The courtyard house, without the script of Sha Zhu.

Chapter 146 Reunion with Yu Li, First Blind Date

"You should know my situation. My parents passed away early due to some special reasons. After that, I became an apprentice at Fengzeyuan and later became the head chef. When the public-private partnership was established, Fengzeyuan was laying off people. The steel rolling mill happened to be short of a head chef, and several factories contacted me. I simply chose the nearest one and then became the deputy director."

After Cao Wei finished his brief introduction, he seemed to have forgotten something and added something else.

"By the way, you should know about what happened in our department. Anyway, you've probably heard more or less about what kind of people these are. There might be some rumors about me when we go out later, so you'll have to judge for yourself."

For Cao Wei, although Yu Li met his aesthetic standards and seemed to have a decent character, he firmly believed in one principle: no matter who someone is, you only truly know them after getting to know them. Take, for example, Yan Bugui, who in the original timeline seemed to have never caused any trouble in his life.

I've gotten myself into so many troubles.

Therefore, he naturally wouldn't have any feelings of irreplaceable dependence on the other person from the very first meeting.

His straightforward approach made the matchmaker, Wang, look slightly embarrassed.

There was nothing she could do; she had introduced Jia Dongxu to the family back then, or rather, the family's reputation had suffered over the years, which had led to a period when her business was not doing well.

As Yu Li listened, recalling the rumors, she nodded and then spoke softly, taking the initiative to introduce herself.

"Well, I do odd jobs every day, or help my mom make matchboxes. My dad works in a textile factory, and my sister is still in school."

After saying that, Yu Li felt a little embarrassed and didn't know what to say next. However, in Cao Wei's eyes, this was already very good. After all, in this era, it was rare for a girl to take the initiative to say so much.

This already proves that he has an extroverted personality.

Generally speaking, in this era, when people go on blind dates, the man might take the initiative to introduce the woman, but the woman is usually introduced by a matchmaker.

As for Wang the matchmaker, she was really eager to close this deal.

So he spoke while smiling.

"Oh my, you two met before, it's quite a coincidence that you met today."

But those words made Yu Li wish she could bury her head under the table.

It's a bit embarrassing to think about this.

Cao Wei also felt an urge to roll his eyes at her, since that incident was certainly not a particularly good experience for the girl.

After coughing a couple of times, Cao Wei chatted casually.

Although it was a little awkward, the overall atmosphere was alright.

After all, the two knew each other before.

Seeing that it was almost time, he suggested, "Why don't you sit down for a while? It's lunchtime now, so let me let you try my cooking."

After saying that, Cao Wei turned around and went straight into the kitchen.

As the alluring aroma gradually wafted out, Yu Li also developed a liking for Cao Wei in front of her.

The matchmaker, Wang, couldn't help but egg him on.

"Xiaoyu, it's rare to find such a good guy. If you don't seize the opportunity, you might not find someone as good as him again."

Yu Li naturally understood this principle, while Cao Wei didn't make a big fuss and simply cooked three or four dishes.

The sheer luxury of it left even the matchmaker, Wang, speechless.

Braised pork belly, shredded pork with garlic sauce, Kung Pao chicken—the only dish that could be considered vegetarian was stir-fried eggs with chives.

This level of quality is something that ordinary families would only serve during the Lunar New Year.

What was served next was plump, round rice; Wang the matchmaker could even smell its aroma after taking a bite.

Ordinary home-cooked dishes become even more exquisite under Cao Wei's culinary skills, and he couldn't help but praise them as he ate.

"Tsk—no wonder he's the head chef at the steel mill!"

Yu Li was equally astonished. You see, these were dishes she only ate during the Lunar New Year at home.

No, to be precise, she only realized after taking a bite that this was a taste she couldn't even get during the Chinese New Year; it tasted exactly like what you get in restaurants.

Judging from Cao Wei's calm demeanor, even his somewhat indifferent attitude towards meat, it's clear that this is just a typical home-cooked meal at the Cao family home.

He has a fairly good appearance, coupled with such a good environment and leadership position.

She found it hard not to be attracted to Cao Wei in front of her.

Seeing this, Wang, the matchmaker standing nearby, exclaimed that everything was settled.

And she wasn't worried about the instability. With Cao Wei's excellent conditions, even if he beat his wife eight times a day, just for such delicious food, countless people would want to marry into the family.

After a quick lunch, Wang the matchmaker smiled and took Li out under the pretext of going to the restroom.

Unable to resist, she spoke quietly.

"How is it?"

Yu Li was naturally powerless against this and couldn't help but nod shyly.

Seeing this, Matchmaker Wang was relieved and took Yu Li back while laughing and joking.

"Hey, you young people, keep chatting."

After saying that, Wang the matchmaker was quite sensible and did not continue to bother them. Instead, she planned to go to Zhang Erhe's wife's house, which was also Cao Weishi's wife's house, to report the situation.

After all, the two of them still need to get to know each other. Even if they really like each other, elders need to step in for such matters. Although Cao Wei is rich and powerful, elders still need to intervene in such important matters.

Clearly, Cao Wei, who lost his parents at a young age, could only discuss such matters with his master and mistress.

With a few teasing remarks and a light laugh, Yu Li's first meeting with Yu Li ended quite well.

After that, Cao Wei offered to see Yu Li off.

Yu Li naturally had no reason to refuse.

However, the sight of Cao Wei and Yu Li chatting and laughing made the several beasts in the courtyard green with envy.

Yan Jiecheng, in particular, for some reason, always seemed to have a displeased look on his face, as if his wife had been stolen away.

I could even feel the grass on my head gradually sprouting.

After watching Cao Wei ride his bicycle to take Yu Li away, she couldn't help but grit her teeth in anger.

He immediately went home, looked at his mother Yang Ruihua, and couldn't help but urge her.

"Mom, I've taken a liking to a girl. You need to hurry up and propose marriage to her."

Upon hearing this, Yang Ruihua was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help but ask.

Do you know that girl's name?

When this was mentioned, Yan Jiecheng hesitated for a moment, because he really didn't know.

So he gritted his teeth and spoke.

"I don't know that girl, but she was brought by Matchmaker Wang."

These words immediately made Yang Ruihua frown slightly. This person brought in must be someone to introduce blind dates, but there seemed to be only a few eligible young men in the courtyard.

"Who was he introduced to?"

Yang Ruihua spoke with a hint of wariness.

"It's for that little bastard Cao Wei."

When faced with the girl he liked, Yan Jiecheng didn't care how amazing Cao Wei had been before. At this moment, he seemed to be completely blinded by what he thought was love.

This also made Yang Ruihua grit his teeth, after all, in his eyes, Cao Wei was the one who caused his old Yan to be unjustly imprisoned.

After a brief hesitation, she gritted her teeth and said:

"Okay, then I'll go ask Matchmaker Wang in a couple of days?"

As she spoke, Yang Ruihua was also thinking that it would be so satisfying if her son could steal Cao Wei's wife.

However, Yang Ruihua seemed to remember something else.

In terms of qualifications, my own son seems to be far inferior to Cao Wei.

At this moment, Yan Jiecheng seemed to ignore all of this, only fantasizing about how great it would be if he could steal Cao Wei's wife.

Meanwhile, Cao Wei, while taking Gan Li for a drive, couldn't help but chuckle and tease her.

"By the way, is there anything I need to compensate you for this time?"

These words made Yu Li blush and lower her head.

Seeing that it was still early, Cao Wei decided to extend an invitation.

"Hmm, how about we go see a movie?"