She asked about her son’s recent situation in the army and then quietly inquired, “Son, I think Miss Lan is quite nice, considerate, and capable. Do you like her?”
“Mom, how could someone as outstanding as Miss Lan take a liking to me? Besides…” He blushed slightly and continued, “I already have feelings for Xiaohuan from the second sister’s village and can’t possibly fall for anyone else.”
“You child, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Zhang Dashen reproached her son.
“I was just about to! I came back this time to settle things with Xiaohuan.”
The following days were busy as Zhang Dashen arranged the wedding, and Lanlan became his adopted daughter.
After Xiaohuan married in, she didn’t have many objections to Lanlan’s presence, but seeing a beautiful woman at home made her uneasy. Lanlan felt sad about Xiaohuan’s cold attitude.
A month after the wedding, Zhang Dazai was preparing to report back to the army. One night, Lanlan asked him, “Big Brother Dazai, can you take me with you?”
“You want to go out? Don’t you like it here?” he replied, surprised.
“I just want to see the outside world!”
“The outside is harsh, and people are complicated. How can a girl survive? Here, your parents can take care of you, and we can find you a good family to settle down with.”
“I feel inconvenient here, and I need to find my relatives. I can’t stay here forever.”
“Then tell Mom and Dad,” he said, seeing her persistence and stopping further argument.
Zhang Dashen, holding her hand tightly, said, “Daughter, having you here makes us happy. I know our family is simple, but where can a girl like you go? Stay here, and I’ll find you a good match later. Why must you leave?” Her eyes turned red.
“Adoptive mother, Xiaohuan is here with you now, and you’ll have a grandson soon. I just want to follow Big Brother Dazai and see the outside world. With him protecting me, nothing will happen.”
I’ll come back to visit you when I can.”
