This time, Xu Damao took the girl back to the tenement. After Wang Minzhi went inside, he rode his bicycle and quickly headed towards Xu Fugui's place.
They had been worried about their son's performance today.
After Xu Damao returned home, he recounted what had happened at Wang Minzhi's house that day, which put his parents at ease. It was truly surprising that their son, with his unreliable nature, didn't require any parental worry about finding a partner.
Actually, if Xu Damao knew, he would definitely want to tell a classic anecdote from later generations. The three boys with the smoky tempers didn't even have 100 yuan in their pockets combined, but one phone call from him could summon more than a dozen girls. This saying, "Women love bad boys," applies to any era.
After having dinner with his parents, Xu Damao rode his bicycle back to the courtyard house.
While Xu Damao was busy looking for a partner, the other members of the Siheyuan (courtyard) community were also busy looking for partners.
In the morning, after Yan Fugui saw that Xu Damao might be looking for a partner, he felt that his own Yan Jiecheng also met the requirements, so he hurriedly went to find Zhang the matchmaker in the alley.
This matchmaker was the most famous in the nearby alleys, and also the most successful and efficient.
Compared to other matchmakers who charge 2 or 3 yuan per match, Zhang the Matchmaker starts at 5 yuan, with no upper limit. However, she has her principles: satisfaction is guaranteed; if you're not satisfied, she'll continue to introduce you to potential partners. If you still haven't found someone satisfactory within two years, she promises a no-questions-asked refund.
With this level of service, no wonder their business is always booming.
"Sister Zhang, my husband Jiecheng is getting on in years and now works as a permanent employee at a steel rolling mill. I'd like to trouble you to introduce him to someone."
Yan Fugui had been a teacher at Hongxing Elementary School for many years, and many people in the nearby alleys were his students, so he was considered a celebrity in the area. Now that Yan Fugui had personally come to Zhang the Matchmaker's place, she naturally took it very seriously.
"Teacher Yan, don't worry. I've gotten to know quite a few people over the years, and I know exactly which girls are good and which families are harmonious."
Furthermore, considering your family background and character, Mr. Yan, they are top-notch, so you can rest assured about the outcome. By the way, Mr. Yan, do you have any requirements?
Matchmaker Zhang flattered Yan Fugui and casually asked about his requirements.
"Well, I'll leave everything to your sister Zhang. I trust you. But it would be best if she had a city residency permit, a job, and was also thrifty and good at managing the household."
Yan Fugui stated his requirements. These requirements weren't particularly high, but they weren't low compared to Yan Jiecheng's conditions.
“Teacher Yan, if that’s how you see it, then I happen to have someone suitable here. The girl meets all your requirements, but there’s one thing I need to make clear first. That is, the girl got her job by taking over her mother’s position. They said that after marriage, half of her salary will have to go to her parents’ family for ten years, until the children in the family are all grown up.”
"Does this really have to be ten years? What if their child starts working earlier?"
Upon hearing Zhang the matchmaker's explanation, Yan Fugui began to ponder. In those days, many jobs were obtained by taking over one's parents' positions, so the practice of giving wages to the wife's family was also common. However, Yan Fugui thought that if he could reduce the number of years the child in the other family attended school and start working earlier, perhaps the wages he would have to pay would be less.
“Well, Teacher Yan, I think that’s possible too. You’ll have to talk to their families yourselves.” Matchmaker Zhang was truly impressed by Old Man Yan’s shrewdness; he could even come up with something like this.
"How about today? We're both home today. If it's okay, bring the girl to my house, and she can have lunch there."
Yan Fugui thought about the fish he caught that morning; one of them had died, and he needed to eat it for lunch. If he could arrange for the girl to come over, it would save him the trouble of cooking one dish.
As a result, urged by Yan Fugui, Yan Jiecheng's blind date began at noon.
The girl's name was Ma Fangfang. At noon, she arrived at Yan Fugui's house with the help of Zhang, the matchmaker.
“Teacher Yan, I’ve brought this young lady with me. Fangfang, this is Teacher Yan, a highly respected teacher at Hongxing Elementary School. This is Teacher Yan’s son, Yan Jiecheng, who is now a full-time employee at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill. Jiecheng, why don’t you talk to Fangfang?”
Matchmaker Ma began her introduction process. In fact, she had already briefed both parties on their situations before arriving. Only after both sides were generally satisfied would the next step be taken.
Ma Fangfang was the eldest sister in her family since childhood, taking care of her younger siblings, so she never procrastinated. Seeing that Yan Jiecheng was still a little embarrassed, she spoke first.
"Hello Jiecheng. I heard you're a full-time employee at the steel rolling mill now. How much do you earn a month?" Ma Fangfang asked a crucial question.
"Hello, I just started working and I only earn 21 yuan a month right now. But once I become a level one worker, my salary will reach 33 yuan. After that, my salary will increase every time I pass the upgrade exam."
My second uncle in our compound, who is now my mentor, is a level six worker and earns 72 yuan a month.
Seemingly to prove his unlimited potential, Yan Jiecheng cited Liu Haizhong's example.
"That's pretty good. I'm working in a garment factory now, and my salary is 29 yuan. Like you, I get a raise when I get promoted. But, as Zhang the matchmaker told you, my family situation is special. I have several younger brothers and sisters to support."
Currently, only my dad and I work in my family, and I'm just filling in for others at my job, so at least half of my salary over the years has gone to my family. Do you mind?
Ma Fangfang speaks very frankly, and she first pointed out her biggest weakness.
“The matchmaker mentioned this beforehand. I don’t mind, and I think you’re quite filial. If we can get together, we can help your family in the future.”
Yan Jiecheng wasn't stupid; he knew to say nice things at this point. Ma Fangfang wasn't exceptionally beautiful, but she was clean-cut, had fair skin, and a figure that would make her fertile. This held a strong attraction for someone like Yan Jiecheng who could only relieve himself with his hands every night.
As for Ma Fangfang, she was fairly satisfied with the Yan family.
He had heard of Yan Fugui's nickname, "Old Man Yan the Stingy." But having taken care of his younger siblings since childhood, he knew that a family needed this kind of parent.
I saw Yan Jiecheng today, and he's alright. Yan Jiecheng is tall and thin, but very shrewd. He has a stable job now and doesn't look down on his family, so he's doing quite well.
At noon, the Yan family members finally had a meat feast, and the dishes were almost as good as those served during the Chinese New Year.
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