One must always distinguish between the primary and secondary when doing anything, no matter the time or task!
When it came to Xiao Yue, Liu Kai Xuan never neglected the little girl.
Furthermore, as she grew older, the little girl was getting on in years and needed to gradually learn to take care of herself.
Liu Kai Xuan wasn't absolutely certain he would marry Zhao Fei Yan, but he was now sure of one thing: he wouldn't continue developing his relationship with Du Meng Jiao.
However, Du Juan Hua had come with good intentions to act as a matchmaker.
Liu Kai Xuan understood the unspoken rules of the matchmaking market.
Even if Liu Kai Xuan was adamant about refusing the Du family, he wouldn't say it to their faces.
Saying such things directly would be tantamount to an outright rejection.
...
At Sha Zhu's home.
Qin Huai Ru shamelessly came knocking again, hoping to get the remaining three yuan from Sha Zhu.
She now understood very clearly that this matter wouldn't be over until she repaid the five yuan to the Liu family.
Liu Kai Xuan would come looking for her to collect the debt, and his methods would become increasingly extreme.
Similarly, Guo Yan Ling, Huang Ying, and Lin Ying Ai would definitely not let Qin Huai Ru off the hook.
Unfortunately, He Yu Shui returned that afternoon.
How could Qin Huai Ru possibly get the remaining three yuan in front of He Yu Shui?
"Qin Huai Ru, you shameless woman!"
"Did our He family owe you money in a past life, or what, that you keep coming to us for money every day?"
Qin Huai Ru shamelessly explained, "He Yu Shui, why are you so agitated?"
"Aren't I planning to introduce a partner to your brother?"
"Sha Zhu has been single for so many years and still hasn't settled down!"
"If you're not worried about this, I am for him!"
"That's right!"
Sha Zhu chimed in, "Qin Huai Ru is planning to find me a wife!"
"We're all neighbors in the same courtyard; we should naturally be united, harmonious, and help each other!"
"No, we absolutely cannot give them this money!" He Yu Shui's attitude remained firm.
But this time, Sha Zhu's expression suddenly turned grim.
"He Yu Shui, you should mind your own business; you don't need to interfere in my affairs!"
"Brother, are you crazy?"
He Yu Shui stamped her feet in frustration, "The Jia family will definitely not return the money they borrowed!"
"The five yuan Liu Kai Xuan lent them is the best example; why are you falling for it again!"
"Alright, alright, what do you know?" Sha Zhu gritted his teeth and handed the prepared three yuan to Qin Huai Ru.
Qin Huai Ru said happily, "Sha Zhu, don't worry. I'll bring Jing Ru over in a couple of days when I have time!"
"I'll definitely help you two get together!"
"Thank you!" Sha Zhu nodded repeatedly and said, "Then I'll be relying on you, Sister Qin!"
After receiving the money, Qin Huai Ru left with satisfaction, while He Yu Shui was almost on the verge of exploding.
This Qin Huai Ru had truly perfected the art of shamelessness.
There was a reason Qin Huai Ru could so easily borrow money.
Sha Zhu, the perpetually single bachelor, dreamed of finding a wife.
Qin Huai Ru had played on the fact that her cousin, Qin Jing Ru, was available, completely controlling Sha Zhu.
Including the last time, when Qin Huai Ru borrowed five yuan from Liu Kai Xuan, she used the pretense of matchmaking to get the money.
After all, in that era, five yuan was certainly not a small sum.
At Liu Kai Xuan's home.
That evening, both Zhao Fei Yan's and Du Meng Jiao's groups ate at Liu Kai Xuan's house.
There were four dishes on the table, with Zhao Fei Yan and Du Meng Jiao each making two.
To be fair, neither Zhao Fei Yan nor Du Meng Jiao were professional chefs.
However, for ordinary housewives, being able to cook a few home-style dishes was commendable.
From the perspective of home cooking, their dishes were quite passable.
After dinner, Wang Yun E asked Zhao Fei Yan to wait at home for news, and Du Juan Hua similarly had Zhao Yue Xiu take Du Meng Jiao back to await news.
Next would be the final negotiation between the two matchmakers and Liu Kai Xuan.
This time, Liu Kai Xuan spoke first!
"I've thought everything through very clearly now!"
Liu Kai Xuan said solemnly, "Aunt Du, I appreciate your kind intentions!"
"However, the situation in our courtyard is quite complicated. Given Zhao Yue Xiu's sharp personality, even if Du Meng Jiao and I had compatible personalities, we wouldn't last long!"
"Alas..."
Du Juan Hua nodded and smiled, "Forget it. If anyone is to blame, it's that wretch Xu Da Mao for causing trouble!"
"Then I'll go and clarify things with Zhao Yue Xiu now. This matter ends here!"
"Thank you!" Liu Kai Xuan nodded and said, "I'll have to trouble you, Aunt Du!"
"It's nothing, we're neighbors in the same courtyard, it's what we should do!"
Although the matter hadn't been settled, Liu Kai Xuan's approach to handling it had given Du Juan Hua ample face.
After Du Juan Hua left, Wang Yun E continued, "Kai Xuan, you are truly a well-behaved and sensible child!"
"No wonder Fei Yan is so devoted to you!"
"How about this, Kai Xuan, if you have no objections, let's finalize this matter then!"
"I've watched Fei Yan grow up; I can vouch for her character and personality!"
Liu Kai Xuan said solemnly, "I happen to be on my scheduled break this weekend!"
"At that time, I'd like to ask Fei Yan out for a stroll in the town!"
"If we get along well, we can get engaged as soon as possible!"
"Of course, I'll go tell Fei Yan now. We can continue to communicate about any further developments!"
...
On the other side, upon receiving the bad news from Du Juan Hua, Zhao Yue Xiu completely lost her composure!
"This Liu Kai Xuan is truly going too far. I humbled myself to curry favor with him, and he's still putting on airs. This is outrageous!"
Du Juan Hua tried to console her, "It's alright, Xiu. Things between young people are just like this!"
"Whether it works out or not depends on fate. Jiao Jiao is actually quite well-qualified!"
"I'll introduce her to a young man later; he's also quite good!"
Du Meng Jiao pouted and muttered, "He's definitely not as outstanding as Kai Xuan Ge!"
"I..." Du Juan Hua replied with a troubled expression, "Jiao Jiao, please don't get fixated!"
"Things have reached this point; it's not what I wanted to see!"
"Blind dates for young people are always like this, alas..."
"It's all Xu Da Mao's fault!"
Du Meng Jiao said indignantly, "If it weren't for that scoundrel Xu Da Mao playing tricks, I might have already gotten engaged to Kai Xuan Ge!"
"Yes, it's all Xu Da Mao's fault, that bastard, for ruining our good fortune!"
"This matter is definitely not over!"
Zhao Yue Xiu also said angrily, "I have to go find that slut right now and vent my anger properly!"