Chapter Sixty-Three: An Unconventional Matchmaking

This woman spoke fluently and with the ease of someone intimately familiar with every detail, recounting all the recent events in Liu Jingye’s life. She even knew about the time Liu Jingye rescued a child. No wonder he’d felt followed back then, yet sensed no murderous intent or hostility.

Liu Jingye fixed his gaze on her, but the woman remained calm and collected, as if everything was within her grasp. Yet, a fine sheen of sweat formed on her forehead—barely noticeable—because she seemed to sense the faint aura of menace emanating from Liu Jingye.

Just then, Liu Jingye suddenly pointed at her and shouted. The woman was so startled she nearly bolted. Was he about to lose control and silence her forever?

But to her surprise, Liu Jingye’s face lit up with delight, and he exclaimed enthusiastically, “I remember now! Aren’t you that girl from TV, the one who says everything she eats just melts in her mouth?”

Chen Yuxin nearly toppled over, forcing a bitter smile as she looked at Liu Jingye. That phrase always set her off, as so many people teased her with it.

So, with a hint of irritation, she retorted, “Those dishes really do melt in your mouth!”

“Even last week’s stir-fried chicken cartilage with celery?” Liu Jingye countered.

Chen Yuxin’s face flushed red. She changed the subject. “Now it’s my turn to ask. Who exactly are you? You realize I could report everything about you at any time.”

Liu Jingye shrugged indifferently. “I’m just as curious about you. Why aren’t you busy being the queen of home economics? Why go out of your way to investigate me?”

Chen Yuxin brushed a tassel from her ear and replied, “That’s the intuition of a professional journalist. From the first time I saw you easily take down two thugs, I knew you were no ordinary man. Later, I spotted you during my interview with Weiwei Huang, which piqued my curiosity enough to look into you further.”

“I advise you not to dig too deeply into my affairs, and especially not to broadcast them. It won’t do you any good,” Liu Jingye said seriously, cigarette dangling from his lips. “You might end up bringing trouble upon yourself.”

“Is that so?” Chen Yuxin raised her eyebrows, looking as though she had him completely in the palm of her hand. “As a journalist, it’s my duty to expose darkness and champion justice. I have a responsibility to uncover and reveal the truth.”

“I can always refuse your interview,” Liu Jingye quipped.

“Of course you can.” Chen Yuxin was unfazed. “Oh, and there’s one more thing I forgot to mention: Aunt Liu’s cooking is absolutely adorable. She’s been feeding me so well, I’ve gained weight.”

“You know my second aunt?” Liu Jingye exclaimed in surprise.

“Not only do I know her,” Chen Yuxin’s cheeks turned pink as she pulled up a photo on her phone, showing a younger Liu Jingye, vibrant and full of youthful energy. With a hint of pride, she continued, “Aunt Liu isn’t just a great cook—she’s also incredibly warmhearted. The other day, she insisted on introducing me to her nephew. She said he’s a man of good character, well-mannered, from a respectable family, and destined for greatness.”

“You… you’re the blind date my second aunt introduced me to?” Liu Jingye nearly bit his tongue in shock.

Chen Yuxin nodded sweetly, two dimples appearing on her cheeks, making her look all the more charming.

“It’s just that I’ve been so busy with work lately, I haven’t had time to properly sit down for a blind date,” Chen Yuxin explained. “But I didn’t want to embarrass Aunt Liu, and I was afraid she’d keep feeding me until I got fat. So I asked for her nephew’s phone number, thinking I could pose as a telephone surveyor to get some basic info. But he wasn’t cooperative at all, was he, Mr. Qin, with the mysterious single-character name?”

This time, Liu Jingye was utterly stunned. This girl was impossible to guard against. With a helpless smile, he said, “Lady, are you a journalist or a paparazzo? This so-called news instinct of yours seems more like a passion for gossip.”

Chen Yuxin ignored his teasing and walked straight into the room. “Now you must be interested in sitting down for a chat, right? Treat it as a blind date if you like.”

Liu Jingye finally realized there was no getting rid of this woman, who clung like a piece of stubborn plaster. People often looked down on paparazzi, but in truth, they were the apex of journalism—once they latched onto you, they wouldn’t let go until satisfied, resorting to stalking and candid shots if necessary.

Sitting face-to-face with her, Liu Jingye exhaled a puff of smoke, which made the girl cough incessantly. Chen Yuxin shot him an exasperated look. “For the sake of your health and others’, please don’t smoke.”

“For the sake of unity and stability, please respect other people’s—” Liu Jingye shot back, leaving the last word hanging.

Chen Yuxin was taken aback; she hadn’t expected him to be so sharp. She opened her mouth to speak, but Liu Jingye cut her off: “You know, I actually quite like you… your shows, that is!”

His dramatic pause startled Chen Yuxin, but he continued, “I have a few friends who are die-hard fans. Every day, they wait in front of the TV for you. After the news, they switch channels to your cooking show. They love your classic catchphrase, ‘melts in your mouth.’”

“I…” Chen Yuxin tried to interject.

But Liu Jingye interrupted her again. “I just don’t get it. You’re already the host of several shows—why also work as a journalist?”

Chin lifted in pride, Chen Yuxin replied, “My main profession is journalism. Hosting is just a side gig. You could say I like to keep busy.”

“Is that so?” Liu Jingye asked.

“Of course,” Chen Yuxin said. “It’s not about exposure or fame. The station knew I transferred from Celestial TV, and since I’m presentable, they decided to make me a star anchor, a city icon. That’s why I host multiple programs.”

“So, you’re a multi-talented anchor, favored by the station, with plenty of fans. Is the pressure overwhelming?” Liu Jingye inquired.

“There’s definitely pressure.” Chen Yuxin tossed her hair. “But it’s manageable. I’m confident in my abilities.”

“Then why did you join Celestial TV in the first place?”

“It was actually by chance. I originally applied to the news department as a journalist, but a producer from the arts channel took notice and invited me to host.”

“Which of your shows are you most satisfied with?”

“None so far. I believe I can do more and better. Maybe the next one will be my favorite.”

“With so many fans admiring you, is there anyone you like?”

“No, not at the moment. All my energy is focused on work. I don’t have time for personal matters,” Chen Yuxin said shyly. “But I believe that when the time is right, that person will appear.”

“So, you’re a big believer in fate?” Liu Jingye pressed, trying to keep a straight face.

“Yes, I believe in fate,” Chen Yuxin replied. “I always feel that everything is destined, that what is meant to be will be.”

“What do you think of me, then?”

“You? You’re great—tall, strong, sunny, and a little wild…” Chen Yuxin replied without thinking.

“How about being my girlfriend?”

“Like hell!” Chen Yuxin finally realized she’d been led astray, slapping the table in mock outrage. “Who’s interviewing whom here?”

“Either way works for me,” Liu Jingye laughed.

Chen Yuxin blushed furiously. Though usually self-assured and capable, she’d been unconsciously played by Liu Jingye.

“I never expected someone like you to be so cheeky,” Chen Yuxin remarked.

Liu Jingye pointed at himself. “Someone like me? What sort is that?”

Chen Yuxin pondered for a moment and spoke frankly. “I think you’re the iron-blooded tough guy type—voice like thunder, quick to anger, but mostly quiet and reserved, a man of your word.”

“You must watch too many TV dramas,” Liu Jingye said with a wry smile. “Now it’s my turn to analyze you… First, you’re a woman—talented, supremely confident, someone who treats money like dirt and fame as fleeting as clouds. You have delicate features, a slender figure, well-defined brows, and you walk with steady, graceful steps. I’d guess you’re still a virgin, right?”

“I…” Chen Yuxin struggled to hold back a curse. It was the first time she’d ever heard a man appraise a woman so bluntly, without a hint of decorum.

“Alright, can we get back on track?” Chen Yuxin said through gritted teeth, her cheeks flushed, striving to stay calm. “Let’s talk about you now. With skills like yours and pinpoint marksmanship, you can’t be an ordinary person. Are you a secret agent or an assassin? Do you work with the police, or are you a vigilante, fighting injustice on your own?”

Liu Jingye shrugged helplessly. Clearly, she wasn’t going to leave. This was a tenacious journalist who would dig until she reached his ancestors’ graves. He’d have to keep bluffing.

Lighting another cigarette, expression grave, Liu Jingye spoke in a low voice, “I’m not an agent, nor an assassin. Actually, I’m an ex-convict, just released from prison. My dealings with Huang Xing were about confronting him myself, to avenge a blood feud.”

“What?” Chen Yuxin gaped in disbelief. This was nothing like she’d imagined. She quickly grabbed her voice recorder. “Go on.”

Feigning solemn reminiscence, Liu Jingye began, “It was back in high school. I had a close girlfriend. I played soccer on the field; she cheered for me, wiped my sweat. We’d go to the cafeteria hand in hand—she’d have buns, I’d have noodles. Every day was sweet and loving. Those were the happiest days of my life…

“But then, Huang Xing showed up. He stole my girlfriend, toyed with her, then dumped her. She was a strong-willed girl, and in the end, she chose to end her own life.

“I was devastated, determined to seek revenge on Huang Xing. But his gang had too much power. They not only beat me up, they got me thrown in jail.

“All these years, I’ve been tormented by pain, constantly pushing myself to the limit, until finally, I found a chance for revenge… But what good did it do? My girlfriend is gone forever, and those happy times will never return…”

Liu Jingye’s performance was so convincing, even his eyes seemed moist. Chen Yuxin was moved, her own eyes reddening as she sniffled. “You know, I’ve read this novel before. Pity the author never finished it!”