Chapter 80: Tan Xiaomei

In truth, Tan Xiaomei felt rather ill at ease herself. Whenever she faced Li Huilan and the others, she could not help but feel a sense of guilt. As for the matter of Zhang Wei and Tan Jingya’s arranged meeting, it was, in fact, a coincidence. Tan Jingya had always been focused on her studies, and with her high standards, she had little interest in those who admired her, while the ones she found suitable were already spoken for. Thus, despite being in her twenties, she remained without a boyfriend.

As a mother, Tan Xiaomei naturally cared deeply about her daughter’s future marriage. Seeing that her daughter had no prospects, she was even more anxious than Tan Jingya herself. During a casual conversation, she had asked Han Yu, Yang Guang’s mother, to keep an eye out for any suitable young men for her daughter.

A long time passed without Han Yu mentioning anything about it, and Tan Xiaomei gradually forgot about the request. Unexpectedly, just a few days ago, Han Yu suddenly called to introduce Zhang Wei’s situation to Tan Xiaomei.

After hearing about Zhang Wei, Tan Xiaomei was not particularly satisfied. But she was experienced enough to know that blind dates could not be expected to work out perfectly; there were always candidates both better and worse. Regardless of the other party’s circumstances, since the matchmaker had already made the introduction, it was best to at least arrange a meeting. If her daughter wasn’t interested, they could simply not stay in contact. If she refused to meet from the outset, it would seem too picky, and people might stop making introductions altogether.

With this in mind, Tan Xiaomei agreed to Han Yu’s proposal and called Tan Jingya. However, after hearing Zhang Wei’s situation, Tan Jingya was not satisfied with his qualifications. She had always been someone who preferred to remain single rather than settle. Otherwise, with her beauty and accomplishments, she wouldn’t be single in her twenties. She flatly refused the idea of meeting Zhang Wei.

Mother and daughter quarreled over this, and Tan Jingya even threatened not to return home for the summer. Helpless, Tan Xiaomei was forced to compromise, leading to the scene that unfolded today.

Tan Xiaomei chose this approach because she had already agreed to the meeting. If she suddenly backed out, she feared Han Yu would be upset, and others might gossip, saying her daughter looked down on Zhang Wei for his lack of wealth or status. So she devised this solution: even if her daughter did not come, she went herself, demonstrating sincerity and offering an apology in person. This way, no one could find fault, and she fulfilled her obligations.

Though Zhang Wei had not seen Tan Jingya for a long time, he could more or less guess her thoughts. As a talented and beautiful graduate student at Peking University, she would naturally seek a partner of similar standing, at least equal in background and education. Zhang Wei clearly did not meet such requirements—he was only an ordinary university graduate, no match for a graduate student from the country’s top university. His parents were ordinary workers, unable to provide him with a distinguished family background or financial advantage.

While Zhang Wei could understand Tan Jingya’s perspective, he was still angered by her way of handling things. Throughout the rest of the encounter, he barely spoke, and Tan Xiaomei, knowing she was in the wrong, felt awkward as well. She stayed only about ten minutes before excusing herself.

Tan Xiaomei simply said her daughter had urgent matters and did not specify when she might return. No further date was set for another meeting. Li Huilan and Han Yu, having more or less deduced the truth, also refrained from mentioning another potential introduction.

Zhang Wei was not fond of Tan Xiaomei—not because of the blind date itself, but due to her way of dealing with things. Since she knew her daughter would not attend, she could have simply informed Han Yu, sparing everyone the farce.

Yet, there was a certain benefit to Tan Xiaomei’s approach: she handled the matter in a way that was beyond reproach. If word spread, it would only be that her daughter missed the meeting due to school obligations, not because she looked down on Zhang Wei’s modest circumstances. Though the outcome was the same, the nature of the situation was different.

Tan Xiaomei had the typical tact of an official, never making a fundamental misstep. Everyone might know what was really going on, but as long as there was no proof, it remained only suspicion, and none could accuse her outright.

Such conduct might be commonplace in official circles, but in everyday personal interactions, it was unnecessary and even counterproductive, likely to leave others with a sense of unease.

After Tan Xiaomei left, Zhang Wei and his mother prepared to go as well, feeling there was no reason to linger. Han Yu, looking apologetic, assured them that she would definitely introduce Zhang Wei to someone better and more suitable.

Zhang Wei smiled without commenting, then took the opportunity to walk aside and ask Yang Guang, “Yang Guang, are you free tomorrow? I’m thinking of buying a car—come with me.”

“You’re buying a car? Are you serious?” Yang Guang’s eyes widened in disbelief at Zhang Wei’s words.

Knowing Zhang Wei’s situation in Beijing, he was well aware that Zhang Wei hadn’t made much money, so he was surprised by the sudden decision to purchase a car.

“It’s true. Are you free?” Zhang Wei asked.

“Of course! That’s my line of work. What kind of car do you want? Maybe you can help me hit my sales target—I haven’t closed a deal yet this month!” Yang Guang asked, delighted.

“I’m thinking of something in the 200,000 to 300,000 range. Haven’t decided on a brand yet. We can check out the dealerships tomorrow,” Zhang Wei said after a moment’s thought.

Setting the price between 200,000 and 300,000 was a well-considered decision for Zhang Wei. His total assets were only about 1.7 million, of which he had already spent two to three hundred thousand. He planned to use the rest to buy an apartment in Beijing. Besides, a car is a depreciating asset. Zhang Wei did not want to spend too much on a car at the start of his business venture; buying one was simply for convenience.

“All right, I’ll take you to see what’s out there at the dealership tomorrow…” Before Yang Guang could finish his sentence, his phone rang, startling him. Without another word to Zhang Wei, he quickly glanced at his phone.

“Damn, I almost forgot my real work because of your blind date. I have to go—see you tomorrow morning!” With that, Yang Guang dashed down the stairs in a hurry.

“Serves you right for slacking off at work and coming here to watch the drama,” Zhang Wei muttered, feeling no sympathy.

After Yang Guang left, Li Huilan and Zhang Wei also said their goodbyes to Han Yu. As they walked home, Li Huilan, worried that Zhang Wei might be upset by what had happened, comforted him: “Dawei, don’t overthink it. Maybe the girl really did have something come up at school.”

Li Huilan herself felt uneasy about the day’s events. She had been pleased with Tan Jingya’s background and had hoped her son might pursue a relationship, but things had not turned out as she had wished. She was half-convinced by Tan Xiaomei’s explanation: it seemed too coincidental to be believed, yet it was plausible enough. If the girl truly had been called away by school, blaming her would be unfair and might even cause her son to miss out on a good match.

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not as fragile as you think,” Zhang Wei replied with a smile. He was in no rush to get married; though this experience had not been a pleasant one, he chalked it up as more practice in the world of matchmaking.