"Grandpa!" Ge Baitao was slightly displeased. "Can you stop trying to set me up on blind dates all the time? It's too abrupt."
Old Ge dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "You think everyone is like you, a young lady in her twenties who doesn't consider her own future."
Ge Baitao snorted and said to Song Xi, "Sister Xi, don't listen to Grandpa. He's just joking."
Song Xi tugged at the corner of her mouth awkwardly.
Old Ge looked at the man standing behind Song Xi and asked, "Yu Ming, what do you think?"
Song Xi's back stiffened. She saw a tall figure brush past and sit on the sofa next to her.
The man's voice was deep, mellow, and magnetic, as calm as still water.
"Old Ge."
Old Ge immediately noticed the injury on his lips and asked in surprise, "What happened to your mouth?"
Lou Yu Ming glanced indifferently at Song Xi. "I bumped into it accidentally."
Song Xi's heart skipped a beat.
Old Ge directly had an iPad brought over, then found a photo album and handed it to Lou Yu Ming.
"These are all candidates I've prepared for Tao Tao. You have a good eye for people. Take a look, see if there's anyone suitable for Miss Song."
Lou Yu Ming's eyebrows twitched. He flipped through over a dozen pages absentmindedly, finally stopping at a delicate face.
Old Ge mused, "The youngest son of the Qu family. He has a good appearance, but I heard he's quite young, just turned eighteen this year, I believe."
Ge Baitao was shocked. "Then why are you introducing him to me? I don't like younger men!"
"Just because you don't like him doesn't mean Miss Song won't. Miss Song, what do you think of the person Yu Ming picked?"
Song Xi had initially thought this was just a simple gathering, but it had unknowingly turned into a blind date.
She was at a loss for what to do, especially after Lou Yu Ming's appearance. She felt even more uneasy.
This discomfort made her feel nauseous, and she wished she could flee on the spot.
But she couldn't. She could only brace herself and endure.
Seeing her silence, Lou Yu Ming assumed she was being deliberately difficult. A cold smile touched his lips.
"It seems Miss Song has high standards and isn't interested."
Song Xi's fingertips trembled. Her heart sank to the bottom as she met his deep, dark gaze.
Old Ge said with a hint of regret, "Then perhaps we should look at some others. I have..."
Before he could finish, Song Xi suddenly squeezed out two words from her lips: "It's fine."
Lou Yu Ming narrowed his eyes, his long, dark pupils harboring a chilling coldness.
Old Ge slapped his thigh. "Excellent, excellent! Quickly contact the Qu family! Tao Tao, you should learn from Miss Song."
Ge Baitao pouted, looking at Song Xi with concern. "Sister Xi, are you alright?"
Song Xi forced a smile, her small face pale. "I need to go to the restroom."
"Alright, I'll go with you."
After bidding farewell to Old Ge, the two young women turned and left.
Lou Yu Ming subtly retracted his gaze, habitually twirling the ring on his index finger, his stern features cast downward.
Old Ge glanced at him and said deliberately, "I'm helping Miss Song find a match, you won't be angry, will you? After all, Zhang Qi is your nephew."
"I won't interfere in matters of the heart," Lou Yu Ming said, taking a slight sip of his tea, his voice tinged with coldness. "If the Qu family truly takes a liking to her, it would be a good match."
"Don't worry, although Qu Yanwen is young, he's quite steady in temperament. He and Miss Song would be a good match. I thought you and she..." Old Ge sighed. "At my age, my eyesight isn't what it used to be."
Old Ge took another sip of tea. "Shao Cheng has already given me the Feng Di brand project. This time, you've truly made a great sacrifice."
Lou Yu Ming remained expressionless, his voice as indifferent as ever. "It's only right."
Meanwhile, in the restroom.
"Sister Xi, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell? I can get you some medicine."
A weak voice came from behind the door.
"No need, Baitao. I'll be fine after a short rest."
"Then you stay here. I'll go downstairs to get you a cup of hot water. Wait for me."
The sound of footsteps gradually faded away. Song Xi sat on the edge of the bathtub, her hands supporting her face.
If only she had known... she shouldn't have come.
She looked up at her reflection in the mirror. Her face had never been this pale, she looked like a ghost.
She let out a bitter laugh, tears involuntarily streaming down her cheeks.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Song Xi thought it was Ge Baitao returning. She fiercely wiped away her tears and walked over to open the door.
The moment the door swung open, a tall figure forcefully pushed his way in.
Bang!
The door was kicked shut.
The cramped restroom was suddenly filled. The man's clean, refreshing scent enveloped her. He smoothly wrapped his arm around her slender waist, pressing her against the wall, not gently. His eyes were dangerous.
"Well done, getting what you want and aiming for more. You're quite capable!"