"Jingjing, what was that performance just now? Did you get a shock after seeing Fang Zheng and suddenly fall for a top-grade handsome guy?" Li Bao'er had been watching Mi Jing's every move from afar. Now that Mi Jing had returned, Li Bao'er couldn't care less about watching the store and excitedly grabbed Mi Jing to dig for gossip.
"Please don't exaggerate with your rich imagination. Am I the type to get easily shocked?" Mi Jing rolled her eyes at Li Bao'er without hesitation. She wasn't a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl; love at first sight and infatuation couldn't possibly happen to her.
"Then what did you talk about with Fang Zheng just now? You even made him flee hastily."
"A very clichéd plot. I let your top-grade handsome guy play a temporary actor, told him he was my boyfriend. Maybe Fang Zheng is a bit insecure or felt struck, so he ran away," Mi Jing explained frankly.
"Such a rare opportunity, and you didn't ask the top-grade handsome guy for his phone number or anything?"
"No." Mi Jing took a step, then seemed to remember something and said, "Later, give the top-grade handsome guy a free order. I'll cover the cost."
"Mi Jing, you paid out of your own pocket, yet you say you're not interested in him?" Li Bao'er asked loudly, questioning her.
"Miss, even though this temporary actor was casually pulled in by me and he didn't ask for compensation, I still need to show my gratitude! Also, you deal with my mom; if you say anything you shouldn't, bear the consequences," Mi Jing half-closed her eyes, speaking with a threatening tone.
"Hmph, I'm not afraid of you!" Li Bao'er stood straight like a soldier, raising her chin arrogantly, blatantly defying Mi Jing's threat.
"Silly girl, go think about your travel plans with your husband! I won't talk more; I have to rush my illustrations," Mi Jing grinned at Li Bao'er, then retreated to her little corner.
In a secluded corner of the café, there's a door frame without a door. Beyond the door frame is a small balcony. The balcony is covered with a brown and white striped carpet, furnished with a two-seater beige fabric sofa, a small wooden table, a floral-patterned chair, and an easel. This was Mi Jing's little sanctuary in the café—a few square meters balcony that wasn't spacious but had a chic vibe.
All the things here were sourced by Mi Jing from second-hand markets. Though not brand new, they were not visibly damaged, cheap yet retaining their aesthetic appeal.
Mi Jing was a freelance artist. She would typically draw illustrations for magazines and publications and sometimes take on design work for game characters. When she had just graduated from college, Mi Jing's parents hoped she would become an art teacher. However, Mi Jing liked her freedom and didn't want to be confined by work protocols, so she ultimately chose to become a freelancer.
Returning home in the evening, Mi Jing was greeted by the aroma of beer duck as soon as she stepped through the door. Her stomach growled, and she swallowed her saliva. After changing her shoes and putting down her bag, she excitedly ran to the kitchen to wash her hands.
"Mmm, delicious! Dad, your cooking is still as amazing as ever, no decline in skill!" Mi Jing grabbed a piece of duck and put it in her mouth, chewing it with relish while praising.
"Hungry, aren't you? Serve the dishes; once I stir-fry some greens, dinner's ready," Mi Zhihong looked at Mi Jing affectionately, holding a spatula with a demeanor like that of a professional chef.
"Yes, sir!"
Mi Jing nimbly took the prepared dishes to the dining table, took a deep breath several times, feeling completely satisfied, eager to enjoy another hearty meal tonight!
"Mom, it's dinner time!" After setting the table, Mi Jing turned her attention to Fang Qingru.
At that moment, Fang Qingru was sitting in the living room watching TV. Hearing Mi Jing's call, she turned to look at Mi Jing but didn't say anything.
To Mi Jing, Fang Qingru's calmness was most terrifying, like the calm before a storm.
Feeling uneasy under Fang Qingru's gaze, Mi Jing dashed to the kitchen and whispered to Mi Zhihong, "Dad, is Mom in a good mood or not? I have a bad feeling; you must help me if she blows up!"
"If your mom really blows up, no one can help you!"
"..." Mi Jing was speechless.
As it turned out, whenever she and her mom were placed on the same scale, her dad would always tilt towards her mom. As a child, Mi Jing thought her dad lacked manliness, scared of no one but his own wife. But as she grew older, she understood that her dad wasn't afraid of her mom but loved her too much, giving endless support and tolerance in everything.
And because of her dad's tolerance and love, her mom always seemed bathed in envious gazes from others. Even her good friends envied Fang Qingru, let alone relatives and neighbors.
When Mi Jing followed Mi Zhihong out of the kitchen, Fang Qingru was already sitting at the dining table. Mi Jing had no idea what Fang Zheng told her aunt about their blind date or what her aunt told her mom, but she was ready to be nagged and lectured.
"Mom, regarding today's blind date, did you hear from Bao'er?" Mi Jing stood opposite Fang Qingru, tentatively asked.
Fang Qingru glanced at Mi Jing, then placed a piece of duck leg meat into Mi Jing's bowl, saying faintly, "Yes, I heard. Bao'er said that young man is particularly unattractive, so from now on, I'll need to meet the person before arranging a blind date for you."
"There will be more?" Mi Jing's hand trembled, the duck meat slipped back into her bowl, but she didn't care. She looked up at Fang Qingru, seriously saying, "Mom, to be honest, I've always been resistant to blind dates. The reason I keep agreeing to go under your pressure is that I don't want your efforts to go to waste, nor do I want you to be worried or disappointed. Including today's, I've been on twelve blind dates. It's not that the people you and Auntie introduced are bad; it's just that I find it awkward to get to know someone through a blind date, so I don't feel anything for them."
"Then what do you want? You're not getting any younger; after thirty, it'll be even harder to get married!" Fang Qingru's face darkened.
"Don't worry, I'll make an effort to get married. Starting tomorrow, I'll actively attend all reunion events, from elementary to college, as well as friends' weddings, their children's full-month banquets, and gatherings—I won't miss a single one. Casting a wide net, I'm sure I can find a suitable marriage partner." To stop wasting time on blind dates, Mi Jing spoke with such conviction, almost swearing to the heavens.
Hearing this, Fang Qingru was taken aback, then glanced at Mi Zhihong beside her and asked, "Old Mi, what do you think?"
"Every generation has its own fortune; if Jingjing doesn't like blind dates, let her be," Mi Zhihong placed a peeled shrimp into Fang Qingru's bowl, then continued peeling more shrimp.