The following is the English translation of the given text:
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In the following time, Mi Zhongde and I had another two small cups of Pu’er tea, while Mi Cai finally came out from the kitchen carrying a plate of prepared dishes. After careful observation, I found that her involvement in cooking was actually just doing small tasks, while her aunt, who had remained in the kitchen without showing her face, was the one who actually did the cooking.
After placing the dishes on the table, Mi Cai came to my side, peeled two honey tangerines, and handed one each to Mi Zhongde and me. Then, smiling, she asked Mi Zhongde, “Uncle, won’t you show us the photos from your recent vacation in Namibia? That place is really great!”
Mi Lan interjected, “The camera is in my car. I’ll go get it!”
Mi Zhongde smiled and gestured for her to go get it, then offered his seat to Mi Cai, indicating she should sit beside him.
Soon, Mi Lan returned with the camera, handed it to Mi Cai, who then invited me to sit with her to view the photos. I was actually quite interested in the travel photos, especially since Namibia is indeed a fantastic tourist destination.
I sat down beside Mi Cai, and she began flipping through the photos on the camera while Mi Zhongde explained some of the highlights of the places he visited. Eventually, Mi Lan also came over to look at the photos with us. Before long, everyone was immersed in Mi Zhongde’s vivid and slightly humorous explanations, as if we were experiencing the journey ourselves.
At this point, Mi Cai’s aunt finally brought all the dishes to the table, took off her apron, and joined us, showing great interest in the photos. She then suggested that if we had time after the New Year, the whole family could go on a vacation there.
This suggestion was immediately supported by both Mi Cai and Mi Lan. I, naturally, thought it had nothing to do with me and remained silent. However, Mi Cai hooked her arm with mine and said, “Zhaoyang, why don’t you come with us? I heard Namibia is the best place for family vacations.”
“Ah?” I was a little taken aback because I had never considered myself a member of this upper-class family.
Mi Lan glanced at me and said, “My sister wants you to come with us on vacation. Looks like she really intends to marry you this time. Congratulations!”
Instinctively, I looked back at Mi Cai, but she shifted the topic to Mi Lan, jokingly saying, “Xiao Lan, maybe it’s time for you to find a boyfriend too. When our family goes on trips, we can’t always rely on Zhaoyang to carry the luggage. We need an extra hand!”
“So you think I should find a boyfriend just to carry luggage for you?”
Mi Cai smiled, hugged her shoulder, and said, “I’m just kidding. But you really should think about your personal life. I believe this is what Uncle and Aunt most hope for at this stage, right, Uncle and Aunt?”
Mr. and Mrs. Mi Zhongde nodded simultaneously, looking at Mi Lan with genuine expectation in their eyes. After all, Mi Lan was no longer young, and I too was eager to hear her answer, secretly hoping she would find someone suitable for marriage soon, as it would indirectly prove that she had completely ended her past relationship with Fang Yuan.
Mi Lan’s tone was somewhat displeased, “Why are you all looking at me like that? When the time comes, I will naturally find someone. At least I want someone I like!”
Mi Cai pressed on, “So what kind of person do you like? Let me know, and I’ll help you find a match.”
Unexpectedly, Mi Lan glanced at me and said indifferently, “Definitely not someone like Zhaoyang!”
Mi Cai looked a bit embarrassed, while I felt somewhat provoked and irritated. If it weren’t for the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Mi Zhongde, I would have been tempted to kick her out the door to let her see how vast the autumn night could be!
…
Dinner officially began. I had thought that around this table, we would talk a lot about Zhuo Mei, but it seemed that the members of this family had a natural understanding today, and no one brought it up. Instead, we talked a lot about the childhood stories of Mi Cai and Mi Lan. Their childhood appeared to be a source of pride for Mi Zhongde, who told me how virtuous and academically excellent Mi Cai and Mi Lan had been as children, and how many awards they had won in talents like piano and dance.
I could tell that this pride was genuine. Perhaps I had misunderstood this wealthy family; it was not as cold and materialistic as it appeared on the surface. Many warm little stories had happened in this family, just like in ordinary families.
Mi Zhongde seemed very happy that evening. He asked me to drink some baijiu with him. During the drinking, he shared his business experiences over the years with me, and gradually I also let go of some of my inhibitions and started chatting with him. Mi Cai seemed very happy to see this, listening attentively to our conversation all the while, occasionally reminding me to drink less and pouring me some mineral water, acting very much like a wife.
An hour later, we finally finished dinner. Mi Cai and I escorted the somewhat tipsy Mi Zhongde and her aunt outside. Before parting, her aunt gave both Mi Cai and me a small gift, which made me feel quite embarrassed because I had come empty-handed. Actually, they were elders, and I should have prepared something for them instead… Perhaps, I really should try to integrate into this family, because Mi Cai and I would eventually get married, and the Mi family were her only relatives. If my integration could bring her family warmth, that would be a great happiness for me, because loving someone means being happy for their happiness!
Mi Lan’s car and Mi Zhongde’s car successively disappeared from my sight. I looked at Mi Cai beside me and said, “I’ve had some drinks. Can you take me back?”
Mi Cai hesitated for a moment and said, “Why don’t you stay here tonight?”
I smiled and asked, “You’re not afraid I might take advantage of you when I’m drunk, right?”
Mi Cai didn’t answer. I hugged her shoulder and said, “Your hesitation proves you’re not ready yet, and I’m not in a rush to do something so significant. So, just take me back. At least that way I can appear more like a decent guy!”
Mi Cai looked at me, half-laughing and half-crying, “You’re really something, aren’t you?”
Taking advantage of my drunkenness, I said, “Haha, so you, little lady, must remember how good I am. I really like you!”
“So you mean you’ve taken advantage of all the ones you don’t like?”
I was momentarily at a loss for words. I found women’s logic truly hard to grasp, and Mi Cai was an especially skilled practitioner. After a while, I said to her, “I’ve had too much to drink and can’t keep up with your thinking. Can you stop confusing me?”
“Then drink less in the future…” She said with a smile, then added, “I’m just kidding. I’ll go get the car. Wait here, and I’ll take you back.”
I nodded. Slightly drunk, I suddenly felt a strong urge to smoke. Seizing the moment, I quickly took out a cigarette and lit it. Looking into the distance under the streetlight, I thought to myself what a great evening it had been. If only life could remain this peaceful and we could get married and live happily ever after, how wonderful that would be!
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