NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 6 - Amicable Breakup
Chapter 6: Amicable Breakup
Shi Hui chatted with the lady for a while and then proceeded with the introductions. The introduction of Fang Jian was simple – he graduated from university, joined a state-owned company in Yongcheng, and recently returned home for a visit.
His mother had taken the opportunity to arrange this blind date. If luck favored them, and they hit it off, wouldn’t it solve the marriage issue?
As for the lady sitting across from them, her background was similar to Fang Jian’s. Her name was Lin Hanlei, and she was a year older than Fang Jian. She was said to own a coffee shop in the city, but its financial performance was unknown.
However, Fang Jian keenly noticed a subtle reaction from Lin Hanlei when the aunt mentioned that she was an only child with three properties. It seemed she was somewhat unhappy.
After the introduction, Shi Hui and the aunt found an excuse to leave, leaving the two young people in the coffee shop, who understood the situation.
Fang Jian cleared his throat and said, “Miss Lin, your coffee is finished. Let me refill it for you.”
Lin Hanlei smiled slightly, showing some charm, and replied, “Thank you, but no need. I have something to attend shortly, and I need to leave.”
Fang Jian shrugged and said, “Miss Lin, we all know the intentions here. I don’t have such intentions, and looks like you don’t either. However, let’s give some face to the two elderly people and wait until they are a bit further away before we part ways.”
Lin Hanlei was shocked, and then she looked at Fang Jian intently. Her smile became more sincere.
“Mr. Fang you are right,” she said. “I heard from Aunt Shi earlier that you were in Mali, West Africa?”
“Yes,” Fang Jian replied.
“But I heard that Mali is quite chaotic,” she said.
Fang Jian replied, “Yes, the city’s security is decent, but it can be somewhat risky if you venture outside where there are fewer people or no firearms.”
The two of them engaged in casual conversation about various topics, and after about half an hour, they instinctively stopped talking. They exchanged a knowing glance, and both burst into laughter, sharing a certain understanding.
Lin Hanlei smiled and suggested, “Mr. Fang, although the blind date didn’t work out, let’s exchange contact information.”
Fang Jian also smiled and took out his phone. They exchanged contact information, bid farewell amicably, and left.
As Fang Jian paid the bill, he realized that the aunt and Lin Hanlei had already arranged for their coffees to be paid in advance. Although it was just a cup of coffee, this gesture was admirable.
Fang Jian had seen those matchmaking programs before where they talked about how the man would be “chopped off,” or the woman would inquire about houses and cars. Well, it seemed that everyone was different after all.
Talking with Lin Hanlei was also quite pleasant.
When he returned home, Shi Hui was already there. When she saw Fang Jian, she approached him and asked, “How did it go?”
With the door open, Fang Jian’s father, Fang Biao, also perked up his ears. Fang Jian chuckled and said, “We exchanged WeChat IDs.”
“Good, exchanging WeChat IDs is a good thing,” Shi Hui said with a smile. “Work hard in the future and see if there’s any hope.”
“Oh, Mom, we decided not to pursue it,” Fang Jian said.
“Haha, what? Cough…what?” Shi Hui’s laughter paused for a moment, almost choking her.
Fang Jian quickly went over, patted her back, and said, “We didn’t feel a connection, so we had a cup of coffee and parted ways amicably.”
“Pfft, if there wasn’t even a spark, what’s there to break up?” Shi Hui’s face turned sour and asked, “Were you not satisfied with her, or was she not satisfied with you?”
Fang Jian smiled and replied, “Mom, I’m only 24, still young. Let’s talk about it in a few years.”
“Is 24 still considered young?” Fang Biao’s face darkened slightly. “Son, you should think about settling down.”
Fang Jian rolled his eyes, thinking he wasn’t a playboy yet. Why should he settle down?
Shi Hui nodded repeatedly and said, “Son, while living abroad, please don’t bring back a foreign daughter-in-law.”
Fang Biao hesitated momentarily and said, “Son, this time you’ve come back is also an opportunity.” He paused and continued, “In the next few days, spend more time in the city, find a house, and your mom and I will help you with the down payment. This way, when you go on blind dates, the chances of success will be higher.”
Shi Hui hesitated for a moment and also nodded.
They lived in an old residential area on the fifth floor without an elevator. Although Fang Jian’s parents were still relatively agile and their legs were in good shape, it might not be the case in another ten or twenty years.
Fang Jian glanced at his parents. Their hair turned slightly grey, and couldn’t help but feel guilty. As for a house, he had been paying social insurance all this time and was eligible to buy two properties.