Xing Xiuyan suppressed her nervousness; it was indeed embarrassing for a young woman like her to take the initiative to ask a man about his marital status and romantic history.
But thinking of her superior's instructions and for her own future happiness, she still bravely asked, "Mayor Zheng, do you have a marriage contract?"
Whether it was an engagement arranged by her family or a private agreement, in Xing Xiuyan's mind, it was a marriage contract.
Zheng Hongfang almost spat out his tea; he hadn't expected Xing Xiuyan to ask such a question.
His face flushed red as he forcefully shoved the tea down his throat, looking at Xing Xiuyan with a mixture of embarrassment and confusion.
Xing Xiuyan is actually a beautiful woman with the demeanor of a well-bred lady, gentle and quiet. After spending some time by the leader's side, she has gained a sense of determination.
Zheng Hongfang stammered, "Miss Xing, why are you asking this?"
Xing Xiuyan decided to go all out. Since she had already spoken, and there was no turning back, she had to explain herself.
"If you are not engaged, do you think Xiuyan would be a suitable wife for you?"
He's being so direct, even a fool could understand. Zheng Hongfang isn't stupid.
He was immediately stunned. He hadn't expected that Xing Xiuyan, such a delicate young woman, would dare to ask him such a private question so directly.
Seeing that Zheng Hongfang opened his mouth several times but couldn't say anything, Xing Xiuyan knew she was being presumptuous. But the leader said that in such matters, the person involved should take the initiative to ask and clarify.
"Of course, if you are already engaged, then pretend that Xiuyan never asked."
How can we pretend we didn't ask? Zheng Hongfang was immediately dumbfounded: "This, does the commander know about this?"
Xing Xiuyan nodded, now calmed down: "The commander said that marriage is a major life event and one should make the decision oneself."
Zheng Hongfang inwardly groaned: "Commander, Commander, how could you do this to me?"
Couldn't you have asked me first?
How am I supposed to start a conversation with a grown woman like me?
Zheng Hongfang knew Xing Xiuyan very well; he was the one who rescued her from Wang Datong's chaotic army.
Xing Xiuyan was in dire straits at the time; her silk and satin clothes had been torn to shreds.
Zheng Hongfang felt great pity and respect for this young woman. Despite being from a respectable family and having fallen into such a predicament, she did not attempt suicide like other humiliated women. He personally arranged for her to stay in the place where single women who had suffered hardship were accommodated, and gave her a private room.
Zheng Hongfang also informed her about some of Shenxi's future policies when he had some free time.
This finally convinced Xing Xiuyan to become Chenxi's maid.
She willingly became Chenxi's maid; this leader was the kind of person she longed to be.
At this moment, Zheng Hongfang was somewhat at a loss when faced with Xing Xiuyan's resolute gaze, but he still spoke frankly: "Miss Xing, I have a childhood sweetheart. Our two families once agreed in private that we would become in-laws when we grew up. Who knew that I would be away for two years and she would be sold by her family? I have been searching for her for eight years and have not found her yet. If I find her and she is still unmarried and willing to marry me, I will naturally not let her down."
A hint of melancholy appeared in Xing Xiuyan's eyes, but she still asked, "What if the other party is already married, or doesn't want to marry you?"
Zheng Hongfang was stunned for a moment. He had thought that she might be married, but he hadn't thought that she might not marry him.
However, Zheng Hongfang still said sincerely, "If she is already married, I will be her brother and her family. If she is not married and still does not want to marry me, I will still be her family."
"Okay." Xing Xiuyan made her decision: "If, for whatever reason, she can't marry you, Brother Zheng, would you consider me?"
Zheng Hongfang panicked again. Why did Miss Xing still have to ask?
"I don't know either."
Having no other option, Zheng Hongfang could only offer a compromise: "Miss Xing, I really haven't considered any other marriage plans!"
This was his true feeling; he wanted to find his childhood sweetheart, and then follow the same path to marry her and have children.
"Then you should think it over carefully, but you don't need to give me an answer yet. Finding your childhood sweetheart is the priority. But, Brother Zheng, what if you can't find her? What if you never find her? Are you going to stay single for the rest of your life?"
Zheng Hongfang said helplessly, "Miss Xing, I really haven't considered these issues. Please allow me to think about it carefully."
Xing Xiuyan blushed slightly. The main reason she was pressuring Zheng Hongfang was because he was really too suitable for her.
Zheng Hongfang is sincere, honest, undogmatic, non-discriminatory, and hardworking. He has never discriminated against her for being abused by the rebel army; he treats her the same as he treats everyone else.
You should know that although the guards around the leader are loyal to her, some of them don't look at her with friendly eyes.
Xing Xiuyan knew that in the eyes of those guards, the leader was such a perfect person, how could he have a fallen woman serving him? He should have a daughter from a respectable family serving him.
Xing Xiuyan is different from Di Yingxue. Apart from Chen Xi, no one else knows about Di Yingxue's special experiences. These guards only know that Di Yingxue was abused and mistreated by her husband and beaten by her uncle. In the eyes of these guards, Di Yingxue is worthy of sympathy.
Xing Xiuyan was different. They believed that Xing Xiuyan had been violated by so many people, so she shouldn't be alive, let alone by the leader's side.
This is the tragedy of our times.
Many people can sympathize with and sympathize with abused married women, but cannot empathize with women who have also been abused and lost their virginity.
Xing Xiuyan was very clear-headed. She knew that she was outstanding in appearance and valued by her superiors. No one would dare to do anything openly about whoever the superiors assigned her to, but she couldn't guarantee what would happen in private.
However, Xing Xiuyan did not intend to remain unmarried for life. Everyone thinks differently. Xing Xiuyan longed for a loving partner, lovely children, and a normal family.
After looking around, she found that only Zheng Hongfang matched her ideal type.
Given Zheng Hongfang's respect for and obedience to his superior, he would comply even if the superior forced him to marry Xing Xiuyan.
But Xing Xiuyan didn't want to do that, and she knew that the leader wouldn't force Zheng Hongfang.
When Xing Xiuyan heard that Zheng Hongfang wanted to think it over carefully, she stopped pressuring him.
If we stop here, and Zheng Hongfang shows interest and doesn't outright refuse, then this matter is still possible.
Xing Xiuyan poured Zheng Hongfang another cup of tea: "Brother Zheng, Xiuyan will take her leave now. Please think it over carefully. I will also ask the chief to help you find your childhood sweetheart."
Zheng Hongfang was moved. He had not directly asked the leader to find his childhood sweetheart, mainly because it was his private matter. The leader was already busy enough, so how could he trouble the leader because of his private matter?
But he never expected that after Xing Xiuyan had such feelings for him, she would still ask the leader to find someone for him. Such a girl is of noble character.
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