The Price of a Blind Date, Eighteen Maybachs Left in Ruins

I went home for New Year's Eve to go on a blind date.

My mom had arranged it, saying the girl came from a good family and was good-looking.

I drove over in my domestic-brand car.

When I arrived at the hotel, my date and her group of girlfriends were already there, dolled up in designer clothes from head to toe.

Compared to them, I looked pretty plain.

The moment they saw me, one of her best friends sneered, unable to hide her disdain.

“Aria, is this your blind date? Why does he look like a migrant worker?”

“Seriously, with that look, I bet he doesn’t even have a hundred bucks on him.”

The others burst into laughter and instead of defending me, my date—Aria Johnson—joined in with a scornful smile.

“Right? In this day, there are still people driving domestic cars. He has no shame.”

I didn’t get angry. I smiled calmly and said, “Ever heard of the ARQUUS car?”

——

If they hadn’t been so rude, I would’ve just brushed it off.

But I couldn’t ignore this kind of mockery.

My mom had begged me to come, insisting this girl was worth meeting.

But looking at her now, sure, she was good-looking, but she couldn’t even see past the surface.

“What, giving your cheap car a fancy name to sound cultured?” another girl scoffed.

“Just look at you. You probably can’t even afford this meal. How did your mom think you were good enough to go on a blind date?”

“Do yourself a favor and get lost,” Aria said, waving me off. “I have no interest in someone like you.”

I was stunned. I’d barely sat down and she was already telling me to leave?

I’d driven all the way over, hadn’t even taken a sip of water and now I was being insulted like this?

Suppressing my anger, I looked her in the eye and asked, "I’m guessing you’re Aria Johnson, the one Aunt Mary introduced me to?"

“I haven’t even introduced myself yet and you’re already dismissing me like I’m some scammer. What is this, some kind of setup?”

Her face changed instantly.

I’d clearly struck a nerve.

She hesitated, her voice faltering.

“What do you mean scammer? I don’t get what you’re saying.”

“It’s a blind date. If you don’t like me, fine. But is it normal to mock someone for being ‘poor’ the moment they walk in?”

“You think just because you showed up, I have to like you? You should take a long look in the mirror.”

Her voice rose with each word, spittle flying.

So, this was the so-called soft and kind girl my mom had praised?

“Alright, alright. I’m poor. You’re a princess. Got it,” I said, nodding. “But then, Princess, could you kindly return the red envelope my mom gave you?”

“My mom told me before I left, if the date didn’t work out, make sure to get the red envelope back.”

Actually, my mom hadn’t said anything. I just simply couldn't stand her.

No sooner had I finished speaking than one of her friends stepped in, arms crossed.

“Samuel Robert, right? I’ve seen your info. After high school, you went out of town and disappeared. No one even knows what you do.”

“We waited here for so long, why shouldn’t we keep the red envelope?”

“You’ve seen her. You drank the water. And now you want the red envelope back? Dream on.”

I was stunned.

Is this what they call "good girlfriends" in modern days?

They were demanding money this blatantly. Were they here for a blind date or just to cash in?

That red envelope contained 10,000 dollars.

My mom worked hard to save that money and I hadn’t even had a proper conversation before they started mocking me.

Now it was just gone?

I chuckled coldly.

“With that kind of hustle, you ladies are making more than professionals out on the street.”