Xu Tang looked at the time. More than ten minutes had already passed.
She thought, How can this person be so unpunctual? He’s already made a terrible first impression.
She would wait another ten minutes. If he still didn’t show up, she would leave.
Zhou Jinghe had finished eating a long time ago, but when he saw that Xu Tang hadn’t left after finishing her meal, he figured she was probably waiting for someone.
He wanted to see who she was waiting for—and whether it was her boyfriend.
His colleague, Zhong Kai, noticed that Zhou Jinghe had finished eating but showed no intention of leaving. He was puzzled at first.
It wasn’t until Xu Tang got up to return her dishes that he noticed Zhou Jinghe staring intently at the young woman.
In an instant, he understood.
Zhong Kai was rather surprised.
Zhou Jinghe had actually fallen for a woman he had just met.
Granted, the girl really was exceptionally beautiful.
But who was Zhou Jinghe?
Zhong Kai had only heard from colleagues at the bureau that Zhou Jinghe had come from Beijing and had a very impressive background. Even their director treated him with great courtesy. On top of that, Zhou Jinghe himself was highly capable.
Many leaders had wanted to introduce him to suitable women, but Zhou Jinghe had rejected them all.
So Zhong Kai felt like he had just stumbled upon a huge secret.
Another five minutes passed.
Just as Xu Tang was complaining to the system about the man, Lin Xiuxiang finally walked in with Wu Zhixiang.
“I’m sorry, Comrade Xu. I kept you waiting,” Lin Xiuxiang said apologetically.
Lin Xiuxiang herself wanted to curse.
She had gone to the Wu family the previous day and made it very clear that they had to arrive before eleven. But Wu Zhixiang had been dissatisfied with the girls she had introduced to him the previous two times.
He assumed this girl would be no different from the others, so he hadn’t really wanted to come. His mother, however, had insisted that he go. As a result, he had deliberately dragged his feet on the way there.
But the moment Wu Zhixiang saw that Xu Tang was the girl Lin Xiuxiang had introduced him to, his eyes went wide.
He quickly straightened his clothes and smoothed down his hair before speaking.
“Hello. You must be Comrade Xu, right? I’m Wu Zhixiang.”
Xu Tang looked at the man in front of her.
He was around 170 centimeters tall with a square-shaped face—the kind of appearance that would have been considered desirable in this era.
But he wasn’t her type.
On top of that, judging by his casual clothes, it was obvious that he hadn’t taken this blind date seriously at all.
Although Xu Tang had come here simply to complete a task, she had still taken the time to dress neatly.
Whether things worked out or not, that was basic respect for the other person.
She showed little expression as she replied calmly, “Hello. I’m Xu Tang.”
Seeing that the two had already met, Lin Xiuxiang made an excuse and left.
Although she had a feeling the blind date was already doomed, she figured it would be easier for them to talk privately.
Once Lin Xiuxiang had left, Wu Zhixiang spoke earnestly.
“I’m sorry, Comrade Xu. Something came up on the way and delayed me. Let me properly introduce myself. My name is Wu Zhixiang. I’m twenty years old and I work at a machinery factory. I’m very satisfied with you. What do you think of me?”
Wu Zhixiang regretted not dressing more formally that day.
He had never seen a girl as beautiful as Comrade Xu before.
If he could marry a woman like her, how impressive would that be when he brought her home?
Zhou Jinghe overheard Wu Zhixiang’s introduction and immediately realized that they were there for a marriage meeting.
He felt inexplicably irritated.
Although he didn’t think Xu Tang would take a liking to Wu Zhixiang, seeing another man trying to court her still made him uncomfortable.
“I don’t think we’re a good match,” Xu Tang said, politely declining him.
Wu Zhixiang was surprised.
“What makes us unsuitable?”
“You were a full fifteen minutes late. If it weren’t for Auntie Lin, I would have already left.”
Seeing that Xu Tang was somewhat upset, Wu Zhixiang hurriedly explained, “I’m sorry, Comrade Xu. I really didn’t mean to be late. Something genuinely delayed me. How about this? Order whatever you want. I’ll pay for it.”
Xu Tang was becoming impatient.
“No need. I’ve already eaten. Let’s just leave it at that today.”
“Wait, Comrade Xu. My family lives here in town, and I earn forty-two yuan a month. My father also works at the machinery factory. Do you still not think I’m suitable?”
Wu Zhixiang couldn’t believe she wasn’t tempted.
He had learned from Madam Lin that Xu Tang was from the countryside. Weren’t rural girls usually eager to marry a man with a job that provided a steady supply of state-rationed grain?