Chapter 14: Don't Want to Act Refined

Zheng Cai rolled his eyes at him. "A man needs to be more confident. If she didn't like you, she wouldn't have come out with you to eat at my little restaurant."

"Go back and sit down, don't keep her waiting. Just wait, I'll call your sister-in-law out and have her stir-fry two portions for you herself. You know her cooking—it’s just one word: superb!"

Before turning to call his wife, Zheng Cai teased Zhao Yong about his outfit today. "When you walked over just now, I almost didn't recognize you at first glance. This look is good. Dress like this more often, and young girls will be dying to be with you!"

Zhao Yong thought to himself, even with this outfit, the one sitting over there might not necessarily be dying to be with him.

It was truly strange. He knew his own size; girls who saw him were either too afraid to look at him or felt intimidated and stayed far away.

Today was the first time a young girl had stared at him for so long. When he looked back, she was looking at him too, her gaze light and airy, seemingly indifferent, making her impossible to read.

Zhao Yong took a deep breath and returned to his seat.

Li Manjun asked curiously, "Do you know that boss? What were you two talking about?"

"That's Brother Zheng, a neighbor from my building," Zhao Yong replied. "He asked me if you were my girlfriend."

Li Manjun, who was sipping her soda through a straw, raised an eyebrow. "How did you answer?"

"I said not yet." Zhao Yong looked at Li Manjun, wanting to see her reaction.

However, she just nodded with an "mm," then continued drinking her soda, looking out at the street.

Zhao Yong’s soda had been finished back at the barbershop. He got up to pour two glasses of water, placing one on Li Manjun’s right and keeping one for himself.

Li Manjun observed the crowd passing by on the street and asked curiously, "Is there any antique market in Rongcheng? Something like Panjiayuan in Kyoto?"

Zhao Yong thought for a moment. "There’s a 'Little Panjiayuan' near Ocean Park, but it’s mostly scammers selling modern crafts made to look old to trick out-of-towners."

"I want to go take a look," Li Manjun suggested. "How about we go for a walk there after we finish eating?"

"If you have other things to do, just give me the address and I can go myself," Li Manjun added.

Zhao Yong quickly said, "I'll take you there. It’s chaotic over there; it’s not very safe for a girl on her own."

"Won't that delay your plans?" Li Manjun confirmed.

Zhao Yong shook his head. "My plan for today is just to go on this date with you."

Li Manjun smiled.

"By the way, did Auntie Wu tell you about my situation?" She felt it was better to disclose some information in advance.

For instance, the fact that she was currently unemployed. No matter the era, people were quite concerned about jobs.

Zhao Yong hadn't expected Li Manjun to say this, but he also had some information he wanted to share with her.

The two looked at each other and reached a silent agreement.

Since it was a blind date, it was better to be clear from the start.

"You can ask me anything you want to know," Zhao Yong said.

This initiative made Li Manjun like him even more.

Li Manjun spoke first. "I’m 20 this year. I have a younger sister and a younger brother at home, both in middle school."

"I’m currently unemployed, have no dating experience, and I don't know how to cook nor do I like stir-frying. But I can do other housework, help out, and so on. I have a middle school diploma, so my future job prospects aren't high; I might not have a very stable job."

"My hard requirement for a partner is that he has stable housing in the city. My family doesn't ask for a dowry or the 'three golds,' and we won't hold a wedding banquet. We can just register the marriage and have a simple meal with the family."

"I’m done," Li Manjun said, taking a big sip of her drink while looking at Zhao Yong.

She felt that in this era, few men could accept a wife who couldn't cook or the idea of not holding a wedding banquet.

Zhao Yong lowered his head, recalling the information she had given, and after thinking it through carefully, he replied

"I’m 25 this year. My parents passed away early, and I have no other relatives; it’s just me. This is my first time dating. My current job isn't stable, but I guarantee I’ll bring home at least five hundred yuan every month. Whether you find a job or not is up to you; I can support the household."

"I have a house—two bedrooms and a living room, about forty square meters. It’s right above Auntie Qiao’s barbershop, on the third floor."

"The house in the old district is a bit dated, but I’ll renovate it before we get married."

"I can cook and I’ll do housework when I have time. If we are together, I won't let you go hungry."

Hearing this, Li Manjun smiled. It was hard not to like a man who could accept her inability to cook and could cook himself.

"And what is your educational background?" Li Manjun was almost impatient to hear what he would say next.

Zhao Yong seemed a bit embarrassed. His eyes, which usually rested on her with a sense of aggression, dropped. Li Manjun waited a moment before he said

"My education level is very low. Auntie Wu might have told you—my parents died early, so... I was forced to drop out before I even finished elementary school."

"I know... my situation is very poor." Aside from a small house given by the government, he had nothing.

The tall man who had been confident and sunny a moment ago now slumped his shoulders slightly, turning his head to look at the street instead of her.

Zhao Yong irritably tugged at his shirt sleeves, revealing his muscular arms, then pulled at his neatly buttoned collar, undoing the top button to reveal the thin white undershirt beneath. His broad chest rose and fell rapidly; it seemed as if even breathing was difficult.

He had never been this nervous.

It was as if he were a criminal waiting for a verdict, even though he had never committed a crime.

Li Manjun was slightly stunned. She was indeed surprised; no diploma, not even an elementary school diploma—this was beyond her expectations.

But from their time together this morning, she could feel that he wasn't someone who hadn't read books. He was very polite, his every move was restrained, and he never made her feel offended.

At least, that was how he was with her.

But could she say she didn't mind at all? Her inability to respond at this moment was the most honest reaction of her heart to this matter.

Just as Li Manjun was about to say something to break the tense atmosphere, the landlady brought the food.

Two bowls of fried rice—one small portion, one extra-large—along with a dish of three-delicacy soup. It was simple, fresh, and appetizing.

"First time here, little sister? Try my cooking. Every time Zhao Yong comes, he orders the extra-large portion. Don't be scared by his big appetite."

Zhang Huimei greeted Li Manjun warmly, while secretly nudging Zhao Yong’s solid shoulder, reminding him to button his collar. What was he doing, acting like a hoodlum?

Little did she know, Zhao Yong had already given up on trying. This outfit was too refined and didn't match his aura.

Anyway, he had already laid all his cards on the table; couldn't he just be himself now?

He didn't want to pretend to be refined, educated, or cultured just to deceive this girl.

Zhang Huimei’s eyes darted back and forth between Li Manjun and Zhao Yong, wondering what could have gone wrong between them.

Clearly, she had seen them laughing and talking in the kitchen just a moment ago.

"Let's eat first. After we finish, we'll go to that 'Little Panjiayuan' you mentioned," Li Manjun said, pulling out a pair of chopsticks, holding them in the middle, and handing a pair to him.

Zhao Yong turned his head in pleasant surprise, quickly took the chopsticks, and was instantly brought back to life.

(End of chapter)