Free Web NovelChapter 384: Chapter 382: Who Fancies Whom
Sun Jiaming watched Dingzi and couldn’t help but laugh to himself. He knew Dingzi was nervous. The man was quiet by nature, so of course he had no idea what to say to an unfamiliar young woman. But that was just Dingzi’s personality; you couldn’t blame him for it.
"I’m a teacher. I teach elementary school."
Qian Meiyu finally said after watching Dingzi for a moment.
"Oh. You, uh... you should drink some water."
Dingzi’s mind was stuck on the three things Grandma Dingzi had told him to do: ask if she’d eaten, ask her age, and ask what she did for a living. Having asked all three, he felt his mission was complete. He relaxed, finally free from having to ask any more questions. But now that he didn’t have to ask anything, he had no idea what to say. ’Make small talk? I don’t know how. What are two strangers supposed to chat about anyway?’
"Don’t you have anything else you want to ask?"
Qian Meiyu hadn’t expected Dingzi to be this kind of person. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
To be honest, her first impression of Dingzi was that he was average-looking, and she felt a little disappointed. He also gave off a cold, somewhat intimidating aura. It was only when the matchmaker mentioned he’d been a soldier that she felt a sense of relief.
The matchmaker had told her that Dingzi’s family was well-off and that he only had a grandmother. While it meant he had no parents to help her, it also meant she wouldn’t have any in-laws, and therefore no in-law conflicts. She’d be in charge the moment she married into the family and wouldn’t have to listen to anyone else. Dingzi’s salary would naturally be handed over to her, and they could live a comfortable life together.
’I heard his house is huge, more than big enough to live in. If need be, I could even have my parents or my younger siblings move in. It’s in the best part of the city! My family could never afford a house there in a million years. Anyway, the place is so large, it wouldn’t be a problem for my whole family to live there. There’s no one else at Dingzi’s house, so the rooms would just be empty otherwise.’
’Dingzi might be plain-looking, but as long as he’s an honest man who treats me and my family well, listens to what I say, and gives me all his money, then there’s no reason not to marry him. After all, you can’t eat good looks. A comfortable life is what really matters.’
’But looking at him now... is he not interested in me, or is this just how he is? The man can’t even hold a conversation; how does he earn a living? If he’s always like this, what will happen after we get married? I can’t spend the rest of my life with a block of wood, can I?’
Dingzi had no idea what Qian Meiyu was thinking. He was seriously mulling over her question. ’Is there anything else I need to ask? I don’t think so.’ So, Dingzi shook his head at Qian Meiyu.
Qian Meiyu couldn’t quite describe the feeling in her heart. ’This man, Dingzi, is definitely not for me. I can’t stand this personality. If we got married, I’d probably be angry all the time. But... but the matchmaker said his family is well-off. If I pass on him, can I really find someone better?’
"Your name is Dingzi, right? Can I call you Brother Dingzi? Who gave you that name? It’s pretty interesting."
Qian Meiyu didn’t want to give up. ’If you won’t ask, I will,’ she thought, and began searching for a topic of conversation.
Dingzi just looked at her. ’How am I supposed to answer that? It doesn’t matter to me what she calls me, but how do I explain the origin of my name to her?’
"You don’t want to tell me?"
Qian Meiyu found it strange that Dingzi just kept staring at her without saying a word.
"No, it’s not that."
Dingzi shook his head.
Qian Meiyu waited for him to continue, but after a long moment, Dingzi still hadn’t uttered another word.
Gu’er, watching from another table, was getting extremely anxious. ’Trying to date Dingzi would be enough to drive a person mad with frustration.’
"What a bump on a log. My niece is usually very talkative. If she marries such a quiet man, won’t she be bored to death? Is he always like this?"
Qian Meiyu’s aunt asked anxiously.
"He’s always been a man of few words, but my friend here is a good guy. He may not say much, but he knows what he’s doing."
Li Zhi hurriedly explained, trying to put in a good word for Dingzi.
"Just being sharp isn’t enough. If he doesn’t talk all day, it’s just frustrating. I don’t think this will work out."
Qian Meiyu’s aunt shook her head. ’This Dingzi fellow is really not cutting it. He doesn’t talk, and when a girl asks him a question, he doesn’t even answer. What is that supposed to mean?’
Li Zhi opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it without a word.
"Do you live with this Dingzi? The house... did you buy it yourself, or did your family buy it for you?"
Qian Meiyu’s aunt continued questioning Li Zhi.
"I bought it myself."
Li Zhi answered without thinking, his eyes still on Dingzi. He had no idea what was going through his friend’s mind.
"You bought it yourself? That’s impressive." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Qian Meiyu’s aunt nodded with satisfaction. ’I managed to fish out some details about Li Zhi’s situation with that question. He has a house and a car, no girlfriend, a family just as well-off as Dingzi’s, he’s much better looking, and he can actually hold a conversation. Where else would I find a man like that?’ She had made up her mind. She would go back, speak to the matchmaker, and set her own daughter up with Li Zhi. As for her niece, if she wanted to keep seeing Dingzi, fine. If not, they could just find someone else to introduce to her.
’It’s a good thing I came myself. Where else would I find a perfect son-in-law like Li Zhi? Thank goodness I came today in my sister’s place. Otherwise, she definitely would have set her sights on Li Zhi for Meiyu, and my daughter wouldn’t have even had a chance.’
Qian Meiyu’s aunt was thinking smugly. Seeing her expression, Gu’er understood. ’So she’s set her sights on Li Zhi? Grandma Dingzi was right after all. How awkward will it be when the matchmaker eventually says her daughter is interested in Li Zhi, not Dingzi?’
"The food’s here! Let’s eat. We can talk more after we’re done."
Just as the waiter began bringing the dishes, Gu’er quickly stood up and ushered everyone to sit together.
The dishes were all excellent, but everyone at the table was so lost in their own thoughts that they could barely taste the food.
"Help yourself to some food! Li Zhi, you have some more. And I’m not just saying this, but this restaurant’s food is way too expensive. Li Zhi, this Auntie’s pork and sauerkraut stew is to die for. When you have a free day, you should come over to my house and I’ll make some for you. My house is at..."
Qian Meiyu’s aunt put food onto Li Zhi’s plate as she enthusiastically invited him to visit her home.
Li Zhi was taken aback. ’Why is she so friendly to me? If anyone should be invited over, it’s Dingzi.’ Suddenly, a realization seemed to dawn on him. He shuddered and looked at Qian Meiyu’s aunt in horror.
Qian Meiyu frowned as well. ’What is my aunt trying to do? Has she taken a liking to Li Zhi? It’s true, Li Zhi is a better prospect than Dingzi, but if Auntie picked him out for me, she should be inviting him to *my* house, not hers. Why her house?’ She thought of her cousin. Though they called her a younger cousin, she was only six months younger and was also single. ’Could it be... Auntie has her eyes on Li Zhi for her own daughter?’
At this thought, Qian Meiyu’s expression darkened. ’This is *my* blind date. What is my aunt meddling in? Even if things don’t work out with Dingzi and I end up liking Li Zhi, it should be *me* he’s for, not my cousin! With my cousin’s looks, it’d be a miracle if a man like that even gave her a second glance. My aunt is actually using my blind date to find a match for her own daughter. This is just too much.’
