Chapter 136: Fate Needs No Forcing

"To be honest, I’ve had clients in similar situations before—people who weren't keen on dating but were pushed into blind dates by their families."

"Really?" Cai Yirou showed great interest.

Xiaoxiao nodded. "But he had more resolve than you, and his methods were far more clever. He always managed to make the other person lose interest and leave on their own."

"Was there never anyone who moved him?"

"There was—his ex-wife. But both families opposed the relationship, and since he was a filial son, it made things incredibly difficult." At this point, a thought occurred to Xiaoxiao. She asked, "If you were him, what would you do?"

"I..." Cai Yirou began to hesitate, her expression pained. Seeing the shift, Xiaoxiao felt a sense of foreboding. Sure enough, what Cai Yirou said next gave her another massive headache. "Actually, I already have a boyfriend abroad. We had a fight recently, and he wants to break up. But I know he’s just acting out of anger; there’s no way he could really leave me."

"And so?" Xiaoxiao could no longer maintain a gentle tone. "You thought you’d use a blind date to provoke him and force him to have a change of heart?" She wasn't against couples using little tricks, but Cai Yirou’s behavior was simply foolish. If the boyfriend was truly determined to leave, and the blind date partner became persistent, wouldn't that just drag another innocent person into the mess?

Cai Yirou grew anxious, her beautiful features twisting together. "How can you call it forcing? We are truly in love."

"Miss Cai!" Xiaoxiao felt that Cai Yirou was beyond saving. "Please, don't treat my work as a game. Not everyone is worth me running cover for. Don't you think sitting down and having a real conversation would be more useful than wasting your time here?"

Cai Yirou went pale, her knuckles white as she gripped her spoon. "I was afraid that if you knew the truth, you wouldn't help me, so I lied. But since we’ve already started, please, help me one more time."

Xiaoxiao took a step back. "Fine. Even if he comes back, what will you do the next time a similar situation arises? Will you resort to the same tricks again? What is meant to be shouldn't be forced. We’ve all heard the story of the boy who cried wolf; it doesn't work every time."

"Then why are you willing to help others but not me?" Cai Yirou was completely panicked now. She grabbed Xiaoxiao’s hand, refusing to let go, almost begging.

"Is it the same?" Xiaoxiao pulled her hand away and spoke with patient firmness. "Your one-sided attempt at reconciliation has little meaning. If he wants to come back, you couldn't drive him away even with a stick. Let go. Otherwise, it’s hard to say if you’ll even be able to greet each other when you meet again."

After a long silence, Cai Yirou seemed much calmer. Xiaoxiao sighed. "Miss Cai, come to the office at ten tomorrow morning. I’ll take you through the procedures to terminate our contract. As for the fees..."

"You must not be someone who fights for what they want!" Cai Yirou said suddenly.

"What?" Xiaoxiao didn't seem to understand. "What did you say?"

Cai Yirou seemed to gain the upper hand in an instant, declaring firmly, "I just know that everyone should do their utmost to love and be happy!"

Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh. She had been the same four years ago—why else would she have kept finding excuses to get close to Lin Shuo? She didn't know if it was just because she was getting older, but she no longer dared to take such risks, becoming increasingly timid and only seeking a safe, stable life. She chuckled softly. "Trying to goad me?"

Cai Yirou didn't shy away. "Yes!"

"People only learn when they've suffered enough. Fine, tell me, who do you want to see next?" The argument ended in Xiaoxiao’s compromise.