Through Jiang Ran and Xia Xiaomei's joint efforts, Xia Xiaomei's makeup was finally done.

Jiang Ran suggested that Xia Xiaomei avoid heavy makeup and opt for a light, natural look instead.

The biggest difference before and after makeup was that her skin appeared much fairer, and the freckles on her face were concealed.

Overall, she definitely looked better than without makeup. After all, fair skin could hide many flaws.

However, her facial features were naturally plain, and her makeup skills were just average.

It was passable at best!

After finishing her makeup, Xia Xiaomei kept examining her face in the mirror.

Jiang Ran then said, "Since the makeup is done, do you need help with anything else? If not, I'll head home."

Xia Xiaomei replied, "There's nothing else I need your help with for now."

"By the way, Jiang Ran, are you going to attend this matchmaking event?"

Jiang Ran nodded. "I am, but I'm just going to make up the numbers."

Xia Xiaomei said, "Then let's go now. It's almost time."

Only then did Jiang Ran notice that the sky outside the window had darkened.

He checked his phone—it was already 6:30 PM.

The matchmaking event would start in half an hour.

"Alright, let's head straight to the first floor."

Afterward, Jiang Ran and Xia Xiaomei went downstairs together.

Jiang Ran was dressed as usual, while Xia Xiaomei had put in considerable effort—not just with her makeup but also by choosing nice clothes.

Perhaps fate was playing a cruel joke on her, as Xia Xiaomei's figure was... well, rather unremarkable, lacking in both height and curves.

When they reached the first floor, they immediately spotted a conspicuous pink heart-shaped sign.

Following the sign, they arrived at the venue for the matchmaking event.

The event was being held in the same activity room where welcome parties usually took place.

But upon entering, Jiang Ran suddenly realized the room seemed much larger than before—almost twice as big.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the wall separating this activity room from the adjacent one wasn't solid but could be retracted upward.

No wonder the room felt inexplicably bigger—it was actually two activity rooms combined into one!

"Xiaomei, I'm going to grab some food first. I'm a bit hungry."

Shortly after entering, aside from noticing the expanded space, Jiang Ran also saw the array of delicious dishes laid out on serving trays.

Even if he weren't attending the event, this would normally be his dinnertime.

Drawn by the food, his stomach growled loudly.

After telling Xia Xiaomei, he immediately made a beeline for the buffet.

Meanwhile, Xia Xiaomei stayed behind, nervously scanning the crowd—especially the men.

As time passed, more and more people arrived.

Jiang Ran hadn't expected such a large turnout—he'd assumed there'd be at most a dozen people, but there were easily over a hundred.

With so many gathered for the matchmaking event, the points in Jiang Ran's mind skyrocketed like an explosion.

[Ding! Detected dangerous individual! Please distance yourself immediately! Points +1! Points +...]

[Ding! Detected dangerous individual! Please distance yourself immediately! Points +3! Points +...]

As usual, Jiang Ran ignored these warnings and focused on the sizzling beef and lamb slices on the grill.

The aroma of the perfectly grilled meat, glistening with oil, was irresistible. Dipped in the specially prepared sauce, it was absolutely delicious!

While eating, he glanced around and soon spotted the fitness trainer, Sun Yijie, chatting animatedly with an unfamiliar woman.

When Jiang Ran turned his head to look for other acquaintances, he nearly bumped into a man standing right beside him.

Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Wang Anjian, the new resident.

"Here for the matchmaking event too?" Jiang Ran asked.

Having just moved into Alice Apartment, Wang Anjian knew very few people, and Jiang Ran was one of them.

Wang Anjian smiled. "Yeah! But I'm not here to find a date—just for the free food."

Suffering from a severe illness, Wang Anjian had no illusions about finding a girlfriend with his body, which might only last a few more months.

He was here purely for the buffet—after all, he'd never eaten at one before and wanted to try it.

"Oh, I see!" Jiang Ran said. "Same here. Dig in! Otherwise, all this food will go to waste, and that'd be a shame."

With that, he took another bite of grilled beef.

Just then, a pleasant female voice sounded beside him.

"Jiang Ran, you're here too?"

Turning around, Jiang Ran saw Qin Kelian.

Tonight, she was dressed simply in a white shirt and jeans—unlike her usual figure-hugging stepmother-style dresses.

Noticing Qin Kelian, Wang Anjian tactfully excused himself to give them space.

Jiang Ran said, "Yeah, but I'm just here to fill a seat. You're participating? Where's your sister?"

Qin Kelian pouted toward a direction. "Over there!"

Following her gaze, Jiang Ran saw Qin Yi laughing and chatting over red wine with a man in his twenties.

"Wait, neither of you sisters have boyfriends? You'd actually come to something like this?"

Jiang Ran was puzzled. Women of their caliber shouldn't have any trouble finding partners.

Qin Kelian replied playfully, "Why do you care if we have boyfriends or not? What, you wanna chase after us? Just so you know, if you're after me, you can't go after my sister, and vice versa. No two-timing!"

Jiang Ran just smiled without responding.

Suddenly, a microphone test echoed through the speakers—*ahem, ahem*—followed by adjustments.

Once everything was set, Manager Xiao Zhang, dressed in a black suit with a red tie, stepped onto the stage with a microphone.

This was the first time Jiang Ran had seen the manager in a suit, and he had to admit—clothes really made the man. He looked the part.

With a smile, Manager Xiao Zhang announced into the microphone:

"Welcome, everyone, to the first Alice Apartment Matchmaking Event, hosted by yours truly, Xiao Zhang!"

"This event aims to help our single residents find love! Make the most of your time—it ends at 9 PM!"

"Additionally, to improve efficiency, I encourage brave men and women to take the stage, introduce yourselves, and showcase your charms!"