Lin is sitting in a coffee shop, chatting with another man.
"Miss Lin, we've been chatting for a few days now. I think we don't need to waste any more time. Let's get straight to your conditions,"
Lin Yue stirred her coffee elegantly, lifting the cup gracefully to take a sip.
"Mr. Li, it's true that we're on a blind date, but suggesting marriage after just a week of chatting seems a bit hasty. I'm sorry, but I don't think we're a good fit," replied Lin, her eyes composed despite the recent tears.
"What's the rush? Blind dates are supposed to be fast-paced. If we get along well, we can start a life together. You're wasting time with this approach," retorted Mr. Li.
"Sorry, Mr. Li, but I'll cover the cost of today's coffee," Lin Yue said calmly.
"Ha, a countryside working girl like you acting so high and mighty, it's just because you have a pretty face," Mr. Li sneered.
Lin Yue responded coolly, "Safe travels, no need for further pleasantries."
The man surnamed Li left in a huff, leaving the coffee shop eerily quiet. Lin Yue scanned the empty surroundings, tears streaming down her face. She sighed, resting her head on the table.
"Sob... Who is he? We chatted so well on WeChat, and it turned out like this in person? Marriage after a week? Even rocket launches aren't that fast... Sob..."
As Lin Yue murmured to herself, she attempted to block the man on WeChat. However, in her emotional state, she accidentally sent an unsent message from earlier to Mr. Li, seeing the blood-red exclamation mark confirming its delivery. Lin Yue couldn't hold back her tears again.
"Sob... How dare you block me first..."
After blocking him, Lin Yue took a moment to wipe her tears, adopting a rational and composed demeanor. She whispered to herself, "Alright, stop crying. The stress of today is over."
With a sudden low, hearty laugh, a deep voice echoed. Following the laughter, a blue handkerchief came into Lin Yue's view.
Lin Yue thought to herself, "Such a familiar handkerchief."
The next moment, she lifted her head and saw the extraordinarily handsome face of He Yuan. Lin Yue was startled and stood up, "Mr. He!"
Her face showed no signs of recent tears, though her eyes still glistened with moisture.
He Yuan smirked slightly, pushing the handkerchief forward, "Secretary Lin, as far as I know, this is your third failed blind date."
Lin Yue remained silent, realizing there might be some truth to his statement.
When she applied for the position of He Yuan's secretary, she was prepared for a five-year commitment to singlehood. The demanding role of a CEO's secretary would leave little time for personal matters. However, the company did not impose a five-year restriction on relationships, so Lin didn't intentionally hide her involvement in blind dates.
The first blind date coincided with a busy workday, with phones ringing incessantly. He Yuan frowned, asking, "Secretary Lin, what's the matter?" Lin Yue, lacking experience, straightforwardly mentioned her upcoming blind date.
Naturally, He Yuan's frown deepened.
The second time, He Yuan overheard Lin discussing her blind date during a casual conversation with his executive assistant. To her surprise, he caught her in the act this time.
Lin Yue avoided the handkerchief, changing the subject, "Thank you, Mr. He. What brings you here?"
He Yuan replied, "Had plans with a friend, but got stood up."
Lin Yue thought, "Who dares to stand up the CEO of Hengxing Group?" She didn't voice her thoughts and instead said, "I appreciate the offer, Mr. He, but I have plans. I won't take up more of your time."
He Yuan didn't insist, nodding slightly before leaving.
However, the lingering gaze before departure left Lin Yue bewildered. Did he think she had another blind date lined up? Lin Yue dared not speculate on the image she held in her boss's mind regarding marriage.
After a while, she sighed, got up, and prepared to leave the coffee shop. When paying for her coffee, she was informed that the bill had already been settled. Lin Yue could tell it was He Yuan who had paid since the man named Li hadn't visited the counter.
Returning to her shared apartment, Lin Yue found herself irritated by the untidy kitchen and bathroom. Fed up, she knocked on her roommate's door, only to be ignored by the assistant manager, Qing Jing.
The next day, Lin Yue decided to confront Qing Jing again. This time, Qing Jing, with wet hair, answered the door. Lin Yue asked her to tidy up the shared spaces, but Qing Jing claimed to be busy.
Enraged, Lin Yue kicked the coffee table, retreated to her room, and sighed.
This is the first chapter of the novel. Please let me know if you need further adjustments or if you'd like me to continue translating more of the story.