On the first day of the Lunar New Year, tradition called for a visit to his eldest uncle's home.
Wang Xiaoliang's eldest uncle, Wang Keming, was a junior official at the Market Supervision and Administration Bureau and was comfortably well-off. His spacious home measured over 180 square meters, with no shared common area included in that figure, according to his wife.
A large rosewood dining table that could seat more than a dozen people stood in the dining room.
In previous years, there had always been exactly nine people at that table.
This year, there were two more.
One was Wang Xiaoliang's girlfriend, Wei Zijin.
The other was his cousin Wang Xiaozhe's girlfriend, Qiu Mohan.
The arrival of these two new faces became the freshest topic to accompany the drinks at this New Year's family feast.
It was quite a coincidence. Only yesterday, Zhao Xiuqin had mentioned to Wang Xiaoliang's aunt that she would bring Wei Zijin along. It was only then that she learned Wang Xiaozhe also had a girlfriend and would likewise be bringing her home on New Year's Day.
In fact, both sets of parents had already met.
Qiu Mohan was two years older than Wang Xiaozhe. Neither had attended university locally, and after returning home upon graduation, they had met on a blind date arranged by an acquaintance.
Apparently, they had set a wedding date after knowing each other for just three months: May Day this year.
The speed was frightening.
Wang Xiaoliang had already heard about his cousin's marriage plans. Like his father, Wang Xiaozhe worked at the Market Supervision and Administration Bureau, following in his father's footsteps. Qiu Mohan, meanwhile, worked at the Tax Bureau.
To the elders, they were practically a match made in heaven, perfectly suited in family background.
Wang Xiaoliang also