Charlene's Blind Date Was Scared Away by Su Bai

【Xia Lin: Wait a sec】

【Xia Lin: Don’t come in yet. I ran into an acquaintance and need to deal with this first】

The agreed lunch spot was a Western restaurant near the Yashi Pavilion.

This service apartment complex was surrounded by high-end dining options, a testament to the spending power of its residents—something local restaurateurs clearly recognized.

Just as Su Bai reached the entrance, he received Xia Lin’s message.

If it were just an ordinary acquaintance, she wouldn’t have asked him to stay away.

So, this had to be someone troublesome.

Instantly, Su Bai’s curiosity was piqued.

According to the system’s assessment, Xia Lin had never been in a relationship. That meant this "troublesome acquaintance" was either a persistent admirer or an annoying relative.

A well-behaved student would obediently follow their counselor’s instructions, but Su Bai was far from well-behaved.

He pocketed his phone, pretending he hadn’t seen the message, and strode straight into the restaurant.

Sure enough, seated in a booth against the wall was Xia Lin, wearing a polite but slightly impatient expression.

A man in a tailored suit stood a few feet away, speaking to her in an ingratiating tone.

"Xia Lin, I really don’t know what I’ve done to upset you so much that you won’t even give me one chance for a blind date… Since we’ve run into each other today, why don’t we sit down and talk properly…"

"Xiao Yanchen, I’ve already made it clear on WeChat—I’m not interested in blind dates. I have no plans for that right now. The matchmaker made arrangements without consulting me—how is that my fault?"

The man forced a bitter smile. "Don’t be so dismissive. Let’s just sit and get to know each other. I’m sure you’ll see me in a different light… I have a solid overseas education, years of business experience, and I’d say I’m quite accomplished…"

"I said I’m not interested—in blind dates in general. It’s not about whether you’re accomplished or not."

Xia Lin was at a loss for words. This guy had been introduced by one of her aunts. Admittedly, he was successful, but he was too formal and bland—definitely not her type.

Plus, he was thirty-three, a full eleven years older than her!

What was her aunt thinking? Sure, Xia Lin had a mature, elegant air about her, giving off the vibe of a poised, affluent beauty in her mid-twenties…

But given her family background, she had no reason to settle for an older man!

If given the choice, who wouldn’t prefer someone younger?

Just as the conversation reached a stalemate, Su Bai arrived and plopped down in the seat across from Xia Lin before glancing at Xiao Yanchen.

"Professor Xia, who’s this uncle?"

Xiao Yanchen’s chest tightened with irritation. "Young man, you look like an adult. Why call me ‘uncle’? I’m not that old, am I?"

"Just thought you had that mature, dignified aura!" Su Bai grinned. "I’ve got an uncle around your age—well, maybe not quite as old—with a five-year-old kid. But he’s nowhere near as composed as you. You’ve got that high-level corporate executive vibe."

"Hey, you little—"

Xiao Yanchen’s annoyance eased slightly as he turned to Xia Lin. "Is this young man a relative of yours?"

He instinctively assumed Su Bai was some cousin or younger brother, given how casually he’d joined their conversation.

Most men would hesitate around Xia Lin—she carried herself like a refined, well-bred intellectual, the kind few could match.

But Xia Lin smiled and introduced, "This is Su Bai, my student. I’m helping him with something today."

"Student? You just became a counselor, right? So he’s a freshman?"

Xiao Yanchen’s guard went up immediately.

Would Xia Lin really accompany a student to a romantic, high-end restaurant like this?

He knew the prices here—at least 1,500 per person, and that was before adding a decent bottle of wine.

Xia Lin could easily afford it, but a student…?

Was this that kind of relationship?

At Jiangcheng University, most counselors were grad students, essentially senior peers, and dating undergrads wasn’t uncommon or frowned upon.

But Su Bai was tall, handsome—was he Xia Lin’s kept boy toy?

"Yeah, I just started college. Professor Xia’s been really helpful—she even came with me to check out long-term rentals at Yashi Pavilion today. Oh, by the way, uncle, are you and Professor Xia dating?"

"...No, no, haha. I’m a blind date her family set up."

"Oh, then maybe reschedule? Professor Xia and I already have plans—wine, lunch, maybe a movie later. She probably doesn’t have time for a blind date today."

"..."

Xiao Yanchen’s expression darkened.

Xia Lin smoothly added, "He’s right. As a counselor, I should follow through on commitments to my students."

"Right, of course. I’ll get going then. See you around!"

Xiao Yanchen retreated in defeat.

This Su Bai had a sharp tongue—deceptively so, given his sunny, harmless looks.

He’d outright dismissed him as a blind date, something no ordinary kept man would dare do. That would be overstepping.

Yet Xia Lin had smiled approvingly the whole time, even giving Su Bai appreciative glances.

Their relationship was clearly close.

And Su Bai had clout.

A freshman living at Yashi Pavilion, wearing a Royal Oak?

No way he was some poor kid playing sugar baby.

Xiao Yanchen had noticed the Audemars Piguet on Su Bai’s wrist. He didn’t recognize the exact model, but even the cheapest Royal Oak started at 300,000.

Xia Lin was wealthy, but she’d never splurge on luxury gifts for a boy toy.

Hell, it was possible Su Bai’s family outclassed hers…

The thought of them sharing wine, lunch, and a movie later twisted Xiao Yanchen with jealousy.

His face contorted.

"I need to dig into this kid’s background… No, not directly. If he’s connected to someone big, that’d be trouble. Better ask around discreetly in my circles—less chance of offending the wrong people."

Back in the restaurant, a waitress in a chic server’s outfit uncorked a bottle of wine.

Xia Lin had already ordered the set menu for Su Bai.

He skimmed the wine list, using his system to analyze each option’s flavor profile.

He picked one that seemed to suit his taste.

Would it be any good?

He liked red wine, but his experience was limited to the cheap supermarket bottles that cost barely a few dozen yuan.

As the waiter handled the decanter, Xia Lin's beautiful eyes sparkled, and her mature, melodious voice spoke up:

"Su Bai, you're really bold—you've gone and scheduled our advisor's entire afternoon agenda."

"Huh? Did I?"

"I certainly don't recall making plans with you to watch a movie this afternoon."