Junsheng sent several letters, along with many photos. Among them were family portraits and snapshots of everyday life. From the photos, Junsheng's home appeared as a beautiful Western-style house, with two cars and several servants. Compared to Ashan's family environment, it was truly enviable.
In his letters, Junsheng's father repeatedly mentioned that Junsheng received a Western education and must marry a wise Chinese wife to not forget his roots. These letters and photos gradually influenced Ashan's mother, who began to believe that her eldest daughter could find happiness there, at least avoiding the anxious and lonely life of a military family like her own.
Six months later, Junsheng's father sent another letter, sincerely inviting Ashan's parents and sister to visit Malaysia, even sending plane tickets. This made Ashan's sister very nervous. Ma Yingding couldn't resist visiting Ashan's parents, expressing his desire to marry their eldest daughter.
Ashan's mother sighed and said, 'Ah, I know you're a good kid, and both Ashan's dad and I consider you family. If you truly love our daughter, let her go! You will surely find a better girl than her. Don't blame us; blame this era! We were born in such a difficult time, everyone leaving their homes, sacrificing for the country. How can we still focus on our children's private affairs? Besides, if you do this, won't you hinder our girl's future happiness?'
Ma Yingding pleaded bitterly, but Ashan's mother remained unmoved. Finally, unable to control his temper, Ma Yingding exploded: 'Enough! Everything is false. You look down on me because I'm poor, because I'm in the Air Force, right? I hate you!' With that, he stormed out.
Ashan's sister stood up, wanting to chase after him. Ashan's mother sternly shouted, 'No, you're not allowed to go out! If you go, don't bother coming back.'
Ashan's sister collapsed to the ground, crying loudly. Ashan's mother approached, embracing her, and lamented, 'Darling, Mom doesn't really want you to leave. You're my precious, my flesh and blood. How can I bear to let you go?' Ashan's sister pushed her mother away without saying a word, rushing into her room and collapsing on the bed, too heartbroken to even cry.
Ashan's father, due to his military duties, couldn't leave the country, and Ashan's mother didn't want the Chen family to incur expenses, so she politely declined Mr. Chen's kind offer. However, their daughter's plane ticket remained, to be discussed once her emotions settled. Unexpectedly, the stubborn Ashan's sister refused adamantly to accept the invitation to Malaysia. This put Ashan's mother in a difficult position, and after a prolonged cold war, the issue remained unresolved.
One day, unable to contain herself, Ashan's mother asked her daughter what she intended to do. She replied, 'I want to marry Ma Yingding. I refuse to go to Malaysia!' Angered, Ashan's mother said, 'Fine, you're grown up now, and I can't control you anymore. If you insist on Ma Yingding, then decide: do you want Mom and this family or not?'
Poor Ashan's mother truly cherished her daughter and had no choice but to resort to this last resort. Even more pitiable was Ashan's eldest sister, who, despite loving Ma Yingding deeply, couldn't bear to leave her family!
俊生寄來了好幾封信，也附上不少的照片，裏面有俊生全家福，也有居家生活的片段。從相片裏，可以看出俊生家是相當漂亮的洋房，家裏有兩部車，也有不少傭人。比起阿三家的環境，實在是令人羡慕。
俊生爸也在來信中再三提及，俊生受的是洋教育，一定要娶一位中國賢慧媳婦，才不會讓他忘本。這些信及相片確實影響到阿三媽，她慢慢地相信，大姐應該可以在這裏面找到幸福，至少不必像她自己一樣，過著軍眷既提心吊膽，又常需強忍寂寞的苦日子。
半年後，俊生爸來了封信，誠心誠意地邀阿三爸媽及大姐去馬來西亞玩，並且還寄了機票來。這下子，大姐可真的緊張了。馬大哥更是忍不住來拜訪阿三爸媽，表達要娶大姐的意願。
阿三媽嘆了口氣說道：「唉！我知道你是個好孩子，我及阿三爸都把你當作是自己人。如果你是愛著丫頭，就放她走吧！你一定可以找到比丫頭更好的女孩子。不要怪我們，要怪就怪這個時代吧！誰叫我們生在這個苦難的時代，大家離鄉背井、為國賣命，怎能還顧著兒女私情呢？何況你如此做，不是阻礙了丫頭的幸福前程嗎？」
馬大哥再三苦苦哀求，阿三媽始終不為所動。最後馬大哥控制不了自己的山東脾氣，發作了起來：「不要說了，什麼都是假的。你們是嫌我窮，嫌我是空軍，對不對？我恨你們！」然後奪門而去。
大姐站起身來，想追了出去。阿三媽嚴厲地叫道：「不准跟出去！如果妳出去了，就不用回來了。」
大姐聽了噗通一聲坐在地上，大聲地哭了出來。這時阿三媽上前抱住大姐，唏噓地說道：「丫頭，媽媽不是真的不想妳回來。妳是媽的心肝寶貝，妳是我手上的肉，我怎麼捨得妳走呢？」大姐推開了媽不發一語，衝進了房間倒在床上，傷心得連聲音都哭不出來了。
阿三爸因為軍職在身不能出國，阿三媽也不願讓陳家破費，所以就推辭了陳老先生的好意。不過大姐的機票倒是留了下來，待大姐心情平靜之後再說吧！沒想到大姐也是倔脾氣，說什麼也不肯答應接受邀請前往馬來西亞。這下可讓阿三媽為難了。經過了相當一段時間的冷戰事情，還是沒有解決。
有天阿三媽實在按捺不住，追問大姐到底要怎麼樣？大姐回答：「我就是要嫁給馬英鼎，我不要去馬來西亞！」阿三媽氣著說：「好，妳長大了，媽管不住妳了。妳如果一定要馬英鼎，妳就是決定不要媽，不要這個家了。妳去作個選擇吧！」
可憐阿三媽是真正疼惜女兒不得不出此下策。更可憐的是阿三大姐，她就是再怎麼深愛著馬英鼎，也捨不得離開這個家啊！
