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"Hmph, if all else fails, I'll just go back to Liujiatun and do whatever I want."
“That won’t work either.” Gu Chuanming glared at Zhang Hongmei. Honestly, what will I do if you leave?
“Then what should I do? I’m still so young. Besides, I feel uncomfortable just looking at Zhou Jianwei. I’d rather marry a farmer who toils in the soil than marry him. At least I wouldn’t feel so disgusted by him.”
"Stop right there, don't get them into trouble. Can an ordinary person withstand the pressure?"
"Brother Zhang, please let me go abroad these next few days. Or I might as well not go abroad at all, and I'll drop out of school. I'll go to the border, and if they go too far, I'll just smuggle myself out of the country."
"You brat, you've got some nerve, but do you want to never go home? Do you want to live a life of hiding and hiding?" Gu Chuanming was so angry that he slammed his fist on the table.
Gu Chuanming breathed a sigh of relief. "Forget about unorthodox methods, just get married."
"Why? I don't want to. I'm still so young. Getting married is a long way off. What if I meet someone I like many years later, but I'll already be a married woman? I don't want that."
Zhang Shouyi narrowed his eyes after hearing Zhang Hongmei's words. He chuckled. He had been hesitating about whether to give up this opportunity, but it turned out this girl had other ideas. Well, then he'd seize the opportunity.
"Hongmei, have you forgotten? I'm your boyfriend?"
"Who said that? I didn't admit it?"
"Hehe, then I have no way to help you." Zhang Shouyi also spread his hands, just like Zhang Hongmei.
Zhang Hongmei was so angry that her eyes welled up with tears.
Zhang Shouyi couldn't stand Zhang Hongmei's behavior. "Alright, since Old Gu is here today, let's talk things out."
Hongmei, you only have one smooth path to walk, and that is to marry me.
Don't rush, let me finish. Although I like you, and I'm even a bit taking advantage of your situation, you need to think about it. Among the people you know, who can withstand external pressure? And even if they can withstand the pressure, can they protect you from being taken advantage of?
Now that we've laid everything out, I'll just get to the point.
I know you are still young, still a child, and not yet settled. I can assure you that even if you marry me, I will not ask anything of you before you turn eighteen.
Also, if you really have someone you've fallen in love with at first sight and want to spend the rest of your life with, and after I've assessed them and they seem suitable, then I'll let go.
"Do you think this is okay? This is the best solution I can think of, and it's also the most beneficial for you."
Zhang Hongmei looked conflicted. "Brother Zhang, this is very unfair to you." He had even thought of his own future, which was definitely in his best interest. But Zhang Shouyi was already so old. Wasn't she just holding him back?
Zhang Shouyi smiled inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged. "You don't need to worry about me. I don't fancy anyone else but you. I'll wait for you. If we can be together, that would be best, but if we're truly not meant to be, I won't force it."
“I think this is a good idea. Shouyi has a high enough status, so even if someone tries to take advantage of him, they will have to be cautious. Also, Shouyi is quite good-looking. Furthermore, if you want to abandon him in the future, Grandpa will support you.”
Hongmei, you must be thinking that if I said I would protect you in the future, then I can protect you now too. But have you ever thought that even the most careful plans can have flaws? If we really fall into someone's trap, there will be no cure for regret.
Although I could certainly get revenge for you, the damage might already be done. Therefore, the most direct way is to eliminate any possibility they might have.
Zhang Hongmei was in a state of utter confusion, completely lost. Yes, she could hide back in Liujiatun, but could she really escape them? She didn't know what they saw in her, but as a nobody, she couldn't afford to make even the slightest mistake.
But wouldn't this be hindering Zhang Shouyi? Uncle Zhang has been so good to me; I'm actually harming him.
“Brother Zhang, if I agree, but you meet your soulmate in the near future, I will definitely grant your wish. I feel very sorry for you if I do that.”
"It's okay, let's give each other the greatest freedom and respect."
"But I feel sorry for you and Uncle Zhang. He must be really looking forward to you getting married and having children soon. But I'm going to delay you."
“It’s alright, you can call my dad and ask. He’ll definitely approve. He’s even closer to you than to me.” Zhang Shouyi slowly poured a cup of tea for each of the three of them. When he got to Gu Chuanming, he was met with a glare from the old man. If Gu Chuanming still hadn’t realized that this was a trap set by Zhang Shouyi, then he would have lived such a long life in vain.
Zhang Shouyi gave Gu Chuanming a fawning smile, only to be met with a fierce glare.
Fine, let it be. Zhang Shouyi only played a supporting role. If Zhou Shixiong hadn't had such thoughts, and if outsiders hadn't been so greedy, this wouldn't have happened. Zhang Shouyi was at most taking advantage of the situation, which he himself admitted. Besides, seeing that kid's ingratiating smile was worth it. Oh well, he already had feelings for him anyway. It's just that the girl has to suffer like this, being schemed against like this.
"Alright then, but we can only get engaged, right? There's no need for a wedding. With Brother Zhang around, no one will dare to cause trouble," Zhang Hongmei said, sounding very unwilling.
“Hongmei, let’s just get the marriage certificate. I have special privileges. Besides, there’s an additional provision in the last article of our marriage law, which allows for discretionary decisions. That makes things much easier. It’s fine. Getting the certificate just means we’re protected by law.”
"So I'm a married woman now?" Zhang Hongmei said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Zhang Shouyi was startled and rushed over, but he didn't dare to lay a hand on her. This girl was at a sensitive time, so he should behave himself. They were about to succeed, and he couldn't afford to ruin everything.
"Hongmei, it's alright. We won't tell anyone, no one will know."
With tears in her eyes, Zhang Hongmei said slowly, "That's just wishful thinking. Grandpa, I've been bullied. Please help me get revenge. I'm so upset."
"Alright, alright, you wait. I'll teach all those who schemed against you a lesson they won't forget, and I'll definitely avenge you. Stop crying, you're a grown woman now, why are you still crying?"
"I'm really heartbroken. How could this happen? I'm already like this, and you still won't let me cry?"
"Alright, alright, go ahead and cry. It'll be fine once you've cried it out." After saying that, she glared at Zhang Shouyi again. This kid was really too impatient.
Upon hearing Gu Chuanming's words, Zhang Hongmei could no longer cry. She wiped away her tears and slumped dejectedly into a chair.
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