An Moxue looked at Wu Sicheng with some amusement. This guy's ability to find a way to bring up marriage whenever he had the chance.

"Alright, I haven't bought my longevity lock yet! Don't forget why we came here today." After An Moxue finished speaking, she turned around and saw that the waiter was still looking at her with starry eyes. She wasn't embarrassed and told An Moxue in a good mood, "Comrade, you should be careful. These days, young girls will come up with all sorts of ways to live a good life."

An Moxue smiled and accepted her kindness, choosing three sets of silver locks and bracelets. The saleswoman was delighted; she was a beautiful girl with the ability to spend money, and her boyfriend was also very supportive. She liked her very much; this was a potential customer, and she didn't know when she would come back to buy things again.

Wu Sicheng followed An Moxue nervously, attentive and careful, secretly observing her expression. After so many years together, he believed he understood her to some extent, but he was still unsure whether she cared about this matter or not.

Only after the two left the Overseas Chinese Store and got into the car did Wu Sicheng tentatively ask, "Mo Xue, where are we going next?"

An Moxue looked at him, her face unreadable, and asked, "Are you sure you don't know that girl from earlier?"

He took her hands in his, gently stroking them, and looked at her, saying, "Let's make this clear beforehand, I'm telling you the truth, so don't get angry. People in our line of work all have good memories; once we've met someone, it's hard to forget them, don't you think?" After he finished speaking, he looked at her nervously, eagerly awaiting her answer.

An Moxue nodded reservedly, which was taken as agreement with his words.

She could clearly sense his relief and said, "I've seen her before, how could I not know who she is? Although it was a few years ago, she hasn't changed, how could I not recognize her? She's the granddaughter of Commander Li from my grandfather's compound. In my generation, their family didn't have any outstanding talents, so they wanted to arrange a marriage. I don't know what happened, I was so unlucky to be chosen by this family. But my family, from my grandfather to my parents, has made it clear that they respect my choice and will not arrange a marriage. They are not giving up and have still released some confusing information. If this girl hadn't said something in front of us today, I wouldn't have known they would say such things to outsiders."

After he finished speaking, he paused for a moment and asked, "Do you think we should go for something big?"

"Hmm?" An Moxue asked in confusion.

"Let's go to Commander Li's house and cause a huge uproar, so their schemes will fail. What do you say?"

An Moxue looked at him with a half-smile, which made him feel uneasy.

"Mo Xue, please say something, okay?" He looked at her pitifully.

An Moxue said in a deep voice, "If you're so eager to go public, wouldn't it be better to wait a little longer? I don't think now is the best time."

Wu Sicheng was getting a little frantic. "The best time? What danger are you hiding from me that makes you so worried? Mo Xue, I can sense your hesitation and anxiety, but I don't know why. Am I not worthy of your trust and reliance?" He didn't like this feeling of being out of control, as if everything in front of him could turn into bubbles at any moment. This worry had been there ever since he fell in love with her, but he still couldn't help wanting to get closer to her, though he didn't know why.

An Moxue was taken aback, but quickly recovered and asked, "Weren't we talking about that girl? Why are you bringing me up? Are you sure you're not trying to change the subject?"

Wu Sicheng looked at her and said seriously, "What do you think? Stop dodging the issue; you're the one changing the subject. Please answer my question directly."

An Moxue chuckled, and after a while, she said, "Okay, I'll answer your question directly and seriously, is that alright?" She then gave him a reproachful glare, but he remained unmoved, waiting for her answer.

An Moxue thought for a moment and said, "Cheng, I think our relationship is just between the two of us. But meeting each other's parents means we have to prepare for marriage, don't you think?"

He nodded, then looked at her, afraid of missing any of her expressions.

"But do you admit that marriage isn't just between two people? It's about two families, even two clans. It should have the blessings of elders and should happen naturally. I think things are great as they are now, but I'm not ready to get married yet. I'm afraid to meet your family and elders. Can you give me some more time?"

He knew she was just making excuses and wasn't telling the truth, but what could he do?

Once he softens his tone, he has no way to deal with her and can only pretend to agree with her. Otherwise, what else can he do?

He finally gave in, sighed, and said softly, "Fine, I'll listen to you."

Hearing him say that, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, reached out her finger and gently tickled his palm, saying playfully, "Shall we head to the flea market?"

He gripped her hands tightly, afraid that if he let go, he would never be able to hold them again. "I'm doomed for you, there's no saving me. And that Commander Li's granddaughter from earlier?"

"You decide what to do. I trust you. Time and distance haven't been able to separate us, and I believe that an insignificant girl can't either."

“You…” He tapped her nose helplessly, unable to press her any further, and lowered his head to hide the worry in his eyes. What was she worried about?

Once he calmed down, he looked up again, his eyes clear. He released her hand, gripped the steering wheel, and said, "I'll go shopping with you."

"OK!"

As the car started, Wu Sicheng asked, "Your friend is having lunch at home. Does he have anything to offer? Should we buy some supplies to take back?"

"We need to buy some, not just for lunch, but also for dinner and tomorrow. After we finish looking at the furniture, let's try to buy as much fish, meat, vegetables, and eggs as possible. They're really going to keep bothering me, there's nothing I can do." He complained, but his eyes were smiling and the corners of his mouth were turned up.

"Then let's go to the meat processing plant first. They don't have meat, so how about offal, head, or hooves?"

“Sure! Aunt Ma makes delicious food too. Let me tell you, don’t underestimate her just because she’s an ordinary old lady from the countryside. If she eats a new dish once or twice, she can make it taste seven or eight tenths, or even nine tenths, of the original flavor. Last time we had zha jiang mian (noodles with soybean paste), she made it again the next day, and it was so delicious. And her whole fish feast is also delicious.”

"Have you eaten there?"

"Hmm, I'll get you a big fish sometime and have your auntie cook it for you."

He glanced at her radiant smile, then turned back to focus on driving. "So, what's your favorite dish?"

"Spicy fish head? No. Hmm? Fish ball soup? No. Sweet and sour fish is alright. Oh dear! I can't think about it, I feel like I want to eat every dish. Let me tell you, there are a few really good dishes at the International Hotel, but the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall dish requires a week's advance reservation, which is a bit of a shame."

"You didn't get to eat it last time?"

"Hmm." Displeased.

"Then when should I take you to eat that dish?"

"Great!" I'm looking forward to it.

......

He thought, "An Moxue, how do you manage to keep such a huge thing in your heart and still talk and laugh so easily?"