Blind Date (Completed)

Part 1

Wang Yibo found his actions almost ridiculous. Just last night, he was making fun of his cousin for attempting to go on a blind date but here he was, attending that same date in her stead.

Meng Ziyi had been chatting with a stranger for the past 2 weeks, since she broke up with her boyfriend. They had both decided to keep their identities confidential so their meeting could come as a surprise. A day before the scheduled date, Ziyi made up with her boyfriend but she didn't have the guts to cancel the date.

Sharing her worries with her cousin, she was met with a series of taunts and teasing. "Going on a date with someone whose name you do not even know! Everything about this says 'red light'. How could you? If you hadn't made up with your boyfriend, you could have made the worst mistake of your life".

"No, I feel he really is a nice guy. We've never met but from the way he sounds, I trust he would not harm me".

"Well, you don't expect a freak to show his intentions, of course they're good at pretending just to lure you into their trap. Let me guess, did he suggest meeting at a crowded place?"

Ziyi nodded.

"Good, that is the first step to making you trust them. When you're more comfortable, you will get to meet more in private and that's when he can do whatever he has planned".

Ziyi hadn't thought of it this way. She was heartbroken and clung to the next best thing just to fill the void in her heart. She had really acted silly. This stranger, whose name she didn't even know had flown in from another location the previous night to meet with her. As for how she met him, it was a case of 'wrong number'. She texted the wrong number and got a reply which roused her curiosity. She decided to chat further and surprisingly, this person was open to having a conversation.

She also had her doubts. She contacted this person, it wasn't the other way around. Also, she asked for the meeting to which this person reluctantly agreed.

"Yibo, I still have a feeling you're wrong. This person has been nothing but sweet. I really should go on this date and tell him I got back with my boyfriend, it's the least I could do".

Yibo felt this cousin of his was actively seeking death. Unfortunately, she was his closest relative and he wasn't ready to lose her just yet.

"Alright, let's do it this way. I'd go instead of you, just to check this person out. You're not going to date him anyway, if he seems nice, I'd help you pass your message across"

And on that night, Yibo, dressed in a pair of black trousers and a white hooded shirt set off to the restaurant where they planned to meet.

......

Xiao Zhan had booked a table for two ahead of time. He arrived a few minutes earlier. When he entered the restaurant, the place was calm. Most of the tables were occupied and the light was dimly lit, just the way he liked it.

He spoke to a waiter who led him to a table. He ordered a bottle of wine. Not long after he received a message from his date; 'I'm running a little late, I'm sorry'.

He smiled and replied, 'It's okay, take your time'.

Wang Yibo, who was sitting on a single table, holding the phone turned to look around. He couldn't figure out which person it was. The person he initially suspected to be the date was soon joined by a few other people. Besides, the light was dim so he couldn't see everyone clearly.

'How do I recognize you when I arrive?', he had to be able to recognize this person from afar. If he wasn't comfortable with what he saw, he'd simply leave.

Soon he received a reply, 'I'm on table xxx, wearing a white shirt with a black patch in front of it. You won't miss me.'

Yibo turned around to look at the said table. It was empty when he arrived but it now had a person seated, wearing a white shirt. He couldn't see his face because the person had his back to Yibo but from the rear features, Yibo figured this person should be around the same height as himself.

His hair was neatly styled and he seemed to be looking down at his phone. His small movements were not missed by Yibo's gaze. Yibo hoped he would turn around, just to catch a glimpse of his face but 20 minutes later, he still hadn't turned around.

The man kept looking at his phone, almost like he was getting impatient. Yibo was already curious. He wanted to see the face of this person whose back he found somewhat attractive. He picked up a glass of drink and walked over to his table. Without asking for permission, he took a seat opposite him.

"I've been watching you for a few minutes, it seems we're suffering the same fate", Yibo spoke as soon as he sat.

Xiao Zhan, who was staring at his phone, raised up his head to see the person who just sat in front of him.

"What do you mean by the same fate?", his face held a hint of a smile when his eyes met with the person sitting across him. It was a young man, who looked extremely handsome and a lot younger than himself.

"I was to meet up with someone here but it looks like I got stood up. I've been waiting for more than 2 hours".

Xiao Zhan chuckled. "Who would stand such a handsome man up?"

Getting a response was like accepting his invitation to talk, Yibo relaxed a bit and crossed his legs, resting his back on the chair.

"Well, she has no idea how I look. This is sort of like a blind date".

"A blind date? Which girl in her right senses would meet up with a man she doesn't know at this day and age with all the danger lurking around! Things are bad out there and everyone needs to stay safe, especially ladies."

Yibo marveled at the shamelessness of the fine specimen seated in front of him. His mouth hung open for a few seconds before replying.

"I'm meeting up with a guy, not a girl". He had no idea where that came from. Now he just sounded like someone who was trying to pick him up.

Xiao Zhan seemed to feel the same way too. He raised one side of his mouth in a smile that said 'oh I see where this is headed' and spoke. "Well, it seems I also got stood up, she's no longer replying my messages. I'd wait a little longer before leaving. In the meantime, I'd have to trouble you to keep me company".

Yibo realized that since he located Xiao Zhan, he had stopped checking his messages.

"I'm Xiao Zhan by the way, what is your name?"

"I'm Wang Yibo", Yibo stretched his hand across for a handshake.

"Wang Yibo, you look quite young. Can I ask how old you are?"

"Ha-ha", Yibo tilted his head to the side and continued "I'm not that young, I'm 23 years old".

"23 is young. You're still a baby. You should call me gege".

Yibo didn't bother about his age but to this person, he wasn't comfortable being referred to as a 'baby'. He was a grown ass man capable of making his own decisions. He was old enough to have a boyfriend of his own.

Xiao Zhan tried twice to pull his hands away. Yibo had held on to him since the handshake and his grip was getting tighter. Xiao Zhan found his actions interesting since he found out he was starting to space out.

Yibo, feeling something trying to leave his hand involuntarily held on tighter to it. After a while, he spoke, "I'm not a baby. I'm a mature adult".

"Okay mature adult, can you let go of my hand first? If my date sees us like this, she might get the wrong idea".

Yibo let go of him with a 'hmnp'. "You still think your date is coming? Let me tell you something about the girls here. If they like you, they'd arrive earlier than you. It's been this long and she's still not here, I can bet you she's not coming".

Xiao Zhan smiled and took a sip out of his drink. "How did you know I'm not from around here?"