Well, This Was Awkward

She was to accompany Lu Kuo on his blind date by imperial decree and help assess the girl while she was at it.

Xia Zhi obediently complied. "Your granddaughter-in-law accepts the decree."

The old lady laughed in amusement. "Xiao Xia, Grandma has a task for you."

Xia Zhi said, "Please, go ahead."

The old lady said, "That boy Lu Kuo is very lively around family, but with outsiders, the conversation can easily fall flat."

"Xiao Xia, you're easygoing and outgoing, so help your brother keep the conversation going when the time comes."

Xia Zhi finally grasped the gist of it. So she was supposed to be his wingwoman.

That was easy enough.

Her specialty.

Xia Zhi patted her chest and promised, "Don't worry, Grandma. With me there, things definitely won't fall flat. I'll keep the atmosphere at boiling point."

The old lady laughed merrily. "You really are a clever little imp."

"Then Grandma's counting on you."

Xia Zhi said, "Mm-hmm, don't worry, Grandma."

Only after hanging up did Xia Zhi remember a huge problem. The female lead wouldn't appear for another three months. What if she brought the male lead and this girl together...

Wouldn't that send the plot veering clear across the Pacific?

Uh.

That would be tricky.

Xia Zhi counted on her fingers. There were only three days until Saturday.

Over the next few days, she racked her brains over how to resolve the issue of the male and female leads, but no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't come up with a good solution.

Left with no other choice, Xia Zhi decided to honor the task entrusted to her. Since she had promised the old lady, she would naturally do her best. As for whether the male lead ended up with this girl, that would depend on their fate.

Lu Heng was probably still angry. No matter how many messages Xia Zhi sent him, they all went unanswered.

She had already explained everything that needed explaining, so Xia Zhi stopped pestering him.

Then, on Saturday afternoon, Lu Kuo called her himself.

"Sister-in-law, tonight is my first blind date. Honestly, I'm a little nervous. Whether it succeeds or fails is all up to you."

Hearing that, Xia Zhi immediately felt immense pressure. "Please don't say that. I can't take on that responsibility."

At most, she could liven things up. She couldn't exactly step in and date the girl for him, could she?

"But you don't need to be nervous. You're so outstanding, I'm sure she'll like you."

Lu Kuo said, "Am I outstanding?"

To boost the male lead's confidence, Xia Zhi spared no effort in praising him, practically using every word she knew, only to get one response from Lu Kuo.

"Yes, I know all that."

Xia Zhi: "!!"

He really had no shame.

But with a male lead this full of himself, why the hell was she praising him? She changed the subject to his date.

"Big brother, I heard Grandma mention that the Ji Family's Second Miss studied in France and teaches art, so she probably appreciates romance."

"I think you could start there."

When it came to painting, Xia Zhi felt she would have something to talk about with Second Miss Ji.

Lu Kuo raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to take such an interest in Miss Ji."

Xia Zhi smiled. "I just happened to listen."

At the time, she had been surprised that the old lady was already arranging a blind date for the male lead. Her main concern had been the situation between the male and female leads, which was why she had paid attention.

Lu Kuo said, "Sister-in-law, take a good look at that girl for me tonight. I trust your judgment."

Xia Zhi gave a dry laugh. "...All right."

The pressure was fucking immense.

Lu Kuo said, "Where would you like to eat?"

Xia Zhi hurriedly said, "I'm fine with anything. Ask the girl and see what she wants."

Lu Kuo nodded. "All right. I'll pick you up later."

Xia Zhi politely declined. "No need. Just send me the location when the time comes. I'll go there myself."

Lu Kuo said, "Then add me on WeChat first."

"Okay."

Before long, a friend request from a stranger popped up on Xia Zhi's phone, and she accepted it.

The male lead had a cartoon figure as his profile picture. Like Lu Heng, he couldn't be bothered with his Moments feed. There was nothing there.

They really were brothers.

That evening, Xia Zhi made no particular effort to dress up, choosing a light, comfortable T-shirt and jeans instead. By then, the red marks on her arms and neck had mostly faded.

She casually tied up her long, wavy hair, keeping everything as simple as possible.

After all, tonight wasn't about her. She couldn't steal Miss Ji's thunder.

As expected of someone who had studied in France, Second Miss Ji chose a French restaurant for their date.

After getting out of the car, Xia Zhi followed the restaurant's name to its entrance and spotted Lu Kuo standing there waiting for her. It was getting late, and the stars had just appeared in the sky.

"Why didn't you go inside?"

Lu Kuo smiled faintly. "I was worried you wouldn't find the place."

Lu Kuo's smile was infectious. Unlike Lu Heng's smile, which was like ice and snow beginning to thaw, his was like spring warmth and blooming flowers, complete with a subtle fragrance.

Xia Zhi believed no girl could resist a male lead like him.

That young lady from the Ji Family would probably fall for him.

They had both arrived early, and the Ji Family's Second Miss wasn't there yet.

After they sat down, a waiter handed them menus. Xia Zhi quickly glanced at the "gibberish" on hers and pushed it toward Lu Kuo, a little embarrassed.

"You order."

Lu Kuo took the menu and read the items out to Xia Zhi one by one. His voice was deep and pleasant, and every word and gesture conveyed elegance and composure.

Xia Zhi felt he was perfectly capable of handling a blind date himself.

She secretly planned to find an excuse to leave after meeting the Ji Family's Second Miss, giving the two of them some space.

But, unexpectedly, more than ten minutes past the appointed time, the girl still hadn't arrived.

Uh.

Well, this was awkward.

Had he been stood up?

Xia Zhi sneaked a glance at the male lead. She had expected him to look displeased, but he remained perfectly composed. Meeting her gaze, Lu Kuo asked gently,

"Xiao Xia, are you hungry?"

She hadn't noticed before, but now that the male lead had mentioned it, she really was a little hungry.

Still, Xia Zhi smiled. "No."

They couldn't start eating before the guest of honor arrived. That would be too rude.

But Lu Kuo said, "I am. I performed three surgeries today and didn't even have time for lunch. If you're not eating, I'll start."

With that, he asked the waiter to serve the food.

Xia Zhi felt a little sorry for the male lead. Being a doctor was hard work, with irregular meals and night shifts. He had no need to put himself through this, but he was a man with ideals.

Xia Zhi had ideals of her own, too, so she always had particular respect for those of others.

"If you're hungry, go ahead."

"I'll eat with you."

That way, he wouldn't feel awkward eating alone.

Lu Kuo looked at her and slowly smiled. "I thought you'd criticize me."

"Why?"

"Because this is very rude. If Grandma were here, she definitely wouldn't let me be so impolite."

Xia Zhi quickly glanced around, as though checking for something. "Grandma's not here. Go ahead and eat."

Lu Kuo laughed at her furtive little movements.

Soon, their food arrived.

Xia Zhi silently marveled at how beautiful and exquisite it was. Although she had seen other people eat it before, she had never tried it herself, so she took out her phone and snapped several pictures of the food.

Watching her, Lu Kuo found it a little amusing. "Posting to Moments?"