Chinese Bride

I am on the verge to tears when I realized that I have to attend this matchmaking events. I am 37 almost 38 years old woman. And my parents are afraid that I am no longer have the urge to get married. Busy building my own restaurants. Professionally I already owned three restaurants, with next one still in the making. My next baby will be The Café, a 40 seats restaurant nestled in newly built boutique hotel yet about to open two months from now. I am happy with my life as it is. Even though I am not having my own family, I have those staffs that I consider as one.

My mom busy preparing my clothes to wear for the event, from sundress, shoes, until my accessories. She even chose my stockings.
"Mom, I don't need you to choose everything for me." I tried to dodge her choices.
"If I let you choosing your own, you will end up wearing those pants again" she is referring to the suits I have. I was born as a woman, but since I am able to choose my own clothes I always opt for pants and shirts. I do have several formal dresses, even I have some qipaos to wear for family occasions. Even though I use chef clogs during working hours, off times I use ballet shoes even high heels. My mom did it for me because of her love, and diligently I comply with her choices. And I know that her choices are the best for me.

Born and bred as Chinese here I am, always listen to what my parents told me. Not because I was reared to always following orders, but this is what I call filial. I read so many books about culture as part of my understanding process of my ancestry. One of my favorites is The Analects. Kept reading those Confucius teaching over and over again. I know that among three siblings, only me had read those books thoroughly. My eldest sister loves those imaginary world of middle earth, wizardry and
even earth after apocalypse. While my brother, none other than cars and bikes, typical boys. Both are
married and blessed with their own minions. So far I have one niece, one nephew from my sister. While from my brother, I have two nephews and one niece. I also heard that my sister in law is pregnant with her fourth baby. Me? My babies are those food empire I built with tears and blood. Even though I envy to have my own baby to cuddle.

The event I am about to attend is having a bit of international auras. The organizer was inviting persons from China, Hongkong, Taiwan and South Korea. Purposely for Chinese descendants to try to find their love ones. We have to attend the event with our respective parents. Maybe the elders was afraid that we singletons will have raunchy party instead of matchmaking. At the beginning of the event, girls was presented with their ability in being a good wife. While the boys with their respective jobs. Discrimination???? Not really, I think. Even though I want the emcee said that I am a chef with four owned restaurants. Then we have to start to talk each other, mingling and doing games. I feel alienated as I realized, this is not my world. My circle of life is really different than this. I feel awkward. The organizer invited one famous singer from China for entertainment. Himself is still
single in his forties. Wonder if he wants one bride for himself.

I was talking with one of the attendees. A mother of someone. We talked so many things, about life, my jobs, and my perspective in this event. My parents was baffled seeing me talking with a woman when I am supposed to talk with men. Hey, finding a husband can be through his mother right? Then my mom presenting me with a man of her choice. Engaging me in conversation, I know he is smart but not my type. I prefer someone with good sense of humor, understanding and self composed. Truthfully my type I really want have to have three qualities. Merely basic things I really hope. Taller, older and have a decent job. And presentable. No need those polished teeth, gelled hair, and designers outfit. If he is handsome, I consider myself lucky. I left that man as soon as I know that he needs a trophy wife, not someone he can share his life with.

To be continued, part II