Volume 1, Chapter 4: Mom, You Really Do Have a Single, Beautiful Classmate!

"You brat, you've got some nerve, ignoring your own mother's calls!"

The moment the call connected, a barrage of scolding erupted. Lin Chen only then realized his phone was flooded with countless missed calls and text messages.

"Well, you see..." Lin Chen chuckled sheepishly. "I was busy just now, forgot to answer..."

He expected his mother to be absolutely furious, but to his surprise, her voice was brimming with delight. "Busy? Did you finally catch the eye of some nice girl?"

"Mom, it's not like that—it's not love at first sight, it doesn't happen that fast... And please, don't bring up matchmaking again. Son is begging you, can you stop arranging these random blind dates for me?" Lin Chen began to pour out his grievances. "I’ve seen more weirdos in half a day today than I have in the last twenty-plus years combined. Don't sign me up for any more of these, I really can't take it."

Upon hearing this, his mother immediately snapped. "Do you think I enjoy worrying about this? It’s because you’re useless and can't even find a girlfriend yourself!"

*I can't find a girlfriend?* Lin Chen was so amused he laughed. Not only did he have one, he’d already received a marriage certificate. If he weren't worried about being beaten to death in the street by his mother, he would have loved to drop that bombshell and watch her reaction.

After a few seconds of silence, Lin Chen spoke up again. "Mom, just stop setting me up on dates. I really don't want to do that anymore. If you really care, just introduce me to a wealthy older woman. I’m done trying to hustle."

"????"

His mother on the other end of the line was completely bewildered. After a long pause, she started swearing. "Get lost! Where am I supposed to find a rich woman for you?"

"From your classmates, of course! You have so many, surely one of them is successful in her career? Just introduce me to one, and I could save myself decades of hard work! Who knows, you might even get a grandson out of it!"

"You little rascal, say that again and see if I don't slap you!" His mother was so angry she was stunned. "My classmates who married early are almost grandmothers by now! Have you no shame talking like that?"

"Mom, what if? What if one of your female classmates has kept herself looking good, has a great figure, and is still single? Instead of letting someone else benefit, why not let your own son benefit?"

"Keep dreaming. If there were any, would it ever get to your turn?"

"Mom, what if there actually is one?"

"If there really is one, then you better make your move quickly! I certainly won't stop you..." Zhao Xiuxiu said indignantly, speaking in reverse. Her son really was something else—he was trying to find a wife among her own classmates. She opened her mouth, ready to give him a good lecture, but was surprised to find that the little brat had already hung up.

"????"

On the other end, after hanging up, Lin Chen saved the recording with practiced ease. Once finished, a cheeky smile curled the corners of his lips. "Mom, oh Mom, don't blame your son for being devious. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for actually having a single, beautiful female classmate..."

...

It was already night by the time Lin Chen returned to his dormitory. The others hadn't come back yet. Lin Chen lay on his bed, reflecting on the events of the day, feeling as though it were all a dream.

First, he was forced into blind dates by his mother, and then, he had somehow, inexplicably, ended up married to a woman seventeen years his senior. Honestly, he hadn't been that willing at first; it was entirely for the sake of the money. But who would have thought there would be such a twist? The older woman he had married was none other than Auntie Xu Mi—the goddess of his childhood dreams and his mother’s best friend from her younger years!

Thinking of Xu Mi’s gentle, water-like, stunning face, he couldn't help but giggle out loud. A childhood dream fulfilled in an instant! It was hard not to be happy.

"Wife Xu Mi, you must wake up soon. Our good life has only just begun."

After silently making his wish, Lin Chen pulled out his phone to take care of other business. First, he paid off all his loans. Then, he requested proof of settlement and deleted all his accounts. Goodbye, I've finally made it to shore!

After clearing all the bills, there was a little over thirty thousand left in his account. After hesitating for a moment, he transferred ten thousand to his best friend, Jiang Yao. Within a minute, Jiang Yao called him back.

"Holy crap, did you strike it rich? Why did you suddenly transfer ten thousand?"

"Ahem, watch your tone."

"Uh, Godfather, why did you send me ten thousand? Did a rich woman sugar-daddy you?"

"Go to hell!" Even though Jiang Yao’s guess was close to the truth, he retorted, "I made a little money recently, so I’m paying you back what I owed."

"That's not right, though. I lent you five thousand, why are you giving me ten?"

"Stop nagging, just take it." Lin Chen knew Jiang Yao’s situation wasn't easy either. He made some money delivering food every month, but it was one person earning and two people spending, so things were tight. His PhD-student girlfriend hadn't found a job yet, either.

"Got it. Godfather is tall, Godfather is hard, Godfather is tall and hard."

"Get lost. I haven't eaten yet; bring me something to eat when you finish your deliveries."

"You got it."

...

After the call, Lin Chen lay on his bed to rest. But only ten minutes later, the dormitory door was kicked open. Who else could it be but his "godson," Jiang Yao? He was carrying a bag of marinated snacks, peanuts, and loose Tsingtao beer.

"Holy crap, how come you're back so early?" At this hour, Jiang Yao should have been at his busiest.

"Forget the deliveries! I’m done with that crap!" Jiang Yao tossed the food onto the table.

"What happened?" Lin Chen asked, surprised.

"There are more delivery guys than there are people ordering food now. Every day there's a mountain of petty issues, and they dock your pay for the slightest thing. It's a total scam!"

"Uh... let's eat first." Lin Chen opened the plastic bags and poured them each a beer.

After a few drinks, Lin Chen hiccuped and asked, "So what will you do now? Not going to support your girlfriend?"

"I am! I wouldn't have quit if I didn't have a backup plan. My mom called yesterday and said my cousin is in the provincial capital working as a department manager at a biomedical company. With him looking out for us, I think it's likely he can get us both in. The salary is eight thousand a month, with full benefits, and it's not even tiring."

"That sounds great." Lin Chen’s eyes lit up. "Come on, let's have a toast!"

...

The next day, when Lin Chen woke up, he was the only one left in the dorm. After a quick wash, he headed out to the hospital. Even though it had only been one night... thinking about seeing her again, Lin Chen couldn't help but feel his spirits soar.

"Wife Xu Mi, wait for me, I'm coming!"