First day of the lunar month, second day of the lunar month, fourth day of the lunar month, fifth day of the lunar month...

For five consecutive days, Grandpa Ling, Father Ling, and Mother Ling watched helplessly as Ling Xiaohe stayed home for five days straight.

If there were any certainties or doubts before, now it's practically confirmed that this grandson (son) has found a partner.

If it were before, the Ling family would have been overjoyed, thinking that Ling Xiaohe had finally come to his senses. But after he started running around outside every day, Ling's mother couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

My son is older than his mother.

On the morning of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Ling Xiaohe had just finished breakfast and was getting dressed when his mother, who was sitting on the sofa, called him back.

"Xiao Xiao, get out of here! When are you going to bring this person back for us to see?!"

Ling's mother was extremely curious about what kind of person that girl was, that she could make her own iron tree, which had been blooming for decades, finally blossom.

"Mom, don't rush us. We just started dating. You'll scare him away if you keep acting like this."

Ling Xiaohe had never intended to hide anything from his family, so he wasn't surprised at all by his mother's words.

Is he planning to bring Su Huazhu home to meet his parents?! He's afraid his family will scare her away.

After these few days of contact and further understanding, Ling Xiaohe has gained a comprehensive understanding of the Su family's situation, their thoughts, and his acquaintance with Su Huazhu.

His in-laws value family very much and are dedicated to raising their children and the next generation. Whether financially or intellectually, they treat him the same as everyone else.

Su Feng had secretly told him that all children in their family were treated the same. Their parents had bought them houses and shops, as well as a sum of money, long ago. So, when the siblings lacked money or jobs, they could do whatever they wanted.

Ling Xiaohe understood immediately that his family background was not attractive to the Su family and he did not have any advantage.

"My dear, come here and tell your mother, is the person you've found your partner the sister of Comrade Su who came to our house to deliver New Year's gifts on New Year's Eve?!"

Ling's mother wanted to confirm whether her son's girlfriend was indeed the one they had suspected. Seeing her in person—wouldn't that reveal something?

“My girlfriend is Su Feng’s younger sister. She is currently a student at Kyoto University and will take the postgraduate entrance exam next year.”

He thought for a moment, then hurriedly went out. He came back and sat down next to his mother, deciding to briefly explain Su Huazhu's situation to her.

"She's still going to university? How old is she?! When will she marry you?!"

Ling's mother was overjoyed that her son had a girlfriend, but then she immediately thought about the age difference and became a little worried.

"Mom, Huazhu is about to turn twenty-six. She was admitted to university in 1977 when the college entrance examination was reinstated. As for marriage, her family said that as long as we feel it's right and want to get married, we can get married after she graduates from university. After marriage, it's not a problem whether she continues to pursue a master's degree."

This was the truth that his parents-in-law had told him, and Ling Xiaohe was very happy to hear it, as it was their approval of him.

"So, does that mean we'll have to live apart?! She's going to join the army?!"

Ling's mother felt that getting married after graduating from university was not a problem, and she was also anxious about the six months that would pass. However, she wondered what would happen to her son if he had to continue his studies after getting married!

"Mom, if we get married, my future mother-in-law said that if I work in Guangzhou, she'll let Huazhu take the entrance exam for graduate school there. If I work elsewhere and there aren't any suitable universities, Huazhu will only choose Beijing University. Mom, have you and Dad often lived apart for decades?! You've done it, and so have we. From now on, Huazhu will visit during winter and summer vacations."

"Moreover, even though Huazhu is pursuing a master's degree, she graduated from Peking University. After that, she was assigned a job in Beijing, and she followed me there. I didn't have a better job to offer her, so she went to accompany me to the military base. Besides fulfilling my wishes, she also got everything else."

Ling Xiaohe saw it very clearly: Su Huazhu was so outstanding, it would be too unfair to her if she married him and went to join his army.

Most importantly, whether it's him or the Su family, they absolutely do not want her to suffer such injustice.

If she chooses him, Su Huazhu will have boundless freedom and joy. But if she marries him, she will be bound hand and foot. Ling Xiaohe knows this perfectly well, but he still wants to let go.

“Jianchuan’s wife, Xiaohe is right. That girl is so outstanding, why should she sacrifice herself?! Xiaohe has her own career, and she has her own job. It’s rare for couples like them to live apart, and they all manage to live well. How can our Xiaohe possibly live well?!”

At this moment, Old Master Ling, who hadn't gone out for a walk because of the cold, came out of his study and heard these words. He wholeheartedly agreed with his daughter-in-law's words. Of course, he knew that Ling's mother was worried about her son, but she was only thinking of herself and worrying about others. It was fair to treat the girl this way.

"Dad, am I being too anxious? I hope Xiaohe can get married and have children soon. He's already eleven."

Ling's mother also knew that she was asking too much of others, and that everyone thought the same way she did.

"Mom, Huazhu's parents actually considered my situation. After we confirmed our relationship, her parents had a serious talk with us. They pointed out all the difficulties we faced, including our future life and work, and how to solve all the problems we encountered. Whether they were good or bad, they were straightforward and open about it."

Ling Xiaohe told the old man and his mother everything that Su Huaiyuan and Qiao Jiuru had said yesterday. He really liked Su Huazhu as a family member. There was no better father-in-law and mother-in-law than this.

After listening to Ling Xiaohe's retelling, both Grandpa Ling and Ling's mother felt that there would never be such a good in-law.

Moreover, they could tell that the Su family was a small, humble family, completely confident and far inferior to their own. Now, it was the other way around—they were begging them to marry off their daughter, while they were begging them to give up their daughter.

"Xiao He, you're so lucky to have met such wonderful in-laws. They're such great in-laws."

Grandpa Ling never expected his grandson to be so lucky. He had thought his grandson would find him a good-natured granddaughter-in-law, but instead, he found such an outstanding girl.

The old man's words were met with great agreement from Ling's mother. Moreover, upon hearing this, she realized that her son's fiancé's family doted on their daughter, and that her dowry included a house, a car, a shop, and money.

"Gong'er, ask Huazhu when she's going to come over for a visit! When can our two families meet up?"

With such a wonderful daughter-in-law, Ling's mother is now afraid of scaring her away, so she's asking questions rather cautiously.

"Mom, I'll ask her today. She said you really like Hwajoo and really want to see her."

Ling Xiaohe also wanted Su Huazhu to meet his family as soon as possible, preferably to get engaged before the end of the holiday, and then hold the wedding when she graduated.

"Yes, yes, that's what you said. You said we really like her, we want to meet her, and we hope she'll come to our house for dinner."

That's right, that's what Ling's mother is thinking right now, and she's extremely eager to let this daughter-in-law know how much they value her.