Chapter 8: Seeking a Matchmaker

Song Wenran was utterly perplexed but had no desire to understand further. After all, the person in her memories was someone she could no longer intersect with.

Suppressing the sour and bitter feeling in her heart, she swiftly turned at the crossroads.

As if sensing it, Shen Nanzheng glanced in that direction, only to see the rear wheel of a bicycle disappearing from view.

The closer he got to his wife, the harder it was to contain the excitement swelling within him.

Since his rebirth, the person he most longed to see was none other than her.

She had said she was going to the countryside on behalf of Wenxin.

That pretentious and affected woman—every time his wife saw her, she was unhappy; the one who truly deserved to be sent to the countryside was her.

The power to decide whether she would be sent lay with the parents’ direct workplace, and both of her parents were workers at the garment factory.

The factory director was an old comrade of his father and owed his father a life debt. Surely, such a minor matter would not trouble him.

Besides, he needed a matchmaker to reintroduce himself to his wife—a win-win situation.

With this in mind, Shen Nanzheng hurried into the Friendship Store.

He first used his overseas Chinese coupons to buy a box of chocolates.

His wife loved chocolates most; he assumed her taste wouldn’t have changed.

If they met, he could give it to her directly and leave a good impression.

He also purchased two boxes of Zhonghua cigarettes and two bottles of Moutai liquor for the factory director.

It’s never wrong to be generous with gifts, especially since these were scarce items hardly available in external shops.

After settling the bill cheerfully, he headed straight to the garment factory.

However, he went to the director’s home, not the office.

Because he had informed them in advance, the director was waiting for him at home.

Seeing the valuable gifts he brought, the director immediately became courteous: “Nanzheng, you really don’t have to bring anything, just coming is enough!”

Shen Nanzheng placed the Zhonghua cigarettes and Moutai on the table politely and said, “This is just a little token of my gratitude, Uncle Wei, please accept it.”

“We’re family here; there’s no need for such formalities!” Director Wei warmly invited him to sit. “How’s your father’s health recently?”

Shen Nanzheng smiled wryly, “He could kill a bear with his bare hands.”

Director Wei laughed heartily, “My nephew is truly witty.”

His wife, Teacher Liu, quickly poured them tea and exchanged pleasantries as well.

After the small talk, Shen Nanzheng got straight to the point.

“Uncle Wei, I hope you and Aunt Liu can help me act as matchmakers.”

“Oh?” Director Wei knew Shen Nanzheng’s character well—he was almost indifferent to women.

This had caused much worry for his short-tempered father.

For him to take the initiative today to ask for matchmaking help was like the sun rising in the west!

Teacher Liu curiously asked, “Which girl have you set your sights on? Do we know her?”

Shen Nanzheng sat upright, a bit nervous but well masked, so the director and his wife didn’t notice. He said calmly, “She’s the daughter of Song Jianshe from the garment factory.”

“Song Jianshe?” Director Wei thought for a moment. “Is that the Song Jianshe from the fifth workshop?”

Shen Nanzheng had already investigated thoroughly and answered confidently, “Yes.”

Teacher Liu’s eyes brightened. “Song Jianshe has two lovely daughters, all quite striking. Especially Wenran—she’s like a fairy, every smile and frown seems painted, cultured and polite. Wenxin is also charming, beautiful and sweet-voiced, eloquent and witty. Which one do you like? Auntie can talk to Master Lu.”

“Song Wenran,” Shen Nanzheng uttered the long-absent name, his heart trembling.

Teacher Liu slapped her thigh, “You have excellent taste! Most people in the family compound say Wenxin is better, but I don’t think so. That girl is petty; Wenran is far more graceful and generous.”

Director Wei considered the situation more deeply. Among the candidates for the fifth workshop supervisor, Song Jianshe was one.

In terms of ability and seniority, he wasn’t the best but not too bad either.

Since he accepted the Zhonghua and Moutai, it would be unreasonable not to do something in return. Moreover, if Song Jianshe became supervisor, it would be beneficial for their two families to be connected.

He said, “No problem with matchmaking. I will support Song Jianshe in the upcoming supervisor election.”

Shen Nanzheng quickly intervened, “No, please don’t. Uncle Wei, if you help him, I won’t ask you to be matchmaker. Just be fair and don’t treat him specially. I’m interested in his daughter, not him.

“Just don’t let Wenran be sent to the countryside, and maybe take good care of her mother. As for the rest, handle it officially as it should be.”

Director Wei was speechless.

He exchanged a bewildered glance with Teacher Liu; neither quite understood the layers of meaning in Shen Nanzheng’s words.

On one hand, he appeared selfless; on the other, he asked for special treatment for Wenran and her mother yet insisted no favoritism for Song Jianshe.

They were at a loss for what to make of it.

Shen Nanzheng knew little about Wenran personally but was fully informed of her family background.

Song Jianshe had been supervisor less than a year, yet had committed his wife to a mental hospital and soon remarried a young widow from the factory.

A good man had become unrecognizable—not by chance.

However, after Wenran returned to the city, all evidence vanished, and it was all speculation; no one knew the true circumstances.

This caused Wenran great pain, and he was determined to prevent such suffering.

Seeing the couple’s confusion, he added, “Being an ordinary worker is fine; don’t make the connection between our families too obvious. That way, it better reflects the unity of military and civilian families.

“Wenxin, the younger sister who’s going to the countryside, is also good. Actively supporting national policy deserves promotion. It would be best to hold her up as a model to praise.”

Director Wei and Teacher Liu were dumbfounded.

They understood the first part and knew what to do but were puzzled by the latter.

Teacher Liu asked, “Nanzheng, you’re always at the military base. How do you know so much about the Song family?”

“Cough, cough…” Shen Nanzheng nearly choked on his tea.

Director Wei shot Teacher Liu a sharp glance. “How could you ask that? Nanzheng is a reconnaissance soldier; if he didn’t know these things, how could he ask us to be matchmakers?”

Shen Nanzheng’s embarrassment vanished with that explanation, and he deflected, “What kind of tea is this? It seems different from what my father usually drinks.”

“This is black tea, good for warming and soothing the stomach,” Director Wei said, unsure of what to give in return. Seeing his interest, he immediately gave him a box. “Take this home for your father.”

Shen Nanzheng accepted without hesitation. “Thank you, Uncle Wei.”

He wasn’t unfamiliar with black tea but used this as an excuse to ease the situation.

With his purpose achieved, he didn’t want to delay the couple from returning to work.

On his way back, he deliberately walked through the garment factory’s family compound, hoping for a chance encounter with his wife and to get a sense of her living environment.

Unexpectedly, he didn’t see her but first spotted his prospective mother-in-law, Lu Meiqin, red-faced and fiercely arguing with someone.