The Matchmakers

"Mr. Wu, what are you doing here? Parker, nice to see you again! What a nice surprise!"

Sun Mei felt like palming her face as Yu Zan greeted the two men. Her friend would never have a successful acting career, so it was good that she wasn't pursuing one.

"Why don't you sit with us?" Mr. Wu suggested immediately. At least he was following his part of the plan.

"Oh thank you, we would love to!"

They quickly got settled in and placed their order. Yu Zan got the lasagna, which would obviously not taste like home, but at least she would be talking to Parker while she ate it.

"What are you currently working on?" she asked him with a curious expression.

"Parker will be adapting a famous novel into a graphic novel. It's a very ambitious job," answered Mr. Wu.

Sun Mei elbowed him. "Let the guy speak. He's already shy enough. We are only wingmen today," she whispered.

"I've never been a wingman. What am I supposed to do?"

"Hang back and let them speak. We'll only step in if the conversation becomes awkward. Oh, you are also supposed to compliment your friend in front of their potential love interest."

"So you'll compliment Yu Zan and I'll compliment Parker?"

Sun Mei sighed and checked that no one was listening. "No, we'll both compliment Yu Zan. We already know that she likes Parker. She doesn't need to be convinced that he's a catch."

"That makes sense."

They both paused for a while and listened to what Parker and Yu Zan were saying.

"Did you go to the yoga place I told you about?" Parker asked her.

"Oh yes!"

"What did you think?"

"Well, it's still a little early, but I think I could get used to this kind of exercise."

"Don't be modest, Yu Zan," said Mr. Wu. "Sun Mei tells me that you are extremely flexible. You could probably become a contortionist if you wanted to."

"That was overkill," Sun Mei said under her breath.

Yu Zan smiled a little. "Sun Mei has very low flexibility standards."

"That is true." Sun Mei confirmed this statement with a nod. "It's a wonder I can bend my limbs enough to walk and perform basic movements. Yu Zan, on the other hand, pulls off every yoga pose effortlessly."

"Thank you, Sun Mei." Yu Zan almost blushed at the compliment as she shot a sideways glance at Parker.

"You should come see her for yourself," Sun Mei added while turning toward Parker.

Then, she told Mr. Wu in a whisper, "That's how it's done."

"You're really good at this. Have you played matchmaker before?"

"Once, for my cousin."

"How did it go?"

"She got married last year. I'll be an aunt in a few months."

"I am in awe of your abilities."

"Thank you, sir. Unfortunately, it's both a gift and a curse."

"How so?"

"I can't benefit from it myself."

Mr. Wu thought about it. "You could ask for money."

"I don't think so. Then I would be too invested in the outcome."

"Aren't you already invested?"

"Why do you say that?"

"You're lecturing me on proper matchmaking in whispers."

"Good point!"