Chapter 33 Discussing the date for the banquet

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe Gu Chengze really wanted to know what kind of place he held in Song Yiyi’s heart. Gu Chengze agreed to Cen Yue’s proposal.

Later, Cen Bowen went to the countryside. Song Yiyi soon followed him to the military base. Before coming, she said on the phone:

“Brother, I want to date Cen Bowen. What do you think? Is that okay?”

Gu Chengze clenched the phone tightly, then forced a smile and replied, “Hmm, as long as you like him.”

There was a pause on the line, then Song Yiyi hung up first.

After receiving the call, Gu Chengze went on a mission that very night. Actually, there was no real need for a deputy regiment commander to personally go on that mission. He just couldn’t bear to see Song Yiyi liking someone else without knowing it himself.

“Alright, want to go find her now?”

Cen Yue, who lived in the upper bunk, sat up and jumped off the bed with long legs. “You go, I’ll cover you. If it works out, I’ll be the witness at your wedding the day after tomorrow. As for the Cen family and your dad, I can handle them.”

He stood in front of Gu Chengze with a habitual smile at the corner of his lips.

By rights, the political commissar should have had separate housing. The regiment had mentioned it to Cen Yue several times, but he ignored it and insisted on living in a soldier’s room the regiment had freed up. Sometimes when people bothered him, he would snap back:

“What? There are plenty of houses on the military family side? Is that so, then should I call all my distant relatives over and have you serve them one by one?”

After that, no one dared to pester him again.

After Cai Mengjun and Song Minghui arrived, Gu Chengze was annoyed and could only talk to Cen Yue, so he moved in as well.

Knowing how crazy Cen Yue was, Gu Chengze hadn’t expected him to be this wild.

He was stunned for a moment before answering, “It’s already two o’clock. My sister must be asleep.”

Besides, Gu Chengze felt that if they got caught breaking the rules, it would be bad for their reputations. Leaders breaking discipline would make no one want to listen to them later. Gu Chengze wouldn’t do anything so reckless.

Cen Yue looked at him for a while, his gaze gradually darkening. A cold smile curved his lips.

“Coward, you don’t deserve my sister.”

After saying that, he went back to bed.

Gu Chengze was used to Cen Yue’s style of speaking and didn’t take it to heart.

He really did overthink things. Including when he tried to persuade Song Minghui at night, he couldn’t find the right stance — one was his stepbrother, the other his biological father.

The courage he had been building up to explain everything to her was completely used up the day before.

Gu Chengze’s greatest fear was that Song Yiyi would look at him with strange eyes.

He even dreamed that Song Yiyi coldly said to him, “You’re disgusting! You’re not my brother anymore!”

Gu Chengze didn’t fear public opinion or parental opposition — he only feared making Song Yiyi unhappy.

The meeting place for both parties was arranged near the guesthouse where Cen Bowen’s mother lived. There was a small private restaurant nearby. To show sincerity, Cen Bowen’s mother had paid the owner the day before to reserve the entire place for the day.

She was very generous — immediately putting down five large bills as a deposit.

Early that morning, Song Minghui knocked loudly on Song Yiyi’s door. “Get up! Since you’ve agreed to go, don’t embarrass us.”

Song Yiyi, annoyed, buried her head under the blanket.

Song Minghui didn’t give up and kept knocking.

“Song Yiyi, hurry up. When you get up, have your mom help you get ready before going out. And your messy hair — braid it into a plait. Look presentable!”

Song Yiyi snapped back irritably, “The lunch is what we agreed on. Why are you rushing me? Afraid I won’t get married? You might as well tie me up and send me there!”

The night before, she had gone over all the possible situations that might happen today, making sure everything was foolproof before going to bed — it was already past midnight.

Song Yiyi had lost all desire to sleep after Song Minghui’s disturbance and just got up to eat breakfast.

She washed up slowly and sat at the square table, drinking porridge and peeling a boiled egg.

Song Minghui’s lips moved again.

Cai Mengjun quietly tugged his sleeve, and only then did Song Minghui hold back his urge to lecture.

At that moment, Gu Chengze pushed open the door and came in.

Cai Mengjun stood and asked, “Have you eaten breakfast?”

Gu Chengze shook his head. “No.”

Cai Mengjun went to the kitchen to serve him some food.

Gu Chengze washed his hands and sat down beside Song Yiyi.

Song Yiyi looked up, startled. “Brother, did you sneak out somewhere last night stealing chickens?”

Gu Chengze looked confused.

Song Yiyi pointed at his face, “Your dark circles are about to drop to the floor. Has the unit been busy these days? If you’re busy, then go do your work — I don’t need anything.”

Gu Chengze’s feelings were mixed. He ignored Song Minghui in the main room.

“Yiyi, are you sure you want to go? Don’t force yourself. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. I’ll help you make it clear — after that, no one from the Cen family will bother you again. You can get married whenever you want. If you don’t want to get married, I…”

“Nonsense.”

Song Minghui slammed the table. “Chengze, do you know what you’re saying?”

Gu Chengze looked calmly at Song Minghui and answered clearly, “Dad, I know exactly what I’m saying.”

Cai Mengjun heard the noise, came out from the kitchen with porridge, placed it in front of Gu Chengze, and smiled to ease the tension.

“Chengze, eat first. Even if we go today, we don’t necessarily have to set a wedding date. If Yiyi doesn’t want to, she can just tell them clearly.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Song Minghui got up and went into another room, then quickly came back with a piece of paper which he slammed on the square table.

“The elders have already signed the marriage contract. Today’s meeting is mainly to discuss the banquet date.”

The other three were shocked.

This time, Song Minghui hadn’t told anyone, not even Cai Mengjun.

Gu Chengze stood and reached for the contract.

Song Minghui snatched it first.

“I’m keeping the marriage contract.”

Song Yiyi laughed with anger.

“Song Minghui, you really know how to do things — arranged marriage, all in the open.”

Luckily, she wasn’t the original owner of this body. The original must have been so wronged.

Cai Mengjun was speechless and stammered, “Old Song… you…”

Ignoring Song Minghui’s opposition, Gu Chengze tried to take Song Yiyi away.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became tense and hostile.

This time, Cai Mengjun did not support Song Minghui.

“Old Song, this is your fault. No matter what, you shouldn’t have arranged Yiyi’s engagement behind everyone’s back.”

Song Minghui’s face turned dark blue, his stance resolute:

“She’s my daughter, I’m her father, so what if I arranged her engagement?”

Song Yiyi was still sitting at the square table drinking porridge. She said calmly,

“Old man, what if I write a complaint letter to your school accusing you of outdated feudal arranged marriages? Your job might be at risk, huh?”

She had adjusted her mindset by now. No matter what Song Minghui did, she wouldn’t be surprised anymore. The original owner’s emotions no longer troubled her.