Chapter 67: He Yuzhu Goes on a Blind Date

Chapter 67: He Yuzhu's Blind Date

In the new year, major factories were expanding their recruitment, and an increasing population poured into Beijing. Daily necessities began to grow scarce.

With the growing population, public security within the city deteriorated, leaving the staff at the municipal bureau run off their feet with a constantly mounting workload of overtime.

Consequently, the demand for dinner at the cafeteria increased. Master Huang had completely retired during the Chinese New Year and did not return after the holiday.

He Yuzhu and Master Song, who shared the responsibility of the small kitchen, sometimes had to pitch in at the main kitchen during evening service.

Due to the influx of migrants, agricultural products like vegetables became increasingly difficult to purchase, making the greenhouse in the backyard of He Yuzhu's house play a crucial protective role.

On this day, He Yuzhu was once again delivering vegetables to his master's home.

Seeing He Yuzhu arrive with yet another large batch of vegetables, his master's wife exclaimed, "Zhuzi, why are you bringing so many vegetables over?"

"Master's wife, if we don't harvest these now, they'll get too old. I'll have Senior Sister take some back later. Everyone can share them," He Yuzhu said as he placed the brought vegetables into the kitchen.

When He Yuzhu finished his chores, the master's wife called him inside the room. "Zhuzi, you're not that young anymore. Shouldn't you start thinking about finding a partner?"

He Yuzhu felt a bit bashful. "Master's wife, how old am I? I'm still young."

"You're already twenty-two and you call that young? If you don't look for someone now, no one will want you," she scolded gently.

"I just haven't met the right person yet," He Yuzhu replied.

"Then what kind of person do you want? Master's wife will keep an eye out for you."

"I haven't thought about it."

"Then think about it carefully."

Left with no choice, He Yuzhu resorted to stalling. "I'll go back and think about it, then let you know later. I have something to attend to in a bit, so I'll be off."

With that, He Yuzhu hopped on his bicycle and pedaled away.

Standing at the doorway, the master's wife shouted at his retreating back, "Think it over carefully when you get home!"

"Got it!" He Yuzhu increased his cycling speed.

Watching him go, she shook her head with a smile, muttered, "This brat," and went back inside.

That evening, Fan Ting brought the children back to her maiden home for dinner.

The master's wife said, "Tingting, Zhuzi isn't young anymore; he ought to find a partner. His mother passed away early, and his father abandoned the two siblings. He treats us like family, so your father and I have to take responsibility. If you know anyone suitable, keep an eye out for him."

Fan Ting replied, "Don't worry, I treat Zhuzi like a younger brother. I'll definitely find him a good match."

The master's wife urged, "Remember to ask around and find a few options."

After returning home, Fan Ting told Zhou Jianye, "You should also keep an eye out for Zhuzi. If there's anyone good, help inquire on his behalf."

"Alright, I've got it. I'll ask around when I get a chance," Zhou Jianye agreed.

Unaware that the master's wife had mobilized the entire family to find him a partner, He Yuzhu continued his routine of going to work and coming home as usual.

On this day, He Yuzhu was resting at home and did not go to work. He hid in the east wing's workshop, carving a piece depicting a dragon and tiger fighting. Over the past few years, He Yuzhu's carving skills had grown increasingly exquisite, no worse than those of a master craftsman.

As noon approached, He Yuzhu finished carving the outline. He put down his carving knife and went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

After eating, He Yuzhu sat in a reclining chair, reading a book to relax. He decided not to continue carving in the afternoon, leaving the rest for another day.

In the afternoon, Zhou Jianye came looking for him. "You sure have a nice, cozy life staying at home."

"It's all right. At this hour, shouldn't you be working at the station? What brings you over to my place?" He Yuzhu asked.

Zhou Jianye pulled over another reclining chair, sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip. "Ah, comfortable." He then said, "I came to find you because I naturally have good news."

"What good news could possibly come from you?" He Yuzhu remained skeptical.

"I'm setting you up on a blind date. Isn't that good news?"

Hearing this, He Yuzhu was a bit baffled. "How did I suddenly get set up on a blind date?"

"Your Senior Sister, my wife, assigned me this task. Didn't you know?"

"I had no idea! Just a few days ago, master's wife said I was getting up there in age and should find a partner, and I told her I'd think about it."

"Well, there you go. They're all scouting out a suitable match for you."

Zhou Jianye continued, "The blind date is next Saturday. Come to my place at noon to cook a table of good dishes, and dress a bit nicer to leave a good impression on the girl."

He Yuzhu protested, "Why is the blind date next Saturday? I haven't even figured out what kind of person I'm looking for yet."

"What is there to think about? Don't dawdle, it's settled." Zhou Jianye stood up and said, "I have to get back to the station. I'm leaving—just don't forget about the blind date next Saturday."

With that, Zhou Jianye turned and left.

Watching Zhou Jianye leave in such a hurry, He Yuzhu was left completely dumbfounded. A blind date next Saturday, yet Zhou Jianye hadn't told him who the woman was or where she was from before taking off. With zero information, how was he supposed to prepare? He had never seen anyone so unreliable.

The next day, taking advantage of his lunch break after finishing the cooking, He Yuzhu went to the police substation where Zhou Jianye worked to find him.

Zhou Jianye asked, "You're coming over at this hour. Is something the matter?"

He Yuzhu said irritably, "Of course there's something the matter! You mentioned a blind date to me yesterday, but you didn't tell me who the woman is, what she does, or anything at all. How am I supposed to prepare?"

Zhou Jianye asked in bewilderment, "Didn't I tell you yesterday?"

"You didn't tell me a damn thing!"

"Well, it's not too late for me to tell you now, is it?"

"Then go ahead. Who is the woman? Where is she from? What's her background?"

"Her name is Song Jinfeng, a clerk at the neighborhood street office, and her parents were revolutionary martyrs. That's all I know."

"Fine, I know now. You go back to your work, and I'll head back."

At the very least, this trip had allowed He Yuzhu to find out who the woman was.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the blind date arrived.

After waking up in the morning and having breakfast with Yuzhu, He Yuzhu needed to drop her off at his master's house.

With a pitiful expression, Yuzhu asked, "Brother, are you going to find a wife? Are you going to abandon Yuzhu?"

He Yuzhu comforted her, "Yuzhu, why would you say that? How could your brother ever abandon you? Brother is just finding you a sister-in-law, so there will be one more person who cares about you in the future."

Yuzhu said, "But Xiaoli's father found her a stepmother, and she was treated terribly. After that, nobody cared about her anymore."

He Yuzhu assured her, "Yuzhu, don't worry. Brother won't abandon you. Brother will find you a sister-in-law who treats you well."

Still somewhat worried, Yuzhu replied, "All right then. Yuzhu will be very good."

Seeing Yuzhu like this, He Yuzhu didn't have the heart to leave her at his master's house either, so he decided to take Yuzhu along to the blind date with his Senior Sister's arrangement. "Yuzhu, how about this? Brother will take you to Sister Tingting's house. How does that sound?"

Hearing that her brother was taking her along to a blind date, Yuzhu hesitated. "If I tag along and the other person sees me and dislikes it, what then? Won't brother be left without a wife? Or maybe I should just go play with Xiaohu?"

"It's fine, your brother is here to handle everything. If this one doesn't work out, we'll find another. Brother will definitely find someone who is good to Yuzhu."

He Yuzhu put on his clothes and took Yuzhu with him to Senior Sister Fan Ting's house.