CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: HOW CAN A MAN BE THIS ATTRACTIVE

The blind date on Friday wasn’t just between Zane Thorne and Natalie Vaughn; both Mrs. Vaughn and Mrs. Thorne planned to meet and have a chat together.

So, when Natalie suggested that Zane pick her up from school, both ladies were a bit surprised. Mrs. Vaughn even called to ask carefully, fearing Natalie was planning to escape, while Mrs. Thorne went to Zane’s place early in the morning.

The night before, Zane had worked until three in the morning, and when he woke up, he saw his mother already sitting in the living room, having prepared tea and waiting.

Zane found it amusing.

"Mom, are you afraid I won’t show up?"

Mrs. Thorne put down her cup, looking at Zane’s messy hair with a furrowed brow.

"If I don’t come, who knows what strange outfit you’d wear?"

Zane paused in his drinking, pulling a wry face. His mom always thought he was still in his racing phase from years ago. Feeling annoyed, he subconsciously reached for his pocket.

Mrs. Thorne, perceptive as she was, noticed this action and placed her teacup down heavily.

"Are you still smoking all the time?"

Zane: ....

"You know smoking is bad for your health. Your dad quit years ago!"

Zane raised his hand, tousling his hair in frustration, taking a deep breath to calm the agitation in his heart.

"The young lady is nice and obedient; she can’t stand the smell of smoke."

Mrs. Thorne had a good plan; she managed to persuade the elder ones in the family to quit smoking, but the younger one was left to be influenced by his future daughter-in-law.

Upon hearing this, Zane suddenly recalled the so-called nice and obedient young lady swinging a signboard at a big burly man’s head that night as his mother described.

He chuckled.

"Aren’t you afraid your son is too much for the young lady to handle?"

Mrs. Thorne’s brows furrowed at first, then relaxed.

"You haven’t reached that point yet."

She knew her son well; he just loved dangerous things, leading a rougher life. But what could she do? It ran in the family.

"Hurry up and change into something decent. You’re going to pick up Nina from school later."

Zane raised an eyebrow, not finding it troublesome. After agreeing to go on this blind date, he was already mentally prepared.

Astra University is one of the top schools in Astra City, located in a bustling university district, with several gates for entry.

Zane drove to the south gate and then called the number his mom sent over.

The line was busy.

Natalie was on a call with Phoebe Quinn, who dialed in after learning about the blind date mission scheduled for that afternoon.

"Babe, you go girl, win over God Thorne! I’ll bask in your glory!"

Natalie raised an eyebrow.

"When did I say I wanted to win him over?"

Phoebe on the other end snorted confidently.

"Don’t I know you? If you weren’t interested in God Thorne at all, why would the Vaughn Family’s young lady obediently go on a blind date?"

Natalie, she looked well-behaved but was pretty determined inside. No one could force her to do something she didn’t want to.

Listening to Phoebe’s words, Natalie smirked, not arguing. She was indeed curious about Zane. As for whether she wanted to win him over...

That remained to be seen.

As soon as the call ended, her phone rang again. Seeing an unfamiliar number on the screen, Natalie couldn’t help but grip it a bit tighter.

After all, it was her first time facing such a man, and nervousness was inevitable.

Once connected, the other end wasted no time.

"I’m at the south gate."

The voice was still deep and husky, and through the phone, it was electrifying.

Natalie moved the phone away, pinching her earlobe, recognizing the graininess in his voice, likely having just smoked.

"I’m at the north gate."

The other end went silent for a moment; Natalie thought he hadn’t heard clearly and was about to repeat when a brief laugh came through.

"Wait there."

Then the call was disconnected.

Looking at the phone screen, Natalie frowned slightly in displeasure. That laugh reminded her of her straight fall to the ground that day.

If she remembered correctly, Zane had laughed that time too.

Although Zane might not have known who she was then, he’d surely remember today when they meet. Just thinking about that embarrassing moment gave Natalie a headache.

Friday seemed more lively than usual on campus as Natalie stood under a tree at the school gate, watching people come and go, lost in thought.

She always felt that the vibrant youth of campus life didn’t match her. It was fine in high school, but this feeling grew stronger in university. It resulted in her not making a single friend at school. But with Phoebe and Aaron Channing around, she didn’t feel lonely.

Relationships depend on circles and fate. She had once held onto the hope of blending in, but within a month or two, she gave up. Now, in her seventh year here, she only felt familiarity with the school, nothing more.

The school was large, but driving across campus took only ten minutes or so, and since Zane drove directly over, Natalie didn’t wait too long.

When the car stopped before her, Natalie snapped out of her thoughts and slowly began to take a closer look.

It was a city SUV, its jet-black body shining under the sunlight, making the originally mild weather seem brighter.

Natalie thought Zane must be a meticulous person; regardless of whether the car looked like this due to care or a pre-meeting wash, it was pleasing to the eye. Natalie suddenly smirked, realizing she often noticed odd details.

As the window slowly rolled down, she gazed steadily, unflinching. Gradually, the figure seated inside the driver’s seat was revealed.

Just like the last time she saw him, except his hair was styled, with a high nose bridge, sharp jawline, and a sexy Adam’s apple.

Natalie’s brow arched slightly; how could there be such a man? So strikingly handsome, with just a side profile exuding masculinity.

Zane turned his head, lazily lifting his eyelids to meet Natalie’s eyes.

Seemingly casual, yet Natalie inexplicably felt an invasion in his gaze; he knew it well but didn’t bother concealing it. Natalie halted her breath, gripping her bag tight, sensing a familiar pressure.

Why didn’t he seem surprised at all? Was it because she had worn a hat that day and wasn’t recognized?

These questions quickly surfaced in Natalie’s mind.

The man rested a hand on the steering wheel, his lazy posture entirely within Natalie’s view. Without saying a word, she still sensed a hint of impatience.

Glancing at the car, then the handle on the passenger door, she doubted he’d get out to open the door for her.

Unfazed, she stepped forward, opened the door, and got in. While buckling her seatbelt, she heard a brief chuckle beside her. Momentarily pausing, her brow furrowed slightly. She could tell his laugh wasn’t mocking, possibly even approving of her choice to sit in the passenger seat.

But his laugh mildly annoyed her, always reminding her of that embarrassing moment.

Natalie didn’t hold back, directly asking.

"What are you laughing at?"