Chapter 571

He Zhangbai did wish for a chance to bring someone before everyone.

But…

He said, “I’m still pursuing her. If I succeed, I’ll tell everyone right away.”

After speaking, he told everyone, “I have something to attend to, so I’ll leave first.”

Qi Yuming also had other matters, waved goodbye to Lin Wu and the others, and got in the car to depart.

Lian Ningqi was of a certain age, and her family was eager to find her a match; the same night she arrived home, they told her they’d arranged a meeting and asked her to see the man the next day.

Lian Ningqi still felt some resistance toward the blind dates arranged by her family, but the next day, she still went to the appointment.

When she arrived and pushed open the door, she froze upon seeing the man sitting across from her.

Seeing her, Ji Qingyue stood up. “Miss Lian?”

Lian Ningqi nodded and sat down beside him. “Hello.”

“Hello,” Ji Qingyue replied politely. “Would you like something to drink?”

“I’ll get it myself.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, once the coffee arrived, Ji Qingyue said, “Miss Lian, I’m sorry—I already have someone I like. This meeting was arranged last-minute by my aunt; she’s been close friends with your mother for years, and I couldn’t refuse… So, I apologize.”

Lian Ningqi’s smile paused briefly.

When her family had told her yesterday that her date had an excellent job, fine appearance, good manners, and a respectable family background, she hadn’t believed them—she thought they were exaggerating.

Now that she saw him, she realized Ji Qingyue truly did have excellent manners and appearance—he suited her perfectly.

But…

She set down her coffee cup and couldn’t help saying, “You all have someone you like already. It seems I really came back too late.”

Her family said Ducheng had more than enough talented young men.

Yu Moxun and He Zhangbai had both originally been on her family’s list of potential matches for her.

But Yu Moxun already had Rong Ci by his side.

That was common knowledge.

As for He Zhangbai, her family only mentioned him to her after she returned home last night.

At that time, they said she should have come back two years earlier.

When they mentioned it last night, she hadn’t felt much, but now—

Ji Qingyue didn’t care what Lian Ningqi meant by “you all have someone you like.”

He said politely, “Miss Lian, you’re talented and beautiful—finding someone who suits you won’t be hard.”

Lian Ningqi didn’t answer.

Her own conditions were good; finding someone who suited her wasn’t impossible, but it wasn’t easy either—especially someone as perfect as Ji Qingyue or He Zhangbai.

She didn’t answer, but asked, “May I ask what kind of person Ji Shao likes?”

Ji Qingyue remained polite. “I’m sorry—that’s my personal privacy. I’d rather not discuss it. I hope you understand.”

Lian Ningqi paused.

In that moment, she saw in Ji Qingyue the same calm gaze He Zhangbai had shown last night.

That gaze was one of resolve.

They were both firmly devoted to the person in their hearts.

Hearing this, she stopped pressing further. “Sorry—I overstepped.”

“It’s fine.”

Ji Qingyue exchanged a few more pleasantries with Lian Ningqi, then stood up. “I have other matters—I’ll leave first. Did you drive here? Would you like me to give you a ride back?”

How could Lian Ningqi not realize he was just being polite?

She said coolly, “No need.”