Marrying a childless superior, she became pregnant and lived a carefree life in the 1970s.

Chapter 7 Provocation
Sheng Zexi held the water in front of him but didn't drink it. His gaze kept falling on the room not far away, as if he was expecting something.

His face was slightly tense, his lips were pressed into a straight line, and his heart was pounding.

To be honest, this is one of the few times in Sheng Zexi's more than 20 years that he has felt uneasy and nervous. Yesterday's marriage proposal was one such time, and today's meeting is another.

He knew how serious his health problem was in this era.

He might actually be hiding it, and telling him after the marriage.

But Sheng Zexi did not do that.

When looking at potential partners, he spoke the truth, even if there was a possibility of rejection. He did not want to deceive Gu Jianing and her family.

He knew that even if Gu Jianing agreed, he would still be at her disadvantage.

Actually, the reason I left without showing any interest even though I was tempted six months ago was because I had some concerns.

He tried to let go, but as time went by, his feelings of liking and longing for Gu Jianing deepened, and he ultimately couldn't let go.

So he still came, asking a matchmaker to propose marriage.

In the end, I was selfish this time, and I treated it as my first and last chance.

The sound of footsteps interrupted Sheng Zexi's thoughts. He suddenly looked up and met Gu Jianing's face as she walked out of the room. The latter gave him a sweet and gentle smile, her almond eyes bright. Looking at that smile, Sheng Zexi's uneasy heart calmed down for some reason.

The result was good, right?
"Zexi, why don't you come and propose marriage sometime?" Yao Chunhua said, pulling Gu Jianing down to sit.

The Gu family looked at Yao Chunhua and Gu Jianing in surprise, opened their mouths as if they wanted to say something, but ultimately did not speak.

Yao Chunhua was the matriarch of the family, and Gu Jianing didn't object, so they couldn't say anything.

Sheng Zexi was overjoyed. His tense lips finally turned up, and his phoenix eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. "Okay, Auntie, I will find a time to propose marriage as soon as possible, and I will submit a marriage report to the organization when I get back."

His voice was deep and resolute, “Uncle, Aunt, rest assured, I, Sheng Zexi, swear by my life and faith that I will never let Ningning down.”

Seeing that both sides had reached an agreement, the matchmaker was all smiles. Yao Chunhua asked Gu Jianing to take Sheng Zexi out for a walk so that the future couple could have a chat.

The two walked one after the other, keeping a meter's distance between them. Although they were getting married, it wouldn't be good for others to see them if they got too close.

Sheng Zexi gazed at the graceful figure ahead. Since his mother's passing, his empty heart had been filled with sweetness.

As he drew closer, his gaze fell on the little girl's drooping, slender white hands. Sheng Zexi's fingertips trembled slightly as he suppressed the urge to hold them and never let go.

"Ningning, are we dating now?" Sheng Zexi asked.

Gu Jianing glanced at him and nodded, "Yes."

Sheng Zexi raised his eyebrows and asked, "Then I'll go back today and submit a marriage report to the organization?"

"can."

Sheng Zexi clenched his fist secretly, and the joy in his heart rippled outwards like waves.

Sheng Zexi brought up the bride price with Gu Jianing again and invited her to visit the county supply and marketing cooperative together, which Gu Jianing accepted.

The two walking on the street attracted a lot of attention.

Especially since Gu Jianing had just caused a scene by jumping into the river yesterday, and today she was chatting and laughing with a handsome man in military uniform, everyone was very curious. Even those working in the fields were whispering among themselves.

Zhao Weihong, who was peeling corn and whose hands were aching from it, heard the commotion and saw Gu Jianing, a beautiful woman in a camel-colored coat. A flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, and she clutched the corn in her hands tightly. She then looked at the tall military officer next to Gu Jianing with some confusion.

"I heard that Gu Jianing agreed to meet the matchmaker yesterday. So, the person she's meeting with isn't this military officer, is it?" Li Juan, who was also peeling corn nearby, glanced at Wen Wenrou and guessed.

"But didn't Gu Jianing like Wen Zhiqing? It seems that officer definitely doesn't know that Gu Jianing jumped into the river for Wen Zhiqing. Could he have been deceived by Gu Jianing?" Li Juan frowned slightly, seemingly worried about the innocent officer.

"It must be Gu Jianing, that shameless vixen! I'll expose her!" Zhao Weihong angrily threw down the corn in her hand and rushed over aggressively.

Li Juan watched Zhao Weihong's retreating figure, her eyes darkening. She tucked her stray hairs behind her ears, then lowered her head to peel corn, while keeping a sliver of attention on the movements not far away.

Zhao Weihong has a crush on Wen Zhiqing and has always disapproved of Gu Jianing, who is also pursuing Wen Zhiqing. Now that she has a chance, she is determined to make the most of it.

As for Li Juan...

She also liked Wen Zhuqing, and was annoyed by Gu Jianing's constant pestering of Wen Zhuqing.

She didn't know why Gu Jianing would date that military officer.

But even if Gu Jianing gives up Wen Zhuqing, she doesn't want to see Gu Jianing marry such a good military officer.

Out of the corner of her eye, Li Juan's gaze fell on Gu Jianing's bright and beautiful face, as delicate as a peach blossom. She lowered her eyes, concealing the jealousy in them.

How come such a beautiful face doesn't exist in a city girl, or even in the female comrades of their educated youth settlement? It just so happens to be in a country village girl.

Li Juan also liked Wen Zhuqing's handsome face.

She also knew that Gu Jianing was beautiful and many men liked her, and she had even accidentally witnessed Wen Zhuqing trying to deceive Gu Jianing a few times.

She knew that Wen Zhuqing was not the gentle and refined gentleman he appeared to be; it was just a facade.

Li Juan was especially excited when she discovered this.

She believed that Wen Zhuqing, who was like her, would ultimately only be with her.

Zhao Weihong rushed aggressively towards Gu Jianing, who was startled and lost her balance, leaning backward to avoid her.

Sheng Zexi reacted quickly, supporting her back with his hand, "Are you alright?"

He looked up at the woman who had suddenly appeared, and his eyes darkened.

Gu Jianing steadied herself and looked up to see Zhao Weihong with an angry expression. After sizing her up for a while, she remembered that the female educated youth in the educated youth settlement liked Wen Zhuqing, but unfortunately, she was physically weak and simple-minded. She was not only used by Wen Zhuqing, but also by another female educated youth in the settlement.

"Zhao Weihong, what's wrong with you?" Gu Jianing retorted directly.

Zhao Weihong glanced at the tall, arrogant officer who seemed somewhat hostile towards her, and hesitated for a moment, but still mustered her courage and asked, "Comrade officer, are you here to meet Gu Jianing?"

"You probably don't know this, but yesterday Gu Jianing liked Wen, an educated youth from our settlement, and even jumped into the river for him."

"I'm looking at her again today; she's a fickle woman."

After saying that, she glared angrily at Gu Jianing and pointed at her, saying, "Gu Jianing, you already have Wen Zhiqing, yet you're still looking at other men. What kind of crooked ideas are you having? Are you trying to have an affair? Wen Zhiqing was even beaten by your third brother because of you, and you don't even have an apology?"

Gu Jianing frowned, slapped Zhao Weihong's finger away from her, and her pretty face darkened. "I hate it when people point at me like that."

(End of this chapter)