Hearing Lu Qiqi’s refusal, Sun Kaifeng’s eyes turned cold, though she kept it hidden, maintaining a gentle smile as she spoke:
“Qiqi, Junjun is your brother—”
Lu Qiqi’s gaze hardened.
“I have only one brother. His name is Lu Chuan. Second Aunt, I have already laid out my terms. Hand over what is rightfully mine, and I will go through with this marriage. Otherwise, forget it entirely. If you and Second Uncle need more time to think it over, take all the time you need.”
Seeing that Lu Qiqi would not yield to coaxing or threats, Sun Kaifeng dropped her pretense. She was just about to fly into a rage when she saw Lu Jianshe approaching—alongside a tall, broad-shouldered young man.
It was the first time Lu Qiqi had laid eyes on Gu Mufeng. At first glance, her heart gave a sudden, unexpected lurch:
This is the man I am meant to marry? He was not at all unpleasant to look at. His clothing was worn and plain, yet scrubbed spotlessly clean. And there was something about him—a quiet, distinctive bearing that set him apart.
She recalled her aunt mentioning earlier that the man from the Gu family was a poor soldier. The realization filled Lu Qiqi with quiet delight.
In her past life, she had always admired soldiers—their courage, their uprightness, their unwavering integrity. She had once dreamed of marrying a man in uniform, yet had never had the means or opportunity to make it so. To find such a surprise waiting for her in this new life…
At first, she had intended to use this marriage simply as a way to cut all ties with her selfish relatives, planning to speak plainly to the Gu family later and call off the match. But now that she stood face to face with Gu Mufeng… she found herself wanting to see where this might lead.
Lu Qiqi composed herself, meeting the gazes of Lu Jianshe and the young man as they drew near. A faint, knowing smile touched her lips.
Lu Jianshe was portly, his hair thinning at the crown, appearing far older than his years. Yet his face was arranged in what he clearly imagined to be a benevolent expression. Behind him stood the man she had seen—Gu Mufeng—tall and straight as a pine, his skin weathered and bronzed by sun and wind, lending him an air of quiet, unshakable resolve.
When Gu Mufeng’s eyes fell on Lu Qiqi, a flicker of something crossed his face—gone almost before it appeared.
This is to be his wife? She was meant to be eighteen? She looked scarcely old enough to be sixteen. Small, slight… clearly, life with the Lu family had treated her poorly.
He had originally intended to offer two thousand yuan as a bride price. Looking at her now… perhaps a lesser amount would suffice. He pressed his lips together, and spoke in a tone that carried a hint of awkwardness.
“Qiqi.”
Lu Qiqi nodded in acknowledgement.
Sun Kaifeng watched their brief exchange, a flicker of disdain crossing her face.
“Young Master Gu, as you have now seen Qiqi for yourself—this engagement was arranged by our elders. And you have already obtained the marriage certificate—”
“Marriage certificate? Obtained? When? How was I never told of this?” Lu Qiqi interrupted, thoroughly bewildered.
At her questioning, Lu Jianshe shifted uncomfortably. He certainly had no intention of explaining the truth: that Lu Meili and Sun Kaifeng, fearing Lu Qiqi might refuse, had sent her identification documents to the Gu family without her knowledge. Nor had the Gu family given it much thought—Gu Mufeng was a soldier, his marriage subject to official review, and the match had been arranged by his own grandfather. Gu Mufeng had raised no objection, had filed the necessary paperwork, and the certificate had been issued. He had mentioned it in a letter sent ahead, or so they claimed.
“Qiqi, this union was decreed by your grandfather. If you trust no one else, surely you trust him?” Lu Jianshe pressed on. “The Gu family may not be wealthy—but are we not told that poverty is a badge of honor these days? With the certificate in hand, you are lawfully part of their family now. We Lu folk are not ones for grand ceremony. All is settled; gather your things and travel with your husband before daylight fades.”
He then turned to Gu Mufeng, extending an expectant hand.
“Young Master Gu, we have raised Qiqi these eighteen long years at great cost. You cannot expect to take her without fair compensation. The bride price must not be scant.”
Gu Mufeng frowned.
“Uncle Lu, it is only right that a groom should provide for his bride. By custom, such gifts are given to the bride’s parents. Since her parents are no longer with us… I shall entrust it directly to Qiqi.”
He drew an envelope from his breast pocket and placed it in her hands.
“My family’s means are modest. This is all I am able to offer. I hope you will not think it too little. Rest assured—having taken you as my wife, I shall care for you faithfully and well.” As he spoke, he looked at her with steady, earnest eyes.
Sun Kaifeng and Lu Jianshe burned with resentment at seeing the money placed directly in Lu Qiqi’s hands.
“Qiqi, let Second Aunt keep it safe in trust for you—” Sun Kaifeng lunged forward, reaching to snatch the banknotes.
Lu Qiqi stepped neatly aside, counted out exactly half the sum, and held out one hundred yuan toward her aunt.
“Second Aunt, we agreed to split the price equally. Here is one hundred yuan—consider it payment for my board and lodging over this past year. Though truth be told, the care I received in this house was hardly worth so much.”
“Why, Qiqi, what a thing to say!” Sun Kaifeng snatched the money, wetting her thumb with spittle and counting the notes greedily. “You were treated as one of our own—Second Aunt never stinted you!”
The notes were all in small denominations. Sun Kaifeng counted them—one, two, three times—before tucking them securely into her pocket. Even so, she looked up and shot Gu Mufeng a look of open contempt.
“Really now! The Gu family is a stingy lot, aren’t they? In this day and age, what family sends a groom to wed with less than a thousand or eight hundred yuan? And you bring barely two hundred…”