Chapter 6: The Matchmaking
Chapter 6: The Matchmaking
Shuangwang is a small town that, during the Republic of China era, belonged to the Longtan District of Bobai County. After the liberation in 1950, the town was merged with Songshan to form the Thirteenth District. In January 1958, Shuangwang was established as a separate township, and in August of the same year, it was merged with Songshan to form the Songshan Commune.
In September 1984, it was renamed Songshan Township, and it wasn't until January 1986 that Shuangwang was separated from Songshan to become its own township again. In August 1993, Shuangwang was upgraded to a town.
It is now 1980. Although Shuangwang has been merged with Songshan to form the Songshan Commune, Shuangwang Market still exists. However, its influence is relatively small, with only about a thousand people visiting during each market day, unlike the neighboring Longtan Market, which attracts up to twenty or thirty thousand visitors.
When Guan Yongying and Aunt Man (Little Aunt) arrived at Shuangwang Market, it was nearly eleven o'clock.
The sudden nature of this matchmaking had caught Guan Yongying off guard, and she was visibly nervous, her hand tightly gripping Aunt Man's arm.
Aunt Man patted her niece's hand to comfort her, saying, "Yongying, you're just meeting him at a designated spot. He's not a tiger that eats people. What are you afraid of?"
Guan Yongying lowered her head and replied, "It's just too sudden. I had no time to prepare. My father really should have given me a few more days. I wouldn't be this nervous now."
Aunt Man, being a seasoned woman, understood her niece's feelings. She reassured her again, "Just pretend you don't know about this and treat him like a passerby. That way, you won't feel so much pressure."
Guan Yongying's nervousness eased slightly. She and Aunt Man first went to the supply cooperative to greet Uncle Man, then they headed toward the agreed meeting place.
...
Under a large banyan tree opposite the entrance of Shuangwang Middle School, Deng Changfu, dressed in a clean blue shirt, was eagerly scanning the crowd, trying to spot the girl he was to meet for the matchmaking.
Deng Shirong couldn't help but smile at the sight. It seemed his young cousin had been eager to get married for some time. He smiled and instructed, "Changfu, the girl is shy. When she passes by, try not to stare at her, okay?"
Matchmaking in this era was quite different from modern times.
In the modern era, matchmaking involves setting a specific location and time, and both parties meet and chat without any shyness.
However, in this era, the female party was extremely reserved and would never directly meet and chat with the male party. Instead, they would agree on a meeting spot, like this large banyan tree, and the girl would pass by as if she were just out for a stroll. They would take a look at each other in passing.
If they couldn't get a good look at each other on the first or second pass, they would simply walk by a few more times. As long as neither party made it obvious, it wouldn't be too awkward.
Deng Changfu nodded, "I understand, Great-Grandpa."
His mother also reminded him, "Just be mindful of your behavior. Don't stare at her and scare her off, but make sure you get a good look. This is a serious matter, and you can't afford to be careless."
Deng Changfu nodded again, "Mom, I understand!"
They had agreed on the time and place, so the three of them didn't have to wait long. Deng Shirong soon saw Guan Yongying walking by with Aunt Man.
Deng Shirong nodded at her and quietly reminded Changfu, "Changfu, she's here!"
Deng Changfu's spirits lifted, and his gaze immediately locked onto Guan Yongying.
Changfu’s mother also widened her eyes to look over.
At that moment, Guan Yongying tightly held Aunt Man’s hand, her face flushing red. She dared not look in the direction of the big banyan tree and instead kept her gaze fixed forward, as if something there had captivated her.
Of course, Guan Yongying didn’t dare look toward the banyan tree, but Aunt Guan, being a seasoned matchmaker, wasn’t as shy as a young girl. She first nodded at Deng Shirong, the matchmaker, as a greeting, then her eyes settled on Deng Changfu.
Thus, the two sides passed each other without any interaction, a "brush past" in the truest sense.
After they had walked a bit further, Aunt Guan asked, "Yongying, that young man really is as tall and strong as the matchmaker described. He’s a fine and spirited young man. Did you see him just now?"
Guan Yongying quickly shook her head. "I was too nervous and didn’t dare to look over there."
Aunt Guan immediately comforted her. "It’s fine. We’ll walk back a couple more times. There’s no fear of not getting a good look."
On the other side, Deng Shirong asked, "Changfu, did you get a good look?"
Deng Changfu nodded and then shook his head. "I got a general idea, but I need to take another look."
Deng Shirong laughed. "No problem. The young lady will walk back again. Just keep an eye out!"
Changfu’s mother added, "I think he looks good. He’s sturdy and seems like he would be a good match for bearing children."
Soon, Guan Yongying and Aunt Man walked back along the same path, this time with better mental preparation. She wasn’t as nervous as the first time and finally managed to glance over at the banyan tree.
This glance made Guan Yongying’s heart race. Deng Changfu’s tall and robust figure gave her a strong sense of security, and his face was indeed as kind as the matchmaker had described.
This first impression left Guan Yongying quite satisfied.
Eye chemistry is a mysterious thing, especially during a match. Whether or not there’s eye chemistry can determine the possibility of a relationship.
Good eye chemistry is when a woman sees you and calls you "Brother Sanzang" with a flirtatious tone, and a man sees you and calls you "Sister Chang'e" with a chuckle, feeling a deep connection.
Some people in the future would sigh that they passed by many people every day, their clothes even rubbing against each other, but they never sparked any chemistry.
This shows that eye chemistry is truly something predetermined by fate, beyond human control.
Deng Changfu and Guan Yongying, the model couple of the village in their past life, undoubtedly had eye chemistry. At that moment, their eyes inadvertently met.
In that instant, both felt a jolt, as if they had been electrocuted.
When Guan Yongying and Aunt Man walked away again, Deng Shirong asked, "Changfu, how was it? Did you get a good look this time?"
Deng Changfu came back to his senses and said with some excitement, "Yes, I got a good look. The girl is great, and she’s the type I like."
Deng Shirong wasn’t surprised at all. After all, they were the famous model couple of the village, and love at first sight was to be expected. He asked, "Changfu’s mother, what do you think?"
Changfu’s mother replied, "The girl is great. I’m quite satisfied. Uncle Jiu, why don’t you go ask if they’d like to join us for lunch?"
Deng Shirong nodded with a smile. "Sure, you wait here, and I’ll go ask. I’m pretty sure they’ll agree."
(End of Chapter)
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