Chapter 17: Would someone with her credentials really come to a blind date?

Qu Residence.

A handsome young man approached from outside, appearing to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old.

Each of his steps was steady, his posture upright and poised.

Upon entering the living room, he saw Qu Tuotuo scrolling through her phone on the sofa and smiled gently:

“Tuotuo, Uncle said you were home, so I came to check on you. It’s been years; you’re getting more beautiful by the day.”

Qu Tuotuo glanced at him briefly, then nodded indifferently in response.

“I’ve arranged a gathering, all people you know. Interested in coming?”

“No.” Qu Tuotuo declined curtly, not even bothering to offer a reason.

“Well...” The young man looked a bit deflated but maintained his composure.

“Whenever you have time, I’ll treat you to a meal—consider it a welcome back.”

Qu Tuotuo finally put down her phone and faced him squarely:

“First, I don’t think we’re close enough to be having meals together.”

“Second, please call me by my full name or Miss Qu, or even President Qu. I don’t want others to misunderstand our relationship.”

The young man was momentarily speechless, forced to give an awkward chuckle before nodding in agreement.

Only then did Qu Tuotuo nod in satisfaction.

“Alright then, that’s settled for today. My friends will be here soon; we’re heading out shortly.”

The young man could tell she was politely dismissing him.

Though disappointed, he had no choice but to leave quietly.

As he was leaving, he bumped into a girl coming in the opposite direction.

“Bai Jincheng? You came to see Tuotuo?”

“Yeah.” The young man smiled briefly, “She’s waiting for you.”

Without stopping, he seemed unwilling to engage further and walked straight out of the villa.

The girl looked disappointed but quickly brightened, lifting her skirt and hurrying into the living room.

“Tuotuo, that’s the heir to Bai Group, and you just ignored him?”

“Why should I pay attention to him?” Qu Tuotuo retorted.

“Why even ask? Someone so outstanding—you should seize the chance.”

“You go ahead and seize it.” Qu Tuotuo looked at her best friend and explained helplessly, “He has everything I have, and what I want, he has none.”

Su Mi blinked.

“I’ve always wondered, what exactly do you want?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t still be without a first love.” Qu Tuotuo stood up and stretched.

“Come on, let’s go to the dealership to pick up the car.”

On the way, Qu Tuotuo sat in the passenger seat, gazing silently at the rushing scenery outside.

Su Mi noticed but didn’t interrupt, focusing intently on driving.

Perhaps feeling the silence was too heavy, she turned on the music player, and melodious tunes filled the car.

After two songs, Qu Tuotuo unconsciously hummed along:

“If a pig barges into my life, I surprisingly let go of the loneliness I guarded so fiercely~”

She stopped abruptly, sensing something was off, then turned to her friend.

“What kind of terrible song is this? Turn it off.”

Su Mi was puzzled.

“Is it the song? It’s a good one. Who told you to change the lyrics?”

Qu Tuotuo frowned but stayed silent.

She realized she had drifted off just then.

After passing two intersections, a crowded park up ahead caught Su Mi’s attention.

“Tuotuo, it looks like a matchmaking event. See how many people there are?”

“Oh.” Qu Tuotuo replied casually, then looked toward the park.

“Shall we check it out? I heard these matchmaking events don’t happen every day, only on holidays.”

Su Mi was clearly excited, obviously inexperienced with such activities.

“It’s too chaotic, not worth seeing.” Qu Tuotuo showed no interest in such things.

Though Su Mi said she wanted to go, she didn’t slow the car.

But just as they passed the park, Qu Tuotuo suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

As the car moved on, she twisted sharply, her eyes locked on a person holding a cardboard sign.

“Stop! Stop the car!!”

---

Yu Dazhang regretted taking this assignment.

Who would have thought that upon arrival, she’d run into an auntie who had once ganged up against her?

Soon, that auntie called over several others.

Yu Dazhang recognized them all at a glance.

And they were recruiting more?

They had formed an organization, with discipline surprisingly strict.

One waved a flag, and the entire group assembled.

“Why are you here again? Have you been inside lately?”

“The last two you knocked down were taken away by ambulance. Do you have a violent streak?”

Yu Dazhang initially wanted to ignore them, but then thought that chatting with these aunties would be a better disguise.

Since she was here, she might as well act the part.

“Aunties, please don’t slander me. If that gets out, how will I survive in the matchmaking circle? You’re ruining my reputation—watch out, I might sue you.”

The aunties were taken aback.

Reputation?

Looking at this chubby woman dressed in cheap, secondhand clothes from head to toe, the aunties gritted their teeth in anger.

Her top was a worn Adidas T-shirt, and her bottom was Jordan sports pants with a ping-pong paddle print.

Coming here to find a match like that lowered our standards single-handedly.

“Xiao Huozhi, you should leave. This place isn’t for you. We locals get married here; you should stop poking around.”

“Locals? What, are you superior or something?” Yu Dazhang hated hearing such “local” talk.

One auntie immediately pushed back:

“In Songhai, just having local household registration is worth more than your life. Every local is destined for wealth.”

Yu Dazhang took out her phone, tapped a few times, then showed the screen to the auntie who had spoken:

“Send me fifty on WeChat first. Let’s see your strength.”

That silenced all the aunties present.

Seeing their spirit wasn’t as fiery as last time, Yu Dazhang decided to liven things up.

“I know you think I’m poor.”

“But then again, I’m afraid your daughters might be professional ‘reformed’ players.”

“There are too many honest people ending up as scapegoats, thinking they got a new car, only to find out it breaks down at home.”

Her words ignited the fire. The aunties flushed red with anger and launched a fierce verbal assault.

If they hadn’t seen Yu Dazhang injure people last time and known she dared to fight, they’d have rushed at her.

For now, they could only curse.

As the battle grew hotter, two girls squeezed into the crowd.

Yu Dazhang noticed the newcomers—two young girls. Just as she was about to speak, one looked very familiar.

Upon closer look, Yu Dazhang’s eyes widened in surprise.

What was she doing here?

At a matchmaking event?

Impossible. With her family background and looks, she didn’t need this.

Afraid of revealing her identity, Yu Dazhang frantically signaled to Qu Tuotuo, who completely ignored her.

Qu Tuotuo was intently reading the text on the cardboard.

By the time she finished, a smile blossomed on her face.

“You can even become a live-in son-in-law?” Qu Tuotuo looked up at Yu Dazhang.

“Ahem~”

Yu Dazhang coughed loudly and winked at her.

“180,000 in bride price?”

Yu Dazhang stayed silent, so Qu Tuotuo laughed:

“Not a high requirement.”