He's Had Enough of This Imperfect Marriage

When Su Jian walked through the door of New Moon Cafe, she saw her blind date right away. He was sitting at table nine by the window. He wore a blue shirt without a tie. He had neat facial features and a tidy head of hair. The filtered sunlight cast a warm glow on his features. At first glance, he gave off a menacing vibe. Close by, a group of young girls were sneakily ogling him.

She could not deny that he was a beautiful man. It is no surprise that Grandma Wang had gushed over him when she first met him. She kept saying, "If you meet him, you will definitely think he is good. That young lad only has the right to pick others and not be picked."

This did not seem like an exaggeration to Su Jian.

There was a vanity mirror near the front door of the cafe. Su Jian straightened her clothes. She had on a white chiffon top and black cropped pants that showed off her white ankles. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she was not wearing any cosmetics. She looked sweet and simple. Going on a blind date like this should not be seen as rude on her part.

Prior to her departure, Grandma Wang had nagged at her. "Put on some makeup and get some decent clothes. That young man has high standards. You need to make the most of this chance, all right?"

Sadly for Grandma Wang, she barely put in any effort. This was her most authentic portrayal of herself.

Su Jian approached the table. Her tone was soft and soothing. "Hello, I'm Su Jian. Are you Mr. Jin Pingchuan?"

The man who had been staring at his phone looked up at the source of the voice. His eyes lit up as soon as he laid eyes on Su Jian. He got to his feet with a grin on his face. His amiable grin softened his otherwise icy countenance. "Yes, I'm Jin Pingchuan. You must be Miss Su Jian, correct? Please sit." Like a gentleman, he offered Su Jian a seat.

Jin Pingchuan had a great voice. It was resonant, attractive, and easy on the ears.

"Thank you." Su Jian sat down. She placed an order for a coffee and sipped from it. After taking her time, she finally said, "I've heard about you from Mrs. Camden."

Jin Pingchuan's gaze remained fixed on Su Jian. She pushed her hair awkwardly behind her ears. No matter how awkward it was, she had to let him have a good look. After all, it was a blind date. Fortunately, Jin Pingchuan's gaze was not intrusive, so Su Jian could put up with it.

When Jin Pingchuan noticed Su Jian's unease, he quickly looked away. He cracked a grin and asked, "Grandma Wang complimented me, didn't she? What did she say?"

He was clearly attempting to be humorous. The corner of Su Jian's mouth twitched. Grandma Wang was a rapid talker who somehow managed to be cryptic at the same time. Su Jian had not learned much from her.

"I heard that you turn thirty-two today, right?" He was older by a full year, but he did not seem like it.

"Yes," said Jin Pingchuan.

"How could a man with your charms not have a girlfriend? Why are you turning to blind dates?" Su Jian asked.

"I'm too busy and I'm running out of time." Jin Pingchuan asked after a pause. "Is my age going to be a problem?"

Su Jian shook her head. "No, as long as you have integrity, a sense of responsibility, and are loyal."

"No requirements for personal assets?" asked Jin Pingchuan. "For example, a house or a car?"

This question…These days, a car and a house are expected features in a potential partner for a woman. Even in this small county, girls were looking for men with stable jobs and high salaries so that they could live in comfort. Why else would the old adage claim that matrimony is a woman's second chance at life?

But Su Jian did not give a hoot about any of that. Her emotions had been dead for a very long time. In order to satiate her mother, she decided to participate in this blind date.

"I do not want anything," Su Jian whispered.

The thick aroma of coffee permeated the entire cafe. The two strangers faced each other and exchanged words. There was a neutral temperature in the air.

Su Jian checked the time and said, "Mr. Jin, I have understood everything that needs to be understood. I would like to get our marriage legally recognized tomorrow if that is alright with you."

"You seem to be in quite a rush. Aren't you worried I might just be a con artist?" When he heard that, Jin Pingchuan cocked an eyebrow.

Of course I am afraid," Su Jian admitted, "but I still believe in Grandma Wang's judgment." Whoever she speaks so highly of must not be all bad.

"Do you trust Grandma Wang that much?" asked Jin Pingchuan.

Su Jian said, "Yes, but that's not all. My mother has advanced liver cancer. There is not much time left; she wants me to find a good home before she leaves."

In most cases, people would think twice before jumping into a marriage. A marriage was not like going shopping for clothes. It would only take a passing glance to make the transaction.

Su Jian was convinced that Jin Pingchuan would turn her down. That would give her the perfect opportunity to make amends with Grandma Wang and explain what had happened.