Chapter 6: Blind Date

Chapter 6: Blind Date

Double Prosperity is a township. During the Republic of China era, the Double Prosperity area belonged to Dragon Lake District of Bobai County. After liberation in 1950, the township was abolished, and the district was merged with Pine Mountain to form the 13th District. In January 1958, Double Prosperity Township was established, and in August of the same year, it merged with Pine Mountain Township to form the Pine Mountain Commune. In September 1984, it was renamed Pine Mountain Township. It wasn't until January 1986 that the Double Prosperity area was separated from Pine Mountain Township to reestablish Double Prosperity Township. In August 1993, it was upgraded to Double Prosperity Town.

It is now 1980. Although Double Prosperity and Pine Mountain have merged into the Pine Mountain Commune, the Double Prosperity Market still exists. However, its influence is relatively small, with only about a thousand people visiting on market days, unlike the neighboring Dragon Lake Market, which attracts as many as twenty to thirty thousand visitors.

When Guan Yongying and her Aunt Man (her younger aunt) arrived at Double Prosperity Market, it was almost eleven o'clock.

This blind date had come so suddenly that Guan Yongying, unprepared and feeling anxious, clung tightly to Aunt Man's arm, her nervousness written all over her face.

Seeing this, Aunt Man patted her niece's hand and comforted her, "Yongying, you're just meeting him at a designated place. He's not a man-eating tiger. What are you so afraid of?"

Guan Yongying lowered her head and said, "It's just too sudden. I wasn't mentally prepared at all. My dad was really impulsive to agree to the matchmaker's arrangement for today. If we had waited a few more days, I might not be so nervous now."

Aunt Man, being an experienced woman, understood her niece's feelings. She reassured her again, "Just pretend you don't know about this and treat him like any other passerby. That way, you won't feel so burdened."

Hearing this, Guan Yongying's nervousness eased slightly. She and Aunt Man first stopped by the supply and marketing cooperative to greet Uncle Man before heading to the agreed meeting spot.

Under a large banyan tree diagonally across from the entrance of Double Prosperity Junior High School, Deng Changfu, dressed in a clean blue shirt, looked around eagerly, trying to spot the girl he was supposed to meet from the passing crowd.

Deng Shirong couldn't help but smile when he saw this. It seemed his nephew had been eager to find a wife for a while. He advised, "Changfu, the girl is shy. When she passes by, don't stare at her too much, okay?"

Blind dates in this era were quite different from those in later generations. In the future, blind dates would involve meeting at a designated place and chatting directly, with neither men nor women feeling particularly shy.

But in this time, girls were extremely reserved during blind dates. It was impossible for them to meet and chat directly with the boys. Instead, they would agree on a location, like under this big banyan tree, and the girl would walk by as if she were shopping, allowing the two to glance at each other.

If they didn't get a good look after one or two passes, they would walk back and forth a few more times. Since neither party had made their intentions clear, it wouldn't be too awkward.

Deng Changfu nodded and said, "I understand, Uncle Jiu."

Deng Changfu's mother also chimed in, "Just be careful not to stare too much and scare the girl, but make sure you get a good look. After all, this is a marriage matter, and we can't afford to be careless."

Deng Changfu nodded again and said, "Mom, I understand!"

The time and place for the meeting had already been agreed upon, so the three of them didn't have to wait long before Deng Shirong spotted Guan Yongying walking arm in arm with her Aunt Man.

Deng Shirong immediately nodded to her and then softly reminded Deng Changfu, "Changfu, she's here!"

Hearing this, Deng Changfu perked up, his eyes instantly locking onto Guan Yongying.

Changfu's mother also widened her eyes to get a good look.

At this moment, Guan Yongying tightly held Aunt Man's hand, her face flushed. She didn't dare to look in the direction of the banyan tree, keeping her gaze straight ahead as if something there had caught her attention.

Of course, Guan Yongying didn't dare to look toward the banyan tree, but as an experienced woman, Aunt Man wasn't as shy as the young girl. She first nodded to Deng Shirong, the matchmaker, as a greeting, and then her gaze lingered on Deng Changfu.

Just like that, the two sides had no direct communication and simply "passed by each other."

After they had walked a little further away, Aunt Man asked, "Yongying, that young man is indeed as tall and strong as the matchmaker said. He's quite a spirited fellow. Did you see him just now?"

Guan Yongying quickly shook her head and said, "I was too nervous just now and didn't dare to look over there."

Aunt Man immediately comforted her, "It's okay. We'll walk back in a bit. We'll go back and forth two or three times, and we'll get a good look."

On the other side, Deng Shirong asked, "Changfu, did you get a good look?"

Deng Changfu nodded and then shook his head, saying, "I got a general look, but I need to see her again."

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "It's fine. The girl will walk back soon. Just keep an eye out!"

Changfu's mother said, "She looks good to me. She's strong and looks like she'd be a good mother."

Soon, Guan Yongying and her Aunt Man walked back the same way, hand in hand. This time, with enough mental preparation, she wasn't as nervous as the first time and finally turned her head to glance at the banyan tree.

That glance made Guan Yongying's heart race. Deng Changfu's tall and sturdy figure gave off a sense of security, and his face was indeed as kind as the matchmaker had described.

Guan Yongying was satisfied with this first impression.

Chemistry is a fascinating thing, especially during a blind date. Whether or not there's a spark determines the possibility of two people getting along.

The so-called "chemistry at first sight" means that as soon as you see someone, you feel drawn to them, as if you want to know them better.

Good chemistry is the kind where a woman might coyly call him "Brother Sanzang," and a man might giggle and call her "Sister Chang'e."

Some people in later generations lamented that they brushed shoulders with many people every day, their clothes worn thin, but still couldn't create any sparks.

It's clear that things like chemistry are truly determined by fate and cannot be forced.

Deng Changfu and Guan Yongying, a famous model couple in the village in their previous life, undoubtedly had chemistry. At this moment, their eyes inadvertently met.

In that instant, both of them felt as if they had been struck by lightning, their hearts trembling.

When Guan Yongying and her Aunt Man walked away again, Deng Shirong asked, "Changfu, how is it? Did you get a good look this time?"

Deng Changfu came back to his senses and said excitedly, "I saw her clearly. This girl is nice. She's my type."

Deng Shirong wasn't surprised at all when he heard this. After all, they were a famous model couple in the village. Falling in love at first sight was just the beginning. He asked, "Changfu's mother, what do you think?"

Changfu's mother said, "This girl is quite good. I'm quite satisfied with her. Uncle Jiu, go ask her if she's willing to have lunch with us."

Deng Shirong smiled and nodded, "Alright, you two wait here for me. I'll go over and ask. I think there shouldn't be any problem."

(End of Chapter)