What You Can't Hold On To
Everyone stood where they were, watching the Maybach disappear into the distance in silent speechlessness.
"Today, I finally understood what 'thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river' means. Who would've thought that Zhang Zhaohai, who seemed to have accomplished nothing much in his life, had been saving his ultimate move for raising his son?"
Don't start with that nonsense about relying on one's son.
What was wrong with relying on one's son?
If you could raise your son well enough to rely on him for pride and glory, plenty of people would be green with envy.
"I was originally thinking about introducing my daughter to Old Zhang's son. But now that I thought about it... forget it. My girl... sigh, forget it. Better save myself some face."
"Exactly. Someone like Little Zhang is way beyond our reach."
Amid the sighs and remarks, everyone had a pretty clear understanding of their own standing.
They were all ordinary people from modest families. Although those who had entertained the idea all had daughters who were quite pretty and lively, it still depended on who they were being introduced to.
For a talented young man like Little Zhang—so handsome and so wealthy—they knew their own circumstances. They felt their daughters simply didn't have the good fortune or qualifications for someone like him.
"Qingzhu, your daughter is so outstanding. Why didn't you mention her to Old Zhang at the dinner table just now?" an old classmate asked.
At those words, Xie Qingzhu immediately looked a little awkward.
"You... you think I didn't bring it up? But his son already has a girlfriend."
Everyone around them instantly understood.
"That's true. Here we were, thinking all sorts of things. Someone that outstanding obviously wouldn't be single."