Sheng Ze Xi's water sat untouched before him, his gaze occasionally falling on the nearby room, expectant of something.
His face was slightly tense, his lips a straight line, his heart pounding.
Honestly, these were among the few times in Sheng Ze Xi's twenty-plus years that he felt such trepidation and nervousness; yesterday's matchmaking was one, and this moment was another.
He knew how serious his condition was in this era.
He could have concealed it, revealing it after the marriage.
But Sheng Ze Xi did not.
During the blind date, he truthfully revealed his condition, even though he might be rejected; however, he did not want to deceive Gu Jia Ning and the Gu Family.
He knew that even if Gu Jia Ning agreed, he would still be letting her down.
Actually, six months ago, even though he was smitten, he left without any indication because of these concerns.
He tried to let go, but as time went on, his affection and longing for Gu Jia Ning deepened, and he ultimately couldn't let go.
Therefore, he still came, asking the matchmaker to arrange a meeting.
Ultimately, he was selfish this once, taking it as his first and last chance.
Footsteps broke Sheng Ze Xi's thoughts. He suddenly looked up and met Gu Jia Ning's gaze as she emerged from the room. She gave him a sweet and gentle smile, her almond eyes shining. Seeing that smile, Sheng Ze Xi's anxious heart somehow calmed.
The outcome was good, right?
"Young Ze Xi, find some time to propose," Yao Chunhua said after pulling Gu Jia Ning to sit down.
The Gu Family looked at Yao Chunhua and Gu Jia Ning in surprise, opening their mouths as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Yao Chunhua was the head of the household, and Gu Jia Ning didn't object, so they couldn't say anything either.
Sheng Ze Xi was overjoyed. His tense lips finally curved upward, his phoenix eyes shining brilliantly. "Okay, Aunt, I will find time to propose soon. I will submit the marriage report to the Organization upon returning."
His voice was low and resonant. "Uncle, Aunt, rest assured, I, Sheng Ze Xi, swear on my life and beliefs that I will never let Ningning down."
Seeing that both sides had reached an agreement, the matchmaker beamed. Yao Chunhua asked Gu Jia Ning to take Sheng Ze Xi outside for a walk, so the future couple could communicate.
They walked one behind the other, keeping a meter's distance, as it wasn't appropriate for them to be too close if others saw them, even though they were getting married.
Sheng Ze Xi gazed at the graceful figure ahead. Since his mother's passing, his empty heart was full of honey, overflowing with sweetness.
Approaching closer, his gaze fell on the girl's slender, white hand. Sheng Ze Xi's fingertips trembled, suppressing the urge to hold her hand and never let go.
"Ningning, are we officially dating now?" Sheng Ze Xi asked.
Gu Jia Ning glanced at him and nodded. "Yes."
Sheng Ze Xi's eyebrows danced. "Then I'll submit the marriage report to the Organization when I get back today?"
"Okay."
Sheng Ze Xi secretly clenched his fist, the joy in his heart rippling like water.
Sheng Ze Xi also talked to Gu Jia Ning about the dowry and invited her to visit the county town Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and Gu Jia Ning agreed to both.
As they walked along the road, they attracted quite a bit of attention.
Especially since Gu Jia Ning had caused a scene by jumping into the river yesterday, and today she was laughing and talking with a handsome man in a military uniform, everyone was curious. Even those working in the fields were whispering among themselves.
Zhao Weihong, whose hands ached from husking corn, heard the gossip and saw Gu Jia Ning, radiant in a camel-colored coat. A flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, and she clutched the corn tightly.
Then she saw the tall military officer beside Gu Jia Ning, puzzled.
"I heard that yesterday Gu Jia Ning agreed to the matchmaker's blind date. Could that military officer be the one who's going to be seeing Gu Jia Ning?" Li Juan, who was also husking corn nearby, whispered softly, guessing.
"But doesn't Gu Jia Ning like Wen Zhiqing? It seems that the officer certainly doesn't know about Gu Jia Ning jumping into the river for Wen Zhiqing. Could he have been deceived by Gu Jia Ning?" Li Juan frowned slightly, seemingly somewhat worried for the innocent officer.
"Of course he was! That shameless vixen Gu Jia Ning, just wait and see how I expose her," Zhao Weihong angrily threw down the corn and stormed over.
Li Juan watched Zhao Weihong's back, her eyes darkening. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, lowered her head to husk corn again, and used her peripheral vision to pay attention to the situation nearby.
Zhao Weihong liked Wen Zhiqing, and she had always disliked Gu Jia Ning for clinging to Wen Zhiqing. Now that she had the chance, she was definitely going to make the most of it.
As for Li Juan…
She also liked Wen Zhuqing and was annoyed by Gu Jia Ning's pursuit of Wen Zhuqing.
She didn't understand why Gu Jia Ning would have a blind date with that officer.
But even if Gu Jia Ning gave up on Wen Zhuqing, she didn't want to see Gu Jia Ning marry such a good officer.
Her peripheral vision fell on Gu Jia Ning's bright and beautiful face, like a blooming peach blossom. Li Juan lowered her gaze, concealing the jealousy in her eyes.
Such a beautiful face—why didn't she, a city girl, have it? Even the female comrades in their Intellectual Youth Point were no match for it, and yet it was on a country girl.
Li Juan also liked Wen Zhuqing's refined face.
She also knew that Gu Jia Ning was beautiful, liked by many men, and she had accidentally witnessed Wen Zhuqing deceiving Gu Jia Ning several times.
She knew that Wen Zhuqing wasn't as gentle and refined as he appeared; that was just a disguise.
When she discovered this, Li Juan was particularly excited.
She believed that Wen Zhuqing, who was of the same kind as her, would eventually only be with her.
Zhao Weihong stormed up to Gu Jia Ning, startling her. Gu Jia Ning lost her balance and leaned back to avoid her.
Sheng Ze Xi reacted quickly, supporting her back with his hand. "Are you alright?"
He looked up at the woman who had suddenly appeared, his eyes darkening.
Gu Jia Ning steadied herself, looked up at Zhao Weihong's angry face, and after considering for a moment, remembered the female Intellectual Youth at the Intellectual Youth Point who liked Wen Zhuqing. Unfortunately, she was not only weak and simple-minded but was also used by Wen Zhuqing and another female Intellectual Youth at the point.
"Zhao Weihong, what's gotten into you?" Gu Jia Ning retorted directly.
Zhao Weihong glanced at the tall officer, whose expression seemed unfriendly towards her, and hesitated, but still mustered her courage. "Officer Comrade, are you here for a blind date with Gu Jia Ning?"
"You probably don't know, but yesterday Gu Jia Ning liked Wen Zhiqing from our Intellectual Youth Point, and yesterday she even jumped into the river for him."
"And today she's on a blind date with you. She's a fickle woman."
After speaking, she angrily glared at Gu Jia Ning and pointed at her. "Gu Jia Ning, you already have Wen Zhiqing, and you're still on a blind date with other male comrades. What are you up to? Are you trying to have an affair? Wen Zhiqing was beaten by your Third Brother because of you, and you haven't even said sorry?"
Gu Jia Ning frowned, slapped Zhao Weihong's pointing finger away, and her pretty face fell. "I hate it when people point at me like that."
"