Chapter 28: Marriage is not under your control

“Gu Moyu?” Lin’s father frowned. “Are you talking about that Gu Moyu who works as a doctor at the First People’s Hospital? The older brother of Gu Chuxue?”

“Yes, Dad. Moyu is really outstanding. He’s already a chief surgeon in orthopedics at such a young age, and he’s very handsome. I’ll bring him to meet you someday—you’ll definitely be impressed.”

When talking about Gu Moyu, Lin Jinxiu praised him so much that it seemed even his excellence made her proud.

Seeing the little woman’s expression on her daughter’s face, Lin’s father said, “When I was his age, I was already a deputy director! Outstanding? That’s not necessarily so! The Gu family has no background at all.”

He warned Lin Jinxiu, “For your marriage, your mother and I will make the decisions. You don’t need to worry; just prepare yourself to be married.”

“Dad?” Lin Jinxiu’s delight instantly vanished, replaced with disbelief. She couldn’t even make her own decision about marriage? And judging from her father’s words, he wasn’t satisfied with Moyu. Whoever she was to marry in the future, it wouldn’t be him.

Realizing this, Lin Jinxiu retorted emotionally, “What kind of era is this?! Parents deciding and matchmakers arranging marriages?! I will only marry who I like. I only like Moyu. Unless I marry him, I’d rather die than marry anyone else!”

Her mother gave her a pointed look, silently signaling her not to say such things. Death threats? How could she speak to her parents like that? It was outrageous. With Lin’s father’s personality, the harder you push, the firmer he gets.

Lin’s mother knew her daughter liked Gu Moyu. Her taste was good, but the family background was lacking. Her daughter needed to marry well, so the family could benefit in the future.

Lin’s mother awkwardly smiled. “You’re still young. There’s no need to discuss marriage now. Do you already have someone suitable? Marriage decisions should be considered slowly, don’t rush.”

Then, she firmly dragged Lin Jinxiu upstairs and locked the room.

Lin Jinxiu had no idea her parents would think this way. She assumed they would be very pleased with Moyu, but in the end, she couldn’t even make her own choice.

“Mom, I just want to marry someone I like. Is that so hard?” Lin Jinxiu choked up. “Go talk to Dad and explain. I don’t want to marry anyone else. This is my marriage—why should he decide for me?”

“Because he’s your father! He will always try to choose the best for you, while your choice might only be suitable,” her mother said earnestly.

“Jinxiu, I’ve long known that you and your father think differently. I’ve never told either side. If you want your father to agree, Gu Moyu must show sincerity and marry you. He has to become more outstanding. Being a chief surgeon is not enough. If he were the hospital director, your father would agree immediately!”

“Their director is an old geezer!” Could she really be expected to marry someone from the grandparent generation?

“Since he can’t be the director, he’s not qualified to marry you,” her mother raised an eyebrow. “Your father already has several suitable candidates in mind, including the grandson of Director Lu, Lu Shizhan. He’s already a military district division commander at such a young age. Even if your father had been wronged under him before, once he becomes our son-in-law, your father will have complete influence over everything. Your father wants someone who will benefit our family’s future, not someone who will hold us back. You must understand this.”

Lin Jinxiu’s eyes flickered. “Dad has connections, doesn’t he? If he wants someone to be a hospital director, it’s just a word. A son-in-law should be someone he can promote and rely on.”

“If you had spoken to your father with that tone earlier, he wouldn’t have been too harsh.” Her mother patted her shoulder. “You two are too much alike—neither of you submits to the other. But he’s your father. In some matters, you must listen to him. Remember that.”

Lin Jinxiu impatiently nodded. “I got it…”

“And your friend Chuxue, she’s no longer part of the Gu family. You need to consider this. She has no blood relation to the Gu family, and her future life will be difficult.”

“Mom, why do you think like that too? Chuxue hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Whether she wants it or not, that’s her fate,” her mother said harshly but realistically. “You were born as the daughter of a deputy director—that’s your fate.”

Lin Jinxiu’s only friend she could truly hang out with was Chuxue. She really didn’t want to lose this friend.

“If you really want to marry Gu Moyu, you should try getting closer to his younger sister.”

Getting close to Gu Jinshu? Lin Jinxiu couldn’t do it, not even pretend. She hated Gu Jinshu. Truly hated her.

——

Before the wedding photos could be taken, Lin Qinghai’s parents arrived from their hometown. At the inn, the first thing they said was, “You’ve known each other for three years, and she still dares to ask for a bride price?! You obviously didn’t follow my advice. Get her first, let her get pregnant if possible. Once she’s carrying your child, who cares about the bride price? Not only don’t we pay, the bride’s family has to give a dowry!”

Lin Qinghai’s mother pursed her lips. Her son was too easy to bully.

“Mom, now is not the time to talk about this. The one I want to marry is not Gu Jinshu—it’s Gu Chuxue…”

“What? When did you change your mind?” Lin Qinghai’s father was stunned.

Lin Qinghai explained clearly. Their minds were blown.

“You’re saying Gu Jinshu broke off the engagement with you, and now you’re marrying Gu Chuxue? That Gu Chuxue is the butcher’s real daughter?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my! Are you crazy? We originally didn’t approve of Gu Jinshu because she wasn’t worthy of you. Now that her true identity is revealed as a city girl, why are you choosing someone worthless instead?!” Lin Qinghai’s mother was infuriated.

“This is clearly acting first and reporting later! Why didn’t you send a letter to tell us, so we could help you plan?”

“Mom, there’s nothing to plan anymore. Only Chuxue is worthy of me. She is cherished by the Gu family. Even if Jinshu were their biological daughter, so what? She’s still not favored.”

“Ah? I think what our son says makes sense. We can trust him to handle things. Anyway, marrying either one is the same.”

“The same? But the bride price is precious!”