no good.”
“Those kinds of people are just the worst” piped in Run Ze. Neither responded to him.
“I am sure you aren’t giving that person enough credit, Ms. Hu.” Xiao Zhi Yu retorted smoothly. “I think you should work things out with him, give him another chance.”
“No, but wait-” Run Ze tried to interrupt again.
“Oh, is that what you think, Mr. Yu?”
“Yes. And no offense to Mr. Wang here, but I do not think he can really handle someone like you.”
“What? But Ms Hu.-” Run Ze was promptly ignored again by both parties.
“What does that mean?!” she asked sharply. Xiao Zhi Yu simply smirked, “I mean no offense, just that you can be… quite the personality.”
Wang Run Ze stood up, looking frustrated, “This is outrageous! I will not stand here and be treated like this! Nobody is interested in what I have to say, so... Ms. Hu, please tell your father that this cannot work out between us.” He stormed off.
Xiao Zhi Yu watched him go, looking quite pleased, “I’d say that went off well, don’t you?”
He turned to see Hu Xiu glaring at him, her arms crossed “So I am ‘quite the personality’, huh?”
He chuckled, “Oh come on. You called me a ‘fox’ too, you know?”
“Yes, but I’ve called you that before too! Because you are one!”
She stood up and walked out of the café, waiting by his jeep for him to unlock the doors. Xiao Zhi Yu exited the café and walked over to her, caging her against the jeep door. She turned her head, refusing to look at him.
He reached out and gently caressed her cheek, “I meant it as a compliment, you know.”
She continued to pout but leaned into his palm, while peeking up at him, “Really?”
He nodded, his gaze warm. “Being with you is better than any adventure I could ever imagine playing in the game. You make me feel… like I am home.”
She smiled, before leaning up to meet him in a kiss. Which turns into another and another...
“So is the fox worth your time, Ms. Hu?”
“He is worth everything.”
