Cupid's Arrow hit me hard!

Julian laughed. "Quinn, if you look at me like that, I might get ahead of myself. Haha."

"You have every reason to be proud."

Ring, ring, ring...

Quinn's phone started to ring.

Seeing that it was a call from her mother, she said to Julian, "When my mom calls me at this time, it's definitely to tell me that tomorrow's blind date is canceled."

As expected, once she answered, her mother scolded, "What kind of 'high-quality' man did Felicia introduce? No backbone and believes anything anyone says. I haven't even minded that he's pudgy, like a grease bag, but he dares to call my daughter a violent maniac.

"He's the maniac! His whole family is filled with maniacs. Does he think my daughter can only marry him? Does he think there's no other man in this world besides that blockhead? I'm so angry! Quinn, you better bring me some good news-find yourself a young, handsome, and capable boyfriend, and prove them wrong!"

"Mom, please calm down. I knew it would turn out this way a long time ago. I had no expectations. Besides, I'm only twenty-four, there's no hurry. In a few years, I'll bring you a truly excellent man, and then we can give them a piece of our minds."

Being rejected by potential blind dates was nothing new for Quinn. Matchmakers in Summervale refused to do business with Quinn because it could easily lower their performance, which was a constant source of frustration.

She was young and attractive, excelling both in martial arts and academics while also having a wealthy family background. Despite all of that, her long history of martial arts training and formidable skills often scared away potential partners.

Zoey suspected that someone was spreading malicious rumors, deliberately trying to paint Quinn as a violent troublemaker.

"You have a big mouth. We've been through this so many times yet I don't see you bringing a boyfriend home either. It's all your dad's fault. I wanted to have a daughter and raise her as a lady, but he insisted on teaching you martial arts. Now look, others reject you because you're too strong, like one punch from you could kill a person."

Quinn chuckled, "Mom, if they think that I'm brutish, then so be it. I wouldn't want them as boyfriends anyways."

After ranting on the phone for twenty minutes before being pacified by Quinn, Zoey finally hung up.

When she glanced up, Julian's warm gaze took Quinn by surprise. Thinking that her eyes were playing tricks on her, she rubbed her eyes and did a second take.

She met Julian's eyes, his lips curving into a smile.

She was sure she was mistaken just now.

Julian was grinning.

"So, I guess the blind date for tomorrow did not go as planned?" Julian inquired.

Quinn nodded and replied nonchalantly, "Ever since I hit twenty, matchmakers have set their sights on me. Initially, they eagerly introduced bachelors to me. Now, most of them have given up on me. Those who hadn't, though, weren't even trying anymore. They'd introduce just about anyone to me.

"I swear, they treat me like a recycling plant or something. Julian, for the next couple of years, could you introduce some men to me, just to please my mom?"

Julian pursed his lips and asked, "Can I step in as your boyfriend, then?"

Quinn muttered, "Wait... Aren't we friends?

"Going to great lengths to help a friend out is admirable and all, but this is too much."

When she first met Julian, Quinn's heart would throb every time she saw his handsome face. However, she no longer felt this way as they got to know each other.

Julian said, "That we are, but friendship can sometimes evolve into love. Quinn, both of us are single, and our parents are urging us to settle down. We could be a good fit. Of course, if you think I'm too old for you, forget I ever said that."

"I'm not keen on settling for less. If I were to fall in love with you in the future, no matter how old you are, I wouldn't let it affect my impression of you."

Quinn discussed the matters of the heart candidly with Julian, showing no hint of awkwardness. In her eyes, Julian was like one of her fellow martial arts practitioners, having a relationship akin to brotherhood. As they got closer, she no longer felt giddy around him.