Both sets of parents had not expected it — one suddenly declaring she wouldn’t marry, the other simply giving up just like that. Even the matchmaker hadn’t reacted in time.
“This… this is such a perfect match — talented young man and beautiful young woman…”
Gu Jingxiu’s mother, Li Lianxin, secretly let out a sigh of relief. She had never understood why her son wanted to marry the Su family’s daughter in the first place. Low education aside, the girl even stuttered. And most importantly, the Su family still had a huge burden to carry.
All she had going for her was a somewhat delicate face — not exactly a breathtaking beauty.
Meanwhile, Jingxiu was a university graduate who had stayed on as a lecturer after graduation. In the future, he would surely become a great professor. They had come to propose marriage, yet Su Jinle wasn’t willing?
With a fake smile, Li Lianxin interrupted the matchmaker. “Since the two children are both unwilling, then it’s clearly fate that’s lacking. And how are they well-matched? Jingxiu is just too soft-hearted…”
Between the lines, she implied that they had come to propose out of pity — otherwise, Su Jinle wasn’t worthy of her son.
Su Jinle’s expression cooled.
This mother-in-law had been dissatisfied with her for a lifetime. After she married into the Gu family, she had been nitpicked constantly. Back then, she had loved Gu Jingxiu wholeheartedly, and he had treated her well. The sweetness of newlywed bliss had made her willing to endure the grievances.
It wasn’t until she gave birth to their son and the small family moved into the university staff compound in the capital, living separately from her in-laws, that her days became easier.
Su’s father’s face darkened. His daughter was not for outsiders to belittle. He stood up and faced the family of three.
“If it’s not suitable, then please leave at once. My Lele won’t lack suitors!”
Both fathers worked at the same cannery and saw each other daily. Gu’s father hurried to smooth things over.
“A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Let’s not harm our harmony over this small matter.”
Li Lianxin clicked her tongue and walked out unwillingly. As she stepped through the doorway, she muttered under her breath, “Putting on airs — she should look in the mirror first. My Jingxiu won’t have trouble finding a wife…”
A little stutterer — it’d be a miracle if she could even marry out.
Seeing Su’s father about to explode, Gu’s father quickly apologized with a smile. “Women just talk nonsense. Please don’t take it to heart. Today’s matter is our fault.”
He tugged at Gu Jingxiu, ready to leave.
But Gu Jingxiu stopped. He looked directly at Su Jinle and nodded toward the gifts they had brought.
“Since that’s the case, leave the things here. Consider it my apology — lest someone accuse me of being petty.”
Gu’s father froze. As this was a marriage proposal, the gifts had not been cheap.
Su Jinle, however, understood the hidden meaning.
He was referring to her insistence on divorce in their previous life over that diary — calling her petty. As if she had been the one at fault. As if he hadn’t treated her as a substitute for someone else her entire life.
“No need. Our family doesn’t lack these things.”
Before she could speak, her father had already refused outright.
“Take care.”
He practically escorted them out like they were being driven away.
The most aggrieved person was the matchmaker. She had thought this marriage was guaranteed. Gu Jingxiu was handsome and had a good job. The Gu family wasn’t wealthy, but both parents were employed.
As for the Su family? Su Jinle had no job and stuttered. Only her father earned money. Her elder brother had once had a promising future in the army, but he had recently injured his leg during a mission and was rumored to have lasting aftereffects.
With such good conditions on the man’s side, why wouldn’t they agree?
The matchmaker glanced at Gu Jingxiu’s profile, sighing at how handsome the young university lecturer truly was. How had he taken a fancy to a stuttering girl?
“Teacher Gu, I have quite a few good girls on my side. How about we arrange for you to meet them?”
Any one of them would surely work out. How many foolish girls like Su Jinle were there?
Gu Jingxiu looked at her indifferently. “Are there any who can’t speak?”
The matchmaker blinked. “Huh?”
He didn’t want a stutterer — he wanted someone mute?
Gu’s father frowned. “Jingxiu, the Su family has already refused.”
Gu Jingxiu curved his lips slightly. “Mm. It’s fine.”
She would regret it.
She had loved him for an entire lifetime. He didn’t believe her eyes could see any other man.
It was true that he had married Su Jinle because she somewhat resembled Mu Qing. But he and Mu Qing were ultimately fated to miss each other. Later, he rarely wrote in that diary. Occasionally, he would reminisce about their youthful days.
Su Jinle had simply been too disobedient.
Before his rebirth, she had been determined to divorce him. Her firm attitude had enraged him. He would make her watch as he and Mu Qing ended up together and regret everything. Only then would she understand how wrong she had been — and never again dare to utter the word “divorce.”
He would make her come back on her own.
Beg him to marry her.
How could she possibly bear not to marry him?
Back at the Su residence.
The gate was closed again. Su Jinle sat on a stool. The events of her previous life felt like drifting smoke — as though it had only been a dream. A dream that had burned away all her girlish devotion.
Her mother, Lin Yun, held her hand anxiously. “Lele?”
As a mother, how could she not know her daughter’s feelings? The Gu family had moved there only a few years ago. Gu Jingxiu was tall and refined-looking, standing out among the shorter, stockier boys. It was no surprise that Lele, newly awakened to love, had fallen for him.
That was why she had worried when the Gu family suddenly came to propose. Not because her daughter wasn’t worthy — but because marrying while holding so much love in her heart would inevitably bring suffering.
Gu Jingxiu was excellent, yes — but too arrogant. Not someone who seemed capable of cherishing a wife. She had never wished for her daughter to marry up; she only wanted her to find someone who truly loved her.
Warmth spread through Su Jinle’s hands. She smiled at her mother and spoke slowly.
“I… I’m fine.”
Back in her room, her gaze fell upon the neatly folded white shirt at the head of her bed.
She had secretly observed Gu Jingxiu for so long before sewing it by hand. Because of her stutter, she hadn’t worked outside and spent her time making clothes at home.
She was skilled with her hands. By eight or nine, she could already operate a sewing machine. She made all the family’s clothes. In her previous life, she had often sewn for Gu Jingxiu as well. But later, as more clothing stores opened outside, he had grown impatient with handmade garments, thinking she was wasting time.
Yet she still loved sewing.
It had been the only joy in her ordinary married life. Later, she made clothes for her child. For herself.
After finishing that white shirt, she had thought countless times about what excuse she could use to give it to him. Giving clothes to a man was too intimate — how could she dare? In her previous life, she had only found a chance after they were engaged.
When he wore it, he looked exactly as she had imagined. Her mood had floated for days.
But what had he written in that yellowed diary?
He wrote:
Su Jinle’s shirt was well made. Mu Qing said it looked good. But I no longer wish to wear it. Because the moment she said that, she told me she was going abroad. This white shirt, to me, is only farewell.
Her sincerity…
Had meant nothing to him.