The café was warm and softly lit, but Su Yan felt anything but calm.
Her fingers hovered near her cup, unmoving.
Across from her, Lei Jun sat straight, calm as ever—too calm.
"Su Yan."
"Y-Yes?"
Why does he sound like he's about to announce something life-changing?!
Lei Jun folded his hands together, completely serious.
"Since our parents arranged this… we should discuss it properly."
Su Yan blinked.
"Discuss… what?"
He answered without hesitation.
"Marriage."
Time froze.
Her brain stopped working.
And then—
Splash!
Her drink went everywhere.
"WHAT?!"
People nearby turned to look.
Su Yan's face burned bright red.
"You can't just say that so casually!"
Meanwhile, Lei Jun calmly took out a tablet.
"As I was saying," he continued, unfazed, "we should evaluate compatibility."
Su Yan stared at him in disbelief.
"…Are you serious right now?"
"First question," he said.
"What are your likes and dislikes?"
She leaned back, completely overwhelmed.
"…Are you interviewing me?!"
"Second question," he continued.
"Do you snore when you sleep?"
Her face went from red to explosive.
"WHY WOULD YOU ASK THAT?!"
He looked genuinely thoughtful.
"It's important for long-term living conditions."
Su Yan covered her face.
This man… is impossible…
Inside her head, she screamed:
My blind date is definitely the weirdest doctor alive…
A long silence followed.
Lei Jun finally looked up from his tablet.
"So…"
Su Yan peeked through her fingers, heart racing for no reason.
"…So what?"
He met her eyes directly.
Completely serious.
Completely calm.
"Do you want to marry me… or not?"
Her heart exploded.
"…!!!"
No witty reply came.
No argument.
No comeback.
Only one thought echoed in her mind—
Why does this feel less like a proposal… and more like a life decision exam?!
The city lights shimmered outside the café window, calm and romantic—
…unfortunately, their conversation was anything but.
Lei Jun took a sip of his coffee, composed as ever.
"Since our parents want us to marry…"
Su Yan immediately tensed.
Here it comes again…!
"…should we try a trial marriage?"
Her brain stopped.
Then restarted.
Then completely malfunctioned.
"…A what?!"
Lei Jun calmly set his cup down.
"A trial marriage."
He said it like he was suggesting a weekend plan.
Su Yan leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Are you serious?! That's not a thing people casually try!"
"I made a list."
"…Of course you did."
He turned his tablet toward her.
On the screen was a neatly organized document titled:
"Benefits of marrying me."
Su Yan read it out loud, her voice trembling.
"Stable income… free medical advice… no household chores…"
She paused.
"…'50% increase in Vitamin D'?!"
She slowly looked up at him.
"…What does that even mean?!"
Lei Jun adjusted his glasses.
"It means you'll go outside more."
"…That's NOT what that sounds like!"
He nodded, completely serious.
"I'm efficient."
Su Yan dropped her head into her hands.
"This isn't a proposal… this is a business meeting…"
Meanwhile, Lei Jun had already started writing something else.
"Terms can be negotiated."
"STOP NEGOTIATING MARRIAGE LIKE A CONTRACT!"
She grabbed the tablet, flustered.
"You even made bullet points?!"
He thought for a moment.
"…Would a chart be better?"
"NO!"
Su Yan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
"Why are you even doing this…?"
Lei Jun looked at her.
For once, there was a hint of something softer in his eyes.
"I want to try living with you."
Her heart skipped.
"…You can't just say things like that suddenly…"
He continued, as if it was the most natural thing.
"I can cook."
A pause.
"And I live next door."
Silence.
Su Yan blinked.
"…Wait."
Another blink.
"…Wait."
Her face turned bright red.
"WAIT—YOU'RE MY NEIGHBOR?!"
Lei Jun nodded.
"You just moved in last month."
She froze in shock.
All this time…?!
Her mind raced through every moment—
The hallway encounters.
The quiet footsteps at night.
The familiar presence she never noticed.
"…This is insane…"
Lei Jun calmly took another sip of coffee.
"So… trial marriage?"
Su Yan buried her face in her hands again.
"…You're unbelievable…"
"…But you didn't say no."
Her heart betrayed her again.
"…I hate that you noticed that."