Chapter 17: I Can’t Stand This Cloying Sweetness

Gu Congli perked up at the sound of the car. He could recognize that sound anywhere.

He wouldn’t see the car again after today; he hadn’t learned to drive yet.

He looked down from the window. Ye Bei and Gu Congshuang were chatting downstairs, neither leaving nor coming up.

Dating is so disgusting. I can’t stand this cloying sweetness.

Gu Congli slammed the window shut.

Li Yuqin, hearing the noise, worried about the glass, “Be careful.”

“Come look. Do you think this dress is suitable for the engagement banquet?”

Gu Congli mumbled, “It’s pretty,” and went to sulk in his room.

“Such a childish temper,” Li Yuqin said happily, admiring herself in the mirror.

Perhaps because of the upcoming wedding, she had won a lot playing mahjong recently. Many ladies praised her daughter for marrying a navy lieutenant.

She couldn’t wait for the engagement banquet.

The next morning, Yi Yun woke up early, but Li Yuqin was up even earlier, making them a special breakfast—pig blood and preserved egg porridge!

This was a huge expense for the frugal Li Yuqin.

“Are you going out today? Your future mother-in-law said you need to try on the engagement dress.”

“Okay, I know. I’ll go with Ye Bei,” Gu Congshuang replied casually, quickly finishing her porridge and going downstairs.

She wanted to go to the countryside early to sell clothes and buy herbs.

Li Yuqin watched Gu Congshuang leave and felt a sudden twitch in her eyelid.

A twitching left eye means wealth, a twitching right eye… well, wealth too! Li Yuqin suppressed her unease.

Gu Congshuang smiled as she saw Ye Bei dressed in a simple black and white striped vest and black pants—a typical 1980s style.

Even in simple clothes, his tall, strong physique was undeniable. He had a wildness that his usual formal attire lacked.

His masculinity was palpable, his muscles seeming to tease Gu Congshuang, hinting at a possible encounter in a cornfield.

“What are you laughing at? Is my outfit wrong?” Ye Bei asked.

“No, it’s perfect. You look handsome in anything,” Gu Congshuang said.

Yi Yun, silent in the back seat, said, “Such a handsome young man. It’s a good thing my third son isn’t here; he’d be overshadowed.”

Ye Bei blushed at the compliment.

“Grandma, hold on tight. We’re finally going to the countryside.”

They drove twenty kilometers to Muxin Town.

The scenery was beautiful. Gu Congshuang felt that if she were a director, she would make a reality show about a rebirth in the 1980s.

The town, like the city, didn’t allow open businesses. Individual businesses were difficult, like bartering small items.

Gu Congshuang took the clothes from the car and set up a small stall. If anyone came to check, she’d put the clothes in the car and drive away.

The stall quickly attracted people.

It was the sixth day of the lunar new year, a market day. Many people sold their vegetables.

Mostly middle-aged women, seeing the beautiful clothes, gathered around to haggle.

Gu Congshuang was charming and sweet-talking, selling many clothes quickly.

Ye Bei was initially hesitant, opening and closing his mouth without speaking.

He was used to following orders in the army; this was his first time selling.

Yi Yun started shouting, and he found his voice, his loud calls echoing through the market.

His handsome appearance attracted young girls, who looked at him with enthusiasm. Gu Congshuang smiled, seeing them whispering and giggling.

They sold almost everything quickly.

At noon, the market was closing. They each ordered a bowl of rice tofu.

“We sold a lot of clothes. Let’s go try on the engagement dress later.” Ye Bei’s voice was hoarse.

“Okay.”

“The rice tofu is spicy. Let me remove the chili seeds to prevent you from breaking out,” Gu Congshuang said, carefully picking out the seeds and blowing on the tofu. She paused, realizing what she was doing.

What? Wasn’t she supposed to leave?

She was already adapting to his habits. He had integrated into her life.

“You too, be careful it’s hot,” Ye Bei blew on her tofu, like any couple would.

Gu Congshuang couldn’t believe it. This was all fake; they were fictional characters. Had she fallen for a fictional character?

But Ye Bei was so real, the midday sun illuminating his face.

Steam rose from the tofu, clinging to his brow.

If Ye Bei disappeared, she would cry.

Startled by this thought, she said, “Hurry up and eat. I’m not responsible if it’s too spicy.”

They went to the other end of the market, where a supply and marketing cooperative was located. People sold herbs there.

The prices were lower than in the city. Buying directly from the mountain people would be even cheaper.

But they were short on time. They needed to try on the engagement dress. Gu Congshuang bought a lot of herbs without carefully checking them.

They earned over 100 yuan selling clothes, less than driving but safer.

They rushed back to the city, arriving just before their appointment.

Gu Congshuang was anxious, not wanting to be late for her future mother-in-law.