Her mother didn't understand why, over all these years, there was no lack of high-quality suitors around Clara.

Yet she acted as if she had become a nun, refusing to contact anyone.

At first, her mother thought it was only right for young people to be picky, but waiting until thirty, with the neighbor’s kids already having two children and her own daughter still single, was too much.

That was why she had given Clara an ultimatum: she had to get married by thirty; it was the final deadline.

Thus, under her mother’s pressure, Clara had been forced to go on blind dates.

Clara sat down and said: “Mom, I’m not going on any more blind dates.”

Her mother frowned deeply upon hearing this, but didn't interrupt.

Clara continued: “…I’m dating someone.”

Chapter 11

Her mother was completely confused. Just yesterday, her daughter was a loner who agreed to go on blind dates; how did she have a boyfriend today?

She asked skeptically: “Really? Who is he?”

Clara shifted her position, facing her mother, wondering how to explain it best.

She followed the script Julian had taught her on the way: “A high school classmate. We know each other well, and he’s a good person, so don't you worry about it.”

That was what she said… but her mother felt something was off.

After Clara went back to her room, she suddenly realized: if there was such a high school classmate, why hadn't she mentioned him before during the blind dates?

But she didn't press the matter.

Although Clara had studied design, she was currently a high school teacher at her alma mater, even working as a colleague with her old homeroom teacher, Mr. Xiao.

When Julian came to pick Clara up, Mr. Xiao didn't recognize who he was until Julian walked up to him and called out, “Hello, Teacher.” Mr. Xiao was so shocked his glasses nearly fell off.

“Isn't this Julian?”

Mr. Xiao’s gaze shifted between the two: “You two are…”

Julian held Clara’s hand and indicated: “We are planning to get married.”

“Eh,” Mr. Xiao was surprised, “you two, who had nothing to do with each other, are getting married now?”

The office wasn't small, and Mr. Xiao’s voice echoed within it. Clara felt quite embarrassed and could only offer a dry, awkward smile.

Julian held Clara’s hand with one hand and grabbed her coat and bag with the other: “Teacher, we’ll be going now.”

“Eh, right, right.”

Clara was a Chinese teacher with a gentle personality, loved by many students. Since it was between classes, students greeted her along the way, throwing curious glances to guess their relationship.

Some students who were closer to Clara even dared to ask: “Teacher Clara, is this your boyfriend?”

It made her face turn bright red.

Julian acted as if it were nothing, laughing as he replied: “Yes, remember me now.”

Usually, if Clara had a class during the last period, she would eat dinner at school; if not, her mother would call her home.

So, Clara and Julian drove home slowly along the streets. When passing by an alley, Julian pointed inside and asked abruptly: “Remember this place?”

“Here?” Clara was puzzled; she passed this place every day, nothing special: “What about it?”

Julian seemed to be thinking of something, saying mysteriously: “I first saw you right here.”

Clara looked inside, trying to summon some memory, but she really couldn't recall it. When she asked Julian again, he refused to say anything more.

He kept her in suspense, and she pestered him about it the whole way.

Just as they arrived downstairs, they saw Clara’s mother walking over from the other side.

Her mother had just been to the market and bought quite a few groceries. Seeing her daughter with a man, she naturally associated him with her future son-in-law.

From a distance, her mother called them over and hurried to meet them.

First, she scanned Julian’s attire from top to bottom… hmm, appropriate.

Then she saw Julian holding Clara’s coat and bag… hmm, considerate.

Finally, their intertwined hands. Clara followed her mother’s gaze and quickly let go.

Her mother nodded, looking at Julian more and more favorably as she would a son-in-law; this young man… not bad.

Julian stood there letting her mother size him up for a long time. Clara couldn't bear her own mother’s predatory gaze any longer and couldn't help saying: “Mom… stop staring.”

Her mother came to her senses, asking knowingly: “Oh, and who is this?”

Julian introduced himself for the second time that day, calm and composed: “Hello, Auntie. I am Clara’s boyfriend, Julian.”

Chapter 12

Clara’s mother was beaming with joy as she beckoned him to sit: “Good, good, good, what a fine boy. I hear Clara talk about you all the time.”

Clara: “……” When on earth did she talk about Julian every single day?

“Stay for a bit, won’t you? I bought some groceries, we can just eat together.” She held up the ingredients to show them.

Julian tried to decline: “Auntie, I won’t impose today. I didn’t bring anything with me, but I will definitely come for a formal visit another day.”

Having met him for the first time, Clara’s mother didn't care for such details. She feigned unhappiness, insisting that Julian step inside their home.

The mother and daughter’s apartment wasn't large, but it was pristine. Everything was organized with extreme precision; it was clear at a glance that Clara’s mother was a highly systematic person.

At the dinner table, Clara’s mother kept piling food onto Julian’s plate, asking this and that, nearly demanding he produce his household registration book right then and there.

Clara couldn’t take it anymore and reminded her: “Mom, we’re eating. Let’s not ask so many questions for now.”

Her mother glared at her: “Ugh, this child.” She was worrying about the major events of her life, and Clara was just interrupting.

It was Julian who smoothed things over, speaking up for Clara’s mother: “We’re planning to get married, so it’s only right for Auntie to know a little more.”

Julian was well-versed in the art of pleasing a future mother-in-law, so Clara left them to it.

By the end of the meal, one was satisfied with the answers, and the other was happy; only Clara felt a bit uneasy.

When Julian was about to leave, Clara’s mother urged Clara to go downstairs and see him off.

It was just past eight, the evening breeze was pleasantly cool. When they reached a certain spot, Julian took her hand and stopped.

“That’s far enough. The car is just ahead, it’ll be dangerous for you to walk back alone if we go further.”

“Okay,” Clara nodded, “Take care on your way back.”

Clara stood with her hands folded in front of her. Seeing he wasn't moving, she looked up into his deep, brooding eyes: “…What is it?”

Julian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared fixedly at Clara.

She was beautiful—bright eyes, pearly teeth, and a gentle gaze. The evening breeze brushed her hair across her forehead as she looked at him, completely oblivious to his thoughts.

Something stirred within his chest. Under the moonlight, the two gazed at each other for a long time before Julian spoke in a low voice: “May I kiss you?”

Before Clara could answer, Julian lowered his head. He pulled her hand around his neck and, filled with surging affection, covered her lips with his own. One hand supported Clara’s waist, applying a slight pressure to deepen the kiss.

Clara instinctively leaned forward, responding to him with endearing clumsiness.

After a long while, only when Clara became breathless did Julian finally pull back, giving her lips a final, light lick at the corner before releasing her.

Clara was dizzy, burying her face in Julian’s chest as she gasped for air.

The woody scent of Julian’s cologne invaded Clara’s nose from every direction. Although there was no one else around, this was her first time doing such a thing in a public space, and her face was flushed as red as a monkey’s bottom.

Julian stroked Clara’s hair, letting out a low chuckle from deep within his chest.

“You’ll get used to it after a few more times.”

Clara huffed and looked up at him, her eyes wide: “There won’t be a next time!”

Her lips were plump and rosy from the contact. Julian’s gaze darkened; this was his masterpiece.

Unable to resist, he leaned down and pecked her twice more, replying: “Fine, whatever you say.”

…

They spent some time in this leisurely fashion. During this period, Julian visited twice more, each time bringing a trunk full of gifts, leaving Clara’s mother so shocked she couldn't close her mouth, whispering to Clara later:

“I thought Julian’s family was just middle-class, but it turns out they’re very wealthy, aren't they?”

Clara didn't know how to explain that Julian’s family was much wealthier than her mother imagined.

On Friday, after Clara finished her last class, she received a WeChat message from Julian: [Accompany me to a banquet tonight.]