C4 She Was Forced to Go on a Blind Date

"Hmph! Just the mention of her gets me heated!" Lee Zhiguo exclaimed, sipping his tea. "I've already settled things with the Huang family. You need to seriously talk to her and make sure she doesn't disgrace the Lee family!"

"Don't worry, Dad," Lee Shiyu assured him with a nod.

Once all the dumplings were cooking, the family gathered to watch the Spring Festival Gala, enjoying the dumplings. After everyone had their fill, Lee Bingqian finally made her way home.

"Hello, Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, and Mom," Lee Bingqian said, her voice carrying a hint of unfamiliarity as she held her luggage.

Lee Zhiguo asked with a frosty tone, "Why are you so late?"

"The plane was delayed."

"Can't you book an earlier flight? Every year it's the same excuse about the plane being late. I suspect you're doing it on purpose!" Lee Zhiguo retorted sharply. "Quit that chaotic job of yours and settle down back home."

Bingqian had braved the wind and snow all the way from Umiton, only to be met with her grandfather's rebukes instead of a warm family welcome.

Grandma, unable to bear it, gently patted Lee Zhiguo to silence him, her face breaking into a serene smile. "You must be exhausted, Bingqian. Go change quickly and come down for some dumplings."

"Okay," Bingqian responded coolly, taking her luggage upstairs.

Lee Zhiguo, eyeing Bingqian's attire, grew increasingly displeased. "Look at what she's wearing in the dead of winter."

"Oh, let it be. It's the New Year; try to say less," Grandma interjected with a sigh.

"It's because you all indulge her that she's become so unruly and disrespectful," Lee Zhiguo grumbled.

Lee Shiyu and Liu Yuhang sat in silence, absorbing their father's harsh words toward their daughter without interjecting.

Lee Bingqian set down her suitcase. The bedroom was spotless, as if someone had been regularly maintaining it during her year-long absence.

After a leisurely bath, she descended the stairs, only to be chided by her grandfather once more.

Years of this had taught her to let criticism go in one ear and out the other. Unperturbed, Lee Bingqian made her way to the dining hall to join in the dumpling feast.

Her mother sat beside her, watching with concern. "Bingqian, you should quit your job in Umiton. Your father has already helped you..."

Before her mother could finish, Lee Bingqian cut in, "I'm not going to resign."

"How long do you intend to upset your grandfather? Bingqian, you're not getting any younger. You need to consider your future!" Liu Yuhang implored with heartfelt advice.

"I'm not upset with him; I'm just pursuing what I want to do," Lee Bingqian said, her gaze lowered.

"Don't I understand you? You abandoned the military academy to study abroad and become a urologist, all to spite your grandfather!" Liu Yuhang sighed. "Your grandfather is getting on in years; please don't provoke him, will you?"

Lee Bingqian remained silent, focusing on her dumplings.

Undeterred, Liu Yuhang continued, "Look at your sister; she's married, and here you are, still single. The grandson of your grandfather's comrade is reportedly a decent man. Why not meet him tomorrow?"

"I'm not going," Bingqian replied flatly.

"Just meet him. At 28, it's time to think about settling down." Liu Yuhang rambled on until Lee Bingqian's head spun.

"Your grandfather was recently hospitalized for high blood pressure, and he arranged this match. If you don't go, it will surely upset him, and if he gets sick..."

"Fine, fine, I'll go, okay?" Lee Bingqian said, clearly irritated.

Liu Yuhang finally relaxed, "I've heard he's a really good person. You should approach this with the right attitude, not just to get it over with, understand?"

"I get it," Lee Bingqian replied, annoyance evident. She took her bowl and headed to the kitchen to wash it.

Liu Yuhang followed persistently, "This young man is 28, just like you. And I've heard he's never been involved with any other girls."

"Hmph, never dated at 28? He's either hideously ugly or he's lying. And if neither of those is true, then he must be gay," Lee Bingqian retorted with a scoff.

Liu Yuhang frowned, "Bingqian, how can you be so cynical? Isn't it possible that he's been too busy serving in the military to have a girlfriend?"

"Plus, I've heard he's quite dashing," Liu Yuhang continued to highlight the man's positive attributes to Lee Bingqian, hoping to pique her interest.

She was well aware that her daughter was so sought after that suitors would likely queue from their doorstep to the outskirts. She understood Bingqian's aversion to the blind dates arranged by the family, but if she didn't look out for her daughter, who would?

Lee Bingqian, coerced into blind dating by her family, was naturally displeased. It was hard for her to feel any enthusiasm for the man.

In our times, how many of us are truly willing to live life on someone else's terms? Some have the bravery and resolve to rebel, while the majority do not. That's simply the way it is.

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