Chapter 42: Blind Date Diary

Hearing Liu Ying's words, everyone at the table fell silent and turned their gaze toward her.

"One of the girls from our unit, named Chen Wan, also just graduated last year from Jinghai University's Art College," Liu Ying explained.

"Is she the new host of the county TV station's latest program?" Fang Jianhua interjected.

"Yes, that's her—her appearance and demeanor are impeccable, she's the same age as Xiao Ye, her family background is average, both parents are factory workers, but since they only have one daughter, the family burden isn't heavy. What do you think?"

After speaking, Liu Ying looked around, seeking everyone's opinion.

"Family background doesn't need to be too high—character comes first," Father Fang Jianwen spoke up first.

"Jianwen's right! When choosing a partner, you must find a girl with proper moral character!" Grandfather Fang Guisheng agreed.

Fang Jianhua frowned and turned to his wife with a question: "Liu Ying, this Chen Wan you mentioned—she's a host now, but what about the future? She can't be a host forever, can she?"

"How could she?" Liu Ying glanced at her husband and continued:

"Look at our Director Miao—he used to be a host too, now he's deputy director, and I hear he's about to be promoted to director."

"Hmm. I've heard that too—it's practically settled," Fang Jianhua nodded. "Then Chen Wan is fine."

"Liu Ying, do you know Chen Wan's birth chart? Is it compatible with Xiao Ye's?" The mother-in-law seated at the head of the table asked.

"Mom, I've quietly inquired—her birth chart matches Xiao Ye's perfectly, don't worry!" Liu Ying smiled.

"Good then, introduce them quickly—don't let a good girl slip away," the grandmother's face lit up with joy.

Liu Ying nodded and turned to the quiet Zhang Meili beside her: "Big sister, what's your opinion?"

"I have no opinion—as long as they like each other," Zhang Meili said.

"Then it's settled! I'll call Chen Wan tomorrow at work!" Liu Ying said immediately.

Wait…

Didn't you even ask for my opinion as the person involved?!

Fang Qingye was speechless.

Forget it—I'd only get attacked if I spoke up now.

Just eat.

Fang Qingye silently picked up a bite of food and put it in his mouth.

Aunt Liu Ying was efficient—by the next afternoon, while Fang Qingye was still at work, she called him: "Xiao Ye, Chen Wan agreed! You're meeting tonight! Seven o'clock at White Birch Café—you know the place?"

Liu Ying's voice was loud, even over the phone.

"I know—it's the new one on Changle Road," Fang Qingye replied.

"Right! Young people love romance… You get there first, don't make the girl wait for you!"

"Okay, I understand."

"Dress neatly! Oh, and drive your new car!" Liu Ying added from the other end.

"Don't worry, Auntie," Fang Qingye said, helpless.

Can't I just skip it?

No, you can't.

After hanging up, Fang Qingye saw Cao Ting watching him, smiling: "Xiao Fang, going on a blind date tonight?"

"No, no such thing—I'm meeting a classmate," Fang Qingye hurried to cover up.

"Heh… I heard everything. Young people dating is normal—why hide it? Whose girl is it? Which unit?" Cao Ting pressed.

"This…" Fang Qingye really didn't want to say.

Seeing Fang Qingye's expression, Cao Ting dropped it: "Fine, I won't ask. Xiao Fang, if this blind date fails, I'll introduce you to someone else."

I @#￥%…

Fang Qingye had no idea what to say.

After work and dinner, Fang Qingye changed into a clean T-shirt, casual pants, and sneakers, then went downstairs and drove his new car straight to Changle Road.

White Birch Café was located midway along Changle Road; inside, the decor was cozy, and soft piano music played from the speakers—Richard Clayderman's "Ballade pour Adeline."

The café wasn't crowded—this slightly bourgeois lifestyle wasn't popular in a small county, nowhere near as busy as the hot pot restaurant across the street.

Fang Qingye picked a random empty seat and sat down; within minutes, he saw two tall girls walk in.

Oh my…

Fang Qingye knew them both!

The girl in the dress was Chen Wan—he'd seen her on the county TV program—and the other, dressed in blue sportswear, was Du Juan, who he'd played badminton with!

This is insane—blind date with a best friend tagging along.

But then again, it made sense.

Fang Qingye stood and walked over to the two girls, greeting them politely.

"Hello, I'm Fang Qingye."

"No need to introduce—I'm Du Juan, your badminton partner," Chen Wan said cheerfully.

"Hi, Fang Qingye," Du Juan also greeted him warmly.

"Hello," Fang Qingye replied.

At this moment, Fang Qingye noticed Du Juan was barefaced, as usual—skinny and dark-skinned.

Chen Wan was indeed beautiful—classic oval face, long hair cascading over her shoulders, resembling Liu Shishi.

But her makeup was heavy, giving the impression she'd just finished a show and rushed over without removing it.

Of course, Fang Qingye dismissed the thought instantly, smiling as he invited the two girls to sit across from him.

"What would you like to drink?" Fang Qingye asked.

"Whatever you choose," Chen Wan said; Du Juan beside her nodded.

Fang Qingye thought for a moment, then called the waiter and ordered two mochas—latte with chocolate syrup, rich with coffee's depth and chocolate's sweetness, perfect for girls.

He, meanwhile, ordered an Americano.

Besides coffee, Fang Qingye also ordered a plate of small cakes as a snack, and the three of them drank and chatted.

Actually, there wasn't much to talk about; after some idle chatter, Chen Wan asked Fang Qinglin about his work situation, and he answered truthfully.

"I work in the General Office; my main job is writing materials."

"Isn't that equivalent to a leader's secretary? I heard secretaries get promoted very quickly. I have a schoolmate working in the County Organization Department, specifically writing materials for the leaders; after only five years on the job, he was promoted last year to Deputy Town Mayor of Liulin Town," Chen Wan said.

"You're talking about government departments," Fang Qingye said with a smile. "Banks are quite different from them; they are highly operational units that place greater emphasis on individual professional skills, work performance, and so on. Of course, there are also connections and background... that cannot be denied; every unit is like that."

Chen Wan nodded upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment showing in her expression, but she quickly regained her composure. However, Fang Qingye caught this subtle change in her demeanor.

He smiled, said nothing, and lifted his coffee to take a sip.

At this moment, Du Juan spoke up from beside them: "Hey, Fang Qingye, I heard your bank pays very well, right?"

"It's okay," Fang Qingye did not deny it. "It's a bit higher than general administrative and public institutions, but the work pressure is also great. Many staff members have monthly deposit-attracting targets; if they fail to complete them, their wages and bonuses are deducted. Of course, if you exceed the target, there will be rewards."

"Can you complete it?"

"I'm in the General Office, so I don't have deposit-attracting targets for now, which means no rewards either; I just get the average bonus."

"Oh..."

Fang Qingye's principle was: I don't ask proactively, I don't talk nonsense, and I say whatever there is to say.

Just then, a sound suddenly came from the mobile QQ app. Fang Qingye took it out to look and saw that it was actually a message sent by Xia He:

"Little Fang, on a date with a girl?"

"How did you know?" Fang Qingye was very curious and couldn't help but type a line of text.

"Look to your left, behind you."

Fang Qingye turned slightly and then noticed a woman sitting alone by the window, wearing a white T-shirt and a black floral skirt, smiling at him.

It was Xia He.