Chapter 10: Her uncle “sold” her?

They entered the room and sat down to drink tea.

Zhao Shilan looked at the pile of gifts on the floor, happy and yet heartbroken: “Why did you bring so many things…”

There were so many, it was like a marriage proposal.

More than what her daughter Tingting’s fiancé, Yang Huaidong, brought on his first visit.  The family must be quite well-off.

Gu Chengfeng sat properly beside Shen Sisi, his strong back straight, addressing Zhao Shilan as “Aunt” politely, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.

“Aunt, a small token of our appreciation for your care for Sisi over the years.” Gu Chengfeng, his sharpness gone, spoke politely and respectfully.

Shen Sisi sat down with Niu Niu, thirsty, she picked up her enamel mug, blew on the tea leaves, and drank it down in one gulp.

Zhao Shilan had a good impression of this young man. She looked at Shen Sisi, saying reproachfully: “Don’t just drink tea, take care of Comrade Gu.”

Shen Sisi almost choked, followed by her aunt’s rapid-fire questions: “This young Gu is good, polite, and caring… Tell your aunt, how did you two meet?”

Her aunt knew him so well after just meeting him?

As for how they met…

Shen Sisi’s face flushed red. She couldn’t say that she was in danger on a blind date and Gu Chengfeng descended like a god to save her!

Before she could figure out what to say, Gu Chengfeng smiled openly: “I was Teacher Shen’s student, I knew Sisi before.”

He glossed over it, explaining and yet not explaining.

Then he changed the subject, giving Shen Sisi a subtle look: “By the way, Niu Niu is sleepy, you and Aunt should take care of her.”

Shen Sisi frowned, this clearly meant to get rid of them.

Did he want to talk to her uncle alone?

She knew her uncle was unreasonable, and Gu Chengfeng had a fiery temper. If they clashed, they might fight.

She wasn’t worried about Gu Chengfeng’s fighting skills, only that he might get punished for fighting.

“Is there something you can’t say in front of me and Aunt?” Shen Sisi asked anxiously.

Gu Chengfeng mischievously raised his eyebrows, ignoring Zhao Shilan and Chen Jianguo, quickly leaning close to her ear: “Of course, it’s about our marriage…”

His hot breath was startling, Shen Sisi felt a burning sensation.

She unconsciously shrunk her neck, after a while she leaned closer to the man, whispering so only they could hear: “You don’t know my uncle well, he’s not easy to talk to, I’m afraid…”

Gu Chengfeng’s eyes twinkled with amusement: “Don’t worry, I can handle any difficult enemy. Go take care of Niu Niu, I guarantee your uncle will happily see you off.”

Shen Sisi thought he was too optimistic, he hadn’t seen her uncle’s unreasonable behavior.

Before she could speak, Zhao Shilan cleverly pulled Shen Sisi away.

“Sisi, come with me, I have something to ask you.”

The door closed, separating Shen Sisi from the outside world.

Shen Sisi’s eyes showed anxiety, her furrowed brows never relaxed.

“Mommy, sleepy…” Niu Niu yawned, uncomfortably shifting in her arms, her eyelids heavy.

She quickly bent down and put Niu Niu down, methodically unbuttoning her coat, taking off her outer clothes, then taking her to the chamber pot, and finally tucking her into bed, carefully tucking the blanket around her.

The little girl had been out with her since early morning, and was now very sleepy, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

As soon as the little girl closed her eyes, Zhao Shilan pulled her to the table.

“Sisi, tell your aunt honestly, what does Comrade Gu do, and what’s going on between you two?” Zhao Shilan was perceptive, she could see that Gu Chengfeng felt something for Shen Sisi.

Shen Sisi took a deep breath, staring at Niu Niu: “I don’t know much about his family background, but since he could join the army and become a battalion commander, his family background must be fine. As for the rest… Aunt, we’re getting married for convenience, each getting what we need.”

“Convenience?” Zhao Shilan found the term novel.

“It’s just living together. I need his city household registration to bring Niu Niu to the city for treatment; he needs a wife, so we hit it off,” Shen Sisi said lightly.

Although Zhao Shilan hadn’t studied much and wasn’t as smart as Sisi’s mother, as an experienced person, she understood.

“Comrade Gu is a soldier, his conditions should be good, his appearance is even better, there are countless women chasing him. He could close his eyes and find a virgin, why would he…” She didn’t mean to hurt Shen Sisi, but the words slipped out.

Shen Sisi pursed her lips, her expression serious and heavy.

If he hadn’t been injured, he would be a top-notch man, certainly not someone like Shen Sisi.

But could she tell her aunt this?

No!

Shen Sisi sighed helplessly: “Don’t ask, anyway, we’ve agreed, we’ve already reported it to the political commissar, just waiting for the process.”

Zhao Shilan knew she had always been headstrong, unexpectedly, she had made such a big decision about marriage.

It seemed Niu Niu’s condition wasn’t good.

She turned to look at the sickly little girl on the bed, her brows furrowed even in sleep, her breathing accompanied by phlegm sounds, she looked really suffering.

Then she looked at Shen Sisi, who had once been such a sunny and energetic child, the little princess she had raised.

She had changed completely in these few years in the countryside.

“Your aunt understands your hardship. I can’t give you much, I secretly saved one hundred yuan, planning to buy you bedsheets and quilts for your wedding. Take this money and save it, that’s all I have.”

Zhao Shilan had been oppressed by Chen Jianguo for years, repaying his debts, Shen Sisi knew.

Seeing her about to get her purse, Shen Sisi quickly stopped her: “Aunt, I understand your situation, the thought is enough, I don’t need your money, I just want the jade my mother left me…”

The jade was the only thing saved during the confiscation, a memento from her mother, and her dowry.

At the mention of the jade, Zhao Shilan’s expression stiffened, her eyes instinctively avoiding Shen Sisi’s gaze.

“I have to go back to the old house to look for the jade, don’t worry, I’ll find it for you!”

With her aunt’s words, Shen Sisi felt relieved: “It’s okay, no rush.”

They chatted for a while longer, when there was a sudden commotion outside, the sound of a teacup falling.

Shen Sisi had a bad feeling, quickly opening the door.

In the living room, Chen Jianguo stood up excitedly, knocking over the teacup, grinning.

This sudden change of attitude shocked Shen Sisi.

He grabbed Gu Chengfeng’s hand repeatedly: “Comrade Gu, I’ll be waiting for good news.”

Shen Sisi’s mouth slightly opened in surprise, what good news? What had they talked about?

Gu Chengfeng’s eyes curved upwards, smiling meaningfully, with a hint of imperceptible killing intent: “Don’t worry, I, Gu Chengfeng, keep my word.  Uncle, you should also prepare Sisi’s dowry.”

“Certainly, if you can do it, I guarantee Sisi’s dowry will be no less than Tingting’s.”

Shen Sisi’s hesitant expression changed instantly.

Dowry?

Her uncle was “selling” her?

Before she could speak, Gu Chengfeng gave her a look, subtly shaking his head, gesturing for her not to act rashly.