Huangfu Shaohua spent a day at Daisy's home. He found her parents to be very amiable and not at all difficult.
The elderly couple understood that they were genuinely in love and didn't press the issue further.
Daisy's mother had one request: she wanted them to have a wedding, not necessarily grand, but enough for their relatives and friends to attend.
At the very least, they wanted the people around them to know that their daughter was marrying legitimately and had found a happy home.
Huangfu Shaohua agreed without hesitation.
"Shaohua, will your family be able to attend?" Daisy's mother asked hesitantly.
Huangfu Shaohua couldn't guarantee his family's presence at their wedding, but to avoid disappointing Daisy's parents, he said, "I'll tell them as soon as I get back. They'll come."
Daisy's father remained silent, his head bowed.
Daisy's mother rubbed her hands together and said, "Xixi told us that your family is very busy with your large enterprise. If it's inconvenient, having a representative attend would also be good."
Huangfu Shaohua smiled wryly and replied, "Alright, please don't worry. As the groom, the groom's side will not be without representation."
"That's good, that's good," Daisy's mother said with relief. "If you need any help with the wedding arrangements, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Daisy will need some preparations, so please take care of that for us," Huangfu Shaohua said with a smile.
Daisy's mother replied, "Of course, she's my daughter. Anything I do for her is only right."
Daisy's father also spoke, saying solemnly to him, "Shaohua, then I entrust my daughter to you. Treat her well after you're married. Don't let her suffer any grievances, and don't bully her. If anything happens to her, I won't forgive you."
"Uncle, please rest assured," Huangfu Shaohua promised.
Daisy linked her arm through her father's and joked, "Dad! You don't need to worry about that. You know learning boxing with me was useful, right? He's my student, and his fists aren't as strong as mine. We'll see who bullies whom then."
As she spoke, she raised a fist and playfully rotated her wrist towards Huangfu Shaohua, a look of wanting to spar with him on her face.
"Xixi, you're getting married, can you act a little more like a girl?" her mother chided.
Daisy retracted her fist and exchanged a smile with Huangfu Shaohua.
In the evening, when Huangfu Shaohua was leaving their home, Daisy only escorted him downstairs.
"Go back by yourself. I won't be coming to your place tonight," Daisy said with a smile. "My mom said she has some things to tell me."
Huangfu Shaohua embraced her reluctantly and said, "Actually, I envy you. Your parents' thoughts are so simple; they just want you to be happy. Unlike my family, my parents think about everything in complex terms, only teaching us how to strive and work hard, how to weigh pros and cons, and how to make choices that benefit the family..."
He trailed off, unable to continue.
Daisy leaned against him and patted his back, saying, "Don't be like this. I think everyone in Lancheng envies you for being born into a good family. Your parents love you too, just in a different way. Don't overthink it, go back and rest early."
Watching him leave, Daisy turned and went back upstairs to her own home.
Her father saw her return and said, "This Huangfu Shaohua is a decent fellow, but I suspect his family will have trouble accepting you. You need to plan carefully for the future and not be blindly optimistic."
"Okay, Dad," Daisy replied. "I've thought about it too. As long as he loves me, it doesn't matter if his family never accepts me. I never intended to marry into a wealthy family. Shaohua is Shaohua, and his family is his family. We've agreed not to rely on his family in the future."
"I hope so," her father said, his hands behind his back, heading to the study with a less than optimistic expression.
At this moment, her mother quickly pulled her into the master bedroom and closed the door. "This young man is quite good. Your father is just worried you might suffer later. But I support you. Seeing Shaohua's sincerity towards you puts my mind at ease."
As she spoke, her mother opened the bottom drawer of the wardrobe and took out a bank card, handing it to her. "This is the dowry your father and I have been saving for you. Take it; it will be useful somewhere."
"Mom, I have my own money..."
"Yours is yours, but this is our gesture. This is all we've managed to save for you, no more. Take it," her mother said, sitting beside her.
Daisy didn't refuse any further and said gratefully, "Mom, thank you and Dad."
"Silly child, why thank us? I'm overjoyed that you're getting married," her mother laughed.
Daisy playfully pouted, "Mom, I knew you've long been tired of me and wanted to kick me out."
"Oh, you have no idea. I didn't even dare to tell you before," her mother complained. "Whenever your father and I attended family gatherings, they would always ask if you had a boyfriend and when you were getting married. It made us not want to dine with relatives anymore. And last time, the downstairs neighbor aunt suggested I take you to a psychologist to see if it was a psychological or physical problem?"
Daisy was stunned, her eyes wide. "These people are so bored! What business is it of theirs that I'm single!"
"It's none of their business, but in others' eyes, you practicing boxing all day and dressing in a neutral style before might seem strange," her mother sighed with relief. "Ah, but it's better now. Once you and Shaohua have your wedding, let them see how handsome the man you've found is, and they'll have nothing more to say."
Daisy hadn't realized that her unconventional lifestyle had caused her parents so much distress. She had always thought she wouldn't care what others thought and that living freely was enough.
Now, she saw that her ideas were too naive. As long as one is human, one cannot escape their environment.
She hugged her mother and said, "Mom, don't worry. Shaohua and I will have a grand wedding. Especially make Shaohua look like a movie star, dazzling their eyes."
Her mother laughed. "Good, good. For the wedding, you can find a planning company and do it according to your young ideas. Your father and I will just enjoy it."
Her mother held her wrist, laughing heartily.
Whether the other party was poor or rich, she only wished for her daughter and son-in-law to live happily.
...
Huangfu Shaohua returned to his residence and began to ponder how to inform his parents, Mengqi, and Mengyao about his upcoming wedding.
If the wedding was filled with only the bride's relatives, and he had no relatives or friends present, Daisy's parents would likely lose face and have difficulty explaining to the bride's relatives.
However, it would be difficult to invite his parents and Mengqi. As for Mengyao, as long as she could return, it shouldn't be a problem to have her attend.
This matter gave him a headache. He had just taken a can of beer from the refrigerator when he heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"