IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER - SEASON 9 EPISODE 37

“I’m not in a hurry to marry you off. So why are you so impatient to get married?” Gabe teased his daughter. She was bugging him off about this blind date that she was set up with a guy from one of the richest family in the country. Though he liked the idea of his daughter marrying someone rich, he still didn’t want her daughter to feel that marriage was an obligation.

“Come on, Father! It’s not just any other guy! It’s THE Lawrence Chu! He is the hottest bachelor in the city. He’s smart, handsome, and he is so rich! I’m sure every girl in the city would die just to date him. So of course, I wouldn’t let this opportunity to pass,” Mary retorted, referring to his blind date to Lawrence Chu this evening. She always wanted to marry someone like Lawrence and this was the chance she was unwilling to pass on. Gabe gave Mary a look and saw that she was determined. He was planning to take this matter lightly, but seeing how his daughter looked forward to this blind date and possible marriage, he decided to take it a little serious. He was already checking his memory for Lawrence Chu. He knew the Chu Family but was trying hard to remember a Lawrence from this family.

“Well, fine. If your mind is made up, then so be it,” he said. His daughter had always been self-willed since she was a little girl. He and his wife spoiled her so much and had never intervened with her decisions. Anyway, if it was Lawrence Chu that she had in mind, he thought it wouldn’t be a bad choice. No, Lawrence Chu was the best fish in the sea this city had seen as a matter of fact. He would be lucky to have him as a son-in-law if Mary ended up marrying this man. ‘Or would I really be that lucky?’ he thought.

“Really? Thank you, Dad. I love you!” Mary exclaimed cheerfully. She was expecting her father’s blessing but not without a little push. Mary may had been spoiled but she never once disregarded her parents’ take on things. She would always want their blessing for any of her decision, especially on who she should marry. She took a bite on a sweet biscuit and put it down before giving her father on the cheek. “You’re the best Dad ever!”

Mary said. Fearing that her mother might get jealous, she also reached for her an gave her a kiss on the cheek as well, saying, “Of course, you’re also the best Mom ever!”

Ann giggled at her daughter’s words, her heart melted in hearing it from her daughter. “My silly girl, I wouldn’t be jealous of your father. You always know that we have your back no matter what.”

“Well, I will go upstairs and get dressed. Don’t forget to call me at 7:00 pm. I need to go out early. I can’t let Lawrence wait for me,” Mary urged sweetly before running upstairs merrily.

Ann was so happy to see her daughter like that. She had never seen her so blissful for a boy. ‘That Lawrence Chu must be really something, ‘ she thought. She then told her husband, “Our baby girl is now a lady. Look how happy she is!”

Gabe was in deep thought. He didn’t realize that the question was for him. He heard his wife cough and he wondered. “Oh yeah, I agree. She’s now a grown up and there’s nothing we can do to keep her in this house,” Gabe sighed.

Ann felt that there was something troubling his husband. So she stepped up and tried to asked him directly, “What’s the matter, dear? You know that you can share anything to me. Aren’t you glad that Mary is happy? I’m sure that Lawrence Chu is a worthy guy for our Mary.” Ann was trying to figure out what her husband had in mind.

I had no intention in ruining her good mood.”

“We’d better keep it to ourselves. We should let her lead a carefree life,” Ann proposed. “Besides, she’s now a grown lady. I’m sure she can handle this things on her own.”

Gabe nodded in agreement. And they both sat in silence. Though deep inside, Gabe still had some concerns about her daughter’s choice of husband. But he knew he better let his daughter figure it out herself. He would just wait in the background and see what happened.

In a beautiful mid-summer afternoon, the city was filled with people enjoying their vacation. Tourists were everywhere and the streets were busy with street acts and booths. In this busy city, there was a place where one could find peace. This place was a bar known to the upper class for its classic old wines and ambiance. Lawrence could be seen enjoying this peace and quiet with a glass of whiskey in his hand. The ambiance mixed with a perfect jazz music was the best setting for Lawrence to clear off his mind of things.

Mike walked into the bar. Since there were not so many people in this bar, he was able to locate Lawrence at the bar counter in one glance. He tiptoed to his best friend and tried to startle him.

“There you are! What’s up, Lawrence? So you’re seriously planning to get drunk alone?

Gabe faced his wife with a serious face and looked her in the eyes. “He is Jackson Chu’s nephew. He got a job in the government because of Jackson Chu’s help. Besides, at that time, Jackson’s grandpa was still alive and no one dared to defy the Chu family at that time even until now,” Gabe narrated in a serious tone, “John Ye has left that circle a long time, and Jackson Chu hasn’t gotten his hands in the government. But it doesn’t mean that the Chu family has no say in the government anymore.

Anyone who dares to offend Jackson will end up in trouble.”

Gabe’s words made Ann realize the power of the Chu family. She didn’t have any idea how powerful the Chu family was until today. But she still didn’t understand why her husband was worried about Mary pursuing the Chu guy.

“What do you mean? Do you mean that Jackson Chu will investigate our family if Lawrence chooses to marry our daughter?” Ann asked. She was confused. Why was Gabe- her husband afraid of Jackson Chu?

Gabe looked around to see if his daughter was somewhere near. When he confirmed that Mary has already resigned to her room, he moved near to his wife so she could hear him. He said in low voice, “If Mary and Lawrence get on well, we will need to meet Jackson Chu and his wife in person. Jackson is a principled man and he has been concentrating on exploiting overseas business in the past years. He is strong and he can do whatever he wants in the city. Now he has even expanded his social circle in abroad and got his hands into the international affairs. I can’t imagine what he can do with such a formidable power.”