“Lawyer Mitchell.” Beth came in, holding an envelope. “A young lady just delivered this.”

Ian Mitchell immediately knew what it was by touch. “Where is that young lady?”

“She left after leaving the item.”

“Left?” Ian Mitchell's expression darkened. “How long ago?”

“Less than a minute.”

Ian Mitchell didn’t think much, picked up his car keys and jacket, and headed out. Old Wilson followed behind him, calling out, “Where are you going?” but he seemed not to hear.

At the door, Old Wilson happened to run into Henry Wilson, who had just returned from court. “What’s going on with him?”

Henry Wilson looked in the direction Ian Mitchell had gone, thoughtful. “I think I know the reason.”

“You know? Tell me quickly.”

“Just now I saw someone downstairs. I thought I was mistaken, but it really was her.”

“Who? Don’t keep me in suspense.” Old Wilson said impatiently.

“What kind of person do you think Ian Mitchell is?” Henry Wilson didn’t answer directly but asked back.

“Calm, rational, objective.” Old Wilson gave an honest evaluation.

“Well, that person is his opposite—un-calm, irrational, and subjective.”

Old Wilson became curious. “A woman?”

“Yes, his ex-girlfriend.” Although Henry Wilson was one rank above Ian Mitchell, they shared a dorm and he knew a lot about Ian Mitchell’s past.

“Girlfriend?” Old Wilson looked like he had heard nonsense. “He had a girlfriend?”

“Yes, but she broke up with Ian Mitchell because she went to the U.S.”

“You mean…” Old Wilson widened his eyes, “Ian Mitchell got dumped?”

“Yes, and it was without a word. His girlfriend left for America, and he only found out afterward. This rumor spread widely at school. Ian Mitchell was quite down for a while; that’s when he picked up smoking and drinking.”

“No way…” Old Wilson just couldn’t imagine what kind of woman would leave Ian Mitchell. No wonder he stays away from women — once bitten, twice shy.

During rush hour after work, Mason Scott didn’t hurry home but wandered aimlessly with the crowded flow of people.

Only just now did she have to admit that she really had changed a lot from before. She definitely wouldn’t have been so shy back then. Even though she really wanted to see him, she wouldn’t dare.

Back then, no matter how cold or distant Ian Mitchell was, she could always keep a smile while following him. Now she didn’t even have the courage to say two sentences.

Ian Mitchell once said she was sunshine, a light he wanted to reject but couldn’t. But now, even her own sunshine inside had disappeared—how could she then shine for others?

A silver-white BMW abruptly stopped in front of her. Mason Scott didn’t even look up and stepped aside. Then she heard a familiar voice: “Get in.”

She looked up in surprise—it was him!

Seeing her stunned, Ian Mitchell frowned and repeated, “You can’t park here, get in.”

Before she could think about what was going on, the car merged into the rush hour traffic.

“Chinese or Western food?” Ian Mitchell asked, eyes on the traffic ahead.

“Chinese.” She replied reflexively, then realized it was odd—was he inviting her to dinner?

Ian Mitchell cast her a cold glance: “Do you still know how to use chopsticks?”

Mason Scott pretended not to hear his sarcastic tone and cautiously asked, “Are you inviting me to eat?”

“You found my wallet, I owe you thanks both morally and legally.”

“Actually, no need to be so polite.” Mason Scott said awkwardly, a wave of disappointment rising. Since when did they get to the point of exchanging such words?

Dinner was at the famous Quinn’s Records, with its beautiful environment, delicious dishes, and attentive service—all unable to improve Mason Scott’s mood. Facing that expressionless face across the table, indigestion was inevitable.

A pleasant ringtone broke the silence at the table. Ian Mitchell answered the phone. “Hello... yes... I’m at Quinn’s Records... no, Mason Morgan is here... happened to meet... okay.”

He suddenly handed the phone to her: “Amy Mitchell wants to talk to you.”

Mason Scott was stunned as she took it. “Hello.”

“Hello, Mason Scott.” A gentle voice came from the other end.

“Amy Mitchell, long time no see.”

“Yes, long time no see.”

Both sides fell silent, unsure what to say. Finally, Amy Mitchell said, “Mason Scott, how have you been all these years?”

“Pretty good, almost happy enough to forget returning.” Mason Scott feigned lightness, not noticing Ian Mitchell across the table suddenly pause.

“Hmm.” Another silence, then Amy Mitchell said, “Can you give me your contact info? Let’s find time to meet.”

“Okay.” Mason Scott gave her phone number.

“Alright, see you then.”

“Bye.”

After hanging up, she closed the phone and returned it to Ian Mitchell, but he didn’t take it. “Enter your phone number.”

Mason Scott was startled, lowered her head to input the number, but hesitated when entering the name.

“What Chinese input method do you use?”

“Stroke.”

“Oh.”

Still couldn’t get it out. “How do you write the character 默?”

Ian Mitchell reached out and took the phone from her: “Let me do it.”

Mason Scott awkwardly watched as his long fingers elegantly and quickly tapped on the silver-gray phone. In seconds it was done. He closed it and put it into his pocket.

“You’ve forgotten how to write your own Chinese name?”

“No, I don’t know how to use your phone.” Mason Scott explained shyly.

He glanced at her, said nothing more. Dinner passed in silence, even continuing until he drove her home.

Mason Scott got out and said, “Thank you for bringing me back.”

He nodded and sped away.

She stood there, feeling lost, not knowing how long she stood until noticing strange looks from passersby, then snapped out of it and hurried upstairs.

“D-dating?” Mason Scott raised her voice.

“Quiet!” Flora Fairy covered her mouth. Mason Scott babbled, but Flora Fairy warned, “No loud noises, got it?”

Mason Scott quickly nodded. As soon as she let go, Mason Scott asked, “Are you going on a date?”

“Not me, us.”

“Me? W-why?” Mason Scott was a bit dazed.

“We’re the oldest ones in the department without boyfriends, if you don’t hurry, you won’t get married. You know that?” Flora Fairy flipped through her calendar, “Today’s target is a system engineer from XX company. Two people, you and me, just right.”

“If you want to go, go by yourself. I’m not going.”

“There are two of them! I can’t handle it alone... Ash, I’ve been nice to you, whether I get married this year depends on you.” Flora Fairy looked pitiful, like a abandoned puppy.

“You can date one person at a time.”

“No, that’s too inefficient. Also, I need your help.”

“What help?” Mason Scott said cautiously. Usually Flora Fairy’s help was something no one could assist with.

Sure enough, she pulled out a bunch of things from her desk: black-rimmed glasses, a bizarre wig, huge earrings that could be bracelets, and a brightly colored outfit.

“What’s all this?” Mason Scott stared at the pile.

“To ruin your image and highlight my beauty!”

“...How many victims have I been?”

As soon as work ended, Flora Fairy dragged her down. After finally reaching the lobby, she suddenly shouted, “Ah! I forgot my lucky lipstick.”

She dashed back up to get the lipstick that supposedly guarantees success on blind dates.

Mason Scott waited by the door, suddenly feeling a burning gaze. Following it, she saw Ian Mitchell.

He met her eyes and nodded in greeting.

Her heart skipped a beat. Was he here to find her? It had been nearly a month since their “silent dinner.” They hadn’t contacted each other. Was he here this time to see her?

Her steps unconsciously moved toward him.

“What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for someone.” He answered briefly.

“Oh, waiting…”

“Ian Mitchell!” With a soft voice, a slender, beautiful woman appeared in her sight, and Mason Scott’s heart sank.

“The person I’m waiting for arrived. I’ll go first.” He said flatly and left with the woman.

“O-oh, bye.”

She stood there dazed, watching them walk toward the parking area, powerless to move until Flora Fairy appeared and pulled her along. “Why are you standing there like an idiot? Hurry up, we’re running late. You still need help with makeup, remember, act a little worse…”

No need to pretend. At the blind date party, Mason Scott indeed looked dull and slow, perfectly showcasing Flora Fairy’s radiant image.

He came to wait for her again.

Mason Scott looked down through the floor-to-ceiling window. Ian Mitchell stood downstairs in simple shirt and pants, full of heroic spirit. Over this month, every four or five days, he appeared here, then left with that beautiful woman.

Today is the weekend, and he’s here again.