Chapter 238: Matchmaking Mishap 1

On the streets of the Capital City, factory workers riding bicycles line up like a long dragon, while Lu Cheng leisurely drives his car, the sunset stretching long.

Mei Ju, sitting in the passenger seat, can't help but exclaim, "The weather is really nice today."

Lu Cheng rests his arm on the steering wheel and casually replies, "Yes, it's quite nice."

Whether or not he can end up with Zhao Jinzhu is another matter, but if it happens he'll be Zhao Jinzhu's daughter‑in‑law, so he can't joke around with her as he does with other female comrades.

Otherwise, he would have already flirted.

Yet his serious, taciturn demeanor while driving gives Mei Ju a sense of mature charm.

"I heard Team Leader Su say I'm a few years older than you, but you seem more mature than me; a male comrade should be a bit more mature."

Being older than Zhao Jinzhu certainly means he's older than Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng doesn't respond, mainly because he fears that once he opens his mouth he can't help but joke and flirt.

Seeing Lu Cheng silent, Mei Ju becomes a bit impatient, "You wouldn't think I'm too old, would you?"

Lu Cheng has to speak.

"No, no, being a bit older is fine; I like older women. My mother even says that if the woman is a bit older, she'll take care of the family and look after people."

Since neither side has met, Lu Cheng can't say that Zhao Jinzhu would reject someone for being older.

Hearing that Lu Cheng likes her and that his family has no objection, Mei Ju finally shows a happy expression.

For a moment she relaxes, feeling around the interior of the car.

"You're driving quite steadily."

"Really? You're the first person to praise me like that. Everyone says I drive as if I'm flying, all clumsy."

Mei Ju covers her mouth and laughs, "That's what others say; I think it's quite steady, I love riding."

Lu Cheng turns his head and says, "Then that's fine; if you like riding, you can ride every day from now on."

Lei Zhan Ge treats the three kids with heartfelt care, like a grandson; his granddaughter‑in‑law wants to ride the little car, and it's nothing but easy.

The warm glow of the sunset makes Mei Ju suddenly feel so happy.

The other family's conditions are really good; she can ride the little car every day.

Waiting for Lu Cheng to accelerate and turn into the Railway Workers' Grand Courtyard, then stop in front of a low‑rise building, Mei Ju feels even happier.

Unlike the tube‑shaped buildings behind, this three‑story low‑rise is clearly a suite for a senior leader, with a private bathroom and kitchen.

It really is as Team Leader Su said; the family conditions here are excellent.

"Comrade Mei Ju, we've arrived; let's get out."

To ensure Zhao Jinzhu's blind‑date succeeds today, Lu Cheng even opened the car door for the other party, trying to leave a good impression.

Mei Ju thinks the other party is really considerate, hums a "mm", and gets out of the car.

However, looking at the building's main gate, she becomes nervous again.

"Do we really have to meet the parents now? Isn't it too fast? I'm not ready yet."

Why aren't you ready again? We're already at the doorstep; Lei Nainai's side is all set, so we have to go up and meet them; whether it works out can be decided later.

Lu Cheng notices her nervousness and reassuringly says, "Don't be nervous; today we just chat first. If you don't want to…"

"I am willing!"

Hearing Mei Ju's unhesitant voice, Lu Cheng is taken aback for a moment.

"Then… if you're willing, let's go up."

Mei Ju fidgets again, "Are your parents both here? Should I bring something, so going up wouldn't be impolite…"

Lu Cheng closes the door, "No need, it's not that formal. Today we just chat about everyday life, and my parents don't live here; there's only a grandma upstairs, she's very kind, so you really don't need to be so nervous."

Mei Ju nods, acknowledging the family's conditions are indeed good; if even an elderly grandma lives in such a fine house, his parents must be living in a small western‑style villa.

While following Lu Cheng upstairs, Mei Ju asks casually, "What do your parents do for work? Team Leader Su never mentioned it to me."

"Oh, my parents are just ordinary workers."

Mei Ju doesn't believe it at all; it's a test, definitely a test.

If they live in such a house, they must be senior leaders.

Only senior leaders would test a daughter‑in‑law like this, but Mei Ju can't understand: if they're senior leaders, they shouldn't lack daughters‑in‑law, so why choose a cafeteria junior staff like her?

Watching the figure ascend the stairs, Mei Ju wonders silently, could he have a health issue that prevents having children?

But he doesn't look like it; he's so young…

She can't afford to think too much; soon they reach the second floor, and Mei Ju sees an elderly woman at the door greeting them warmly.

From this, at least there's no bureaucratic airs; they still value her, and even if there's an illness preventing childbirth, it's not a disqualifier.

Thinking that way, Mei Ju's heart brightens.

In response to Lei Nainai's enthusiasm, she replies with equal warmth.

"Grandma, I've come to see you. I said I'd buy something and come up; Chengcheng wouldn't let me."

Chengcheng? Lu Cheng inexplicably gets goosebumps; even his mother and older sister never called him that.

Lei Nainai doesn't mind, "Oh dear, child, don't be so formal. You must be cold; come in, come in, Grandma will pour you some water."

"Thank you, Lei Nainai, you don't need to trouble yourself; I'm not thirsty."

"No trouble, no trouble, sit down, sit first, child."

Lei Nainai is obviously thrilled; she had previously arranged this for a few children, and since the neighbors all understood the three's personal conditions, they had explicitly refused verbally, unlike today, the first time she brings them up to the door.

She hurriedly pulls Lu Cheng toward the kitchen.

Lu Cheng asks, "Lei Nainai, now that you've met them, what do you think?"

Lei Nainai, while pouring water, happily says, "I think the young lady is quite nice; she speaks openly and politely. Though she's a bit older, not by much, I think she's suitable."

Lu Cheng nods; since Lei Nainai also thinks she's fine, there's nothing more to say.

"Right, Lei Nainai, I also think she's quite good; otherwise I wouldn't have brought her over."

"Alright then, Grandma, thank you. I'll have Grandma make you something tasty another day. I'll go call Jin Zhu first; you bring the water over to the girl, don't let her get cold."

Lei Nainai hurriedly went to the room to call Jin Zhu, but he didn't come out right away; that Zhao Jinzhu is tongue‑tied and doesn't like to talk, so she had to remind him a couple more times.

While waiting, Lu Cheng carried the water and handed it to Mei Ju: "Sit down for a while, have a sip, be careful not to burn yourself."

Mei Ju took it in her hand and said, "You're really thoughtful."

"Heh."

Lu Cheng didn't intend to be so considerate; wherever he goes, women are always massaging his shoulders, serving tea and water. Today it's not just that—it's for his brother's marriage matter.

Not only does he need to leave a good impression, but this family also has to make a good impression, so the chance of success can be higher.

Mei Ju, holding the water, lowered her head and tried to make conversation: "What did you just talk about with Grandma?"

"Oh, nothing much—just asked her opinion of you. Lei Nainai is quite satisfied with you; you don't need to be nervous."

Mei Ju pursed her lips, lowered her head even more: "Then… what did you say?"

"What did I say?"

Lu Cheng thought for a moment: "Oh, I said I also think it's pretty good."

"Mm, that's good then."

Mei Ju smiled shyly with pursed lips, making Lu Cheng's heart tingle, but he didn't dwell on it; feeling shy at a blind date is normal.

Lei Nainai still hadn't led Zhao Jinzhu out, and Lu Cheng, who dislikes awkward silences, took the initiative to tout the advantages of this place on Zhao Jinzhu's behalf.

"Look, the conditions here are pretty good—a three‑bedroom, one‑living‑room suite. If you don't want to stay here in the future, once the tube‑shaped apartments are built later, the two of you can move out and live your own Xiao Ri Zi."

Mei Ju nodded slightly: "Anywhere's fine, I have no objection, as long as…"

Mei Ju wanted to say that as long as she lives with you she has no objection, but that would be too blunt; after all they're not married, and she suddenly felt embarrassed to say it outright.

Just then, Lei Nainai led Zhao Jinzhu out, and Lu Cheng let out a sigh of relief—this was even more exhausting than his own blind date.