Hank shared, “Last month, I went to Lucheng with your Aunt Matilda. After spending a few days there, I decided to buy a ring ahead of time and proposed to her at the beach. She said yes! We even consulted our children about it. Both Ziva Hank and Paul were very supportive of our decision. It’s great to know we don’t have to worry about their feelings; they’re both eager for us to get the wedding done quickly. I just want to wait for you to return to discuss the timing. For our wedding, I would like to invite you to be the witness.”
“You want me to be the witness, Uncle Hank?” Charlie Wade asked, a bit surprised. “But I’m younger than you and Aunt Matilda. Is that appropriate?”
Hank replied earnestly, “Both of our parents have passed away, and they’re overseas. I haven’t really made any close friends among the older generation in a long time. Since returning to Aurous Hill, I’ve realized that most of my colleagues and friends—whether at my school or your Aunt Matilda’s senior college—are rather self-serving and superficial. If I were to ask one of them to be a witness, it wouldn’t feel right. But we hold you in high regard. Both Ziva Hank and Paul admire you greatly. If you hadn’t bravely gone to Syria to rescue Ziva Hank, we can’t say for certain she would still be alive today. After careful consideration, we believe you would be the perfect witness, and we hope you’ll ept.”
With Hank’s heartfelt request, Charlie Wade felt honored and quickly responded, “Of course, I’d be happy to be the witness! Thank you for considering me, Professor Hank. I appreciate your and Aunt Matilda’s trust in me.”
Hank was thrilled and eximed, “Thank you so much, Charlie Wade! Since you’ve been abroad, I didn’t want to bother you, so we haven’t set a wedding date yet. Please let me know if you’ll be leaving Aurous Hill soon; if not, I’ll quickly finalize the wedding date and select a venue.”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">
Charlie Wade reassured him, “No need to worry about the venue. The Sky Garden at Buckingham Pce is ready for you and Aunt Matilda whenever you are. Just let me know when you choose the wedding date, and I’ll handle everything else.”
Upon hearing this, Hank embraced Charlie Wade, saying sincerely, “Charlie Wade, if you’re looking to thank me, just know that your Uncle Hank appreciates it from the bottom of my heart!”
With a smile, Charlie Wade replied, “You’re wee to reach out to me anytime.”
Hank continued, “As for the wedding date, I believe the sooner, the better. You know how things are in our country; Aunt Matilda isn’t getting any younger. If we don’t get married soon, there will be gossip. I want to settle this quickly as a blessing for Aunt Matilda. I checked the almanac, and next Saturday looks like a good day. I’ll discuss it with your Aunt Matilda, and if she agrees, we’ll make it happen.”<fnc8bb> Get full chapters from Find★Novel</fnc8bb>
Charlie Wade admired Hank’s sense of responsibility and decisive nature. He couldn’t help but think of his father-inw Jacob, who adored Han Meiqing but was reluctant to sever ties with Ma Lan, which led to Aunt Matilda and Hank’s rtionship.
With concern, Charlie Wade asked, “By the way, Uncle Hank, you haven’t announced your marriage to Aunt Matilda yet, have you?”
“No,” Hank replied honestly. “I wanted to wait for you. I’ll confirm the timing with you upon your return. If you’re on board, we’ll set the wedding date and venue, then send out the invitations. If Aunt Matilda is okay with next Saturday, I’ll prepare the guest list and invitations tonight.”
Charlie Wade nodded thoughtfully. He wasn’t sure whether he and Aunt Matilda would invite his father-inw Jacob. However, since Aunt Matilda works at the University for the Elderly and is a colleague of Jacob’s, it wouldn’t be easy to keep this under wraps once it became public.
Thinking about it made Charlie Wade uneasy. If Jacob found out, he might be devastated.