Sheng Zexi set the glass of water down in front of him but didn't drink, his eyes drifting every so often toward the nearby room, as if hoping for something.
His face was slightly tense, lips pressed into a straight line, his heart fluttering with anxiety.
To be honest, in his twenty-odd years, this was one of Sheng Zexi's rare moments of nervousness—yesterday's proposal was one, and now, this was another.
He knew just how serious his physical condition was in this era.
He could've kept it secret, waited until after marriage to confess.
But Sheng Zexi didn't do that.
During the meeting, he had told the truth, even knowing he might be rejected; still, he refused to deceive Ningning or the Gu Family.
He understood, even if Ningning agreed, he still owed her.
In fact, half a year ago, even though he had feelings for her, he left without saying anything precisely because of this worry.
He tried to let go, but as time passed, his feelings and longing for Ningning only grew deeper; in the end, he still couldn't let go.
So he'd come anyway, sending a matchmaker to propose.
In the end, he'd chosen to be selfish, giving himself his first—also his last—chance.
Footsteps interrupted Sheng Zexi's thoughts. He looked up abruptly to see Ningning walk out of the room. She flashed him a sweet, gentle smile, her bright almond eyes beaming. Seeing that smile, somehow, the knots in Sheng Zexi's heart unwound, calming his nerves.
This was a good result, right?
"Zexi boy, you pick a time and come make a formal proposal." After pulling Ningning down to sit beside her, Yao Chunhua spoke up.
The Gu Family members looked at Yao Chunhua and Ningning in surprise, mouths opening as if wanting to speak, but in the end, no one said anything.
Yao Chunhua was the head woman of the family, and with Ningning's agreement, they couldn't object either.
Sheng Zexi was overjoyed; his tense lips finally curved upward, his phoenix eyes shining, "Alright, Auntie, I'll find a time soon to come and make a formal proposal. When I get back, I'll submit a marriage report to the organization."
His voice was low and steady, ringing with conviction. "Uncle, Auntie, please trust me. I, Sheng Zexi, swear on my life and my convictions, I will never let Ningning down."
Seeing both sides reach an agreement, the matchmaker beamed with joy. Yao Chunhua asked Ningning to take Sheng Zexi out for a walk—let the future couple have some time to talk.
The two walked one after the other, keeping about a meter apart. Though they were set to marry, it wouldn't look good if seen walking too close together.
Sheng Zexi looked at the graceful figure ahead. Ever since his mother passed, the emptiness in his heart had slowly been filled with honey-like sweetness that warmed him from within.
Getting closer, his gaze fell to the delicate fair hand of the young woman hanging at her side. Sheng Zexi's fingertips trembled slightly, fighting the urge to take her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
"Ningning, does this mean we're dating now?" Sheng Zexi asked.
Ningning glanced at him, then nodded. "That's right."
Sheng Zexi's eyes and brows lifted in delight. "Then should I go back today and file a marriage report with the organization?"
"You can."
Sheng Zexi silently clenched his fist in joy; happiness rippled through him like waves on water.
Sheng Zexi then talked with Ningning about the betrothal gifts, and even invited her to go shopping at the county supply and marketing cooperative. Ningning agreed to everything.
As the two of them walked along the road, they drew plenty of attention.
Especially since yesterday Ningning had caused a scene trying to jump in the river, and today she was chatting and laughing with a handsome man in military uniform. Even those working in the fields nearby kept glancing over, whispering amongst themselves.
Zhao Weihong, her hands sore from peeling corn, overheard the gossip and looked up, catching sight of Ningning in a camel-colored coat, beautiful and radiant. A flicker of jealousy passed through her eyes as she gripped the corn in her hand tightly.
She glanced again at the tall officer by Ningning's side, a little puzzled.
"I heard yesterday that Ningning agreed to a match arranged by the matchmaker. Isn't that officer the one she was being matched with?" Li Juan, also peeling corn, glanced over, her tone soft as she guessed.
"But doesn't Ningning like Wen Zhuqing? Looks like the officer has no idea she tried to drown herself for Wen Zhuqing yesterday. Maybe Ningning tricked him?" Li Juan furrowed her brows slightly, sounding genuinely concerned for the unsuspecting officer.
"Of course. That shameless fox Ningning—just watch me expose her!" Zhao Weihong threw down the corn resentfully and stormed over in a fury.
Watching Zhao Weihong's retreating figure, Li Juan's eyes darkened. She tucked loosened hair behind her ear, bowed her head to keep peeling corn, but her gaze still trailed toward the commotion ahead.
Zhao Weihong liked Wen Zhuqing, but Ningning was always pestering Wen Zhuqing—Li Juan couldn't stand it. Now that she saw a chance, she was sure to make the most of it.
As for Li Juan herself…
She also liked Wen Zhqing and resented Ningning's constant pursuit of Wen Zhqing.
She didn't know why Ningning was meeting that officer for matchmaking now.
But even if Ningning gave up on Wen Zhqing, Li Juan wasn't willing to see Ningning marry such a good officer either.
Her gaze landed on Ningning's beautiful, almost peach blossom-like face. Li Juan lowered her eyes to hide the jealousy beneath.
How could such a pretty face belong to a country bumpkin girl, when a city girl like herself or the girls at the Educated Youth Station couldn't compare?
Li Juan also liked Wen Zhqing's handsome, elegant face.
And she knew very well that with Ningning's good looks, she attracted a lot of men. She'd even witnessed Wen Zhqing coaxing Ningning a few times by chance.
She knew Wen Zhqing wasn't at all the gentle, refined gentleman he put forward—in fact, it was all just an act.
Realizing this had made Li Juan even more excited.
She believed that someone like Wen Zhqing, a kindred spirit, would eventually end up with her.
Zhao Weihong charged furiously up to Ningning and startled her. Ningning lost her balance, stumbling back to avoid her.
Sheng Zexi moved fast, hand steadying her back, "Are you alright?"
He lifted his gaze at the woman who'd appeared out of nowhere, a cold look coming into his eyes.
Ningning steadied herself, glanced up at the angry Zhao Weihong, studied her for a moment, then remembered—she was the girl from the Educated Youth Station who had a crush on Wen Zhqing. Pity, really: all brawn and no brains, always used by Wen Zhqing, and manipulated by the other female educated youth as well.
"Zhao Weihong, what's your problem?" Ningning fired back bluntly.
Zhao Weihong swept her eyes over the tall, rebellious-looking officer, who seemed unfriendly towards her. She hesitated, but braced herself and asked, "Comrade Officer, are you here for a matchmaking with Ningning?"
"Maybe you don't know—yesterday, Ningning went after Wen Zhqing from our Educated Youth Station. She even tried to throw herself in the river for him."
"And now she's matchmaking with you. She's a real loose woman."
With that, she glared at Ningning in anger, pointing at her. "Ningning, you already have Wen Zhqing, yet you're pursuing other men! What's your game—looking to sleep around? Wen Zhqing got beaten by your third brother because of you, and you haven't even apologized!"
Ningning frowned, slapping Zhao Weihong's pointing finger away hard. Her dainty face turned cold. "I hate it when people point at me like that."