A Beauty in the 80s Goes on a Blind Date with Her Child, Captivating the Military Compound - Chapter 10

They entered the house, sat down, and drank tea.

Zhao Shilan looked at the pile of gifts on the floor, feeling both pleased and a little pained. “You shouldn’t have brought so many things just to visit…”

There were so many gifts, it looked like a marriage proposal. They were even more than what her daughter, Tingting,’s fiancé Yang Huaidong brought on his first visit. She wondered which family this young man was from; he must be from a well-off one.

Gu Chengfeng sat politely next to Shen Sisi, his powerful back held ramrod straight. He addressed Zhao Shilan as “Aunt,” just like Shen Sisi did, and his attitude was respectful and courteous—a stark contrast to before.

“Aunt, this is just a small token of our appreciation for taking care of Sisi all these years,” Gu Chengfeng replied, putting away his earlier sharp demeanor.

Shen Sisi, holding Niu Niu, sat down and picked up an enamel cup. She blew the tea leaves on the surface and drank the tea in one gulp.

Zhao Shilan had a very good impression of this young man. She looked at Shen Sisi and chided her gently, “Don’t just focus on drinking tea. Pay attention to Comrade Gu.”

Shen Sisi nearly choked. Her aunt’s words came in a rapid-fire succession: “This young man is good. He’s polite and thoughtful… Tell Auntie, how did you two meet?”

They had just met, and her aunt already knew so much about him?

As for how they met…

Shen Sisi’s face flushed red. She couldn’t possibly say that she had been in danger during a blind date and that Gu Chengfeng had descended like a god to save her!

She lowered her head, unsure of how to begin, when Gu Chengfeng gave a frank smile. “I was Teacher Shen’s student, so I’ve known Sisi for a while.”

He passed over the question with a single, simple sentence—a response that explained everything and nothing at the same time.

He then changed the subject, casting a subtle glance at Shen Sisi. “By the way, Niu Niu seems a bit sleepy. You and Auntie should go and take care of the child first.”

Shen Sisi frowned. This was a clear attempt to get them to leave.

Did he want to talk to her uncle alone?

She knew her uncle was unreasonable, and Gu Chengfeng was known for his bad temper. If they said the wrong thing, they might start fighting.

She wasn’t worried about Gu Chengfeng in a fight. She was only afraid that if he hit someone, he would be punished.

“Is there anything you can’t say in front of Auntie and me?” Shen Sisi asked anxiously.

Gu Chengfeng wickedly raised an eyebrow. Ignoring Zhao Shilan and Chen Jianguo, he quickly leaned in close to her ear. “Of course, it’s about our marriage…”

His warm breath was startlingly hot, making Shen Sisi feel as though she had been burned.

Her neck instinctively recoiled, and after a moment, she leaned in close to the man in front of her. She reminded him in a tone only they could hear, “You don’t know my uncle very well. He’s not easy to talk to. I’m afraid…”

A smile lingered in Gu Chengfeng’s eyes. “Don’t worry, I can handle even the most difficult enemies. Go take care of Niu Niu. I guarantee your uncle will be happy to see you off.”

Shen Sisi thought he was too optimistic. He hadn’t seen how her uncle could be when he was being completely unreasonable.

She was about to speak again when Zhao Shilan tactfully and forcefully pulled her away.

“Sisi, come inside with me. I have something to ask you.”

With the door closed, Shen Sisi was temporarily separated from the outside world.

Anxiety showed in Shen Sisi’s eyes, and her tight frown had hardly loosened.

“Mama, I’m sleepy…” Niu Niu yawned, burrowing uncomfortably in her arms, her eyelids barely staying open.

She quickly bent down to put Niu Niu on the bed, methodically unbuttoned her cotton jacket, took off the little one’s outerwear and pants, helped her use the bedpan, and then tucked her into the covers, pulling the edges up snugly.

The little one had been out since early in the morning for the blind date and was now exhausted. She fell asleep as soon as she touched the bed.

As soon as the little one’s eyes closed, Zhao Shilan pulled Shen Sisi to sit down at the table.

“Sisi, tell me honestly, what does Comrade Gu’s family do? What’s going on with you two?” Zhao Shilan was a shrewd woman; she could tell at a glance that Gu Chengfeng’s feelings for Shen Sisi were not ordinary.

Shen Sisi took a deep breath, staring at Niu Niu as if lost in thought. “I don’t know much about his family background. Since he’s in the army and has become a battalion commander, his family status must be fine. As for the rest… Auntie, he and I are just getting married as a matter of convenience. We’re both getting what we need.”

“A matter of convenience?” Zhao Shilan found the term very new.

“It’s just for companionship. I need his city residence permit to take Niu Niu into the city for medical treatment; he needs a wife. We just ended up agreeing with each other, right?” Shen Sisi said, making it sound very casual.

Although Zhao Shilan had not been to school for many years and wasn’t as smart as Sisi’s mother, she was wise from experience.

“Comrade Gu is a soldier with a good background. His physique and looks are even better. The women who want to marry him could line up for a mile. He could close his eyes and still find a perfectly respectable woman. How could he…” She didn’t mean to hurt Shen Sisi, but the words slipped out.

Shen Sisi’s lips tightened, and her expression became serious and heavy.

If he hadn’t been injured, he would be a man of great promise, and of course, she, Shen Sisi, would not be an option.

But could she tell her aunt this?

No!

Shen Sisi sighed helplessly. “Just don’t ask. In any case, we’ve already decided and reported it to the political commissar. We’re just waiting for the process to be completed.”

Zhao Shilan knew that Sisi had always been strong-willed since she was a child. She hadn’t expected her to have her marriage settled so quickly.

It seemed that Niu Niu’s condition was getting worse.

She turned to look at the listless little girl on the bed. Even in her sleep, her brows were furrowed, and her breathing was noisy from phlegm in her lungs. She looked like she was suffering.

Then she looked at Shen Sisi, who had been such a sunny and vibrant child, a little princess, growing up. She had changed completely after a few years in the countryside.

“I understand your hardship, Sisi. I don’t have much to give you. I secretly saved a hundred yuan, which I was planning to use to buy you bedding when you got married. Take this money for yourself and be careful with it. I don’t have anything more I can give you.”

Shen Sisi knew that Zhao Shilan had been heavily exploited by Chen Jianguo over the years and had helped him pay off many debts.

Seeing her about to get up to get the money, Shen Sisi quickly grabbed her hand. “It’s okay, Auntie. I understand your situation. Your thoughtfulness is enough. I don’t want your money. I just want to get back the jade pendant my mom left me…”

That jade pendant was the only thing that survived when their home was raided. It was her mother’s keepsake and also her dowry.

At the mention of the jade pendant, Zhao Shilan’s expression stiffened, and her eyes subconsciously darted away, avoiding Shen Sisi’s gaze.

“I need to go back to the old house to look for that jade. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely find it for you!”

With her aunt’s promise, Shen Sisi felt relieved. “It’s okay, no rush.”

The two of them talked for a while longer. Just then, they heard a noise outside, like a teacup being knocked over.

A premonition of something bad came to Shen Sisi, and she quickly got up and opened the door.

In the living room, Chen Jianguo stood up excitedly, having knocked over the teacup, his grin showing all his teeth.

This toothy, villainous smile and his 180-degree change in attitude greatly surprised Shen Sisi.

He grabbed Gu Chengfeng’s hand and shook it. “Well, Comrade Gu, I’ll be waiting for your good news.”

Shen Sisi’s mouth was agape in surprise. What good news? What on earth did they talk about?

Gu Chengfeng’s eyes curved upward, a meaningful smile on his face, hiding a subtle, predatory air. “Don’t worry, I, Gu Chengfeng, am a man of my word. On the other hand, Uncle, you should also get Sisi’s dowry ready.”

“Sounds good. If you can really do it, I promise Sisi’s dowry won’t be any less than Tingting’s.”

Shen Sisi’s hesitant face froze, and then her expression instantly changed.

Dowry?

Her uncle “sold” her off?

She was about to speak up and interrupt, but Gu Chengfeng gave her a restraining look, subtly shaking his head to signal her not to act rashly.