"Liz, your father and I need to explain something to you."
"Henry is 30 this year and holds the rank of regiment commander. The Zhou family has a long military tradition, so his personality is naturally calm and steady."
"You are seven years apart in age. You might not have many common topics. When the time comes, you mustn't throw a tantrum or refuse to get married."
Madam Yuna worried that her daughter might act on impulse. After all, her daughter was only 23, a bit younger than Henry.
Henry was calm and quiet. Her daughter was sensible and well-behaved, but she had also been pampered and was a little spoiled.
Madam Yuna feared that her daughter might change her mind and refuse to marry him.
"Mom, I am looking for a husband, not a playmate. I understand this."
"Then that's fine."
Mr Xu and Madam Yuna were relieved after getting her promise. Their daughter was serious, so they didn't have to worry about her acting out.
...
A week later, at Haishi train station:
A tall man in dark green military uniform walked out carrying a bag. He looked distant and serious, with a strong, imposing presence.
Mr Xu, along with his secretary, waited at the station to pick him up. Today was the day Henry arrived in Haishi.
"Henry, over here."
Mr Xu waved when he saw the familiar figure. The man in the dark green uniform looked up and then walked over with long, confident strides.
"Uncle Xu, long time no see."
Henry's voice was steady, radiating masculine strength and military aura.
"Long time no see. I think the last time we met was five years ago."
"I've heard a lot about you from your grandfather. You really are talented and capable."
Mr Xu felt happy seeing him. Although Henry came to meet his daughter for an arranged marriage, he was still proud to see a young relative he had watched grow up become so accomplished.
"Thank you, Uncle Xu."
"Let's go home first."
Henry looked at himself, dusty and tired from travel, and declined Mr Xu's invitation.
"Uncle Xu, I'll just stay at the guesthouse. When you and Madam Yuna are free, my parents and I will formally visit."
"Your parents are coming to Haishi too?"
"Yes, they will arrive tomorrow."
Hearing that Henry's parents were coming, Mr Xu realized that the Zhou family was serious about this marriage.
Normally, he might have thought it was rude that Henry stayed at a guesthouse instead of his home. But this time, Henry was here to meet his daughter, not just visit as a young relative. Since the two had not officially met, staying at the Xu home would have been inappropriate.
It might have seemed fine to the family, but with so many eyes in the government compound, it could harm his daughter's reputation.
"Alright, then we'll have a simple meal at the state-run hotel, and I'll take you to the guesthouse afterward. When your parents arrive, we can arrange a time for you and Liz to meet."
Hearing his daughter's name, Henry felt a touch of gentleness and nodded. "Okay, thank you, Uncle Xu."
"No need to be so polite."
Mr Xu and Henry went to the state-run hotel for a meal and then Mr Xu took him to the guesthouse. When Mr Xu returned home, Madam Yuna immediately asked about the situation.
"Henry?"
"He went to the guesthouse. Mr. and Mrs. Zhou are also coming to Haishi. They will arrive tomorrow."
"Ah! They are coming too?"
"Yes. When they arrive, the whole family will come to visit."
Mrs. Xu smiled even more. She and Mrs. Zhou are close friends, but one lives in Haishi and the other in the capital. Usually, they only communicate through letters.
Now that her good friend is coming to Haishi, she wanted to host them properly.
"It seems the Zhou family really cares about Liz."
"Mr. and Mrs. Zhou have only one son, Henry, so of course they care a lot."
Mr. Zhou (Zhou Yijun) is the eldest son of Grandpa Zhou. He and his wife (Lady Wei) have a son and a daughter.
Their son is Henry, and their daughter is Yana, who is already married with children.
Yana married a soldier and moved to a mountain city with her husband. She works in the military's art troupe.
Mr. Zhou is the commander of the capital military district. He and his wife were childhood friends and married as adults. Their relationship is very happy.
The biggest regret for the family is that Henry cannot have children. As the only son of the eldest branch, this means the branch will not continue.
Over time, Mr. and Mrs. Zhou came to terms with it. They only hope their son will have a companion in the future.
But now, at 30 years old, he has barely met any women, let alone a partner.
They tried to arrange blind dates for Henry, but one sentence from him made them give up.
"Mom, Dad, why make someone a widow for me?"
This forced Mr. and Mrs. Zhou to accept reality. Seeing the helplessness in their son's eyes, they understood they could not force anyone.
They did not want to harm a young woman or use their power to make her marry their son and become a widow.
So they gave up and just hoped their son would be safe, even if he stayed alone.
But now, little granddaughter Liz from the Xu family is willing to marry their son. How could Mr. and Mrs. Zhou stay calm?
After hearing this from Grandpa Zhou, Mr. Zhou quickly arranged leave and came to Haishi with his wife to show sincerity and respect for Liz.
The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Zhou arrived. Henry borrowed a car from Mr. Xu at the government office to pick them up.
Mr. Xu wanted to go himself but was too busy, so Henry went in his place to greet them.
"Henry, come over for dinner tomorrow."
"Okay, Uncle Xu."
The Zhou family had traveled a long way and needed rest. Mr. and Mrs. Xu wisely did not disturb them.
Liz only learned in the evening that Mr. and Mrs. Zhou had arrived, and that tomorrow evening, Henry and his parents would have dinner at her home.
She felt a bit nervous. This was her first blind date!
"It's just a simple dinner. Your Uncle and Aunt Zhou are friends of me and your dad," her mother comforted her.
"They came from far away, so we should be good hosts."
"Don't be nervous."
Liz nodded but still felt anxious. Tomorrow, she would finally meet Henry.
"Old Xu, I'll take half a day off tomorrow to help with dinner."
"You don't need to come. It might be hard to get leave if Liz gets married," her father said.
Taking leave must be arranged in advance, especially for her father's position, where even half a day off could affect many things.
"Good, well done."
Mr Xu looked at Mrs. Xu with gentle eyes. Mrs. Xu smiled and ate a grape, then told Liz not to go out tomorrow.
"You don't need to go out tomorrow. In the morning, go to the supply and marketing cooperative to queue for meat, and also buy some pastries for our guests."
Liz had an important task. She needed to buy food for the guests from the supply and marketing cooperative.
"Okay."
Liz agreed immediately. After some time practicing, her cooking skills had improved, so helping her mother would not be a problem.
Early the next morning, Liz took the money her mother gave her and went to the supply and marketing cooperative. The government compound was close to it, so she could walk there.
Back then, the supply and marketing cooperative, like state-run restaurants, were red-brick buildings. Above the main door was a red star and the words "Serve the People."
Inside, the stalls were arranged with glass cabinets around them. The items for sale were inside the cabinets, making them easy to see and choose.
At the back were large cabinets. Salespeople stood between the glass cabinets and the large cabinets. You told the salesperson what you wanted, paid, and they would get it from the back.
Liz went straight to the meat stall and queued. In those days, to get good meat, you had to line up early. The earlier you bought, the more fat and juice the meat had.
Following her mother's instructions, Liz bought a piece of pork and a rack of ribs, then got some eggs and fresh vegetables.
After buying ingredients, she went to get pastries and sunflower seeds for the guests. As she left the store, she brushed past a man in a military uniform.
The man turned and watched her leave. He felt the girl seemed familiar.
Henry could not remember where he had seen her before, so he let it go and went to buy his own things.
Shortly after Liz returned home, her mother also came back. Lunch was packed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cafeteria.
They had a simple meal, then her mother started preparing dishes while Liz placed the pastries and sunflower seeds on the coffee table.
"Liz, go change your clothes and dress up nicely."
"My clothes are fine."
Liz thought her outfit was fine, but her mother looked at her gray dress and frowned.
Her mother picked a light blue dress from her wardrobe and insisted she wear it.
"Wear this."
"Mom, it's really not necessary."
"It is necessary. When I first met your father, he was attracted by my elegance…"
Liz: "..."
Here comes another love story.
"Okay, okay, I'll change."
Liz did not want to listen to her parents' love stories again. She had heard them enough to get goosebumps.
"Hurry up and change. You need to leave a good impression on Henry."
Liz pouted. She was young and pretty. Even without changing, she was already beautiful.
But her mother's look was threatening. Obediently, Liz changed into the dress, braided her hair, and even put on some lipstick.
With her natural charm, the light blue dress made her look gentle and elegant, similar to her mother.
When Liz came downstairs, her mother's eyes lit up with love.
Her daughter was beautiful but rarely dressed up. Now she looked stunning.
Her mother twirled her around twice, pride shining in her eyes. She was proud to have such a beautiful daughter.
"Looks nice."
"From now on, dress up more, don't always wear those dark clothes."
"Especially after you get married, don't give up your right as a woman to look beautiful."
Liz's mother was open-minded and broad-thinking. Even though she had three children and was now a grandmother, she never gave up on looking nice for her family. She knew very well that if a woman stopped caring about her appearance, it would be hard to start again later.
"Besides, our family has the means. As long as it's proper, there's no need to force yourself to suffer."
Liz nodded with a smile. She really liked her parents' way of thinking. Their ideas were even more open than parents in later generations.
"Okay, I'll make sure to dress up more from now on."
Her mother looked at her again, feeling proud and happy. Seeing the time, it was already four in the afternoon, and she needed to start preparing dinner.
"Mom, I'll help you with it."
"No need. You look so pretty today, you can't cook."
"Go water the flowers in the yard. Your Uncle Henry and Aunt Yana should be arriving soon."
"Okay."
Liz's voice was soft. Her mother couldn't help showing her motherly love and pinched her cheek gently.
Liz went to water the flowers. Many flowers were blooming, and the air was full of fragrance. She bent down to smell them.
Butterflies flew among the flowers, and leaves fell from the trees onto Liz's shoulders. She smiled and picked up a leaf, examining it carefully in the sunlight.
She didn't notice three people standing at the door—Mr. and Mrs. Zhou, and Henry.
Henry looked at the girl in the yard, deep in thought. At that moment, he finally understood why he felt that the girl seemed familiar at the supply and marketing office that morning.
Mrs. Zhou nudged Henry. He came back to his senses and knocked on the door.
Liz, focused on the leaf's pattern, was startled by the sudden knock.
Henry saw her reaction and lowered his eyes. He hadn't expected Liz to still be so timid.
"You little brat, you scared Liz."
Mrs. Zhou pushed Henry playfully, then smiled and held Liz's hand.
"You must be Liz? Auntie hasn't seen you in years, I almost didn't recognize you."
"Yes, I am. And you are?"
Hearing her say her name, Mrs. Zhou's face lit up with a warm smile, and she held Liz's hand affectionately.
"Liz has grown so much! Let Auntie take a good look at you."
When Liz was six, she had gone with her grandfather and grandmother to Su City. The last time Mr. and Mrs. Zhou saw her was six years ago.
Six years ago, Liz accompanied her grandfather to the Kyoto estate to give psychological treatment to a patient, and her grandfather often took her to Zhou's house for tea.
"I'm your Aunt Yana, don't you remember?"
"I remember. Hello, Aunt Yana."
Liz's voice was soft and sweet, typical of a Su City girl. Mrs. Zhou felt her heart melt instantly.
"Good, good. That's your Uncle Zhou, and that's my son, Henry."
Mr. Zhou smiled at Liz. He looked intimidating, with a strong, commanding presence from his military background.
He didn't talk much, and his expressions were few. Henry inherited the same personality. Standing there, Liz felt a bit overwhelmed by their presence.