Ch 2: If He Won’t Marry Her, I Will
Although Shen Mingyue’s clothes were patched, she had a beautiful, captivating face.
Not only she, but even Gu Yuanzhou, who was usually impassive, was momentarily stunned, as if lost in thought.
This beauty was the kind that stood out in a crowd, even in drab work clothes.
Gu Yuanyang was also clearly surprised. Who would have thought his sister-in-law was so beautiful?
Father Gu and Mother Gu didn’t think much of it, and smiled as they went over to greet her.
“Mingyue, is it? The journey was bumpy, you must be tired. Come inside.”
Mother Gu casually greeted her, then turned her attention to Nannan, her granddaughter.
Shen Mingyue nodded and spoke slowly, her voice gentle, her Mandarin clear and precise.
“It wasn’t hard. The driver worked hard to pick me up from so far away.”
As they spoke, everyone went directly into the living room. The Gu family was wealthy, living in a two-story house, an expansion of their original home.
Gu Jianjun held a high position, and his wife was no ordinary person. In the impoverished 1980s, such a family was considered elite.
Shen Mingyue was very satisfied. Although she wasn’t interested in marriage, this was a stepping stone. Once she settled down, she would divorce and leave with Nannan.
She just didn’t know what kind of male comrade the Gu family had arranged for her.
Entering the living room, Shen Mingyue sat on the sofa with Nannan, and the Gu family members also sat down.
Tian Shufang, thinking of her granddaughter, came in and sat next to the child, quietly playing with her.
The eldest son had a hard life. After being abducted by human traffickers, the family was initially kind to him, but later they had another son, and he became an eyesore. His first wife left a few years after giving birth, and he later used money earned from black market labor, selling everything to marry Shen Mingyue. To put it bluntly, she’s a stepmother, and whether she’ll be good to the granddaughter is uncertain.
After some pleasantries, Gu Jianjun got to the point.
“Little Shen, you suffered a lot in the countryside these years. Hongbin is gone, but you still have us. The Gu family is your support. No one will bully you and your daughter, including the child in your belly. The Gu family will take full responsibility.”
Then, he looked at Gu Yuanyang beside him and continued, “You know Hongbin’s last wish, right?”
Shen Mingyue nodded, maintaining the perfect distance. Facing a big shot like Gu Jianjun, she showed no fear.
Gu Jianjun’s opinion of her rose. Gu Hongbin was indeed his son. Even though he hadn’t raised him, the wife he found in the countryside was so excellent.
To say nothing else, in terms of courage, she already surpassed many country girls.
“Since you know, let’s be clear. This is our third son, Yuanyang. He graduated from university and has been assigned a job. He is quite suitable for you in all aspects. After you two get married, live a good life. He has a bit of a temper, but he’s a good person.”
Gu Jianjun made the decision, settling the marriage.
Shen Mingyue’s expression remained calm as she looked at Gu Yuanyang in the distance.
Seeing Shen Mingyue looking at him, with a hint of appraisal in those dark pupils, Gu Yuanyang inexplicably blushed.
Although Shen Mingyue was very different from what he imagined, her beautiful face wasn’t enough to change his mind.
Under immense pressure, Gu Yuanyang still spoke, “Dad, I haven’t agreed to this!”
Shen Mingyue lowered her eyes, silently marking a cross in her heart. This young man wasn’t suitable; he was too young and not steady enough. Her willingness to marry was predicated on the man being able to act as a father, giving the child the necessary fatherly love.
And Gu Yuanyang was clearly unsuitable; he was too impetuous, still a child himself. How could he help take care of Nannan?
As for the child in her belly, honestly, she didn’t plan to keep it. There was too much gossip in the countryside, and no clinic with adequate medical conditions. Now that she was in Hangzhou City, she planned to find an opportunity to have an abortion.
After all, this child’s origins weren’t glorious…
Shen Mingyue shifted her gaze from Gu Yuanyang to Gu Yuanzhou beside him.
This one was much more appealing. He seemed older, his brow radiating the charm of a mature man.
Gu Yuanzhou was very perceptive. He slightly raised his gaze, and their eyes met.
Gu Yuanzhou’s pupils constricted suddenly.
That’s right, it’s her, the woman he’s been looking for.
Shen Mingyue withdrew her gaze, pondering for a moment before speaking, “Dad, since he’s unwilling, then forget it. Marriage matters cannot be forced. Besides, I also think he is unsuitable; he’s not steady enough. This one looks good. Can we change it to him?”
Shen Mingyue didn’t know how to be shy. From what she could see, Gu Yuanzhou was clearly more reliable than his brother.
Even if it was a partnership, she still needed to find someone appealing and compatible.
As soon as she said that, the Gu family fell silent, all looking at Shen Mingyue with suspicion.
What a nerve! Gu Yuanyang was already more than enough for her. A country woman with no education or knowledge, if it weren’t for Gu Hongbin’s sake, would she even have the right to be so picky?
Gu Sisi was the first to lose her temper, “Ruining her third brother is one thing, but she wants to ruin her second brother too? What right does this country bumpkin have?”
“Stop daydreaming! Do you know who my second brother is? He works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He’s not someone you can covet.”
Gu Sisi always looked up to her second brother and admired him greatly. Many women had liked her second brother over the years. Even in this feudal era, many female comrades pursued him relentlessly, but he never showed any interest.
If he married this country bumpkin, wouldn’t he become the laughingstock of everyone?
Shen Mingyue frowned slightly. She knew the Gu family wasn’t ordinary, but she didn’t expect them to have someone working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That wasn’t a place just anyone could enter. Judging by the girl’s appearance, this male comrade probably held a high position in the Ministry.
She sighed silently in her heart. If it didn’t work out, so be it; she wouldn’t get married. With the Gu family’s protection, she wouldn’t have a bad life. It would just be more difficult for the child’s growth; lacking a father’s love, their personality might have flaws.
Just as she was about to voice her thoughts, the refined and elegant man spoke.
“Yes, I can.”
Just three words, once again changing the faces of everyone in the hall.
Even Gu Jianjun, usually calm and unmoved, was flustered.
“Yuanzhou, you…”
Gu Yuanzhou stood up, his voice gentle and refined. Even when interrupting his elders, he seemed very polite.
“Dad, I’m twenty-six now, already of marrying age. My superiors are also concerned about my personal matters. If I get married, it would be a good thing. Yuanyang is still young and not ready for marriage. Therefore, it would be better if I marry her instead.”
His words were firm and well-reasoned, leaving Gu Jianjun and the others speechless.
Gu Yuanyang had felt a little unbalanced, but now that he heard his brother was willing to marry this country bumpkin, his emotions became complicated.
He knew how high his brother’s standards were. Now that he agreed to marry her, it was probably for his sake. Thinking of this, Gu Yuanyang’s eyes welled up.