Chapter 224: Xu Damao's Blind Date

The stranger captured on the rainy night and that "silence, awaiting aid" code weighed on Li Ping'an's mind like a heavy stone, and also added a hidden current beneath the Siheyuan's calm façade that ordinary people do not know.

He stepped up covert surveillance of the courtyard, and Wang Dahu's side was quietly re‑checking residents' backgrounds; for a moment, tension spread both inside and outside the courtyard.

Yet life always follows its own path, especially regarding marriage.

Xu Damao has lately seemed elusive, and his usual slick smile now contains a rare solemnity and a barely perceptible determination.

He no longer, at the slightest stir, shouts throughout the courtyard; instead he's become quieter, often disappearing after work.

This abnormal silence naturally drew the attention of the watchful residents.

Sha Zhu whispered privately to Ma Dongmei, "That Xu Damao kid, has he changed? Why isn't he letting out any gas? Could he be holding something bad?"

Ma Dongmei, while picking at the shoe sole, said without looking up, "Whatever, a dog can't stop eating shit. Don't bother him; just live our own lives."

The only ones who truly know the inside story are Xu Damao himself and his father Xu Fugui.

Since moving into the cinema‑assigned house, Xu Fugui hasn't been idle. He has some old connections, and they landed him a "huge potential" lead in his eyes—the former Steel Rolling Mill's owner, Lou Zhenhua.

Though Lou Zhenhua's plant is now a public‑private partnership and he only holds a nominal consultant title, a skinny camel is still larger than a horse; his wealth remains ample.

More importantly, Xu Damao's mother once worked as a maid for the Lou family, creating a familial tie; Xu Fugui, flattering himself, approached them and could still strike up conversation.

It's said Lou Zhenhua wants to find a worker‑farmer class son‑in‑law for his daughter Lou Xiaoe, to balance the family's composition, and that's Xu Damao's chance.

That night, Xu Fugui specifically summoned Xu Damao to his new residence, closed the door, and lowered his voice: "Damao, I've found a good family for you. You know Lou Zhenhua, right? The former big boss of the Steel Rolling Mill! His daughter, Lou Xiaoe, is a proper genteel lady, attended a girls' school! Her looks and upbringing are flawless!"

Upon hearing it, Xu Damao's eyes lit up, but a hint of doubt flashed: "The Lou family? Aren't they… capitalists? Given the current situation…"

"What do you know!" Xu Fugui glared, looking like iron that won't become steel, "Exactly because they're capitalists they're keeping a low profile now! Their foundation is solid—leak a drop between your fingertips and it'll keep you comfortable for half a lifetime! Besides, Lou Zhenhua has only this one daughter, cherished like an eye. If you become his son‑in‑law, how could they ever mistreat you?"

Xu Damao's eyes flicked, and the mental calculator in his head clicked into gear.

The Lou family's wealth is hugely attractive to him, yet he knows marrying a capitalist's daughter isn't without risk now.

He pondered, "So… what does the Lou side mean?"

"I mentioned it to Lou Zhenhua; he didn't flat‑out refuse, just said let the young man meet first."

Xu Fugui's face showed smugness, "That's the opening! My old ties with your mother still work. It's set: the day after tomorrow, Sunday, at Beihai Park, you'll meet the Lou family's daughter. Remember, perform well! Put away that slick talk and at least act steady! This is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance!"

Xu Damao felt both excited and nervous.

Naturally he wanted to climb this connection, not just for money; Lou Xiaoe's "genteel lady" status would give him great face, enough to outshine Sha Zhu's rustic wife.

But he also knew the matter must stay quiet; if it fails or leaks, it would bring trouble.

So he forced down his excitement, kept a calm façade, even with a deliberately low‑key demeanor.

Returning to the Siheyuan, when faced with Sha Zhu's probing jokes and Yan Bu Gui's curious inquiries, he was vague, saying it was arranged by his parents, still uncertain, and refused to reveal a single word.

This abnormal caution only cemented the suspicion that he had something hidden.

On Sunday, Xu Damao meticulously dressed, wearing his best cotton‑blend shirt and wool trousers, hair perfectly combed, even borrowing a watch to wear, and left early.

Beihai Park, green willows brushed the water, tourists swarmed like a tapestry.

After waiting only a short while at the meeting spot, Xu Damao saw a girl in a plain dress, her hair in two braids, approaching slowly accompanied by a middle‑aged woman.

That girl was Lou Xiaoe.

She was not tall, but her skin was fair, features delicate, exuding a scholarly air; her eyes held some curiosity and a hint of the aloof reserve typical of her background. She glanced at Xu Damao, gave a slight nod, as a greeting.

The accompanying middle‑aged woman was a matchmaker; after a brief introduction, she politely stood a short distance away to wait.

Xu Damao quickly mustered what he thought was the most proper, sincere smile and approached: "Lou… Comrade Lou Xiaoe, hello, I am Xu Damao."

He deliberately used the term "comrade" to bridge the gap, while flaunting his "progressiveness."

Lou Xiaoe gave a light "mm," as a response.

The two walked slowly along the lake shore, the atmosphere tinged with a subtle awkwardness.

Xu Damao racked his brain for topics. He dared not flaunt his Projectionist experiences for fear of seeming frivolous; nor mention the factory, lest he touch the Lou family's sensitive past.

In the end, he could only ask dry questions like "What books do you like to read?" or "What hobbies do you have?"

Lou Xiaoe's answers were brief, with obvious detachment. She seemed uninterested in the blind date, treating it more as fulfilling her parents' arrangement.

Xu Damao felt a bit anxious inside, but kept a smile, striving to show his "steadiness" and "sincerity."

He boasted that he was an official Projectionist at the Steel Rolling Mill, how important his work was, how valued he was by superiors (vaguely), and hinted that he was young and promising with a bright future.

Lou Xiaoe simply listened quietly, occasionally glancing up at him, her eyes revealing no emotion.

The blind date ended in this neither warm nor cold atmosphere.

Xu Damao felt as if he'd fought a battle, exhausted to the bone, yet couldn't discern what she truly meant.

Back in the courtyard, he kept his mouth shut even tighter.

Sha Zhu leaned in, winking, "Damao, how was it? Which girl? Let the guys cheer for you too!"

Xu Damao, uncertain, waved irritably, "Go away! Get lost! It's nothing at all, why pry!"

His evasive demeanor only spurred more speculation in the courtyard.

Only Li Ping'an in the Xi Kua Yuan, from Xu Damao's recent unusual low profile and occasional agitation, vaguely sensed something out of the ordinary.

Yet his focus now remained on eliminating hostile covert threats, so he paid little heed to the courtyard's romantic affairs. He merely subconsciously thought Xu Damao's matchmaking was probably not that simple.

In this sensitive period, tying oneself to a family like the Lous is itself a risk.

Xu Damao, in anxious anticipation, awaited the Lou family's response, his heart in turmoil, hoping to climb the high branch yet vaguely fearing the trouble it might bring.

His fate seemed tied to the outcome of this secret blind date.

And the Siheyuan, this seemingly closed‑off micro‑society, is about to be stirred by this possible upcoming marriage, causing new, unexpected ripples.