"But I really didn't do it on purpose, I was really tripped by someone else," Su Ningxi hastily explained while pointing to the person who had just tripped her over, "Yes, it was her, she deliberately tripped me."
Huo Yuchen had already prejudged the situation, convinced that she was out to get him - first spilling a drink all over him, and now throwing herself right at him. Of course, he didn't believe a word Su Ningxi said.
The perpetrator vehemently denied it, "Don't talk nonsense, don't falsely accuse me! Maybe you're the one harboring improper motives towards Mr. Huo, deliberately throwing yourself on him."
"Mr. Huo is the most outstanding man in the capital, handsome and wealthy, he's like the sun in the sky for me, unattainable and beyond my reach. I'm of humble status and not very good looking, I know my place and wouldn't presume the same of others."
While speaking, Su Ningxi's eyes kept shifting towards Huo Yuchen, hoping to butter him up with compliments so he wouldn't hold the earlier incident against her.
But Huo Yuchen's expression remained impassive, his face frozen.
He stood up, threw his coat onto the sofa, and said to Ye Chengfeng, "Don't invite me to these pointless gatherings anymore."
Ye Chengfeng gave him a perfunctory 'OK' gesture, agreeing in words but still planning to call him again in the future.
After Huo Yuchen left the private room, the earlier clamor resumed. Just then, the floor manager burst in, yelling in an exasperated voice, "Su Ningxi, what are you doing here? This isn't a place you should be!"
Su Ningxi was baffled, explaining, "Xiao Kui asked me to come deliver drinks."
The floor manager shouted, "You're still making excuses? Get out this instant!"
Su Ningxi realized Xiao Kui had played a trick on her, and she wouldn't let it go so easily, determined to get back at her when the opportunity arose.
"Then I'll take my leave first." Taking a deep breath, she picked up the tray from the floor and headed out.
From inside, she could hear the floor manager profusely apologizing to the guests, "Sorry for the disturbance, this new girl doesn't know the rules yet, I'll be sure to properly..." before his voice faded behind the closed door.
Su Ningxi sighed, today really was an unlucky day, running into nothing but mishaps.
Working non-stop until midnight, by the time Su Ningxi got off work, her legs and waist felt ready to break, this really wasn't a job meant for ordinary people, and she didn't know how much longer she could persevere.
Returning to her hotel, she collapsed straight into bed and fell asleep.
****
The next morning, Su Ningxi was still in bed when she received a call from Old Master Sheng.
"What? A blind date?" Su Ningxi's voice rose sharply.
Old Master Sheng said, "You agreed to it yourself initially, don't tell me you forgot!"
"No, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon." Of course she wouldn't admit to really forgetting.
"I've already given your number to the other party, you can arrange the time yourselves."
Su Ningxi acquiesced insincerely, "Alright, I'll be sure to perform well."
After hanging up, she tossed her phone onto the bed, and rolled around hugging a pillow twice, wondering if she could still back out now. She didn't want to go on a blind date!
Ding dong, her phone lit up.
Su Ningxi picked it up and saw someone had added her on WeChat. She directly tapped Accept.
As soon as she approved, a message came through, "Miss Su Ningxi?"
Su Ningxi replied, "Yes."
"I thought I had the wrong number, I tried calling earlier but couldn't get through."
Of course he couldn't get through, she had been on the phone with her grandpa. But she didn't feel like explaining and simply responded with an "Oh."
"Old Master Sheng sent me your photo, very beautiful."
Hmph, how superficial, just going on about her looks! She would show him what false advertising looked like when they met.
In the end, Su Ningxi was too lazy to even pretend, and directly made an excuse to cut the conversation short.
They had arranged to meet at 12 noon at a cafe.
When Su Ningxi reached the cafe entrance, she sent him a message, "Where are you? I'm at the entrance."
"I'm upstairs in the window seat, wearing black. Just head on up!"
Su Ningxi put her phone away and headed upstairs. Seeing the black-clad figure by the window, she walked over.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's you..." When Su Ningxi saw his face, she froze in place.
Huo Yuchen was the blind date her grandpa had set her up with? What were the odds.
Her grandpa really had a soft spot for the Huo men! First introducing Sheng Wei, now her, just what was so great about this man in his eyes?
Seeing Su Ningxi, Huo Yuchen's eyebrows instinctively creased in a frown. This woman really was ubiquitous, popping up in front of him wherever he went.
Su Ningxi naturally ignored his stony expression and plopped down opposite him. She grabbed the water on the table and glugged down two mouthfuls.
Putting the glass back down, she quipped, "Is plain water all you offer your blind date? Too stingy to even order a coffee?"
She shamelessly picked up the menu and glanced through, then called the nearby server over. "I'll have this one, and this one, and this one." She swiftly ordered three cakes of the same flavor but different shapes. Then looking at Huo Yuchen, "What do you want?"
Huo Yuchen remained silent. Su Ningxi didn't feel awkward at all and casually handed the menu to the server, "That'll be all. He's on a diet, no food."
"Got it, please wait a moment."
The server left. Su Ningxi said, "I didn't expect the famous Huo Young Master of the capital to also go on blind dates."
With his status, there should be no shortage of women vying for his attention. Yet he still needed to resort to blind dates? This truly surprised her.
Huo Yuchen slanted a glare at her, unwilling to acknowledge her.
Seeing his aloof and unapproachable demeanor, a far cry from the enthusiasm he'd shown chatting on WeChat yesterday, Su Ningxi had already labeled him in her mind - pretentious, superficial, fake.
Yesterday he had complimented her looks over WeChat, but today seeing her unsightly appearance, he was full of disdain.
She vaguely recalled he had introduced himself on WeChat yesterday, but with his endless barrage of messages, she had automatically tuned it out and didn't take a second glance. If only she had paid more attention then, she wouldn't have come today knowing he was Huo Yuchen. She couldn't handle a man like him, his frosty facade would freeze her to death.
Just then, Huo Yuchen's phone rang. "Hello?"
After listening to the other end, Huo Yuchen directly said, "Then don't come."
And ruthlessly hung up.
He promptly got up to leave, not even glancing at Su Ningxi.
Seeing Huo Yuchen about to disappear down the stairs, she called out, "Wait!"
Huo Yuchen turned back.
Su Ningxi said, "You're just leaving like this? Where are your manners?"
Pushing her black-framed glasses up her nose, she added, "You can go if you want, just remember to pay the bill."
That last bit was the crux.
