Chapter 24: A Mismatched Matchmaking

By the time Li Yaoyao arrived, the banquet had already been underway for some time. The village chief was hosting the two police officers, with the village accountant, the director of the Women’s Federation, and others in attendance. Xue Ke’ang was also present, as he was a key witness.

The food was modest, consisting mainly of wild vegetables and sweet potato vines. It was Yang Haiying who had the bright idea to season the dishes with instant noodle packets, making the meal quite a treat for everyone at the table.

The village chief brought out his prized liquor. Director Wang, whose face had turned rosy from the drink, was in high spirits. Seeing Li Yaoyao arrive, he hurriedly stood up to offer her a seat.

"Oh! Director Wang, you really shouldn't be so formal!" Li Yaoyao felt a bit flattered by Wang Hongjun’s warmth.

Wang Hongjun gave a hearty laugh. "Educated Youth Li is the victim in this case, so it’s only right that you join us. Haiyan mentioned earlier that you were frightened and went back this afternoon, which made me feel quite guilty!"

Yang Haiyan, the director of the Women’s Federation, chimed in sheepishly, "I really felt it would be better for you to come, so I asked Haiying to go get you."

Li Yaoyao quickly expressed her gratitude. "Sister Haiyan, I’m feeling much better now, so please don't worry!"

After Ye Fan’s guidance, she had truly cleared her mind. She no longer felt guilty about Yang Haigou's fate. More importantly, she had been in contact with Ye Fan and knew the box was safe and the food was secured, which gave her great peace of mind.

Wang Hongjun raised his glass to Li Yaoyao. "It’s good that everything is fine with you, Li. The wine and food today are good, but the best part is the instant noodles you brought! My, the taste is excellent. Let me toast you, Xiao Li, to show my appreciation!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Director Wang!" Li Yaoyao replied quickly. "It was only the right thing to do!" As she spoke, she raised her teacup, substituting tea for wine, and took a sip.

Nearby, Yang Haiying pulled out a flashlight like it was a precious treasure. "Our Educated Youth Li has so many wonderful things! When I went to call her just now, she was worried about the road being dark, so she brought this out!"

Before leaving, Li Yaoyao had intentionally brought the flashlight, planning to give it to Yang Haiying for all her help over the past few days—work for which she hadn't even asked for payment. On the way, she had taught Yang Haiying how to use it, and now Yang Haiying was eager to show it off.

Before she could even explain, Village Chief Yang exclaimed, "Oh, that’s a fine piece of equipment!" Having seen the flashlight's features earlier, he said to Wang Hongjun, "This is the multi-functional flashlight I told you about this afternoon!"

"Is that so? Then we won’t need to light any more candles!" Wang Hongjun said happily. The Women’s Federation director, Yang Haiyan, asked, "Village Chief Yang, tell us, how is it multi-functional?"

"Let me demonstrate for you!" Yang Haiying volunteered, picking up the flashlight and switching through the modes. The crowd gasped in amazement, everyone clearly fascinated.

Officer Chen, sitting to the side, remained quiet, only smiling. This made Wang Hongjun anxious. He thought, *Officer Chen was so outgoing just a moment ago; why is he acting so reserved now that Li Yaoyao is here? He must be shy! I need to create an opportunity for him to shine.*

With that in mind, he came up with a plan. He raised his glass again and said to Li Yaoyao, "Educated Youth Li came to our Yang Village at such a young age, not afraid of hardship or fatigue—she is a fine comrade! Old Yang told me today that you saw the villagers were going hungry and wrote to your friend to support us with instant noodles, and you even brought this flashlight to improve the villagers' lives. We all admire you!"

"Oh! I just wanted to do something for the villagers!" Li Yaoyao felt awkward from the praise, lowering her head shyly and not knowing what to say.

Officer Chen, who had also been drinking, watched Li Yaoyao blush under the glow of the flashlight. He was instantly captivated and felt a growing fondness for her. Just as he was lost in thought, he heard Director Wang mention him.

"Our Officer Chen is also excellent! He’s a top graduate from the police academy, and he’s performed brilliantly since joining our bureau. He even received an award for individual excellence last year!" As he spoke, he patted Officer Chen on the shoulder, signaling him to speak up.

"I... I am still far behind Educated Youth Li. I have much to learn from her!" Officer Chen said, his voice a bit strained as he raised his glass.

Village Chief Yang laughed heartily. "You’re both excellent young people; you should exchange ideas and progress together!"

Director Wang had been asking him about Li Yaoyao's marital status earlier that afternoon. The chief wasn't a fool; he knew Officer Chen was interested, so he decided to nudge the two young people along.

Li Yaoyao, however, didn't overthink it and generously raised her teacup. "Brother Chen is someone I should learn from as well! Let us progress together!"

"Progress together!" Officer Chen clinked his glass with Li Yaoyao’s. In the process, he accidentally brushed against her hand. His heart began to pound, and he downed his drink in one go.

"Oh! Our Officer Chen is certainly sincere!" Wang Hongjun cheered loudly, causing the atmosphere at the table to heat up even more. Emboldened by the alcohol, he asked, "Educated Youth Li, I’ve had a bit to drink, so I don't know if this is appropriate to ask..."

If Ye Fan had been there, he might have replied, "Then don't ask." He knew that anyone at a dinner table who claimed they were "a bit drunk" was actually sober, while those who claimed they weren't drunk were the ones who truly were. Unfortunately, Li Yaoyao was thin-skinned; she only nodded without speaking.

Wang Hongjun asked, "Educated Youth Li, you’re about twenty years old now, right? I wonder, do you have a boyfriend back in the city?"

"Ah... this... not yet!" Li Yaoyao felt a bit uncomfortable. How could someone ask such a question upon first meeting? What made her even shyer was that an image of Ye Fan suddenly flashed through her mind. Her heart fluttered, and she couldn't help but avert her eyes.

"Oh, Director Wang, why are you asking a young girl such a question!" Even in 2024, such a question would be considered bold, let alone in the eighties. Yang Haiyan, the Women’s Federation director, noticed Li Yaoyao’s embarrassment and came to her defense. "You old comrade, you’ve had too much to drink and are starting to talk nonsense!"

"Hey! Don't you go slandering me!" Wang Hongjun waved his hand dismissively and continued, "I brought this up because our Bureau’s Comrade Chen Yan is also single! You are both fine young people, and I suggest you get to know each other!"

As soon as he said this, the table erupted. Some teased, "Oh! They are quite a match, they should consider it!" Others opposed, "This is a private matter; we shouldn't be playing matchmaker!" Still others tried to mediate, "Director Wang is well-intentioned, but whether or not it works out depends on the two young people!"

However, the two protagonists of the conversation both lowered their heads in silence, their faces red to the roots of their hair.

Officer Chen secretly kicked Wang Hongjun under the table, feeling that the director really was drunk and talking nonsense. If he were a man of the twenty-first century, he would surely have complained that the director was a "pig teammate." Meanwhile, Li Yaoyao’s mind was filled with thoughts of Ye Fan. She didn't know why she kept thinking of him, but the thought wouldn't go away, making her feel even more self-conscious.

The banquet eventually broke up amidst the noise and chatter, and everyone returned home, their bellies full.