And so, the two confused individuals entered an awkward conversation mode. Basically, Zhou Xiaolin asked, and Zhang Yang answered.
Zhang Yang's mind was in chaos, all his usual ease with handling interactions seemed to have vanished.
Over half an hour later, Zhang Yang's phone rang. It was an alarm he had set beforehand. He took out his phone, pretended to answer the call seriously, claimed he had something urgent, and fled the matchmaker's place.
A few minutes later, the matchmaker returned, but Zhou Xiaolin hadn't left.
"How was it, Xiaolin? Did you like him? The guy is not only good-looking but also very capable. His parents are honest folks; you'd definitely have a good life if you married him!"
"I did like him, but he seemed not to fancy me!" Zhou Xiaolin said somewhat dejectedly.
"Did he say something unpleasant?"
"No, just seemed absent-minded and unwilling to talk to me. I kept asking questions, and he answered, never saying a word more! Like a wooden block!" Zhou Xiaolin pouted in dissatisfaction.
"That's normal. The guy might be shy. He'll be better after getting to know you more! If you like him, I'll ask him later, and if he's willing, I'll give him your number!"
"Sure, thank you, Aunt Zhang!"
That afternoon, the matchmaker went to Zhang Yang's house to inquire about the situation. Having regained his composure, Zhang Yang refused without hesitation. He discreetly closed off any future possibilities by saying he didn't find her appealing.
Of course, matchmaking can't be forced. Seeing Zhang Yang's clear stance, the matchmaker had to give up. She later called the woman to explain that the matchmaking had failed.
Waiting at home for news, Zhou Xiaolin was quite fond of Zhang Yang: they were of similar age, he was handsome, ran his own business, and even owned a car. In Zhou's view, he was an extremely reliable match.
Zhou Xiaolin herself had good qualities. She stood at 168cm, had an oval face and big eyes, and was considered a pretty girl within a ten-mile radius. People now would call her a standard 90-point beauty with long black straight hair.
In past matchmakings, it was always Zhou Xiaolin being picky with others; she hadn't yet encountered someone who disdained her.
But after receiving the matchmaker's call saying the other party wasn't interested, Zhou Xiaolin questioned her charm for the first time. That night, she was so upset that she skipped dinner and went to bed early.
The matchmaking incident seemed to have passed with Zhang Yang's resolute rejection.
On the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month, the Little New Year, the whole village started preparing for the New Year's celebrations, and Zhang Yang's shop officially closed for the holidays.
Over the next couple of weeks, there were New Year celebrations, visiting relatives, hosting guests at home, and taking the chance to interact with relatives and friends one didn't frequently see during the year.
The Zhang Family had an especially enjoyable New Year. Their son opened a shop and made money, bought a car, and earned Zhang Guofu and his wife a lot of respect, whether facing relatives, friends, or fellow villagers. Zhang Yang's mother kept praising their considerate son to everyone.
However, compared to his parents' enthusiasm, Zhang Yang was more composed. Among the seemingly familiar relatives, apart from his uncle, Zhang Yang didn't have a good impression of anyone!
In his past life, when Zhang Yang visited his relatives to borrow money for his father's medical treatment, only his uncle offered unquestioning help by giving his savings passbook directly to Zhang Yang. The other relatives, who often benefited from the Zhang Family, gave nothing despite Zhang Yang almost begging them.
Zhang Yang is not a pushover. On the contrary, having experienced the ups and downs of social relationships, he bears grudges and has no interest in maintaining unworthy ties, even if they are called family.
Therefore, during the New Year's days, Zhang Yang only bought a lot of cigarettes and alcohol to visit his uncle's family, while for his aunts' families, he always drove his parents to their doorstep, claimed he was busy, and left. In the afternoons, he received a call and went to pick up his parents.
After more than half a month, the New Year celebrations were over. On the eighth of the first lunar month, Zhang Yang gathered his core fishing buddies, set off firecrackers, opened the shop, and celebrated with drinks.
A new year had begun!