1 Marrying a stranger

In a small peaceful village located far from modern civilisation, there is but a few that can truly shake one's world as there is very little happening in the tiny community.

Surrounded by farm fields and mountains, Tian Xi Village is one of the remaining few that are untouched by the advancing technology. In fact, other then the meagre street-lights the government insists on installing several years back, there is only one landline-telephone in the village chief's house.

In such a village, the most shocking news would be the Zhu Family's eldest son stealing a melon from Yang Family's fields in the darkest hour of the day, only to trip over the vines and fall unto the tripwire alarm which triggered the loud clanking of metal cans stringed together, thus waking up nearly everyone within the vicinity.

"I registered your marriage with my grandson this morning. Lan'er, come with Grandfather to the Capital to live with your husband."

Like a bolt out of the blue, an orphaned countryside-girl is told she is now married to a stranger she has never met before. To be dumbfounded and at a lost for words is normal, even when the other party is merely joking.

"...G-Grandfather Zhong? Did you just say m-marriage? My...my marriage?" Qing Lan stutters, her eyes wide and disbelieving.

A twenty-one years old woman can be seen sitting on a weathered couch, though a natural beauty with willow-leaf eyebrows arching above a pair of light-grey almond-shaped eyes, focus is clearly not present in her otherwise alluring eyes. With a fair countenance and dainty figure which does not allude to the delightful curves adorning her body, the woman is a sight to behold.

"Lan'er," Grandmother Zhong softly calls out to the young woman, her withered-hand reaching for the soft-and-supple hand, covering it with her own.

Sitting on the couch with the young woman, Grandmother Zhong can see the obvious shock and disbelief in the woman's face. Grandmother Zhong truly feels bad for breaking the news so suddenly and even more guilty as she thinks of how they basically forced her into this marriage.

"Lan'er is a good girl and will make a good wife, this, Grandmother has often said to you," Grandmother Zhong smiles warmly, she is very fond of this woman. Such a good girl, who wouldn't want to have her as a granddaughter-in-law?

On the right, Grandfather Zhong nods to himself. Ever since Qing Lan saves his life by stabilising his blood pressure six years ago, Grandfather Zhong has returned as often as he can to visit the young girl back then, even bringing Grandmother Zhong with him to express their gratitudes towards her. He has always wished to bring her into the Zhong Family.

Despite how abrupt the marriage is, Grandfather Zhong has been harbouring the idea since long ago. Only now he can wait no longer. His grandson is being stupid and would ruin not only his life, but the Zhong Family if he intends to marry that Xu Family's adopted-daughter.

Clearly, Qing Lan is not only the better choice, but also the best option for Zhong Lie!

"Grandmother knows that we are not being fair to you, registering your marriage without your knowledge like this... but, Lan'er, Ah Lie is muddle-headed because of a woman and as his grandmother, I do not want to see him ruined by that woman. You are a good girl and Grandfather and I love you very much," Grandmother Zhong pours her heart out, pleading for the young woman to understand.

Qing Lan is still struck speechless, she can't begin to fathom why a countryside-girl like her is preferrable when compared to a city-girl. With how Grandfather Zhong and Grandmother Zhong describes their grandson in many of their stories, she knows that the man isn't one to fall for a woman's temptation. So this woman Grandmother Zhong disapproves must have passed the man's astromically-high standards.

And her? Qing Lan is just a simple countryside-girl with superficial knowledge on herbs. To marry so amazing of a man, how can she not feel pressured? Especially, when clearly, the other party does not desire this marriage?

"Ah Lie is a good man, he works harder than most and is also very successful despite his young age. He is only six years older than you! I know Ah Lie will be good to you, Lan'er, please grant this old woman's wish?" Grandmother Zhong continues to promote her grandson, emphasising how wonderful of a catch he is.

The more she listens, the more afraid Qing Lan feels. This man she is registered marriage with is said to be the biggest fish in the Capital. His background is so high-up in the sky while she is but a lowly countryside-girl whose education is only up to finishing the puny high-school situated in next-door village.

For a spouse to have an ever-lasting marriage, respect is irreplaceable. Not even including their arranged marriage, with such huge differences in their status, how can Qing Lan ever hopes for her husband to respect her?

This...this marriage, should she accept it, would change her life to the point she will no longer be allowed to hold even a smidgen of what she is comfortable with.

As Grandmother Zhong tries her best to convince Qing Lan, Grandfather Zhong is quiet as he watches the young woman's reactions. The fear is apparent in her eyes and the sight of it causes his weary heart to ache. This girl here is accustomed to a simple life in a tiny village, and here he is, trying to pluck her from everything she knows without her consent.

In the years he associates with Qing Lan since she saved him that day, Grandfather Zhong has always regarded her as his own granddaughter. Despite his busy schedules, he makes time to visit her in this far-away village. Most of the times, Grandmother Zhong would come along, and in other times, she visits the girl on her own accord.

The Zhong Elders are fond of this countryside-girl. There is something about her that is natural and absent in all the girls in the Capital, even amongst the Young Misses of the prominent families.

"Lan'er..." Grandfather Zhong begins in a gravelly voice, his eyes staring straight into the distraught woman's eyes, "if...if Zhong Lie and you are truly incompatible, that you cannot find it in yourself to be fond of him...if that day ever comes, Grandfather will help you divorce him."

In the end, Qing Lan is not only his saviour, but also his beloved granddaughter. To make her suffer because he wants to protect his grandson and the Zhong Family goes against his moral conduct. What's more, his grandson is a splendid adult. If he gets hurt because of his stupid decision, then Grandfather Zhong will not sacrifice an innocent maiden's happiness for his sake.

Grandfather Zhong is still hoping that Qing Lan and Zhong Lie are compatible, to live their remaining life together. But he knows he can't force the matter. If the two are truly like oil-and-water, then he can just continue to visit his granddaughter in this run-down village.

"Grandfather..." Qing Lan finally finds her voice, the cracked-quality to it obvious to the two elders.

In this Tian Xi Village, Qing Lan is the only orphan with no other relatives. Her parents died when she was young, but not before imparting the necessary knowledges of survival. From searching for herbs, wild-crops and fruits in the mountain, to tilling the field and watering the crops for harvest, Qing Lan is equipped with enough skills to live.

The one thing Qing Lan sorely yearns for throughout those lonely years are the company and affections of an adult. Grandfather Zhong appears in her life like a shooting-star and saving him is the best thing that has ever happened to her. The old man treats her like his own granddaughter and even his wife comes along to shower her with love and care.

Qing Lan is not cold enough to refuse the two elders who are her most favourite persons in this world. She doesn't want to disappoint them and make them sad, not when they have given so much for her. Furthermore, if she can see Grandfather Zhong and Grandmother Zhong everyday over the few measly days each month, then her heart has made its choice.

"This...this marriage," Qing Lan breathes deeply, her back straightens and her eyes are no longer clouded with doubt nor fear, she looks like a warrior about to march to war.

"I...agree to this marriage," the young woman soldiers her resolve and cements the beginning of world-shaking changes in her life.

Following the young woman's agreement, white momentarilly filled Grandmother Zhong's and Grandfather Zhong's brains. It was such a shock, a welcomed shock, but a shock nonetheless. And when she finally registers her granddaughter's approval, Grandmother Zhong is so elated she feels like she can jump to high Heavens.

"Oh, Lan'er! Good, good! I know you and Ah Lie will make a good couple! wedding, yes, ah, the wedding! You don't have to worry about that! I will give you the grandest wedding ever held in the Capital! You will be the most beautiful bride that has ever graced the Capital! Oh, and the wedding date! The sooner, the better! I'll have someone to look for an auspicious date, I think we can have the wedding next week! You just don't worry, Grandmother will make sure the Zhong Family does not slight you! You are my treasured granddaughter-in-law, no one in the Capital will have the guts to slight you!"

Grandmother Zhong rambles away happily, the wrinkles in her face seems to vanish as she speaks with such vigour and delight. Qing Lan doesn't have the heart to stop the old woman, thus she nods here and there, allowing Grandmother Zhong to plan everything about the Wedding, from the venue, the dress designer to the food while Grandfather Zhong adds few commentaries here and there as he expresses his opinion on which is the better choice.

Like any other girl, Qing Lan has dreamed of what her marriage would be like and what kind of person her husband would be. She is not delusional and as a simple countryside-girl, her ideal husband would be someone strong who can help her till the farmland, rear several livestocks and cut some woods.

Now Qing Lan is married to the Most Eligible Bachelor in the Capital, and she can't deny that she is overwhelmed. Mostly fear, but there is a tiny bit of excitement. Grandmother Zhong says that her grandson is involved with a woman they disapproved, and Qing Lan can't help but wonder how her husband would view her.

Would she be the third-person in their relationship?

Qing Lan is afraid, but she has given her word and the marriage was registered before she consented. What would her husband think of this sudden marriage—their instant marriage?