Chapter Sixty-Three: Matchmaking

At the dock, the stalls selling tripe and lungs and the congee were still bustling with activity.

The two stalls were already set up early in the morning, with stoves lit and steam rising.

The rich aroma of the tripe and lung soup, simmered overnight, wafted out early, drawing the early risers to work involuntarily towards it.

In another pot, rice porridge was bubbling away, its aroma filling the air. The two pots stood side by side, creating the most enticing sight on the dock in the early morning.

Xiong Zijuan is now an indispensable helper at the porridge stall.

After these days of practice, she shed her initial shyness and awkwardness, and became increasingly nimble.

She wiped the table, set out the dishes, and cleaned up the leftovers with fluid and natural movements.

Although he still doesn't talk much, he can occasionally give a slight smile or respond softly with "You're here" or "Take care" when facing regular customers.

"Zijuan, this porridge is really thick today!"

An old boatman who frequented the place took the bowl of porridge that Xiong Zijuan served and praised her with a smile.

Xiong Zijuan simply nodded slightly, a slight smile playing on her lips, as a response.

Another regular customer watching her retreating figure remarked with emotion to the people at the table, "It's not easy. I heard she's divorced and raising her child alone. In this day and age, a woman working and raising a child on her own—that kind of spirit deserves respect!"

This statement drew agreement from many people.

"Yes, she looks quiet and gentle, but she's really efficient at her work!"

"It's such a blessing for Madam Zhang and Madam Li to have her help with their stalls!"

Gradually, the men coming and going at the dock all knew that there was a hardworking and quiet Xiong family girl in this stall who was raising her child alone after her divorce.

This experience did not lead to being looked down upon; on the contrary, it made some kind-hearted old customers patronize her business even more, sometimes even walking a few extra steps just to have a bowl of hot porridge or soup.

That morning, when there were fewer customers at the stall, a regular customer surnamed Zhao, who often came to drink porridge, stopped Xiong Zijuan while she came to clear the tables, and said with a slightly flustered look, "Um... Miss Zijuan, are you busy?"

Xiong Zijuan stopped what she was doing and looked at him: "Uncle Zhao, what's the matter?"

"Cough, it's nothing serious..."

Uncle Zhao lowered his voice a little: "It's just... seeing how hard it is for you to raise a child alone, and how capable you are. I was thinking... introducing you to someone? What do you think?"

Xiong Zijuan was slightly taken aback, not expecting this topic. She was preoccupied with her own thoughts and didn't immediately refuse or agree.

Seeing that she didn't object, Uncle Zhao continued, "He's a laborer at our dock, named Wang Tiezhu. He's... a very honest man, and he works very hard. At home... sigh, he used to have a good wife, but unfortunately... she and the baby both died during childbirth. He's all alone now. These past years, he's had a tough time living alone..."

"It's just that... some people gossip, saying he's unlucky and brings misfortune to his wife and children... but that's all nonsense! He's a really good person! It's just... his reputation isn't very good."

After Zhao Bo finished speaking, he looked at Xiong Zijuan with some trepidation.

After listening, Xiong Zijuan remained silent for a moment.

When I first noticed the engagement between Zixiang and He Zixiang, weren't there people gossiping about it?

But what about now? Zixiang and his family are living a prosperous and thriving life.

Even when I was getting a divorce, there were those who said some unpleasant things.

Rumors are just rumors; you can listen to them but don't take them seriously.

Thinking this to herself, she replied to Uncle Zhao, "Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Zhao. I've never even met this person before, so I can't really say anything about him. If it's convenient, let's get to know him first and see how things go."

"Hey! Good! Good!" Uncle Zhao was immediately delighted when he heard there was a chance. "Then I'll talk to Tiezhu later and arrange for you to meet him?"

"Oh, there's no need to come all the way here. Just see him during your lunch break," Xiong Zijuan added.

Two days later, during a brief midday break at the dock, Uncle Zhao led a man over.

The man was Wang Tiezhu. He was in his early thirties, of medium height, and fairly sturdy. He was wearing a short jacket commonly seen on dockworkers.

He followed behind Uncle Zhao, appearing somewhat reserved, but his eyes couldn't help but dart towards Xiong Zijuan.

"Miss Zijuan, this is Tiezhu," Uncle Zhao introduced with a smile.

“Miss Zi… Miss Zijuan.” Wang Tiezhu’s gaze fell on Xiong Zijuan’s face, as if he had been burned, and he quickly looked away, a distinct blush rising on his dark face. “I have long heard Uncle Zhao say that Miss Zijuan is a good person and also… beautiful. But after seeing her today, she is even more… even more… than I expected…” He seemed a little nervous, and before he could finish speaking, he chuckled twice.

Xiong Zijuan felt a little uncomfortable with his straightforward praise. She lowered her eyes slightly and asked, "Would you like some porridge?"

“Drink…drink a bowl,” Wang Tiezhu quickly replied.

Xiong Zijuan served him a bowl of porridge and a small dish of pickled vegetables.

Wang Tiezhu stood under a willow tree not far from the stall, holding a bowl, sipping his porridge, but his gaze kept drifting to Xiong Zijuan's busy figure.

Zhang Liuli was busy at the tripe and lung soup pot not far away when he caught a glimpse of the situation over there out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing Wang Tiezhu's expression of wanting to look but not daring to look too much, she thought to herself: This man seems honest.

After this brief meeting, Wang Tiezhu stopped by for porridge more often.

Zhang Yili didn't pay much attention at first, until one afternoon when she was serving soup to a guest and overheard a conversation between Wang Tiezhu and Xiong Zijuan.

There weren't many people at the stall at that time, and Xiong Zijuan was tidying up the spice jars next to the stove.

Wang Tiezhu came again. This time, he didn't immediately ask for porridge. Instead, he looked at Xiong Zijuan's profile as she focused on her work and couldn't help but say, "Zijuan, you...you're so beautiful. Not in a flashy way, but in a way that makes you feel comfortable and want to settle down." He praised her simply.

Xiong Zijuan paused in her movements, looked up, her face expressionless, but her ears were quietly turning red.

She didn't respond to that question, but instead asked, "Brother Wang, would you like some porridge?"

Zhang Yi's heart skipped a beat.

This is still far from over, so why bring up things like daily life when we're just praising someone's appearance?

A few days later, Zhang Yi witnessed the same scene again.

That day, Xiong Zijuan brought Xiaobao to the stall. Xiaobao was a little fussy and kept whining.

Wang Tiezhu happened to come over and saw Xiaobao crying. He immediately went over and, as if by magic, pulled a small grasshopper made of straw from his pocket and waved it in front of Xiaobao: "Xiaobao, be good, look what this is? A little grasshopper hopping around. Don't cry, don't cry, Uncle will let you play with it!"

He teased Xiao Bao, but his eyes were fixed on Xiong Zijuan: "Zijuan, look how cute Xiao Bao is! He looks just like you, his eyes and nose are just like yours. He's definitely your child, and he'll surely be handsome in the future!"

Xiao Bao was attracted by the bright green grasshopper and stopped crying.

Wang Tiezhu picked up Xiaobao and bounced him around while teasing him, "Xiaobao is such a good boy! Uncle will give you a hug! Oh my, this little guy is so strong!"

He held the baby in his arms, turned to Xiong Zijuan and smiled, "Zijuan, don't worry, I'll definitely treat him like my own son from now on! This child is so lovable, just like you!"

Seeing Xiao Bao giggling as Wang Tiezhu amused her, Xiong Zijuan quickly reached out and took the child from him, saying, "Thank you, Brother Wang."

Zhang Liu watched from the side, his brows furrowing even more deeply.

Wang Tiezhu is skilled at coaxing children, but the behavior of this person in front of him seems more like...smooth talker.

After closing up shop that evening, Zhang Yili found an opportunity to talk to Xiong Zijuan about the matter privately.

"Sister," Zhang Yili asked bluntly, "what do you think of that Wang Tiezhu?"

Xiong Zijuan was washing Xiaobao's face when she heard this, but she didn't stop: "He's alright, he was introduced by Uncle Zhao. He doesn't seem like a bad person, but he talks a lot."

"He's more than just talkative!" Zhang Xiaoyi lowered her voice: "Sis, haven't you noticed? He's too sweet-talking. Every sentence he says is praising your looks, praising Xiaobao's cuteness, and he keeps bringing up the topic of your future life together. And you've only known each other for a short time?"

"It sounds nice, but in real life, you can't rely on just words. I'm afraid... afraid that he's too cunning and not sincere, just trying to coax people with a few nice words."

She paused, looked into Xiong Zijuan's eyes, and said seriously, "Sister, what's most important to you right now is Xiaobao and yourself. We need to find someone like Zixiang who is truly reliable and can live a down-to-earth life. These kinds of people can talk a good game, but who knows what they're really thinking? You need to take a closer look and not be fooled by a few nice words from him."

Xiong Zijuan wrung out the face towel, draped it over, and turned around: "Take care, I understand what you mean. Don't worry, I'm not a little girl anymore. I won't be easily fooled by a few nice words."

She picked up her sleepy-eyed baby and said, "Life is your own, and you have to judge people yourself. No matter how good he is, if he's not good to the baby or doesn't get along with our family, it's all for nothing. Right now, all I want is peace and stability, and for the baby to be well. No matter how sweet his words are, we have to see his actions. Let's wait and see, there's no rush."

Zhang Liuyi looked at her sister and knew that she had her own judgment, which made Zhang Liuyi feel a little more at ease.

She nodded: "Yeah, I'm just a little worried, don't mind me, sis. Anyway, let's both keep an eye on him, observe what he does more and listen less to what he says."

"Okay, I'm putting Xiaobao to sleep now. You should also go back to sleep early, Zixiang is waiting."

"Then I'll go back, sis."