Chapter 23: Just Knew Nothing Good Would Come of This

Chen Qiuwei also had a happy expression. She said, “I told you, once you meet someone, it’s impossible not to be moved.”

She grabbed Wen Nian and pushed her in front of the middle-aged woman.

“Nian Nian, this is Director Li from the steel plant, and this is Comrade Zheng Jiahe.”

Li Donghong warmly took Wen Nian’s hand and began praising her.

“You must be Wen Nian, right? Your mom has told me a lot about you—quiet, well-behaved, sensible. Didn’t expect you to be so pretty too.”

Wen Nian frowned and tried to shake off her hand.

She greeted with a blank expression.

“Hello, Director Li.”

“Oh, don’t call me Director, that sounds too formal. Your mom and I are good friends and colleagues, just call me Auntie Li,”

Li Donghong said casually, linking arms with Wen Nian as she walked toward Zheng Jiahe.

“This is my little son, who’s not very capable but managed to become a minor supervisor at the steel plant. You two are about the same age; young people understand each other better. You should talk and get to know each other.”

Li Donghong pinched Wen Nian’s small hand—soft, delicate, smooth—nothing like the hands of someone who does hard work.

She secretly despised that if her son married this girl, she probably wouldn’t do any work at all.

They were both from the countryside.

The previous youngest daughter-in-law, whatever else she lacked, was at least good at housework.

This one, from the looks of it, didn’t know how to live properly.

Wasn’t she from the countryside?

Oh well, as long as her son liked her, even if she was just a decoration, it didn’t matter.

As long as she could give the Zheng family heirs, that was enough.

At worst, they could hire a housemaid.

If the young couple got married this time, they absolutely couldn’t live alone.

They would live with the elder couple, and she would make sure to keep a close watch on this youngest daughter-in-law.

Li Donghong nudged her stiff little son.

Zheng Jiahe stammered nervously, unsure where to put his hands, and finally just nervously gripped his pants.

“Y-you… Hello, Comrade Wen, I am Zheng Jiahe.”

Only when he was closer did he notice how fine her skin was; there wasn’t a single pore to be seen on her face.

Her nose carried a clear fragrance, somewhat like jasmine.

Light, elegant, refreshing; on closer sniffing, it seemed not quite jasmine.

Wen Nian sneered inside. Wen Jian was clearly determined to push his adopted daughter into the fire.

Li Donghong not only held her hand but was now kneading it.

What was worse, she even reached under Wen Nian’s peach-like hips.

Wen Nian broke out in goosebumps. If the woman hadn’t stopped in time, she almost would have lost her temper on the spot.

Didn’t she know about boundaries?

First meeting and already groping her like this—no matter the gender, Wen Nian couldn’t tolerate it.

From the moment she entered, she already regretted agreeing to come.

She knew Chen Qiuwei was definitely up to no good.

Who would’ve thought it was a matchmaking banquet?

Her referral letter was about to expire.

Either she needed to extend it or move her household registration.

Her main reason for coming today was to ask about Wen Jian’s household registration.

After all, he was still officially her adoptive father.

If it didn’t work out, she could at least ask him to extend the referral letter.

Who knew this couple was still so persistent, even bringing someone home for a matchmaking meeting?

Judging by looks alone, Zheng Jiahe wasn’t bad-looking.

Fair-skinned, tall and thin, and wearing glasses that made him look refined.

The type of “pretty boy” popular with girls nowadays.

His white shirt was clean and neat, not a wrinkle in sight.

His black pants fit well, and his black leather shoes shone brightly.

This outfit wouldn’t look outdated even in modern times.

Put him in the 1980s, and he’d be considered quite fashionable.

Although he wasn’t her type, overall he was visually decent.

It was hard to imagine someone like him had a serious violent tendency.

Zheng Jiahe awkwardly adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

Cleared his throat.

“Comrade Wen, don’t just stand there, sit over here.”

Zheng Jiahe noticed Wen Nian was sizing him up and became nervous and flustered.

His fair face instantly flushed red, and his ears burned hot.

Wen Nian said nothing and chose to sit quietly on the other side.

Just going through the motions for now.

It wasn’t time to lose her temper yet.

Zheng Jiahe awkwardly stood stiffly nearby.

Seeing this, Li Donghong felt a bit uncomfortable inside.

She was displeased but didn’t show it on her face.

She pulled Zheng Jiahe over and pushed him to sit right next to Wen Nian.

The dishes on the table were quite abundant—eight dishes and one soup, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables.

The sun was shining from the west—Chen Qiuwei was really going all out this time.

When she first arrived in Jing City, the Wen family table was mostly steamed corn buns and pickles.

Forget meat, even vegetables were rare.

Zheng Jiahe’s eager gaze kept following Wen Nian.

Thoughtfully, he served a bowl of egg drop soup and handed it over.

“Comrade Wen, have some soup.”

Wen Nian didn’t take it.

“No thanks, I don’t like egg drop soup.”

Chen Qiuwei heard this and threw her a warning glance.

That stubborn girl, better be sensible.

The atmosphere at the table grew a little stiff. Chen Qiuwei hurriedly got up and took the egg drop soup back.

She placed it in front of Wen Nian and urged,

“Nian Nian, this is Comrade Zheng’s kindness. Drink it quickly.”

Then she turned and smiled apologetically at Zheng Jiahe.

“Comrade Zheng, don’t mind her, Nian Nian is just joking, she’s shy. You eat more, try Auntie’s cooking.”

Wen Nian’s face remained indifferent, refusing to touch the soup in front of her.

Zheng Jiahe looked a bit embarrassed, lowered his head, and quietly served himself some food without saying a word.

Li Donghong’s smile faded, no longer as warm as before.

Chen Qiuwei noticed and quickly resumed her smile, discussing the wedding date with her.

Li Donghong glanced at her son, who looked visibly disappointed, and sighed.

Children are a burden.

She had long seen that the Wen family’s adopted daughter wasn’t willing.

But that didn’t matter.

Since ancient times, marriage was about obeying the mother’s orders.

Who said the son had to like the girl?

He had to be the one chasing after her.

Thinking this, she dropped the pretentious attitude and started negotiating with Chen Qiuwei back and forth.

Wen Nian was speechless—this was just the first meeting, and they were already talking about marriage?

Li Donghong’s earlier coldness disappeared, and she warmly discussed the date with Chen Qiuwei.

“Our little He isn’t young anymore—he’s already twenty-seven.

The earlier they marry, the sooner I can hold my grandchild.”

Chen Qiuwei also warmly held her hand.

“Relatives, we think the same way. Nian Nian has been with her grandma all these years, and since her grandma passed, there’s hardly anyone left back home. If the marriage is arranged early, the household registration can be transferred sooner, and we can rest easy. Although she’s not our biological daughter, both my husband and I have always treated her like one.”

“As for the household registration, don’t worry. Once they marry, I’ll immediately transfer her registration. I’ll even find her a job at the steel plant.”

Chen Qiuwei’s face was full of joy.

“That’s great. Our Nian Nian is marrying into a good family. We accepted the betrothal gift, but…”

Li Donghong forced a smile.

It was clear she thought the dowry was too little.

“As for the betrothal gift, we’ll give the highest standard—three rounds and one sound, thirty-six legacies—not a single thing will be missing.”

Li Donghong spoke with great confidence about this.

All four family members were official employees at the steel plant.

The eldest daughter-in-law worked at the food factory.

All five family members were workers, many in management positions.

Their family conditions were unmatched in this workers’ compound.