Not only Mingyue, but even the fans in the live stream felt as though they were experiencing auditory hallucinations.
[User: Did the host not hear Miss Mingyue correctly? She said the suitor has a stable government position—take a look for yourself, is a prison sentence a government position?]
[Kunkuan: Why is the person above so anxious? What if what the host said is true?]
[LoveOnlyJingzi: Whether it's true or not, wouldn't it be easy enough to just have her ask? The matchmaker and the suitor’s parents are right there in the living room; it’s just a casual question. Let’s just enjoy the show.]
Although they had only known Lin Yu for a short time, everything she had said so far had come true. LoveOnlyJingzi, Daidaixiong, and Huang Jing had all tacitly chosen to stand by Lin Yu’s side. Only those who had been proven wrong by her before truly understood how much weight Lin Yu’s words carried. Whether it was the scandal of Wu Hao’s infidelity or the fact that someone who was thirty-one years old was still nursing, her words had all been validated. She definitely knew something.
The viewers in the comment section were divided, some skeptical and others just there for the drama, but Mingyue’s mind had gone completely blank.
Ask!
Mingyue reached a conclusion: Lin Yu could not possibly be lying to her.
Under the gaze of everyone present, Mingyue pushed open the door. The people in the living room paused their conversation and looked at her. Upon seeing Mingyue, the matchmaker beamed from ear to ear and quickly introduced her: "Brother Zhang, Sister Zhang, this is the girl I wanted to introduce to Xiaojie. Just look at how beautiful she is!"
Brother and Sister Zhang had already seen her photos, but they were even more pleased upon seeing her in person. They nodded repeatedly, saying, "Not bad, not bad," noting how well-suited she was for their son.
Mingyue’s mother beckoned her over, saying, "Xiaoyue, come say hello to your uncle and aunt."
"Hello, Uncle, Aunt."
"What a good girl."
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang looked Mingyue up and down. The young girl appeared quiet and polite; she seemed like a filial child. Seeing them nod repeatedly, the matchmaker couldn't help but let her smile widen. She introduced her to them, "Xiaoyue is a nurse; she has a stable job."
"A nurse! That's excellent," Mrs. Zhang beamed. "She knows how to take care of people."
Meeting Mrs. Zhang’s appraising eyes, Mingyue felt a sense of unease. Why did the comment about "knowing how to take care of people" sound so strange coming from her?
The viewers in the live stream grew restless.
[Orange Soda: "Knows how to take care of people"? Am I being too sensitive? I just feel like that phrase from the suitor’s mother is a double entendre. Who exactly is Mingyue supposed to be taking care of?]
[YuniBobo: Look at the way they’re appraising her, as if they’re picking out produce at a market. If they’re satisfied, they’ll want to seal the deal immediately.]
[Gardenia: Miss, please, just ask! You're killing me with the suspense.]
The viewers were all curious if what Lin Yu said was true and were itching to step in and ask for her. Mingyue glanced at the barrage of comments, feeling conflicted. It was the first time they were visiting, and she feared it would be rude to suddenly ask if their son was in prison—she might get scolded for it.
Lin Yu adjusted her position to lean more comfortably against the headboard, her brow furrowed as she looked at the matchmaker. With the development of the internet, fewer and fewer people were interested in dating, yet this matchmaker insisted on picking out the dregs. She cared nothing for the feelings of either party; she was determined to pair them up regardless of whether it was a good idea or a disaster. With "shit-stirrers" like her in the matchmaking industry, it was destined to become notorious. Lin Yu finally understood why people in the future hated this profession; if the government hadn't stepped in, the industry would have vanished long ago.
The matchmaker chatted with the parents for a long time, and both sides seemed quite satisfied. By the time Mingyue regained her focus, the other side was already preparing to discuss the betrothal gifts.
Mingyue panicked. She hurriedly grabbed the matchmaker and asked, "Um, Auntie Wang, what... exactly does he do for a living? Tell me about this 'stable position' so I can understand it a bit better."
Auntie Wang’s expression stiffened, and she quickly brushed it off. "I don't know the specific job title, but you know there are many types of 'iron rice bowls.' You just need to know that he’s on the government payroll."
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang let out a sigh of relief, though their eyes darted around with a hint of guilt. Could this girl know something?
"If Auntie Wang doesn't know, then what about you, Uncle and Aunt Zhang?" Mingyue asked, turning to them.
"This..."
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang exchanged a glance, unsure how to explain. Mrs. Zhang gave a sheepish laugh. "We’re just parents, how would we know? Xiaojie just told us that the benefits at his unit are good—all three meals are provided, and they even teach them a trade. Don't worry, he’ll be finished with his work and home in another half-month."
"That’s right, that’s right," Mr. Zhang added. "Xiaojie has been doing it for several years; it’s a stable job."
Seeing their ingratiating smiles, Mingyue felt a strange, indescribable sensation. Subconsciously, she glanced at her phone.
[Doubao: They provide three meals a day and teach a trade? That sounds like prison. Didn't someone get arrested before and end up learning how to use a sewing machine?]
[XiaoxiaoIsHappy: What is the girl hesitating for? It’s a question that can be answered in one sentence—why beat around the bush so much?]
[CokeNoIce: I don't see the problem. There are plenty of government-funded jobs; who says it *has* to be prison food? The host isn't very old; what could she possibly know? Do you really believe she can read faces?]
[TiandaoChouqin: Are you an actor hired by the host? If you’re going to ask, do it! If not, get off the stream and stop wasting our time.]
Seeing so many comments urging her to ask, Mingyue grew anxious. She shut her eyes and blurted out, "The 'stable position' you mentioned... is it prison?"
The question sent shockwaves through the room. Except for Mingyue, the other five were left absolutely stunned. Auntie Wang and Mr. and Mrs. Zhang felt a jolt in their hearts, their eyes meeting in a panic.
"Xiaoyue!" Mingyue’s mother pulled her, offering a conciliatory smile. "This girl worked the night shift yesterday; she must be sleep-deprived and talking nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."
Mingyue’s father laughed awkwardly as well, giving her a look that signaled her to stop talking.
The three of them exchanged glances and decided to keep up the charade. "It’s fine, she’s just a child; it doesn’t matter if her thinking is a bit jumpy."
Mingyue frowned, dissatisfied with the answer. Furthermore, the reactions of the three were highly abnormal, and she knew Lin Yu couldn't be lying.
"You said it would be half a month before he could come out—could it be that he’s locked up and has half a month left on his sentence?"
Looking at her mother’s horrified expression, Mingyue felt a pang of apology, but she couldn't stop herself. "I have this one question. If you won't tell me, I'll ask someone else."
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang’s faces fell instantly. They looked at Auntie Wang with resentment. *What do we do now?*
Auntie Wang was in a difficult spot, but she had to concede. "I intended to wait until you met to talk about it, but since you’ve asked, I’ll say it now."
"Xiaojie was indeed locked up for a few years due to some matters, but don't worry, after the state's rehabilitation, he is doing very well now. He’s hardworking and honest."
Mingyue’s parents: "???"
So it wasn't that their daughter was acting crazy to ruin the matchmaking?
Though Mingyue had mentally prepared herself, she was still shocked. She pointed at the matchmaker. "Auntie Wang, and to think you’re a relative of mine! Are you trying to get me killed? You’re introducing someone who’s been to prison to me?"
"And he's 'rehabilitated'?" Mingyue laughed in disbelief.
Auntie Wang gulped. "He’s coming out soon. Just hang in there for another half-month."
Mingyue was baffled. Could Auntie Wang not understand human speech?
"Whether he comes out or not is none of my business. I’m so angry right now I feel like killing you all and going in myself!"
Auntie Wang slapped her thigh, anxious. "Xiaoyue, calm down! You don't have to be in a rush to see him right now."