Shen Mo Di sat in a café with a red, tearful gaze.
Her father was in the late stages of liver cancer, his remaining time left was not much.
Perhaps a month, or perhaps even less.
She knew that there were two things her father couldn't let go the most. One was her younger brother Xiao Guang, and the other was her marital affairs.
She would take care of her brother, but as for her marriage...
In order to ease her father's worry, she sent her personal information to a marriage agency and started blind dates.
It doesn't matter who she marries if it's not the one who once vowed to be with her for life.
"Miss Shen, hello, I'm sorry, for making you wait." A man checked the photo in his phone, sat across from Shen Mo Di, and casually placed his BMW car key on the table.
"It's alright, I just got here too." Shen Mo Di quickly composed herself and smiled faintly.
"Miss Shen, I already understood your situation through the marriage agency. Your educational background and work are quite good, and you just so happen to be the type I find attractive. I'm very satisfied with you." The man looked at Shen Mo Di with a satisfied smile on his face.
She was the most beautiful woman he had met so far in his blind dates.
Fair skin, beautiful looks, a refined and elegant aura.
Just like a bowl lotus, seeming so silent yet you simply can't ignore her beauty.
Despite his many picky preferences when it came to women, he wanted to marry her home right away.
"Thank you!" Shen Mo Di returned the sentiment with a polite smile.
She was about to ask him a few questions, but he took over the conversation.
The man said, "Miss Shen, you are aware of my basic situation, aren't you? I work at the Huo Group, my salary is fifteen thousand a month, I own a 170-square-meter four-bedroom apartment, and a BMW car.
After we get married, I won't add your name to the house deed because it was my asset before marriage. I believe you are a modern woman who wouldn't make unreasonable demands.
About the dowry, according to current market price, I can offer eighty-eight thousand. Now, most people just bring it.
You can choose to bring cash directly, or you can convert it as part of the dowry. I personally prefer the dowry, it gives a sense of ceremony to the wedding.
I am 29 this year and I'm in no rush for children. However, you are already 24, an age which is considered quite mature for a woman. It would be best if we start our family immediately after marrying. Otherwise, the shape of the female figure tends to change rapidly, and the aging process speeds up.
Furthermore, our lineage prioritizes a male heir. If our first child is a girl, we still need to try for a boy. I believe you would understand this point.
In addition, now that gender equality is important, the responsibility of supporting the family should not be only on the man. If you choose to work, my parents can help look after the kid, you can take over after finishing work.
If you are willing to stay home and look after the child, I will give you two thousand as your monthly allowance. You will not be taking care of him for free.
I usually work hard, so I hope you can handle the housework.
I am obsessed with cleanliness, I want our home to always be clean and tidy.
In addition, my parents worked hard to raise me. Now that they are older, they deserve to enjoy their lives, so please be generous and considerate towards them.
Also, your father is unemployed, and your little brother is still young. I know you used to spend your salary on your parental home.
However, after we get married, I hope you prioritize our family..."
Even Shen Modu, who was known for her good temper, was unable to suppress her anger at that moment.
What kind of epitome of a man is this?
When it comes to earning money and supporting the family, he argues for gender equality, but handling house chores is completely up to you. As if your parents had it easy raising you, but I somehow grew up living off air?
Is he out of his mind? Trying to have all the advantages to himself?
She managed to suppress her anger, calmly saying, "I'm sorry, but we're not compatible."
"I think we're quite compatible. Don't tell me, Miss Shen, that you think I'm not good enough for you? I earn more than you, and I have both a car and a house." The man knitted his brows, taking another look at Shen Modi. She was very pretty indeed. He continued, "Miss Shen, you are indeed attractive, but you know, a woman's youth is fleeting. A smart woman would marry a man with potential while she still has her looks..."
"Heh..." A scoff came from the neighboring table.
Which drew the attention of Shen Modi and her blind date.
Shen Modi's date looked over with displeasure.
They saw a handsome man in a white hoodie, addressing the fashionable woman opposite him: "I'm only 28 years old and already own a small three-bedroom apartment on a mortgage, and an ordinary car. But I graduated at 26 and have only been working for two years. So, contrary to what Miss Wu says, I don't believe that being 28 years old without any savings is an issue of personal capability.
Also, I earn ten thousand a month, whereas Miss Wu earns three thousand, so I don't think there's an issue with the match made by the matchmaking service.
It's quite alright if Miss Wu looks down on me, as I do not care for Miss Wu either."
Saying so, the man got up, glanced mockingly at Shen Modi's date, and highlighted the man's receding hairline with a meaningful look. "Women's youth is fleeting, but men's isn't exactly long-lasting either. Give it a few years, and baldness, obesity, and greasiness will all be inevitable."
He put emphasis on the word "baldness".
Finished, he walked over to Shen Modi, extending a hand in greeting, "Hello, I'm Huo Mingze. How about we have a blind date and see if we're a match? When we're married, what I earn will be fully contributed to the household. I don't smoke, drink, or gamble, leading a virtuous life. After work, I will go home to do housework. Whether we have children is entirely up to you, and your parents will be my parents."
Every word seemed to be a slap to the face of Shen Modie's blind date.
"Who are you?" Shen Modie's blind date was furious, itching for a fight with Huo Mingze.
"I'm on a blind date," said Huo Mingze.
"Miss Shen is having a blind date with me." Shen Modie's date found Huo Mingze outrageous.
Huo Mingze totally ignored him and handed Shen Modie the data sheet he had in his hand, saying, "This is my information. How about we change the venue and sit for a bit?"
Seeing the personal data from the same matchmaking agency in Huo Mingze's hand, and recalling what he had said to his own blind date, Shen Modie pieced things together.
As if both of their blind dates hadn't worked out - she had landed a weirdo, and he, a gold digger.
Indeed, casual conversation was an option too. Her purpose of going on these blind dates was to find someone decent, someone with similar conditions to hers, to marry as soon as possible.
She nodded, saying, "Okay."
"Miss Shen, isn't this kind of impolite? We're on a blind date. If you're not satisfied with the betrothal gifts, we can discuss it again. If worst comes to worst, we could put your name on the house deed, but you'd have to co-pay the mortgage," her blind date said resentfully.
"No, I'm not planning on having children after marriage," Shen Modie turned him down.
Just as they were about to reach the bar counter, her date yelled from the back, "Since the blind date didn't work out, there's no reason for me to pay for your coffee."
"I hadn't planned on asking you to pay for it," Shen Modie turned and responded politely, preparing to scan the QR code at the counter.
Huo Mingze had already scanned the code ahead of her. "Let me do it!"
After paying, he said to Shen Modie, "Let's go."
