After driving for over two hours, the car finally left the highway and made its way onto a country road. The road was smooth, flanked by tall poplar trees whose leaves mainly had fallen, covering the ditches in yellow, creating a solemn and poignant beauty.

"Lacey, are we almost at your home?" asked Jax tentatively, her nervousness resurfacing.

Jax turned to her with a smile, then continued looking ahead. "Yes, we're almost there. My parents are very nice; you don't need to be nervous."

Soon, rows of red brick walls appeared before them. At the village entrance, several villagers were sunbathing by the wall. Seeing a car approaching, they all turned to look.

As they passed by, Jax purposely lowered the car window and greeted each uncle, aunt, and elder while Lacey, unsure how to address them, smiled naively from inside the car.

"Jax is back, and he's brought such a beautiful girl, clearly from a big city…" an aunt, cracking sunflower seeds, commented while looking Lacey up and down with admiration.

Hearing this, the other villagers gathered around, peering into the car. "She is beautiful, much better than my daughter-in-law!" "Jax is so lucky! When's the wedding? I'm waiting to give my gift," they chattered inquisitively.

"Uncles, aunts, elders, I've returned to discuss marriage with my parents. I'll let everyone know as soon as it's settled, and you must come to the wedding!" Jax said before speeding away.

Turning into an alley, they soon saw a middle-aged couple standing at the gate. The man wore a slightly faded suit, while the woman was wrapped in a striking red sweater.

The SUV slowly came to a stop. Jax got out first, saying, "Dad, Mum, I'm back."

He opened the passenger door and gallantly helped Lacey out. His parents approached the car, eager to see her.

Upon seeing Lacey, the couple was secretly amazed at her beauty, finding her a perfect match for their son.

"Uncle, Auntie, hello! I'm Lacey." She crossed her hands in front of her and greeted them with a radiant smile.

"Hello, hello! It's cold outside; come in quickly." Jax's mother raised her rough hand to grasp Lacey's delicate one, leading her into the courtyard.

"I brought some gifts in the car; I'll go get them," said Lacey, turning around, but Jax stopped her.

"I'll get them. You go inside with Mum," he said, gently pushing her towards the door and signalling his father to help with the gifts.

Inside, the room was spacious and furnished. On a coffee table were fruits, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and candies.

Even exotic fruits like dragon fruit and durian were rare in northern rural homes. The Jia family had gone to great lengths to welcome her, their future daughter-in-law.

"Thank you, Auntie!" Lacey said, her eyes filled with gratitude and relief.

Jax's mother led her to the sofa and poured her a cup of hot tea. "Have some water and fruit. It's almost noon; I'll cook lunch in a bit."

"Thank you, but please don't go into trouble," Lacey replied, holding the cup shyly.

"What's your family like?" Jax's mother asked. She had already heard about Lacey's family from Jax, but this was both a polite inquiry and a way to confirm her son's account.

"I have just one brother," Lacey answered.

"Oh, just the two of you. Must be tough," Jax's mother said knowingly.

"It's okay. My brother owns a company, and it's doing well," Lacey replied modestly.

…

Jax and his father entered the house with bags of gifts. Jax's father, visibly pleased, clapped his hands. "Lacey! You shouldn't have brought so much; it must have cost a fortune!"

"It's not much, Uncle. My brother helped me choose them," Lacey replied, both modest and honest.

"I'll thank him on your behalf," said Jax's father, sitting down and taking a big gulp of water.

"Sit down, have some fruit, and rest a bit. Your mother and I will cook," he said, giving his wife a meaningful look.

"Right, it's time to cook," agreed Jax's mother, leading her husband to the kitchen.

Sounds of chopping and sizzling oil came from the kitchen.

"Lacey, did my mum say anything to upset you?" Jax asked, peeling a piece of dragon fruit for her, his eyes full of concern.

"No, not at all! Auntie was hot, even asking about my family. Look at all these treats she prepared; some are hard to find!" Lacey gestured at the spread on the coffee table.

"I'm glad you're happy!" Jax kissed her cheek.

"Ah!" She wiped her face with the back of her hand. "It wouldn't be good if Uncle and Auntie saw!"

"So what if they see? You'll be my wife soon," he said with a mischievous smile.

…

"In the kitchen, Jax's mother whispered to his father, "She brought so many gifts; they must have cost a lot!"

"I don't know the brands, but according to Jax, the scarf and handbag he bought for you are designer items, each worth at least five thousand yuan. The Maotai wine he brought me costs over a thousand yuan per bottle, enough for almost a year's supply!" he marvelled.

"I better put them away," Jax's mother said, putting down her spatula.

"Where are you going? Don't interrupt them; they're talking privately. Just focus on cooking. The gifts can wait," her husband said, frowning and nodding towards the pot.

Ten minutes later, Jax's mother finally left the kitchen, casting extra glances at the gifts as she passed. Although she wouldn't spend so much on herself, any woman would love these valuable brand-name products.

Lacey, well-read and sensible, saw her aunt start to serve the dishes and quickly got up to help. Soon, the table was full of words, including fish, meat, crab, and shrimp, a feast as Jax had promised.

The four of them sat at the table. Jax's father poured his son a full glass of the cheaper home wine, saving the good wine Lacey brought for a special occasion.

"Welcome to our home, Lacey. Please forgive any shortcomings," said Jax's father, who had finished high school and was considered somewhat of an intellectual in the village.

"Uncle, you're too kind. There's so much food!" Lacey feared not being able to finish it all.

"It's not too much. We were worried you wouldn't like it. Lacey and Jax have discussed it with us. The 30th of next month is a good day. If you have no objections, we could hold the wedding here. Is that okay?"

"I'll follow Jax's lead," Lacey blushed.

"Great!" Jax's mother was delighted, and the four

 raised their glasses to celebrate the upcoming marriage.

"Dad, Mum, I promised Jax's brother that I would bring you two to meet him tomorrow to discuss the wedding," Jax announced the purpose of their visit.

"How much should we prepare for the bride price?" Jax's mother asked.

"His brother said there's no need for that, just a meeting," Jax conveyed Rick's intentions to his parents.

"Ah!" Both parents were surprised, having expected a substantial demand from the bride's family.

"We can't go empty-handed! I'll buy snacks, tobacco, candy, and the like from the store. Oh, and I'll grind a bag of our new cornmeal; it makes delicious porridge," Jax's mother was relieved at not having to prepare a hefty bride price.

"Mum, eat first, then go!" Jax called after her.

"No, I'll get ready now. You eat!" she almost ran off, her feet moving quickly.