Chapter 13: The Overconfident Man

This remark really struck a chord with Song Xilan. Indeed, just because someone could drink bitter black coffee, did that really make them superior?

So, she casually raised her hand to call the waiter and asked them to add sugar and milk to her black coffee. After stirring it well, she took a sip and finally smiled with satisfaction. “Hmm, this is much better.”

Her date, Qin Hailin, naturally wasn’t very fond of her nonchalant behavior. But since it was their first meeting, he didn’t want to say too much.

“Comrade Song, I’m curious, what do you like to do when you get home after work?”

Song Xilan thought for a moment. “I help my mom with cooking, then we have dinner together, go for a walk, and after that, watch some TV.”

Qin Hailin frowned. “Don’t you read or study to improve yourself?”

“Ah, read books? Sometimes, I do read a little.”

Qin Hailin’s expression softened. “What kind of books do you like to read? As for me, I personally enjoy reading modern poetry, and I occasionally write my own. If you’re interested, I could lend you some to read.”

Song Xilan replied, “Uh, what I read more often are cookbooks.”

“Ha!” From the table next to them, Jiang Chengxiao couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Turning around, he rested his elbow on the back of the chair and said to Song Xilan, “Why don’t you ask him? Since he’s so ambitious, what position does he hold at work? How much does he earn? Has he been allocated housing yet? What size apartment will he get? Will he live with his parents? Does he have siblings? How heavy is his family burden?”

Qin Hailin glared at him angrily. “Comrade, we are having a conversation. What does it have to do with you?”

Jiang Jingru also looked displeased. “Comrade Jiang, you just mentioned how you trained, what was it like?”

Jiang Chengxiao made an apologetic gesture. “Sorry to interrupt, please continue.”

Song Xilan asked, “So, Comrade Qin, would you mind sharing a bit about your personal background?”

Qin Hailin’s face darkened. “I work at a farm machinery factory, and I’m holding the position that my mom used to have. So, for the past few years, I’ve been sending two-thirds of my salary back home because I have a younger brother and sister to take care of. It’s my responsibility as the eldest son. You can understand that, right, Comrade Song? I’m a family-oriented man.”

“I’ve heard that women are also expected to give their salaries to their families, right? So, I suggest that from now on, you should save a bit for yourself. After all, you’ll need to save some dowry for your future. If you marry, just give your salary to my mom. You don’t seem like the type who can save much. Let my mom handle the savings. She’s good at budgeting and managing the household.”

Song Xilan lowered her head and stirred her coffee with a spoon, her voice still soft and gentle. “Since I started working, I’ve kept my salary for myself. My parents never ask for it. They even ask if I have enough money, and if not, they’ll help me out. In the future, I also want to keep my salary in my own hands. I don’t want to live in a way where, if I want something, I have to ask others for it.”

Qin Hailin frowned. “That’s not the right way to think. After a woman marries, she shouldn’t be so reckless with money. My mom, for example, is a woman with traditional virtues. She’s never spent any money on herself. If there’s something good, she’ll always give it to my dad or us brothers first. You should really learn this from my mom.”

“Also, Comrade Song, I think you should pay attention to your appearance. I prefer slimmer women. You could eat less and try to control your weight. You shouldn’t weigh more than 100 pounds.”

Song Xilan widened her eyes. “I’m 1.67 meters tall.” Not weigh more than 100 pounds? She couldn’t even imagine it—she would have to be skin and bones!

Qin Hailin continued, “Of all the characters in literature, my favorite is Lin Daiyu. Right now, there’s quite a gap between you and her, but actually, you have pretty delicate features. If you lose some weight, you’d look great. You should work toward that.”

Song Xilan smiled slightly. “Sorry, I think we might not be a good match. I really like the way I look now, and I’m not going to change for anyone. At the same time, I wish you the best in finding your own Lin Daiyu. Waiter, can I have the check, please?”

Qin Hailin didn’t expect her to refuse him. In fact, from the moment he saw Song Xilan, he hadn’t liked her much. She dressed too well, and it was obvious she was someone who could spend money.

But his mom had said that the Song family was well-off, and since she was their only daughter, all of the family’s wealth would eventually be hers.

That’s why he patiently tried to convince her to change.

He believed that Song Xilan should be grateful for his advice and humbly take it to heart. After all, other than him, it would be hard for her to find someone better.

What he was saying was for her own good, to help her become a better woman. How could she not appreciate it?

Only children were like that—too spoiled.

She would regret turning him down eventually.

As Song Xilan called for the check, Qin Hailin didn’t show any signs of stopping her or trying to pay for the bill. He actually felt it was only natural. Didn’t she say her salary was hers to keep? So, if she had money, she should pay for her own coffee!

Song Xilan asked the waiter, “How much is one cup of coffee?”

“Hello, Comrade, one cup of coffee is three yuan. Your total for this table is six yuan.”

Song Xilan took three yuan from her bag. “Sorry for the trouble. I’ll pay for my own cup.”

[My goodness, what a typical overconfident man.]

[What a clear-headed and rational girl.]

[What kind of terrible date is this? I was honestly worried Xilan might fall for his manipulation.]

[Xilan grew up pampered by her family and is confident, so she’s not so easily manipulated.]

[This “little fatty” has such progressive views. She already knows how to split the bill.]

Strangely enough, most of the criticism that had appeared in her mind earlier—about her being fat, lacking self-awareness, etc.—seemed to have disappeared.

After all, people are always compared to others. Now, with someone even more annoying in front of her, people started criticizing him instead.