Volume One, Chapter Ten: The Introduction of a Match

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Xia Xiyin stepped out of the elevator on the eighth floor. Just as she was about to leave, Zhou Yunan grabbed her arm and said, “Come up for lunch.”
“Okay.” She smiled at him and turned to walk away.
But her arm remained in his grip. She looked at him in confusion, silently asking if there was more.
Zhou Yunan said nothing, only tilting his face slightly, making his intention unmistakably clear.
Seeing his request for a kiss, Xia Xiyin found it somewhat endearing. She pursed her lips and stepped back toward him, looking up to plant a kiss on his cheek.
Just as she was about to kiss his cheek, Zhou Yunan quickly turned his face to meet her, and her kiss landed squarely on his soft lips.
After the kiss, a satisfied smile spread across Zhou Yunan’s face.
Xia Xiyin shyly gave him a light tap and quickly exited the elevator.
Inside the department, she greeted her colleagues and took her seat. Secretly observing, she noticed everyone treated her casually, which eased her nerves considerably.
“Hey babe, how did you come in this morning? No breakfast with you?” Yang Lele, seated nearby, asked.
Because their desks were adjacent and they got along well, often chatting and eating together, Xia Xiyin and Yang Lele had developed a good rapport—a perfect partner for meals and casual breaks.
“I had something for the celebration banquet and didn’t go. You managed to pull off something so earth-shattering, impressive!” Yang Lele slid her chair closer and whispered, “So, how is it dating the big boss? Feel any pressure?”
Xia Xiyin glanced at her. “It’s good. He’s a nice person.”
“Nice to you, I bet,” Yang Lele grinned mischievously. “Just look at the boss’s face—he’s the type who really cherishes his wife.”
Xia Xiyin smiled but said nothing. Yang Lele was always into mysticism, astrology, and the like—never straying far from her favorite topics.
Just then, Zhou Minghao emerged from his office and stood there. He first glanced at Xia Xiyin, then addressed everyone: “I have something to announce. From today on, Xia Xiyin will be in charge of the StarTech project in Country C.”
“Xia, here’s the list of your project team. Work hard and make it happen!” Zhou Minghao said as he walked to her desk and handed her the list.
Xia Xiyin took it and scanned it briefly. “Thank you, Director Zhou. I’ll do my best to secure the project!”
No sooner had she spoken than Shen Wei, seated not far across from her, slammed her folder down on the desk with a loud thud, her face drawn in displeasure.

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“Alright, back to work.” Zhou Minghao headed back to his office and said to Shen Wei, “Come in here for a moment.”
Grumbling and dragging her chair noisily, Shen Wei reluctantly followed him inside.
Xia Xiyin watched Shen Wei’s retreating figure thoughtfully before turning her gaze away and quietly asking Yang Lele, “Did Director Zhou ever say Shen Wei was supposed to lead this project?”
“Not officially, but who knows what goes on behind the scenes, right?” Yang Lele glanced toward the office and reassured her, “Don’t let her get to you. If the director put you in charge, it means you’ve got what it takes.”
Xia Xiyin nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m confident.”
Even if Zhou Minghao appointed her out of Zhou Yunan’s favor, she refused to waste energy on internal strife. What mattered was her own capability. Only by successfully winning the project could she silence the doubters.
Time flew by, and soon it was lunch break.
Yang Lele stretched at her desk and asked, “You’re having lunch with the big boss, right?”
Then she mock-pouted, “My best buddy’s been taken away.”
Xia Xiyin laughed. “Lele, don’t say that. I’ll still have time to eat with you.”
“Go upstairs quickly, don’t keep the big boss waiting.”
As Xia Xiyin left the department and waited for the elevator, her phone suddenly rang. Expecting a call from Zhou Yunan urging her, she took out her phone and saw it was a voice call from her aunt.
Since their parents passed away, she and her brother had little contact with relatives on their grandmother’s side, though they still kept ties on their maternal grandmother’s side. A couple of years ago, her grandmother and uncle had been supporting them. But her aunt was rather worldly and sometimes did things Xia Xiyin found hard to accept.
She stared at the caller ID, her brows knitting slightly before answering.
“Xiyin, your aunt is outside your company. Come down for a bit,” her aunt said.
“Aunt, what’s the matter?” Xia Xiyin asked, puzzled.
No prior notice—always like this.
Her aunt teased, “Ah, come down and see.”
Xia Xiyin, seeing no other choice, took the elevator down.

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Yang Su’e saw her niece come down and immediately began to scold, “I know you’re busy, but I took a break at lunch specially to come see you, and you’re dragging your feet.”
“Aunt, next time please give me a heads-up. Sometimes I’m busy during lunch,” Xia Xiyin replied, then asked, “What’s this about?”
Yang Su’e, beaming with excitement, pulled up a photo on her phone and eagerly introduced, “You’re at the age now. I’ve arranged a match for you. Take a look and see if you like him.”
Hearing this, Xia Xiyin fought back the urge to roll her eyes and held back her temper: “Aunt, with my current situation, you’re still trying to set me up? Aren’t you just setting me up for disaster?”
“Listen, after seeing your photo, he was very satisfied. Said the debts Xiao Man owes are nothing. If you marry him, he’ll pay off everything right away.” Yang Su’e patted her arm, smiling warmly. “Where else can you find such a good deal?”
Xia Xiyin glanced at the man’s selfie on the phone: a round, chubby face, small eyes, a scruffy beard, dark and stout. She closed her eyes and turned away.
“He runs pig and chicken farms. Business is booming. He said you wouldn’t have to do a thing—just be the lady of the house,” Yang Su’e said, laughing until her eyes nearly disappeared.
Xia Xiyin sighed wearily. “Aunt, thank you for your kindness, but I won’t look at him. After I help Xiao Man pay off his debts, I’ll think about my own matters.”
She chose not to tell her aunt about her boyfriend for good reason.
Zhou Yunan’s status was too prestigious. If her aunt found out, with her worldly temperament, who knew what embarrassing things she might cause? Besides, their relationship was still new and unstable. She didn’t want to reveal it so soon and have her aunt meddle in her personal life, especially her private affairs.
As for the matchmaking, she would find a way to politely dodge it.
“Isn’t it good someone’s helping you pay off debts? Such a huge sum, and with high interest too—how long would it take you to repay on your own?” Yang Su’e scolded her like she was a fool.
Then she glanced at the time. “It’s too late to refuse now. I’ve invited him to your company. The traffic was bad, so he’s running a bit late, but he should be arriving soon.”
“Ah?” Xia Xiyin exclaimed. “Aunt! How could you do this?”
Meeting a blind date at the company entrance? Not only embarrassing but if Zhou Yunan found out, it would be even worse!