Liz's POV
"You just recovered from the fever, don't make yourself sick again."
I obediently sat at the dining table. My eyes swept across the living room and dining room.
I had to admit, my parents were really romantic people. The arrangement of the living room looked just like any other home of this time. But on the coffee table and shoe cabinet, there were lace dust covers, and the sofa had cushions. These little details were delicate and thoughtful.
My parents cared a lot about quality of life and both liked a romantic style. Their habits matched perfectly.
"Come, let's eat."
My mother gave me a soup dumpling. I bit into it, and the hot broth nearly spilled out.
"Eat slowly, no one is stealing it from you."
Her face was full of smiles. I gave my father a thumbs up. "Delicious."
Hearing my praise, my father's eyes lit up with a smile. He picked up another dumpling and put it into my mother's bowl.
My mother took a bite. The rich meat flavor spread across her tongue. "It really is good. Liz is right."
With her approval, my father's smile grew wider. Watching my parents interact, I couldn't help but laugh in my heart.
My gaze was so direct that my mother lowered her head a little shyly.
"Liz."
My father's steady voice broke the moment. I raised my head, put down my chopsticks, and looked at him.
"Dad, what is it?"
"Liz, your mom and I haven't really sat down to talk with you properly. You know the situation at home. If it wasn't the last resort, we wouldn't want you to suffer."
I understood what he meant. My family had been trying to delay things for me, but with the elders holding important positions, I couldn't act selfishly. I couldn't drag the whole family down just because of my own willfulness.
My father was facing pressure at work. I had to make a decision before things got worse. If the Women's Federation really came knocking on our door, it would be serious.
"It's already mid-July. In September, it's time to be sent to the countryside. You need to make a choice, so your mom and I can plan the next step."
Time was running out. My father didn't want me to go to the countryside and suffer, but now too many eyes were on our family. My marriage couldn't be delayed anymore.
My mother put down her chopsticks and looked at him. "Liz just got better. Shouldn't we wait a little?"
"There's no time. The Women's Federation came to me today."
Hearing that, my mother panicked. Since they already came with notice, I had no choice anymore. Our family could easily be accused of wrongdoing, and if that happened, it wouldn't only affect my father and mother, but also my brothers, their wives, and the younger generation.
"Dad, I won't go to the countryside."
I refused. My parents didn't want me to suffer either. On this point, we were united.
"Then marriage is the only way. Have you thought it through?"
"Yes. I've already reached the age to get married anyway."
Hearing my answer, my father felt a sourness in his heart. If it weren't for his position, I wouldn't have to rush into such an important decision.
But since things had reached this point, regret was useless. The problem had to be solved.
My father's guilt was clear. My mother and I both noticed it. I quickly comforted him.
"Dad, I didn't choose marriage just because of our family situation.
I've reached the right age for marriage. Since I was little, I learned psychology with Grandpa.
But in today's society, where do I have the chance to develop my career?
I can't just keep waiting. Don't you always say people should look forward?
Since I can't develop my career right now, at least I can focus on family.
If I marry now, when times get better in a few years, I can concentrate on doing what I love."
I said my thoughts out loud. I saw the relief in my parents' eyes, and I knew they thought I had grown up.
Before, I had always been obedient and sensible, with my own goals and dreams, but I lacked decisiveness.
After this report incident, I had no choice but to grow up quickly. Maybe this was an unexpected gain.
"Haishi is in chaos now, and our family is under attack from all sides.
You must leave Haishi and stay away from trouble."
I nodded. I knew that if I stayed, it would only bring harm to my family.
"I'll ask your eldest brother and sister-in-law, or your uncle and aunt, to find a reliable soldier in the army for you to meet. What do you think?"
Dad didn't want me to marry too far away. If I married my eldest brother's comrade or my uncle's subordinate, I would still have family support when needed.
The old man also called after learning about our situation, saying that marrying a soldier was the safest choice right now.
If I married a young man in government, people might suspect our family of forming cliques.
"Alright."
I agreed happily. Seeing this, Dad called my eldest brother and elder uncle the next day.
He didn't call Xuren. Dad thought it was already good enough if my second brother could take care of himself.
Xuren was withdrawn, not good at socializing, and focused only on research. It was hard enough for him to live properly.
If it weren't for my second brother's wife taking their child with him to the northwest, he probably wouldn't even eat on time.
When Shan heard I was getting married, his first reaction was to refuse. But after Dad explained our family's situation, he realized this was the only path left.
"Dad, does little sister really have to get married?
What, should we send her to the countryside instead?"
He thought about my weak body and immediately rejected the idea.
"That's impossible. Her body is too fragile. If she went to the countryside and something happened..."
"Now things are already like this, we have no other choice."
Dad's tone was full of helplessness. Being born into the Xu family meant enjoying the benefits and privileges it gave, but also carrying the responsibilities.
Even though he was unwilling, I was part of the family, and I couldn't run away halfway.
"But won't this wrong little sister?"
"That's why you need to choose someone reliable."
Shan instantly felt the heavy responsibility on him. My future happiness depended on his choice.
"Dad, don't worry.
I will carefully choose a good match for her."
As my eldest brother, he promised Dad. He would never let me marry the wrong person.
"Yes, you must observe carefully, this is your younger sister's lifelong matter."
"You must be careful and cautious."
"Alright."
Shan carried this responsibility and went home to tell his wife about it. Rugene frowned when she heard that her sister-in-law was going to get married.
After marrying her husband, she had followed him in the army, only returning to Haishi on holidays, so she didn't spend much time with her sister-in-law.
But her sister-in-law was polite and filial, not like other sisters-in-law who liked to cause trouble.
Instead, she cared deeply for her nieces and nephews and respected Rugene as her elder sister-in-law.
Even though they hadn't spent much time together, Rugene had a very good impression of her.
"Does it really have to be this rushed?"
"If you choose in such a hurry, it's easy to make a mistake."
After all, marriage was like starting a second life for a woman. If she chose wrong, it could ruin her entire life.
"There's trouble at home."
Hearing that, Rugene quickly pulled her husband aside and asked in a low voice, afraid the two children would overhear.
"What happened? What's the matter?"
Shan explained what had happened at home. When Rugene heard that their family had been reported, she was so shocked her heart almost stopped.
"Reported?"
"Yes, our little sister's situation at home was reported by someone with bad intentions. Now there are only two choices: either go to the countryside or get married."
"Our little sister's body is weak. If she goes to the countryside, she might lose her life."
Hearing this, Rugene grew worried. Shan, seeing her anxious expression, quickly comforted her.
"It's alright. Grandpa and Grandma have already tried to smooth things over."
"But now the Women's Federation knows that our little sister has been staying home, so this is the only way."
"Once this period passes, the family will be stable again."
Shan comforted his wife, and Rugene slowly calmed down. Then the couple discussed who would be suitable.
"Then who do you plan to introduce to her?"
Rugene asked curiously. Shan thought about it. Among his comrades, there really weren't many single men. Those of marriageable age were either already married or had partners.
"Let's wait and see. For now, there's no suitable candidate in the army."
"Grandpa and Uncle are also helping to find someone for our little sister. Let's see what the elders decide."
"Alright."
Rugene agreed. She felt it was better for the elders to make the decision. Otherwise, if her sister-in-law's marriage turned out unhappy, she and Shan would regret it for life.
Shan couldn't find a suitable person, but Uncle Xu did. The candidate was the son of his subordinate.
His name was Mateo, the only son of the navy commander Fang in the capital. He had an older sister, so the family was simple.
Mateo's unit was also in the south. If Liz married him and something happened, her older brother Shan could always step in to support her.
The next day, Uncle Xu called Mr Xu. Mateo was currently on a mission, but his parents had already agreed. Once he returned, they could arrange for them to meet.
"Good, that's the best arrangement."
Mr Xu was also satisfied. He then asked further about Mateo's family background and character.
"His father is the navy commander of the capital military district. His mother stays home to take care of the family, and he has an older sister."
His family is simple. Mateo is a very responsible young man. I watched him grow up.
Hearing this, my father was satisfied. A simple family meant I wouldn't need to deal with too many complicated relationships after marriage.
"If you say he's good, then he must be a good person."
My father trusted his elder brother's judgment. If his elder brother praised someone, that person wouldn't be bad.
"You can ask Fang's family when it's convenient for them to come to Haishi. We can prepare to pick them up at the station."
"Alright."
Since the person for the blind date was already decided, they could explain things clearly when the time came.
That night, my father went home and told my mother and me about it. After hearing who my blind date would be, I curiously asked System Chlo.8,
"System Chlo.8, is this Mateo the one you mentioned as one of the two choices?"
"Yes, it's him. Because during a mission he will get injured, and after that his fertility rate will be only five percent."
"Our task is to give birth to children for men with extremely low fertility rates."
"Who's the other one?"
I couldn't help but ask, but System Chlo.8 refused to say anything. It was against the rules.
"Host, I can't tell you. Unless you meet Mateo and don't like him, and the two of you have no feelings for each other, then the other man will appear."
"Host, you need to be a faithful woman."
I felt guilty. I had been single for twenty-eight years, and now I wasn't even allowed to have two choices.
"Oh."
I could only wait obediently for Mateo's arrival. A few days later, my uncle passed on the news that Mateo had returned from duty and was preparing to take leave in the capital.
After he got back, his parents would bring him to Haishi to meet me.
Knowing this, my parents started preparing to host the guests. Since I had just recovered from my illness, I spent my free time exploring Haishi.
I visited parks, supply stores, and state-owned restaurants, learning about the prices and lifestyle of the time.
Even though I had absorbed the memories of this body, I still felt unfamiliar with this era.
I put on a light blue dress, carried the camera my father had bought overseas, and started my solo exploration trip.
Thanks to my parents' good income, I could live without financial pressure and do what I liked. Besides psychology, my hobbies were photography, dressing up, and enjoying beauty.
My parents never restricted me. Whatever I liked, they supported me with money and resources.
In Haishi, I wandered around for several days, taking photos of old-style buildings and capturing the lively markets full of warmth and life.
Haishi was different from Su City's quiet elegance. Each place had its own charm. Su City was peaceful and relaxed, while Haishi was convenient and modern.
After playing for some time, the end of the month arrived. If nothing went wrong, Mateo's family would come to Haishi the next day.
My parents had arranged a day off. My father even went to the station early in the morning to pick them up, while I got up early to dress and wait.
My mother busied herself preparing food and things for the guests.
Before we knew it, it was already noon.
"It's already noon, why haven't they arrived yet?"
My mother looked at her watch. Weren't they supposed to arrive in Haishi at nine in the morning?