Chapter 395 - A Blind Date (2/2)

After that, Song Ruyu turned to her grandfather. She shook her head and answered, “Grandpa, I have no idea. Maybe we haven’t met for several years, or I wouldn’t have forgotten.”

Old Master Song squinted and laughed. He explained, “Hahaha, of course you would forget him. I also forget. You met him 22 years ago. He was that naughty boy who brought you sugarcoated haws.”

Song Ruyu was always calm and mild. When she heard her grandfather’s introduction, she froze a little and asked, “Qin Sheng?”

Old Master Song had finished his task of introducing, declaring the start of their blind date. He said, “Yu’er, show Qin Sheng around our siheyuan. I’d like to chat with your Sister Ran.”

Song Ruyu was still confused. She nodded and said, “OK.”

Song Ruyu stole another glance at Qin Sheng when she turned. She never expected to meet Qin Sheng after twenty years. Her grandfather had told her a lot about the story of the Qin Family, and she knew that the boy who always smiled disappeared and had not been found yet. That day’s meeting was really surprising.

Qin Sheng looked at Qin Ran and then turned to Old Master Song, smiling, and nodded to the others. After that, he followed Song Ruyu as she headed to the yard.

The weather was good and the flowers, grass and plants in the yard were bathed in the warm sunshine.

Song Ruyu, who was in the front, stopped under a tree. Sunshine went through the leaves, reaching her body like lighting spots. Qin Sheng felt like he was in a dream. It seemed that he had met her somewhere but he failed to grasp any details from his memory, for it had been such a long time.

“I thought I’d never see you again.” Song Ruyu turned to Qin Sheng, giggling shyly. “I still remember the little boy. But you look really different now.”

Qin Sheng didn’t know why Old Master Song asked that woman to show him around. According to Old Master Song, they used to be friends when they were young. But Qin Sheng had lost most his childhood memories and he didn’t know how to start a conversation with ladies. He didn’t know why, but he always had no confidence in front of women.

“I don’t remember most things from the past. I could only recognize my mom. I even forgot my sister. My life’s amazing, right?” Qin Sheng forced a smile. He was unwilling to talk about his past. Let bygones be bygones.

Song Ruyu realized the sad feeling in Qin Sheng’s words due to his mother. She knew that his mother Auntie Zhu passed away when he was still a child. She wanted to comfort him but didn’t know what to say. Comforting words were full of hypocrisy. So she remained silent.

“You already knew who I was. And you’re…” Old Master Song called her “Yu’er”, but he shouldn’t address her by her nickname.

She said, “Song Ruyu.”

“There’s an old poem that goes ‘The peach tree is young and elegant; brilliant are its flowers; the gentleman is like jade; strength is its elegance.’ Is this where your name comes from?” Qin Sheng asked since he liked that name. “I don’t mean to show off. This poem suddenly came to me.”

Qin Sheng’s being overly careful made Song Ruyu laugh. She said, “You’re right. But I’m not that kind of woman who would think about people with malice.”

“It’s a very good name,” Qin Sheng said. Though “Ruyu” was used to praise a man’s good character, it was also good to describe a woman. According to the theory of Confucius, the most respectable people must have the quality of moderation, a meaning likened to the nature of jade.

When Qin Sheng was speaking, Song Ruyu stared at Qin Sheng, especially his eyes. It seemed that she was exploring.

Since her rationality went back with her wandering mind, the moment she guessed Qin Sheng’s name, she got most of the picture. Her grandfather asked her to be there early for a reason known to all people present, except her.

Nobody knew she had an idea of the engagement between the Song and Qin Families. Several years before, when her grandmother was still alive, she gave it away. She thought it interesting then, and just forgot about it. Moreover, Qin Sheng had disappeared for a long time, and she never expected him to be found and later be asked to meet.

So in fact, they were both asked to go there for a blind date.