Chapter 265: Chapter 265: Eating Well Tonight

The man on the blind date stared at Jiang Moli’s fair, beautiful face, his handlebar mustache twitching as he smiled.

"I... I’m very pleased with you."

Jiang Moli replied knowingly, "Alright then. Let me lay out my requirements."

"For the bride price: the ’three rounds and a sound,’ a gold ring, gold earrings, and a gold necklace, plus 288 yuan. That’s not asking for much, is it?"

The man stared at her, the smile gone from his face.

’The "three rounds and a sound" would cost several hundred yuan alone, the gold jewelry would be at least three or four hundred, and she wants another 288 yuan on top of that? That adds up to over a thousand yuan!’

Jiang Moli continued, counting on her fingers, "I’ve never done housework in my life, and I don’t know how. So, once we’re married, you’ll have to do all the laundry, cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning."

"I’m still young and in the prime of my career. Getting pregnant and having a baby would interfere with my work, so I don’t plan on having any kids for the next five years."

"Also, you’ll need to provide an apartment. I refuse to live with in-laws after we get married. For just the two of us, 50 square meters should be about right."

"After we’re married, you’ll have to hand your salary over to me to manage. Of course, I’ll give you a 2-yuan monthly allowance. A man needs to be able to treat his friends when he’s out, after all."

The way the man looked at Jiang Moli now held none of his earlier infatuation, only disgust and anger.

Disgust +1. 10,000 yuan credited.

Hearing the notification that the Disgust Value had been credited, Jiang Moli prepared to leave.

"Let’s leave it at that for today. You go home and think it over carefully. I have to get to my next blind date."

Staring at Jiang Moli’s retreating figure, the man was so furious his handlebar mustache practically stood on end.

’She’s on a date with me while already arranging to see other men.’

’Always looking for something better. He would never marry such a flighty, vain woman!’

The man’s thoughts mirrored Qian Ling’s own worries.

"Isn’t this a little much? If my cousin-aunt finds out, she’ll definitely be furious."

Jiang Moli said, "She introduced you to such a dud, and you’re not the one who’s angry?"

Qian Ling said glumly, "My mom thinks Hong Hua is a good catch because he’s a public school teacher with a stable job and decent income. She just wanted me to meet him, not that I had to actually date him."

"Has your mom ever met this Hong guy?"

Qian Ling shook her head. "No, she’s just going by what my cousin-aunt told her—that he’s an only son and both his parents have stable jobs."

"If you ask me, your cousin-aunt is up to no good. She only mentioned the guy’s strengths and didn’t say a word about his flaws, without even considering whether he’s worthy of you. She’s treating you like a resource to be exploited, probably to get a matchmaker’s fee, or even as a bargaining chip. I’d bet if you have your mom ask around, you’ll find out your cousin-aunt’s family needs something from him."

Qian Ling had never heard anyone talk like this and looked at her in disbelief.

"That can’t be right. My cousin-aunt is a good person."

Jiang Moli smiled. "Let’s hope not. Just apologize to her and say you don’t like the guy. If she’s really looking out for you, she’ll understand and support you."

Qian Ling nodded. "Thank you for today. Let me treat you to some beef noodles."

It was almost dark by then, and both of their stomachs were growling.

Jiang Moli was about to agree when her sharp eyes caught a familiar figure sitting in the restaurant next to them, and she grinned.

"We can get noodles some other time. Tonight, we’re eating something good."

With that, she pulled Qian Ling into the restaurant.

"Hey, Sister Weiwei, long time no see! You’re eating here too?"

Meng Wei’s expression soured the moment she saw Jiang Moli.

But with her blind date right there, she couldn’t lose her temper for fear of making a bad impression, so she had to swallow her anger.

Wen Jingrui, oblivious to the history between them, smiled politely at Jiang Moli. "You must be Xiao Wei’s friends. Are you here to eat too? Why don’t you join us?"

"Okay!"

That was the exact phrase Jiang Moli had been waiting to hear. She immediately pulled Qian Ling into a seat at their table.

The corner of Wen Jingrui’s mouth twitched.

’He was just making a polite offer; he hadn’t expected her to actually take him up on it.’

But since they were already seated, his good manners prevented him from asking them to leave. He had no choice but to call the waiter over and order more food.

This restaurant specialized in Cantonese cuisine.

Jiang Moli, showing no restraint, ordered two braised pigeons, half a braised goose, and a plate of stir-fried rice noodles.

"Let’s start with that," she said. "We can always order more if it’s not enough."

Meng Wei’s face turned pale with anger, but she didn’t dare make a scene, terrified of ruining her blind date.

Because of the incident with the Lin Family, her reputation among relatives and neighbors was in tatters. No one was willing to set her up on dates anymore.

Tonight’s date had been arranged by a former school senior.

Jiang Moli sipped her tea, smiling as she sized up Wen Jingrui.

His features weren’t exactly handsome, but he wasn’t bad-looking either. He had fair skin and wore a gray turtleneck sweater, his black overcoat draped over the back of his chair. He was the type who projected an air of refinement.

"Hey, I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. Did you and Sister Weiwei just meet?"

Wen Jingrui nodded. "Yes, we were introduced by a friend. And you and Xiao Wei are...?"

"Friends!"

Meng Wei jumped in to answer, afraid Jiang Moli might say something inappropriate.

Jiang Moli didn’t contradict her. After all, her main goal tonight was to score a free meal.

"That’s right, we’re friends. I’m Jiang Moli, and this is Qian Ling, a colleague of mine from the performance troupe. She’s mostly in charge of broadcasting and hosting. By the way, we didn’t catch your name?"

Wen Jingrui briefly introduced himself to the two of them.

Jiang Moli was already starving. She picked up her chopsticks and announced, "Let’s eat while we talk. The food will get cold if we wait."

Wen Jingrui gestured for them to begin. "Please, eat. Don’t stand on ceremony."

Wen Jingrui and Meng Wei had ordered steamed sea bass, honey-glazed barbecue pork, and cabbage in supreme broth—not a lot of food, but each dish was exquisite.

Jiang Moli first picked up a succulent piece of the fish belly and placed it in Qian Ling’s bowl, then took a piece for herself.

She praised it as she ate, "Wow, the fish is so tender and sweet, not fishy at all. This is delicious!"

Seeing how much she was enjoying it, Wen Jingrui couldn’t help but smile and explain, "The chefs here were all brought in from Guangdong, so their Cantonese cuisine is very authentic."

Jiang Moli smiled. "I can tell you’re a regular here, Doctor Wen."

"I have been here a few times."

"Which hospital do you work at, Doctor Wen?"

"The First Affiliated Hospital."

Jiang Moli nudged Qian Ling, who was sitting next to her. "Lingling, take a guess what department Doctor Wen is in."

Qian Ling studied Wen Jingrui for a moment and said, "Surgery?"

Wen Jingrui looked a little surprised. "How could you tell?"

Qian Ling pointed at his hands. "Your fingers are long, with slightly thick knuckles, and there are indentations on your index finger and thumb. It’s clear you’re someone who holds a scalpel often."

Wen Jingrui glanced at his own hands and chuckled. "I’m surprised you’re so observant."

Qian Ling’s cheeks flushed slightly. "My mom’s a nurse. I used to visit her at the hospital a lot when I was younger, so I picked up a few things."

"Which hospital does your mother work at?"

"She used to be at the People’s Hospital, but now she’s at the Maternity and Child Care Hospital."

The three of them ate and chatted, the atmosphere growing warm and friendly. This only served to highlight Meng Wei, who sat like an outsider unable to get a word in. She was so furious she nearly snapped the chopsticks in her hand.

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