It had to be said—this man had been rather detestable before, but now he seemed passable. At the very least, his conduct was generous, and he knew how to consider her needs.
To have done this much was already quite good, after all, the two of them had no feelings for each other. Even if they married, it would just be to get by together.
If it weren’t for the children serving as the bond between them, the two would never have come this far.
After escorting her to the entrance of Jixie Chang, Gu Zhengnan finally rode off on his bicycle.
Jiang Shutang returned to the dormitory, where the three children had already finished eating and had washed the dishes. At this moment, they were gathered together reading.
Seeing their mother return, they all happily crowded around her.
The eldest, with his keen sense of smell, immediately caught the aroma.
“Mom, I think I smell meat.”
Hearing this, Jiang Shutang couldn’t help but smile as she pulled out the dishes she had been hiding behind her back.
“Look, what’s this?”
The youngest also ran over, his eyes lighting up. “Mom, where did you get the money?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Mom brought this back from Guoying Fandian. Hurry and get the bowls and chopsticks.”
The eldest ran to the table, stepped on a small stool, and brought down the bowls and chopsticks. Jiang Shutang poured the dishes onto plates and told the three children to eat quickly.
Though their mouths were watering, the three children still thought of their mother.
“Mom, eat with us.”
Jiang Shutang waved her hand. “Mom won’t eat. You go ahead—Mom’s already full.”
The eldest huffed and put down his chopsticks. “If you don’t eat, then we won’t eat either.”
Jiang Shutang’s heart warmed, knowing the children were worried about her.
“Mom isn’t being stingy with the food—I really am full. I ate at Guoying Fandian before coming back. If you don’t believe me, smell my breath—doesn’t it smell like meat?”
As she spoke, Jiang Shutang deliberately exhaled, and the little ones sniffed—there really was a meaty smell.
“Mom, don’t we not have any money? How did you go to Guoying Fandian? These dishes must have cost a lot, right? Can you still return them?”
Though the children were young, they were very sensible, afraid that too much money had been spent and Jiang Shutang would have to work overtime to pay off debts.
Jiang Shutang patted their heads. “Don’t worry, Mom has money. From now on, you won’t have to suffer with Mom anymore. We’re going to live a good life.”
Though the children were young, Jiang Shutang didn’t want to hide things from them, so she briefly explained the situation. As for what had happened between her and Gu Zhengnan back then, she naturally glossed over it.
After all, it wasn’t something honorable, and she couldn’t set a bad example for the children.
The three children were naturally happy to hear they had a father, but they quickly remembered how Gu Zhengnan had behaved that day.
The eldest’s eyes immediately dimmed. “Mom, but didn’t that uncle refuse to acknowledge us? They were mean to you too. If he’s that kind of bad father, we don’t want him.”
Jiang Shutang quickly explained, “That was because there was a misunderstanding at the time. Now the misunderstanding has been cleared up. He now acknowledges Mom’s identity and acknowledges your existence. Soon Mom will be getting married, and then you’ll have a father, and you’ll be able to eat meat every week.”
Hearing they could eat meat every week, they couldn’t help but swallow their saliva again.
They all listened to their mother—whatever she told them to do, they would do. Since Mom said this father was acceptable, they wouldn’t object.
But if this uncle was very bad and bullied their mother after the marriage, they would protect her. After all, they were little men.
After the three children finished eating, they happily went out to play, while Jiang Shutang hurried to the workshop to work.
When she arrived at the workshop, Zhang Xiaomai couldn’t help but sidle over.
“Shutang, I heard you went out with Comrade Gu today? What did you two do? Don’t worry, I definitely won’t tell anyone—I’m just curious.”
Zhang Xiaomai had a good relationship with Jiang Shutang, and Jiang Shutang wouldn’t hide such things from her.
Besides, how could such a thing be hidden? News of a marriage would definitely spread—everyone would know eventually.
“Nothing much, just went out for a meal.”
Zhang Xiaomai nodded. “So what exactly is the relationship between you two?”
Jiang Shutang pursed her lips. “We should soon be husband and wife.”
At these words, Zhang Xiaomai’s eyes immediately widened.
“Shutang, don’t try to fool me too.”
Jiang Shutang winked at her. “I’m getting married, probably within the next couple of days. Make sure you come then.”
Zhang Xiaomai stuttered, her face full of disbelief.
“Get, getting married? Who are you marrying?”
“Marrying Comrade Gu.”
Zhang Xiaomai almost shouted it out instinctively.
“You’re marrying Comrade Gu!”
At these words, everyone else’s gazes shot over as well.
Aunt Wang sneered and directly spoke up in mockery. “Some people really know how to dream. Marry Comrade Gu? She should take a look at herself—she’s just a pair of worn shoes, and she wants to marry Comrade Gu? Has Comrade Gu gone blind?”
Jiang Shutang curled her lip. “Even with eyes that blind, he still chose me over you. What, are you anxious? If you’ve got time to mock others, you’d be better off keeping an eye on your own husband.”
Jiang Shutang was sharp—she’d already pieced together what was going on.
Her husband had put a green hat right on her head, and instead of going after the real culprit, this woman was picking on her alone.
Serves her right for being cheated on.
Aunt Wang and the others naturally didn’t believe it. With Gu Zhengnan’s excellent prospects, Jiang Shutang wasn’t even worthy of him—even the daughter of the Jixie Chang factory director wouldn’t quite measure up to be with Gu Zhengnan.
After all, neither of Gu Zhengnan’s parents was ordinary, and his grandparents weren’t common folk either.
Gu Zhengnan was also the most accomplished of the grandchildren in the Gu family.
He was the one the whole family pinned their hopes on. How could he possibly marry a fox spirit with a ruined reputation?
But soon enough, they’d be eating their words.
After finishing work and returning home that evening, Gu Zhengnan couldn’t help but speak up solemnly during dinner.
“Mom, Dad, I have something to discuss with you.”
“What is it? Go on.”
Seeing how serious his son was, Father Gu set down his chopsticks directly.
Gu Zhengnan cleared his throat. “I’m planning to get married—within the next few days. Have someone pick an auspicious date.”
The moment those words left his mouth, the Gu household erupted.
Mother Gu’s eyes went wide. She abandoned her meal and immediately stood up to crowd beside her son.
“Zhengnan, you’re not joking with your mother, are you? You’re getting married? Who are you marrying? You have a partner? When did you start dating? Didn’t you just come back from abroad? How come I didn’t know you had someone? You child, why didn’t you say something earlier—your father and I were just arranging a blind date for you.”
After saying this, Mother Gu couldn’t help but laugh with joy. But soon enough, her smile would fade.
Father Gu couldn’t help but press further from the side. “Zhengnan, have we met this girl? Which family is she from? You should at least tell your family—your mother and I support your marriage, but you have to let us meet her.”
Gu Zhengnan dabbed his mouth with a handkerchief before speaking slowly and deliberately. “She works at Jixie Chang, and she currently has three children.”
Before he could finish, his younger sister, sitting nearby, sprayed the porridge from her mouth.