Chapter 17: Can She Possibly Be Here for a Matchmaking Event?

Qu family villa.

A good-looking young man walked in from outside, apparently around twenty-six or twenty-seven.

Every step he took was steady, his posture tall and straight.

Arriving in the living room, he saw Qu Tuotuo scrolling through her phone on the sofa, and smiled warmly:

“Tuotuo, Uncle said you were home and told me to come check on you. It’s been years—we haven’t seen each other, and you’ve become even more beautiful.”

Qu Tuotuo glanced at him, then gave a cold nod in response.

“I’ve organized a gathering—all people you know. Interested in coming?”

“No.” Qu Tuotuo refused outright, not even bothering to give a reason.

“Then…” The young man was stung, but still kept his composure:

“When are you free? Let me take you to dinner—consider it a welcome home.”

Qu Tuotuo finally put down her phone and turned to look him straight in the eye:

“First, I don’t think we’re close enough to go out to dinner.”

“Second, please call me by my full name, or Miss Qu, or Director Qu— I don’t want anyone misunderstanding our relationship.”

The young man was left speechless, forced to laugh awkwardly twice before nodding in agreement.

Only then did Qu Tuotuo nod in satisfaction:

“Then that’s it for today. My friend’s almost here—we’re leaving soon.”

The young man could tell this was a dismissal.

Though disappointed, he could only leave reluctantly.

As he stepped out, he bumped into a girl walking in.

“Bai Jincheng? You’re here to see Tuotuo?”

“Mm.” The young man smiled: “She’s waiting for you.”

Without pausing, he kept walking, seemingly unwilling to speak further with the girl, and exited the villa directly.

The girl’s expression turned disappointed, but she quickly rallied, lifting her skirt and hurrying into the living room.

“Tuotuo, that’s the Crown Prince of Bai Group—you’re ignoring him?”

“Why should I pay attention to him?” Qu Tuotuo shot back.

“You have to ask? Such an outstanding guy—you should grab him.”

“You grab him then.” Qu Tuotuo looked at her best friend and sighed:

“He has everything I have, but everything I want—he doesn’t have a single thing.”

Su Mi blinked:

“I’ve always wondered—what exactly are you looking for?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t have never had a first love.” Qu Tuotuo stood up and stretched:

“Let’s go—come with me to pick up my car at the 4S shop.”

On the way, Qu Tuotuo sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window at the scenery rushing past, silent.

Su Mi noticed and didn’t disturb her, focusing entirely on driving.

Feeling the car was too quiet, she turned on the music player, and a smooth, pleasant melody filled the cabin.

After listening to two songs, Qu Tuotuo unconsciously began humming along:

“If a pig barges into my life, I let go of the loneliness I guarded so fiercely~”

Realizing she’d sung something odd, she stopped immediately and turned to her friend:

“What trash song is this? Turn it off.”

Su Mi was baffled:

“Is it the song? It’s a good one. Who told you to change the lyrics?”

Qu Tuotuo frowned, saying nothing.

She realized she’d just been lost in thought.

The car drove two more intersections; ahead, a park teeming with people caught Su Mi’s attention.

“Tuotuo, looks like a matchmaking event—you can see so many people.”

“Oh.”

Qu Tuotuo replied absently, then turned her gaze toward the park.

“Why don’t we go take a look? I heard matchmaking events aren’t daily—they only happen on holidays.”

Su Mi was clearly excited—she’d clearly never attended anything like this.

“Too chaotic. Nothing worth seeing.” Qu Tuotuo clearly had zero interest in such things.

Su Mi said she wanted to go, but didn’t slow the car—until, at the very moment they passed the park, Qu Tuotuo suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

As the car moved forward, Qu Tuotuo twisted her head sharply, eyes locked on the man holding a sign.

“Stop! Stop the car!!”

Yu Dazhang regretted taking this assignment.

Who could’ve guessed he’d run into the same old lady who’d mobbed him last time?

Before long, that old lady had summoned several others.

Yu Dazhang looked over—every single one was familiar.

They’re recruiting now?

They’d formed an actual organization—seemed disciplined.

One waves the flag, everyone shows up.

“You’re back again? Were you locked up this whole time?”

“The two guys you knocked down last time got taken away by ambulance—do you have a violent streak?”

Please... collect... 6...9...books...!

Yu Dazhang had no intention of responding, but then thought: talking to these old ladies would help him blend in.

Since he was here, he might as well play the part well.

“Auntie, please don’t say things like that—if this gets out, how will I ever survive in the matchmaking scene? You’re ruining my reputation—I’ll sue you.”

The old lady was stunned into silence.

He has a reputation?

Looking at this fat man dressed head to toe in trash, the old ladies gritted their teeth.

Upper body: an Adidas T-shirt with holes. Lower body: Jordan-brand basketball shorts.

Who does he think he is, showing up here to matchmake? He alone drags down the whole level of this place.

“Xiao Huozhi, you leave. This place isn’t for you—we locals are arranging marriages here. Don’t intrude.”

“So what if we’re locals? Are we better than you?” Yu Dazhang hated this kind of local superiority talk.

One old lady immediately stepped forward:

“One household registration in Songhai can buy your life—every local is rich.”

Yu Dazhang pulled out his phone, tapped a few times, then held the screen toward the woman who’d spoken:

“WeChat me fifty, let’s see your real strength first.”

This left all the old ladies speechless.

Seeing they lacked the energy from last time, Yu Dazhang decided to liven things up.

“I know you think I’m poor.”

“But let’s be honest—I’m worried your daughters are former professionals.”

“Too many honest guys end up as ‘replacement husbands,’ thinking they got a new car, only to find the engine’s blown when they get home.”

His words ignited the fire—old ladies turned red with rage, shouting furiously.

If they hadn’t seen Yu Dazhang hurt someone last time, they’d have charged him and fought to the death.

Now, they could only curse.

Just as the chaos intensified, two girls pushed through the crowd.

Seeing new arrivals—two young girls—Yu Dazhang was about to speak, then suddenly realized one girl looked familiar.

He looked closer, eyes widening in shock.

How did she get here?!

To matchmake?

Impossible. With her family background and looks, why would she need to matchmake?

Afraid of being recognized, Yu Dazhang frantically signaled to Qu Tuotuo—but she ignored him completely.

At that moment, Qu Tuotuo was intently studying the sign’s content.

As she read to the end, a smile slowly spread across her face.

“You’re willing to be a live-in son-in-law?” Qu Tuotuo looked up at Yu Dazhang.

“Cough, cough~”

Yu Dazhang coughed loudly and blinked furiously at her.

“Eighteen ten thousand yuan dowry?” Qu Tuotuo smiled as Yu Dazhang stayed silent:

“Not a high bar.”

(End of chapter)