Chapter 60 : No Reserve

After Chen Dongsheng finished a meeting with several team leaders in the workshop, he headed to the transportation team.

Originally, he had planned to go to Chen Chong’s house after work, but with all the people coming and going in the factory, it wasn’t the right time to discuss personal matters.

However, his daughter was anxious, and he wanted to go see Han Zhenyu for himself to see if he was truly as reliable as his wife and daughter claimed.

Li Chong had just finished a meeting with his subordinates and was sitting in his office, holding his teacup, when he heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

“Director Li,” Chen Dongsheng said with a smile as he walked in.

“Oh, it’s Director Chen. Please, take a seat.”

Li Chong quickly set down his teacup, invited him to sit next to him, and poured another cup of tea. Then, sitting across from him, he asked with a smile, “Director Chen, what brings you here today? Do you have any instructions?”

Chen Dongsheng smiled and shook his head. “Old Li, you’re such a talker, I never know how to respond to you.”

Li Chong laughed and gestured for him to drink some water.

He had seen Chen Dongsheng’s wife and Han Zhenyu talking outside yesterday afternoon. Additionally, some time ago, Chen Dongsheng had asked him about Han Zhenyu.

So when Chen Dongsheng entered, Li Chong had a rough idea of the purpose of his visit.

But since the person involved hadn’t spoken directly, Li Chong wasn’t sure how to bring it up. He just sat there smiling and exchanged some pleasantries with him.

After chatting for a while, Chen Dongsheng finally got to the point.

“Old Li, to be honest, I do have something to ask you today.”

Li Chong nodded and said, “Director Chen, you know that if I can help, I’ll do it without hesitation.”

Seeing his quick agreement, Chen Dongsheng smiled and said, “Old Li, I just found out recently that my daughter and your subordinate, Han Zhenyu, are dating.”

Li Chong pretended to be surprised. “Really? That guy is really good at keeping secrets. I haven’t even heard him say anything about it.” Then he began praising Han Zhenyu.

“Old Chen, I’m not exaggerating. Zhenyu is very handsome, and his character and abilities are impeccable. Though his family is from the countryside, he’ll be officially registered soon, right? He’ll have a city hukou in the future too.”

Li Chong gave Chen Dongsheng a thumbs-up and added, “Old Chen, your daughter has good taste. She’s won over such an outstanding young man. You can just wait for your son-in-law to be filial to you in the future.”

Chen Dongsheng smiled and said, “I won’t interfere in the children’s affairs, as long as they’re willing.”

“That’s right. Everyone is free to fall in love now. As long as they like each other, we as elders just need to give our blessings,” Li Chong agreed.

The two exchanged a few more words about their views on freedom in love, and then Chen Dongsheng got to the real reason for his visit.

“You two aren’t young anymore, and you’ve known each other for over half a year now. I came here today to ask you to be a matchmaker.”

Li Chong was a bit surprised. He thought Chen Dongsheng had come to test the waters, but he didn’t expect him to ask for a matchmaker.

Chen Dongsheng’s family conditions were quite good in the machinery factory. It was a dual-income household, and his daughter worked as a regular employee in the factory.

The family was in a good position, and as the girl’s parents, they should have been more reserved, not hasty. But it seemed that they were more eager than the boy himself.

Li Chong didn’t know how long Han Zhenyu and Director Chen’s daughter had been dating, but considering the girl’s family had now brought up the subject, it seemed it was time for the two of them to discuss marriage.

Although he thought that, in this matter, the man should take the initiative, Chen Chong then realized that if no one else had any objections, he would be even less likely to say anything.

So, he was happy to take on the role of the matchmaker.

Just as he was about to agree, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind. Could it be that Han Zhenyu and Chen Dongsheng’s daughter had already developed a substantial relationship, or could she be pregnant?

But then he shook his head. Based on what he knew about Han Zhenyu, he wouldn’t engage in such shameful behavior.

Though Li Chong was a little confused, he didn’t say much. He first offered a few words of congratulations, then smiled and said, “This is a good thing. I’m very happy to be a matchmaker for the two children.”

Seeing that he had agreed, Chen Dongsheng smiled and said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Old Li. Once this matter between them is settled, I’ll have them send you a big fish to enjoy.”

“That’s great. I’m looking forward to it.” Li Chong looked at Chen Dongsheng’s smiling face and knew he was very satisfied with Han Zhenyu as his son-in-law.

Since Li Chong had accepted the role of matchmaker, he decided to make it happen as soon as possible so that both parties could benefit from it.

He said, “Zhenyu returned home after his business trip yesterday. He should come to the factory today to complete the formalities for becoming a regular employee. I will talk to him when he arrives.”

Chen Dongsheng had originally planned to meet his future son-in-law, but upon hearing that Han Zhenyu wasn’t at the factory yet, he stood up with a smile.

“Brother, you’re busy. I’ll head back first. When you have a break, I’ll ask your sister-in-law to cook a couple of meat dishes, and we can have a drink together.”

“Okay,” Li Chong replied, walking him to the door. “My brother-in-law gave me a bottle of Moutai during the Chinese New Year. Let’s take it over and try it.”

“Okay.” Chen Dongsheng left Li Chong’s office, still smiling.

He walked toward the parking lot of the transport team, where he saw a tall, thin young man with an outstanding demeanor.

Chen Dongsheng thought he looked familiar but couldn’t recall where he had seen him before.

The driver of a nearby truck leaned out of the vehicle and greeted the young man, “Zhenyu, I heard you’re going to be a regular employee. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Brother Xu.” Han Zhenyu took out a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket and handed one to him.

After they had exchanged a few words, Chen Dongsheng walked up to Han Zhenyu, looked him up and down, and asked, “Are you Han Zhenyu?”

Han Zhenyu recognized him as the director of a workshop. They had met in the warehouse a few months ago and exchanged greetings then, though it seemed that Director Chen didn’t remember him.

He didn’t bring up the previous encounter but smiled and nodded, offering his introduction again. “Hello, Director Chen, I am Han Zhenyu.”

When Chen Dongsheng heard him call him “Director,” he thought his daughter must have briefed this young man about their family situation.

He took the cigarette Han Zhenyu offered, nodding in approval, thinking that his daughter had good taste.

Although Chen Dongsheng was satisfied, he still felt the need to assert his authority as a father-in-law.

He nodded in a high-handed manner and said, “Come to my house when you have time. We’ve known each other for quite a while now, so you should definitely come over and get to know the family.”

Han Zhenyu was quite surprised by this invitation. How had their relationship progressed to the point where Director Chen invited him to his home after only meeting him once a few months ago?

And Chen Dongsheng’s expression seemed so arrogant, it didn’t feel like an invitation, more like a demand.

But Han Zhenyu didn’t voice any of this; he kept his emotions in check, smiled, and politely replied, “I will definitely visit you when I have time and learn about the Party’s ideology from Director Chen.”

Seeing his good attitude, Chen Dongsheng felt even more pleased. He nodded to both men and left the transport team with his hands behind his back.

Xu Haifeng, thinking that the two knew each other well, asked with a smile after Chen Dongsheng left, “Are you familiar with Director Chen from Workshop 1?”

Han Zhenyu shook his head, replying calmly, “We only met once a few months ago, and we didn’t even talk much.”