Still, with a family background that impressive and looks that handsome, Matchmaker Wang felt that pairing him with the Jiang family’s daughter was hardly a disadvantage for the Lu family.
The more she looked at Jiang Xiaoci, the more pleased she became. The more she looked, the more convinced she was that this match was bound to succeed.
Jiang Xiaoci sat quietly beside her. Hearing the matchmaker praise her so highly, she merely smiled with her lips pressed together. She remained calm, showing none of the excitement one might expect.
Matchmaker Wang was even more satisfied.
Just from the girl’s poise alone, she looked destined to become the young mistress of a wealthy household. So what if the man was a little frail? His family’s wealth wasn’t going anywhere. Once she married into that household, wouldn’t everything eventually be under her control?
In those days, women who could truly run the household were rare. The more Wang thought about it, the more she felt Jiang Xiaoci was a lucky girl.
What perfect timing!
The groom’s family had only just asked her to find him a wife, and the Jiang family had come to her right afterward.
What was that if not fate?
Even better, the Jiang family’s daughter was exceptionally beautiful.
After hearing the matchmaker’s description, Jiang’s parents exchanged satisfied glances.
Jiang’s mother asked, “Sister Wang, what kind of work does the young man do?”
Matchmaker Wang’s eyes flickered before she answered with a practiced smile, deliberately avoiding the important details.
“Oh, he has a job too. He holds an easy position at his mother’s factory. There’s barely any work to do—it’s very relaxed.”
Jiang Xiaoci had been listening absentmindedly, but when she heard that, something felt strangely familiar.
Those qualifications…
Where had she heard them before?
She couldn’t quite remember.
She stayed silent.
Given her current situation, to put it bluntly, as long as she wasn’t marrying Lu Yaozu, she’d marry just about anyone.
Jiang’s mother simply nodded without giving it much thought.
Jiang’s father, however, was more cautious.
Hearing that the young man merely held a nominal position at his mother’s factory made him hesitate.
But after a moment’s consideration, he still nodded.
“With a family as well-off as theirs, it doesn’t matter if the young man’s job is easy.”
As long as his family was influential, his daughter would have an extra layer of security after marrying into it.
In those days, a young couple’s own strength was limited. If necessary, having the husband’s family to protect them would give them peace of mind.
Matchmaker Wang was highly perceptive.
She could tell that Jiang’s father still had reservations, but since he’d agreed in principle, she immediately made the decision.
“Then it’s settled. Since neither of you objects, I’ll arrange for the two young people to meet. How about tomorrow at noon?”
Jiang’s parents readily agreed before turning expectantly toward their daughter.
Jiang Xiaoci had no objections either.
Smiling shyly, she nodded.
“I’ll leave everything to you.”
Matchmaker Wang clapped her hands happily.
“Oh my, what an obedient and sensible girl! Then it’s settled!”
After exchanging a few more polite words, the Jiang family of three took their leave.
Not long afterward, Matchmaker Wang eagerly hurried to the groom’s home to deliver the good news.
The Lu residence was enormous.
When Matchmaker Wang arrived, servants even served her tea.
The younger son happened to be recuperating at home, and both of his parents were chatting casually with him.
After hearing the purpose of her visit, the elderly couple was delighted.
Lu Zhoushan leaned lazily against the sofa, wrapped as always in his military overcoat.
His complexion was unnaturally pale, like flawless white jade porcelain, giving him an aloof, cold elegance despite his sickly appearance.
Seeing his complete lack of enthusiasm, Matchmaker Wang couldn’t help but begin singing the girl’s praises.
“Master Lu, Grandma Lu, I’m not exaggerating. This is the first time I’ve met such a young and beautiful girl who’s come for a blind date. She’s lovely, gentle, and well-mannered. Oh my, she and your Second Young Master are truly a perfect match—a talented gentleman and a beautiful lady!”
Lu Zhoushan had just taken a sip of tea.
Hearing that, he choked slightly.
Covering his mouth with a handkerchief, he couldn’t help letting out a quiet laugh.
This matchmaker must really have her eye on the generous reward the Lu family promised.
She was trying so hard to make the match happen that she was practically describing the girl as a fairy descended from heaven.
The elderly couple, however, were overjoyed.
Grandma Lu smiled.
“Very well, Wang. Since you speak so highly of her, the girl must indeed be excellent. Second Son, what do you think?”
Lu Zhoushan twitched the corner of his mouth.
Before he could answer, Old Master Lu waved his hand.
“It doesn’t matter what he thinks. Let him meet the girl first.”
Lu Zhoushan stared helplessly at the ceiling.
As expected… I don’t even get a say in this.
Matchmaker Wang happily clapped again.
“Exactly! Master Lu is absolutely right. I’ve already spoken with the young lady. If your family agrees, the two of them can meet tomorrow at noon.”
This time, Old Master Lu made the decision immediately.
“Good. Then it’s settled.”
Grandma Lu smiled so broadly that she could barely close her mouth.
“Wang, go ahead and make the arrangements. Our second son will definitely be there.”
The elderly couple agreed without hesitation.
With confirmation in hand, Matchmaker Wang left in high spirits.
Afraid their younger son might cause trouble, they reminded him once more.
“Second Son, remember. Prepare yourself tomorrow and go meet the young lady.”
Still lounging lazily on the sofa, Lu Zhoushan didn’t even bother opening his eyes.
“Alright. If you want me to go, I’ll go.”
In truth, he had no interest whatsoever in a blind date.
But he couldn’t refuse his parents.
Instead, he spent the time wondering how he could gently turn the young lady down tomorrow without hurting her feelings.
The next morning, Jiang Xiaoci dressed up simply before heading to the restaurant where she was scheduled to meet her blind date.
Following the matchmaker’s instructions, she carried a single red rose as their recognition signal.
The blind date itself was merely a choice forced upon her by circumstance, so she wasn’t particularly enthusiastic.
As for Lu Zhoushan…
He was even less interested.
He barely had the energy to get out the door.
His skin was so pale that he looked weak and sickly. Grandma Lu frowned the moment she saw him and insisted on dressing him up herself.
“Fine feathers make fine birds,” after all.
Having worked in a clothing factory, she refused to believe she couldn’t make her son look a little more spirited.
Otherwise, forget getting married—she’d be lucky if the poor girl didn’t run away the moment she saw how frail he looked.
She picked out an especially handsome outfit for him.
As she helped him get dressed, she continued lecturing him.
“Look at you. You never even bother dressing properly. Just see this outfit I picked for you today. Once you put it on, you’ll look every bit the refined young gentleman. I’m sure the girl will fall for you.”
Lu Zhoushan chuckled.
“Mom, by your logic, will she be falling for me—or for the clothes?”
Grandma Lu swatted him lightly.
“What nonsense! Good clothes still need the right person to wear them. And what’s wrong with you?”
In every mother’s eyes, her own son was always the best.
Lu Zhoushan simply smiled, still looking rather indifferent.
He knew there was no escaping today’s blind date, so he gave up resisting and let his mother arrange everything.
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