Chapter 14: Ideal Type

Half an hour earlier—
Jiang Ya watched the talkative man across the table. From self-introduction through the career history he was proud of—no pause—she never got a word in.
She did not interrupt—only watched quietly, faint smile on her face, eyes blank as if looking at air.
Yes—however unwilling—she had come anyway. No choice.
The man was Wang Jianren, four years older, ordinary looks. In his words—a man his age who had not gone soft was already a virtue.
At first manners were gentlemanly enough—illusion she could talk to him.
Then he grew more excited—
“Let me tell you—my father does seafood. Nanliu’s coastal—decent money. Haha not exactly rich second generation—but family’s okay.”
“So before I even graduated college Dad wanted me in the business—take over.”
“But I’m the type who won’t be controlled. Why should you run my life? My life—I decide!”
“So I refused flat. Said no—I have dreams. Design. Make it in the big city.”
Hearing that Jiang Ya sipped water unhurriedly, smile still—while he cut steak suddenly said: “Is that so? I heard you only came back two months ago.”
“If you wanted tier-one cities so much—why return to Nanliu?”
Wang Jianren stiffened—then laughed. “Honestly—you probably never lived up there. Pressure’s huge.”
“And mainly—parents getting old. Can’t stay away forever, right?”
“Now’s fine. Less pay here—but with family, simple life—don’t you think?”
Jiang Ya smiled back, drank again, said nothing.
He saw her quiet—share urge stronger.
He said: “Won’t lie—thirty, saying never dated is fake. Had relationships—all peaceful splits, no principle issues—rest assured.”
“My requirements simple—first kind, second filial to my family, third…”
Jiang Ya always minded etiquette—never spaced out in conversation.
Now his pitch still in her ears—she bent head, seriously cutting steak.
He serious. She serious. No interference.
“Also personally I hope for… our family doesn’t favor sons… ideally one boy one girl, then…”
“Mr. Wang.” Jiang Ya could not hold back—cut him cold.
Looking up—smile gone—face so cool Wang Jianren stared stunned.
She looked at the man, spoke slowly. “I thought tonight was simple acquaintance—not marriage talk?”
“What do you mean expectations after marriage?”
“I… I…” Face red, hands waving. “Not that meaning… but… but isn’t today… blind date?”
Still apologizing—Jiang Ya ignored him, cold face, finished cutting steak on the plate.
Thinking how to escape—turned eyes—two people outside the restaurant staring at her.
Recognizing Qi Yu and Qi Xuan—Jiang Ya froze.
Brief seconds—many feelings at once.
Turned back—smile again. “Sorry Mr. Wang. Friend or otherwise—we’re not suited.”
“My friends are waiting outside—I’ll go first.”
“Oh—you have my WeChat—send the bill, we’ll split.”
Done—did not look at him again—bag up, small run out of the restaurant.
Left a baffled embarrassed man craning after her back.
.
Weekend night—supermarket busiest.
Near the entrance produce area already crowded—carts weaving, bargain announcements looping.
Qi Yu pushed a cart in the flow. Left Qi Xuan—every fruit stall a stop. Right Jiang Ya—like her, silent on phone, absent-minded.
Qi Yu woke from her own daze—glanced at the profile beside her—still unreal.
Just shopping with Qi Xuan—then Jiang Ya messaged, rushed over—someone suggested it—now inexplicably three.
“Wait.” Qi Xuan pulled Qi Yu, stopped at lemons, tore a bag. “Buying a few lemons.”
“Want some? I can grab two more.”
Qi Yu frowned. “Lemons for what? Can you eat that sour?”
Qi Xuan: “Not eat raw. School—soak in water, vitamin C.”
Qi Yu: “……I’m not buying. Take what you want—don’t leave them rotting at home.”
“Got it.” Qi Xuan cheerful, filled a bag, asked Jiang Ya. “Teacher Jiang, want lemons?”
“Huh?” Jiang Ya still typing—looked up dazed.
“No need. You buy.” Smile at Qi Xuan.
Then head down to type again.
After weighing, three left the crowded produce aisle. Passing household goods Jiang Ya finally put phone away, breathed deep.
Turned—caught Qi Yu looking.
“What?”
Household aisle wider, brighter. White light on Jiang Ya’s face. Qi Yu stared at her eyes—a moment.
No glasses today. Makeup on.
She knew at close look earlier—under strong light clearer.
Heavier than parent-meeting night—unusual for her.
“Nothing.” Qi Yu pushed the cart on. “Just—you kept replying. School business?”
“No.” Jiang Ya tucked hair behind ear—soft jawline. “Family messages. They asked something.”
Qi Yu: “I see.”
Jiang Ya: “Mm. Sorted now. I can shop with you properly.”
Slight smile at Qi Yu.
Qi Yu forced a smile—nothing to say. Qi Xuan bright again, somehow beside Jiang Ya again.
Teenagers hide nothing—Jiang Ya read the little expressions, almost laughing.
“Why’re you looking at me like that?”
Qi Xuan: “No reason.”
“Scared you’ll scold me.”
Jiang Ya laughed. “When did I scold you? Say it.”
Qi Xuan still hemmed—Qi Yu looked over too.
Both eyes on her—more awkward—blurted: “Nothing really.”
“I thought you were texting your boyfriend the whole time.”
Both Qi Yu and Jiang Ya stalled.
Cart stopped at instant-noodle shelf. Qi Yu’s gaze slid to Jiang Ya’s face—surprised there.
“Boyfriend? When did I get a boyfriend?”
Smile gone on Jiang Ya’s face—Qi Xuan scared. “Huh? No?”
“I… I saw you eating in the shop by the supermarket… thought the guy opposite… was your boyfriend…”
Quieter and quieter.
“Of course not. How can you guess wildly.” Jiang Ya unlike usual gentle—serious—teacher authority.
“You didn’t spread that to classmates?”
“No no how could I…” Hands waving, panicked. “Sorry Teacher… I wasn’t sure… scared you’d scold me.”
“Then you still said it.” Qi Yu cut in timely.
Sincere apology—Jiang Ya did not press—lecture instead. “Don’t guess and spread without proof. Maybe joke to you—someone might believe it.”
Qi Xuan head down, yes yes.
Qi Yu looked at her—wanted to laugh. Home nobody could tame her—good someone at school could.
Funnier the more she thought—lip corner up and stayed.
Two boxes self-heating hotpot—chatting with Jiang Ya sideways. “Blind date, was it?”
Jiang Ya surprised look. “How do you know?”
Qi Yu: “Never heard you have a brother. Not client meetings either.”
“Yeah. Parents arranged. Couldn’t refuse—had to go.” Helpless smile at her.
“So… thought he wasn’t right, saw us, hid with us?”
“You know that too? Detective.” More surprised.
Rare expression—dazed, like a small white rabbit.
Qi Yu glanced, turned away, curved lips—good mood—grabbed Qi Xuan’s favorite braised beef instant noodles too.
“How’d you guess?”
“Don’t know. Detective intuition.”
Shameless—Jiang Ya laughed light. “You really dare say.”
Three through the aisle, looped to snacks, talk while browsing.
Qi Yu: “He looked fairly normal though. Why run out suddenly?”
“Only looks normal.” Jiang Ya smiled, sharp. “Actually lives entirely in his own world. Hard to talk to… four words.”
“Arrogant. Hypocritical.”
Qi Yu lifted lips, low. “Then he really doesn’t deserve you.”
“Right! I said he looks so… average—not like Teacher’s type at all.”
Hearing them Qi Xuan’s gossip itch woke—awkwardness gone—bold again: “Teacher honestly we gossiped in private—what your partner would be like.”
Jiang Ya slanted her a look. “And?”
Qi Xuan: “Uh… no then. We all felt—anyway gotta be a little good-looking, right?”
“Otherwise…”
*What if the cabbage got eaten by a pig?*
She did not say that.
“You lot—usually quiet—love imagining.” Jiang Ya said. “Teacher’s private life—don’t fuss. Think how to raise your English—that’s what you should think.”
“Oh…” Grades mentioned—Qi Xuan wilted, obediently sorted cart items.
Jiang Ya looked at her, could not help smiling.
Normally would not discuss this with students—but maybe because Qi Xuan was Qi Yu’s sister, maybe the mood was easy—Jiang Ya thought about the question without meaning to.
A few more steps both heard Jiang Ya: “Don’t need too handsome. Clear-featured is enough.”
“But looks aren’t most important.”
Qi Yu looked at her. Qi Xuan chimed in. “Definitely—character matters.”
“Good values basic—or mismatched values, can’t even talk.”
“Most importantly…”
Jiang Ya noticed Qi Yu staring.
She looked back—few seconds eye contact—looked away, continued: “Most important… they understand me. Accept me, tolerate me…”
“And… gentle to me. Will take care of me.”