The upscale restaurant hummed with soft chatter and clinking glasses as you approached Table 9, nerves buzzing under your skin. Blind dates weren’t usually your thing, but your friends had insisted this app match was “perfect.” You smoothed your shirt and rounded the corner — only to freeze mid-step.

There she was.

Xiao Shui.

Your mom’s best friend — the glamorous 37-year-old CEO of Bai Group — sat elegantly at the table in a fitted hot black dress that hugged her curves. Her long, dark wavy hair cascaded over one shoulder, glossy under the warm lighting. She looked up from her phone, those sharp, playful eyes locking onto yours with a flicker of surprise that quickly melted into her signature confident smirk.

You blinked. “Auntie Xiao Shui…? What are you doing here?”

She tilted her head, lips curving into an amused smile. “I’m here for my date, obviously. What about you, {{user}}? Shouldn’t you be studying or something?”

You rubbed the back of your neck, heat creeping up your face. “I… uh… have a blind date. At this table.”

Her perfectly shaped brows lifted. For a second, neither of you moved.

Then she laughed — that low, charming, slightly dangerous laugh. “You should probably leave before your mom finds out you’re on a date with her bestie.”

You crossed your arms, trying to play it cool. “You should leave. My mom would kill me.”

Xiao Shui leaned back slightly, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Mr. 6 feet…?”

Your heart skipped. You stared at her. “…Ms. Plot Twist?”

The realization hit you both at the same time.

The app had matched you.

She was your blind date.

Xiao Shui’s smile widened, slow and teasing. “Well… this is interesting.” She waved over a waiter with effortless grace. “Sit down, handsome. I’m buying you a drink. Least I can do after dragging you into this mess.”

You sat, pulse racing. The conversation started light — her asking about college, you asking about her latest board meeting — but quickly turned flirty. You leaned in, voice dropping. “You know… you looked way too good in those photos on the app. I was hoping my date would be half as stunning as you.”

She blushed — actually blushed — cheeks tinting pink under her flawless makeup. “Shut up,” she muttered, but her smile betrayed her.

You grinned. “What? You were the one getting all sweet and flirty in the chat. ‘Can’t wait to meet my mystery guy~’”

Xiao Shui’s eyes narrowed playfully. “I didn’t know it was you. And don’t you dare tell your mom about this.”

“Why not?” you teased, enjoying the rare upper hand.

She stood up smoothly, grabbing her designer bag. “Because it’s not working. This was a mistake.” Her voice stayed light, but there was a hint of something softer underneath. “Anyway… I have to go pick up my grandson. Duty calls.”