The May sunshine was warm, and the dress was completely dry, carrying a faint floral fragrance.
Yang Muqing’s family was well-off, and she often shopped for clothes at the department store, but she had never seen a dress like this before—especially the braided-style waistband and that blue cloth button.
Gu Jingxiu naturally went to take the dress. “Alright, if you like it, I’ll give it to you.”
Su Jinle trembled with anger, pushing him away abruptly. “Get lost!”
Yang Muqing crossed her arms and let out a meaningful chuckle. “Jingxiu, so this is the little stutterer you’re going to marry. Seems she doesn’t really like you much.”
Her repeated use of “little stutterer” felt like a dagger to the heart. It had always been the three words Su Jinle dreaded most. Even the cold-hearted Gu Jingxiu rarely mentioned it, but now Yang Muqing said it without any restraint.
Su Jinle’s face paled slightly. Because of her speech impediment, she had never argued with anyone, always yielding when possible.
But why should she give away the dress she had made to Yang Muqing!
Gu Jingxiu frowned, unable to understand why Su Jinle was still making things difficult for Muqing even after he had expressed his intention to marry her. She knew perfectly well that Muqing would be going abroad in a year, and he couldn’t possibly follow her.
Su Jinle had only one thing to say: “This is mine! Get lost!”
Yang Muqing sneered. “I’m determined to have this dress today, Gu Jingxiu. You figure it out!”
Yang Muqing was the object of admiration for all the boys in Guantouchang Jiashuyuan. She came from a good family, was beautiful, and carried an air of pride that could humble even the most arrogant men. Yet, at the peak of her youth, she went abroad for medical treatment, leaving behind a crowd of “followers” filled with regret.
When Gu Jingxiu moved to Jiashuyuan with his parents, he caught a fleeting glimpse of Yang Muqing and never forgot her. Knowing they were impossible, he poured his feelings into his diary. To him, marrying Su Jinle was “settling for second best.” Su Jinle couldn’t compare to Yang Muqing; her only redeeming quality was perhaps that her eyes bore some resemblance to Muqing’s.
He always believed that a young lady like Yang Muqing was entitled to a bit of a temper. Su Jinle, accustomed to enduring hardships, shouldn’t make a fuss over a dress. He would marry her, let her continue being the esteemed Mrs. Gu—wasn’t that enough?
Gu Jingxiu took a deep breath and grabbed Su Jinle’s arm. Naturally stronger than a woman, his tone turned forceful. “Lele, give this dress to Muqing. You can make another one.”
“No!” Su Jinle bit her lip hard, her eyes already red like a rabbit’s. His grip was strong and painful. She was usually gentle-tempered and prone to tears—even her brother would tease her for being like a little rabbit.
But now, even as she bit her lip until it bled, not a single tear fell.
Gu Jingxiu looked into her eyes, and scenes from his past life flashed through his mind. To outsiders, they were a loving couple, from youth to old age. Though he never looked back at her, he had long grown accustomed to her presence.
He had never seen her like this before, and his heart couldn’t help but ache slightly. His grip gradually loosened. “Muqing is going abroad next year. You know what I mean. We have a lifetime ahead of us. If it’s about money, I’ll give it to you, alright?”
The Su family was in such dire straits now. Even though the marriage proposal had failed, he was still willing to support her for the time being.
Thinking this, his tone softened a bit: “Lele, be good.”
Yang Muqing glanced at her impatiently: “So it’s all about money. Just say how much you want—ten or fifteen yuan? I, Yang Muqing, don’t need anyone giving me a dress for free. All this crying and whining is so annoying!”
After saying this, she took fifteen yuan from her bag and threw it directly at Su Jinle’s feet: “Here, fifteen yuan—you’re not losing out, right? It’s just a homemade dress anyway, something I wouldn’t usually even look at!”
Su Jinle originally had no particular feelings toward Yang Muqing. The fact that she had become Yang Muqing’s substitute ultimately came down to Gu Jingxiu. But now, with Yang Muqing’s condescending attitude, even a clay figure would have some temper.
Moreover, Su Jinle didn’t care about Gu Jingxiu in the slightest. Her things were hers to give or not—no amount of money would change that!
“This dress is not for sale!” Su Jinle didn’t even glance at the money. She took the dress down and pointed toward the door: “You two, leave.”
Yang Muqing, with her spoiled young lady temper, immediately grew angry: “Gu Jingxiu, you deal with your own person. There’s nothing I’ve set my eyes on that I haven’t gotten. If I can’t buy this dress today, don’t come looking for me again!”
Gu Jingxiu’s expression darkened. He reached out to grab the dress.
Su Jinle was petite and no match for his strength. With one tug, she stumbled and nearly fell to the ground.
Just as she thought she was about to hit the floor, a large, well-defined hand firmly caught her by the waist. With a slight pull, she steadied herself.
It was a man in camouflage uniform, with sharp features and piercing eyes. He looked somewhat fierce yet strikingly handsome. His long legs were clad in green military pants, and his tall, powerful build radiated an overwhelming sense of presence.
His gaze swept coldly over Gu Jingxiu’s face, sharp as a blade: “Bullying a woman?”
Before Gu Jingxiu could respond, Yang Muqing spoke up first, her voice filled with delight: “Brother Shi Xu, what brings you here? It’s been so long since I last saw you…”
She had always carried herself with the haughty air of a young lady, but now she adopted a delicate, coquettish demeanor. Beside her, Gu Jingxiu’s expression darkened slightly, his tone turning cold: “And who are you?”
Song Shixu frowned slightly, completely ignoring Yang Muqing. He lowered his eyes to look at Su Jinle: “You’re Yi’an’s sister, letting others bully you without fighting back?”
If you can’t fight, can’t you at least shout back?
Though he had helped her out of the situation, his expression clearly showed disdain. She seemed as soft and timid as a rabbit, as if anyone could push her around. It was a wonder her brother was an elite in the military.
Su Jinle recognized him—he was her brother’s comrade-in-arms. In her past life, she had only seen him a few times. Later, after she got married and her brother moved away, he never appeared again. Her only impression of him was that he was a very stern and intimidating man.
But he had been good to her brother. During their family’s poorest times, he had even given money for her brother’s medical treatment.
However, this man looked so fierce that she grew even more nervous and stammered worse: “I…”
Song Shixu lifted his gaze, cutting her off: “Where’s Yi’an?”
“He’s sleeping.” This time, Su Jinle managed to speak a bit more smoothly.
Beside them, Yang Muqing grew anxious. She stepped forward, pushing Su Jinle aside, and said in a somewhat pleading tone: “Brother Shi Xu, I just really want this blue dress, but she won’t sell it even when I offer money! Can you help me get it? I’ll wear it for you later, okay?”
Song Shixu was clearly even more condescending than Yang Muqing, not sparing her any face: “If they won’t sell it to you, you just take it by force—are you a robber? Will you leave on your own, or should I have you thrown out?”
Yang Muqing’s eyes reddened at his words, but surprisingly, she didn’t throw a tantrum. Instead, she shot Su Jinle a resentful glare, stamped her foot, and ran off on her own.
Gu Jingxiu hurriedly chased after her, then turned back to glance at Su Jinle, his tone filled with disappointment: “Lele, you’ve been very disobedient.”