Chapter 4: A Bit of Ungratefulness

“Ye Bei, a navy second lieutenant. He’s far better than Liu Guoqiang. Forget the bicycle, radio, and 666 yuan; he could easily give 888 yuan and a television.”

Gu Congshuang felt uncertain, but if she hadn’t done this, she might have already been married off.

Thinking of Ye Bei’s resolute face, she suddenly wondered if she was being a bit ungrateful.

But she couldn’t worry about that now.

She had to exaggerate his status.

“Mom, you know a navy second lieutenant isn’t just anyone. His family has already arranged everything for him.”

“But weren’t you always fawning over that Lin Wanxing? You used money from pasting cardboard boxes to buy him breakfast every day, even giving him milk! Milk is expensive! You even traded ration coupons with your classmates for it. Goodness, if I hadn’t found out, were you going to empty the house?”

Li Yuqin’s mind finally cleared. The allure of 888 yuan had clouded her judgment.

“Mom, that’s all in the past. I broke things off with Lin Wanxing today. I’ll get my money back later. If you don’t believe me, look at these hospital receipts.”

Gu Congshuang pulled out the hospital bills from her pocket. Just the registration and treatment cost forty-five yuan, more than Gu Qinshan’s monthly salary.

Li Yuqin snatched them, astonished.

“If it weren’t for Ye Bei, could I have afforded this treatment?”

“To surprise you, I asked Ye Bei to delay his proposal. When he comes, you’ll see. He’ll arrive in a car with so many gifts, they’ll have to queue to get them into our building. The neighbors will be green with envy.”

Li Yuqin was skeptical but put down the feather duster.

“Mom, I’ll go change clothes. I’ll meet him at the Red Pine Hotel tomorrow. If you’re worried, you can come along. He’s been treating me to fancy dinners lately.”

Li Yuqin exclaimed, “I knew you hadn’t been eating much lately! You’ve been eating out! If you say so, I’ll definitely go.”

“But Mom, don’t show yourself to Ye Bei. It’s embarrassing. It’s not like a future mother-in-law usually eats with the prospective son-in-law before the wedding. Follow me secretly, don’t let him see you.”

Gu Congshuang was nervous but decided to continue her charade, hoping to calm Li Yuqin down. Then, she’d borrow some money and run away. She couldn’t stand living in this biased family any longer.

Li Yuqin considered this. It made sense.

“I don’t believe it. Why would a navy second lieutenant like you?” Gu Congli doubted.

Gu Congshuang chuckled, “Because I’m beautiful, of course.” She walked into her room.

Gu Congli rolled his eyes and sighed, pulling out a small mirror. His face was covered in acne, making him even more irritable. (；´д｀）ゞ

“Mom, we’re both your children. Why is Sister so fair, and I’m so dark?” He wasn’t popular at school.

“Son, you’re handsome! What’s wrong with being a little darker?”

…

Gu Congshuang examined herself in the mirror. The book’s version of her was pretty, with delicate features. Even without makeup, she was beautiful.

Her skin, previously dark, was now radiant. She was so pleased, she kept glancing at herself, forgetting her predicament.

After tomorrow’s dinner, she would figure out how to get rich.

In two years, the times would change, making it easy to get rich. That’s what she called catching the wind of change.

The next morning, Gu Congshuang took Li Yuqin’s precious perfume before leaving, saying, “Give me some money. I’m paying for dinner.”

Li Yuqin’s eyes widened, ready to scold.

Gu Congshuang continued her sales pitch, “For the bride price, this small amount is necessary. He’s a second lieutenant, we can’t let them look down on our family.”

Li Yuqin, always stingy, refused, “Since he’s a second lieutenant, he can afford dinner. I don’t have any money. We don’t have any money.”

“Mom, you’re being too cautious. Marrying a military man is difficult. If they look down on us, how will I influence him later? Besides, your son might become a second lieutenant too if he joins the army, avoiding the hardships of my brother in Xinjiang.”

“If Ye Bei looks down on me, he’s looking down on our family. We need to consider this for your brother’s future.”

Gu Congshuang expertly used her persuasive skills.

Before Li Yuqin could respond, Gu Congshuang applied perfume and lipstick. She was young and healthy, no longer working late nights, and looked radiant with minimal makeup.

Li Yuqin gritted her teeth and pulled out eight yuan. “Here.”

She was waiting for the 888 yuan bride price.

At the Hongsong Hotel, they sat at a table facing the entrance.

It was 11:30 AM, and the hotel was bustling.

Li Yuqin pretended not to know Gu Congshuang, hiding behind a red headscarf at a nearby table, ensuring they couldn’t see each other. A waiter approached with a menu.

The prices were shocking! One dish cost 1.5 yuan! She couldn’t find anything affordable and finally ordered a glass of plain water – the only free item. The waiter reluctantly served it.

Li Yuqin mouthed to Gu Congshuang, asking where Ye Bei was.

Gu Congshuang gave an “OK” sign, outwardly calm but inwardly panicking. She checked her reflection again. Everything should be fine.

“Gu Congshuang? Why are you here? Is your boyfriend letting you stalk us?”

Lin Wanxing and Mo Wanwan, hand-in-hand, entered.

It seemed fate had brought them together.

“Who’s stalking whom?”

Gu Congshuang rolled her eyes. Lin Wanxing must have overheard their conversation.

“It’s you! Why are you so persistent?” Lin Wanxing said disdainfully.

“Where’s your boyfriend? Did he dump you?” Mo Wanwan drawled.

“My husband will be here soon. You should keep a better eye on your boyfriend. Yesterday, I saw him checking out my husband. Is he too handsome?”

Gu Congshuang smiled nonchalantly.

“Husband?”

Yesterday, he was her boyfriend. Today, her husband.

“Yes, we’re getting married soon. I’ll send you an invitation. Don’t forget the gift money!”

Lin Wanxing seemed stung, enraged. “Gu Congshuang, don’t think this will impress me.”

Gu Congshuang covered her eyes, pretending not to see. (⌐■_■)

A motorcycle roared outside.

Ye Bei, in a white shirt and black pants, wearing aviator sunglasses, entered carrying a pot of crabapple blossoms.

Fragrantless, but strikingly beautiful.

He walked directly towards her.