Ping An didn't know what to do either. "We'll see when the time comes. It's too early to say anything now."

"Yes, that's what I told my mom too."

"Honey, I'll pick you up and drop you off at school every day from now on."

"No need, that's too much trouble. Can you not work overtime?"

"My third brother told me yesterday that I don't need to work overtime. I'll work overtime after you have your holiday. It's okay. I'm worried about you riding your bike."

"Yeah, that's great, someone will pick you up and drop you off."

"Haha, you're now a great contributor to our family."

And so it came to January 1991. Zhang Hongmei hosted a dinner for ten families at a restaurant, not making it too obvious, but the ten families were all guessing that the lady of the house was looking at their daughters again.

Hu Aifen, Ma Li and her daughter, Li Cuihua, Er Ya and her daughter, Wang Ying, and Lu Yue all arrived.

"Hongmei, what do you think of Shen Nianci?" Hu Aifen asked Zhang Hongmei.

"Auntie, Shen Nianci's grandfather works for Brother Zhang in the Ministry of Finance. Brother Zhang said that Shen Jian'an is a very good person. I've also taken a liking to this girl; she's nineteen years old this year and a freshman at a teachers' college."

Brother Zhang meant the same thing; Shen Jian'an had also worked with Brother Jingze before.

“Alright, since Shouyi also thinks so, and we’ve come to the same conclusion, then let’s go with Shen Nianci.”

“Alright, I’ve met Mrs. Shen once before. I’ll talk to her tomorrow. If they have no objections, let the two young people meet.”

Seeing that Hu Aifen had already made her choice, Li Cuihua said to Zhang Hongmei, "Hongmei, your sister Erya and I have our eyes on Xu Xiao'ou. She's a steady and reliable girl."

“Auntie, this child’s situation is rather special. She has no parents and lived with her second uncle’s family when she was little. She is nineteen years old this year and is a second-year medical student. Also, she doesn’t get along well with her second uncle’s family. We called her here because the child’s grandfather once saved my father-in-law.”

"It's alright. If the girl agrees, let Zhiyuan meet her."

"Okay, I'll keep her here and ask her later."

"Auntie, Third Auntie, what do you think of Liu Huixin?"

"That girl with dimples when she smiles?"

"Yes, how about introducing this girl to Liu Qiang?"

"She looks quite pleasing to the eye, but what about at home?"

"Her father is Jingze's colleague. He's quite a smooth talker, but I asked Jingze, and he said Liu Jiancheng's character is alright. Her mother is that talkative woman, Wei Caifeng, who works at the neighborhood office."

"Hongmei, these girls' parents are too shrewd. Is this a good thing?"

"I inquired about the couple privately, and they are both of good character. I just think this girl is quite innocent and likable."

"That's true, this girl seems to have a natural charm. Her parents are always happy to help," Li Cuihua said.

So Chongyu, Liu Qiang, and Zhiyuan have all been decided, but Wang Ying and Lu Yue haven't made a decision yet.

"Auntie, look, Wang Ying is spoiled for choice."

Li Cuihua and Hu Aifen both smiled as they looked at Lu Yue walking over. "Qingyang's mother has made up her mind."

Zhang Hongmei nodded. "Lu Yue, I've got my eye on Liu Huixin, the girl with dimples when she smiles, for Liu Qiang. Auntie has her eye on the pretty Shen Nianci, and Third Auntie has her eye on the honest Xu Xiao'ou. Which one have you taken a liking to?"

Lu Yue smiled. She understood what Zhang Hongmei meant; she was afraid that Zhang Hongmei would also choose one, and then she would feel embarrassed.

"Madam, I have taken a liking to the lively Gu Xiaolan."

"This girl is quite nice. She is 21 years old. Her parents are both in the military. Her father is a civilian officer and her mother is a military doctor. She also has two younger brothers."

"Lu Yue, should we call them over for a chat later?"

Lu Yue nodded, "Okay, I like lively girls, Qingyang is too dull."

Zhang Hongmei nodded with a smile, "Yes, Qingyang should find someone who is talkative and cheerful."

"Auntie, I'm not waiting for Wang Ying anymore. This guy's got too many choices. Shall I call Shen Nianci and Madam Shen over for a chat? Let's not keep anything secret anymore."

"Okay, I'll listen too."

"Alright. Ganlu, go and call Madam Shen and her daughter."

An Xiaojing smiled and came to Zhang Hongmei's table with her daughter. "Hello, Madam."

“Madam Shen, please don’t stand on ceremony, please sit down. Nianci, please sit down as well.”

Ma Li sat to one side watching Shen Nianci, thinking that the girl was becoming more and more beautiful, and she liked her even more.

“Madam Shen, Nianci, I’ll be frank. I want to introduce Nianci to a potential partner. He’s my nephew from my maternal family, and he’s currently my third son’s assistant. His name is Liu Chongyu.”

Upon hearing this, An Xiaojing immediately knew who the lady was referring to. A week prior, they had received notification that the lady had invited them to dinner, and the family understood her meaning.

My father-in-law analyzed that he was introducing potential partners to Nianci. At the time, he said that the best candidates were Liu Chongyu and Liu Qiang.

Upon hearing Zhang Hongmei's words, Shen Nianci immediately lowered her head shyly.

Zhang Hongmei had been paying attention to Shen Nianci's thoughts and knew that they were familiar with Chongyu. There was nothing wrong with that; the girl's mind was quite pure.

“Madam, to be frank, we roughly guessed your intention in inviting us here, so we have also learned about it. As for Liu Chongyu, it is too much for us to ask for. Of course, the Shen family is willing.”

"Nianci, what about you? What are your thoughts?"

"Madam, I have never met Liu Chongyu, but my grandfather, parents and I all say he is a very intelligent and capable person. I like intelligent people, so I was wondering if it would be better to make a decision after we meet?"

Zhang Hongmei felt even more favorably disposed towards the Shen mother and son. Speaking the truth was the wisest approach.

“Okay, Madam Shen, this is my aunt, Liu Chongyu’s grandmother, and this is Chongyu’s mother.”

We're all honest people, why don't you all sit down and chat, and then set a time for the young people to meet?

Hu Aifen smiled and took Shen Nianci's hand, "Shen family niece-in-law, shall we go over there and have a chat?"

"Auntie, that's great! Come on, shall we go to that empty table over there?"

Watching them leave, Zhang Hongmei felt that Chongyu's future wife was practically settled. It all depended on Chongyu's decision. However, she figured Chongyu wouldn't refuse a truly beautiful girl.

“Hongmei, the Shen family sounds quite good. Chongyu’s wife should be ready soon,” Li Cuihua said with a smile.

“I think so too, Ganlu, go and call Xu Xiaoou over.”

Ganlu nodded and left. "Please bring this little girl over."

Xu Xiao'ou was alone, but the girl behaved quite well; she didn't seem uncomfortable or embarrassed.

"Madam, hello!"

"Xiao Ou, sit down. I invited you here today, you know why, right?"