My eldest brother Zhang Wei is five years older than me and 50 years old. He was divorced a few years ago and has a son with his ex-wife. I heard that he recently met a girl on the Internet, and the two got along and now live together. Somehow, Zhang Wei suddenly offered to introduce me to a blind date, saying that he was a "special candidate".
That afternoon, I went to a familiar hot pot restaurant after work as usual. There were not many people in the store, and a friend introduced that Zhang Wei was waiting inside. I looked around and soon spotted Zhang Wei sitting in the corner.
"Fangfang, I'm here!" Zhang Wei beckoned to me.
I walked over and found a strange man sitting opposite Zhang Wei, who was probably today's blind date.
"Fangfang, this is the friend I introduced to you, named Song Gang. Zhang Wei made a brief introduction.
"Hello, nice to meet you. The man smiled and nodded at me.
"Hello, I'm Zhang Fang. I also said hello politely and sat down across from him.
"You two let's talk first, if you need me here. After Zhang Wei finished speaking, he left his seat, walked to the bar and ordered a glass of wine.
I watched Fangfang and Song Gang chatting word by word, and couldn't help but secretly glance at Song Gang. Well, although the appearance is indeed a bit mediocre, it feels very stable and honest, which is exactly the type that women of Fangfang's age like. What's more, his family background and economic conditions are quite good, and he should be qualified to become Fangfang's other half.
"Miss Zhang Fang, I heard that you are engaged in accounting?" Song Gang took the initiative to break the silence and started the topic.
"Yes, I've been working for a manufacturing company for more than a decade. I nodded.
"Oh, it's a very stable career. Song Gang said approvingly, "I myself am in business, and I made a small fortune abroad a few years ago, and now I have a small savings." "
"That's pretty good, it's hard to do business, isn't it?" I said with a smile.
"If you want to talk about my living situation, that's actually it. I smiled a little embarrassedly, "I'm the only child in my family, and my parents are both retired. Although the job is stable, the income is not high, and I can't save much money for my own house. However, I am still relatively content with the status quo, and I am very satisfied to be able to support myself. "
I paused, and then continued: "The style of life is very frugal, and there are no big expenses. My only hobby is reading books and catching up with friends once in a while. You men can't imagine how boring our single women's lives are, right?"
Hearing this, Zhang Wei couldn't help but interject: "Fangfang is right, the days of being single are too lonely. I experienced in my last married life that life can be much more lively when you have someone by your side. "
"Oh, Mr. Zhang, you're also divorced?" Song Gang asked curiously.
"Yes, my ex-wife and I were together for ten years, and finally we broke up because of some philosophical differences. Zhang Wei sighed, "But we have a son, and he is now carried by his ex-wife." I give them some living expenses every month, which is considered to be a father's responsibility. "
"So you're single now, and I'll introduce you to a girlfriend?" Song Gang made a joke.
"Come on, how can I find a young and beautiful girl of my age?!" Zhang Wei shook his head helplessly.
"No, no, no, I think Mr. Zhang, you can at least find someone to accompany you. Song Gang smiled and said, "A lady like Miss Zhang Fang, who has been single for too long, should also need a male companion, right?"
"Haha, I don't mean anything else. Song Gang hurriedly explained, "I just think that the two of you are of age, and you should really think about it." "
"You're absolutely right!" Zhang Wei patted Song Gang on the shoulder, and then looked at me meaningfully, "Fangfang, do you want to think about it?"
"Brother, what are you talking nonsense again?" I blushed and glared at Zhang Wei pretending to be angry.
At this moment, the waiter served a table of dishes, and the hot pot had already begun to boil. The three of us ate the fragrant red soup, and you and I ate it one bite at a time, and the topic naturally shifted.
"Fangfang, in fact, I came to Song Gang today for a purpose. "
"For what purpose?" I asked, confused.
I was stunned, I didn't expect Zhang Wei to give such an outrageous suggestion.
"If you're together, you don't have to think too much about getting married. Zhang Wei looked very serious, "Just like me and Song Gang now, you can live that kind of life as a husband and wife." Of course, Song Gang will also pay you social security premiums, so that you have a reliable guarantee. "
My eyes widened in shock and I was speechless for a moment. I never expected that Zhang Wei would give such a ridiculous suggestion! Song Gang and I met almost for the first time, so we lived together and lived that kind of "husband and wife life"? This is simply nonsense!
I subconsciously looked at Song Gang to see how he reacted to this. Unexpectedly, Song Gang didn't have much surprise on his face, but nodded thoughtfully. It was as if my heart had fallen into an ice cellar, and my whole body was chilling.
"Fangfang, I don't mean anything else. Zhang Wei waved his hand, "I just think that the two of you are at this age and suitable to be together." Besides, you can see Song Gang's conditions, he is a good candidate. "
"What's so ridiculous about this?" Zhang Wei asked rhetorically, "You don't want to get married, you just live together as partners." Haven't you been lonely all the time? With Song Gang by your side, isn't your life much more lively?"
"Miss Zhang Fang, in fact, I quite agree with Mr. Zhang's opinion. Song Gang suddenly spoke, and he looked at me seriously, "It is indeed the first time we have met, but through today's conversation, I already have a basic understanding of you." You're a nice guy and you're very independent, so we should get along well together. "
"And you can see my financial conditions. Song Gang continued, "I will pay you social security premiums so that you have a reliable guarantee." We're like a couple, but without red tape, and you can live the life you want to live to the fullest. "
"Fangfang, you should think about it. Zhang Wei patted the back of my hand and said earnestly, "This is a good opportunity for you." "
Zhang Wei and Song Gang's proposal was like a hammer that smashed hard into my heart. My heart was in a state of struggle and contradiction that I had never experienced before.
On the one hand, they do have some truth. I'm 45 years old, and I'm too old to get married. If you still rest on your laurels and insist on following a traditional path of marriage, it may be really difficult to find a mate. And Song Gang's conditions seem to be really good, and his economic strength and character quality make me feel very relieved.
But on the other hand, how could I make such a decision? Song Gang and I are almost strangers, and we live together like this, living a "husband and wife life," which is simply unacceptable in the traditional concept! What's more, there is no emotional basis between us. It's hard to say whether they can stay together for the rest of their lives if they are together in such a hasty way.
"Fangfang, what are you struggling with?" Seeing that I had been silent, Zhang Wei asked, "Haven't you really thought it through?"
I raised my head and looked into the eyes of Zhang Wei and Song Gang, and the contradiction in my heart surged out again: "Brother, of course I understand your suggestion. However, you also have to put yourself in me! Song Gang and I are strangers at all, and we live together like this, do you think this is reasonable?"
"I know it's impulsive, and maybe a little overstepping. Song Gang hurriedly explained, "But I don't mean to say this sincerely, and I don't have ulterior motives." I just think that you and I have reached this age, and we should really think about our future lives. "
"But just by virtue of one side, you expect us to be together like this?" I asked a little anxiously, "Aren't you afraid that in the future we will break up for various reasons?
"Fangfang, are you too worried?" Zhang Wei smiled and said, "The two of you are not married, you are just living together as partners." Even if you break up in the future, you won't suffer as much as you would if you were divorced. "
"What's more, before you and Song Gang got together, you also had enough time to get to know each other well. Zhang Wei continued, "Just think of it as a new love, you can start with friends and slowly cultivate feelings." How about waiting until we really know each other's intentions before deciding whether to stay together for a long time?"
Zhang Wei's words made my inner insistence begin to waver. He has a point, Song Gang and I are not going to go directly into the palace of marriage, but just live together as partners. Even if we are separated in the future, we will not suffer too much.
And before the relationship is confirmed, we can get along well and cultivate feelings. Think of it as starting a relationship all over again. If it really doesn't feel right, it's a big deal to break up. In this way, there will be no psychological baggage between us.
I looked at Song Gang and carefully looked at this man who was five years older than me. He is steady and honest, and there is a mature masculinity in his conversation. What's more, his economic conditions and family background are very good, which is a very important consideration when looking for a partner.
If I really stayed with him, would my life have changed drastically? Will I be able to live the long-awaited world of two? My heart began to be attracted to this beautiful prospect, and I even sketched all kinds of pictures of him in my mind.
Maybe, this is really a good opportunity? My resolve began to waver.
"Well, I'll consider your suggestions. I took a deep breath and considered my mouth, "But before we can do that, the three of us need to know and communicate more. Song Gang, you and I are strangers, if we want to be together, we must start with friends and cultivate our feelings. "
"Of course, there is no problem. Song Gang nodded repeatedly, "I can fully understand your thoughts." We can take our time, without any. "
"And you also have to think about it before you decide on a relationship. I looked at Song Gang and said earnestly, "There is no marriage constraint between us, if we feel inappropriate in the future, you and I can break up at any time." You have to be mentally prepared for this first. "
"I understand it all. Song Gang said solemnly, "I will respect your ideas and manage this relationship between us well." If I can't continue in the end, I'll accept it. "
I nodded and looked at Zhang Wei on the side. Zhang Wei had a knowing smile on his face, and he glanced at me, as if to say, "Well done."
In this way, under Zhang Wei's matchmaking, Song Gang and I established a new relationship. Although this may seem absurd and hasty, I made up my mind to make the most of this opportunity.