The Second Date
The second date is set for Saturday afternoon at a renowned Cantonese teahouse in the city center. The ambiance is serene and elegant, with semi-private booths perfect for a "elder and junior" chat—intimate without seeming forced.
Li Jianguo follows Lin Xiulan's script to the letter, arriving half an hour early. He orders Zhou Xiaowen's favorite chilled mango sago pomelo, along with a few delicate dim sum pastries. A small bouquet of white baby's breath sits on the table—not extravagant, but carrying that "old-school man's tentative flattery" vibe.
Back home, Lin Xiulan directs the whole operation remotely. Li Jianguo keeps his Bluetooth earpiece in his left ear. Her voice comes through calm but laced with icy precision, like a director barking "action" on set.
Zhou Xiaowen arrives right on time—five minutes early.
She's dressed in an apricot-colored spaghetti-strap dress that hits at the knee, cinched tight at the waist, with a deep V-neck teasing her cleavage. Her makeup is fresh, but those smoky eyes at the corners scream seduction.
The moment she enters the booth, she loops her arm through Li Jianguo's with a smile, her voice syrupy sweet: "Dad, you're here so early~ Were you waiting too long?"
Following the earpiece cue, Li Jianguo blushes, awkwardly pulling his hand back but not fully away, his voice a guilty whisper: "N-no... not at all... Dad didn't want you waiting... Xiaowen, you look... really beautiful today..."
Lin Xiulan chuckles coldly in his ear: "Keep going. Eyes darting away, but sneak two peeks at her chest."
Li Jianguo obeys. His gaze drops to the pastries first, then flicks to Zhou Xiaowen's chest twice before jerking away in panic. Fine sweat beads on his forehead.
She catches those glances and swells with smug triumph. Leaning forward deliberately to deepen her cleavage, she smiles: "Dad, don't be so stiff~ We're not strangers. Back when I married Li Ran, you always said I was so sensible. Even after the divorce, you're still spoiling me like this... It really touches me."
Her hand covers the back of his, fingertips stroking lightly—comforting, yet teasing.
Lin Xiulan's voice drops low in the earpiece: "Let her hold it. Don't pull away. Sigh, then say the line we prepped."
Li Jianguo's Adam's apple bobs. He sighs, voice thick with long-suppressed bitterness: "Xiaowen... Dad's always felt bad about how we treated you. Ran back then didn't know how to cherish you... Seeing you suffer broke Dad's heart... Truth is, Dad misses you too..."
He pauses on cue, flushing to his ears like a lecherous old man afraid to speak his mind.
Zhou Xiaowen's eyes light up.
She never expected this straight-laced father-in-law to drop a line like that.
Old fart, couldn't hold back after all... Fine, if you're throwing yourself at me, don't blame me for draining you dry, she sneers inwardly.
She presses closer, her breast brushing his arm, voice hushed with a pout: "Dad... don't say that... I... I actually... Back when we got married, I secretly noticed you too... You had that manly charm then... Even now, a bit older... that mature vibe is still so appealing..."
Her fingers trace circles on his hand. Her other hand "accidentally" grazes his thigh.
Lin Xiulan's tone turns glacial in the earpiece: "Let her touch. Don't flinch. Act like you want to refuse but can't bear to."
Li Jianguo's body goes rigid, but his leg stays put. He murmurs: "Xiaowen... this... this isn't right... Ran's mom... she..."
Zhou Xiaowen pounces on the opening, voice softer: "Dad, don't worry... Auntie doesn't know... We're just chatting... sipping tea... Look at me now, all alone, so lonely... Just keep your ex-daughter-in-law company... okay?"
She lingers on "ex-daughter-in-law," eyes flashing challenge and allure.
Per instructions, Li Jianguo sighs, voice quavering: "Okay... Dad... Dad will keep you company... Whatever makes you happy... Dad'll do anything..."
Zhou Xiaowen laughs wildly inside: Gotcha, old man...
She picks up a dim sum piece and holds it to his lips with a smile: "Dad, open up~ Let me feed you..."
He eats it. Lin Xiulan's voice cuts like ice: "Old Li, dial up the infatuation... Make her think she's got you hooked... But don't rush. Let her sink herself step by step..."
Watching "Old Li" gaze at her like a smitten fool, Zhou Xiaowen already plots ahead: This father-in-law's a total pushover... Tonight, lure him to a hotel for some 'heart-to-heart'... Make him fall completely...
The booth's air thickens with flirtation.
Miles away, Lin Xiulan listens to the live feed, a cruel smile curling her lips.
Zhou Xiaowen, you think you're the one fishing?
From start to finish, the only one on the hook is you.