Chapter 8

Hearing Zhang Xian's shocking statement, Liu Dongxu was left utterly stunned.

Wait, can you really live like this?

At twenty-two, Zhang Xian planned to lie flat for life.

Not only would he leech off his parents and sister, but he even counted his future wife—still unmarried—and his potential son, whose existence wasn't even guaranteed!

This is just too shameless!

Liu Dongxu had always thought his own thick skin was impressive, but today he realized: there are always people above people, heavens beyond heavens.

Yet in his view, this was utterly impossible. This book is originally published on Tiantiankan Xiaoshuo, ttks. tw — trust only this platform for error-free, properly ordered chapters.

Leeching off parents or sister might still be possible, but leeching off a wife? That's nearly impossible—modern women are sharp as knives; who'd let him do it?

Unless he finds an old woman significantly older than him.

Hmm, that's actually another option—given Zhang Xian's age and appearance, landing a wealthy woman isn't out of the question.

"Big Bro Xian, you're awesome!"

"Wishing you success!"

As the saying goes, everyone has their own aspirations; Liu Dongxu couldn't say much, so he just smirked and gave a thumbs-up.

"Big Bro Xian, I'm heading home—my dad's been nagging me nonstop."

"Let's grab a drink sometime!"

On the way home, Liu Dongxu received a WeChat message from his dad, telling him to hurry back—there was an emergency.

"Dongxu, listen to your brother's advice."

"Wang Jiajia has terrible character!"

Zhang Xian weighed his words carefully, then decided to be a good person—even though he and Liu Dongxu had fallen out in high school, that was ancient history now; they'd grown up together, and Zhang Xian didn't want to see him walk into a firepit.

But Liu Dongxu looked utterly confused: "Who's Wang Jiajia??"

Liu Fusheng hadn't mentioned matchmaking in his WeChat message, so Liu Dongxu had no idea who Wang Jiajia was.

"Just remember what I said."

Zhang Xian shrugged—there was no way to explain this in detail.

"Alright, got it!"

Liu Dongxu returned home in a daze, and as soon as he walked in, he saw a beautiful "good girl."

Having seen too many wild, fashion-forward "overseas students" in the United States, a demure girl like Wang Jiajia was rare—she instantly caught his eye, and he stared at her unblinkingly.

Seeing Liu Dongxu's expression, Liu Fusheng, Sun Fengyan, and Wang Shulan—all experienced adults—immediately understood his thoughts, and all three smiled.

Wang Jiajia, meanwhile, lowered her head in "shyness," putting on a bashful demeanor.

She'd seen plenty of men's true intentions—she knew exactly what was going through their minds!

"Dongxu, this is Wang Jiajia, Wang Shulan's niece."

"Jiajia, this is Dongxu—he just returned from studying in the United States and went straight to his interview today."

Sun Fengyan beamed as she introduced them.

"Hello."

Wang Jiajia greeted him warmly, head still slightly bowed, still playing the shy girl.

"Hello, hello."

Liu Dongxu snapped back to reality and stammered his greetings, but inside he was puzzled: So this is Wang Jiajia—the one Zhang Xian said had terrible character.

But this girl clearly looks like a good girl!

What did Zhang Xian mean by that?

"Dongxu, how was the interview?"

"With your overseas background, big companies must be fighting over you, right?"

Wang Shulan smiled sweetly.

"Uh, this is just the first round—there are still second and third rounds. Big companies have complicated interview processes."

"But judging by the interviewers' attitudes, it should be fine—in fact, the choice is mine, not theirs!"

Liu Dongxu bragged.

"Of course! Someone like you, a top graduate returning from overseas, big companies will be lining up to hire you!"

Wang Shulan immediately agreed, then added with a smile: "Dongxu, since you're back now, why don't you two chat alone? We'll go out for a walk."

"Yes, yes, go chat alone."

Sun Fengyan nodded vigorously, then grabbed Liu Fusheng and pulled him toward the door.

"Sister Wang, Brother Liu, I think these two kids are a match—maybe we'll be in-laws soon!"

Outside in the courtyard, Wang Shulan beamed.

"Exactly! Our Dongxu's eyes were glued to her—clearly he's smitten with Jiajia!"

Sun Fengyan knew her son well; she tugged Wang Shulan's arm and whispered: "Shulan, you said Jiajia's from Guicheng, right? I heard the bride price there is high—is that true?"

"You're talking about remote villages—Jiajia's family is from the county town. Their financial situation isn't great, but they won't make outrageous demands on bride price."

"Still, bride price customs are indeed stronger in Guicheng than in Beijing. If both kids are fine with it, I'll talk to Jiajia's mom—eighteen hundred thousand should be enough."

"Sister Sun, with your family's means, eighteen hundred thousand is nothing!"

Wang Shulan was skilled at conversation—she immediately put Liu Fusheng and Sun Fengyan on the spot.

Hearing the number eighteen hundred thousand, Sun Fengyan instinctively glanced at Liu Fusheng—they'd once been financially stable, but these past few years funding Liu Dongxu's studies in the United States had nearly drained them dry.

Eighteen hundred thousand was now a massive sum for them—they were both retired, living only on pensions, with no more gray income like when they worked.

Inside the house.

Liu Dongxu rubbed his hands with a smile: "Jiajia, to be honest, before I met you, I had serious reservations about matchmaking—especially since I'm an overseas returnee. What century are we in, still doing this?"

"Still, after meeting you, I finally understood — this is what they call fate!"

"You sure know how to chat."

Wang Jiajia said coquettishly, "You must have had plenty of girlfriends before!"

"I've only dated two."

"What about you?"

"I've never dated anyone!"

Wang Jiajia said softly, "My dad died early, and my mom's health isn't great. I started working and earning money very young — I never had time for a relationship."

"Really?"

Liu Dongxu's eyes lit up; the excitement on his face was already impossible to hide.

When a man is playing the field, sure, he looks for someone experienced, fun, and easy-going — the point is to have a good time.

But if he's in it for the long haul, of course he hopes the other person is a blank slate.

It's just that, in today's social environment, finding a "blank slate" is way too hard!

And now this low-probability event had actually landed on his own head — naturally, Liu Dongxu was thrilled!

Mainly because Wang Jiajia had given him the impression of someone untouched by the world, and her answer had just confirmed his judgment.

She really was a rare good girl!

"Of course it's true — it's not something you can fake."

Wang Jiajia replied softly, putting on a wronged look at being doubted.

But in her heart she was silently grumbling: I've already had the repair surgery done, and if it's not enough I can add a bit of pigeon blood — the effect will be even more perfect. How could I not fool you, you fake foreigner?

"Don't take it to heart, I was just asking casually."

Liu Dongxu chuckled, then cleared his throat and said solemnly, "Jiajia, you know I just got back from the United States, and my way of thinking and doing things hasn't changed overnight. Over there they like being straightforward, so I'll just come out and say it."

"I think you're pretty great. If you think I'm not bad either, let's try seeing each other!"

"Ah, this..."

Wang Jiajia pretended to be flustered, putting on a troubled look.

"You think I'm not good enough for you?"

Liu Dongxu pressed.

"No, that line should be mine."

Wang Jiajia shook her head: "You're a returned student, and I'm only a vocational college graduate. You're from Beijing, I'm from a small county town. If we got together, it'd be me reaching above my station."

"Then what are you hesitating about?"

"I, I just feel it's a bit sudden."

"After all, this is only our first meeting."

Wang Jiajia nodded slightly, playing the old push-and-pull game.

"That's what they call love at first sight!"

"Anyway, I've got my eye on you!"

Liu Dongxu said with conviction, and to prove his loyalty, he sold out Zhang Xian on the spot: "Let me tell you, Jiajia — when I came back earlier, my childhood buddy Zhang Xian, who lives next door, was actually bad-mouthing you!"

"But I trust my own judgment — you're definitely not the kind of person he described!"

"Zhang Xian was bad-mouthing me?"

Wang Jiajia snorted coldly: "That guy is so petty! Just because I didn't fancy him, he goes behind my back slandering me — what kind of person is that?"

"You didn't fancy him?"

"What do you mean by that — did you two also go on a blind date??" Liu Dongxu asked curiously.

Wang Jiajia nodded and complained: "Actually, I came here today to meet him on a blind date. But he's so unreliable — he said that after marriage he'd let me support him, and told me to hand over my pay card. A grown man actually saying something that shameless — what a weirdo!"

"He really said that to you?"

"As if I'd make it up! He even said all the housework should be done by me..."

"Whew, I thought he was just talking big — I didn't expect he was actually serious!"

Liu Dongxu was completely dumbfounded. When Zhang Xian had told him this earlier, he'd assumed the guy was just bragging and shooting his mouth off.

Never in a million years did he expect Zhang Xian actually talked to his blind date like that.

After not seeing each other for years, how is Zhang Xian's brain still not right? Still, this really is thirty years on one side of the river, thirty on the other!

Back then, Lin Xiwei didn't fancy me — she liked him.

And now the woman who doesn't fancy him is about to become my wife!

Sure enough, once you step out of school, every halo dissolves into nothing.

So what if he was the music prodigy of his high-school days?

Isn't he now just lying at home living off his parents!

Liu Dongxu felt a wave of emotion, and Wang Jiajia's experience of not fancying Zhang Xian became yet another point in her favor.

He even felt a sense of "vengeance finally served" in his heart.

"Jiajia, I won't be like Zhang Xian. Once we're married, I'll hand over my pay card, and I'll definitely do my share of the housework too. A real man spoils his wife to the moon!"

"Someone like Zhang Xian will never get a wife in his life!"

After saying that, Liu Dongxu asked with a sincere face: "Jiajia, if you agree to be with me, just nod."

"Do you mean what you say?"

"I do!"

"Of course I do — if I go back on my word, I won't be able to stand up for the rest of my life!"

Liu Dongxu declared with solemn conviction.

"Alright, I trust you!"

Wang Jiajia nodded lightly.

"You mean, you agree?"

Liu Dongxu pressed, seizing the moment.

"Mm!"

Wang Jiajia nodded again.

"Jiajia, don't worry, I'll treat you well!"

Liu Dongxu excitedly grabbed Wang Jiajia's hand, and the latter hurriedly pretended to shyly break free.

"Sorry, I got too excited."

Liu Dongxu quickly let go, but his gaze couldn't help wandering over Wang Jiajia. When he was in the United States, he'd naturally had girlfriends before, and FWB too, but he really hadn't encountered a good-girl type like Wang Jiajia, so naturally he was drooling.

Next door, the Zhang Family.

"Idiot, all you know is feeding lanes, the base is almost gone..."

"Bro, back me up! Back me up, you know..."

Zhang Xian was lying in bed cursing while playing a game, when a snow-white palm suddenly blocked his view.

"Zhaodi, cut it out!"

Zhang Xian instinctively assumed it was his third sister Zhang Zhaodi, but that hand directly snatched his phone away, and then a commanding female voice rang out: "All you do all day is play games, how's the job search going?"

"Uh, big sis."

Zhang Xian naturally recognized that voice. He quickly sat up on the bed, and sure enough, standing by his bed, the one who had taken his phone was his eldest sister Zhang Xinan.

"Big sis, why are you back?"

"Hasn't work been busy lately?"

Zhang Xinan is a police officer, and in the rather busy Economic Investigation Brigade at that. She often worked overtime, and although she still lived in Beijing after getting married, she didn't come home often.

"This is my home too, I come back whenever I want!"

Zhang Xinan glared at her hopeless brother.

"Naturally."

Zhang Xian smiled and nodded: "But today's not the weekend either. Did you have a fight with Zhao Shuyang?"

"Let me tell you, big sis, that Zhao Shuyang guy just has a sharp tongue. A university teacher, and not a shred of being a role model. This time we're not going back. We'll stay home for a while. When he comes to our door shirtless, kneeling on bare knees to beg forgiveness, then you can consider forgiving him..."

Before Zhang Xian could finish, a familiar male voice suddenly rang out from outside the bedroom door.

"Zhang Xian, you little punk, aren't you something!"

"When you want money it's 'brother-in-law' this and 'brother-in-law' that, and now it's just Zhao Shuyang, huh!"

"Uh..."

Zhang Xian craned his neck to look outside, and sure enough, brother-in-law Zhao Shuyang was standing right at the door.

"Ahem, brother-in-law, don't take it seriously, I was just going through the motions, just going through the motions. After all, she's my own sister, I've got to be on her side, right!"

Zhang Xian said with an awkward, ingratiating smile, trying to cover for himself.

"With that glib tongue of yours, how come you still can't find a job?"

"Any old sales job wouldn't be hard to find!"

Zhao Shuyang shook his head lightly.

"Finding a job isn't hard. What's hard is finding a good job with prospects and room for growth."

"I call it 'rather go without than settle for less'!"

Zhang Xian said with great conviction.

"Put away your 'rather go without than settle for less'!"

Zhang Xinan glared fiercely at Zhang Xian: "Your brother-in-law's university is hiring a library manager. He's already spoken to the supervisor in charge. You go to the interview, just go through the motions."

"Xiaoxian, the library manager job is very easy, and most of the people you'd interact with are female college students. You're not much older than them either. Who knows, you might even solve your personal problem!"

Zhao Shuyang added from the side.

After hearing the two of them, Zhang Xian felt a bit depressed. He knew his big sis and brother-in-law meant well.

If this were before the system activated, he would have thanked them profusely and gone to take the job. Just as Zhao Shuyang said, the library manager job was very easy, with plenty of chances to find a partner. That kind of job wasn't easy to come by, and without connections, getting past the interview would be tough too.

But the situation was different now. Zhang Xian really couldn't afford to work this job even for a single day.

Otherwise, the loss would be huge!