Gu Beiting let go of Mu Youyou and led her into his room, helping her sit on his bed. He then opened his wardrobe and took out a metal box, placing it in her lap.
“This is…?” Mu Youyou looked at him in confusion.
“Open it and see,” Gu Beiting said, sitting beside her.
Mu Youyou opened the box. Inside were two bankbooks and a stack of cash. One was the thousand yuan the Gu family had given her initially, and the other…?
“This is all my allowances and bonuses over the years. From now on, all my monthly allowances and bonuses will go to you,” Gu Beiting explained, opening the bankbook to reveal 5,500 yuan.
He placed the bankbook back into the box and nudged it further into her lap, his gaze burning with intensity.
Mu Youyou was stunned, looking up at him in shock. He actually trusted her so completely.
“Gu Beiting, aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with the money?” she asked, smiling.
“I trust you. You would never leave me. And if you really did, it would be my fault,” he said with unwavering certainty.
Her heart warmed at his steadfast gaze, and she threw herself into his arms.
“Host’s love value toward the target: 20.”
“Target’s love value toward the host: 40.”
Cai Cai’s voice echoed in Mu Youyou’s mind.
“What? I thought you couldn’t monitor Gu Beiting’s love value?” she asked, puzzled.
“I don’t know the exact reason either, but sis, his love value for you is even higher than yours for him,” Cai Cai said excitedly.
“Cai Cai, can you cancel the love monitoring?” Mu Youyou asked. She didn’t want their relationship to rely on numbers.
“Yes, sis,” Cai Cai replied, sounding almost gleeful.
“Why do you sound so happy?” Mu Youyou frowned. “Isn’t this related to your mission?”
“Because now I get to spend my life with you in this world!” Cai Cai waved his robotic claws in excitement.
“Thank you, Cai Cai,” Mu Youyou smiled, nestled in Gu Beiting’s arms.
[Love monitoring deactivating…]
[3…2…1… deactivation complete]
Mu Youyou stood from Gu Beiting’s embrace, feeling shy. “Go kill the chicken for me.”
“Okay,” Gu Beiting nodded, but didn’t move immediately.
“Hurry up!” she teased, giving him a playful look.
“Mm.” Gu Beiting smiled, planting a kiss on her cheek before getting up to handle the chicken.
Mu Youyou sat on his bed, clutching the metal box, giggling to herself before putting it safely in her space.
“Wife, the chicken is ready!” Gu Beiting called from outside.
“Why are you shouting so loudly? Everyone can hear you! Have some shame!” she blushed, running out to cover his mouth.
“What… what’s wrong with calling my own wife that?” Gu Beiting gently removed her hands.
“You…” Mu Youyou sighed in exasperation.
“Wife, I’m going out for a bit. Be back soon,” he said, kissing her forehead before running out of the yard.
Mu Youyou held her forehead, thinking her “ice prince” Gu Beiting had been stolen and replaced with this mischievous version.
After he left, she started cooking chicken soup.
Eastern Military Region Headquarters
“You’re back again? I thought you were on leave,” Commander Zhao said, surprised to see Gu Beiting standing straight before him.
“Commander, I want to request something,” Gu Beiting said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
“Go on, what is it?” Zhao asked, curious. This was the first time Gu Beiting had come to him with a personal matter.
“My wife and I never had a wedding, so I’d like to apply to hold a wedding ceremony at the base. I’ll cover all expenses myself,” Gu Beiting said politely, pouring a cup of water for Zhao.
“Haha,” Zhao laughed.
“Please don’t just laugh—say yes or no!” Gu Beiting said nervously.
“Alright. When are you planning it?” Zhao asked, pointing at him. This boy finally seemed to have grown up.
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? You’re killing me! How am I supposed to prepare in just one day?” Zhao rolled his eyes.
“The day after tomorrow. Can’t be later,” Gu Beiting said seriously.
Zhao considered it, then nodded. “Fine.”
“Could you also approve a car for me? I want to take my wife to the city to buy some things,” Gu Beiting said, smiling.
“You little rascal…” Zhao pointed at him, then chuckled.
“Go see Xiao Wang. Use my car,” Zhao said.
“Thank you, Commander!” Gu Beiting saluted and left.
“Also, you have to be the officiant. You’re my father’s and my father-in-law’s old comrade,” he called back.
“I’m already involved in this, got it,” Zhao laughed.
Mu Youyou, kneading dough in the kitchen, heard the car outside. Curious, she went out and saw Gu Beiting getting out of the vehicle.
“Whose car is that?”
“Commander’s. I borrowed it. After lunch, I’ll take you to the city,” Gu Beiting said, coming over and holding her hand before heading into the kitchen to help.
“To buy what in the city?” she asked.
“I applied for a wedding ceremony at the base the day after tomorrow. We’re going shopping,” he said with a smile.
“What?!” Mu Youyou’s mind exploded.
“Why worried? I’ll give you the best wedding as my wife,” Gu Beiting said, ruffling her hair.
“But… isn’t this troublesome?” she fretted.
“No worries. You just need to be a good bride; I’ll handle the rest,” Gu Beiting said, kissing her forehead.
Leaning against his broad chest, Mu Youyou felt a sudden surge of happiness.
For lunch, she made chicken soup, some sliced cucumber, and whole-grain buns.
“Wife, give me some money,” Gu Beiting said with a smile after washing the dishes.
“Okay,” Mu Youyou said, retrieving the metal box from the wardrobe.
They counted the money together: 623.2 yuan in total.
“We’ll buy a ‘Three-Turn-One-Ring’ radio,” Gu Beiting suggested.
“No need, I already have a watch, you have a bicycle, and I don’t need a radio. Let’s get a sewing machine instead,” she said. Learning from Li Yumei, sewing with a machine was much faster than hand-stitching.
Gu Beiting looked at her, unwilling to let her suffer any inconvenience.
“Alright, buying it unused would be wasteful anyway,” Mu Youyou said, swinging his arm playfully.