Chapter 170: Reporter's Interview with a Sincere Marriage Agency...
The name "Sincere Marriage Agency" was chosen by Zhao Sulan and Mingxi together.
The name follows the current direct and clear naming style, without any messy or fancy names. It's just the most straightforward and sincere. It's a marriage agency that values sincerity over sincerity and doesn't do any messy stuff.
On the opening day, quite a few people came from the alley to watch the excitement, plus Wei Ningguan Lixin and the aunties from the courtyard came to lend their support, making it a lively and interesting event.
The crackling of firecrackers attracted many nearby residents, who all started asking questions.
"Why are you setting off firecrackers?"
"Oh, you've even put up that sign. Are you opening a shop to do business? Sincere Marriage Agency, what kind of shop is this? A marriage agency? What do you do?"
"I've never heard of this name before..."
Mingxi smiled and explained to everyone, "We are the first professional marriage agency in Beicheng. Our main business is to help unmarried young people solve their single status."
Everyone understood: "Oh, it means introducing people to potential partners!"
Mingxi nodded: "You could say that."
"Isn't that just a matchmaker? A matchmaker should just be called a matchmaker. Why make it sound like a marriage agency? It's so high-class," someone couldn't help but mutter.
Mingxi wasn't offended and replied with a smile, "Sister, you just don't understand. Our marriage agency is different from traditional matchmakers. We have clear pricing and transparent fees. Women who come to us only pay a one-yuan membership fee. Men who register at our agency also only pay a one-yuan membership fee. We only charge a ten-yuan referral fee if the match is successful. If the match is unsuccessful, there is no fee."
Upon hearing this, everyone became interested and asked curiously, "So what's the use of paying a membership fee with you?"
Mingxi: "If you pay a membership fee with us, we'll add your information to our membership book, which all members can browse. Similarly, you have the right to browse other members' information. If you find another member you like, we'll contact them for you. If they're also interested, we'll take the next step and arrange a meeting. If the meeting doesn't go well and you still don't find someone you like, we'll continue to help you find new potential partners until you find someone you click with. Also, our store holds a members' event every quarter. You can sign up voluntarily. After paying a basic catering fee, you can participate in a members' meet-and-greet and go on an outing with all the other members."
As soon as Mingxi finished speaking, the onlookers began to chatter amongst themselves.
They initially thought it was outrageous of Mingxi to charge a referral fee of one yuan without doing anything, but upon hearing this, they realized that there were also member activities every quarter.
Isn't this just like a social gathering?
It's done very well.
Everyone got excited, and a few older women in the crowd started thinking that when they got home, they would call their unmarried sons and daughters over and have them sign up.
But then Mingxi added, "Our marriage agency will strictly review the information of those who register to ensure that the information of those who are included in our membership list is completely true and reliable, and there is no possibility of any fraud."
This made everyone hesitate, and someone asked tentatively, "How will you review it?"
Mingxi: "We will review the information provided by the other party. For example, if the other party says they have a job, we will ask them to provide their work ID. If they say they have a high salary, we will ask them to provide their pay slips. If their family background is exceptionally outstanding, we will need to meet with their parents. As for their relationship status, if they are divorced, we will need them to explain the reasons for their divorce, which we will also investigate and verify privately."
As soon as Mingxi said that, the middle-aged woman standing at the front immediately frowned. She said with a displeased look, "Why are you all like this? I'm just introducing someone to a potential partner, and you want to see this and that. What, is the police checking your household registration?"
Mingxi smiled and said, "Auntie, we're doing this for the sake of our other members. Everyone who comes to us for introductions is definitely looking forward to marriage. Shouldn't we be honest with each other? Otherwise, wouldn't that be marriage fraud?"
Aunt He chimed in, "It's only because we, the person in charge, investigated all of this so thoroughly. If it were any other irresponsible matchmaker who didn't ask any questions before introducing people, wouldn't everyone be the one who suffers?"
“That makes sense. It’s good that you asked clearly. I’m helping my daughter find a partner, and I’m afraid that if the matchmaker doesn’t ask clearly, my daughter will suffer after marrying him.”
"Didn't something like this happen in our area last year? The matchmaker was even arrested by the police."
"Oh, I remember you, Matchmaker Qian, right..."
The incident involving Matchmaker Qian happened just last year, not too long ago. The residents of the steel mill area still remember it, and now that it's mentioned, everyone recalls it.
After hearing this, many people felt that Mingxi's matchmaking agency was good and reliable. In the short time that they had been talking, quite a few people also recognized Zhao Sulan.
Zhao Sulan doesn't like to be in the spotlight, and she had been standing quietly on the side of the crowd without saying a word, but even so, quite a few people still recognized her.
"Hey, Matchmaker Zhao, what brings you here today? Is this marriage agency yours...?"
Zhao Sulan pointed to Mingxi in the middle of the crowd: "This is my daughter."
"Oh, this shop is owned by your daughter!"
Zhao Sulan smiled and nodded, a hint of pride on her face, and said, "Yes, this shop is opened by my daughter. I've retired now, so she opened this shop for me to pass the time. Currently, I'm in charge of all the affairs of the matchmaking agency."
Zhao Sulan had been a matchmaker for over twenty years, and her reputation was far greater than Mingxi's. In no time, the news spread throughout the crowd.
Mingxi finished advertising and led those who were interested in signing up into the house, where they filled out membership information cards, while Zhao Sulan collected the money.
Seeing this, many people ran home to call their unmarried children, except for the old lady who had just confronted Mingxi about checking household registrations, who just shrugged and left disdainfully.
Mingxi noticed her leaving and glanced at her curiously. Someone nearby, seeing Mingxi's curiosity, leaned over and said, "Comrade, don't mind her. She just got angry because you said you wanted to investigate the reasons for the divorce."
Upon hearing this, Mingxi realized there was something fishy going on and asked curiously, "What's going on?"
"It's her son. He got divorced last year. She's always told people that her ex-daughter-in-law was having an affair and that her son couldn't stand it anymore, so he got divorced. But when someone went to her ex-daughter-in-law to inquire, it turned out that's not the case at all."
Mingxi: "So, what exactly was the reason her son divorced his ex-daughter-in-law?"
"I heard she's seeing someone else, but we don't know for sure, since we've never seen her." She couldn't help but whisper this gossip to Mingxi, saying she didn't know what was going on, but she couldn't resist sneaking up to Mingxi's ear and whispering, "I heard her son's mistress is a married woman with a family and children, so even if her son gets married, he can't be with her."
Mingxi: "Oh, I see."
"Hehehe, well, I don't know if this is true or not, just listen to it casually, don't take it seriously," the other person said with a laugh in a low voice.
Mingxi winked at her: "I understand."
After listening to a bit of gossip, Mingxi continued registering the information.
Her document review process is very strict. In addition to the most basic verification of work permits and pay slips, there are also home visits. The matchmaker's impression is also an important part of the review, which takes a lot of time.
Mingxi, Zhao Sulan, and Aunt He were busy all morning before finally finishing the documents. Mingxi breathed a sigh of relief; she was exhausted.
At this moment, Wei Ning walked in from outside carrying a boxed lunch: "Aunt Zhao, you must be tired. I bought some boxed lunches. Why don't you have a bite first?"
Mingxi waved her hand: "I don't want to eat right now, I just want to drink water."
It was late June, almost July, and the temperature was around 30 degrees Celsius at midday. Unlike Guan Lixin, who was rich and powerful and could install air conditioning whenever he wanted, she only had an electric fan in the reception room. The small fan was blowing loudly, and the temperature in the room showed no signs of going down.
"Look what this is?" Wei Ning said, pulling a bottle of soda from behind his back.
The glass bottle of soda was still fogged up, clearly taken from the refrigerator. Mingxi's eyes lit up, and she went over to pry open the soda cap and gulped it down.
After downing a bottle of soda, Mingxi's listless spirits returned considerably.
She had just curiously peeked out to see what kind of boxed lunch Wei Ning had bought when she suddenly heard a noise coming from the doorway. Curious, she turned her head and saw a man with glasses and a crew cut standing at the door.
The man was carrying a briefcase, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and light-colored trousers; he looked like a cultured person.
Seeing Mingxi looking over, he said, "Hello, is this the Zhenzhen Marriage Agency? I am a reporter from Beicheng Daily. My surname is Feng and my name is Feng Xuenian. This is my work ID."
As the other person spoke, they handed over their identification. Mingxi subconsciously stepped forward, opened the work ID, and took a look. Sure enough, it was a work ID from Beicheng Daily, with Feng Xuenian's name on it, and the photo on the ID matched the person in front of her.
Mingxi immediately smiled, handed the work ID back, and said, "Reporter Feng, what brings you here?"
This reporter is probably here to introduce her to a potential partner.
Sure enough, Feng Xuenian spoke up the next second: "It's like this, I learned from the Industry and Commerce Bureau that your marriage agency, Comrade Ming, is the first individual business in the city whose main business is marriage introduction services. I'm very curious about how you came up with the idea of opening a marriage agency, and I'm also curious about the difference between your marriage agency and traditional matchmaking. So I'd like to conduct an interview with you and your marriage agency. Is that convenient?"
Mingxi paused for a moment, but quickly replied, "If I can advertise, then no problem."
This time, it was Feng Xuenian who was stunned. Seeing him frozen, Mingxi quickly added, "Just kidding, Reporter Feng, please don't take offense. I'm willing to be interviewed. Please have a seat."
She gave Wei Ning a look, and Wei Ning immediately brought over a chair. Zhao Sulan and Aunt He also immediately helped to pour tea.
Feng Xuenian smiled and sat down: "Then I'll begin my questions. I heard that you were a matchmaker before, Comrade Ming. I'm very curious because in my impression, it's rare to see a young woman like you doing matchmaking. Especially since you already have a job."
Mingxi raised an eyebrow. It seemed that Feng Xuenian was well-prepared, even knowing about her work.
But that's not surprising; journalists are well-informed.
Mingxi smiled and was quite frank: "Speaking of this, it's actually a coincidence. I became a matchmaker because I followed in my mother's footsteps. Last year, she was injured in an accident, and I happened to be unemployed at the time, so I took over her matchmaking business. I only got this job after I started matchmaking. Actually, to be more precise, it's because I'm a good matchmaker that I got this job."
Feng Xuenian raised an eyebrow, clearly finding Mingxi's statement interesting. He made a simple note in his notebook and continued, "You said the matchmaking was good? Was it smooth sailing from the very beginning?"
Mingxi shook her head: "Of course not. When people choose a matchmaker, they look at their qualifications. I'm young and have a delicate face, so it didn't go smoothly at first."
Feng Xuenian: "Oh? Is that so?"
He became interested; there were many interesting things to explore about Mingxi.
Mingxi: "Yes, it didn't go smoothly for me to introduce people to potential partners at first, but later..."
Mingxi began to speak eloquently.
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Author's Note: As usual, there will be another chapter this afternoon.
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