Chapter 22: Zhang Mei's Deliberate Matchmaking

At the dinner table, Yang Fan quietly ate his meal, exchanging a few words with Zhang Mei now and then. Of course, it was Zhang Mei who initiated the conversation. Yang Fan was a taciturn person, not fond of talking. If not for Zhang Mei’s abundance of topics, the meal would have felt awkward.

“Yang Fan, what kind of work do you do now? Do you have a girlfriend?” Zhang Mei looked at him and asked with a smile.

In her eyes, Yang Fan was a decent young man. If possible, she hoped to match him with Zhang Qingya.

Yang Fan smiled and replied, “Right now, I’m just unemployed, so of course I don’t have a girlfriend.”

Zhang Mei chuckled, “Well, your family has money, so you can support yourself without working.”

“Mom, Yang Fan has already severed ties with his family,” Zhang Qingya suddenly interjected.

She noticed the way her mother looked at Yang Fan and could guess what was on her mind. She suspected her mother was trying to set her up with Yang Fan. But now that Yang Fan was completely on his own, without even a job, she labeled him as someone who depended on his parents. Although she didn’t dislike him, she had no special feelings for him either. Yang Fan was handsome, but good looks couldn’t put food on the table.

“Oh? Yang Fan, you’ve had a falling out with your family?” Zhang Mei was surprised to hear he’d cut ties.

“It’s nothing. I’m living on my own now and things are fine. I don’t have any troubles,” Yang Fan replied indifferently.

Zhang Mei shook her head and gently comforted him, “Yang Fan, if you ever need anything, just tell me. I’ll do my best to help you.”

Zhang Mei was a person who valued gratitude. Yang Fan’s mother had helped her in the past, and she never forgot it. So within her means, she would help Yang Fan.

“Hehe, Aunt Mei, don’t worry. I’m doing well now—there’s nothing I need,” Yang Fan said with a light laugh. He had a good impression of her.

“All right, let’s not talk about these things. Let’s enjoy our meal,” Zhang Mei said.

As the three ate together, Zhang Mei occasionally asked Yang Fan what kind of girls he liked, sometimes what he thought of Zhang Qingya. Zhang Qingya was speechless—her mother was clearly trying to introduce her to Yang Fan. She felt a bit unhappy about it.

Yang Fan was amused and helpless; he hadn’t expected Zhang Mei to be so eager to match him with Zhang Qingya.

“Mom, a classmate is having a birthday today. I’ll be coming home late tonight,” Zhang Qingya said after finishing her meal.

Hearing that Zhang Qingya would be late, Zhang Mei frowned. “No, it’s not safe for a girl to be out alone at night. I can’t let you go.”

Ever since her divorce, she had raised Zhang Qingya alone and loved her dearly, unwilling to let anything happen to her. She strictly questioned her daughter about any social activities before allowing them.

“Mom, I’m just celebrating at a classmate’s house. I’m grown up now—nothing will happen,” Zhang Qingya protested.

“I’m still worried,” Zhang Mei insisted firmly. “Unless someone goes with you.”

“Mom, it’s my classmate’s birthday. If I bring someone, it’ll be so awkward. Besides, who am I supposed to bring?” Zhang Qingya said, frustrated.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mei’s gaze fell on Yang Fan.

“Aunt Mei, why are you looking at me?” Yang Fan said, feeling uneasy.

“Yang Fan, I have a dinner party tonight and won’t be home until late,” Zhang Mei said. “I hope you can accompany Qingya. Please do me this favor.”

Zhang Qingya pouted, dissatisfied. She knew exactly what her mother was thinking—she just wanted to give them a chance to spend time together. But she didn’t say anything; if no one accompanied her, her mother definitely wouldn’t let her attend the birthday.

Seeing the pleading look on Zhang Mei’s face, Yang Fan was amused and helpless. He nodded, “All right, I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”

“Thank you, Yang Fan,” Zhang Mei smiled when he agreed.

After dinner, Zhang Mei asked Yang Fan to wait in the living room while she cleared the table. Zhang Qingya returned to her room, closing the door behind her.

She took out her phone and started chatting with her classmates.

“Meimei, I’m bringing someone to your birthday—hope you don’t mind?”

“Wow, Zhang the beauty is bringing someone? Is it a guy? Is he your boyfriend?”

“Oh, come on, you know I don’t have a boyfriend. He’s just coming because my mom asked him to—she’s worried about me.”

“Him? And you say he’s not your boyfriend? Not telling your best friend the truth, huh?”

“No, I really don’t like him that way. My mom is just trying to match us, and it’s annoying.”

“Hmph, I’d like to see what kind of guy he is—your mom actually wants to set you up. Haha, if Gao Yang finds out his goddess is being pursued, I wonder what he’ll think?”

“Stop it, I don’t like Gao Yang at all. Anyway, see you tonight.”

“Okay, kisses, see you tonight.”

In preparation for her classmate’s birthday, Zhang Qingya dressed up carefully. She wore a white cropped T-shirt that accentuated her full figure, creating a striking visual impact. Paired with tight jeans, her long legs and shapely hips were showcased to perfection, giving her a lively, athletic look.

She completed the outfit with white canvas shoes, making her appear fresh and pure—a true maiden. Looking in the mirror, Zhang Qingya smiled with confidence. She had always been proud of her beauty.

When the time came, she left her room, ready to head out with Yang Fan.

“Let’s go,” she said lightly as she approached him.

Yang Fan nodded and stood up from the sofa.

Seeing his calm gaze, Zhang Qingya felt a little disappointed. She had put extra effort into her appearance today, looking more stunning than usual, with a touch of wildness thanks to her exposed midriff. Yet in Yang Fan’s eyes, there were no signs of excitement.

If it were any other man, they’d surely stare at her in awe.

“Let’s go,” Yang Fan said as he noticed her standing there in a daze.

“Oh, right,” Zhang Qingya snapped out of it, feeling a bit embarrassed. She quickly turned and walked out the door.

She suddenly wondered if Yang Fan was just indifferent to women.

After locking the door, Zhang Qingya and Yang Fan headed to their destination.

She and her friends had agreed to meet at an upscale café.

Upon arriving, Zhang Qingya found her best friends and sat down with Yang Fan. Three girls had already arrived, all stylishly dressed in designer clothes, looking every bit the children of wealthy families.

Yang Fan’s arrival immediately caught their attention.

First, he was handsome. Second, the girls already knew he was the one Zhang Qingya’s mother wanted to match her with.

Thus, the three girls were curious about him.

“Hey, I heard you’re trying to pursue our beautiful Qingya. I wonder if you’re actually worthy of her,” one of the girls said to Yang Fan, her tone arrogant.