Chapter 1 How about getting married?

Shen Modie sat in the café, her eyes reddened. Her father had late-stage liver cancer, and time was running out. Maybe a month, maybe... even less. She knew her father couldn't let go of two things: her younger brother Xiaoguang, and her own lifelong affair. She could take care of her brother, but as for her own marital future... To put her father at ease, she had submitted her profile to a matchmaking agency and started attending blind dates. It didn't matter who it was with anymore—not the person she once swore eternal love to.

"Miss Shen, hello. Sorry for keeping you waiting," a man verified her photo on his phone and took a seat opposite Shen Modie, casually placing his BMW keys on the table. "No problem, I just arrived," Shen Modie quickly composed herself, offering a polite smile.

"Miss Shen, I've already got a general understanding of your situation from the agency. Your education and job are decent, and you fit my aesthetic preferences quite well. I'm satisfied with you," the man smiled, appraising Shen Modie. He had never seen a more beautiful woman on a blind date: fair-skinned, exquisite, with an air of elegance and refinement. Like a lotus in a pond—quiet, yet impossible to ignore.

"Thank you," Shen Modie politely acknowledged. She had questions for him too, but he cut her off. "Miss Shen, you know my basic details, right? I work at Huo Corporation, earning fifteen thousand a month, with a spacious 170-square-meter apartment and a BMW. After we marry, the house won't be in your name, it's my pre-marital property. I believe you're a modern woman who won't make unreasonable demands. As for the bride price, I'll offer eighty-eight thousand, but these days everyone brings that over anyway. You can choose to bring cash directly, or turn it into dowry. Personally, I prefer the latter, it's more ceremonious. I'm twenty-nine this year, not in a rush for children. But you're twenty-four, women at your age should ideally have children right after marriage. Otherwise, your figure might deteriorate quickly. Also, it's a single line in my family, if the firstborn is a girl, we'll have to try for a boy. I'm sure you understand. And now, with gender equality, supporting the family isn't just a man's job. If you choose to work, my parents can help with childcare, you come back after work. If you prefer to stay at home with the children, I'll give you two thousand a month for expenses, ensuring you're not left out. I work hard usually, so please take on more household chores. I'm a bit of a neat freak, and I'd like the house to stay clean at all times. Also, my parents raised me with difficulty, they're getting old and deserve some comfort, so please treat them kindly. Also, your father is unemployed, your brother is still young, I know your previous salary was all spent on your natal family. But after marriage, I hope you prioritize our family..."

Despite Shen Modie's normally good temper, her emotions were rising. Who was this extraordinary man? Making money to support the family meant gender equality, but doing household chores meant she should take on more responsibility? Did he think she grew up on air? Was he trying to take advantage of everything? She suppressed her anger and calmly said, "I'm sorry, we're not suitable."

"I think we're quite suitable, aren't we? Miss Shen, you don't think I'm not good enough for you, do you? My salary is higher than yours, I have a car and a house," the man frowned, giving Shen Modie another look. "Miss Shen, you're indeed quite good-looking, but you know, a woman's youth is fleeting. Smart women would marry a man with potential while they're still attractive..."

"Heh..." A cold laugh came from the next table. It caught the attention of both Shen Modie and her blind date. Shen Modie's blind date looked over angrily. Across from them, a handsome man in a white hoodie was speaking to the stylish woman beside him, "I'm already twenty-eight and only have a small three-bedroom with a mortgage and a regular commuter car. I graduated just two years ago and have been working for only two years. So, I don't agree with Miss Wu's statement that being twenty-eight without savings means there's a personal issue. Also, I earn ten thousand a month, while Miss Wu earns three thousand. I also don't think the matchmaking agency's arrangement is wrong. If Miss Wu doesn't like me, that's fine, I don't like her either." With that, he stood up, turned to glance at Shen Modie's blind date, subtly mocking him about his hair. He intentionally emphasized the words "bald" twice. Then, he walked over to Shen Modie, extending his hand, "Hello, I'm Huo Mingze. Why don't we compete in marriage? I'll turn over my wages after marriage, don't smoke or drink, don't gamble, keep a low profile, go home and do housework after work, and if you want to have children, your parents are mine."

Every word was a slap to Shen Modie's blind date's face. "Who are you?" Shen Modie's blind date was furious, desperate to fight Huo Mingze.

"Huaren." Huo Mingze replied.

"Miss Shen and I are dating." Shen Modie's blind date felt Huo Mingze was too unreasonable. Huo Mingze completely ignored him and gave Shen Modie a piece of his information, saying, in have understand even

Shen Modi noticed that the personal profile in Huo Mingze's hand was from the same matchmaking agency as hers. Recalling the things he had just said to his blind date, she had a good idea of what was going on. It seemed that neither of them had found suitable matches; she had encountered weird men, and he had met a gold-digger. Actually, having a chat wouldn't hurt. Her goal in these blind dates was to quickly find someone with decent character and conditions similar to hers to marry. Nodding, she said, "Alright."

"Miss Shen, isn't it a bit rude of you? We're on a blind date, you know. If you're not satisfied with the bride price, we can discuss it further. If that's not enough, I can add your name to the house, but you'll have to help with the mortgage," her date said unwillingly.

"No, I don't plan to have children after marriage," Shen Modi declined.

As they approached the bar, her blind date shouted from behind, "Since the blind date didn't work out, there's no reason for me to pay for your coffee."

"I wasn't planning on asking you to pay," Shen Modi turned back and replied politely, preparing to scan the code at the bar.

Huo Mingze had already scanned the code ahead of her. "I'll get it!" he said. After paying, he turned to Shen Modi and said, "Let's go."