A small window in the private room faced Xiao Cheng directly. A gentle breeze ruffled the hair at his forehead, his gaze soft—his strikingly handsome features so captivating it was hard to look away.
Zhang Wenhua took the menu he handed her, ordered a few of the signature dishes he’d pointed out, then passed it around so everyone could pick something they liked.
The menu eventually returned to Xiao Cheng. He added two more dishes before handing it to Zhou Jin, who stood behind him. Zhou Jin took it and followed the waiter out, closing the door considerately behind him.
Zhang Wenhua noticed that the dishes Xiao Cheng added were all Aiyun’s favorites. She nodded inwardly—attentive.
Waiting for the food was the perfect time to get down to business. But Zhang Wenhua wasn’t in a rush. She wore a slight smile—neither too warm nor too cold—and waited for him to make the first move. Sure enough, after pouring tea for everyone, Xiao Cheng spoke up.
“I should have come to visit you sooner, Auntie. But I had too many things to handle and couldn’t make the time. Regardless, it was wrong of us to keep this from you for so long. Please allow me to apologize with tea in place of wine.”
With that, Xiao Cheng stood, raised his teacup, and downed it in one go.
“Mother, I should have brought Xiao Cheng to meet you sooner too.” Lin Aiyun stood up right after him and also drank a cup of tea.
Zhang Wenhua could see her daughter was protecting him—her elbow was already turning out. It stung a little, but Xiao Cheng’s words were faultless, and she couldn’t very well slap a smiling face. She said: “We live far apart, so it’s hard to meet. That’s only natural.”
Lin Aiyun breathed a small sigh of relief, thinking her mother was giving them an out. But before she could fully smile, Zhang Wenhua’s next words made her freeze.
“Distance really is a pain—can’t compare to being nearby.”
Before the atmosphere could grow awkward, Xiao Cheng smoothly picked up the thread: “We young people don’t mind doing the traveling. In truth, no matter the distance, as long as our hearts are together, that’s what matters.”
“You certainly have a way with words.” Zhang Wenhua gave a half-smile, half-scoff. Xiao Cheng smiled back, but didn’t rise to the bait.
“I heard your brother just graduated from middle school, so I’ve prepared a small gift to congratulate him.” Xiao Cheng rose and retrieved an elegantly wrapped box from the cabinet by the door.
Since entering the room, Lin Wenkang had been watching Xiao Cheng like a hawk eyeing a rabbit. Every time Xiao Cheng moved, he was on alert, ready to block any attempt to get closer to his sister.
He hadn’t expected the spotlight to suddenly turn on him. For a moment, his mind went blank—until Xiao Cheng placed the exquisite box in front of him.
“You shouldn’t have—I can’t accept this.” Lin Wenkang flinched back instinctively, only to feel a pair of hands push him forward. He turned to find his sister’s death-smile waiting.
“Just take a look—it’s Brother Cheng’s thoughtful gift. You can accept it.” Lin Aiyun hadn’t known about the gift either, so she was surprised—but quickly recovered and spoke on his behalf.
“Oh.” Since his sister had spoken, Lin Wenkang had no choice but to comply. Reluctantly, he untied the ribbon, remembering to add: “Thank you.”
The moment he opened it, he gasped. His fingers trembled as he looked at Xiao Cheng in disbelief: “This is really for me?”
“Yes.” Xiao Cheng nodded, the picture of a kind older brother.
“Brother Cheng, thank you so much—I’m over the moon!” This time, his gratitude was far more sincere, and he’d even added the respectful “Brother Cheng.” He carefully lifted the gift from the box.
Zhang Wenhua and Zhang Wenyue exchanged glances at Lin Wenkang’s reaction. They leaned forward curiously and saw a lifelike military green car model in his hands—compact, exquisite.
The box also contained a black fountain pen. Just the smooth gleam of its surface hinted at its value.
Xiao Cheng patted Lin Wenkang on the shoulder: “Glad you like it, little brother.”
“I love it!” Lin Wenkang’s grin stretched nearly to his ears. All thoughts of this man being the “big bad” who was going to steal his sister vanished as he fiddled with his new treasure.
Xiao Cheng seized the moment to glance at Lin Aiyun. She happened to be looking at him too. Their eyes met across the room, a silent current of electricity passing between them—intimate and tender.
She caught a glint of gratitude in his eyes. But winning Lin Wenkang over was thanks to Xiao Cheng’s excellent memory and thoughtfulness. Back in Changzhu Village, she’d casually mentioned in passing that her brother was obsessed with the military trucks that had chased them—never expecting Xiao Cheng to remember and act on it.
As for why Lin Wenkang loved something he’d never actually seen up close—it went back to an experience from his childhood. Back then, the country was still fighting foreign invaders, and even small mountain villages weren’t spared from harassment.
One day, as a young, clueless boy, he’d snuck out to play alone and had the misfortune of running into a small Japanese unit. If the PLA hadn’t shown up in time, he’d have died under gunfire.
The soldiers who rescued him had arrived in trucks, so the image was forever etched in his memory.
“I also prepared gifts for you, Auntie, and for you too, Auntie,” Xiao Cheng said, turning to Zhang Wenhua and Zhang Wenyue. “Before this, I’d only met Aiyun and Auntie Wenyue. They’re both so beautiful, I figured Auntie Wenhua must be just as lovely as a celestial being. I hope you won’t find my gifts lacking.” With that, he produced two more gift boxes, effortlessly flattering all three women at once.
Before Zhang Wenhua could respond, Zhang Wenyue laughed, clearly delighted by the compliment. “You’re such a thoughtful boy. So young, yet so well-spoken.”
They didn’t open the gifts right then and there.
“Those are my honest feelings.” Xiao Cheng smiled, then brought out a few more boxes. “These are for Uncle, and these for Uncle Ding and the others.”
“That won’t be necessary. These are meant as meeting gifts—they haven’t even met you yet, so they’d feel awkward accepting them.” Zhang Wenhua waved her hand, declining.
When the gifts were pushed back, Xiao Cheng didn’t seem fazed. He gracefully defused the situation: “They’ll meet me sooner or later. No need to stand on ceremony.”
“Is that so?” With so many people present, Zhang Wenhua didn’t press further. She decided she’d have Lin Aiyun return them later.
“Yes.” Xiao Cheng’s gaze was steady, his tone natural and sure.
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted the conversation. Dish after dish was brought in—an array of lavish courses: chicken, duck, fish, pork—the full spread, the kind reserved for the most honored guests.
In the brief pause, Xiao Cheng handed Lin Aiyun a box, his voice full of affection: “This one’s for you.”
Lin Aiyun smiled wryly: “What do I need a meeting gift for?”
“Everyone else got one. You should too.” His dark eyes were fixed on her, deep and magnetic, a tipsy smile curving his brows.
Her heart raced, a flush creeping across her cheeks. It took a sharp kick to her shin to snap her out of it. She met Zhang Wenhua’s warning glare, quickly tucked the box away in the empty seat beside her, sneaking glances at it now and then for reassurance.
For the rest of the meal, Xiao Cheng did most of the talking, with Lin Aiyun chiming in and Lin Wenkang—already won over—joining in. The more they talked, the more he felt this “almost-brother-in-law” was actually pretty cool. Pfft—not brother-in-law yet.
“Have more of this—it’s good for beating the heat.”
“These ribs are your favorite. The flavor here is pretty decent.”
Xiao Cheng kept the table well-served, but his attention was mostly on Lin Aiyun. With his long arms, even the distance of Lin Wenkang between them didn’t stop him from piling food on her plate and refilling her tea—smooth and natural, a habit by now.
Zhang Wenhua spoke little throughout, but she missed nothing.
Xiao Cheng was exactly the type of young man elders adored: handsome in a way that stood out in any crowd, sweet-talking, always smiling, poised and polite—generous too—and with both principles and boundaries when it came to elders. He was respectful but had his own hard lines—especially when it came to his relationship with Aiyun and their future. On that, he wouldn’t budge an inch.
He treated Aiyun with such care—what ordinary man would peel shrimp or pick out fish bones for a woman? But he did.
Maybe he was a good match.
At that thought, Zhang Wenhua tightened her grip on her chopsticks. Everything was wonderful—except the distance. Could she really gamble that he would treat Aiyun with this much love for a lifetime?
Everyone had their own thoughts during the meal, but fortunately, no other issues arose.
“I heard you plan to put all your finances under Aiyun’s management after marriage?” In a lull of conversation, Zhang Wenhua suddenly asked, cutting straight to the point.
The room fell even quieter than before.
Xiao Cheng’s long fingers rested on the rim of a blue-and-white teacup, catching a few droplets that sparkled in the light. A smile lingered in his eyes, calm and unruffled. He straightened in his seat, folded his hands, and nodded slowly: “Yes, that’s correct.”
“Words are cheap. I hope you can show some real sincerity.” Zhang Wenhua sat upright, her voice betraying no emotion. But Lin Aiyun and Zhang Wenyue—who knew her well—could tell she was testing him.
If he could offer the “sincerity” she acknowledged, she would give her blessing.
Seeing her mother relent, Lin Aiyun’s joy shone through—but she also held her breath for Xiao Cheng. At his age, he’d probably never faced such a “test.” She didn’t know how he’d respond, but she believed he would convince her family.
Xiao Cheng had never let her down.
Marriage wasn’t just about two people—it was about two families. From the moment he decided to marry her, he’d been ready for everything. Her parents would become his parents. Her family would become his family.
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