Huo Xicheng felt bitter listening to his mother's words. Did he really have to marry a woman he didn't like for the sake of his family's responsibility?
But he knew that if he didn't agree to the marriage, his family would really transfer him back to Kyoto. He was no match for his family now, and he couldn't afford to fall out with them. But he really didn't want to go back, and he couldn't bear to part with his good partner and good brother.
Working with He Zhendong at least meant I could still get news about the person I cared about from time to time; it would be much harder to do that once I went back.
Thinking of the person in his heart, his heart ached even more. He knew he would never be able to fulfill that longing in his heart. If he couldn't marry the person in his heart, then what difference did it make who he married?
He wants to remain single, but he knows his family won't allow it; this is the last bit of tolerance they'll give him. They have high expectations for him, and he can't be so selfish as to disregard their wishes.
He knew he shouldn't indulge in those unrealistic fantasies, and he was afraid he might do something inappropriate. Perhaps he should do something to restrain his delusions.
Besides, it's not his wish to cause his parents worry and anxiety.
Huo Xicheng closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "Mom, I don't want to go back to Kyoto, but I promise you I can find someone to marry. I don't want someone from a very wealthy family; I'll find a girl from an ordinary family. The simpler the family background, the better, otherwise I won't accept her."
Upon hearing that her son had relented, Li Shuyun happily said, "Don't worry about that. As long as you agree to get married, we'll agree to everything else. I'll go back and find someone for you. You can go back during the New Year to meet them and make a decision. It would be best if we could get married this time."
He Zhendong could tell from the fleeting look of pain on Huo Xicheng's face that he was feeling bad.
He Zhendong felt extremely guilty. If he hadn't provoked Huo Xicheng with his younger sister's matter, perhaps Xicheng wouldn't be suffering like this today. He also hadn't expected that the quiet Huo Xicheng would fall so deeply. But now it was too late to say anything.
He Zhendong patted Huo Xicheng on the shoulder and said, "Xicheng, it's time for you to settle down and start a family."
Yu Huiru also noticed Huo Xicheng's reluctance and advised, "Xicheng, your mother is only doing this for your own good. You're not young anymore. Most kids your age are old enough to run errands, so it's no wonder your mother is anxious."
As the eldest son in the family, you naturally bear more responsibility. People should do what's expected of them at a certain age, and it's understandable that your mother is urging you to get married. If you get married, you'll have someone to take care of you, and your family will feel more at ease.
Huo Xicheng nodded and said, "I understand what Aunt Hui is saying."
After resolving her son's matter, Li Shuyun brought up He Yuhan. She pulled Yu Huiru aside and said, "Huiru, we're such good friends, yet I've never met the youngest daughter you found. Why did you let her get married so early?"
Yu Huiru sighed, "Of course I wanted to keep her for two more years, but my son-in-law is getting on in years. The Han family was eager to marry Yuhan, and since Yuhan doesn't live far from me, I let them get married. Now the child is almost a year old."
Li Shuyun said, "Then please call Yuhan over, so I can meet her. I've already prepared a gift for our first meeting."
Yu Huiru patted Li Shuyun's hand and said, "I'll call her and ask the young couple to come over."
He Yuhan received a call from her mother saying that her mother's good friend, Huo Xicheng's mother, Li Shuyun, also known as Aunt Yun, whom her mother often mentioned, had come to visit. Aunt Yun wanted to meet her and invited the couple to have dinner at her parents' home that evening.
After agreeing, He Yuhan immediately called Han Yixian and asked him to go to her house after get off work, while she went back to her parents' house first.
He Yuhan had never met Aunt Yun, whom her mother often mentioned. She was sure to treat Aunt Yun well this time, so He Yuhan took out a lot of things from her spatial storage halfway there.
He Yuhan quickly arrived at the He family compound by bicycle.
He Zhendong knew his younger sister was coming and had been keeping an eye on the outside. As soon as he saw He Yuhan's figure, he quickly came out of the house to greet her.
He Yuhan smiled as she saw her second brother come out to greet her, "Second brother, it's really not easy to see you. Come and help me with my things."
He Zhendong chuckled and said, "I've just been busy lately. Let me cook two of your signature dishes for you today, you've been wanting to eat your cooking."
He Yuhan handed a basket to her second brother and said with a smile, "No problem, I'll cook a nice meal for Aunt Yun today, and also to reward you."
Huo Xicheng saw He Zhendong come out of the house and followed him out. When he saw He Yuhan, his eyes lit up and he went straight to He Yuhan and said, "Yuhan, is there anything else you need? I'll help you."
He Yuhan said, "There are plenty more, there are still quite a few in the basket."
As she spoke, He Yuhan started taking things out of the basket on the back seat. There were quite a few, mostly food.
When He Zhendong saw that his younger sister had brought so many things, including fish and meat, he said, "Little sister, why did you buy so much stuff? This must have cost a lot of money!"
He Yuhan said, "This is nothing. Aunt Yun has come all this way, so we should treat her well. Brother Huo, could you help me carry some?"
When Huo Xicheng saw that He Yuhan had bought these things to entertain her mother, he said, "You don't need to spend so much. Just eat whatever you have at home. We're not strangers, so don't be so polite."
He Yuhan said, "It doesn't take much effort for me. Besides, my second sister-in-law needs nutrition now, and it's not just for Aunt Yun."
She turned to her second brother and asked, "Second brother, how is your wife doing lately?"
He Zhendong said, "Your second sister-in-law is doing well. Mom said you should let her drink milk powder too, and she's doing it now. But milk powder is such a scarce commodity, it's not easy to get."
He Yuhan said, "You don't need to worry about that. I'll bring you more when you finish it. Okay, hurry up and take the things inside."
The three of them carried all the things into the house together.
Sitting on the sofa, Li Shuyun saw a girl enter following He Zhendong and his son. Her eyes lit up when she saw the girl's appearance and temperament. This girl was so beautiful. Both her appearance and temperament were extraordinary. It would not be an exaggeration to say that she was stunningly beautiful.
"My son would definitely be happy if this girl were his daughter-in-law," Li Shuyun said, pulling Yu Huiru aside. "Huiru, who is this girl?"
Yu Huiru smiled and said, "This is Yuhan, whom you've been clamoring to see. Yuhan, this is Aunt Yun, whom I've often told you about."
At this moment, He Yuhan also saw an elegant and beautiful aunt standing in front of the sofa and smiled, "Hello, Aunt Yun. I often hear my mother mention you. I've long wanted to meet the heroine my mother talks about, the one who is just as capable as any man. I never expected her to be so elegant and beautiful."
Li Shuyun stepped forward, took He Yuhan's hand, looked her up and down, and laughed, "Oh my, Huiru, Yuhan really inherited the best features of you and Chenglin. She's so pretty, and her little mouth is so sweet. I really envy you for having such a sweet little girl."
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