Liz went to the train's toilet for the first time. From dozens of meters away, she could already smell all kinds of bad odors. She quickly covered her nose and mouth.
Henry looked at her, seeing her face turn red from holding her breath, and couldn't help but laugh in his heart.
So delicate.
"Take this."
He handed her his handkerchief. Liz took it and covered her nose and mouth before going in to quickly finish.
"System Chlo.8, can you remove the smell?"
"Host, I'm a childbearing system, not a daily life system."
System Chlo.8 was very cold. It was a noble childbearing system, not something for daily chores, how could it have such a function?
"But I can make you lose your sense of smell for a short time."
"You should've said that earlier."
System Chlo.8 stayed silent but blocked her sense of smell. Liz finally felt she could breathe again, and using the toilet wasn't so painful anymore.
After finishing and washing her hands, she walked out. Henry stood firmly by the door like a mountain. People passing by couldn't help but secretly glance at him.
This officer looked cold and strict. If not for his uniform, people might think he was waiting to snatch away some innocent girl to marry.
Liz came out, and Henry followed two steps behind her back to the carriage. Once inside, she handed the handkerchief back.
"Thank you."
"Mm."
He put it away, then watched her climb up to her bunk. After that, he turned off the light in the carriage, lay down, and closed his eyes, staying alert.
He and Mr Xu took turns—one keeping watch at night, the other during the day—so no one would try to steal Liz's dowry.
Zhou Father, Zhou Mother, and the guards also took turns. With these men around, Zhou Mother, Xu Mother, and Liz were very safe the whole way.
A week later—
They finally arrived in Kyoto. Grandpa Xu, Grandma Xu, and Grandpa Zhou, Grandma Zhou had already arranged for a car to pick them up at the station.
"Your big brother and second brother should've arrived yesterday," Xu Mother said.
As soon as she finished, Shan appeared in the distance. He had come with Grandpa Zhou's guard driving.
"Dad, Mom, Little Sister!"
Shan, tall and strong in his military uniform, walked over with a righteous air. His eyebrows looked a lot like Mr Xu's, and he carried a powerful presence.
"Shan!"
Mr Xu and Xu Mother hadn't seen their two sons in a long time. Seeing Shan come to meet them was a pleasant surprise.
Smiling, Shan walked up, took the luggage bags from their hands, then reached out and rubbed Liz's hair.
She had already looked tired and messy from the journey, and her hairstyle was a bit undone. With that rub, her hair was completely ruined.
Liz glared at him unhappily. Talking was fine, but why touch her? Didn't he know a girl's image was important?
"Oh? You've gotten bold. We haven't met for so long, and the first thing you do is glare at me."
"Hmph, that's because you messed up my hair."
Liz wasn't scared of her big brother at all. In this family, she feared no one. As the only girl of her generation, she was the little overlord of the house.
"Don't start scolding your sister as soon as you get here."
Mr Xu looked at Shan with a stern face. This eldest son always picked on his sister whenever they met, which really made him seem restless.
Since Mr Xu spoke up for Liz, Shan naturally lost his momentum. Mr Xu had always been strict with his two sons, and when he hit them, it was for real.
Liz proudly looked at Shan. He tapped her forehead in annoyance, then took the luggage bag from her hand.
"Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, long time no see."
"Long time no see. Shan, you're looking better and better."
Shan and Henry were both soldiers, but they gave completely different impressions. Shan was full of integrity, spoke and acted in an orderly way, the kind of younger generation that elders naturally liked at first glance.
Shan nodded slightly at Henry as a greeting. Both of them carried a strong presence, neither willing to back down.
People often said winning over the elder brother-in-law was the hardest part. In this case, Liz had not just one brother but two, plus two cousins. For Henry, passing one hurdle only meant several more ahead.
"The Commander and Deputy Mayor Xu, the Old Master sent me to pick you up."
Grandpa Zhou's guard came forward, saluted, then took the luggage from Zhou Father and Zhou Mother. Everyone got in the car and left the train station.
They were all headed back to the military compound. Grandpa Xu and Grandma Xu once held high positions, and the state had given them a small Western-style house.
But back then, seeing how tense things were in the capital and because Liz's health wasn't good, the two elders had chosen to return to their hometown, Su City, with her.
Now that Liz was going to marry into the compound, the elders also planned to settle in the capital for retirement, acting as strong support for their granddaughter.
Still, they hadn't told the family about this yet. After all, their granddaughter wasn't officially married into the Zhou family.
The Xu family naturally stayed with Grandpa Xu and Grandma Xu. The two elders were eagerly waiting for them.
Xu's eldest uncle's family lived in the capital's military family compound too, so even with the extra people, there was still plenty of space.
Zhou Father, Zhou Mother, and Henry returned to the Zhou home. Mr Xu, Mrs Xu, and Liz went back to the Xu home. Since both families were in the compound, it would be easy to visit often.
"Big brother, where are my cute nieces and nephews?"
"They're at home. Your sisters-in-law are preparing dinner, and the eldest uncle's family will also come over later."
It was rare for Mr Xu, Mrs Xu, Liz, Shan, and Xuren to all be together. Naturally, they had to have a proper gathering.
"And my second brother?"
"He's at home with Grandpa and Grandma, talking about his research."
"Grandpa and Grandma are already tired of listening, waiting for you to rescue them."
Hearing this, Liz laughed. Her second brother was as peculiar as ever.
Xuren was a researcher. At work, he was quiet and solitary, but at home, he turned into a chatterbox. Whoever was unlucky enough to be caught by him had to sit through his long science talks.
Her second sister-in-law was a high school teacher, passionate about learning. Since one loved to study and the other loved to explain, their relationship naturally blossomed.
As for her eldest sister-in-law, Rugene, her eldest brother had basically "snatched" her. He looked righteous and proper, but in action, he wasn't always reasonable.
Liz couldn't wait to see her grandparents and her nieces and nephews. When the car entered the compound and stopped at the Xu home, she immediately jumped out.
Grandpa Xu and Grandma Xu had been waiting at the gate, craning their necks to look out. As soon as Liz got out of the car, the two elders excitedly rushed forward.
"Grandpa, Grandma!"
Liz ran up and hugged them tightly. Their faces were full of love as they held her and looked her over carefully.
"Let us take a good look at you. You've lost weight, you've lost weight."
Grandma Xu's heart ached. She had only one granddaughter, who grew up by her side. When the girl was taken to Haishi, Grandma cried for several days.
"You've gotten thinner, your little face has no flesh left."
Grandpa Xu glared at Father Xu, full of blame. His eyes clearly asked how he was raising his daughter, letting her grow so thin.
"I'm not thinner, I've actually gained some weight."
"Grandpa, Grandma, did you miss me?"
Liz held onto Grandma Xu's arm and acted sweet. Grandma's smile never left her face, and she quickly replied.
"Of course we missed you. Day and night, we wished to see you."
Grandma Xu had a kind and lucky-looking face. Grandpa Xu had a white beard and was very patient with the younger generation.
The children in the family all liked to be around the grandparents. Whether it was Liz's generation or Shan's children, everyone enjoyed playing with the two elders.
The grandparents were strict with Father Xu and his elder brother, but toward grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they showed endless love.
"I missed Grandpa and Grandma too. I think about you every day."
Hearing this, the smiles on their faces grew even brighter. They each held one of her hands and led her into the house.
As soon as she entered the yard, Liz heard birds chirping. The little bird she had raised had been brought to the capital by her grandparents, kept in the courtyard.
"Lady Yuna, come inside."
Grandma Xu also called Mother Xu in to sit. Mother Xu smiled and followed, "Alright, I'm coming, Dad, Mom."
Grandma Xu pulled her along, while Father Xu and Shan quietly accepted their duty of carrying the luggage. Xuren went out to help as well.
Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law walked out from the kitchen. When they saw Father Xu and Mother Xu, they quickly greeted them, "Dad, Mom, you must be tired from the trip."
They brought out tea. Father Xu smiled and nodded at his daughters-in-law. Mother Xu happily pulled them over to chat.
"Rugene, Liny, let me take a good look at you."
She looked them over warmly. The daughters-in-law also didn't forget to greet Liz.
"Little sister, was the trip tiring?"
"Big sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, I'm not tired."
Liz smiled and greeted them. Xuren handed her a slice of apple. "Little sister, eat."
"Thank you, second brother."
Xuren resembled Mother Xu more. His features were delicate, and with his gold-rimmed glasses, he looked serious and restrained. He spoke gently.
"Little sister, second brother hasn't asked you yet—what's going on with you and Henry?"
Though his face carried a smile, there was a cold edge to it. Liz felt guilty while eating her apple and didn't answer. She quickly stood up and asked about her nieces and nephews.
"Second brother, where are Yihe and the others?"
Just as she spoke, three children ran in from the backyard, shouting excitedly as they rushed to her.
"Auntie!"
Seeing her nieces and nephews, Liz quickly escaped the awkward moment. Xuren's smile disappeared as he watched her run away, replaced with annoyance.
Run? How far can you run?
"Auntie!"
Yihe, only two years old, was Xuren's son. He was chubby and smelled sweet like milk. He hugged her leg, acting cute and refusing to let go.
"Auntie is mine!"
The little girl's voice carried a bit of bossiness, but it was still very sweet. After declaring this, she reached out to Liz, wanting a hug.
Three-year-old Yivie was picked up by Liz. She kissed her auntie's face, her chubby cheeks glowing with a sweet smile.
"You're too heavy, little sister. Auntie will get tired. Come down quickly."
Seeing his aunt holding a chubby child in her arms while another clung to her leg, Yizhan thoughtfully told his little sister to come down.
"I don't want to! Auntie likes me~"
Yivie refused, hugging tightly around Liz's neck and rubbing her little face against hers again and again. Liz smiled and kissed her back.
"Auntie likes everyone. Our Yizhan, Yivie, and Yihe are all auntie's treasures."
Liz treated them all equally. After all, these kids would be part of her future old-age support. She dared not play favorites.
"Yizhan has grown taller."
She rubbed Yizhan's head, making him blush with shyness. Leaning on her, he said, "Auntie, I'm six years old now."
"Then you need to eat more so you can grow tall like your father."
"Okay. I'll eat more and protect auntie when I grow up."
Yizhan was a thoughtful and caring boy. As the eldest, he took after his father, Shan, with a sense of responsibility.
"Don't you kids recognize your grandparents?"
Mother Xu looked at her grandchildren clinging to their aunt. She felt sour and jealous, wanting to be hugged by them too.
"Grandpa! Grandma!"
The three children quickly left Liz's side and ran to their grandparents. Their movements were quick and decisive. Father and Mother Xu were surrounded by their grandchildren, smiling so wide their mouths couldn't close.
Even Father Xu's stern face softened with joy and love. He picked up the kids and played with them, his tone gentle and patient.
With the company of their grandchildren, Liz, Shan, and Xuren became less important. The special bond between grandparents and grandchildren naturally took over.
Liz could only go sit with her grandfather and grandmother to chat. Meanwhile, Shan and Xuren sat on the sofa with her and started asking about Henry.
"Do you really like Henry?"
"He's pretty good."
Liz neither admitted nor denied it. But her brothers knew her well. If she didn't say she disliked him, it meant she cared about him.
The brothers exchanged a glance and felt relieved. Since their little sister truly liked him, they would respect her choice.
In their eyes, though the Zhou family was doing better than the Xu family, they still felt their sister was at a disadvantage marrying Henry.
The fact that he couldn't have children was hard for them to accept. But since their sister didn't mind and loved him, they wouldn't oppose.
They would always be her strongest support. If one day she was wronged or regretted her choice, they would take her away without hesitation.
"You've grown up."
Xuren rubbed Liz's hair. Her hairstyle was already a mess from being messed with by both brothers.
"I told you not to mess up my hair! Don't you two have hair of your own to rub?"
Liz glared at Xuren angrily. The three siblings bickered noisily, while their grandparents looked on with smiles, enjoying the lively scene.
"Don't bully Liz."