Sheng Zexi placed the water in front of him, untouched, his gaze occasionally drifting to the room not far away, waiting expectantly for something.
His face slightly tense, lips pressed into a thin line, his heart in suspense.
In truth, this was one of the few moments of nervousness for Sheng Zexi in his more than twenty years of life; yesterday's proposal was one, and now this was another.
He knew how serious his physical ailment was in these times.
He could have hidden it and only revealed it after marriage.
But Sheng Zexi didn't do that.
During the meeting, he spoke honestly, even if it risked being rejected, he was unwilling to deceive Gu Jia Ning and the Gu Family.
He knew that even if Gu Jia Ning agreed, he would still owe her.
Actually, half a year ago, despite being moved, he left without expressing anything due to these concerns.
He tried to let go, but as time passed, his fondness and longing for Gu Jia Ning gradually deepened, and he ultimately couldn't let go.
So, he still came, arranging a matchmaker to propose.
Ultimately, he selfishly gave himself a first and last chance.
The sound of footsteps interrupted Sheng Zexi's thoughts, and he abruptly raised his head to see Gu Jia Ning's face as she emerged from the room. She gave him a sweet, gentle smile, her almond eyes bright, and seeing this smile somehow calmed his anxious heart.
The outcome is good, right?
"Xixi, find a time to come and propose," Yao Chunhua said after seating Gu Jia Ning down.
The Gu Family members looked at Yao Chunhua and Gu Jia Ning in surprise, opening their mouths as if to say something but in the end remained silent.
Yao Chunhua was the matriarch, and with Gu Jia Ning not opposing, they couldn't say anything either.
Sheng Zexi was overjoyed, his tense lips finally curving upward, his phoenix eyes shining brilliantly, "Alright, Auntie, I will find a time to propose soon and submit the marriage report to the organization as soon as I return."
His voice was low and firm, "Uncle, Auntie, rest assured, I, Sheng Zexi, swear by my life and faith that I will never wrong Ningning."
Seeing both sides in agreement, the matchmaker beamed with joy, and Yao Chunhua asked Gu Jia Ning to take Sheng Zexi outside for a walk, so the future couple could communicate a bit.
They walked one in front of the other, a meter apart. Although they were to be married, walking too close together might not look good to others.
Sheng Zexi gazed at the graceful silhouette ahead; ever since his mother's passing, his empty heart had been filled with a honeyed warmth.
Walking a bit closer, his gaze fell on the pale white hand hanging down by the girl's side. Sheng Zexi's fingertips trembled slightly, restraining the urge to hold on for a lifetime.
"Ningning, does this mean we're dating now?" Sheng Zexi asked.
Gu Jia Ning tilted her head to glance at him, nodding, "Yeah."
Sheng Zexi's eyebrows lifted with joy, "Then should I submit the marriage report to the organization today?"
"You can."
Sheng Zexi clenched his fist secretly, joy ripple through like waves.
Sheng Zexi then spoke to Gu Jia Ning about the wedding gift and invited her to visit the county's supply and marketing cooperative together, and Gu Jia Ning agreed.
As they walked down the road, they attracted quite a bit of attention.
Especially since just yesterday, Gu Jia Ning had caused a stir by reportedly jumping into the river, and today she was seen chatting and laughing with a handsome man in military uniform. Everyone was curious, even talking amongst themselves while working in the fields.
Zhao Weihong, who was peeling corn, felt her hands ache from the work, and when she heard the gossip and saw the dazzlingly beautiful Gu Jia Ning in a camel-colored coat, a trace of jealousy flashed in her eyes, and she clenched the corn in her hand tightly.
Then she looked at the tall officer beside Gu Jia Ning, feeling a little puzzled.
"I heard yesterday Gu Jia Ning agreed to the matchmaker's proposal, could it be this officer she's seeing?" Li Juan, also peeling corn, gently guessed.
"But isn't Gu Jia Ning in love with Wen Zhqing? This officer probably doesn't know about Gu Jia Ning jumping into the river for Wen Zhqing. He might be deceived by her." Li Juan furrowed her brow slightly, seemingly worried for the innocent officer.
"It must be, that shameless temptress Gu Jia Ning, watch how I expose her," Zhao Weihong angrily tossed down the corn in her hand, storming off.
Li Juan watched Zhao Weihong's retreating figure, her gaze darkening, tucking loose strands behind her ear, and lowered her head to continue peeling corn, her peripheral vision keeping an eye on the unfolding scene.
Zhao Weihong didn't like Gu Jia Ning, who kept hanging around Wen Zhqing, and now seeing an opportunity, she was certainly going to make the most of it.
As for Li Juan…
She too liked Wen Zhqing and was annoyed with Gu Jia Ning for clinging to him.
She didn't know why Gu Jia Ning was meeting with the officer.
But, even if Gu Jia Ning gave up Wen Zhqing, she didn't want to see Gu Jia Ning marry such a good officer.
Her peripheral vision landed on Gu Jia Ning's radiant, peach-blossom-like face, and Li Juan lowered her eyes to hide the jealousy within them.
Such a beautiful face, something she, a city girl, didn't have, nor did the female comrades at the commune, yet it appeared on a countryside village girl.
Li Juan also admired Wen Zhqing's refined face.
She knew many men liked Gu Jia Ning, and had stumbled upon Wen Zhqing coaxing Gu Jia Ning a few times.
She knew Wen Zhqing wasn't as gentle and gentlemanly as he seemed; that was just a façade.
Discovering this thrilled Li Juan.
She believed that a kindred spirit like Wen Zhqing would eventually be with her.
Zhao Weihong rushed up to Gu Jia Ning furiously, startling Gu Jia Ning, who nearly lost her balance and leaned back to avoid her.
Sheng Zexi quickly supported her back, "Are you alright?"
He raised his eyes to the woman who appeared suddenly, his gaze darkening.
Gu Jia Ning steadied herself, looked up to see an angry Zhao Weihong, observing for a moment before remembering she was the female comrade from the commune who liked Wen Zhqing, whose physical prowess wasn't strong, lacked intelligence, and was used by both Wen Zhqing and another female comrade.
"Zhao Weihong, what are you going crazy for?" Gu Jia Ning retorted directly.
Zhao Weihong glanced at the tall officer with a rebellious look, who seemed unfriendly towards her, feeling some hesitation but still mustering the courage, "Officer, are you here to see Gu Jia Ning?"
"You probably don't know that yesterday Gu Jia Ning liked Wen Zhqing from our commune and even jumped into the river for him."
"Today she's seeing you, she's just a flighty woman."
Saying this, she glared angrily at Gu Jia Ning, pointing at her, "Gu Jia Ning, you already have Wen Zhqing yet you're meeting other male comrades. What are you plotting? Are you trying to cheat on him? Wen Zhqing was even beaten by your third brother for you, but do you not even have a word of apology?"
Gu Jia Ning furrowed her brow, slapping Zhao Weihong's pointing finger heavily, her cute face turning serious, "I hate when people point at me like that."