Bàba knocked on my door a few hours later while I was in the middle of reading a book. I opened the door and smiled. "Hi, Bàba," I said, inviting him inside. He looked sickly and fragile. "Is Nǜshì Lian here yet?"

"No, but she's coming," he replied, glancing at the jade necklace that made him so nervous. He didn't comment on it, but I knew he didn't like it, strange considering he's all about superstitions. Jade was good luck. "I'm happy for you, Xiran."

"I...thanks, Bàba," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "I have a question, it sounds weird, but why did you have me take a matchmaking session? You never really liked talking about my life and I always wondered why Hēi'àn De Mìmì is so touchy about the subject."

The colour drained from Bàba's face. "I-I just thought you'd be lonely."

I broke my act of joy. "Bàba, I don't want to marry on the spot. I know, I'm this stranger's consort, but I don't know him. I don't want to go blindly into a marriage, I want more time, I want to date this person, not marry—"

"Xiran, what are you talking about?" he looked confused. "This is not a forcefully arranged marriage, you are too young to marry. Your māmā and I set up for you to have love."

"But why...but why him?" I asked. "And why has love always been so hard for me?"

He didn't answer. There was a knock at the door and the house went still. Then we surged out of the rooms. Māmā threw off her apron as Bàba did some last-minute cleaning. I smoothed my black hair and tugged down the red dress.

"Xiran," Māmā said, handing me something. It was a fan, red with carvings imprinted into the wooden handle. It was beautiful and delicate. "I know that your bàba's side of his family gifted you that lovely jade necklace, but this family is a heirloom of mine. It was my ancestor's fan and when she got married, she had it on display at her wedding."

"Thank you, Māmā," I whispered, hugging the fan to my chest.

"Are you ready to meet your match?" Bàba asked nervously, his hand on the door's knob. I swallowed hard, took deep breaths, and walked closer to the door, straightening my posture.

"Yes."

Bàba opened the door to reveal Nǜshì Lian and another man. I paled and gasped when I saw who it was. "Xiong?!" I cried out before my parents could formally greet the duo.

"Xiran Shen!" Māmā gasped aloud, tugging on my wrist. "Don't be rude."

Bàba was puzzled. "You two know each other?"

"I met her at the Soontornvats' gift shop," Xiong said calmly as he and Nǜshì Lian stepped into the house. I was dumbfounded, trying to pull myself together. Why doesn't he look surprised to see me? "It's nice to see you again, Xiran."

"Let's give the pair some space," Nǜshì Lian suggested in Chinese. "How about you two go to the rooftop to chat?"

"Sounds great," Xiong said. "Shall we, Xiran?"

Xiong Lee is my partner for the remainder of my life. "Of course."