Sheng Zexi held a glass of water in his hand, untouched, his gaze occasionally drifting toward a nearby room, as if anticipating something.

His face was slightly tense, his lips pressed into a straight line, his heart hanging in suspense.

To be honest, this was one of the rare moments in Sheng Zexi’s over twenty years of life where he felt such unease and nervousness. The marriage proposal yesterday was one such moment, and today was another.

He knew how serious his health condition was in this day and age.

He could have hidden it, revealing it only after marriage.

But Sheng Zexi chose not to.

During the matchmaking meeting, he had been honest, even though there was a chance of rejection. He simply couldn’t bring himself to deceive Gu Jianing and her family.

He knew that even if Gu Jianing agreed, he would still be indebted to her.

In fact, half a year ago, he had left without expressing his feelings, despite being deeply moved, precisely because of this concern.

He had tried to let go, but as time passed, his affection and longing for Gu Jianing only grew stronger. In the end, he couldn’t let her go.

So, he had come after all, asking a matchmaker to propose on his behalf.

In the end, he had acted selfishly, treating this as his first and last chance.

The sound of footsteps interrupted Sheng Zexi’s thoughts. He suddenly looked up and met Gu Jianing’s face as she walked out of the room. She gave him a soft, sweet smile, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling. Seeing that smile, Sheng Zexi’s anxious heart inexplicably calmed down.

The outcome was good, right?

“Zexi, find a time to come and propose,” Yao Chunhua said after pulling Gu Jianing to sit down.

The Gu family members looked at Yao Chunhua and Gu Jianing in surprise, their mouths opening as if they wanted to say something, but ultimately, they remained silent.

Yao Chunhua was the matriarch of the family, and since Gu Jianing didn’t object, they had no grounds to say anything.

Sheng Zexi was overjoyed. The tension in his lips finally eased, and his phoenix eyes shone brightly. “Alright, Auntie, I’ll find a time to propose as soon as possible. I’ll submit the marriage report to the organization as soon as I return.”

His voice was deep and resolute. “Uncle, Auntie, rest assured. I, Sheng Zexi, swear on my life and my faith that I will never let Ningning down.”

Seeing that both sides had reached an agreement, the matchmaker beamed with joy. Yao Chunhua asked Gu Jianing to take Sheng Zexi for a walk outside, giving the future couple a chance to communicate.

The two walked one after the other, maintaining a distance of about a meter. Although they were about to get married, walking too close would not look proper if others saw them.

Sheng Zexi gazed at the graceful figure ahead of him.

As he drew closer, his eyes fell on the delicate, pale hand hanging by her side. Sheng Zexi’s fingertips trembled slightly as he restrained the impulse to hold it and never let go.

“Ningning, are we considered a couple now?” Sheng Zexi asked.

Gu Jianing glanced at him and nodded. “Yes.”

Sheng Zexi’s eyebrows lifted with joy. “Then I’ll submit the marriage report to the organization today?”

“Sure.”

Sheng Zexi clenched his fist subtly, the joy in his heart rippling like waves.

He then brought up the topic of the betrothal gifts and invited Gu Jianing to visit the county supply and marketing cooperative with him. Gu Jianing agreed to everything.

As they walked along the road, they attracted quite a bit of attention.

Especially since Gu Jianing had caused a scene by jumping into the river just the day before, and now she was walking and laughing with a handsome man in military uniform. People were curious, even those working in the fields couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

Zhao Weihong, who was peeling corn and had sore hands, overheard the chatter. When she saw Gu Jianing in her camel-colored coat, looking radiant and charming, a flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, and she gripped the corn tightly in her hand.

She then glanced at the tall officer beside Gu Jianing, feeling puzzled.

“I heard that Gu Jianing agreed to a matchmaking meeting with a matchmaker yesterday. Could it be that the person she met was this officer?” Li Juan, who was also peeling corn, whispered softly.

“But didn’t Gu Jianing like Wen Zhuqing? It seems the officer probably doesn’t know that Gu Jianing jumped into the river for Wen Zhuqing. Could he be deceived by her?” Li Juan frowned slightly, seemingly concerned for the innocent officer.

“Definitely. That shameless fox, Gu Jianing. Just watch how I expose her,” Zhao Weihong said angrily, throwing down the corn in her hand and storming over.

Li Juan watched Zhao Weihong’s retreating figure, her eyes darkening. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and continued peeling corn, her peripheral attention focused on the unfolding scene not far away.

Zhao Weihong liked Wen Zhuqing and had always disliked Gu Jianing for clinging to him. Now that she had the chance, she was determined to make the most of it.

As for Li Juan…

She also liked Wen Zhuying and was annoyed by Gu Jianing’s pursuit of him.

She didn’t know why Gu Jianing was meeting with that officer.

But even if Gu Jianing gave up on Wen Zhuying, she didn’t want to see her marrying such a fine officer.

Her gaze lingered on Gu Jianing’s radiant, peach-like face. Li Juan lowered her eyes, hiding the jealousy in her heart.

How could such a beautiful face belong to a country girl, while she, a city girl, and the other female comrades at the educated youth point, couldn’t compare?

Li Juan also admired Wen Zhuying’s refined appearance.

She knew that Gu Jianing’s beauty attracted many men, and she had even accidentally witnessed Wen Zhuying deceiving Gu Jianing a few times.

She knew that Wen Zhuying wasn’t the gentle, jade-like gentleman he appeared to be. That was just a facade.

When she discovered this, Li Juan had been particularly excited.

She believed that Wen Zhuying, being of the same kind as her, would ultimately end up with her.

Zhao Weihong stormed up to Gu Jianing, startling her. Gu Jianing lost her balance and leaned backward to avoid her.

Sheng Zexi reacted quickly, supporting her back with his hand. “Are you okay?”

He looked up at the woman who had suddenly appeared, his eyes darkening.

Gu Jianing steadied herself and looked up at Zhao Weihong’s angry face. After a moment of scrutiny, she remembered her—the female educated youth from the educated youth point who liked Wen Zhuying. Unfortunately, she was physically weak and simple-minded, easily manipulated by Wen Zhuying and another female educated youth.

“Zhao Weihong, what’s wrong with you?” Gu Jianing retorted directly.

Zhao Weihong glanced at the tall officer with a somewhat arrogant demeanor, who seemed displeased with her. She hesitated but mustered her courage. “Comrade Officer, are you here to meet Gu Jianing?”

“You probably don’t know this, but Gu Jianing likes Wen Zhuqing from our educated youth point and even jumped into the river for him yesterday.”

“Yet today, she’s meeting with you. She’s a fickle woman.

With that, she glared angrily at Gu Jianing and pointed at her. “Gu Jianing, you already have Wen Zhuqing. Why are you meeting with another man? What are you scheming? Are you trying to ruin your reputation? Wen Zhuqing was beaten by your third brother because of you, and you haven’t even apologized!”

Gu Jianing frowned and slapped Zhao Weihong’s pointing finger away. Her delicate face darkened. “I hate it when people point at me like that.”