Chapter Twenty-One: Jia Dongxu Goes on Another Blind Date

"Master, what should I do now?"

As soon as Jia Dongxu returned to the courtyard, he didn't go home, but headed straight to Yi Zhonghai's house.

Yi Zhonghai pondered for a moment and spoke indifferently, "I'll go to the neighborhood office later to see if I can find you some work. Just make do with whatever you can get for now."

Jia Dongxu looked troubled. He knew full well that there were no real jobs at the neighborhood office right now; if he went there, he would likely end up sweeping the streets or cleaning toilets.

"This..."

Jia Dongxu didn't want to do that. He was no longer an ordinary person in his own mind, and he cared deeply about his reputation.

"It has to be this way. Don't forget you have a blind date tomorrow."

Jia Dongxu thought it over and ultimately had to submit to Yi Zhonghai's arrangements.

The next day, Jia Dongxu cleaned himself up thoroughly and waited quietly at home for the matchmaker to bring the girl over. It must be said that Mrs. Jia placed great importance on continuing the Jia family line. After learning that Qin Huairu had been snatched away by Wang Lin, she once again contacted Matchmaker Wang to introduce a pretty girl from the countryside to Jia Dongxu.

As for why Mrs. Jia ended up going back to Matchmaker Wang, the reason was simple: Mrs. Jia was notoriously unreasonable, and no other matchmaker wanted to deal with the Jia family. In the entire city of Sijiu, only Matchmaker Wang was willing to help Jia Dongxu find a partner.

This time, Jia Dongxu was in luck. Because Qin Huairu had married into the city, many girls in Qin Village were envious. In particular, Qin Min, who was just as beautiful and had been a rival of Qin Huairu's since childhood, was determined to marry a city dweller so she wouldn't be mocked by Qin Huairu later. When Matchmaker Wang heard the news and was approached by Mrs. Jia yet again, she decided to introduce Qin Min to Jia Dongxu.

"Jia Dongxu, you're dressed up all fancy today. Going on another blind date?"

Wang Lin was originally planning to head to work with Qin Huairu. When he saw Jia Dongxu, he couldn't help but tease him.

Seeing Wang Lin mocking him, Jia Dongxu didn't get angry today. Instead, he sneered and turned his mockery toward Qin Huairu.

"Qin Huairu, you will regret not marrying me sooner or later."

He then looked at Wang Lin with disdain. "What? Are you planning to intercept my date again? Do you even have the capability? Don't forget, you already have a wife! If you dare to interfere again, I'll call the police and have you arrested."

It must be said that Jia Dongxu had learned to be smarter this time, and having learned from Wang Lin, he even knew to threaten the police. Little did he know that Wang Lin had long since known who the date was. Although she was pretty, she wasn't Wang Lin's target, and he wouldn't dare board that "public bus."

"Fine, if you like it, that's all that matters."

At this moment, Mrs. Jia emerged and addressed Qin Huairu. "Qin Huairu, don't think that just because you're gone, my Dongxu can't find a wife. I'm telling you, this time my Dongxu is marrying someone from your own Qin Village, a girl named Qin Min, and she’s much prettier than you."

When Qin Huairu heard the name Qin Min, she couldn't help but laugh internally. Qin Min was pretty, yes, but she was also someone with an intense need to compete. To get what she wanted, she would sacrifice anything. Furthermore, Qin Huairu knew that even her own father had engaged in an improper relationship with Qin Min, all just to get a bite of meat.

"Hmm, if you're happy, that's what counts."

Qin Huairu pulled Wang Lin, wanting to leave immediately, and decided she wouldn't be staying in this courtyard today. However, the more she wanted to avoid running into Qin Min, the more things went against her wishes. Just as Wang Lin and Qin Huairu reached the gate of the middle courtyard, Matchmaker Wang walked in with Qin Min.

When Matchmaker Wang saw Wang Lin and Qin Huairu, her face beamed. "Oh, are the newlyweds heading out?"

Qin Huairu and Qin Min locked eyes, sparks flying between them. Wang Lin looked at Matchmaker Wang and smiled. "Yes, we're heading to work. Is this the date for Jia Dongxu? Why so early?"

Matchmaker Wang rolled her eyes and scolded, "It's all because of you! If I'd been any later, I would've been intercepted by someone else!"

"Hahaha." Qin Huairu covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Wang Lin quickly defended himself. "I didn't intercept anything. Huairu and I just happened to meet at the bus station and hit it off."

Matchmaker Wang sighed helplessly. "Yes, whatever you say is right."

What could she do? She had already made her money, and a tidy sum at that. Besides, Wang Lin and Qin Huairu were already married; arguing about who was right or wrong was pointless.

"Qin Huairu, I heard you ran off to the city for a blind date without even meeting the guy. You've brought total shame to our Qin Village," Qin Min said, realizing she couldn't win in a staring contest and resorting to verbal attacks.

Qin Huairu remained calm. "I found the person I love, so why would I need a blind date?"

As she spoke, she didn't forget to look triumphant, casting a glance at Wang Lin. "I never had any interest in that Jia Dongxu. If you like him, take him."

"You!"

Qin Min was furious. She wanted to say that she didn't fancy Jia Dongxu either, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. If she did, she might never have a chance to marry into the city. And if she couldn't marry into the city, she would be green with envy whenever Qin Huairu returned to the village. To ensure her path to the city, Qin Min chose to concede.

"Aunt Wang, let's go. Let's get on with the date."

Jia Dongxu's face was extremely dark. Having overheard Qin Huairu's words, he couldn't believe she had said she didn't fancy him. In his own mind, he was the most handsome guy in the entire courtyard at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. It was only a matter of him looking down on others; it was never acceptable for someone to look down on him.

But now, his only goal was to get a wife. In this society, only by having a wife could he constantly enjoy those intimate pleasures. He needed to rely on Qin Min to help him "practice," and since she was indeed beautiful, he had to suppress his rage to secure the marriage.

"Qin Huairu, you just wait. And you, Qin Min, you bitch, how dare you look down on me? I'll make sure you're properly tamed today."

Don't ask how Jia Dongxu knew Qin Min looked down on him; ever since he had been "re-educated" by enemy agents, he had developed a faint ability to sense others' feelings.

Yi Zhonghai hadn't gone to work either; he had decided to go on strike. Unless Jia Dongxu's job was restored, he would just take leave. In order for Jia Dongxu to finish his blind date, Yi Zhonghai had exhausted his social capital and finally found him a job sweeping the streets. It wasn't that Yi Zhonghai was incompetent; it was just that jobs were scarce, and good ones were even rarer.

Jia Dongxu glared at the backs of the departing Wang Lin and Qin Huairu, his heart filled with malice. "Just wait! Once I'm married, I'll make you both regret it for the rest of your lives."

For some reason, as he thought this, he felt a strange, dull ache and a sudden chill in his groin. There are too many coincidences in the world, and the lecherous, pig-like expression Jia Dongxu had worn while fantasizing about his wonderful life just as he stared at Wang Lin and Qin Huairu was caught perfectly by Qin Min. It immediately filled her with disgust and ignited her competitive spirit.