Chapter 51: There Is Not So Much Love at First Sight in This World

Chapter 51: There Is Not So Much Love at First Sight in This World

Knowing that she was going on a blind date today, Dai Fanglan got up early and finished her chores before finding time to dress herself up.

Her so-called dressing up was simply changing into a clean piece of clothing with fewer patches and tying her hair a little more neatly than usual. There was nothing else. Even the shoes on her feet were made from scraps of cloth.

Dai Fanglan usually kept this pair of cloth shoes, which were so plain that even beggars in later generations might disdain them, as it wasn't easy to make such a pair. She only wore them when the weather was too cold or on important occasions.

Unlike girls in later generations, who would spend hours on makeup, outfits, shoes, bags, and hairstyles just to hang out with friends, Dai Fanglan didn't have such luxuries. A clean piece of clothing with fewer patches and a pair of homemade cloth shoes were the best she could manage.

As for her hairstyle, Dai Fanglan usually tied her hair into a simple ponytail. But today, since she was going on a blind date, she spent extra time braiding two pigtails, which was the most elaborate hairstyle she could manage.

Around 9:30 in the morning, Deng Shirong rode his bicycle to Dai Fanglan's house.

After exchanging some pleasantries and sharing a couple of cigarettes, Deng Shirong took Dai Fanglan and her mother to Double Prosperity Market.

Deng Shirong arranged for the blind date to take place under the big banyan tree, following a similar procedure as before.

After the man and woman "brushed past each other" several times, Deng Shirong asked, "Changwang, have you seen her clearly?"

Deng Changwang nodded. "Yes, I've seen her clearly."

Deng Shirong asked, "How do you feel?"

Deng Changwang hesitated. "Uncle Jiu, I don't know how to describe it. I think she's not bad, but she doesn't give me that heart-pounding feeling."

Deng Shirong patted his shoulder earnestly. "Changwang, there aren't that many people who fall in love at first sight in this world. Feelings can be cultivated over time. The most important thing is that your personalities are compatible. That's what makes a marriage happy. If your personalities clash, and you're arguing every few days, then the marriage is meaningless."

Changwang's mother, who was also experienced, agreed. "Uncle Jiu is right. Compatibility is the most important thing."

Deng Changwang pondered for a moment. "Then let's try to get to know each other better?"

Deng Shirong nodded. "Since you're unsure now, let's treat her to a meal today. I'll arrange for you to spend more time together later, and then we can decide whether to proceed."

In the previous two matchmaking sessions, Deng Shirong had the memories of his past life to guide him, so he was naturally confident. This time, however, was his first true matchmaking attempt, so he was cautious. He felt it was necessary for them to spend more time together before making a decision.

Deng Changwang breathed a sigh of relief. "That's best. Let's get to know each other a bit more. We'll be able to tell if we're compatible. It'll be easier to make a decision then."

"Alright, it's settled. I'll go tell them to have lunch together."

"Okay. If they agree, let's go to the state-owned restaurant."

The news that Deng Changfu had treated Deng Changmei to a meal at a state-owned restaurant during their first meeting, and that Deng Changmei's boyfriend had done the same, was no longer a secret in Thatchfield Village. Deng Changwang, being the youngest son in his family, had his parents' support. His older brothers had already started their own families, and his three older sisters had married in recent years, allowing his parents to save a considerable sum.

Even Deng Changfu, whose family wasn't as well-off, had treated the girl to a meal at a state-owned restaurant during their first meeting. There was no reason for Deng Changwang to fall short in this regard. So, when they met this time, Deng Changwang and his parents had already agreed that if he planned to continue seeing the girl, he would treat her to a meal at a state-owned restaurant.

Deng Shirong felt a pang of emotion. Before he started matchmaking, men and women in the village would usually eat at noodle stalls or small restaurants during blind dates. But now, all three times he had acted as a matchmaker, they had ended up dining at state-owned restaurants, raising the standard for blind date meals.

…

Three minutes later.

Deng Shirong approached the woman's side and asked directly, "Alan, you've seen him clearly. How do you feel?"

Dai Fanglan was thoughtful and straightforward. Unlike other girls, she wasn't shy about discussing her future. She smiled and said, "I feel okay. I wonder if he likes me?"

The man's family background was much better than hers, and her father had inquired about him the day before. The man was indeed as the matchmaker had described. As long as he wasn't too unattractive, she had no reason to reject him.

Deng Shirong didn't answer directly but smiled. "The man wants to treat you to a meal at the state-owned restaurant."

Hearing this, Dai Fanglan and her mother, who were familiar with the unspoken rules of blind dates, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

…

After finishing their meal at the state-owned restaurant, the next step was to formalize the arrangement. Although Deng Changwang hadn't made a final decision, since he wanted to continue seeing her, he naturally didn't skimp on the red envelope for their first meeting.

In addition to the obligatory five-flavor snacks and candy cakes, the red envelope for the woman was five yuan, and the matchmaker and the woman's mother each received three yuan—a generous gesture by the standards of the time.

After Deng Shirong handed the red envelopes to Dai Fanglan and her mother, he began discussing the bride price with Dai Chunqing, the head of the family.

Dai Chunqing had already discussed his daughter's worth with his wife over the past two days. When the matchmaker asked, he laid out their terms.

The bride price was set at 360 yuan, 360 kilograms of grain, and six new sets of clothes for the woman. Beyond that, there were no other demands.

Deng Shirong listened and nodded. "Alright, I'll relay this to the boy's parents. There's one more thing I need to clarify in advance. The boy hopes to spend more time with Alan to build their relationship. I hope you, as parents, can understand."

Dai Chunqing frowned. "Uncle Jiu, this doesn't seem to follow the usual customs, does it?"

Deng Shirong replied, "The country now advocates for free love between men and women. As parents, we can't restrict our children with old-fashioned ideas. Even if they spend time together privately, they're just talking about their futures, not doing anything dishonorable. Cousin, you don't need to worry too much."

Dai Chunqing hesitated. "I'm just afraid people will gossip."

Deng Shirong smiled. "I'm the matchmaker here. They can have open contact. Who would dare gossip about them?"

Dai Chunqing thought about it and agreed. "Alright, let's do it your way."

(End of this chapter)