Chapter 41: Marriage Connection 

After Gu Qingci returned home, he saw his mother sitting on the sofa, with a pile of girls’ photos on the table. 

“Qingci, come here and take a look at these photos. Is there a type you like?” 

“Mom, where did you get these photos again?” 

Gu Qingci rubbed his temples in annoyance, not wanting to discuss the topic of blind dates. 

“Mom, I’m tired. I’m going back to my room!” 

“Stop!” Gu’s mother’s stern voice came from behind. 

“You’ve been refusing blind dates because you like someone, right? That person is Jiang Banyue, isn’t it!” 

“Mom!” Gu Qingci turned around in shock. 

Gu’s mother sighed and sat on the sofa. 

“I should have realized it earlier. You used to take Jiao Jiao to the cake shop often. I thought it was Jiao Jiao who liked going, but it turns out you liked going too!” 

“Mom, I…” Gu Qingci didn’t know how to explain, lowering his head in silence. Gu’s mother felt upset too. 

“With so many single girls, you don’t like any of them, but you have your eyes set on a divorced woman with a child. If you really bring her home, what will others think of our Gu family?” 

“Mom, you’re overthinking. She won’t marry me!” 

Gu Qingci sat weakly on the sofa, and his mother looked at her son with concern. 

“Qingci, I’m begging you as your mother. Go on blind dates properly. If you meet someone suitable, get married. Marriage isn’t just about love; as long as it’s suitable, you can live together.” 

“Mom, you just arrange it!” 

Gu Qingci looked at his mother, who had been anxious about his marriage for the past few years. If he couldn’t be with Jiang Banyue, why not choose someone his mother liked to make her happy? 

“Sigh! Fine!” 

Seeing her son finally relent, Gu’s mother happily went to make a call. She wanted to ask someone to help her son find an outstanding woman from a good family background and with talent, as such a woman would attract her son and win back his heart.

After selecting a few candidates, Gu’s mother finally settled on a woman named Gu Jiali. She was twenty-three years old, and the Gu family was considered a prominent family in the area. It was said that Gu Jiali’s father came from the capital, so their family background was good. Gu Jiali herself was also very impressive, having returned from studying abroad.

Gu’s mother asked someone to help make connections, and once the Gu family learned of the news, they inquired from various sources and found that Gu Qingci was quite a good match. They were willing to let their daughter go on a blind date to see how it went.

Gu Jiali, proud and arrogant, looked down on people from the county, pouting in displeasure. 

“Mom and Dad, do you really want me to marry someone in this county? I don’t want to; I want to go back to the capital!” 

Gu’s father replied sternly, 

“Jiali, you need to understand that the Gu family is not what it used to be. This Gu Qingci, I’ve inquired about him, and he runs his own factory. His wealth is substantial, and in the future, his achievements won’t be lacking!” 

Gu Jiali pouted, showing no concern, 

“No matter how good he is, he can’t compare to the sons of prestigious families in the capital!” 

Gu’s father frowned, pressing his lips together. Seeing her husband about to get angry, Gu’s mother quickly advised, 

“Jiali, be obedient and go meet him. You might end up liking him!” 

“Fine! I want to see what kind of man makes you all praise him!” 

Gu Jiali wore a blue dress and styled her hair in a princess cut. She grabbed her bag and went to the agreed meeting place. When she arrived at Blue Mountain Park, she saw a man standing in the pavilion, dressed in a clean white shirt and black pants, looking handsome. Gu Jiali was instantly attracted to him. 

Unexpectedly, there was such a good-looking man in this county. No matter his appearance or height, he met all of Gu Jiali’s preferences. She raised her hand to lightly touch her hair and smiled as she walked over. 

“Hello, I’m Gu Jiali.” 

Gu Qingci turned around and nodded slightly, “Hello, I’m Gu Qingci.” 

Gu Jiali was trying to find topics to talk about, but Gu Qingci responded in a dry manner. She felt a bit unhappy but didn’t want to give up; perhaps this person just wasn’t talkative by nature. 

After returning home, Gu’s mother asked her daughter about the blind date. Gu Jiali shyly nodded her head, and Gu’s mother laughed joyfully, 

“Great! I’ll call the Gu family right now!” 

At that moment, Gu’s mother was anxiously waiting at home, unsure how her son’s blind date went. At this rate, when would she ever get to hold her grandchild? 

The phone rang, and Gu’s mother picked it up. It was Jiali mother calling. As soon as she spoke, she praised Gu Qingci, expressing her satisfaction with him. Hearing this, Gu’s mother knew that the they was very fond of her son. 

When Gu Qingci returned home, Gu’s mother asked him, 

“How was it? Are you satisfied with the Gu family girl?” 

Gu Qingci looked at his mother’s hopeful gaze, unable to let her down, and nodded, 

“Very good!” 

Gu’s mother beamed with joy, visibly energized, 

“I’ll ask someone to propose to the Gu family right away. They just called, and they are very satisfied with you. Our engagement with the Gu family is set in stone!” 

The next day, Gu’s mother took the family to propose to the Gu family, and both families set a wedding date for a month later. 

Gu’s mother asked her son to take the Gu family girl out shopping. Gu Jiali dressed youthfully and beautifully, boldly yet shyly taking Gu Qingci’s hand. 

Gu Qingci stepped back a bit, adjusting his glasses, 

“Sorry, it’s not appropriate.” 

Gu Jiali thought he was just shy, which made sense; people in the country were generally more reserved. Unlike her, who had returned from studying abroad and had a different level of openness. To her, holding hands was nothing; in her experience, public displays of affection were everywhere abroad. 

“Alright then!” 

Gu Jiali gave up on holding hands and walked beside him. Gu Qingci sighed, helplessly accompanying her. If nothing unexpected happened, she would be his future wife. His mother was right; marriage wasn’t all about romance; it was about living life together through the mundane aspects of life. 

A week before the wedding, Gu Qingci visited Jiang Banyue’s shop again to inform her that he would be getting married next week. Jiang Banyue calmly congratulated him. 

“Jiang Banyue, if we had met before you got married, would you have married me?” 

Jiang Banyue was taken aback for a moment and smiled lightly, “No.” 

Gu Qingci felt completely disheartened. He took a deep look at her and turned to leave. She was the first woman who had stirred his heart, and likely, he would never feel that way again. He had already decided to marry, and after marriage, he would devote himself to his wife, giving her not love but a lifetime of responsibility.