Life is unpredictable

At dusk, on the observation deck of a Michelin-starred restaurant at The Bund.

The river breeze brushed against their faces, the majestic "Three Pieces of Lujiazui" pierced the clouds, and the skyline of Pudong shone as bright as day.

Xiong Yaqian sat with ladylike grace, her gaze lowered slightly.

On the table, hundreds of dollars worth of Australian Wagyu fillet, large and succulent Anzhi Lian oysters, and pan-seared French foie gras with a hint of lavender... everything was exactly like the dating scenes she had imagined.

He would proactively pull out her chair and thoughtfully ask about her preferences; he was truly so considerate and attentive.

Through rose-colored glasses, Xiong Yaqian felt that every move this blind date partner made perfectly aligned with her aesthetic and struck a chord in her heart.

Even after the dishes were served, he had found an excuse to step away for a moment to let her take photos without feeling self-conscious.

"Zhang Yang, I have a very good impression of you. How about you?" Xiong Yaqian took a small bite of the fragrant foie gras, suppressing the flutter in her heart, and asked with feigned calmness.

"I have a good impression too," Zhang Yang said without hesitation. "But I'm actually a bit of a slow burner. I think we definitely need to get to know each other more, don't you agree?"

Hindered by his mission, Zhang Yang naturally wanted to leave a good impression on her.

As for whether to continue developing things after the mission was complete? To be honest, if this had been a month ago, he would have pursued such a date with everything he had.

But life is unpredictable.

A month ago, even if he had given it his all, she might not have even paid him any mind.

Yet now, she was subtly showing interest, while he was contemplating whether to continue the relationship, even deliberately leaving himself some wiggle room in his speech.

"That's true, being a slow burner is fine. After all, we're both looking toward marriage," Xiong Yaqian said, following Zhang Yang's lead.

The two chatted while eating and enjoying the river breeze.

Time ticked away, second by second.

Zhang Yang checked her favorability rating; it was already in the high seventies, just one step away from eighty.

"Shall we go for a walk after we finish eating?" Zhang Yang suggested after paying the bill.

"Sure. By the way, tonight's meal... you spent a lot." Xiong Yaqian had just checked the bill; the two had spent over a thousand, and this was only their first meeting. She immediately felt a sense of being valued.

If it were the pandering of a mediocre man, she naturally wouldn't take it to heart.

But coming from a man who so perfectly matched her preferences, she was naturally happy to accept it and felt a great deal of anticipation.

"It's only right," Zhang Yang smiled, reaching for his jacket.

The two left the restaurant, famous for its view, and began to walk slowly along The Bund.

Zhang Yang felt that at this rate, completing the mission was a sure thing. Even if he hadn't reached the goal yet, it should be finished after he dropped her off at home tonight.

They hadn't walked far when he suddenly froze, seeing a figure approaching from not far ahead.

Her long hair flowed, and her skin looked blindingly white under the night lights.

Why is Bei Wei here? In the vast Magic City, with a permanent population of over twenty million.

Zhang Yang truly hadn't expected to run into Bei Wei in the sea of people.

However, despite the chance encounter, Zhang Yang didn't intend to go over and say hello. After all, he was currently focused on building favorability; if he caused any complications or distractions, the loss would be too great.

"Shall we go walk over there?" Zhang Yang pointed to the side, preparing to head elsewhere with Xiong Yaqian.

"Okay," Xiong Yaqian nodded, clutching her bag.

"Brother Zhang!"

"Brother Zhang!" Just as the two were about to head to the side, Bei Wei, not far ahead, suddenly stood on her tiptoes and waved with a face full of surprise.

Zhang Yang stopped in his tracks, and Xiong Yaqian looked toward him.

Well, that was that; he certainly couldn't pretend he hadn't seen her. Zhang Yang had no choice but to walk over.

"Brother Zhang, is it really you? I thought I was seeing things just now." Bei Wei stopped in front of Zhang Yang. Looking at the drastically changed Zhang Yang up close, a flash of disbelief crossed her eyes.

"And who is this?" Xiong Yaqian stood to the side, maintaining a smile, but suddenly felt a sense of vigilance and crisis.

This girl was slender and fresh, her skin white without a single blemish, especially that overwhelming sense of youth—she looked like she hadn't been out of school for long.

Compared to her, Xiong Yaqian felt she had lost completely.

Zhang Yang was just about to explain, but to his surprise, Bei Wei spoke first.

"Hello, I'm Bei Wei, a friend of Zhang Yang's. It's a pleasure to meet you." Bei Wei extended her hand and introduced herself generously.

"A friend?" Xiong Yaqian repeated, suspicious.

This is bad, Zhang Yang thought. We're just colleagues, why do you have to be so ambiguous and call us friends? What if Xiong Yaqian is the suspicious type?

Miss, don't ruin my mission!

Ding!

A crisp sound suddenly rang out in his mind.

Zhang Yang, who had been feeling slightly worried, listened with a look of astonishment to the sudden noise.

Mission: A Small Test (Completed)

Task Reward 1: 5 Experience Points.

Task Reward 2: Height increased by 2 centimeters.

Ding!

Congratulations to the host for reaching Level 3.

Current Level: 3 (1/25)

Current Daily Cashback: 20,000

Ding: You have an unclaimed level-up gift pack.

Wait... the task actually finished? And I leveled up along with it!

Is this a case of "flowers planted with intent fail to bloom, while a willow stuck in the ground grows into shade"? In an instant, the joy of leveling up washed away all his confusion. He had no time to ponder why the favorability rating had suddenly met the requirement; his heart was filled only with the joy of the harvest.

Just at this moment, Xiong Yaqian took a deep breath and extended her hand as well.

"I am Xiong Yaqian, Zhang Yang's blind date, and also his fellow townsman."

The two shook hands. Bei Wei gently withdrew her hand, glanced at Zhang Yang, and gave him a subtle wink.

"Alright, Brother Zhang, I won't disturb your good time. See you tomorrow." She waved her hand briskly, her eyes filled with a smile as she disappeared into the crowd at The Bund.

After she left, Zhang Yang looked at Xiong Yaqian, his expression relaxed.

The task was complete, and now he could finally act naturally without having to deliberately try to leave a good impression with every move.

"Let me take you back; it's getting late," Zhang Yang said after checking the time.

"That works." Xiong Yaqian nodded, looking a bit distracted.

On the way back, the car was somewhat quiet.

Zhang Yang was focused on driving and had no time to notice Xiong Yaqian, who was lost in her own thoughts—or rather, even if he had noticed, he wouldn't have cared much.

I don't know how much time passed.

"By the way, that girl from earlier, you two seem very close?" Xiong Yaqian finally couldn't hold it in and asked, trying to sound casual.

"Bei Wei? She's my colleague," Zhang Yang replied straightforwardly and honestly.

"So she's just a colleague." Upon hearing this answer, Xiong Yaqian felt a weight lift from her heart. Her intuition told her that this answer was the truth.

"What else? What did you think it was?" Zhang Yang glanced at Xiong Yaqian with an amused smile.

"Nothing... I was just asking, don't overthink it." Xiong Yaqian forced an explanation.

Arriving at the destination, Zhang Yang parked the car at the entrance of the residential complex where Xiong Yaqian lived.

"Um... send me a message when you get home," Xiong Yaqian said, standing outside the car, after a moment of thought.

"Got it." Zhang Yang waved his hand, rolled up the window, and soon disappeared into the flow of traffic.

Thanks to Mo Nuo, Blood Frenzy Angel, and Cloudless for the tips, thanks.