Chapter 81: I Think I Will Cherish Her

After getting up and washing up, I sent my electronic resume to the email address Li Xiaoyun had left me without having time for breakfast.

Of course, I hadn’t pinned all my hopes on Li Xiaoyun’s recommendation. Throughout the day, I continued to shuttle between various companies, starting the monotonous process of job applications once again.

After a day of job hunting, I finally sat on a bench at Pengcheng Square under the setting sun. I secretly lit a cigarette, watching the nearby fountain and the playful crowd, momentarily slipping into a habitual daze.

A square manager wearing a red armband walked past me. I quickly hid the cigarette behind my back until she moved far away. Then, I took a few more puffs before extinguishing it and throwing it into the trash can.

After calming down, I felt somewhat bored, so my thoughts drifted. I hadn’t expected myself to work so hard to find a job that could support my family after returning to Xuzhou. This made me realize that perhaps I had indeed made up my mind to stay in this city, get married, have children, and enjoy the happiness of family life.

After sitting there for a while, I received a WeChat message from Li Xiaoyun. She told me that she had already submitted my resume to the planning director at her company and suggested that I come for an interview tomorrow if I had time.

I immediately replied to Li Xiaoyun, telling her that I was available.

…

When I got home, Bada and Mom were dressed neatly. Before I even had a chance to change my shoes, Mom said to me, “Zhaoyang, don’t bother changing shoes. Go out with us for dinner right away.”

I asked in confusion, “Dinner with whom?”

“Xiaoyun and her parents, and Auntie Zhang who introduced you two.”

“What… what does this mean exactly?”

“Just to get to know each other better. Hurry up and change into something formal. Your father and I will wait for you downstairs,” Mom urged.

“Whose idea was this?”

“Why do you ask so many questions? Hurry up and change clothes,” Mom said with a hint of dissatisfaction as she lightly hit me.

I nodded without further questions, actually looking forward to this dinner with both families. Even though Mom didn’t explain clearly, I understood the significance of this dinner.

After changing into formal attire, I went downstairs. Bada drove us in his nearly junked Santana 2000, with Mom and me heading to the prearranged restaurant.

When we arrived, Xiaoyun and her parents hadn’t come yet, but Auntie Zhang had arrived before us.

We chatted at the entrance of the restaurant while waiting for Xiaoyun and her family.

Auntie Zhang smiled and asked me, “Zhaoyang, is the match I introduced to you reliable?”

“Reliable,” I nodded earnestly.

“What do you think about it yourself?”

“I think it’s pretty good,” I replied, without using the word “like.”

Auntie Zhang held my hand and earnestly said, “If you think it’s good, you need to take initiative later. You’re a boy, understand?”

I nodded. At that moment, a red Focus hatchback parked in the parking lot not far from us, and soon we saw Xiaoyun and her parents getting out of the car.

Auntie Zhang, Mom, and Bada went towards them, and I hesitated for a moment before following.

The two families exchanged warm greetings. I quietly asked Xiaoyun beside me, “Did you know that our families would have dinner together tonight?”

Xiaoyun shook her head and said, “If I had known, I would have told you on the phone earlier. I only found out after I got home when my parents told me.”

I smiled and said, “Then do you know what they mean by this?”

“They’re trying to set us up,” Xiaoyun responded with a straightforward smile.

“So do you think we can make it?”

“It’s too early to say. I think we need to get to know each other better first.”

I nodded and said, “Then let’s deal with whatever comes next together.”

Xiaoyun smiled slightly and said, “Yes, let’s deal with whatever comes next together…”

As we spoke, the group walked into the restaurant. After being seated and ordering the food, the two families resumed chatting, while Xiaoyun and I sat at opposite sides exchanging glances.

When the dishes were served, I poured baijiu for Bada and Xiaoyun’s father, while Xiaoyun poured juice for Mom, her mother, and Auntie Zhang.

Our well-coordinated actions brought a knowing smile to the faces of both families’ elders.

…

During the meal, the parents chatted happily and soon turned to the topic of our marriage, specifically discussing the housing arrangements if I were to marry Xiaoyun.

Xiaoyun’s parents were very open-minded and expressed their willingness to contribute as much as possible to the cost of our new home, which delighted Mom and Bada. Housing prices were indeed high these days, and the support from Xiaoyun’s family would significantly reduce the burden on ours, considering that Bada earned an honest living and we weren’t a wealthy family by any means.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Auntie Zhang said to me and Xiaoyun, “Look, your parents have already expressed their opinions. Why don’t the two of you also state your positions?”

Xiaoyun and I looked at each other but neither of us spoke. Auntie Zhang gave me a meaningful glance, reminding me of her earlier advice about taking initiative as a man.

I said, “Actually, I have quite a good impression of Xiaoyun, but I think we still need to get to know each other better to ensure a stable marriage in the future. However, I can promise right now that I will work hard to be a good husband and take care of both families.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Auntie Zhang exclaimed, “This kid really knows how to speak properly!”

Xiaoyun’s parents nodded in agreement, while Xiaoyun bit her lip to suppress a smile. She knew my true character quite well, after all.

Auntie Zhang then turned to Xiaoyun and asked, “What about you, Xiaoyun?”

Xiaoyun thought for a moment and replied, “I have the same view as Zhaoyang. We need to get to know each other better.”

Auntie Zhang nodded and said, “That’s a reasonable way to think. However, you two are no longer young, and once you’ve gotten to know each other well enough, you should start considering marriage.”

Xiaoyun and I both nodded, and the families exchanged knowing smiles. The next step would depend on how Xiaoyun and I got along.

The blind date unfolded in a harmonious atmosphere, and I naturally understood why Xiaoyun’s parents agreed to our relationship. Firstly, Bada had a decent job, and secondly, I was a graduate from a prestigious university. Although I was currently unemployed, I believed I would find work eventually if I worked hard enough to support the family we might establish in this city. Moreover, Xiaoyun had a well-paying job, which made the future seem very promising. I was genuinely looking forward to this bright future.

This strong sense of anticipation made me realize: I had indeed been drifting and wasting time for far too long. I wanted to change my life and strive for the future family. I believed that with this motivation, the life Xiaoyun and I would build together might not necessarily be worse than that of Fangyuan and Yan Yan, who were far away in Suzhou.

I thought: If Xiaoyun is willing to give me a chance, I will cherish her, gradually fall in love with her, and build a future together.

…

After the dinner, both families and Auntie Zhang suggested that since it was still early, Xiaoyun and I should go watch a movie. I naturally had no objections, and Xiaoyun agreed as well.

Perhaps this movie would be the prelude to the beginning of my relationship with Xiaoyun.