"What did you say?" Bai Xue asked, stunned.
"Xiao Xue, if, if you don't dislike me, could you give me a chance? I know it's too sudden to say it like this, but I've been thinking about it for a long, long time," Zhang Yuan said, somewhat tongue-tied.
"You said... you liked me at first sight?" Bai Xue asked.
"Yes!" Zhang Yuan replied earnestly.
"When was that?"
"In the summer, when I first went out to work at Chaoyang Commune. I remember it was a very sunny day, we were weeding in the field together, and I liked you the first moment I saw you!" Zhang Yuan remained earnest, his eyes filled with memories.
"I was very different then from who I am now! Ever since you saved me that time, I've been living a new life. Do you still like me like this?" Bai Xue asked tentatively.
"No matter when, it's always you that I like. A few days ago in Pingyang Town, when I spoke to you for the first time, I admit, at first, I just liked your beauty and your aura, but since that day I met you again in Pingyang Town, I'm sure I like everything about you!"
Bai Xue instantly understood. Zhang Yuan initially liked the original host just for her looks. It was only after she arrived that they truly intersected. Besides, he's like her idol, no, just like a boy who's her idol, and also her savior. If she had to marry someone, undoubtedly, he would be the best choice.
They both began with looks; she also liked his appearance. Because she didn't know him well yet, she could only like his looks for now.
She is a modern person; if she found out later that she didn't like his personality, she could just leave. There's no concept of marrying only one person for life. Divorce is not an insurmountable issue for her! So why not give it a try?
So she said, "Okay!" just one word, an inexplicable word.
The surroundings quieted down. No one spoke, no one pointed fingers; they just quietly watched the two because this was the first time in their brigade that someone settled their own lifelong matter without parents.
Zhang Yuan was stunned for a moment. When he realized what Bai Xue's "okay" meant, he became uncontrollably excited.
Just one word, a word that made Zhang Yuan's heart boil. After Bai Xue agreed, she also felt a little giddy. In just a week in this era, she had solved her lifelong matter. What speed!
"You agreed, right? Xiao Xue, you agreed to me, right?" Zhang Yuan repeatedly asked, confirming.
Seeing Zhang Yuan so nervous and excited, Bai Xue felt inexplicably happy. She nodded gently, giving Zhang Yuan a definite answer.
When Bai Xue nodded, he was so excited he wanted to step forward and hug her, but with so many people around, he just tightly clenched his fists, smiling foolishly at her.
The young intellectuals' minds were blown; they had never seen this side of Zhang Yuan. Especially Li Jianshe, his eyes were about to pop out.
Where did his aloof male god go? Where was the Zhang Yuan who always had a cold face and never said more than four words?
While everyone was watching the two, unable to react, an elderly woman's sharp voice came to their ears.
"Oh, the youth today! So casual! Settling a major life decision with just two sentences! How disgraceful!"
The old woman who had previously said Bai Daliang's daughter was undesirable spoke again.
She spoke so unpleasantly.
"Since ancient times, marriage matters are determined by the parents' orders and matchmakers' words! How can it be this casual? Haven't you heard so many people say you have no shame?" Zhao Hongmei eventually couldn't hold it in and glared viciously at Bai Xue.
The other three female intellectuals also looked at her with disapproving faces, glaring at her.
"The parents' orders and matchmakers' words? What era do you think this is, still so stubborn! Arranged marriages are illegal, you know? Now it's all about promoting free love! As educated youth, how can you say something like 'marriage matters are determined by the parents' orders and matchmakers' words?' What a disgrace to educated youth!" Bai Xue's heart was boiling with emotions, but she wasn't the type to be insulted like that without responding.
Besides, she had agreed with Zhang Yuan to get engaged; he was hers. Zhao Hongmei coveting her man was absolutely intolerable.
"You... shameless, at such a young age seducing a man!" Zhao Hongmei's face turned livid, pointing at Bai Xue.
"Seducing? Does it even require seducing? You think everyone is like you? Seducing yet can't succeed!" Bai Xue retorted mercilessly.
There were too many people here, and she couldn't openly scold the old woman, but this unlucky one who came to pick a fight, she didn't spare at all.
"It was me who approached Xiao Xue, me who pursued her, you all saw it! If I hear any bad rumors about Bai Ruxue in the future, I won't let it go!" Zhang Yuan scanned everyone around them with his eyes, speaking firmly.
The courtyard outside the intellectuals' point was crowded with people. Grandma Bai couldn't possibly not hear about it; there were plenty of gossip-mongers. Who knew who ran off to tell Grandma Bai.
While Bai Ruxue and Zhao Hongmei bickered, Grandma Bai came running over, panting heavily.
"I say you young intellectual, wanting to marry my granddaughter without even offering a bride price, it's not happening!"
"Oh, Grandma Bai finally arrived, such a granddaughter really should be taken home and given a good beating to educate her!"
"Don't talk nonsense! Xiao Xue hasn't done anything too excessive!"
"Not excessive? She privately settled her lifetime without even asking her parents!"
"Exactly, really shameless!"
A few old women gathered and chatted away.
Seeing Grandma Bai arrive made them even more excited.
"I say... Auntie, Uncles! Do you really feel good saying such things about others? Don't you think you're being too much?" While they were talking, a young girl came through the crowd, charming and pretty. Even though she wore the same plain gray clothes as everyone else, she couldn't hide her beautiful looks.
"Xuehua! What you said, we are only telling the truth! Look at Bai Ruxue, she just agreed with that young intellectual Zhang Yuan to get engaged! This is really..."
Wang Xuehua, the daughter of the brigade leader Wang Jianjun, sixteen years old, usually very close with Bai Ruxue, the two are best friends.
"I say Auntie, do you fancy that young intellectual, or what? How does it concern you when two people are in a relationship? Or is it that you want to betroth Zhang Yuan to your daughter, but he didn't like her, so you feel uncomfortable?" Wang Xuehua said mercilessly.
But these people didn't dare to act too excessively with Wang Xuehua because she was the brigade leader's daughter, fearing the brigade leader might retaliate.
"I'm not talking to you, what do you little girls know?" The gossiping aunt's face turned livid, and after saying a sentence, slinked away, afraid Wang Xuehua might latch onto her.
Wang Xuehua didn't waste any more words with her, and walked towards Bai Ruxue.