Chapter 42: 041 The Matchmaking Story

Hearing Liu Ying’s words, everyone at the table fell silent and turned to look at her.

“One of the girls from our unit, named Chen Wan, also joined as a college graduate last year—she graduated from the Art College of Jinghai University,” 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 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 high—character comes first,” Father Fang Jianwen spoke up first.

“Jianwen’s right! When choosing a partner, find a girl with proper morals!” 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 date and time? 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 Bazi is very compatible with Xiao Ye’s, 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.

Liu Ying nodded and glanced at 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…

Don’t you even ask for my opinion as the person involved?!

Fang Qingye was speechless.

Forget it—opening my mouth now would just invite a mob attack.

Just eat.

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

Aunt Liu Ying was efficient—by the afternoon of the next day, while Fang Qingye was still at work, she called him: “Xiao Ye, Chen Wan agreed! Meet tonight! Seven o’clock at the 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 like romance… You get there first, don’t make the girl wait for you!”

“Okay, I understand.”

“Dress neatly! Oh, and take 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, I can’t.

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

“No, no such thing—just meeting a classmate,” Fang Qingye hurried to cover up.

“Heh… I heard everything. Young people dating is normal—why hide it? Who’s the girl? 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 date doesn’t work out, I’ll introduce you to someone else.”

I @#￥%…

Fang Qingye had no idea what to say.

After work, after 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.

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

There weren’t many people in the café—this slightly bourgeois lifestyle wasn’t popular in a small county, nowhere near as busy as the hotpot restaurant across the street.

Fang Qingye picked an 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 had played badminton with him!

This is insane—bringing a best friend to a date.

But then again, it made sense.

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

“Hello, I’m Fang Qingye.”

“No need to introduce—I’m Du Juan, her friend. We’ve played badminton together, I know you,” Chen Wan said confidently, smiling.

“Hello, 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, called the waiter, and ordered two mochas—latte with chocolate sauce, rich with coffee aroma and sweet chocolate, perfect for girls.

He ordered himself an Americano.

Besides coffee, he added a small cake as dessert; the three sipped and chatted.

There wasn’t much to talk about—small talk for a while, then Chen Wan asked about Fang Qinglin’s job; he answered honestly.

“I work in the General Office, mainly writing documents.”

“So you’re basically the boss’s secretary? I heard secretaries get promoted fast—I have a classmate in the County Organization Department who writes documents for leaders; after only five years, he was promoted to deputy town mayor of Liulin,” Chen Wan said.

“You’re talking about government departments,” Fang Qingye smiled. “Banks are different—highly professional, focused on individual skills and performance. Of course, connections matter too… can’t deny it—every unit is like that.”

Chen Wan nodded, a faint hint of disappointment crossing her face, but she quickly regained composure—Fang Qingye caught it.

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

At that moment, Du Juan spoke up: “Hey, Fang Qingye, I heard bank salaries are pretty high?”

“Decent,” Fang Qingye didn’t deny it. “Higher than regular administrative or public institutions, but the pressure is big—many staff have monthly deposit targets; if you don’t meet them, your salary and bonus get docked, but if you exceed them, you get rewards.”

“Can you meet yours?”

“I’m in the General Office—no deposit targets, so no bonus, just the average.”

“Oh…”

Fang Qingye stuck to his principle: I don’t ask first, I don’t ramble—I answer plainly.

Just then, his QQ phone buzzed—he pulled it out and saw a message from Xia He:

“Xiao Fang, on a date with a girl?”

“How do you know?” Fang Qingye asked, curious, and typed back.

“Look to your left, behind you.”

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

It was Xia He.