Volume One, Chapter Three: Marry Me

Upon hearing her mother’s words, Niuniu finally understood that the stern uncle from earlier was actually helping them.

With that realization, she wasn’t quite as afraid of him anymore. Curiously, she propped up her big eyes and blinked rapidly, examining him closely.

Strange—earlier he was like a fierce tiger, but now, the way he looked at her mother was so gentle, like a big, friendly dog.

Gu Chengfeng burst out laughing, “How could I possibly let a lady pay for me?”

“You helped me, so naturally, I should treat you!”

As they exchanged embraces, the aunt who had spoken up earlier said, “I think you two should stop arguing. The food that man ordered hasn’t been touched yet, so don’t waste it.”

“Exactly!” Shen Sisi chuckled inwardly. Although Zhao Changjiang had placed the order, none of it had been eaten or paid for, so it wasn’t like she was freeloading.

Just hearing that the lecherous man had ordered the food made Gu Chengfeng lose his appetite.

“Take whatever you want to eat. Sisi and I will order again.”

Shen Sisi sighed. Gu, as always, was bossy and a bit of a neat freak.

“Alright... don’t waste it.” Shen Sisi tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to sit.

Gu Chengfeng’s gaze darkened as he quietly caught the slight wrinkle at the corner of her clothes. He couldn’t help but smile faintly. It had been a long time since he last smiled, unaware of how odd his expression looked.

Niuniu, timid as she was, shrank back into Shen Sisi’s arms, making Gu Chengfeng flustered. He quickly pulled out a milk candy he had prepared long ago, which had nearly melted on the way.

“This is...” He looked at the sickly little girl.

Shen Sisi introduced without hesitation, “This is my daughter, Shen Xingyue, but we call her Niuniu.”

Gu Chengfeng’s expression shifted subtly. She was surnamed Shen but didn’t take her father’s name.

He forced a warm smile, trying to appear gentle. It had been a long time since he last smiled, and he didn’t know how strange it looked.

Niuniu, scared, hid back in her mother’s embrace, and Gu Chengfeng, feeling awkward, hurriedly offered the milk candy.

“Uncle came suddenly and didn’t prepare anything for you. This is a White Rabbit candy, very sweet. You should try it?”

Gu Chengfeng stumbled over his words, as he was very skilled at scaring kids but had never tried coaxing one before.

Shen Sisi gently stroked the round little head in her arms. “Niuniu, remember what Mommy taught you—be polite. Look, Uncle is giving you candy. What should you say?”

Niuniu timidly raised her head, and when she saw the candy, her big eyes sparkled with excitement.

Candy... sweet, soft candy!

She was already three years old but had only eaten candy once and had almost forgotten its taste—just that it was very sweet. The more she ate, the more her mouth watered.

Niuniu swallowed nervously and glanced at Shen Sisi for approval.

With her mother’s nod, she dared to extend her tiny hand and said in a baby voice, “Thank you, Uncle.”

Hearing that, Gu Chengfeng’s heart melted.

He carefully peeled off the candy wrapper. When Niuniu took it, she didn’t immediately put it in her mouth but instead raised it toward Shen Sisi.

“Mommy, eat!”

Seeing how obedient and thoughtful her daughter was, Shen Sisi felt a sting in her nose. “Good Niuniu, Mommy doesn’t want it, you eat it.”

“Mommy eat!” Niuniu stubbornly nudged the candy toward her mother’s lips. “If Mommy eats candy, then Mommy won’t feel bitter inside...”

Shen Sisi’s arms tightened unconsciously. She couldn’t believe a three-year-old could say something so profound.

Tears welled up relentlessly.

“Good girl, Mommy’s not bitter inside. With Niuniu here, Mommy is fine!”

Her brave front was fully captured by his sharp gaze.

Under the table, his hand clenched so tightly that the knuckles turned white.

He wanted to ask more but feared touching on her sorrow.

After all, they had just “met by chance” and “reconnected.” Asking personal questions outright would be intrusive.

So he forced back his curiosity and asked with concern, “The child has...?”

“Tuberculosis. Niuniu didn’t have milk as a baby and was weak. Once she caught a cold and fever, there was no medicine in the countryside. By the time she was taken to the city, it was too late.”

Every time Shen Sisi mentioned this, she blamed herself mercilessly.

She hadn’t taken good care of Niuniu...

That was why she had come to the city—to find a father for Niuniu.

Niuniu’s tuberculosis was worsening. If she didn’t get city treatment soon, she might not survive the winter.

Otherwise, why would she endure the humiliation of being treated like a commodity? Meeting several men daily, being picked apart, called a shameless woman, and cursed at.

Only by marrying a man in the city and transferring the household registration could Niuniu receive timely medical care.

Thinking of her purpose for coming and the indignities she had suffered, she forced back her tears and, swallowing her bitterness, said calmly, “It’s not a big deal. I’ll take good care of her.”

A deep shadow passed over Gu Chengfeng’s eyes.

Tuberculosis—not a big deal?

With current medical conditions, it was difficult to cure.

Gu Chengfeng knew she was strong and independent but sometimes didn’t have to be so tough.

However, from her words, he seemed to sense the truth behind her city matchmaking—to help Niuniu.

“So, you came here to find a match so Niuniu could get better treatment in the city, right?” he asked bluntly.

Shen Sisi looked at him in surprise, meeting his hawk-like sharp gaze. “So you really can see through everything.”

“That’s right. I want to find a father for Niuniu, to transfer the household registration to the city. I never intended to hide this from anyone since they have the right to know. If they agree, I can live a proper life, but...”

She laughed bitterly. These days of matchmaking made her realize no man was willing to accept them.

They would rather accept a divorced woman with children than a woman who had a child out of wedlock.

She hadn’t planned to tell Gu Chengfeng these troubles, but since he had already figured it out, there was no use hiding.

Gu Chengfeng cleared his throat, his heart racing to his throat. Taking a deep breath, he feigned ease. “If you have trouble, why didn’t you come to me?”

“You?” Shen Sisi raised an eyebrow. “How can you help me?”

“Marry me!” Gu Chengfeng said, his eyes filled with gentle warmth like flowing water, soft enough to make one’s heart flutter.

Luckily, she hadn’t started eating, or she might have spit out her food. “Don’t joke. I’ve heard you’re already a battalion commander, a young and promising officer... and many girls are chasing after you.”

Unlike her joke, Gu Chengfeng was utterly serious. His gaze was as firm as a vow. “I’m serious.”

“Are you really not lying?”

“Not lying!”

Shen Sisi’s smile faded as she looked seriously at this handsome, noble face. Beneath his arched brows were beautiful eyes, proud and aloof, black pupils sparkling like stars.

Compared to before, Gu Chengfeng now showed less roguish arrogance and more military discipline and steadfastness. Wearing his crisp green uniform, he would surely captivate many girls on the street.

Unlike her... infamous and despised.

They were worlds apart—how could it be possible...