Chapter 12 : I Agree

Before Fang Xiaoluo could say anything, Zhang Xinyan became anxious and said, “Captain Shen, please have a seat for a moment. I need to talk to Xiaoluo.”

Shen Zheng was not in a hurry and showed great respect to Zhang Xinyan, replying, “Of course.”

Zhang Xinyan took Fang Xiaoluo to a room across from them that was empty and said, “Xiaoluo, tell me, what’s going on between you and Captain Shen?”

Fang Xiaoluo had expected this question from Zhang Xinyan.

She had told her about everything except for her time-traveling experience and how she had used spiritual water to neutralize the effects of the medicine.

After hearing everything, Zhang Xinyan was furious. “Yaqiu actually did something like this! I swear, I could just kill her!”

With that, tears started welling up in her eyes. Thinking about the bad experience her own daughter had gone through, her heart broke. “My dear daughter, what are we going to do now? How can you deal with this?”

“Mom, it’s all in the past,” Fang Xiaoluo comforted her. “And I haven’t had anything with Captain Shen. Also, there’s nothing we can do about it. We can’t go to the police because it would ruin both mine and his reputation. Just consider it as me slapping her once.”

Zhang Xinyan knew well that it wasn’t something she could broadcast to others, but as she looked at Fang Xiaoluo, her heart ached. “I used to think Captain Shen wasn’t a good match for you because he already has three kids. Anyone who marries him will have to be their stepmother. But now, with everything that’s happened between you two, this marriage must go ahead.”

As for the stepmother issue, Fang Xiaoluo didn’t really mind. Being a stepmother wasn’t so difficult, and she could even handle it without much pain.

In this era, when people got married, it was expected that they’d have children. One of the benefits of marrying Shen Zheng was that no one would pressure her to have kids of her own. She could avoid the stress of childbirth.

“I’m sorry, Xiaoluo. I raised Xu Yaqiu, this ingrate, and now she’s back in the city to cause you trouble. You’ve suffered because of her,” Zhang Xinyan said, her tears flowing again.

Fang Xiaoluo gently wiped away her tears. “Mom, it’s not your fault. You can never know a person’s true character. No one could have predicted she would do something so heartless.”

Zhang Xinyan took Fang Xiaoluo’s hand. “All I want is for Captain Shen to really treat you well, wholeheartedly.”

“Fortunately, his military base isn’t too far from us, so it’s convenient for him to come back. If you’re ever wronged, just come back and tell us. Though we may not be wealthy, we can always support you. We’ll always be your solid backing.”

Fang Xiaoluo felt a wave of emotion as she listened. Her eyes started to water, but she held back her tears.

In truth, she could choose not to marry, but for some reason, she now found herself wanting to get closer to Shen Zheng.

She trusted his character.

If Shen Zheng’s character had been flawed, he wouldn’t have ended things when he still had some rationality left in him.

Also, he had believed her without question, drinking the medicine she gave him without any hesitation.

Since marriage was inevitable, maybe Shen Zheng wasn’t such a bad choice after all.

It took a while for Zhang Xinyan to stop crying. Fang Xiaoluo prepared some water for her to apply to her eyes, and she seemed to feel much better.

Fang Xiaoluo and Zhang Xinyan had been gone for a long time, and Fang Shijun and Fang Qiang were now uncertain about what to talk to Shen Zheng about.

Shen Zheng was starting to feel nervous too.

He had been through tough missions and gunfights without feeling nervous, but now, for some reason, he felt a little anxious.

When Fang Xiaoluo and Zhang Xinyan returned, he felt a sudden sense of tension.

Fang Xiaoluo noticed Shen Zheng standing up as though waiting for her to give him a command. She suddenly smiled and said, “Don’t be nervous.”

Shen Zheng scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh.

Fang Xiaoluo continued, “Captain Shen, I’ve thought it over.”

She noticed Shen Zheng’s body stiffen, and she continued, “I agree to marry you.”

Upon hearing these words, Shen Zheng’s heart finally settled. “I… I meant everything I said earlier. I will keep my promises.”

Fang Xiaoluo smiled at him. “I believe you.”

Fang Shijun and Fang Qiang were both anxious.

Fang Qiang couldn’t hold back any longer and asked, “Mom, you’re really okay with Xiaoluo marrying him?”

Zhang Xinyan couldn’t explain everything to Fang Qiang, but she said, “Captain Shen is a good man. Your sister likes him. I think he’s reliable, and he’s a good choice.”

Fang Qiang looked at Fang Xiaoluo and asked, “Do you like Captain Shen? He’s eight years older than you and already has kids.”

Fang Xiaoluo understood that Fang Qiang was worried about her. “Brother, I’m sincere about this.”

“Since Captain Shen is here, he should stay for lunch and leave after eating,” Zhang Xinyan suggested.

Shen Zheng didn’t hesitate, especially since he had nothing to do today. “Alright, thank you, Aunt Zhang.”

Fang Xiaoluo knew that Fang Shijun likely had a lot of questions for Zhang Xinyan, but as for how Zhang Xinyan answered, that was no longer her concern.

“I’ll go cook,” she said.

Shen Zheng followed her step. “Let me help you.”

As Fang Xiaoluo entered the kitchen, Fang Jie and the others came out of the main house.

They had heard everything just now.

Fang Jie had no expression on his face, and he quickly went out to chop firewood in the yard.

Fang Jie was an interesting character. Over the past few days, Fang Xiaoluo had gotten to know him better. This younger brother was clearly upset. He didn’t speak much but showed his care through actions.

It was clear that he didn’t approve of her marrying Shen Zheng.

Fang Yamei and Fang Yating exchanged glances, both looking somewhat uncertain.

Looking at Captain Shen, who seemed to be their future brother-in-law, they could tell that while he looked good, he seemed distant and cold, not easy to approach.

Fang Yating, who was a little younger, sized Shen Zheng up from head to toe. “Captain Shen, my classmates say that soldiers are fierce, that they can hit people and have even killed someone.”

Shen Zheng looked at the little girl in front of him and seriously explained, “I only hit bad people.”

“Then, will you always treat my sister well?” Fang Yating asked again.

Shen Zheng nodded. “Yes, I will always treat her well.”

Fang Yating, clutching her clothes nervously, seemed to gather all her courage. “Well, if you’re not good to my sister… I’ll take her home. My second brother and second sister are both grown up, and when we’re older and go to college and earn money, we’ll definitely be able to support my sister for her whole life.”

Fang Xiaoluo looked at Fang Yamei and Fang Yating’s determined eyes, and her heart warmed.

Shen Zheng solemnly reassured them, “Don’t worry, I will keep my word.”

Fang Yamei took Fang Yating into the east room to join Zhang Xinyan and the others.

Now, only Fang Xiaoluo and Shen Zheng were left in the kitchen.

Fang Xiaoluo thought for a moment about what to cook for lunch and, without being polite, said, “Can you help me chop the ribs?”

“Sure.”

Zhang Xinyan and Fang Shijun were standing at the door, peeking through a small gap in the curtain on the door’s glass.

Fang Jie, while picking up firewood, kept glancing into the kitchen. He saw Shen Zheng chopping ribs, starting the fire, boiling water, peeling potatoes, washing cabbage…

Outside, some of the onlookers who had come to watch the matchmaking were gossiping.

“Captain Shen actually went into the kitchen?”

“A Captain of such a high rank is doing housework?”

“I just heard from Xu Yaqiu that Captain Shen plans to marry Fang Xiaoluo?”

“From the looks of it, it seems like Captain Shen likes Fang Xiaoluo.”

“She’s so beautiful, which man wouldn’t like her?”

One girl, standing outside, craned her neck to look inside. “Wow, so many ribs, Fang Xiaoluo put them all in the pot. Such a waste! She really doesn’t know how to manage her household. Captain Shen will suffer in the future. Who can live like this? Sooner or later, they’ll ruin the family!”

Shen Zheng, coming out to pour water, just happened to overhear the girl’s loud words. It seemed like she had deliberately said it so that he could hear.