3 Chapter 3: The Date is Set_1

Seeing him unsure where to place his hands, Uncle Han spoke, "Ah Ran, her name is Hui Qing, surname Mu. Say something to her."

Fang Ren still dared not look at the silver-haired woman across from him, with a nervousness he couldn't quell, a faint smile appeared on his face as he said, "Uh...hello, my name is Fang Ren."

No matter what, even if he was nervous, he still had to show the proper courtesy.

The silver-haired woman looked up at him, her face still bearing a hint of sadness, and gave a light nod, saying reassuringly, "Mm, hello."

Her voice was soft and pleasing to the ear.

"This is Qing'er's mother, and this man is Qing'er's uncle," Uncle Han continued.

"Hello, Uncle, Auntie," Fang Ren greeted them one by one.

When he first entered the room, he had thought they were the girl's parents; it turned out they were her mother and uncle.

The girl's father was not present.

"How old are you this year, Ah Ran?" asked the girl's mother with a smile.

"Twenty-two," Fang Ren replied.

"That's good. Our Qing'er is twenty-five this year. Do you think she is a bit too old?" the girl's mother asked.

Fang Ren was startled. The girl obviously came from no ordinary family and was so beautiful, with high standards. He did not understand why her mother was asking for his opinion. Even if she were to ask, it should be whether her daughter had any opinions about him.

"A woman three years older is like a golden treasure," the girl's uncle said with a laugh.

With no mercy, Uncle Han knocked on Fang Ren's head and laughed, "Look at his blushing bear-like face. What opinions could he have? It's more likely that Qing'er has opinions about him."

Fang Ren's face was a study in embarrassment; in such a situation, Uncle Han unexpectedly gave him no face...

"I have no objections."

Mu Huanqing's voice, neither loud nor soft, uttered four words from the side.

Fang Ren blinked, looking at Mu Huanqing who was slightly lowering her gaze across from him, feeling that she didn't really care about this marriage proposal – not a word of conversation had been exchanged, no understanding reached, just a simple 'no objections.'

Moreover, from what he could tell about their family conditions, it was impossible for both parties to intersect. So why were they sitting together discussing marriage?

He wondered how Uncle Han had developed a relationship with these people. He was supposed to be just a low-level employee...

At that moment, a cell phone ringtone went off. The girl's mother furrowed her brow, then took out her phone, glanced at it, and said, "You talk, I'll take this call."

After which, she left the room.

The girl's uncle took a sip of water from a glass on the coffee table and asked, "Shang Han, when do you plan to go back?"

Shang Han was Uncle Han's name.

Shang Han looked at Fang Ren, then at Mu Huanqing beside him, his brow slightly furrowed as he sighed, "I'll go back after these two kids get married."

"The leader of the Ninth District's legion, Zhang Yi, fell in battle the day before yesterday. If you don't return, I fear more people will die," the girl's uncle said.

Ninth District?

Fang Ren recalled that it was a major defensive zone on the outskirts of the Void Hole, also a place where all cultivators made their name and defended their homeland.

But what did that have to do with Uncle Han? Just a low-level employee without cultivation ability going to a major battlefield in the Ninth District? From the girl's uncle's words, it seemed like only Uncle Han's return could prevent more deaths.

Hearing the two men's conversation, Fang Ren was very confused, but he did not intend to ask about it right now.

After two seconds of silence, Shang Han spoke with a slight frown, "I will return as soon as possible. But before that, I must see these two youngsters settled."

"If Ah Ran has no objections to Qing'er, then we should just pick a date soon to get them married," the girl's uncle, turning his gaze to Fang Ren, seemed to be inquiring.

Fang Ren was taken aback and said, "That... Uncle, isn't this too hasty?"

As he spoke, Fang Ren's eyes darted toward Mu Huanqing and he continued, "She... doesn't seem very keen on getting married, and I'm still studying. More importantly, we don't understand each other's personalities and…"

Smack—

Before Fang Ren could finish, Shang Han smacked him on the top of the head and said seriously, "This marriage must happen soon. Understanding each other's personalities can come with time. As for Hui Qing, she's already said yes, how many times must you ask?"

"Uncle Han..."

Fang Ren, holding his head, looked dumbfounded. Seeing Uncle Han like this, it was as if the matter didn't allow for his own opinion; he had to listen to them.

Shang Han pointed at Mu Huanqing and asked Fang Ren, "Pretty, isn't she?"

"Pretty... very pretty," Fang Ren replied, blinking.

"Do you like her?"

"That..." Fang Ren was flustered; the question was too direct.

"Alright, seeing the stupefied way you look, you must like her," Shang Han continued. "But there are some things I must make clear to you, young man."

"What's the matter now?"

"Recently, Qing'er had an accident, and she can no longer walk. Her personality has also been somewhat affected. Can you accept these things?" Shang Han asked.

After hearing this, Fang Ren's gaze shifted toward the girl's calves. As she wore an over-the-knee skirt, only her calves were visible.

Yet those slender, snowy-white calves... They certainly didn't look like they had suffered any serious injuries... So, so white...

Immediately, Fang Ren shook his head, returning to his senses, and said seriously, "Uncle Han, that shouldn't be the main point, should it? The main issue is the feelings..."

Smack—

Before he could finish speaking, Uncle Han slapped the top of his head again, saying angrily, "I've already said that feelings can be developed over time. What you need to do now is treat her like your wife. If you think this is what your wife is like, are you willing to take care of her?"

"If she's my wife, then no matter what her condition, I'll definitely be willing to take care of her, but..."

Smack—

Fang Ren was about to say something like, "But how can two people without feelings become husband and wife..." but was interrupted by another slap from Shang Han.

"There are no 'buts.' You can shut up now," Shang Han said with a look of disdain.

Fang Ren felt the urge to cry but had no tears, sensing this was like coercion... Shouldn't he have a say in his own marital affairs? Not even allowed to have an opinion, what was this?

Shang Han turned to look at Mu Huanqing with a smile that instantaneously switched from contempt to kindness, asking, "Qing'er, I'll ask one last time, if he becomes your husband, are you willing?"

"I am," she said.

Mu Huanqing's gaze was still slightly weak, her voice very soft, as if she didn't want to talk too much.

"You need to think carefully, this 'I am' is for a lifetime," Shang Han continued. "Although Ah Ran is the person I most want you to marry, the main thing is your opinion."

Mu Huanqing lifted her head, and after a few seconds of gazing at Fang Ren with eyes as variegated as autumn water, she said, "Yes, I am willing."

Even the simple act of lifting her head to look at him for a few seconds seemed so special in Fang Ren's eyes.

Since she had looked at him for those few seconds before speaking, it proved that she took the issue at least slightly seriously.

"Very good, since there are no objections, I'll check which day this month is an auspicious one and just get the wedding done," Shang Han said as he took out his phone to check for dates.

Fang Ren was dumbfounded — they were getting married just like that? His life-defining decision was being settled in this way? Was there some mistake!

"Uncle Han, you couldn't have forgotten about my school situation, could you?" Fang Ren immediately reminded him.

He liked a girl from school — Uncle Han should have been aware of that long ago. So why arrange a marriage for him? He had someone he liked.

"The young lady already rejected you loud and clear, so what, are you going to shamelessly chase after her? Waiting to be embarrassed?" Shang Han gave him a stern look.

"..."

Fang Ren was momentarily at a loss for words.

It was a fact — he was indeed rejected by Liu Qianqian, not just once, but twice.

Liu Qianqian's exact words at the time were — "I'm sorry, Ah Ran, but I've always treated you as a very good friend. I never considered these things. I apologize."

That day by the river, after Liu Qianqian rejected him, she left, leaving him alone by the stream for a long, long time before he went home.

Since then, it was quite clear that the contact between Liu Qianqian and him had greatly diminished.

As for the second time, which was just the day before yesterday, he had mustered the courage to confess again. This time he had prepared meticulously for a long while, even buying flowers and rehearsing heartfelt words, and had even taken off his school uniform to dress up for the occasion.

However, Liu Qianqian's response was — "Ah Ran, please don't do this anymore. We really are only suited to be friends. By doing this... I don't want us to not even be able to remain friends."

Truth be told, he should have understood long ago that he had no chance — it was just his own fantasy, giving him hope.

He would always think that a certain gesture or word from Liu Qianqian in the past was a subtle hint of affection. But those were just pure actions, and he was overthinking — everything was just his own wishful thinking.

No matter what, he and Liu Qianqian were just not going to be together, their relationship would only fade, and he did not have the courage to confess for the third time.

Pride, wouldn't allow him to go again.

------He should preserve some dignity for himself, otherwise, it would be too embarrassing.

"Alright, May 20th, it's set for that day," Shang Han declared resolutely as he put down his phone.

"Huh?" Fang Ren was startled: "It's already May 5th today!"

"Are you saying that fifteen days is too long?" Uncle Han asked.

"It's too short!"

"You don't know jack!" Shang Han slapped his hand, declaring, "That's settled then, May 20th holds much significance. Moreover, with such short notice, let's have the wedding tomorrow."

Before Fang Ren could say anything more, Shang Han cut him off again, saying, "From now on, you two are boyfriend and girlfriend. If you, young man, dare to harbor any thoughts about that girl from school, and I find out, don't blame me for breaking your legs."