A Blind Date

He opened his eyes after a comfortable, thoroughly refreshing sleep.

He turned to glance at the clock on the wall. Ten thirty.

That was three hours later than he usually got up, but considering last night's exceptionally eventful nightlife, the extra three hours of sleep seemed perfectly reasonable.

He got out of bed.

Lunt's bed was already empty, its covers folded quite neatly.

He entered the bathroom.

Brushed his teeth.

Washed his face.

Without realizing it, he had completely lost the sense of unfamiliarity he once felt when looking at his face in the mirror. The young, handsome face reflected there seemed as though it had always belonged to him.

It was as if, deep down, he had already come to regard this house as his home, and everyone in it as his family.

He left the bathroom and went down from the third floor to the second.

Aunt Mary was bent over wiping the dining table. Today, she wore a peach-pink dress that outlined her beautifully proportioned curves. Her figure was full in all the right places without a trace of excess, exuding the mature charm unique to women her age.

The morning sunlight streamed through the second-floor windows and fell upon her, draping her in a thin blanket of golden light. She looked like an exquisite oil painting, delicate and endlessly pleasing to the eye.

Kallen stood on the stairs, both hands resting on the banister. He found himself captivated by the sight and smiled without thinking.

Aunt Mary seemed to sense someone behind her. She turned and saw her nephew standing on the stairs.

He wore a white shirt with several buttons at the collar left undone, revealing a little of his pale chest. The casually turned-out collar looked as though a designer had carefully arranged it, and the still-damp tips of his hair clung beside his ears.

Most striking of all was the pure smile at the corners of his mouth.

Not every gaze harbored ill intentions, nor was every smile lewd. Appreciating beauty was simply human nature.

It was like a man looking at a beautiful girl. Moral boundaries and personal principles kept any other thoughts at bay; he simply found the lovely person, lovely setting, and lovely atmosphere before him genuinely uplifting, in body and spirit.

His aunt looked at Kallen in much the same way.

Her nephew had already inherited the Immerlis Family's excellent looks. Now that he had become more cheerful and composed, he gave the impression of a warmhearted boy next door.

Who could dislike someone with those looks and that temperament?

"I slept in, Aunt Mary."

"What would you like to eat?" his aunt asked.

"I'll just make myself something simple."

It was an awkward time, a little too late for breakfast and a little too early for lunch.

Kallen entered the kitchen and put some water on to boil.

Then he took out two eggs, cracked them into a bowl, added a little salt and sugar, and began beating them.

By the time he finished, the water had boiled.

Kallen chopped some of the scallions already laid out on the cutting board and put them in a ladle. Then he scooped up some boiling water and poured it around the edge of the bowl of beaten eggs. Done.

"Where's Uncle?"

Kallen asked as he drank.

"Didn't we have a Welfare Form job today? Once we finished this morning, Paul drove the body away. Your uncle went along in Paul's car to have a look at his Crematorium Society."

"Oh."

Kallen carried his bowl to the dining table.

The Rojia Daily's headline was still a roundup of the demonstrations over the past few days, fiercely criticizing the Old Mayor. Printing had been arranged last night, so this morning's edition could not possibly have been changed.

But everything would change today. Leaving the others aside, Ford's disappearance alone would make a huge splash in the mayoral election. Whether the resulting impact would help or hurt the Old Mayor was difficult to say.

Perhaps the Old Mayor would be accused of using extraordinary means to persecute his political opponents. But that was beyond Kallen's control, and he had little interest in untangling the whole affair from beginning to end.

That would be too exhausting.

"Kallen, Mina's teacher called and said she's coming for a home visit today," Aunt Mary said. "She'll be here at lunchtime."

"Oh?" Kallen was a little surprised. Weren't home visits supposed to be arranged after school or during holidays, when the student would also be home?

Mina was still at school, yet her teacher was coming over by herself?

And at lunchtime, too.

After all, guests generally avoided visiting around lunch or dinner to spare everyone any awkwardness.

"So that's why you're dressed so beautifully today, Aunt Mary," Kallen said with a smile.

"I have something to do later and need to go out. So when lunchtime comes, could you receive Mina's teacher for me?"

"Hmm?"

Mina had excellent grades and was also her class monitor. Parent-teacher meetings and home visits were usually enjoyable occasions for the parents of top students. Besides, what could be more important than a child's education?

Although he himself had dropped out, the Immerlis Family had always placed great importance on education.

So...

"A female teacher?"

"Yes. Miss Eunice, Mina's math teacher."

"Aunt Mary."

"Yes?"

Kallen reached up and lightly tapped his forehead, calling up the previous Kallen's memo-

That was also why Aunt Mary still did not look old, despite Mina and Lunt already being so grown up. She had had her children quite young.

"Can I refuse, Aunt Mary?"

"No, you can't. That would be rude."

"All right. Should I go change, then?"

"No need. You look perfectly fine as you are. When you're getting to know someone, it's best to let them see your most natural side, isn't it?"

Mary had great confidence in her nephew's good looks.

Still puzzled, Kallen asked, "Does Grandpa know?"

"Grandpa was the one who told your other aunt and me to arrange this for you."

Kallen blinked.

Lowered his head.

And continued drinking his egg soup.

"Understood."

"Also, once this morning's body was taken away for burial, all the staff were given the day off. Grandpa will be at the church at noon, and neither your other aunt nor I will be home for lunch. So you'll need to prepare lunch for yourself and Miss Eunice. Understand?"

"All right."

Aunt Mary leaned across the table and reached out to brush Kallen's bangs aside. Then she clenched her fist and encouraged him.

"Miss Eunice is very pretty. She's from Vien, and apparently her family is of noble descent. Her poise is impeccable, too. But I believe you can do it."

Win her over with your superb cooking and handsome looks!

Kallen sighed.

And said,

"I even think she'll just call me... little brother when we meet."

Aunt Mary laughed. "What woman could resist a little milk-fed colt?"

In Ruilan slang, a "little milk-fed colt" meant roughly the same thing as the "puppy-like boyfriend" Kallen was familiar with.

"Besides, you don't come across as young at all, especially since you recovered from your illness," Aunt Mary said.

Even your uncle wants to call you Uncle.

"Anyway, do your best!"

"All right. I'll try."

After all, this was Grandpa's assignment.

Aunt Mary picked up her bag and went out.

After finishing his "breakfast," Kallen went downstairs and out into the yard.

The weather was lovely, with bright sunshine. Winter sunlight always brought a particular kind of comfort.

"Hello, young master."

Alfred's voice came from the east. He was climbing over the fence between the Immerlis Family's house and Mr. Mark's.

"Young master, Mrs. Mark invited me over for coffee and a taste of her freshly baked apple pie."

Kallen looked at Alfred. "Good thing Mr. Mark wasn't home, or you'd be in danger."

"No, Mr. Mark was home. He was even more enthusiastic toward me than Mrs. Mark."

"Well, then you're in even greater danger."

"Young master, Miss Molly couldn't stop praising last night's spring rolls. She asked me to convey her sincere gratitude."

"She really ate them?"

"Yes. After all, when she eats people, she doesn't even spit out their clothes."

"True."

"Oh, and Madam said all of us on the staff have the day off today."

"Then why are you still here?"

"I wanted to ask whether you needed any arrangements made, young master. Flowers, balloons, candles, or even a pendant or a ring."

As he spoke,

Alfred pointed at the limited-edition Santeland parked outside the gate.

"Young master, I've prepared everything."

"Have you ordered the wedding dress?"

"Not yet, but if you need one, I can have it delivered this afternoon."

"You really have nothing to do."

"Indeed. Every moment, I think about how best to serve you, young master. Actually, I'm also very curious about what this young math teacher looks like. She may not yet realize what an extraordinary opportunity awaits her today."

"You're getting more ridiculous by the sentence."

"Not everyone gets the chance to appear in a mural."

"There's nothing else today, Alfred. Go and take a break. You could head to your radio station and familiarize yourself with tonight's script."

"I've already prepared it. Tonight's Rojia Story Hour script is about food. Your cooking has truly opened the door to a new world for me, young master. I'm planning a series of programs about your culinary skills."

"Hmm, I'll start with something simple. For example... cold dishes."

"Then shouldn't you get to work?"

"Of course, young master." Alfred took out his car keys. "Young master, should I leave the car here for you? Taking a beautiful young lady out for a drive is a very romantic thing to do."

"And the intensity of that romantic atmosphere is directly proportional to the price of the car."

"I don't need it."

"Indeed. Someone as great as you has no need for such unnecessary trappings. How vulgar of me."

Alfred bowed, got into his Santeland, and drove away.

Kallen sighed.

As he turned to go back inside,

He saw Mrs. Mark standing in the flower garden next door, watching Alfred drive away.

Then,

On the steps behind Mrs. Mark, Mr. Mark stood watching Alfred's retreating figure as well.

Actually,

If you overlooked Alfred's fawning attitude toward him,

There was no denying the man's charm.

Especially when he had mimed answering the phone last night, speaking in that deep, elegant voice unique to male radio hosts.

Kallen imitated Alfred.

"Welcome to Rojia Story Hour. I'm your Program Host, Kallen Immoreles."

"Heh."

After the imitation, Kallen laughed to himself. He returned to the living room, made himself a cup of tea, sat down on the sofa, and picked up the coffin catalog to browse.

In his previous life, after earning enough money to consider buying a home, he had loved browsing property listings. Whenever he had a spare moment, he would look through them, unable to stop.

In this life, he had developed a habit of browsing coffins. After all, in terms of value for money, coffins really did seem far superior to houses.

He picked up his teacup.

Just as he was about to drink,

"Aren't you going to get ready?"

"You startled me."

At some point, Puer had settled herself there, just above his head.

"A beautiful young lady is about to come to your house for lunch, yet here you are, a skilled cook, wasting time browsing a coffin catalog. Have you already moved things along that quickly? Are you choosing a coffin to be buried in together?"

"Why do I hear a little jealousy in your voice?"

"Oh? Me? What a joke! Do you know how old I am? Do you know how old I am?"

"No man in his right mind would judge a cat's age."

"...!" Puer was speechless.

"In my eyes, you're just a brat. No, even Dis is a child in my eyes."

"Mm."

"I'm simply concerned about you. I think you ought to be preparing a sumptuous lunch to welcome your destined match."

"By the way, Puer, did Grandpa arrange this with Miss Eunice, or did Aunt Mary?"

"I don't know." Puer thought for a moment. "But I'm certain Dis knows about it."

"Does she have any connection with the family? I mean the Immerlis Family. She's from Vien, and apparently her family is of noble descent."

"Oh, so that's what you meant. Then there probably is a connection."

"Probably?"

"You know I rarely leave the house. And Dis doesn't take me along when he goes out. I haven't actually experienced many situations like last night's."

"So, I don't actually know much about what goes on in the Immerlis Family. Maybe Dis knew her? Or maybe your parents did?

Who can say?"

"Dis told me last night to think about studying abroad. I kept feeling like he was putting his affairs in order."

"No need to wonder. That's exactly what he was doing."

"What happened? Was it because of me? That, uh, Divine Descent Ritual?"

"I don't think Dis would make that mistake if he wasn't going to kill you. None of the people who know would leak it, including Mr. Hoffen, who's still stubbornly clinging to his last breath.

Do you know how many times the hospital called the house this month to say he was in critical condition?

And yet they managed to save him every single time."

As she spoke,

Puer looked at the golden retriever lying in the corner.

"Old Hoffen still won't die, so just how much longer is this stupid dog going to stay here?"

"If old Hoffen dies, this dog will probably stay with us for good."

Puer raised a paw, covered her eyes, and said,

"Ugh, this stupid dog is dragging down the average education level of our household pets.

You know,

just being around an actual dog makes me feel like I've come down in the world."

"All right, all right. The mustard greens I pickled should be ready. I'll make you Suancai Fish for lunch to cheer you up."

"Hmm? Are you and that young lady having Suancai Fish for lunch too?"

Kallen shook his head. "We'll just throw something together for lunch."

"So you're making Suancai Fish especially for me?"

"Yes."

Puer really had behaved herself last night. This cat could be a habitual chatterbox at home, but when they were out, she genuinely listened and knew how to cooperate.

"Heh."

After finishing his tea, Kallen went upstairs to the kitchen and began making Suancai Fish for Puer.

Puer lay beside the stove, occasionally reaching out a paw to push the little seasoning jars toward Kallen.

"I'm curious. Where did you learn all these ways to cook fish? Even your other dishes come in all sorts of styles."

"What's a taotie?" Puer asked.

"It looks pretty much like you."

"I think you're just fobbing me off."

"Actually, as long as food is clean, there's no inherent hierarchy between different flavors. Of course, with that as a starting point, more variety is even better. Even the tastiest food gets tiresome if you eat it long enough."

"Like a partner?"

"That's not a good comparison. Growing old together with a partner is itself a wonderful process, like food fermenting."

"Like how I watched Dis go from a child to a grandfather?"

"Are you and Dis partners?" Kallen asked with a laugh.

"Hahaha! Only someone out of their mind would be his partner. He can't even cook fish."

"It's almost done. It just needs to simmer a little longer. Oh, would you like a cup of coffee?" Kallen asked.

"No, I'll have the broth today."

"All right. Then help me peel these first."

Kallen tossed two bulbs of garlic in front of Puer.

Puer reached out a paw in bewilderment and prodded the garlic a few times.

"You want me to use cat paws... to peel garlic?"

"Yes, if you want me to keep making fish for you."

"All right, I'll peel it."

Puer began peeling the garlic with her paws.

Meanwhile, Kallen began preparing the flour.

"What are you planning to have with her for lunch?"

"Oil-Splashed Noodles. Last night was pretty exhausting, so I just want to enjoy some carbs today."

Just then, the sound of a car came from outside.

"She's here!"

At the second-floor window,

Puer poked her head out, still holding a half-peeled bulb of garlic in her mouth.

Kallen came over too, kneading the dough in his hands.

A taxi had stopped outside the house.

Then,

a girl in a long black dress, with shoulder-length hair, stepped out of the taxi.

"Wearing black to a matchmaking date? Looks like she was forced into it too." Still peeling garlic with her paws, Puer called out, "Get ready to eat raw garlic, miss!"

After paying the fare, the young lady thanked the driver. The taxi drove away, and she turned to face the gate of the Immerlis Family's courtyard.

Her exquisite face seemed to have been designed by the Creator himself. Paired with her tall, slender figure and framed by her long black dress, it gave her an air somewhere between coy charm and mature poise.

Some people's beauty could be praised.

Others possessed a beauty that seemed beyond even the richest language.

Puer stopped peeling the garlic.

Kallen stopped kneading the dough as well.

The young lady seemed to be debating whether to push open the gate herself, while peering inside to see if anyone was on the ground floor.

"Kallen, I admit it. She's only a tiny bit less beautiful than I was back when I was human."

"Puer."

"Yes?"

"How about you have noodles for lunch instead?"