Chapter 7 I’ve Found Someone

“Oh my, this girl is so funny! I haven’t been this happy in ages,” Chen Fangying said cheerfully, her admiration for the young woman unconcealed.

“My Yueke is just a little monkey, always acting up. You’ve made a good observation,” Lu Qiong said helplessly, though the corners of her lips clearly held a smile.

“Mom, why do you always say that about her?” Zhu Yueke protested, displaying the coquettishness of a young woman.  Her pretty little face was flushed, her large eyes shy and hesitant.

Seeing this, everyone laughed knowingly.

Zhu Yueke secretly glanced at the man opposite her. He was tall and strong, with a strong yet handsome face, deep and three-dimensional features, and a calm demeanor. 

From the moment he entered, although he hadn’t spoken much, no one could ignore his presence.  His innate powerful aura naturally made him the center of attention.

Zhu Yueke felt both happy and disappointed.  She was happy that her aunt’s introduction was indeed reliable; he was not only handsome but also successful. 

She heard he was only 27 and already a deputy regiment commander in the army. 

Given time, he could rise to great heights.  But from the moment he entered, besides nodding, he hadn’t looked at her once, let alone spoken to her. 

Didn’t he know this was a blind date?

Biting her lip, Zhu Yueke couldn’t help but steal another glance at him. The more she looked, the happier she felt.  Her heart beat rapidly. 

How could someone even look so handsome drinking tea? He was completely unlike the soldiers she knew. Calm, composed… 

Even the most common enamel mug seemed like a precious teacup in his hand.  Sitting next to such a high-ranking officer, his aura was not inferior.

While talking to the guests, Chen Fangying discreetly glanced at Xie Lin. Seeing his indifferent expression, she sighed inwardly. 

It seemed the task Old Song had given her was quite challenging. Xie Lin, she didn’t know what kind of girl he wanted. 

She had introduced so many to him beautiful ones, talented ones, all shapes and sizes but he had never nodded. 

Men his age usually had several children, yet he remained unfazed. This time, it was likely another failure!  Sigh!

After dinner and seeing the guests off, Chen Fangying rubbed her temples as she walked back, feeling a terrible headache.

“Arin, what did you think of the girl just now?” Song Zhenguo asked expectantly.

Xie Lin felt a little helpless, “I didn’t pay attention.”

Perhaps he’d heard this too many times, Song Zhenguo wasn’t particularly disappointed.  He just sighed silently and urged, “It’s alright if you don’t like her. Let your aunt find someone else for you. You’ll find someone you like eventually.”

Chen Fangying chimed in, “Yes, Arin, tell your aunt what kind of woman you like.  I’ll search high and low for her.”

Although adopted, Xie Lin’s father and Song Zhenguo were sworn brothers, and having grown up together, they both treated him as their own child. 

Although they were anxious about his refusal to marry, they were never impatient.

Xie Lin was deeply grateful for the kindness of Song’s parents. Without them, he might have died in the war.

“Uncle, Aunt, I came back to tell you that I’ve found someone and submitted my marriage report.”

“What?!”  Hearing this, the couple stood up abruptly!

Xie Lin hadn’t expected such a strong reaction and quickly stood up, wanting to help them.  But Song Zhenguo waved him away.

“Go, go, go. I’m still young, I don’t need help.”  During the war years, he married young, and his eldest son was born before he turned twenty. Now, at sixty, he was still healthy.

“Tell me, where is she from? How old is she? What does she do? Why so suddenly? Why didn’t you bring her back to meet us?” Song Zhenguo asked rapidly, clearly overwhelmed with excitement.

“Slow down,” Chen Fangying scolded gently, though her eyes clearly sparkled with gossip.

“You know her.  She’s Zhao Yuanyi’s granddaughter.”

Zhao Yuanyi was Lin Yirou’s grandfather, a highly decorated general.  However, he had too many old war wounds and passed away two months ago at the age of sixty-five. 

His two sons from his later marriage were mediocre and held unimportant positions in the army.

Hearing that she was Zhao Yuanyi’s granddaughter, Song Zhenguo was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“My boy, you have good taste! Just like your father, when you choose, you choose the most beautiful.” 

Feng Qingqiu was a famous beauty in the entire regiment back then, with high standards, dismissive of everyone, yet she was won over by Old Xie. 

The couple both went to war and neither returned, leaving Xie Lin alone.

Chen Fangying initially didn’t realize who Zhao Yuanyi’s granddaughter was, but after a few sentences, she understood.

“Alright, you little rascal! You should have said you liked this type, then I would have arranged it for you!”  Who didn’t know Zhao Yuanyi’s granddaughter? 

She was beautiful, a real beauty.  It’s just that she was unlucky, her mother died early, and her father was unreliable. 

She had considered introducing her to Xie Lin before.  But after introducing a similarly beautiful woman from the art troupe, he not only disliked her but seemed disgusted. 

She hadn’t considered such a striking beauty since. 

She never expected him to submit the report without a word!

Xie Lin was unusually uncomfortable.  “I felt it was right, so I decided.”

Chen Fangying teased, “Okay, as long as you like her.”

Song Zhenguo also chuckled.  “You’ve already submitted the report, when will you bring her home to meet us? We can set a wedding date.”  Once he got married and had children, he would feel he had fulfilled his responsibility to Old Xie.

“I’ll ask her.  Once she agrees, I’ll bring her back.” Xie Lin quickly regained his composure.

“Okay, we’ll be waiting.”  The couple were unusually happy about his decision.

Just then, Song Huaiqing returned. He looked listless, like a wandering soul, silent, heading straight for his room.

“Stop!” Song Zhenguo shouted forcefully.

Song Huaiqing seemed to come to his senses, staring blankly at his grandfather.

“You don’t even greet your uncle? Has your politeness gone to the dogs?”

Hearing this, Song Huaiqing noticed the tall and straight Xie Lin. 

Their eyes met, an invisible pressure descended, and Song Huaiqing subconsciously stood at attention, stammering.

“Un… Uncle…”