The Younger Man Offers a Dating Contract

Zhao Yunzhu first met Wen Xin at a blind-date gathering arranged by her best friend group.

She dressed up carefully, expecting to meet a mature, dependable peer with a successful career. Instead, her best friend pointed at her well-behaved, proper little sister and declared with absolute certainty, "That's right, this is the girlfriend I set you up with."

Zhao Yunzhu: "Are you serious? She's twelve years younger than me."

That weekend, Zhao Yunzhu stepped onto the campus of A University, ready to begin her MBA program.

On the desk closest to the classroom door sat the teaching assistant's name card: Wen Xin.

She thought, What are the odds of that?

Then the person bent over by the lectern stood up and announced, "Please come over here to sign in and pick up your course materials."

Yes, it really was that much of a coincidence.

The cute little teaching assistant was the blind date she'd turned down.

During class, Zhao Yunzhu sent Wen Xin an emoji. The teaching assistant's stern-looking profile picture replied, "Student Zhao, please don't send the teaching assistant messages unrelated to the course during class. Pay attention and participate actively."

Zhao Yunzhu: "..."

Who would have guessed that during the break in the second week's class, the serious teaching assistant would pull her into a discussion room and ask pitifully, "Big sister, could you help me?"

Zhao Yunzhu: "How?"

Wen Xin: "B-be my girlfriend."

What she handed over was a properly formatted dating contract.

Zhao Yunzhu calculated the return on investment, decided it was viable, and became Wen Xin's "temporary girlfriend" to help her deal with her meddlesome older cousin.

A few months later, Zhao Yunzhu announced, "Teaching Assistant Wen, our contract has expired. It's been a pleasure working with you."

Wen Xin was dragged out shopping by a classmate, where she ran into Zhao Yunzhu entering a bar with a mature, glamorous woman. On a whim, she followed them inside.

She hid in a corner, hat pulled low, watching her "ex-girlfriend" chat and laugh with the other woman.

Usually so proper, Wen Xin turned down a stranger's advances too bluntly, earning mockery and teasing. This caught Zhao Yunzhu's attention.

Zhao Yunzhu: "Why are you here alone?"

Wen Xin: "Having a drink. And... meeting some new big sisters."

Zhao Yunzhu: "You're drunk. Come with me."

Wen Xin: "I don't want to. Sister Yunzhu taught me so much. What you learn but don't put into practice goes to waste."

In the office, Zhao Yunzhu sat behind a wide monitor, pinching the bridge of her nose in distress.

Wen Xin was clearly the purest, simplest little rabbit, yet dealing with her was harder than handling a troublesome boss or backstabbing coworkers.

She didn't know what had gotten into Wen Xin lately. The girl was always hovering in front of her, with her hair down, wearing makeup, and even putting on high heels?

Wen Xin: "Yunzhu, can we renew our contract?"

Zhao Yunzhu: "How long do you want to sign for this time?"

Wen Xin lowered her head and thought:

For an unlimited term.

[Reading Guide]

1. Twelve-year age gap, happy ending.

2. Executive director x junior teaching assistant.

Theme: Keep learning for as long as you live.