The Modern Matchmaker Yang Su

"Mom, I know what you mean, but Cheng Dongxue did nothing wrong. Our relationship can't just end like this. And..."

"Mom, we won't have to live in hardship anymore. I've gone into business with someone and made money. I can support you and take you away from Long'ao."

Zhang Yang straightened his back and told Liu Mei with pride. He wanted to give her confidence.

"Business?" Liu Mei was puzzled. She had never heard a word about it.

"Yes. I've been doing some business with the Lin Family. A big project." Zhang Yang stuck to that excuse. By now, it rolled off his tongue.

"What kind of business?" Liu Mei was not so easily fooled.

"Uh, restaurants, entertainment, antiques." Zhang Yang named a few things off the top of his head. He figured Liu Mei would not know much about them, so he could probably get away with it.

"Oh, good!" Liu Mei smiled and studied Zhang Yang's back again. In that respect, he did resemble his father. He even had the same head for business. Making money had only been a matter of time.

What mother would believe her own son was useless?

Zhang Yang hoed all the weeds in the field in one go. At last, they could go home. Mibai had been resting in the shade by the vegetable patch, but now he suddenly dashed out, seized the hoe in his mouth, and ran toward home.

The people of Long'ao were surprised to see Zhang Yang return from the fields with Liu Mei. Zhang Yang was back.

Liu Mei never showed off, and she had a good reputation in Long'ao. She carried herself like a young lady from a distinguished family. People had long been curious about her background, but she had never spoken of it.

People said Liu Mei had appeared in Long'ao out of nowhere with Zhang Yang in tow.

Back home, mother and son began preparing lunch. There were only two of them, but the house was lively, especially with Mibai running around and amusing them. He kept Liu Mei company and brought her joy.

Lunch was plentiful, and mother and son ate happily.

The afternoon sun was fierce. Liu Mei usually rested until it weakened before going out to work in the fields again. Today was different. Her son was home, so she would take the afternoon off. Otherwise, Zhang Yang would insist on going out to work with her.

A jujube tree stood in the yard. It was said that Liu Mei and Zhang Yang had planted it the day they arrived in Long'ao. It had lived a long time and was still laden with fruit.

Mother and son sat beneath the tree, resting in the afternoon and eating the fruit Zhang Yang had brought home. It was a warm, comfortable moment.

Mibai stayed beside them, happy to share in the treats. All three enjoyed themselves.

Zhang Yang was too tired to return to the Cheng Family home today, so he sent Cheng Dongxue a message saying he would stay in Long'ao.

While Zhang Yang enjoyed the mountain breeze and chilled watermelon in Long'ao, something that would have infuriated him was unfolding in Gong City.

At the end of the workday, Cheng Dongxue was getting ready to go home when a phone call disrupted her plans.

"Mom."

The call was from Yang Su. Remembering what had happened the night before, Cheng Dongxue could barely muster the interest to answer. Her voice was listless.

"Xiao Xue, you're off work, right? We're not eating at home today. We're having dinner at Kane Western Restaurant," Yang Su told her cheerfully over the phone.

Cheng Dongxue frowned. What was Yang Su up to? Was no one cooking at home? Was there something to celebrate?

"Mom, why are we eating out?" There was reproach in Cheng Dongxue's voice. The Cheng Family was in a financial crisis, with a five-million-yuan shortfall. They ought to be saving money, not going out for Western food.

And Kane Western Restaurant was expensive. A bill of over ten thousand yuan could pile up in no time. She remembered taking Zhang Yang there before they got married, but the meal had gone badly. Zhang Yang had made a fool of himself.

"Don't worry about that. Someone else is paying. Hurry over. I'll wait for you here. You can make it in ten minutes, right? Yes, ten minutes!"

As though there were a time limit on a free meal, Yang Su gave Cheng Dongxue ten minutes to reach Kane Western Restaurant.

"Mom..."

"Beep, beep..."

Cheng Dongxue did not want to go, but before she could explain or refuse, Yang Su hung up. She had given her daughter no chance to say either.

"Mom, I'm not coming!" Cheng Dongxue was in no mood for Western food. She wanted to go home, so she sent Yang Su a message.

"You brat, you have to come. The future of our family's company depends on it." Yang Su replied at once, her tone firm and leaving no room for argument.

Cheng Dongxue frowned and sighed. She went out to get her car and headed straight for Kane Western Restaurant.

Kane Western Restaurant was not far from Cheng Dongxue's office, but it was rush hour and traffic was terrible. All the way there, Yang Su kept sending messages and calling to hurry her along.

By the time Cheng Dongxue arrived at Kane Western Restaurant, nearly half an hour had passed.

"Xiao Xue, why are you only getting here now? It's so rude!" Yang Su complained when she saw Cheng Dongxue hurry in, worn out from the trip.

Cheng Dongxue glanced over. There were only two people: Yang Su and a young man in a suit, wearing a designer watch. He looked like a successful businessman.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Traffic was bad." Cheng Dongxue did not know who he was, but he was clearly their host, so she apologized.

The young man inclined his head and smiled. "It's all right. It's rush hour. That's to be expected."

"Long time no see!" The young man suddenly stood and held out his hand to Cheng Dongxue.

Taken aback, Cheng Dongxue glanced at Yang Su, then awkwardly but politely reached out and shook his hand.

Long time no see? That means we've met before, or at least know each other. But I've never seen him. I don't remember him at all. How can he say that?

"Xiao Xue, have you forgotten? You two met at a conference. Young Master Xu is a successful businessman. He owns a company with over a hundred employees!" Yang Su reminded her, heaping praise on Young Master Xu.

"You flatter me, Auntie. It's just a small company. Annual revenue is only a few tens of millions." Pleased by Yang Su's praise, Young Master Xu could not resist boasting.

Cheng Dongxue still could not remember him. She doubted she would have associated with someone like him anyway. He was unbearably pretentious, and a little praise had gone straight to his head.

"Xiao Xue, Young Master Xu likes you very much. You two talk. I'm getting on in years, so I need to use the restroom and touch up my makeup."

With that, Yang Su left Cheng Dongxue alone with Young Master Xu, a stranger to her.

"You're really forgetful. You don't even recognize me, Xu Mingxian!" Young Master Xu sounded irritated, plainly accusing Cheng Dongxue of putting on airs.

Anger simmered inside Cheng Dongxue. He was full of himself. Was she supposed to know who Xu Mingxian was? Who did he think he was, the country's leader?

Despite her anger, Cheng Dongxue could see that Yang Su had done this deliberately. Her mother was practically playing matchmaker.

She blamed Yang Su. Cheng Dongxue was a married woman. How could her mother introduce her to another man and openly say he liked her?

Was she out of her mind?

"I'm sorry." Despite her anger, Cheng Dongxue answered politely. After all, her mother had said this man could help the Cheng Family through its financial crisis and cover the shortfall.