At the break of dawn, Gu Jianing, who had been enjoying a pleasant dream, woke up. After washing up and having breakfast, she began to dress up.

She wore a long brown trench coat with a white sweater adorned with red lace underneath, paired with a skirt that accentuated her fair skin and slender figure. Her delicate, radiant face resembled a blooming peach flower in May, and her almond-shaped eyes were as clear as a spring, exuding a captivating charm.

“My Ningning is getting more and more beautiful,” Yao Chunhua marveled at her daughter’s outfit, unable to stop praising her. She couldn’t help but recall her own youthful days when she was considered a beauty in the surrounding villages. Her husband, too, had been a handsome young man in his time, and their children had all inherited their good looks.

“Hmm, Sister-in-law looks really pretty,” said Yang Manman, who had also finished breakfast and was holding her books, ready to head to the village school. When she saw Gu Jianing, her eyes lit up, and she didn’t hesitate to compliment her.

Now, Yang Manman no longer held any prejudice against Gu Jianing, especially after noticing significant improvements in her health over the past few days.

It was the cold winter season, and in previous years, Yang Manman would often suffer from cold hands and feet, needing to go to bed early. If her husband wasn’t around, it would take until the middle of the night for her to finally warm up.

Her stomach, in particular, felt icy cold all year round, and she was prone to stomachaches.

During her menstrual days each month, the pain was unbearable.

But recently, she felt less cold inside.

Not long after lying down at night, her body would warm up.

She thought that perhaps, once the treatment was complete, she would be able to conceive successfully.

After Yang Manman left the house with hope in her heart, a familiar jeep pulled up in front of the Gu family’s home.

The car door opened, and a man stepped out, revealing long, straight legs. He emerged fully, his broad shoulders and narrow waist complementing his sharp features, with a hint of rebelliousness in his expression.

Hearing the sounds from inside, the man looked up.

A young woman walked gracefully toward him, her skirt swaying gently in the breeze, revealing a glimpse of her jade-like ankles. Her steps were light, like an elegant and naturally charming kitten, each step softly landing on his heart.

As she approached, a faint, refreshing fragrance wafted from her.

She tilted her head slightly to look at him, exposing the delicate, fair skin of her neck. Her long lashes fluttered, and her almond-shaped eyes, filled with charm and allure, seemed to captivate anyone who met her gaze. The slight upward curve at the corners of her eyes was mesmerizing, as if a single glance could ensnare one’s heart, making it impossible to look away.

Her soft skin, bathed in the morning light, seemed to glow with a radiant sheen, flawless and smooth, with even the finest downy hairs visible.

Sheng Zexi’s fingertips trembled slightly, a faint itch stirring within him.

She gently bit her red lips, a soft smile playing on her lips as she spoke in a sweet, delicate voice.

“You’re here.”

Noticing that the man seemed momentarily dazed and didn’t respond immediately, she reached out with her small, delicate hand, her fingers brushing against his sleeve and giving it a light tug. This caused Sheng Zexi’s body to tense instantly, his heart pounding like a drum.

In that moment, it felt as though her touch had ignited a fire within him.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he felt an unusual dryness in his throat.

“Brother Sheng, why aren’t you saying anything?” Her voice was soft and coy, carrying a hint of playful petulance.

Sheng Zexi quickly cleared his throat and snapped out of his daze, saying, “You look really beautiful today.” It was clear that she had put effort into her appearance, and it was all for him.

Sheng Zexi’s heart swelled with joy. If he had a tail, it would surely be wagging right now.

Although Gu Jianing knew she was beautiful, being complimented by Sheng Zexi still made her happy.

She had never been one for modesty, and she tilted her chin up slightly, like a proud little kitten. “I’ve always been good-looking, and when I dress up, I look even better.”

Then, lowering her gaze, her long lashes casting a shadow over her eyelids, she murmured softly, “Today is the day we take our wedding photos. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, so of course I want to look my best.”

Sheng Zexi felt a surge of happiness. He loved that Gu Jianing took such care in preparing for their special moments.

Seeing his future wife looking so beautiful, he recalled what she had said the previous day.

Sheng Zexi thought that the snow cream he had bought yesterday might not be enough. He would need to stock up on more.

Last night, for the first time in his life, Sheng Zexi had applied snow cream to his face. After more than 20 years of living, he had finally started to care about skincare.

After greeting the Gu family, Gu Jianing got into the car, and Sheng Zexi drove off toward Zhaoyang County.

As they passed the fields, the people working there only caught a glimpse of the dust kicked up by the car.

“That must be the Gu family’s future son-in-law, Officer Sheng’s car.”

“It is Officer Sheng’s car. I saw it just yesterday.”

“Hey, I think I saw the Gu family’s daughter in the passenger seat. Where are they going?”

“Where else? They’re probably doing what people do before getting married.”

Wen Zhuqing watched as the jeep gradually disappeared from view, listening to the chatter around him. His expression darkened, and he pursed his lips, lowering his head to continue turning over the sweet potatoes.

Li Juan, standing a few people away, glanced at Wen Zhuqing out of the corner of her eye, trying to gauge his mood.

The jeep arrived in Zhaoyang County and stopped right in front of the photo studio.

The elderly photographer’s eyes lit up when he saw the couple. “You two must be here to take wedding photos. What a perfect match!”

The man was handsome, and the woman was beautiful—a match made in heaven.

“Move a little closer, yes, the gentleman should move closer to the lady. That’s right, just like that. Hold still.”

With a few clicks of the camera, the wedding photos of Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi were captured in that moment.

The photographer looked at the photos in his camera, growing more and more satisfied.

This was undoubtedly the most photogenic couple he had ever photographed. He even offered to display one of their photos in his studio, offering them half off their fee in exchange.

The couple declined.

Firstly, they didn’t need the money.

Secondly, Sheng Zexi was an officer, and in the future, he would be an influential figure. It was better not to have his photos circulating publicly.

“Alright, you can come pick them up in two days.”

Although he was a bit disappointed, the photographer understood that his request might not have been appropriate, especially after noticing Sheng Zexi’s military uniform.

After taking the wedding photos, the couple went shopping at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Since they hadn’t yet held their wedding banquet, Sheng Zexi, despite wanting to spend more time with Gu Jianing, drove her back to the Gu family after their shopping.

Before heading to the county, the young woman’s hair, tied up in a bun, had been bare.

Now, as she returned, a delicate hairpin adorned her hair. Standing at the entrance, she waved goodbye to her officer fiancé.

Two days later, Sheng Zexi returned to the Gu family.

Yao Chunhua knew that today was the day they would register their marriage, so she had already given the household register to her daughter.

“Ningning, my marriage application has been approved,” Sheng Zexi shared the good news as soon as Gu Jianing got into the car.

Perhaps due to his overwhelming joy, the sharpness and rebelliousness in Sheng Zexi’s features softened slightly.

Gu Jianing responded with a soft “Hmm,” a faint smile playing on her lips, clearly pleased as well.

They first went to the photo studio to collect their photos.

There were several photos: a wedding photo of the two of them, individual portraits, and other poses of the couple together.

Gu Jianing received a photo of the two of them together, as well as a solo photo of Sheng Zexi.