***
"How old?"
"Seems like 27, a year younger than you. That's no issue. The old saying goes, 'an older woman is like a block of gold,' just perfect."
"Not perfect. Mom, you know that once a woman hits 35, she ages faster than a man. Right now he's only a year younger than me, but in ten years, he might look ten years younger. What if he finds me old and haggard and kicks me out? Besides, he's been in the business for so many years and is still a salesman, with limited prospects for advancement. Would you really want your daughter to be with a man she has to support? It would make us the laughingstock."
"Right, we do need to consider that. Why is it so easy for others to find a son-in-law, but so hard for me? It's all your fault, insisting on studying forensic science in college, dealing with murders and corpses every day. No guy dared to approach you, and the only one, Cheng Dongcheng, who didn't mind it, went abroad and never came back..."
"Mom, stop talking about him! Or I'll fall out with you!"
Mai Xiaomai's expression darkened.
"Okay okay, I'll stop talking about it, but you have to promise me to go on a blind date today!"
Mom Mai pulled out another business card, "This guy said he's free tonight, saw your picture and wants to meet you. He's tall, two years older than you, and the deputy purchasing manager under Qiao Family Group. You have to meet him for me, reel him in to be my son-in-law, or else, I'll die of grief tonight right in front of you!"
"Mom—"
Mai Xiaomai retorted irritably, "You've threatened me like this so many times! It has no effect anymore!"
"Then I'll just keep bringing up Cheng Dongcheng..."
"Mom, enough!"
Mai Xiaomai called out in frustration, "Fine, I'll go on the blind date, I'll listen to you!"
"That's the spirit!"
Mom Mai, seeing her success, handed her the business card, "Take it. Red Rose Restaurant, tonight at 8 o'clock. The signal is the man holding a red rose! You better show up!"
"I said I'll go!"
Mai Xiaomai took the business card, glanced at it, and tucked it into her pocket.
"You need to dress up well tonight. Wear the long dress I gave you for your birthday. And don't you dare tell him you're a forensic doctor, just say you're a doctor. Otherwise, your occupation could scare him off the minute you meet!"
"Mom, a deception might work for a moment, but not for a lifetime. If he finds out I've lied to him later, the consequences will be even worse!"
"Forensic doctors are still doctors, it's not a lie! Let him fall in love with you first, then he won't mind that you are a forensic doctor! I really don't understand why you're so obsessed with such a horrific job. I told you to switch careers, but you just refuse. Spending your days with all those unsightly corpses, I wouldn't want you if I were a man!"
"Enough, if you were a man, I wouldn't want you either! Too naggy!"
Mai Xiaomai knew this conversation with her mother could go on forever. Hearing the somewhat disordered footsteps on the stairs, she quickly said, "Dad's back. From the sound of his steps, he must have had a few drinks with friends and is unsteady on his feet. Aren't you going to help him?"
"That damned old man, off drinking again! You are his daughter, why don't you go help?"
Mom Mai muttered as she quickly opened the door.
Dad Mai didn't smell of alcohol, but he was bruised and his clothes were torn. His steps were unsteady, as if he'd been in a fight.
"Oh dear, what happened to you? Did someone hit you?"
Seeing her husband like that, Mom Mai cried out in alarm, "Xiaomai, come quickly, your father's been beaten up!"
***