“Such a good girl. Here, have some candy.”
Gu Jingzhou took two milk candies out of his pocket and handed them to Duoduo.
“Thank you, Uncle-in-law!”
Duoduo was a clever little thing. After taking the candy, she called him that again, making Gu Jingzhou feel delighted inside.
Seeing that Su Die didn’t object, Gu Jingzhou boldly sat down beside her.
“This weekend, my parents would like to come over to formally propose. Do you think… that’s okay?”
Su Die thought about it. She had originally agreed to let him come over this weekend anyway.
He had shown up early with thick skin but she wasn’t the coy type. Since they liked each other, it was only right for the two families to meet.
Niu Zhenzhu was naturally pleased and immediately made the decision. “Let’s do Saturday. Su Die and her two sisters all have the day off.”
Gu Jingzhou was overjoyed. How could he focus on eating? His eyes were glued to Su Die, wishing he could marry her on the spot.
Su Die could feel the burning gaze beside her. Slightly embarrassed, she muttered, “Eat your food. Stop staring at me.”
Watching the sweet interaction between the two, Niu Zhenzhu and Su Lan felt deeply relieved.
No more worrying about Su Die’s marriage.
No more being chased and scolded by matchmakers and prospective in-laws.
After breakfast, Gu Jingzhou drove Su Die and Su Lan to the bank to deposit the money.
After Su Lan divorced Guo Huai, she no longer had to hand over her wages. Her salary was now fully in her own hands, and she deposited the entire 6,000 yuan as a fixed-term savings.
After leaving the bank, Su Lan went to work.
Gu Jingzhou had Su Die sit in the passenger seat. As he drove, he kept sneaking glances at her, unable to suppress the upward curve of his lips.
“Xiaodie, I’ll go with you to Grandpa Ge’s place.”
He simply wanted to stay by his future wife’s side at all times. Even if he said nothing, just watching her quietly was enough.
Su Die couldn’t help laughing. “Don’t you have anything else to do today?”
“No. Being with you… is what I want most right now…”
As he spoke, his face gradually turned red.
He was usually a man of few words, but whenever he saw Su Die, it was like a floodgate had opened he wanted to tell her everything.
He wished he could cut open his heart and show her his sincerity.
Su Die smiled and glanced at him before nodding. “Alright. Let’s go together.”
When they arrived at Ge Wenhan’s house, the old man was already at work.
“Grandpa Ge, I brought you breakfast.”
Su Die placed the oil-paper package of egg pancakes in front of him with a bright smile.
Though Ge Wenhan earned a good income, his cooking skills were limited. He often went hungry or ate poorly. So Su Die frequently brought him food.
“Finished translating that short piece?”
Grandpa Ge picked up the manuscript Su Die had translated overnight and flipped through it. “Not bad. Very accurate.”
China was short on translation talent. Even though Ge Wenhan had retired, he was still highly trusted and continuously assigned translation work.
“Don’t worry, Grandpa Ge. Even if I follow the army later, I’ll still complete the translations on time.”
“As long as you keep that serious attitude.”
After reviewing the manuscript, Grandpa Ge finally glanced at what Gu Jingzhou had placed on the table.
Two bottles of Moutai and two cartons of Hongying-brand cigarettes.
Hongying cigarettes were the predecessor of Yuxi cigarettes, with a fragrance superior to many expensive brands of later generations. Grandpa Ge loved them.
Gu Jingzhou had thoughtfully asked around overnight about the old man’s preferences.
“Hmm. You’ve put in effort.”
Hongying cigarettes were hard to buy. Being able to obtain two cartons overnight showed sincerity.
And the alcohol and cigarettes together cost quite a bit. Gu Jingzhou had spared no expense.
After finishing the egg pancakes, Grandpa Ge began translating with Su Die.
Gu Jingzhou didn’t sit idle either. He cleaned the yard, then went out to buy groceries and took charge of lunch.
Watching him bustling about outside, Grandpa Ge nodded approvingly.
“You’re quite something, girl. You managed to win over Gu Zhengning’s precious grandson. The Gu family has good family values. You won’t be mistreated if you marry into them.
And with me around, they wouldn’t dare bully you anyway.”
Su Die put down her work and admired Gu Jingzhou’s tall, upright figure.
“I went on nearly forty blind dates and didn’t like a single one. He’s the only one I liked. Not only does his face fit my taste perfectly, but he’s honest and not pretentious. I’m quite satisfied.”
After a short break, she returned to work.
Grandpa Ge brought out a sandalwood box from the inner room and placed it before her.
“This is your dowry.”
Su Die quickly stood up and took it. When she saw what was inside, she looked up in disbelief.
“Grandpa Ge… this is too valuable.”
The box was filled with gold ingots heavy and gleaming.
“I’m old, with no children. These things are useless to me. You’re still young. You should have some gold and silver to rely on.”
His thoughtfulness moved her deeply.
“Grandpa Ge, I will definitely be filial to you.”
…
Gu Jingzhou bought a large grass carp, cooking half braised and half in a light soup.
The staple was steamed rice.
Grandpa Ge took a bite of the fish, savoring it with narrowed eyes, but still offered advice.
“Good cooking. After Xiaodie marries you, you should cook more and handle more housework. Her hands are meant for bigger things. Don’t keep her tied to the stove.”
Gu Jingzhou nodded sincerely. “Don’t worry, Grandpa Ge. I’ll never let her suffer. Besides… I can’t bear to let her suffer.”
Grandpa Ge: “……”
Was he just force-fed romance?
Clever as he was, Gu Jingzhou won the old man’s favor through action. By the afternoon break, the two were playing Chinese chess together.
Su Die kept translating nonstop, wanting to finish more work before leaving with the army to ease Grandpa Ge’s burden.
Just as she was busy, someone knocked on the courtyard door.
“Mr. Ge, are you… busy?”
Aunt Hu entered with a covered basket, her face shy.
Grandpa Ge merely lifted his eyelids and ignored her.
Gu Jingzhou turned and immediately recognized the gossiping woman from the other morning. His face darkened.
“What do you want?”
Aunt Hu froze but quickly forced a smile. “I made some sauerkraut pork dumplings and thought I’d bring some for Mr. Ge. He lives alone with no one to care for him, so I thought”
“Don’t think. Mr. Ge doesn’t need it. Please leave immediately.”
Gu Jingzhou had already seen that Grandpa Ge had no interest in this woman.
Unsolicited kindness often hides ulterior motives.
Aunt Hu had been seeking a second marriage, sizing up several older men but finding none satisfactory. She had set her sights on the well-off, single Ge Wenhan.
Su Die stepped out, smiling faintly.
“Well, if it isn’t Aunt Hu, the neighborhood gossip. Heard you were rejected again by that widower from the next alley?”
Aunt Hu flushed with anger. “None of your business! I didn’t like that old fool.”
“Oh? Then who do you like?” Su Die raised a brow. “My Grandpa Ge?”
Aunt Hu hadn’t expected her intentions to be exposed in front of him.
“Who I like isn’t your concern. I just brought dumplings. Mr. Ge, they’re fresh and hot please eat while they’re warm.”
She didn’t want to argue anymore; she wanted to build a connection quickly.
Her son still hadn’t found a job and wasted money daily. If she married this childless old man, his property would belong to her and her son.
Grandpa Ge snorted. “Leave. I don’t want your things.”
Elderly single men without family were easy targets for schemers like her.
Su Die frowned, worried.
If she left with the army and something happened to Grandpa Ge at home, what then?
Having him move into the Su household wasn’t practical either.
Grandpa Ge treated her like a granddaughter. She had to think of him.
Watching Aunt Hu linger shamelessly, Su Die suddenly had an idea.
What if… she brought Grandpa Ge with her?
With her there, who would dare bully him?
Aunt Hu, embarrassed but unwilling to give up, tried again. “Mr. Ge, I just don’t want you to be lonely…”
Grandpa Ge stayed silent, but Gu Jingzhou stood up coldly.
“You’re not welcome here. Leave immediately, or I’ll report you to the neighborhood office for hooliganism.”
Aunt Hu’s eyes widened. “I, I’m a woman! How can I be a hooligan?”
Su Die said seriously, “Women can be hooligans too. I’m a witness. I saw it with my own eyes.”
“You, you’re shameless! I, I’m leaving…”
Terrified, Aunt Hu fled. In those days, being labeled a hooligan could mean prison—or worse.
And Gu Jingzhou was a uniformed officer. His words carried weight.
Grandpa Ge put down his chess piece and praised him.
“Just like Gu Zhengning’s grandson. You know how to handle things.”
Gu Jingzhou then looked at Su Die with shining eyes, like a loyal puppy seeking praise.
She understood and smiled. “Not bad. Keep it up.”
“Mm. As long as you’re happy…” he said meaningfully.
Su Die: “……”
Grandpa Ge rolled his eyes. “You rascal, always scheming to charm Xiaodie.”
Gu Jingzhou’s skin was thick as city walls. To win his wife, he used every trick in the book.
He even cooked red date millet porridge and stir-fried tomato with eggs for Grandpa Ge’s dinner.
Then he asked earnestly:
“Grandpa Ge, would you be willing to come with us?”