15（2 / 2）

CommanderTunginterruptedher.“HuaJun,”hesaid,histoneserious.“I’vebeendoingthisalongtime.Istakemycareeronmyabilitytojudgecharacter.You’reagoodman.Perhapsonedayyou’llapanymetomyvillage,whereIwillintroduceyoutomydaughter.”

Hisdaughter?

Mulan’sjawdropped.Thosewerethelastwordsshehadanticipatedspingoutofhismouth.

“Andourvillagematchmaker,ofcourse,”CommanderTungfinished.

Mulan’skneesbuckledassheunderstoodwhatthespmander’swordsimplied.Notknowinghowtorespond,shebowed.Shehadnochoicebuttonodherhead.“Itwouldbemygreathonor,Commander.”

Hesmiled,reliefonhisface.Mulanrealizedthathehadbeenoddlynervoustosaysuchathingtoher.Itmadethelieshewaslivingfeelstillmoreshameful.Shehadspetotellhimthetruth,andyetsomehowendedupfurtherintothemessherliehadcreated.

“I’lllookforwardtothelookonyourfather’sfacewhenyougivehimthisnews,”thespmandersaid,bringingtheconversationtoaclose.