Colorful years

Those who are passionate about radio and love newspapers and magazines will always catch Zhang Cong's news reports in the magnetic voice of the radio. His clear and articulate broadcasting is like a spring breeze, making people feel intoxicated.

You can also savor his poetic and picturesque prose works in various newspapers and magazines. His beautiful words are like a gentle stream, nourishing the hearts of readers.

As time quietly passed, Zhang Cong's fame blossomed like spring flowers in the mountain town, gradually becoming known to more and more local people. His name, like the morning bell, echoed in people's ears, making him a cultural celebrity that everyone talked about with great interest.

It's important to understand that in that era, university graduates were rare gems, attracting immense attention. Zhang Cong not only possessed the aura of a university graduate but also the dazzling crown of a "cultural celebrity." His impoverished background was thus overshadowed by these double honors, naturally drawing countless eyes and making him the focus of public attention.

At this moment, everyone was surprised to find that this talented young man was still alone in the world of emotions.

So, many kind-hearted uncles and aunts, with good wishes in mind, took the initiative to step into Zhang Cong's home, hoping to act as matchmakers, tie the knot for him, and build a bridge for a happy marriage.

In no time, people came to propose marriage for him like a tidal wave, one after another.

However, to everyone's dismay, Zhang Cong gradually became arrogant in the face of this situation. His heart was filled with pride and arrogance, and he even showed disdain for ordinary people, completely disregarding them.

At that time, the director of the county transportation bureau had an only daughter. The director was eager to find a young, promising, and ideal husband for his daughter.

To this end, he specifically asked Team Leader Tian from the county party committee office's research team to help make the connection. Team Leader Tian then entrusted this task to his wife, Head Nurse Lu, who worked at the People's Hospital.

To facilitate the marriage, Team Leader Tian and his wife warmly invited Zhang Cong to their home to learn about the situation and offer advice in person.

Having missed out on his childhood sweetheart, Li Hua, Zhang Cong originally had no intention of rushing into dating or marriage. However, out of consideration for Team Leader Tian and his wife, he didn't outright refuse, but reluctantly agreed to a blind date.

Under Nurse Lu's careful arrangement, an unmarried young couple met at the movie theater.

They sat side by side in adjacent seats, so close that they could almost feel each other's warm breath.

Bathed in the dim, yellowish light, Zhang Cong quietly cast his gaze upon the bureau chief's daughter beside him. She was beautiful, with delicate features, and indeed possessed considerable charm.

However, when his gaze shifted to her attire, Zhang Cong couldn't help but be slightly taken aback—her style of dress was indeed somewhat outdated and a little tacky, which didn't seem to match her status; upon closer inspection, he felt that this woman lacked a unique charm that was lively, alluring, and captivating.

As the movie's opening bell rang, after a brief silence, the two began to chat casually.

In this seemingly casual but actually deliberate conversation, Zhang Cong gradually learned that the bureau chief's daughter in front of him was actually just a girl who had just graduated from high school and was currently working in a shopping mall in the city. Although the company she worked for was state-owned, she was just an ordinary employee.

Thinking about this, Zhang Cong pondered to himself: With such an educational background and professional experience, it's probably difficult for him and her to have many common topics and interests.

Thinking this, his initial expectation for the blind date was now dashed, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, and his enthusiasm waned.

Time flowed slowly in this awkward and unbearable atmosphere. Finally, the end credits rolled, and the audience got up and left the theater.

Zhang Cong breathed a long sigh of relief, and then, with great politeness and gentlemanly manners, insisted on taking the woman home.

The two remained silent throughout the journey, with only their monotonous footsteps echoing forlornly in the quiet streets.

Before long, they arrived at the woman's house.

Zhang Cong smiled, politely said goodbye to her, and turned to leave. Throughout the entire conversation, he did not mention anything about meeting again or developing their relationship further.

Thus, a marriage that others saw as extremely beneficial to Zhang Cong's career and economic interests was so easily abandoned by Zhang Cong's short-sightedness.

It's obvious that anyone with a little common sense would realize that if Zhang Cong married the bureau chief's daughter, he could save at least twenty years of hard work and live a relatively comfortable life.

Time flies, and several years have passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, the world has changed, and Zhang Cong has also experienced many ups and downs in his life.

Life is unpredictable, and after leaving the mountain city, he was suddenly transferred from the state party committee to work at the Jiangshan City Party Committee, which was upgraded and renamed a prefecture-level city.

Here, a chance encounter led him to unexpectedly learn a secret he had kept hidden in his heart for many years.

It turned out that the woman he had been set up with on a blind date years ago had fallen deeply in love with him after that encounter, secretly giving her heart to him. However, fate played a cruel trick on them, and they ultimately failed to be together. Although the woman later married another man, started a family, and established a career, she was not happy and was depressed all the time.

Upon hearing this news, Zhang Cong felt a pang of regret. After all, unintentionally hurting such a devoted woman was certainly not his intention.

Just as Zhang Cong was filled with melancholy, a crisp knock sounded at the door. He got up and opened the door to find two young and pretty nurses who had recently started working at the county hospital standing outside. They had smiles on their faces, their eyes revealing a hint of shyness and anticipation…