It was a cold winter's night when Peach Su was born. "Dear, I feel like eating peaches…" Peach's mother mumbled feebly on the bed after labour, she glanced towards her husband.
Her husband, a towering man of 1.8 meters, was baffled. Scratching his head in confusion, he replied, "Where am I supposed to find peaches in the dead of winter? How about some apples instead? I can ask my aunt to fetch you some from the countryside."
Sighing, Peach's mother stared at her newborn baby whose face was still wrinkly from birth. Just then, an idea struck her. Resolutely, she announced to her husband, "Let's name our daughter Peach!"
He could not believe she had named their daughter after peaches. After hearing his wife's declaration, Peach's father faced several nights of restless sleep. Seeing the look of longing on his wife's face, Peach's father was worried that the minute he turned his back on her, his wife would bite their daughter as if she were indeed a peach.
Fortunately, under his watchful eye, Peach remained bite-free.
Peach was named Peach Su. When she grew up, she often rejoiced over the fact that her surname was Su, and that her mother did not marry someone with the family name Huang or Yang. Had that been the case, she would have been mocked for being a Yellow Peach or a Starfruit. Even more so, she was grateful that her mother had not craved for durians after labour. If she had, she would have been named Durian Su.
With fair skin and cheeks that naturally flushed pink, Peach was a name that befitted the child. It was hard not to fall in love with her. When Peach's mother carried her home after being discharged, the neighbours would take one look at her and praise her for being as pretty as a picture. They would even joke about claiming her as a bride for their sons.
Making nothing of their jests, Peach's mother would jokingly reply, "That would be great! Send the betrothal gifts over this New Year."
Even though she had no such intentions, one of her neighbours took her words seriously.
On New Year's Eve, someone actually came knocking on their door, bearing not only New Year goodies, but also their son in tow.
This person was none other than He Yue, the mother of Shen Mochen.
At two years old, Shen Mochen was renowned in the neighbourhood for being a lady-killer. Blessed with a suave, chubby face and large, lustrous eyes, Shen Mochen also had an air of arrogance about him. Many of He Yue's neighbours wanted to set their daughter up with Shen Mochen. However, Shen Mochen had quite a temper for his age, and would ignore the neighbours who tried to entertain him, often leaving them feeling awkward.
Peach's mother was astonished that this mother and son duo were now at her doorstep asking for her newborn's hand in marriage.
As it was New Year, all of Peach's relatives were present, including her paternal and maternal grandparents. Hearing that someone was asking for Peach's hand in marriage, Peach's relatives enthusiatically invited He Yue and Shen Mochen in.
Even though he had no clue as to why he was there, Shen Mochen proudly trailed behind his mother and entered the house with his head held up high.
"He Yue, you're too kind. But I didn't mean what I said back then…" Peach's mother explained uncomfortably as she served He Yue a cup of tea.
Holding the warm cup of tea, He Yue smiled and responded, "I'm not kidding about this. I've always yearned to have a daughter. Peach is so adorable, it would be my pleasure to have her as my daughter-in-law."
"Um…" Peach's mother hesitated as she glanced over at Peach's father, unsure of what to say. Peach's father looked equally perplexed.
Just then a loud cry came from the nursery. "Waaa!" Peach was awake and hungry.
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