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Word of the day: shèngnǚ (剩女)

Literal translation: Leftover woman

Definition: A derogatory term to describe unmarried women in their late twenties.

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Yiwen was going to approach this blind date like she did everything else - with sophistication as her armor and confidence as her weapon.

At least that was what she kept telling herself.

She checked her reflection in her car's rear-view mirror and smiled. It was already eight in the evening. Most people's makeup would have melted by this hour. Hers still looked perfect. She flipped back her long black hair, which was curled at the tips, then applied a fresh coat of her YSL Le Rouge lipstick. The bright red shade highlighted the paleness of her skin.

With one last glance in the mirror, she turned off the engine and stepped out of her silver BMW sports car. She gave the gleaming hood a tap as she walked past. The clicking of her black Louboutin against the basement parking's concrete floor set a rhythm that made her hips sway.

A sudden cramp in her stomach belied her outward bravado. Her steps faltered, and for a moment, she wobbled on the thin stilts keeping her upright. Once she regained her equilibrium, a quick glance around ensured no one witnessed her embarrassment.

It's just a blind date. Nothing you can't handle. Yiwen smoothed out the hair that fell out of place and increased her pace.

Despite these reassurances, the knot in her gut refused to go away. It had been too long since she'd been on a blind date. Ten years to be exact. She was supposed to marry her college sweetheart this year.

That was until she caught him with his face buried between her coworker's boobs.

The image made Yiwen's blood curdle in her veins. She stopped in front of the elevator and vented her anger on the up button. She jammed it ten consecutive times before recovering a semblance of calmness. Yet even when the anger had passed, her anxiety wouldn't ease.

Shan-Shan, if this goes wrong, I'm gonna kill you.

Gao Shan, her best friend, was the reason for her current predicament. It was she who had decided it was time for Yiwen to re-enter the marriage market. You're not getting any younger, Shan had said.

At first, Yiwen opposed the decision. She told her friend she was done with men and relationships. That, of course, was a lie. Despite her failure, she still dreamed of finding love. She still wanted to one day hold her child. Shan, having known her forever, knew that. So, Shan set up the meeting without Yiwen's knowledge and once everything was planned, Shan called her every day at four in the morning to remind her of the schedule. After six days of sleep deprivation, Yiwen caved. What was one date in exchange for her sanity?

The elevator doors finally opened. As usual, there were already a bunch of people inside coming from the lower basement parking. Yiwen squeezed herself into the crowd and reviewed what she knew about the guy. Shan had refused to tell her anything, except that he was tall, handsome, and owned a business. She wouldn't even show Yiwen his picture or give her his name, claiming that Yiwen was extremely judgmental.

Again, Shan knew her too well.

When Yiwen got out of the seventh floor,  two women in identical black dresses greeted her.

"Welcome! Do you have a reservation?" one of them asked.

"Yes, my name's Wang Yiwen."

"Good evening, Ms. Wang. This way, please." One of the two led her inside.

The interior of the restaurant was an eclectic mix of East and West - a reference to Shanghai once being dubbed as the 'Paris of the East.' Antique French sideboards were topped with blue and white Chinese vases filled with pink and lavender roses. Intricately carved Chinese wood screens divided sections of roundtables with pale yellow and aqua Louis XVI armchairs. The golden glow coming from cylindrical lanterns on the ceiling brought the distinct elements together.

The place was already abuzz with the sound of hushed conversations, soft jazz music, and the occasional tinkle of wine glasses.

"Your table's outside." The woman paused by the door leading to the terrace.

"Won't it be too warm?" Shanghai summers made Yiwen feel like she was trapped in a boiling kettle. If she was to get through this date without embarrassing herself, then she needed to keep her cool. That was difficult to achieve when she had to drown in her own sweat.

The woman smiled, urging her to follow her. "Don't worry, miss, we have outdoor air conditioning. It's the best seat in the house, too, because of the view."

A blast of warm air clung to her skin when she passed the door, but the view kept her from complaining. The Huangpu River, which divided the city's major districts, shimmered like swathes of jeweled silk in the darkness. Above it, the night sky glowed like a psychedelic rainbow as tall buildings graced the skyline with their neon lights.

Having lived in Shanghai all her life, she witnessed how the scenery had transformed. When she was a child, these skyscrapers did not exist. With every year that passed, they emerged until towers of glass, steel, and concrete dominated the sky.

Changes happened quickly in this city. Who knew how fast her situation would change too? Maybe this blind date was a start. Why was she worrying needlessly? Yiwen's steps felt a little lighter as she followed the woman's retreating back.

"Here you go, miss." The woman stopped beside a table for two. It was next to a concrete balustrade with a perfect panorama of the sights. Strategically placed potted shrubs gave some semblance of privacy.

Yiwen looked at the man, who stood up when they arrived. Just as Shan had said, her date was tall. Even in her four-inch heels, the top of her head only reached his eyes. His thick, dark hair curled above his right brow in haphazard waves. It was exactly the type of style that made her itch to brush the strands into place. She purposely avoided his eyes and followed the length of his straight nose. Her gaze then dropped to his full lips, now parted to reveal a smile that was made for toothpaste commercials.

The hostess excused herself. Yiwen nodded without sparing her a glance.

"How's the view?"

She was so engrossed in the debate over whether his jaw could cut steel, it took her a while to realize he was saying something.

"Hello?" he said again.

Yiwen's gaze finally met his. His eyes were light caramel pools framed by thick lashes. At present, they gleamed with amusement.

"P...pardon?" Her stutter made Yiwen cringe inwardly. Confidence, she repeated to herself.

"I was just wondering if you're enjoying the view." He tilted his head towards the skyline.

Yiwen released the breath that was trapped in her lungs. "Oh, yeah, it's beautiful."

He nodded in agreement. "I think so, too."

She narrowed her eyes, wondering what game he was playing. In return,  his leisurely regard burned a path from the top of her head to the tips of her patent heels, confirming exactly which view he was talking about.

"Ehem," she cleared her throat.

He smirked, then took a step closer.  Before she could say a word, his broad shoulders, clad in a white button-down shirt, invaded her personal space. The scent of citrus and musk filled her senses. With bated breath, she watched as his lips drew closer. Yiwen straightened her spine, ready to push him back. But a second before the collision, he swerved to the side.

"How about we first take a seat?" His warm breath blew magic into her ear. It radiated throughout her body, leaving every nerve tingling in its wake.

With dazed eyes, she turned to look at the wicker chair he was holding out for her. She examined it for a while, trying to understand what had just happened. When she swiveled back to confront him, he was already in his seat, a wide-eyed expression on his face.

She took her seat, wondering what had just happened. Meanwhile, he kept an artless smile firmly in place. Yiwen decided he was toying with her. Thus, she needed to rethink how she was handling this situation. It had been a while since she played this game. Dating was a struggle for control. Don't give away too much, keep the other person guessing, and most importantly, don't let your true feelings show. She was rusty, but she could play this game, too.

Yiwen flashed him her own practiced smile, the one her ex-fiance proclaimed could melt a man into a puddle. "Thank you," she breathed out, her voice taking on a husky tone.

She then leaned back against her seat. Just as she had planned, her black dress rode up her thighs. When she crossed her legs, the side slit parted to reveal a milky white patch of skin. When his eyes were drawn to the spot like bees to honey, she beamed with satisfaction.

"How's the view from there?" she purred, laying her manicured hands on her lap and letting her fingers brush against the exposed skin.

Eyes that had darkened into the shade of black coffee met hers. "Nice curves."

"Oh, really?"

She let her eyes roam, pausing to examine the black stud on his right ear. If her ex-fiance was here, he would have called this guy a flower boy. That idiot's masculinity was so fragile, he lived by the book of every toxic man. Cheating was part of that manual. How she had been so blind, she didn't know. At least it happened before they got married, her friends had consoled her. Yet that fact did not offer any relief at all. In fact, the pain had been unbearable. At least some men waited until a few years after marriage before they started wandering, she found herself thinking. How did she deserve such betrayal?

Li Zi'an coughed once, bringing her attention back to him. He was adjusting the collar of his shirt. At least someone still found her attractive.

"I mean, uh... I mean the Oriental Pearl Tower," he said. "It has some really nice curves."

Yiwen gave the structure a casual glance. Its bright outline jutted from the ground. Many have tried to describe the shape of the iconic radio tower. Some have likened it to twin dragons playing with pearls, while others have referred to it as a space rocket.

"It's very long. Or should I say tall?"

"How about hard?"

"That, too." She pretended to think. "It's long and hard. Unfortunately, it only ranked fifth in the world."

"For length or hardness?"

"For height."

A corner of his lips twitched. "Ah, then it still has chances to win in other categories."

"Indeed." She nodded. "Now that we've covered the merits of the Oriental Pearl Tower, how about we introduce ourselves?"

"You're right. I should have introduced myself earlier." He extended his hand over the table. "I'm Li Zi'an."

She let his large hands engulf hers and noticed that his grip was firm. That was a good sign. "I'm Wang Yiwen."

"Excuse me," said a waiter, "here's the menu. Would you like to hear our recommendations?"

"Yes, please," Li Zi'an replied.

While the waiter spoke, Yiwen scanned the menu and took note of the most expensive items.

"Shall I come back for your orders?" the waiter asked.

"No, I'm ready to order," she replied. "I'd like a Torchon of Foie Gras for starters, Best Fillet of Australian Grassfed Beef for my main, and Hot Raspberry Souffle for dessert. How about you?"

She glanced at Li Zi'an gauging his reaction. He gave her a half-smile, then said,  "I'd also like a serving of the steak, but with Crispy Soft Shell Crab and Truffle 'd Mash for starters."

The waiter beamed after he jotted down the dishes. "What about your drinks, sir?"

"Give us one of these." He pointed at an expensive bottle of French wine.

Yiwen nodded her approval.

Once the waiter left, she turned her attention back to her date. "So Li Zi'an, my friend Shan said you own a business. Is that right?"

"I see we're getting right down to the interview."

"It's not an interview. Just getting to know each other."

His face took on a serious expression. "Okay then. Good evening, Miss Wang. My name is Li Zi'an. I'm a freelance industrial designer. I've been working in this industry for five years. Last year, I decided to set out on my own and I'm currently planning to start a design company with your friend's brother, Gao Jisen." He grinned. "How's that for my work experience? Did I pass?"

Yiwen frowned. "Oh don't be like that."

"Like what?"

"You're making me sound like one of those parents in the marriage market at People's Park. I'm just making conversation."

"Okay, then," he said. "Shall I ask about you, too?"

She nodded.

"What do you do for work?"

"I'm the PR director at  YXL. Have you heard of us?"

"Of course! It's that famous French luxury brand, right?"

Yiwen smiled. "Right."

"I'm impressed."

"So is it my turn to ask now?" When he nodded, she went on, "So where are you currently living?"

"Is that your way of asking if I own an apartment?"

"Was it that obvious?"

He grinned. "Only because I know how these things go. I live near here, actually."

Yiwen sat up straighter. This was one of the most expensive districts in Shanghai. Here, a studio apartment would not only cost someone an arm and a leg, but also the limbs of several family members.

"But unfortunately, I'm just a lowly renter. I share a four-bedroom apartment with three other guys."

"Oh." Yiwen slumped back in her seat.

"Disappointed?"

"N-no!"

He raised an eyebrow.

She sighed. "Okay, yes. But your parents are from Shanghai, right?"

Shanghainese families like hers had bought real estate in the city when it was still cheap. Over time, the value of their properties had significantly increased. Yiwen was lucky her parents had given her a nice apartment downtown. If his parents were from Shanghai, too, then they would likely also have good real estate.

"No luck there. My parents are migrants from Dongbei."

"Dongbei..." Dongbei was a poor region northeast of Beijing. Prejudices abound about people from Dongbei. Their men, for example, are said to be lazy gangsters. She gave Li Zi'an an assessing glance. "How come you don't have the accent?"

"I grew up in Shanghai," he said, switching to Shanghainese. 

"Wow, you can speak the dialect, too," she replied.

"Only a little." At this point, he switched back to Mandarin. "I picked up a couple of words from my friends."

"I see..."

Yiwen idly traced the edge of the table. Well, this was unfortunate. Li Zi'an seemed like a nice guy. He was handsome, too. In her early twenties, she wouldn't have cared about his lack of financial stability. Yet this point in time, she had no desire to babysit a man who has yet to figure out his life. She wanted someone with an already established career. Someone who's already tasted success. Someone who's ready to settle down. Li Zi'an still seemed to have a long way to go.

"Let me guess."

She looked up. "Hmm?"

"I failed the interview, didn't I?"

She winced.

"It's okay. No harm, no foul."

"Yeah, shall I leave then?"

"We can still have dinner. Why waste the chance to eat good food?"

Yiwen considered the suggestion. Now that the pressure of dating was out of the way, she felt more at ease. She'll consider this as eating a delicious meal together with a new friend. "All right, then. Let's enjoy din--"

"Manager Wang, fancy seeing you here," a familiar high-pitched voice interrupted her speech.

For a brief moment, Yiwen pressed her eyes closed and counted to ten.

Not her. Not her. Not her.

She shouldn't have chosen a popular restaurant near her office. There was always that probability she'd run into someone she knew, but did it have to be them?

"Anything wrong?" her companion asked.

Yiwen's eyes fluttered open. Pasting a smile on her face, she got up and turned around. "Lili, fancy seeing you here. I should really stop coming to this place. These days, they just let all sorts of people make reservations. No quality control at all."

"What did you say?" Lili asked.

"I'm sure you heard it loud and clear. Unless you don't clean your ears?"

"You--"

"Oh, and who do we have here?" Yiwen said, interrupting Lili. "An even lower class citizen. Lowest of the low."

"Wang Yiwen," said the man through gritted teeth, "why are you being such a bitch?"

Lili made sounds of agreement. Yiwen kept her eyes on the man staring at her with intense disapproval. The sight of her ex-fiance still made her feel like she was being stabbed by a thousand needles. How she hated him! Yet she despised herself more for letting him affect her so.

"You're calling me a bitch? How about that creature that's currently slobbering all over you?"

"That's enough. Let's not do this here."

Wu Chen cast furtive glances around the place. There was nothing he hated more than public confrontation. And because of that, Yiwen wanted to make a scene.

"Why not? Didn't the two of you approach me exactly for that reason? So let's have it all out here for all the world to see."

"We just came to greet you like civilized people," Lili said, taking on the role of victim. "We do know each other after all." Then to Wu Chen, she said, "I told you it wasn't going to be a good idea. People at work avoid her all the time because of her temper. You really should learn to manage your anger, Miss Wang," she said to Yiwen. "If you frown too much, you'll get more wrinkles. Even though you're a shèngnǚ, you still have to take care of yourself."

Yiwen clenched her fist. "What did you just call me?"

"Lili," Wu Chen said with a warning tone.

Lili stared at him wide-eyed, blinking a couple of times for effect. "Did I say anything wrong? I was just giving her some advice, woman to woman."

"I know, honey," Chen said, patting the girl's head. "I know you only want what's best for people, but not everyone will appreciate your good intentions. I already told you that, didn't I?"

"I know. I should listen to you more."

Lili wrapped her arms around Wu Chen's waist and gave him a hug. He returned the embrace.

Yiwen watched the exchange with horror. When did Wu Chen turn into such a spineless moron? When Lili, still pressed against Wu Chen's face, gave Yiwen a victorious smirk, Yiwen lost it.

You lying, conniving little bitch!

She lifted a hand to slap Lili's smug face, but strong arms wrapped around her waist, breaking her momentum. Yiwen tilted her head up in time to see Li Zi'an's mischievous grin.

"Do you guys mind if we end the chit-chat right here?" he said.

Lili's jaw dropped at the sight of him. Yiwen didn't blame her. Yiwen's jaw had also gone slack when she felt a gentle nip on her earlobe.

"Who the hell are you?" Wu Chen's growl caused both women to frown, but for different reasons.

"Me?" Li Zi'an drawled.

His warm lips briefly touched the erratic pulse on her neck, making her jump. The shock of it, though, was nothing compared to the one dealt by Li Zi'an's words.

"I'm her new master."

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Author's Note:

Thank you, everyone, for checking out this story! I have two questions for you:

What are your first impressions of Zi'an and Yiwen?

If your long-time partner ever cheated on you, will you consider giving him/her another chance?