Chapter 12

Lu Guanshan sat on the floral bedsheet where Yu Li had been sleeping.

Yu Li was tightly held in his arms, sitting on his lap.

His chin rested on the top of her head as he gently inhaled the fresh fragrance of her hair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

Although all he did was hold her, Yu Li felt as though her entire body was melting, her heart racing in chaotic beats. Ever since she met Lu Guanshan, he had this uncanny ability to make her feel this way—nervous yet inexplicably comfortable, even with a faint sense of anticipation.

Biting her lip, Yu Li asked softly, “Lu Guanshan, you can hold your liquor really well! So that day, after Wu Guohua’s mother got you drunk and drugged you, was it really beyond your control, or…”

Or was it that he could have resisted but, locked in the same room with Yu Li, fatefully allowed what happened to unfold?

Lu Guanshan reached out, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb, savoring the baby-smooth softness of her skin. He lowered his gaze to study her face intently.

Yu Li truly was breathtaking.

Her skin was like jade, her features reminiscent of a classical beauty in an ancient painting—arched brows, a delicate nose, and lips as soft as cherry blossoms. Every detail was flawless, but her most captivating feature was her eyes. Bright and clear, they seemed to pull anyone who looked into them into a serene springtime lakeside, with willows swaying gently in the breeze. Her beauty was stunning, mesmerizing.

Without directly answering, Lu Guanshan said, “I was severely injured once, a bullet lodged in my thigh near the artery. There was no anesthetic available, and removing it was a matter of life or death. Without anesthesia, the pain was so intense it could have caused me to pass out. But I endured it.”

He, Lu Guanshan, was not a man who could be easily swayed.

That day, if he had chosen to leave in time, he could have easily kicked down the Wu family’s door.

But instead, he shook his head, his fogged vision revealing the figure of a woman.

She lay on the bed, exactly as she appeared in every one of his dreams.

Seductive and tender, as beautiful as a goddess.

The playful, alluring woman who had entwined herself with him in countless dreams was now lying before him, as if waiting for him.

In his entire life, Lu Guanshan had indulged himself just once. Despite knowing something was wrong, he gave in and pressed her beneath him.

He wanted to seize her in reality, to taste her, to consume her, to utterly possess her!

No one knew why, at his age, with countless admirers, he had never married.

But Lu Guanshan knew—he had set his heart on the woman in his dreams.

Now that he had found her, how could he let go?

Leaning close to Yu Li’s ear, he murmured, “Ah Li, you’re too beautiful. I couldn’t restrain myself—I made a mistake. To me, you’re more powerful than a bullet. Wife, I fell for you at first sight, and it has to be you.”

Yu Li’s eyes widened in shock. She had never heard such bold words before. She instinctively hammered his chest twice and stood up in a fluster.

“Lu Guanshan, you’re being ridiculous!”

Blushing, she turned on her heel and left.

Lu Guanshan chuckled lightly, leaning back against the pillow with satisfaction. He touched the spot where she had just hit him.

It didn’t hurt or itch—her teeth biting his shoulder earlier had felt far more thrilling!

Thinking of this, Lu Guanshan suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

The matter of marriage had to be arranged quickly.

Even the dogs in the Yu family courtyard seemed to bark in agreement with their union.

Yu Li, swept along by the tide, nodded her head.

As for her own opinion? Well… such a handsome man—just looking at his face was a win!

Lu Guanshan spoke earnestly, “My grandparents are quite old, and my home is far from here. Traveling such a distance would be hard on them. So, I plan to call them to let them know I’m getting married. Then we can hold the wedding at my unit. For now, I have some tasks to complete and will need to leave for a month. Once I’m done, I’ll come back to complete the marriage formalities. As for the bride price…”

Before Lu Guanshan could mention the amount, Yu Li’s father, Yu Jiefang, interrupted with a hearty laugh, “Bride price or no bride price, it doesn’t matter. You’ve already spent so much on all the gifts today. Let’s not waste any more money—just save it for the two of you to live a good life together!”

Indeed, the cigarettes, alcohol, red sugar pastries, fabric for tailoring, and other items Lu Guanshan brought today amounted to quite a significant sum of money.

No family typically spent this much just for an engagement.

But the Yu family wasn’t unreasonable; they wouldn’t let the groom’s side be taken advantage of.

Yet Lu Guanshan insisted, “Mom, Dad, Yu Li and I will only have this one wedding. I don’t want to settle for less. Whatever is necessary should still be there. Don’t worry, I’ll spend within my means—I have everything under control.”

Yu Jiefang and Chen Ailan exchanged a glance and nodded approvingly, letting Lu Guanshan have his way.

Since he had responsibilities back at his unit and couldn’t stay long, he had to leave that very afternoon.

Chen Ailan hurriedly told Yu Li to see him off.

Yu Tuanjie even borrowed a bicycle especially for the two of them.

Yu Li pursed her lips. Her fiancé—it was only fitting for her to send him off.

The two of them walked side by side along the narrow path between the fields.

Yu Li wore a white dress with blue floral prints, her hair braided into two plaits, looking as pure as a leading lady in a movie.

Lu Guanshan, in a grass-green crew-neck T-shirt and army-green trousers, appeared tall and strikingly handsome.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, with a gentle breeze blowing, everything felt serene.

For the first time, Lu Guanshan walked so slowly, wishing he could walk even slower.

In the past, he never understood why the younger soldiers under his command were so eager to write letters to their wives at home.

Was there really so much to say?

Now he understood. Even if no words were exchanged, just quietly watching her made him feel content, as though every pore in his body was at ease.

Midway through the walk, Lu Guanshan handed her an envelope. “Keep this. It has my unit’s phone number and my contact address—use it in case of need.”

Yu Li responded with a soft “Oh” and tucked the envelope into her small cloth bag.

Suddenly, Lu Guanshan stopped, parked the bicycle securely, and went to the roadside to pick a few stalks of foxtail grass.

Yu Li stood watching him, her cheeks inexplicably warming.

What was he doing?

Was he going to make a ring? That’s so old-fashioned! A foxtail grass ring?

But then again, it was true that foxtail grass rings were quite popular in this era.

She bit her lip and waited. Sure enough, before long, Lu Guanshan had woven a foxtail grass ring and held it out to her.

“Comrade Yu Li, I formally request to marry you. Please approve!”

Yu Li looked at his serious expression, and it felt as though sweet bubbles were rising in her heart.

She stretched out her hand, suppressing a laugh, and nodded.

In the next moment, the foxtail grass ring was slipped onto her finger. But at the same time, a simple, elegant silver ring was also placed there.

Lu Guanshan pulled her into his arms, his head bowed.

Yu Li was startled. “Lu Guanshan! Why did you buy a silver ring too? How much money do you have? Spending like this—how will we manage our life later?”

Before she could finish, he leaned down and captured her lips with his.

The rest of her words were swallowed.

It seemed he couldn’t kiss her enough. With his hand on her waist, he indulged himself, savoring her sweetness in the solitude of the open countryside.