Chapter 238: Gu Tingying’s Blind Date
Sheng Wanyan, Gu Tingxiao, the two grandparents, Uncle and Aunt Gu, the eldest cousin Gu Tingyan, and his wife Li Jiaying were all waiting in the living room.
Before long, Aunt Zhao arrived at the Gu residence, leading the Bai parents and their second son. The Bai family straddled both the political and military spheres, holding considerable influence and status in both arenas.
The moment they stepped through the door, they respectfully greeted the two elderly grandparents. Aunt Zhao, wearing her matchmaker hat, smoothly took charge of the introductions.
The Gu family members were introduced to the Bai parents and their second son, Bai Xiangguo. While the elders of both families were already well-acquainted, this was the first time Sheng Wanyan and the other younger generation had met them face-to-face. Even at the grand wedding banquet months ago, the fast-paced crowd had prevented the Bais from getting a proper look at Sheng Wanyan’s face.
Bai Xiangguo possessed a somewhat rakish, striking charm, due in large part to his expressive, almond-shaped eyes. His facial features were typical of a handsome man of this era—sharp and symmetrical—but those lively eyes added an intriguing layer of character to his look. At first glance, he shared a bit of Sheng Wanze’s nonchalant, easygoing vibe, though his expression held a trace more cunning than her brother’s.
“This is Gu Tingxiao’s wife,” Aunt Zhao gestured warmly, introducing the room to the Bai family before turning to Uncle and Aunt Gu. “And these are Comrade Gu Tingying’s parents, along with her elder brother and sister-in-law.”
As for the old patriarch and matriarch of the house, they required absolutely no introduction. Everyone living in the military compound knew precisely who Old Master Gu and his wife were. A legendary former regional commander, a founding general personally decorated by the state, and a former deputy foreign minister who had fiercely fought for the nation’s territorial and political interests abroad—these two were top-tier national heroes, admired by all.
Bai Xiangguo stepped forward, greeting each elder systematically before placing his carefully wrapped gifts onto the low table. “These are just a few modest tokens from a junior. I hope Grandfather Gu, Grandmother Gu, and all the elders will accept them.”
“Sit,” Old Master Gu commanded.
His brief, welcoming tone made it clear that the old general approved of the Bai family’s second son. He had watched this boy grow up in the compound and knew the Bai family’s pristine values and strict upbringing inside out.
Seeing that Old Master Gu was in high spirits, Aunt Zhao relaxed, knowing the match already stood an excellent chance. The Bai family settled into the armchairs, launching into comfortable, lively conversation with the grandparents and Gu Tingying’s parents.
Seated on the adjacent sofa, Sheng Wanyan happily watched the proceedings unfold. This was her absolute first time witnessing a traditional blind date of this era, and she was thoroughly captivated by the sheer novelty of it.
Gu Tingxiao quietly peeled a small bowl of fresh grapes, gently setting the fruit into his wife’s hands so she could snack while enjoying the entertainment.
Although Mother Bai was deep in conversation with the grandparents, her sharp eyes continuously monitored the dynamics of the remaining Gu family members. After all, if this introduction proved successful, her family would be permanently joined with the Gu line; observing the baseline character of her future in-laws was essential.
She was rather surprised to note just how deeply Gu Tingxiao doted on Sheng Wanyan. The third Gu brother was notoriously stoic and tight-lipped around the compound, yet he treated his wife with such immense, gentle care. Turning her gaze toward Tingying’s elder brother and sister-in-law, she saw that they, too, interacted with a beautiful, fluid harmony. It was clear the generational values and domestic stability of the Gu clan surpassed her expectations.
After the initial pleasantries concluded, the elders suggested Bai Xiangguo step into the dining room to wait for Gu Tingying, allowing the two young people a private space to converse and understand one another.
Aunt Gu quietly slipped into the guest suite to summon her daughter. Her nerves frayed, Gu Tingying finally emerged dressed in her crisp, immaculate military dress uniform.
Gu Tingying and Bai Xiangguo had crossed paths a few times during their early childhood, but they hadn’t laid eyes on one another in seven years, ever since Bai Xiangguo enlisted at eighteen. As the old saying went, a girl changes completely by the time she reaches adulthood. Bai Xiangguo could scarcely connect this graceful, radiant young woman with the skinny, sun-browned little girl from his childhood memories.
Performing as a classical dancer within the elite elite art troupe, Tingying’s poise and physical grace were entirely flawless. Combined with the naturally striking, aristocratic features of the Gu line and an unshakeable baseline of confidence, she was altogether dazzling.
It was an undeniable truth: she had instantly captured the attention of Bai Xiangguo, a man who had stubbornly remained a bachelor for years.
Gu Tingying settled into the chair directly opposite him. As their eyes locked, a heavy, profoundly awkward silence descended over the table.
Sensing the tension, the elders in the living room consciously migrated out to the courtyard to inspect the snow, deliberately leaving the young couple entirely alone to find their rhythm.
Upstairs, Gu Tingxiao guided Wanyan to the second floor so she could rest. The moment her feet cleared the top step, Wanyan leaned over the solid wooden banister, her ears practically pricking up as she strained to catch the dialogue below.
Gu Tingxiao stared at her, entirely amused. He hadn’t anticipated his wife would be such an enthusiastic gossip. “Honey, eavesdropping isn’t very proper,” he murmured playfully.
Wanyan whipped her head around, shooting him a look that clearly stated he understood nothing. “What do you know? What if he tries to bully our Tingying while the elders are outside?” This was his own biological cousin; how could he remain so unbothered?
Faced with her immediate, protective logic, Gu Tingxiao could only raise his hands in silent defeat. Had this somehow transformed into his fault?
Downstairs, the total evacuation of the elders left Gu Tingying feeling twice as anxious. What on earth was she supposed to do now that her safety nets had vanished?
Ultimately, it was Bai Xiangguo who shattered the icy atmosphere, offering a direct, perfectly transparent self-introduction.
“Allow me to introduce myself properly,” he said, his voice smooth. “My name is Bai Xiangguo. I am twenty-five years old, currently serving as a deputy battalion commander within the Southern Military Region. You’re already fully aware of our grandparents’ positions and our parents’ roles, so I won’t waste your time repeating the baseline data.”
He paused, offering a faint smile. “I have one older brother stationed above me, and two younger sisters and a younger brother below me.”
Gu Tingying nodded properly. She was already briefed on those metrics; in fact, one of his younger sisters served alongside her as a comrade-in-arms within the cultural troupe.
“My baseline military salary is fifty yuan a month,” he continued without a shred of hesitation. “With operational mission bonuses factored in, it averages around seventy yuan.”
“I harbor zero destructive habits. I don’t touch cigarettes, and while I occasionally indulge in a drink with my fellow officers, I have never once lost control of my temper or acted out while intoxicated.”
Gu Tingying blinked, entirely stunned by his absolute candor. Did standard blind-date protocols genuinely demand a man lay bare his entire monthly earnings within the first two minutes of conversation?
“Is there any other specific metric you require clarification on?” he inquired, leaning back.
Gu Tingying shook her head. While she hadn’t investigated the intricate details of the Bai household, she understood their ancestral roots and knew their foundational values were beyond reproach.
“My name is Gu Tingying,” she mirrored, her voice steadying. “I perform with the Capital Art Troupe. I have two older brothers.”
She offered him a playful look. “And since you are already entirely briefed on our grandparents and parents, I won’t waste your time repeating the data either.”
Bai Xiangguo raised an eyebrow, a flash of genuine amusement dancing in his eyes. This girl was remarkably sharp and interesting.
“I draw a salary of thirty yuan a month,” she concluded. “I am twenty-one years old, and I don’t harbor any destructive habits either.”
With their respective dossiers cleared, Gu Tingying sat quietly, entirely uncertain of how the subsequent phases of the interaction were supposed to transition.
Up on the second floor landing, Wanyan strained against the railing, but the muffled acoustics of the architecture only allowed faint, indistinct murmurs to filter up, completely obscuring the actual sentences. Letting out a quiet sigh of disappointment over her failed surveillance mission, she turned and retreated to her bedroom.
Gu Tingxiao chuckled silently, following her inside. It seemed her grand espionage operation had been thwarted by the architecture.
Down in the dining room, the introduction was moving along beautifully, with Bai Xiangguo expertly guiding the flow of the conversation.
“Our household hasn’t officially executed a division of family assets yet,” he explained with absolute transparency. “Traditional protocol dictates that after marriage, half of my monthly salary must be funneled back to the main family treasury.”
He kept his gaze steady on her face. To him, deploying deception or obscuring financial realities from a female comrade was entirely beneath the honor of a soldier.
Gu Tingying nodded understandingly. In these traditional times, before a clan legally splintered into independent branches, such collective financial arrangements were standard practice.
By her mental calculations, out of his seventy-yuan income, surrendering half left him with thirty-five yuan of discretionary capital. Combined with her own thirty-yuan salary, their combined household would command a highly respectable sixty-five yuan every single month.
“My position within the art troupe was secured entirely through the independent merits and cultivation of my own parents,” Tingying stated firmly, establishing her own boundaries. “Therefore, I have zero intention of surrendering my personal wages to the Bai treasury.”
She liked Bai Xiangguo’s straightforward, honorable character, but that didn’t mean she was prepared to blindly sacrifice her own independent security. Her career owed absolutely nothing to the Bai family’s influence. Why should her hard-earned wages be absorbed into a collective pot to subsidize his extended relatives? If she was obligated to surrender her income anywhere, she would prefer to hand it directly to her own mother and father.
Bai Xiangguo nodded in immediate, unyielding agreement. “Naturally. Your career capital remains entirely your own.”
The two of them operated with identical, practical pragmatism, which seamlessly bypassed a mountain of potential domestic friction.
“Are you satisfied with my character so far?” he asked directly.
His active military leave was highly restricted, leaving him very few days to secure a partner, and this young woman’s crisp, unvarnished personality suited his preferences perfectly.
