"If later on, Liz regrets it, we hope she can still choose her own life."
When Mr Xu said this, Henry, who was sitting across from him, lifted his head. He put down his chopsticks, stood up, and gave a military salute to Mr and Mrs Xu.
"I promise, if she makes another choice in the future, no one in the Zhou family will stop her."
Before Mr Zhou and his wife could even speak, Henry had already given his word. From now on, the Zhou family would listen to him, and his promise carried more weight than theirs.
Hearing this, Mr and Mrs Xu were finally at ease. This was the greatest protection they could get for their daughter.
Mr Xu looked at his daughter Liz and asked, "Liz, what do you think?"
He wanted to hear her opinion one last time, because up until now she still had the chance to back out.
Everyone looked at Liz. Henry also turned his gaze toward her. Liz lifted her head, looked at her father, and smiled while nodding.
With her response, Mr Xu no longer had any worries.
"Alright, we agree to this marriage."
Once Mr Xu said yes, Mrs Xu smiled and gently patted her daughter's hand. When she saw the way Henry looked at her daughter earlier, she was already sure of his feelings.
She didn't know when he had started to like Liz, but fate had somehow brought the two of them together.
"Good, then the day after tomorrow we'll invite the matchmaker to come and propose officially."
With this, the marriage matter was settled. Mr Zhou and his wife, who had been worried for a long time, finally felt relieved. From now on, their son would no longer be alone.
Both families agreed. When Mr Zhou and his wife brought the matchmaker in two days to discuss dowry and bride price, the marriage would officially be set.
Mr and Mrs Xu nodded with smiles. Mrs Zhou then looked at her son, who showed no reaction, and gave him an order.
"Henry, Liz must be bored staying at home all day. Tomorrow, take her out for some fun."
"Go see a movie, ride a boat, feed the pigeons, anything. Just make sure she enjoys herself. Do you understand?"
Her eyes were sharp with warning as she looked at Henry. He nodded with a blank expression, which only made Mrs Zhou more annoyed.
Hmph! She knew he was secretly happy but pretending to be cold.
"I'll come at nine tomorrow morning."
Henry looked at Liz. She was chewing a piece of rib, then looked back at him and said, "Ten o'clock."
"I don't wake up until nine."
In those days, most people got up before dawn. Waking up after seven thirty was already considered sleeping in.
But Liz loved to sleep. If no one woke her, she could sleep more than ten hours straight.
"Sleeping is good. Sleep is healthy."
"Liz is still young and growing. Henry, come at ten."
Mrs Zhou quickly spoke up. In her eyes, Liz was seven years younger than her son, still like a child.
After all, her own daughter was already twenty-seven and even had children.
Her son marrying Liz felt like gaining another sweet, playful daughter. It made her very happy.
Her own daughter was in the art troupe, skilled at singing and dancing, but she had also inherited the Zhou family's fiery temper.
She had long envied her good friend Lady Yuna for having such an adorable, lovable daughter who had been cherished since childhood.
Sometimes she couldn't help but sneak the child home, thinking anyway her best friend's child was no different from her own.
Unfortunately, later on, Liz went back to Su City with her grandparents, and she didn't get another chance.
Even if she couldn't be her daughter, in the future she would become her daughter-in-law. That wasn't much different.
Henry and Liz agreed to meet at home the next morning at ten. After dinner, the Zhou family of three went back to the guesthouse.
Back at the guesthouse, Henry's father and mother started discussing the betrothal gift with Henry. He didn't give his opinion.
Whatever his parents gave would be their goodwill. If it wasn't enough and wronged the girl, he would make up for it himself.
"Henry, you're our only son, and everyone knows about your infertility."
"If Liz marries in, people will laugh at her, thinking she only married you for the Zhou family's power."
"So the betrothal gift can't be less, it should be more, to show how much our family values her. That way she will have confidence in the compound later."
Henry's father and mother understood better than anyone how the people in the military compound in Beijing acted polite on the surface but hid great ambition underneath.
The Zhou family was all in the army. Especially the grandfather who held high power in the military, and Henry's father who was the commander of the Beijing military district. Of course others were jealous.
"Alright."
"Give 1,000 yuan cash, plus furniture with 32 legs, a watch, a bicycle, a radio, and a sewing machine."
"We'll hold wedding banquets in both Haishi and Beijing, and our family will pay all costs."
"That's what we'll show publicly. After you're married, your father and I will give you another 2,000 yuan as money to settle down."
Henry's parents had only two children, Henry and Yana. Although the mother didn't work, the father had a high position and a good salary.
All these years, except for the dowry when Yana got married, they hardly had big expenses.
Grandfather and grandmother received pensions every month, and the state covered food, housing, and medical needs. So Henry's parents had saved a lot of money over the years.
"Now that your grandfather still holds great power, we also can't be too showy."
"Mm, this is good."
The betrothal gift from Henry's parents was truly special. At that time, even 500 yuan was considered excellent.
"Since no one has objections, tomorrow your father and I will invite the matchmaker and also buy the engagement gifts."
The Zhou family had everything arranged. At the same time, Liz's family was also holding a family meeting.
"Liz, come sit."
"Dad, Mom."
Liz sat down on the sofa, looking at her parents. Her mother took out the family's iron money box and handed her a bankbook.
"What's this?"
"This is the private savings your father and I put aside for you."
"From the year you were born, every year your father and I saved money for you."
Liz didn't expect her parents had been saving for her since the day she was born. She was now twenty-three, so they had saved for twenty-three years.
When she opened it, she saw 1,518 yuan. Every year her parents had saved 66 yuan, symbolizing smooth and lucky growth.
"This isn't your dowry, it's a blessing from your father and me."
Hearing this, her eyes turned red. Her throat felt blocked, and she couldn't say anything.
"Silly child, why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying, I just feel you are the best parents in the world."
Father and Mother Xu looked at each other and smiled. They felt very happy inside. To be recognized by their child was the greatest comfort for them.
"Silly child, we are your parents."
Liz nodded with a smile. Seeing her emotions calm down, Mother Xu took out another bankbook.
"This is your dowry."
"There are 888 yuan in it. It's from me and your father, for you."
"Isn't that too much?"
She worried because Father and Mother Xu had more than one child. If they gave her too much, her two sisters-in-law might feel unhappy.
"You don't need to worry about that."
"This is mine and your father's money. No one can say anything."
"When your two brothers got married, we also gave them a lot."
"They each received 666 yuan as betrothal money, and secretly another 1000 yuan as settlement money."
"That 1666 yuan back then was worth even more than what you are getting now."
Father and Mother Xu were never biased. Their two sons grew up by their side, getting much more of their company than their daughter did.
All three children were precious. And since their daughter was marrying into the Zhou family to help stabilize the Xu family's position, they could not just enjoy the benefits she brought home but begrudge her what she deserved.
If anyone dared to have a problem with that, they could move out and live on their own. The Xu family would not keep such people.
"If your two sisters-in-law complain, that means your brothers did not handle things well at home."
"What does that have to do with you?"
Mother Xu poked her forehead. Liz hugged her mother's arm with a smile. "Mom, you and Dad are really fair and wise."
"You sweet talker."
Father and Mother Xu were both delighted by her words. Then Mother Xu continued with the things she had not explained yet.
"Your Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou are open and generous. They won't shortchange you on the betrothal gifts."
"We are giving 888 yuan and a watch as part of your dowry. This way, you won't lose face in front of the Zhou family, and you won't feel lacking."
"As for new clothes, shoes, pillows, quilts, and so on for your marriage, you will have everything."
Father and Mother Xu had prepared a very generous dowry for her. Especially with such a large sum of money saved up, she wouldn't feel insecure even without a job after marriage.
"Dad, Mom, I already have a watch."
"That one was your coming-of-age gift. This is different."
"Just take it. No need to feel burdened."
Father Xu spoke up, so Liz had no choice but to happily accept everything.
"Alright, we've talked about the important things. Go get some sleep."
"Tomorrow you still have to go out with Henry."
Liz nodded, went upstairs to bathe, and went to bed early. Sure enough, the next morning at ten o'clock sharp, Henry knocked on the door.
Liz opened it, and Henry nodded to her before taking the cloth bag from her shoulder.
He noticed that today she looked very different from yesterday. She was wearing a white dress, a sun hat on her head, and white sneakers on her feet.
The outfit was simple, but on her, it looked stunning in a way words couldn't describe.
"Let's go."
Liz closed the door, then handed him the key. She said, "Put it inside."
Henry took the key. Their hands touched. Liz's hand was soft, but Henry's hand had calluses and felt rough.
Liz didn't mind at all. In her past life, she had even seen couples showing love in public.
But for Henry, who had never touched the opposite sex before, it made his heart restless. His eyes looked dim.
"Where are we going?"
Liz didn't know what the plan for today was. Henry told her his idea.
"Boating on the lake. At noon we'll eat at the state-run restaurant. In the afternoon we'll watch a movie. Is that okay?"
When Henry asked "Is that okay?" his eyes were serious and burning with warmth. Liz quickly turned her head and answered, "Okay."
They agreed. So they took the tram to the park to go boating. Luckily, the morning sun wasn't too strong, and boating on the lake felt very pleasant.
The breeze brushed against her face. Liz squinted slightly, enjoying the peace. Henry looked down at her and then smiled helplessly.
Her hat was blown off by the wind, but Henry reacted fast and caught it before it flew away. That saved her beloved straw hat.
"Good thing it didn't get blown into the lake."
Liz took back the hat and put it on again. She held it tightly with both hands, her eyes shining as she looked at Henry, full of admiration.
Being stared at like that made Henry uneasy. His cold expression almost slipped.
"You're amazing."
Liz praised him, her eyes full of admiration. Henry turned his head away and said in a low voice, "Mm, be careful."
Seeing his ears turn red, Liz couldn't help but laugh to herself. This man was really pure. Just one compliment and his ears turned red.
"System Chlo.8, does he like me?"
"Host, no man can resist the worshipful eyes of a beautiful woman."
"That's good."
When she saw both his ears were red, Liz didn't tease him anymore. She was afraid he would run away, and if he ran off, where would she find him?
After boating, when it was time to get off the boat, Liz glanced at Henry and stretched out her hand. "I'm scared."
Henry looked at her pale, delicate hand. Then, with a cold face, he stretched out his hand. Liz smiled and placed her hand in his palm.
Their hands touched with no space between them. When she stepped off the boat, she instinctively held his hand tighter, making them even closer.
"Thank you, Brother Ry."
Liz smiled brightly as she called him by the childhood nickname she used for him. Henry's pupils shrank as he looked at her, his eyes dark. His emotions almost overflowed.
"Let's go."
After teasing him, Liz pulled her hand back and walked ahead. Henry quickly followed. The two of them walked in silence, but it didn't feel awkward.
They arrived at the state-run restaurant. Liz looked at the menu and saw there was crab roe noodles, a special dish of Haishi.
She ordered crab roe noodles. Henry ordered the same, plus a serving of braised pork. After ordering, they found seats.
After sitting, Henry got up again to buy something. Soon, a bottle of soda was placed in front of Liz.
"Thank you, Brother Ry."
Henry sat across from her, staring at her too openly. Liz felt a little embarrassed and smiled.
To avoid him making things hard for her, she quickly picked up the soda and took a sip, then praised, "The soda is really good."