She opted for minimal jewelry, leaving her fingers without any rings.

The dress, both simple and stylish, accentuated her graceful figure.

As she walked down the street, she noticed men occasionally admiring her, which made her feel self-conscious.

"I'm too old for this attire... This is all because of Ian."

Julie didn't look at herself in the mirror. Otherwise, she would've noticed the unique kind of annoyance etched on her face, a kind only young women in love often have.

She quickly located the coffee shop.

It was a cozy, small place with a warm, all-wood decor that felt genuinely inviting.

There was Ian, already waiting for Julie.

He rose to greet Julie the moment she stepped in.

“Hey... It's nice to meet you, Ian," Julie said, a bit taken aback to see Ian looking unexpectedly handsome today.

Usually buried in lab work, Ian had a pale but healthy complexion and an air of an academic.

Today, he wore a brown plaid suit and round glasses, resembling a classic, government-sponsored student studying abroad.

The look was a bit dated, but Ian pulled it off with a gentlemanly charm, He was well-built and had pleasing features, looking distinguished rather than dowdy in his middle years.

In Julie's eyes, who considered this a date, Ian's appearance was faultless.

They exchanged glances, and just as Julie was about to break the ice, Ian said earnestly, “Julie, this is the first time I've invited you on a date. Thank you for coming."

Julie was somewhat amused.

Why did Ian mention the word "date"? He was just too blunt.

Sitting down, Julie felt awkward.

Julie realized she and Ian were the only ones left in the coffee shop, aside from the middle-aged woman behind the counter. The woman, who looked younger than her, kept glancing at them with a knowing smirk. Who was she anyway?

Julie's mind raced, suspecting the woman had some connection to Ian.

“Wait. It couldn't be that absurd, right? Could this woman be secretly into Ian, while he's clueless, thinking they're just friends?

And here he is, bringing me to her place for a ‘date'?" Julie muttered to herself.

Julie's discomfort grew. She felt like she was squirming on a bed of nails.

Trying to hide her unease, she reached for the menu.