Chapter 11 : Who’s Betrothal Gift is Higher?

The villagers saw Shen Zheng in his military uniform and quickly made way for him as he walked into the courtyard.

“What, this person is the Captain?”

“Oh my, what a big shot!”

“What’s the connection between the Captain and the Fang family?”

“I heard someone introduced a Captain to Yaqiu before, I wonder if it’s the same one.”

“Could it be that this leader knows Yaqiu is getting married to someone else and has come to settle scores?”

“This is bad, does this mean the Fang family is going to fight today?”

Despite the speculation, everyone had a look of excitement on their faces, clearly enjoying the drama unfolding.

Shen Zheng, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard any of the gossip. He walked straight up to Fang Xiaoluo. “Am I coming at a bad time?”

Fang Xiaoluo looked up at him, her eyebrows arched and her eyes bright, looking both lovely and obedient.

In truth, her inner thoughts were: ‘Has Shen Zheng turned on his charm today? He’s so handsome!’

She couldn’t help but notice his well-defined chest muscles, his sun-kissed skin, his height, and that perfect inverted triangle shape.

She even recalled how he looked the other day, shirtless, with several scars on his body that still seemed intimidating… and how he felt…

“No, not at all, welcome,” she replied, her voice soft.

Shen Zheng was momentarily taken aback. It had only been a few days, but it seemed like Fang Xiaoluo had become even more beautiful. Her eyes were clear and lively, almost like they could speak for themselves.

“I was actually planning to find you today, and here you are,” Fang Xiaoluo said with a smile. “Let’s go, let’s head inside.”

Zhang Xinyan and the others hadn’t yet figured out what was going on, but since Fang Xiaoluo had invited them inside, they all followed her in.

Xu Yaqiu pursed her lips, standing there for a while before following them in. She wanted to see what Fang Xiaoluo and Shen Zheng would talk about. Moreover, she was still waiting for Fang Xiaoluo to marry Shen Zheng and live a hard life.

Once inside, Fang Xiaoluo enthusiastically went to pour some water and introduced Shen Zheng to her parents. “Dad, Mom, this is Shen Zheng, Captain Shen. You’ve probably heard of him.”

Then, Fang Xiaoluo introduced her family members one by one to Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng was very polite and respectful. “Uncle, Aunt.”

He placed the items he had brought on the table. “This is my first visit, so I just bought a few things. Please accept them.”

Fang Xiaoluo glanced at the items,half a rack of ribs, a large piece of pork, two bottles of canned goods, two cans of milk powder, two bottles of alcohol, a large bundle of noodles, and a bag of apples.

Zhang Xinyan and Fang Shijun had naturally heard of Shen Zheng, wasn’t he the one who had been introduced to Xu Yaqiu as a matchmaker candidate?

“This is too much, we can’t accept it,” Fang Shijun said. “Captain Shen, please take it back. We can’t accept such gifts without merit.”

Shen Zheng replied, “Comrade Fang has done me a great favor, so this is nothing. Please accept it, or I won’t feel right.”

Fang Xiaoluo looked at him. ‘When did I do him a favor?’ His reason for giving the gift was one that made it hard to refuse.

“This…” Zhang Xinyan hesitated, looking at Fang Xiaoluo.

Fang Xiaoluo said, “Mom, since Captain Shen insists, let’s just accept it for now.”

After all, she had Shen Zheng’s address. She could always send something to him later. If nothing else, she could send gifts to his three children or his mother.

Xu Yaqiu stared at the items, feeling unsettled. Before she married Shen Zheng in her previous life, she never had these things!

Shen Zheng was so nice to Fang Xiaoluo ‘Why does she deserve all this?’

Everyone gathered around the table, and Fang Jie, along with Fang Yamei and Fang Yating, took the things they brought and left the room.

Xu Yaqiu sat down, casually asking, “Xiaoluo, congratulations. It seems that you and Captain Shen are about to get married. When’s the wedding? Don’t forget to let me know. Mom and Dad are still thinking about you and plan to come support you.”

Fang Xiaoluo stared at Xu Yaqiu and responded lightly, “You’re being overly concerned. I never planned to invite you.”

Xu Yaqiu’s smile froze on her face. Fang Xiaoluo was becoming more and more unpleasant to deal with, not giving her any room to save face.

“Enough, Xu Yaqiu, stop pretending. You’re not welcome here. Take your junk and leave,” Fang Xiaoluo directly ordered.

Xu Yaqiu grabbed Zhang Xinyan’s sleeve. “Mom, look at Xiaoluo.”

Zhang Xinyan pulled her sleeve away. “Xiaoluo’s right. You should leave. We won’t be attending your wedding. We, poor relatives, would only embarrass you.”

Xu Yaqiu was stunned, unable to believe that Zhang Xinyan, who had always dote on her, would say such cold words.

Fang Xiaoluo stood up. “The door is over there. You’re free to go.”

“And remember to eat normal food from now on. Stop eating crap, or you’ll keep running your mouth with nonsense!”

Xu Yaqiu’s face turned red with anger, but she still tried to salvage the situation. “Fang Xiaoluo, you’re just jealous that Zhou Yanwen chose me. You’re jealous that I got two thousand in betrothal gifts. You’re just jealous of me! Let me tell you, no man will ever pay two thousand for you!”

“I’ll pay three thousand!” Shen Zheng’s firm voice rang out, and the room fell silent.

Xu Yaqiu struggled to find her voice. “W-what? What did you say?”

Fang Xiaoluo widened her eyes, staring at Shen Zheng.

The Fang family members were all dumbfounded. Did they just hear that right? Three thousand?

Someone was actually offering three thousand for a bride?

Fang Xiaoluo asked softly, “Shen Zheng, what are you talking about?”

Even though she had only recently crossed over, she knew just how big a sum three thousand was.

Shen Zheng adjusted his collar and sleeves, stood up, and looked at Fang Xiaoluo seriously. “Comrade Fang, I’m not sure what you’ve been thinking lately, but after much consideration, I feel the need to express myself. Comrade Fang, I want to marry you. If you’re willing to marry me, I’ll offer three thousand as the betrothal gift, and in addition, I’ll give you ration tickets for food, fabric, meat, and more. Anything I have, I’ll give to you. My savings, my future salary and allowances, everything will be yours to manage. You’ll be the mistress of the Shen family.”

“I’ll do everything I can to treat you well, not let you suffer, and make sure you’re not overworked. I know that marrying me might not seem fair to you, but I am sincere.”

For Shen Zheng, this was something he had to do.

Although he and Fang Xiaoluo hadn’t yet reached the final step, she was an unmarried woman and he had seen her, so now she was his responsibility.

Zhang Xinyan and the others were still confused about what was going on, but hearing Shen Zheng’s words was truly moving.

Xu Yaqiu took two steps back, her face pale.

What Shen Zheng had just said was nothing short of a slap in the face.

Thinking back to her previous life, Shen Zheng had only given her five hundred as betrothal money, and that was it. What else? Nothing!

Why was there such a big difference between the two of them, even though both were marrying Shen Zheng?

She staggered out of the Fang house, feeling utterly humiliated. What kept her going was the thought of Fang Xiaoluo marrying into the Shen family, and those three troublesome kids, how easy could it be to be their stepmother?

Fang Xiaoluo looked at Shen Zheng’s determined profile, and her heart couldn’t help but race.

She felt like she was being overwhelmed by the raw magnetism coming from this man.

She had never intended to get involved with Shen Zheng, but now, she found herself completely distracted by the way he looked at her. Those eyes were damn captivating.

Fang Xiaoluo slapped her face, realizing she had turned into a lovesick fool!