Chapter 27
The couple from Chongchen Mountain paid a solemn visit, and the Gu family naturally had to make sure they made a good impression.
However, the process was inevitably somewhat unpleasant, mainly because the Gu family felt that the Shen family's visit was too abrupt, as they hadn't given any prior notice, leaving them unprepared.
Feng Min said with a forced smile, "It is indeed our fault! When Mingzheng came to take Xixi to the hospital last time, I thought he had already told you about it. Who would have thought that he would be so unreliable?"
"It's all Mingzheng's fault!" she continued to scold. "That's just how he is, always rushing around, he can't even get things done properly! But he's a soldier, there are many things he can't control, we parents can only be more understanding of him, please forgive him."
While she was criticizing Shen Mingzheng, every word she uttered was actually an attempt to defend him.
There is no more humiliating rebuke to a person who cares about their reputation. Having dealt with Gu Maowen and his wife for five years, Feng Min knows very well how to manipulate them and make them feel uncomfortable.
Sure enough, Jiang Huijun's expression turned guilty. "Mingzheng told me back then that he was going to marry Xixi this month..."
At that time, Gu Maowen was hospitalized, and later Gu Xi moved directly to the Shen family's house and was not at home for a long time. Over time, the matter was overlooked.
Ultimately, it's because they didn't take Gu Xi seriously.
Gu Maowen's face stiffened, feeling that Feng Min was practically pointing her finger at them and scolding them for not being worthy of being parents and for not caring about their children.
Then he saw that Shen Zhongshan was sitting to the side drinking tea, pretending not to have seen anything.
He was a little angry, feeling that the Shen family was too domineering. From arranging the marriage between the two children to discussing the wedding, the Shen family had been doing things their own way, as if the Gu family's opinion didn't matter!
Gu Yuanzheng, Gu Yuanxiang, and a few others wanted to defend their parents, but as the younger generation, they didn't want to interrupt rashly.
Gu Yuanhui, on the other hand, shrank back. He was a bully who preyed on the weak and feared the strong, and he was quite afraid of the serious and dignified Shen Zhongshan. He never dared to be too blatant in front of Shen Zhongshan and his wife.
Gu Xi and Shen Mingrong sat together, watching Feng Min mock the Gu family, their eyes filled with admiration.
Fortunately, Gu Maowen and his wife didn't notice the expressions on the other two's faces, otherwise it might have been even more embarrassing, and Gu Maowen would have been even angrier.
Feng Min knew she couldn't rely on the Gu family. She despised them for being all talk and no action. What was face worth anyway? If it meant her own daughter had to suffer for the sake of face, she'd rather lose face altogether.
She said with a look of understanding, "I know you're busy. I heard that Comrade Gu was injured and hospitalized recently and is now recuperating at home. It's inevitable that he won't be able to take care of Xixi's wedding. So, we'll handle this. As long as you can attend the wedding, that's fine."
Gu Maowen's face flushed red, his hands gripped the sofa armrests tightly, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.
"Comrade Feng is joking." He gritted his teeth, trying to maintain his dignity. "Gu Xi is our child. We, as her parents, are also concerned about her getting married. Please tell us what you need to prepare. This is the first time our family has married off a daughter, and there are many things we don't know."
Feng Min scoffed inwardly. So this is it?
However, she didn't go too far on the surface. She softened her expression and said, "This is the first time our family has married a daughter-in-law, and she's the eldest son's wife at that. We value this marriage very much. My grandfather and grandmother will both attend the wedding. The wedding will be held at a state-run restaurant. It doesn't need to be a big affair; just inviting relatives and friends over for a meal will be fine..."
Hearing her mention the old master of the Shen family, Gu Maowen's heart stirred slightly.
He also admired Old Master Shen, who had come from the flames of war and made countless military achievements. With Old Master Shen's status, he was not someone that ordinary people could easily meet. Since they would be in-laws in the future, it should be easy for him to meet Old Master Shen.
"Comrade Feng is right!" Gu Maowen's tone became warmer, and even his gaze towards Gu Xi became more affectionate. "Gu Xi is my biological daughter, and I also hope that she marries well. The wedding should indeed be held properly. If there is anything we can do, please let us know."
Seeing this, Feng Min didn't stand on ceremony and began discussing the wedding arrangements for the two children, from the bride price to the dowry, the wedding ceremony, and so on...
The matter was too complicated, and even Gu Yuanhui and Shen Mingrong, who didn't care about such things, were getting drowsy listening to it.
Seeing this, Gu Xi pulled Shen Mingrong to her room to play.
Seeing how decisively she left, Gu Yuanxiang suddenly felt a look of envy in her eyes.
It wasn't for any other reason than Feng Min's loving heart towards her. Even though she was just her future mother-in-law, she did everything she could to help her. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think that she was Gu Xi's biological mother.
In contrast, Gu Maowen and his wife seemed more like the ones scheming, as if they were afraid that others would take advantage of them.
Gu Yuanzheng listened attentively, but when he heard the amount of the bride price offered by the Shen family, he was stunned.
The bride price alone shows how much the Shen family values Gu Xi.
These days, he has been reflecting on his behavior over the years, wondering if he has been bewitched. His own sister, who is related to him by blood, has suffered so much and returned home. Why would he treat her like this?
Perhaps, like his parents, he was initially ridiculed by outsiders, making him feel ashamed of his sister who grew up in the countryside and was considered unsophisticated and ugly.
Later, she became too quiet and habitually ignored her, and also felt that she was not as cute and considerate as Gu Yuanxiang.
She doesn't know how to speak sweetly to them, nor does she know how to act coquettishly. She is timid, introverted, and dull, which are not endearing qualities.
However, they forgot that the reason she developed such a terrible personality was because she was switched at birth and sent to the countryside.
As her family, after she returns, they should take the initiative to care for her, be tolerant of her, and try to change her personality so that she becomes more lively, generous, and cheerful...
Instead of showing her no patience or giving her any chance, which made her too timid to approach.
**
Gu Xi took Shen Mingrong to the room to play. The window of the room was open, facing the courtyard wall.
"Gu Xi".
Someone called out to her from outside the courtyard wall; standing there, one could see her sitting by the window.
Gu Xi turned her head and saw Chen Yunsheng and his sister under the courtyard wall. They must have been passing by and happened to see her, so they greeted her.
Thinking back to the last time in the park, when Chen Yunsheng helped call Shen Mingzheng over and saved her from certain death, Gu Xi felt somewhat grateful and waved to her.
Chen Yunsheng was very excited, never expecting to receive a response from her.
She hadn't seen Gu Xi since their last boat trip to the park. Firstly, Gu Maowen was injured and hospitalized during that time, and the Gu family was very busy, so she couldn't go to the Gu family again. Secondly, she knew Gu Xi's situation in the Gu family and knew what kind of person Gu Yuanxiang was, so she always felt that it was too wishful thinking to force herself to be friends with her.
Leaving the Gu family's premises, Chen Yunsheng said dejectedly, "Big brother, it seems Gu Xi and I can't be friends anymore." She then angrily smacked her head, "I had so many opportunities before, but I didn't take the initiative..."
Perhaps she was too greedy, always expecting others to take the initiative to become her friends.
If she had taken the initiative to talk to Gu Xi over the years, perhaps they could be good friends now.
Chen Ruian patted her head and comforted her, "It's okay, the world is so big, if you miss this one, there will be others."
“But no one else is as beautiful as Gu Xi!” Chen Yunsheng said firmly.
Chen Ruian was taken aback. Recalling Gu Xi's appearance, he realized that it was rare to see a female comrade more beautiful than her. If she hadn't already been engaged to someone from the military compound, her stunning looks alone would have brought her a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Never underestimate a man's inherent flaws, especially his predatory and destructive desires towards beautiful women.
"Oh, right, I heard the Shen family came over today to discuss the marriage with the Gu family. Gu Xi is getting married at the end of this month," Chen Yunsheng said, rambling on. "Last time I went boating, I saw Gu Xi's fiancé. He's very handsome and tall... but his aura is terrifying. Just getting close to him is intimidating. I wonder if Gu Xi will be afraid of marrying him? But Gu Xi probably won't be. She even calls him 'Big Brother'..."
Later, she heard from people in the family compound that the man was actually Gu Xi's fiancé.
Chen Ruian listened to his sister's rambling, looking somewhat dazed.
It turns out she's getting married...
**
Since returning from the Gu family, Feng Min has become increasingly busy.
Back when Shen Mingzheng left, Feng Min took out all the fabric ration coupons in the house and dragged Gu Xi to make clothes. They made several sets of clothes, some for the wedding, some for after the wedding, and some for visiting her parents' home...
Not only did I hire someone to make it, I also went to the department store and bought several trendy outfits.
There were also wedding supplies, but there were so many that they couldn't buy them all at once; they had to go and buy them in batches. Every day off, Feng Min and Aunt Wang would bring back bags and bags of things so that everyone in the military compound would know that her son was getting married.
Next, they began decorating the new house.
Gu Xi didn't get involved in any of this.
In Feng Min's words, how could she be expected to start working before even marrying into the family? That would be insulting.
For this purpose, she also called on Shen Zhongshan and his son to help, and they renovated the room where Shen Mingzheng was staying, moving all the wedding supplies in.
Although Shen Mingzheng was not at home, the Shen family kept his room available.
Gu Xi had been at the Shen family's house for so long, but she had never been inside Shen Mingzheng's room. While they were setting up, she stood at the door and looked around. She noticed that the room was about the same size as her own, and the furnishings were extremely simple, making it clear that the owner did not live there often.
However, soon after the wedding supplies were laid out, the room looked fuller and less deserted, adding a touch of joy.
While making the bed, Feng Min thought of something and beckoned Gu Xi over.
While she was busy, she said, "I had four sets of bedding made. Two sets will stay here, and the other two will be sent to Mingzheng's unit. Once you get there, you can make the beds right away."
Even in special times, marriage was still a major event. Although there weren't as many elaborate customs as in later generations, it was still possible to hold the necessary ceremonies.
There were quite a few wedding supplies.
Gu Xi remained silent, feeling somewhat downcast.
She didn't actually want to go with the army; she wanted to stay with Aunt Feng and the others.
However, she knew in her heart that Aunt Feng would not agree. In Aunt Feng's mind, the couple should live together.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Feng Min thought she was shy, so she couldn't help but smile. She then arranged the two enamel basins and two enamel cups with the double happiness symbol printed on them, all in pairs.
As she arranged the items, she smiled and said, "Right now, I only hope that you and Mingzheng will live a happy and harmonious life together. With the two of you together, even if Mingzheng is busy or tired, he'll have someone to care for him when he comes home! When he's on a mission, he'll think about the people waiting for him at home, and he'll be more considerate and won't push himself too hard..."
You know your own son best.
Shen Mingzheng was so young to be able to sit in this position. It was never because of the Shen family, but because of his reckless fighting spirit. He made countless contributions and was in danger several times. I heard that he was once in a coma in the hospital for half a month.
She heard all of this from her husband later, after a long time had passed, and he was afraid she would worry.
How could a mother not worry? That's her son!
But my son is a soldier, and those are things he has to do. What can I do if I'm worried?
We can only hope that after he gets married, he will have someone to care about at home, and that if anything happens, he will try his best to survive and return home, so that those who are waiting for him won't be sad.
Gu Xi listened quietly with a smile on her face.
She really enjoyed this warm and personal chatter, which made her feel like she was living a good life, which was comfortable and reassuring.
Feng Min chattered for a while, then laughed and said, "Look at me, once I start talking I can't stop. No wonder Mingrong is such a chatterbox, it seems she inherited it from me."
"No." Gu Xi smiled at her. "I like listening to Aunt Feng say that, it's very good."
When Feng Min saw the smile on her face, her heart softened, and she said, "Xi Xi, you should smile more often in the future. A young girl should always be happy."
She still remembers the first time she met Gu Xi.
After a heavy rain, she went back to visit her relatives. In order to save time, she was riding a donkey cart from the town to the commune when a landslide occurred. She was not swallowed by the mudslide along with the donkey cart, but she was not very lucky. One of her legs was trapped and she was seriously injured. Gu Xi, who happened to be passing by, dug her out and carried her to the town hospital, saving her life and also saving her own leg.
At that time, Gu Xi was thin and short. Although she was fifteen years old, she looked like a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl. She carried an adult on her back and trekked twenty miles in the rain.
Feng Min will never forget this scene, and even feels an immense pity and gratitude for Gu Xi at that time, feeling that she will cherish and love this child as her own daughter for the rest of her life.
She also remembered that Gu Xi at that time was like a weed that had been forced to break and was about to wither, doing heavy farm work and being enslaved by a pair of ignorant rural parents who only knew how to give unconditionally, making it impossible for her to have the heart to abandon the child.
Giving her money as a token of gratitude would only worsen her situation at home.
When she saw that her youngest son also depended on Gu Xi, she proposed to adopt Gu Xi and take her away, wanting to give her a better future.
At the very least, we can't let her spend her whole life being tormented in the countryside, living a numb and numbing existence.
Gu Xi originally didn't want to leave, because she was afraid that if she left, her two younger sisters would have no one to protect them.
Parents favor sons over daughters, considering only sons their children and daughters as worthless possessions to be married off. They don't cherish them and will let them marry off to anyone who offers the most generous dowry when they grow up, knowing they can live a predictable life.
At that time, she was ignorant and did not know how to change her fate. She only thought about trying her best to hold on and at least protect her two younger sisters.
It was Feng Min who told her that if she came with her, she could study in a big city, find a job, and earn money to support her younger sisters' education. Only then did she decide to go with her.
As Feng Min recalled these past events, she sincerely hoped that Gu Xi and her son could live a good life together.
She stroked Gu Xi's hair, her eyes gentle: "We agreed to adopt you back then, but I didn't expect you to have your own family. Then I thought, girls will get married sooner or later, and I'm worried about whoever you marry. I'm afraid your mother-in-law might have a bad temper and bully you, and I'm also afraid your sisters-in-law and other female relatives might bully you. So, I'd rather be your mother-in-law. I trust the son I raised, and I believe he will take good care of you in the future..."
Gu Xi was stunned.
She hadn't expected Feng Min to think that way, and opened her mouth, "So that's why you gave me and my older brother..."
“Yes.” Feng Min nodded. “I called Mingzheng to ask him about it, and he didn’t object. He’s a reasonable person.”
Gu Xi was speechless for a moment.
So Feng Min had already given Shen Mingzheng a choice?
He chose to obey his mother's arrangement and get engaged to her.
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