Liu Huixin felt even more embarrassed after hearing Su Chen's words. However, she was a sensible person and knew that she had to answer this question.

"Auntie, I was thinking of letting nature take its course, but it would be even better if I could get pregnant after graduation."

Su Chen nodded; this child was honest enough. She looked at the Liu couple.

"I can stay here for a maximum of one month. Do you think that's too rushed?"

Liu Jiancheng frowned. "Sister Su, isn't this too rushed?"

“We’ve made all the preparations here. Are you just wondering if you have enough time on your end?”

Also, our family doesn't care about dowries; we don't even need one.

Su Chen had already put it this way. The couple exchanged a glance, and Wei Caifeng gritted her teeth, "Fine, there are only a few days left until the New Year, so you're getting married in the first month of the lunar calendar?"

"Well, if you feel it's too rushed, we can talk about it later."

"Okay, let's get married on the sixteenth of the first lunar month, but we'll have to get the marriage certificate after the banquet, right?"

Su Chen thought for a moment, and she remembered that she went back to work on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

"Don't we start work on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year?"

"Okay, let's get the marriage certificate on the sixth day of the new year."

Su Chen smiled; this in-law really was a bit clueless.

"Now that we've decided on a date, let's discuss our betrothal gifts."

Two thousand for an engagement, six thousand for a wedding, plus clothes and jewelry.

"We'll provide a complete set of appliances. Do you have any other requests?"

Liu Jiancheng nodded. "Alright, we will not keep a single penny of the betrothal gifts you gave us. We will give them all back to Huixin. Our betrothal gifts are not that much, so we hope you don't mind."

Su Chen smiled and said, "I don't mind. It's fine to leave the betrothal gifts but not the dowry. Don't overthink it."

"When is Mom's engagement day?"

"Is tomorrow okay? The 29th of the twelfth lunar month? Or should we wait until after the New Year? We need to get engaged before they get their marriage certificate, right?"

"Tomorrow really won't work, it's too rushed. I have a lot of relatives. How about we arrange it for the first month of the lunar calendar? What do you think of the third day of the first month?"

"Okay, if we get engaged, Liu Qiang's father might not be able to come. He can only come back for the wedding. I hope you don't mind."

"I understand, the commander is busy."

This was all agreed upon. The Liu couple were about to leave, as they had many things to arrange. One day wasn't enough time to notify their relatives, who were all in the capital, and it wouldn't be appropriate to call them.

Liu Huixin was kept behind by Su Chen, who wanted to get to know this daughter-in-law better.

Zhang Hongmei didn't participate; instead, she went back to her study. Her daughters-in-law had already settled the accounts yesterday, and there were still a few documents to sign today.

Liu Qiang and his two children sat in the living room. Su Chen asked a question, and Liu Huixin answered. In the end, Su Chen was quite satisfied.

Su Chen stayed for lunch and observed that Liu Huixin's manners were quite good, which put Su Chen at ease.

“When you get married in the future, you can live with your younger brothers if you want. If it’s inconvenient, then let Xiangdong live on his own. He’s going to university soon, and now is a crucial time.”

Liu Huixin glanced at Liu Qiang and said, "Auntie, I think we should go together. It'll be more reassuring that way. Even though we're both in school, we can still see each other in the evenings."

Besides, I can cook, so we won't go hungry tonight.

Su Chen smiled and said, "No need for that. I'll find you a housekeeper. She can take care of the house cleaning and cooking."

"Auntie, this is such a waste."

"No, you are all students. Just do your jobs well, and I will take care of the rest."

Things have come to this point, meaning everything has been decided.

"Huixin, don't go out tomorrow. I'm going to find someone to make clothes for the strength team. They also need to take a holiday for the New Year."

"Auntie, I understand."

Looking at the well-behaved, sensible, and pretty little girl, Su Chen said, "Make a few more outfits for me tomorrow. This designer is very professional."

"Thank you, Auntie. Then I won't be polite."

Su Chen smiled, then suddenly remembered that a medical examination report was now required to get a marriage certificate.

"By the way, if you two are free this afternoon, you should go to the hospital for a medical check-up first, so you won't be in a rush before getting your marriage certificate."

Everyone knows this; it's due to the new marriage law, which requires both men and women to undergo physical examinations.

Liu Qiang had no objections. He checked the time; it was already one o'clock. "Huixin, shall we go this afternoon?"

"Okay, I'm free this afternoon too."

After watching the two children leave, Su Chen went to the study to find Zhang Hongmei.

"How about it?"

"That's good. This girl is nice, and her family is fine too; they won't cause any trouble."

Zhang Hongmei nodded, "That's what I valued most about them. They're not people who are too scheming, which makes them easy to get along with."

But I reckon they won't dare do it again after today. Your aura is still very strong. You've intimidated them.

"Hongmei, do you think Liu Qiang is unwilling? He doesn't seem enthusiastic at all. Is it because the child doesn't want to?"

"Probably not? I've asked him more than once, and he's always given me a 'yes' answer. Could it be that he's afraid I'll get angry?"

The two women realized this and their expressions turned sour. They both hoped their child could be happy for the rest of his/her life and didn't want him/her to live a life of compromise and unhappiness.

“Ask him again when we get back. I think for Liu Qiang to have a happy and fulfilling family life, there needs to be love between the couple.” Zhang Hongmei regretted saying those things to Liu Qiang.

"Let's talk about it when he gets back. He's not a three- or two-year-old child. Doesn't he know that some things can't be compromised?"

So I'll have to ask again today; children are all a burden.

Liu Qiang and Liu Huixin went to the Capital Hospital, and after filling out the application, they began to undergo one examination after another.

They were quite quick, considering how few people get married on this day. Even so, they didn't finish their check-up until almost 5 a.m.

"Huixin, let's wait for the results. You won't have time tomorrow either."

"Okay, Liu Qiang, are you marrying me because you like me?"

"You are beautiful, and I love your sweet smile, but if I were to say how deep my feelings are, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

So the kind of love you want can only be cultivated slowly by us in the future.

Liu Huixin nodded. She was quite satisfied with Liu Qiang's answer. He was right. If Liu Qiang had said how much he loved and liked her, she really wouldn't have believed him.

Liu Qiang's parents valued his family background, and he himself had also considered this aspect, but it was definitely not the main reason.

She wants a husband who can give her a sense of security, someone she can rely on, and someone who loves her. Family background is important, but it's not the only criterion.

She didn't love Liu Qiang that much. Although she was strictly controlled and had never had a boyfriend, she knew what the book and her friends said.

It's a huge gamble now. If they get married and it works out, they'll be happy for life. If it doesn't, there's always another chance.