Love Has Fireworks - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Blind Dates Begin

When Monday arrived, Qian Fei was a bit listless at the office. Sister Jin from the finance department invited her out for lunch, and as they ate, her questions started becoming rather probing.

"Feifei, why have you been so out of it lately? Are you just worn out from sorting out your apartment a while ago?"

Qian Fei squeezed out a smile. "Yeah, I still haven't quite recovered from it."

Sister Jin looked at her and asked, "Feifei, did you really buy that apartment all by yourself?"

Qian Fei nodded. "Yes," she replied, readily offering up the gossip herself to save her colleague from picking at her with endless questions like an itch that wouldn't go away. "Sister Jin, I've actually been broken up for nearly half a year now!"

Sister Jin put down her chopsticks and slapped her hands together, her face lighting up with excitement. "Good riddance! I could tell a long time ago that your ex-boyfriend didn't know how to treat a woman right! There were several times when we worked overtime together, and while everyone else's men came to pick them up, you were the only one taking a cab home by yourself at two in the morning. When asked, you even said your heart ached for him because his work was so tiring. He certainly didn't let his heart ache for you as a woman! Let me tell you, people in the company had written that guy off a long time ago! It's good you split up. A guy who cares so little about his woman deserved to be dumped ages ago!"

For a moment, Qian Fei didn't know how to respond. Although Sister Jin was speaking the truth and genuinely trying to comfort her, she couldn't help but feel that whenever Wang Ruohai was criticized as utterly worthless, she was losing face right along with him.

After all, she was the one who had chosen him in the first place.

Sister Jin continued, "I have a former classmate who works at a hotel. She mentioned there's a pretty good single young guy at her workplace and asked if I knew anyone suitable around me to set him up with. I immediately thought of you! That young man really is quite decent. I met him once, and he looks very sharp. Even though he isn't a local Beijing resident, his salary is pretty good! Plus, I heard their hotel is planning to go public. Once it's listed, he'll definitely make even more money! Anyway, you've been single for nearly half a year now. Why don't the two of you try meeting up?"

Qian Fei thought back to the scene when she bumped into Wang Ruohai in the subway the other day. Since the breakup, he had been living such a carefree and lavish life that it practically inspired envy and resentment. In contrast, she was guarding an apartment saddled with a mortgage, feeling empty, lonely, and cold every single day. Her family had also been constantly urging her to hurry up and find a partner, telling her not to let a betrayer delay her into becoming an unmarried leftover woman. Nearly half a year had passed, and seeing that she was about to turn twenty-seven, she really did need to move on as soon as possible.

She agreed to Sister Jin's proposal.

"Sister Jin, then I'll trouble you to help make the connection. I'll meet up with him!"

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That very afternoon, Sister Jin set things up between Qian Fei and the young man from the hotel.

"His name is Hu Zining. He's one year older than you, twenty-seven this year. I gave him your mobile number, and he'll contact you in a bit. If you don't have anything special going on tomorrow evening, he said he wants to treat you to dinner to meet you. The location can be wherever is convenient for you—right inside the Mingyuan Hotel at Fuxingmen, at that Cao Jingjing Fashion Hotpot!"

Qian Fei listened blankly, finding herself unable to keep up with the fast pace of events.

"Sister Jin, your efficiency as a matchmaker is a bit too high! At least leave me a few days so I can go get my hair done before meeting someone!"

Sister Jin waved her hand dismissively. "What's there to do with your hair? Getting it perked up until your head looks like a pile of instant noodles doesn't look good anyway! You look perfectly fine just like this. A ponytail is so pure and innocent, just like the girl in You Are the Apple of My Eye! Tomorrow, just tidy yourself up nicely, slap on some foundation, and you definitely won't look any worse than the girl in that movie!"

Qian Fei rolled her eyes at the excessive praise.

A short while later, she received a text message. The sender identified himself as Hu Zining, saying he wanted to get to know her and told her not to feel any pressure. Even if the blind date didn't work out, they could still be friends; since they were both out-of-towners, having one more friend in Beijing was always a good thing.

She felt that the text message was very comforting to read. Consequently, even though she hadn't met this man named Hu Zining yet, she already had a favorable impression of him in her heart.

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The next day, she finally listened to Sister Jin's advice instead of just splashing water on her face and calling it a day with a bit of cheap moisturizer. Before leaving work, she borrowed a makeup bag from the secretary, Xiao Yuan. After washing her face, she began applying foundation.

Xiao Yuan's cosmetics were all high-end luxury items bought during her travels abroad. Splitting these products onto her face, Qian Fei felt it would be hard for her not to look radiant and glowing.

Looking at her refreshed and sharp reflection in the mirror, she suddenly felt a wave of uncertainty.

Over the past few years, just to save money, she had deprived herself so severely—had it really been worth it? Relying on her youth, she had assumed she didn't need cosmetics to spruce herself up. She went without a speck of makeup every day, taking it for granted that she could present a sallow and haggard face to Wang Ruohai day after day. After looking at it for five years, he had finally had enough.

Had she really, without realizing it, become someone who was very difficult to tolerate?

She quickly shook her head, telling herself not to look back and dwell on those rotten memories with Wang Ruohai. She needed to cheer up and welcome her new life.

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By the end of the meal, Qian Fei's impression of Hu Zining was quite good. He looked exactly as Sister Jin had described—very handsome and sharp, with a refined, gentlemanly aura about him. She was easily drawn to refined men; back then, she had agreed to Wang Ruohai's courtship precisely because he carried that exact same aura. The other party seemed quite satisfied with her as well. Over the course of more than an hour, their conversation proved quite congenial.

After finishing their meal, Qian Fei habitually reached for her wallet, but Hu Zining stopped her.

"How can I let a girl pay?"

Qian Fei froze for a moment.

As Hu Zining pulled out his money, he said, "Sister Jin told me you still have to pay off a mortgage! Save your money; this meal is on me!"

Qian Fei's heart instantly grew incredibly warm.

How long had it been since someone had shown her this kind of consideration?

The apartment Hu Zining rented was right in Muxidi, which wasn't far from where they were eating; he could just walk back. He asked Qian Fei where she lived and if he should escort her home. Qian Fei hurriedly replied, "No need, no need! It's still early. I'll be home after a half-hour subway ride!"

Hu Zining then escorted her to the subway station entrance.

Before parting ways, Hu Zining added Qian Fei on WeChat.

After entering the subway station, Qian Fei received a voice message from him.

"I had a very wonderful time today. Take care on your way back, and let me know when you get home. Let's stay in touch often from now on!"

Qian Fei replied with a smiley face and two words: Smiley face. Okay.

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The next morning, the moment Qian Fei arrived at the office, Sister Jin rushed over, completely unfurling the gossip antennae on her forehead. "Feifei, how did it go yesterday? Do you think that young man is a good fit?"

Qian Fei nodded. "He's alright. He's quite good-looking and a very nice person."

Sister Jin winked at her. "Want to know how he evaluated you?"

Qian Fei shook her head. "No," she said, looking at Sister Jin. "I want to choke you with anticipation!"

Sister Jin gave her a playful shove. "Get out of here! Meeting a new love puts you in a great mood, doesn't it? You actually have the energy to tease me now! Let me tell you, that young man went back last night and sang your praises to my classmate. He said you're a pure and graceful girl who even tried to grab the bill when it came time to pay! You aren't delicate or high-maintenance either; you didn't even mention having him hail a cab to send you off after dinner and just took the subway home by yourself! He also said you're very humorous. After chatting with you for a single meal, he laughed so much his stomach almost cramped!"

Qian Fei felt delighted hearing this. Having a member of the opposite sex praise her like this naturally made her happy.

Sister Jin shifted the tone from the sidelines. "What are you looking so pleased about, Feifei? Silly girl! Let me tell you, a personality like yours has its pros and cons. When you first start getting to know someone, it really makes people feel you're very open and easy to approach. But as time goes on, you'll make men feel like you're not a woman, but a bro! You have to learn to be gentle and feminine, understand? To make you understand, let me give you an example. For instance, when you work overtime until two in the morning, why on earth would you take a cab home by yourself just because your heart aches for your man? Your heart aches for your man, but whose heart aches for you?"

Hearing her harp on that old tune again, Qian Fei felt her head throb.

"Sister Jin, stop right there! I beg of you, give me some courage and motivation to start my new life! Stop constantly bringing up those ancient, dried-up grievances from the past! I promise I'll turn myself into a little enchantress from now on, alright?"

Sister Jin tapped her index finger against Qian Fei's forehead. "You should learn a thing or two from Xiao Yuan. Look at how she shapes her eyebrows and applies her makeup every day. Look at your own eyebrows—you don't even trim them, they're practically growing down to your lower eyelids! That young man yesterday actually praised you for looking delicate and pretty; I seriously suspect the lights at Cao Jingjing were broken!"

Tilted her head away from the finger, Qian Fei puckered her lips. "Sister Jin, you don't understand! Abundant hair signifies sexiness!"

Sister Jin rolled her eyes at her. "If you have time to grow hair, you might as well grow your chest! Get along well with that young man, and once things work out, don't forget to reward your benefactor!"

Qian Fei nodded devoutly. "Fine, I'll waive your red packet at the wedding!"

※※※※※※

During the lunch break, Qian Fei shared the news of her blind date with Yao Jingjing.

Yao Jingjing expressed immense praise, admiration, and approval for her grand exploit of going on a blind date. "Attagirl, little baboon! You've finally stood up to embrace a new life! Just take things slow with him for now, don't rush into marriage. Wait until I successfully lock down this wealthy tycoon, and then I'll use his money to stuff a massive red packet for you!"

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Qian Fei remained in a good mood for the entire day, right up until she ran into Wang Ruohai upon exiting the subway that evening.

She originally wanted to keep her head down, pretend she hadn't seen him, and walk around him, but she was stopped by Wang Ruohai calling out her name.

"Qian Fei!"

Qian Fei stopped in her tracks, lifted her head, and kept her expression cold. "Do you need something?"

Wang Ruohai pointed to the R&F City building behind him and said to Qian Fei, "Let's go sit inside the Pizza Hut on the first floor for a bit!"

Qian Fei rolled her eyes at him. "Is there any need for that?"

Wang Ruohai started losing his patience. "Qian Fei, can't you just talk to me properly? It's been so long already, can't you fix your habit of snapping at people for no reason?"

Qian Fei sidestepped him. "How come I don't snap at anyone else? I simply have nothing to say to you!"

Wang Ruohai shouted loudly behind her, "Let me tell you, Qian Fei, that pretty boy you went on a blind date with is definitely targeting you because you own an apartment! Don't lose your head and actually think he likes you!"

A surge of fury instantly flared within Qian Fei. She spun around and walked right back to stand in front of Wang Ruohai. "Wang Ruohai, are you out of your mind? What, so it's impossible for someone to actually like me? Out of consideration for the seven years we spent together, I haven't said a single out-of-line word to you even after the breakup! I hope you can also learn a bit about how to respect others! Especially your ex-girlfriend!"

Wang Ruohai looked at her and let out a scoff. "Qian Fei, you think my words are out of line? But I'm telling the truth! If that man really were as wonderful as Yao Jingjing claimed, why on earth would he take a fancy to you? I approached you today precisely because of our past relationship to give you a heads-up; I just don't want you to be taken advantage of! Since you don't appreciate it, consider it my own nosiness. Just don't say I didn't warn you when you end up suffering down the line!"

Wang Ruohai threw a sullen look and stormed off.

Qian Fei was trembling all over with rage.

She pulled out her phone and called Yao Jingjing. "Did you tell Wang Ruohai that I went on a blind date?"

Yao Jingjing responded enthusiastically, "Of course I had to tell him! How could I pass up such a great opportunity to infuriate him? What, did he go looking for you? I told you so—men are just petty like that. Even though he has a new love, he still can't bear the thought of his old flame forgetting about him! I talked up your blind date candidate so well, it was enough to completely overshadow him ten thousand times over! How was it, was he completely green with envy?"

Qian Fei pinched her forehead. "I'm the one who was completely driven crazy by anger! Yao Jingjing, my dear ancestor, I beg of you, please stop provoking Wang Ruohai from now on, alright?!"

Yao Jingjing let out a click of her tongue. "Ungrateful! Wasn't I just trying to vent some anger on your behalf? In the future, even if you beg me to help you vent, I won't be able to anymore!" She paused for a moment before telling Qian Fei, "Baboon, I've applied with the company to go on a business trip for a while. The tycoon is going to open a branch company in Dalian, and I need to stick close to him to solidify our relationship!"

A stomach full of harsh words from Qian Fei was instantly choked back by her statement.

"You're leaving for a while? I'll be the only one left in Beijing? Then what about me?"

Yao Jingjing replied, "Though my body won't be there, my heart will be. Besides, we can keep in touch by phone!"

Qian Fei suddenly felt a wave of loneliness.

Returning home, she looked at the empty apartment and felt very isolated.

Her boyfriend was gone, and now her girlfriend was leaving too.

In this vast metropolis where she lacked any sense of belonging, she only had this single apartment that owed a mountain of debt.

She felt the home was simply too deserted—so deserted that she began to grow weak, and she felt an inexplicable urge to cry.

She eagerly hoped that Gui Lili and Li Yifei would hurry up and move in.

Even though they were merely tenants, at least once they arrived, she wouldn't be all alone in the house anymore.