"What does this Master Li look like?"
"No one has ever seen him. I heard that as soon as General Li became rich, he sent him abroad. Now that he's grown up, his family is urging him to get married, and he only came back recently."
"I wonder what a carefree life they were living abroad."
"I heard—and you mustn't tell anyone—that they've come back to fight for power; Commander Li is considering a successor."
"With Young Master Li around, does this Second Master still have a chance?"
"We should at least take a look, shouldn't we? What if it's even better?"
The ball had already started, but the atmosphere was as if it hadn't. Even the record player was still playing the intro, waiting for the second young master of Commander Li's family to arrive before the characters on the record would start singing.
The owner of the Lin Mansion, Lin Ziwen, wore a black long gown and round-framed Western glasses. He was not only a scholar from a previous dynasty, but also an entrepreneur who ran a private bank and factories.
However, compared to the Li family warlords who dominated Songcheng, Mingcheng, and Yongcheng, they were far from being a match. It is unknown how many scholarly families and entrepreneurs of this scale had been "confiscated and put into public hands".
The engagement was made casually by Commander Li before he rose to prominence. Neither Commander Li nor Lin Ziwen expected that Commander Li would rise to prominence so quickly.
As things stand, Commander Li's attitude towards this marriage is indifferent, leaving it entirely to his son's preference. Lin Ziwen, however, is determined to hold on tightly, especially now, seeing it as the only lifeline in a deep well.
Behind him were Mrs. Lin and Miss Lin Yin, the third daughter of the Lin family.
"Ayin," Mrs. Lin whispered to her daughter, "I've already told you about the situation at home. Now, if we want to get through this crisis, we can only rely on this second master."
Lin Yin nodded gently, her face somewhat pale.
Mrs. Lin glanced at her daughter, feeling a pang of pity, and comforted her, "This Second Master Li is educated; he won't be like his elder brother."
Li Bichang, also known as Young Master Li, is quick to shoot and kill without hesitation.
The most famous thing he did was on the day he took a concubine, he had the bride put apples on her head and then shot them with a gun, saying that he wanted to let the woman see his other kind of marksmanship.
The gunshot rang out, the apple shattered, and the bride fainted from fright. Young Master Li laughed heartily, tossed the gun to his men, and carried his concubine to the bridal chamber.
Marshal Li never shot his own women. He used his family rules—any woman who entered the house would be tied to a chair and whipped to teach her the rules—and one of his concubines developed a problem with her leg from being whipped.
In 1928, women were allowed to read books and go to dance halls. The requirements for the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues" were lowered, and they could choose not to read "The Daughter's Classic." However, they still could not escape the situation of "relying on their father in their husband's family and on their husband's family in their own family."
As the son of Commander Li and the younger brother of Young Master Li, Li Changzhou is really unreliable. If he likes to let women see his marksmanship and also wants to set rules, then that would be a hellish life.
But for the sake of my family...
Lin Yin was pursing her lips when the servant outside suddenly shouted, "Master Li is here!"
In the living room, it was as if the record player had paused for a moment, and everyone turned to look at the front door.
Lin Yin saw her father straighten the collar of his long gown, and the young ladies and wives were also tidying up their hair, which had just been permed at the hair salon. Her mother turned around and straightened her sleeves.
"Relax, don't be nervous," Mrs. Lin gently advised.
Lin Yin took a deep breath and revealed a faint smile.
After Mrs. Lin stood up again, someone walked in from outside.
Wearing a suit and a walking stick, he was tall and straight, taller than most men, with a handsome face and elegant and composed manner, resembling a refined young nobleman.
The main character has finally made his appearance.
Mrs. Lin gave Lin Yin a gentle nudge and a look, implying that she was quite pretty and should be more enthusiastic and proactive later.
Lin Yin breathed a slight sigh of relief. Although appearances can be deceiving, it would be better if her future husband was handsome and refined.
The ladies around him whispered amongst themselves, their eyes gleaming like wolves eyeing a sheep.
"Changzhou!" Lin Ziwen stepped forward with a loud laugh.
Li Changzhou withdrew his gaze from looking around and stepped forward with a smile: "Uncle, Changzhou is late!"
The two men were holding hands, and anyone who didn't know better would think it was a father and son reuniting.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Lin Ziwen stepped aside and introduced, "This is Ayin. Ayin, this is Commander Li's second son, and also your fiancé, Changzhou."
Lin Yin lowered her body slightly and bowed, saying, "Lin Yin greets Second Brother."
"You're too kind, Lin sister," Li Changzhou said with a hearty laugh.
He looked Lin Yin up and down. She was petite with fair and delicate skin. She wore a beautiful dress made of soft satin. She had bright eyes and white teeth and an innate scholarly air about her, like a quiet water lily.
He looked at her not because he cared, but purely out of interest in "ancient people," and Lin Ziwen was also looked at in the same way.
After the two greeted each other, Lin Ziwen introduced him to other people, including Lin Yin's eldest and second eldest sisters who were already married.
I Have a Scroll of Ghost and Deity Illustrations
Some women who enjoy foreign films, or who have studied abroad, would chat with him in a cheerful and intimate manner, discussing life abroad.
Li Changzhou talked about Colombia, where the sky resembled a robin's egg, his experience of milking cows, how much gold was used in Italian churches, and the volcanoes and sailboats of Sicily.
After chatting, dancing was naturally part of the dance.
This is a dance party prepared for Li Changzhou and Lin Yin; the two of them will definitely have to dance.
“Changzhou, you must attend many dances abroad. You could teach my daughter, Ayin. All she does is read and draw all day. If you don’t ask her, she can play the piano all afternoon!” Mrs. Lin said with a smile.
"Mother~" Lin Yin said, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.
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