Chapter Two: Unexpected Encounter with the Ex-Husband at the Matchmaking Event

The agreed time was noon, at the Western restaurant—just the right moment for a meal.

When Wen Jianan entered the restaurant, she was still pondering how to apologize and make amends to Cheng He tomorrow. Only when the waiter led her to the table did she see Cheng He sitting there, fiddling with his phone, his face marked by impatience.

Cheng He lazily lifted his eyelids, his face shadowed and briefly flickering with surprise before settling into a hostile expression.

“Is that you?”

“So you must be Mr. Cheng,” Wen Jianan replied, surprised by the coincidence. A spark of delight appeared in her eyes as she sat down, her smile polite and courteous. “What a coincidence to meet again.”

Outside the restaurant, Liang Yuxiu had been waiting a long time without seeing Cheng He emerge. He couldn’t help but wonder if Cheng He had taken a liking to the woman he was meeting today.

Just as he was hesitating about leaving, Liang Yuxiu received a message from Cheng He: “Come quickly.”

Smiling to himself, Liang Yuxiu got out of the car, pushed open the door, and walked into the restaurant. His eyes immediately found Cheng He.

Opposite Cheng He sat a woman with chestnut-brown hair, smooth and glossy. Her face wasn’t visible, but Liang Yuxiu couldn’t help but recall the past.

A woman, languid and gentle like a kitten, lay in front of him, her long hair shiny and soft, brushing softly against his face.

Many a midnight dream revisited, yet all had long passed.

Liang Yuxiu pocketed his phone and approached.

Seeing the reinforcements, Cheng He immediately straightened up and bluntly said, “Miss Wen, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll leave first. You can finish your meal yourself. I’ll pay the bill. As for my aunt’s side, I’ll speak to them; you need not worry.”

Wen Jianan was taken aback. “Why?”

Cheng He seemed puzzled. “Today we’re just going through the motions, aren’t we?”

“But how can you be so sure I’m not interested in you?” she challenged.

At that moment, Liang Yuxiu’s figure slipped into her peripheral vision. Instinctively, Wen Jianan turned her gaze and met the handsome face she hadn’t seen in three years. Her smile remained, but it stiffened sharply.

All she could hear was a buzzing in her ears; her heart skipped several beats, pounding chaotically.

Until the man in front of her spoke, pulling her back to reality.

“Looks like you two aren’t done yet. I won’t disturb you. I’ll wait over there.”

His voice was as cold and deep as she remembered, unchanged.

If anything, he seemed even colder now.

In the past, Wen Jianan refused to believe he was cold-hearted, thinking her passion alone would melt him someday.

But that was nothing more than her own illusion.

Three years of a failed marriage had proven just how naive she was.

Wen Jianan lowered her head.

Opposite her, Cheng He hadn’t left either. Watching Liang Yuxiu sit down not far away, he was dumbfounded.

The matchmaker—Cheng Auntie—seemed prescient, sending a message warning Cheng He to behave properly during the match.

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Wen Jianan, lost in thought, no longer wished to continue the conversation with Cheng He.

The two fell silent and ate their meal quietly.

***

It wasn’t until Wen Jianan saw Liang Yuxiu rise from his seat and head to the restroom that she bit her lip and quickly followed.

“This will be quick; I’m just going to the restroom,” she said apologetically.

It was mealtime, and the restaurant was busy with people, but thankfully the restroom was a bit removed from the dining area, so she wasn’t worried about being seen.

Still, she was nervous.

Wen Jianan stood anxiously outside the restroom for a while until Liang Yuxiu came out.

Seeing him, she straightened up immediately, like a student seeing a teacher after many years—a muscle memory from long ago she hadn’t forgotten.

She felt a bit frustrated but didn’t care to hide it.

Liang Yuxiu was just tossing a paper towel into the bin when he noticed her. His eyes flickered with some unspoken emotion before his brow raised slightly.

“Something on your mind?”

His tone was neither familiar nor distant, striking a perfect balance.

He remained as inscrutable as ever.

The difference now was that Wen Jianan no longer bent herself trying to figure him out or accommodate him.

She pursed her lips, choosing her words carefully: “Do you know Cheng He?”

Liang Yuxiu’s expression became even more intriguing.

His tone remained cold. “Why? Worried about what I might say to him, and how it might affect your… plans?”

Wen Jianan’s features were naturally soft, but perhaps due to the growth and trials of recent years, her aura had gained a chill. Today, dressed more intellectually and professionally, no longer soft and yielding, she responded with ease.

“I’m not trying to hide that I’m divorced; that’s in the past. I genuinely want to get to know him better. But if you two are friends, I worry…”

“Your worries are unnecessary.”

Liang Yuxiu’s expression hardened further. Not wanting to linger, he turned and left.

As they brushed past, Wen Jianan said softly, “I hope so.”

When she returned, Cheng He had already left, and Liang Yuxiu was nowhere to be seen.

The waiter informed her that Cheng He had settled the bill.

Wen Jianan was stunned, feeling a pang of frustration.

Back at the hotel, Tan Fang called to inquire. Wen Jianan told her she was willing to continue contact with Cheng He, which pleased Tan Fang.

But Wen Jianan could not share that joy. After all, she had no interest in Cheng He; she was willing to engage with him only for the sake of the project.

Every industry had its rules and connections; to climb higher, one must have access. Failing to use the connections you have is foolish.

But now there was Liang Yuxiu as well.

Lying on her bed, Wen Jianan frowned and opened a group chat with her two close friends, sending a sincere question:

“How dramatic is it to run into your ex-husband at a blind date, especially when he’s friends with the guy you’re meeting?”

Qin Wei: “?”

Fang Yingqiu: “?”

***

Wen Jianan briefly explained the situation, omitting that the blind date was Cheng He himself.

After some gossip, her friends wished her good luck.

Holding her phone, Wen Jianan hesitated a moment before deciding to add Cheng He again.

She steeled herself, but five minutes later, she received the notification that her friend request had been accepted!

Startled, she jumped up and hastily composed a message.

First, she introduced herself, then sincerely apologized for the unexpected encounter at last night’s hotpot restaurant, followed by a proposal for compensation.

Yet ten minutes later, the reply came cold and brief:

“No need.”

Wen Jianan felt completely deflated.

He might refuse, but she could not simply abandon her offer to make amends.

Monday arrived. Wen Jianan and Xiao Jiang came early to the Quantum Asia-Pacific branch.

As expected, it was not easy to meet Cheng He.

The receptionist said appointments were required, and the earliest was the next day at 3 p.m.

Wen Jianan politely asked, “Please help me make that appointment.”

After scheduling the meeting, on her way back to the hotel to work on the presentation, she passed by a digital mall and stopped to buy a phone.

The same model and color as Cheng He’s.

That afternoon, as Wen Jianan and Xiao Jiang focused on preparing the presentation, Tan Fang suddenly messaged.

“Nannan, the matchmaker said Xiao Cheng’s side is very satisfied. I’ve given your contact info to the matchmaker.”

No sooner had Wen Jianan read the message than her phone rang.

It wasn’t Cheng He’s number.

After a moment’s hesitation, she answered.

Unexpectedly, the caller was Cheng He’s aunt—the matchmaker Tan Fang had mentioned, and a senior disciple from Wen’s father’s circle.

Her tone was exceptionally kind and warm, as if bathed in spring breeze.

“I showed your photo to Xiao He’s parents. We all like you very much and are glad you’re willing to continue seeing Xiao Cheng.”

“You’re too kind, Auntie Cheng,” Wen Jianan said, feeling somewhat guilty.

Cheng Auntie smiled. “I’m calling to ask if you’re free Friday evening? We’d like to invite you to our home for dinner.”

Wen Jianan thought it over and cautiously asked if Cheng He knew about this.

Cheng Auntie chuckled awkwardly, “Of course he knows. This is the whole family’s decision.”

Hearing this, Wen Jianan understood Cheng He was probably unaware.

Still, she agreed.