"Rose, Aunt Ryhana has found another match for you. In a couple of days, find some time to have a meal and chat with him," my mother, Luna Elzzie, said to me as I watched TV.

"Mum, I really don't want to go on another blind date. I'm not in a hurry. I'm still young; there's no need for this," I frowned, turning to face her.

My mother, Luna Elzzie, replied, "Silly girl, you should start dating early. If you go now, you get to do the choosing. If you wait until you're older, it'll be others choosing you!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "That's not true. I'm pretty, I have a good figure, decent education, and a respectable job. Even if I'm thirty, I'll still be the one doing the choosing."

Mum wasn't convinced. "What are you thinking? Once a woman is over twenty-five, people start hesitating. Think about it. You can't just meet someone and get married right away, can you? You start dating at twenty-two, it takes a year or two, and by the time you're married, you're already twenty-four or twenty-five. And that's if you marry the first person you meet! What if you need to date a few more before finding the right one?"

She continued, "Look at you now. You've been on so many dates and haven't found anyone you like yet. It's not easy to find a good match. We might have to lower our expectations a bit. The main thing is to find someone with a compatible personality, someone you can spend your life with."

I didn't agree with her. "Mum, if it's just about finding a friend to live with, why should I marry a man? Haven't I been living with you and Dad just fine? And it's not like my standards are too high. I graduated from high school, I'm good-looking, and I have a stable job. But the men you've set me up with so far… let's not even start."

In our world, it's still the 1980s. Having a high school diploma is considered a good level of education.

"The first guy wanted me to keep having children until I had a son, even if it meant paying fines. He openly showed his preference for sons, even though it's not allowed by law anymore! And he had the nerve to say it out loud."

"The second one didn't even finish elementary school. He hasn't made much money in recent years, yet he thinks he's amazing and had the audacity to criticize me. Has he even looked at himself in the mirror?"

"The third was a total mummy's boy. He brought his mother to our lunch date! She looked at me like I was rotten cabbage, as if I should be grateful to be in her son's presence. He couldn't even order food without asking her permission. Who would want to deal with that?"

"The fourth one said his younger brother was still in school and had good grades. He hoped that after we got married, I'd help support his brother's education and even contribute to his future wedding expenses. Was this a date or a plea for charity?"

"The fifth one acted more like a girl than I do. He wore makeup and had rosy cheeks, even raised his pinky finger while talking. I suspect he's into men. I'm not about to be anyone's second wife!"

Mum was speechless. She'd only said a few words, and here I was, listing off a barrage of complaints, each stranger than the last.

"What will it take for you to agree to a date? The matchmaker has already lined up someone new for you," Mum sighed.

I thought for a moment and said, "I'll go if he's handsome, tall, and has a good income. Otherwise, he's not a match for me. Of course, even if he meets those basic requirements, it doesn't guarantee he'll be a good fit."

Mum seemed prepared for this. "Don't worry. The matchmaker said he's a good-looking young man, quite tall, over six feet. He comes from a well-off family, has a good education, and has already achieved some success in his career."

I raised an eyebrow. That didn't sound too bad, actually.

But with those qualifications, why would he need to go on a blind date? He should already have a girlfriend, right?

Unless… there's something wrong with him?

I chuckled at my own thoughts, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Still, it seemed like a decent setup. It was just a blind date, after all. If it didn't work out, I could always decline. For now, I agreed just to stop Mum from nagging me.

The date was set for three days later, at a restaurant near my home.

I figured if the guy was handsome, I should keep my outfit simple. Jeans were trendy at the time, so I chose a simple blouse and tied my hair back neatly, leaving a bit of fringe to soften my face.

At twenty-two, I'd never had a boyfriend before. My family was starting to worry that I might not find anyone, which is why they were eager to arrange dates for me.

After high school, I didn't go to university but chose to start working. I didn't bother with retaking exams and was currently employed at the local post office, writing letters. In this era, it was considered a highly respected job. When I first got it, my relatives couldn't stop praising me.

Before I left the house, Mum gave me one last piece of advice. "The matchmaker said he'll be wearing black today. There aren't many people at the restaurant, so you should spot him easily."

I nodded. "Got it. I'm heading out."

I nervously made my way to the restaurant.

It was the largest restaurant in our area, but usually, there weren't many customers at lunchtime.

I walked in and saw only four occupied tables. One had a young couple, another looked like a mother and child, while the other two had lone men.

One of the men was wearing black. He looked a bit frail, about 175 cm tall, with unremarkable features.

The other man wore a grey suit. He had a tall, strong build. Even sitting there, he exuded a commanding, soldier-like presence. His sharp facial features, handsome looks, and healthy skin tone made him stand out.

Judging by appearances alone, the man in grey seemed much more in line with what the matchmaker had described.

I wondered if he'd had to change his outfit at the last minute and swapped his black clothes for grey. It wasn't entirely unlikely; plans do change.

Without hesitation, I approached him and, to be safe, asked, "Hello, are you here for a blind date?"