Chapter 104: A Late-Night Hug
“Come, cheers!”
The three men downed their cups. The peach blossom wine was incredibly fragrant, leaving a sweet, lingering aftertaste on the tip of the tongue.
As the atmosphere warmed, Mother Sheng brought up the topic of marriage in a roundabout way, probing for Gu Tingxiao’s thoughts and his family’s stance. “Xiao Gu, you two have been together for about half a year now, right?”
“Almost,” he replied. They had officially started dating last August, and now it was early February, so it had been just over five months.
“You’re twenty-seven this year, aren’t you? Has your family been pressuring you to settle down?”
Hearing this, Gu Tingxiao paused. He glanced over at Sheng Wanyan, who was sitting beside him, completely focused on devouring her rabbit meat. Sensing his gaze, Wanyan raised her head, looking at him with a look of pure confusion. Why is he looking at me like he’s the one being wronged here? she thought.
Gu Tingxiao let out a silent, helpless sigh. How could his family not be pressuring him? But his little girl had been reluctant to take the plunge. It was his first time encountering a woman like her—so independent, completely capable of succeeding on her own, and entirely unfazed by social expectations. He had wanted to ask his parents to formalize a marriage proposal long ago, but Wanyan always deflected it. How could he dare force her? If he scared her off, where would he ever find such a perfect wife?
Realizing this was his golden opportunity, Gu Tingxiao stood up. He looked at the four elders of the Sheng family with absolute gravity.
“Grandpa Sheng, Grandma Sheng, Uncle, and Auntie,” he began, his voice ringing with absolute sincerity. “I am courting Wanyan with the sole intention of marriage, and my family is equally eager for us to wed as soon as possible. If you are willing to entrust her to me, I will wire home tonight and ask my parents to come to Chengdu immediately to propose a formal engagement!”
He raised his right hand, his posture straight and unyielding. “I swear on my loyalty to my country that I will cherish Wanyan, remain faithful to her, and love her for the rest of my life!”
After delivering his oath, Gu Tingxiao offered a crisp military salute to the four elders.
Only he knew the sheer terror gripping his heart in that moment. His clenched left hand was slick with sweat, and a faint tremor shook his voice. But he refused to wait any longer. The horrifying encounter with Wang Chaofan this afternoon was a stark reminder of just how outstanding his little girl was. There would always be men trying to force their way into her life. It wasn’t that he lacked confidence in himself, or in Wanyan.
He simply had zero faith in human nature.
If he hadn’t happened to arrive at the factory gates today, what kind of nightmare would she have faced alone? His chest tightened painfully at the thought. The fear of her being in danger while he was deployed—trapped where his hands couldn’t protect her—was agonizing. The only way he could truly be at peace was to bind her to his side.
“Please, Uncle, Auntie, grant me your permission to marry Wanyan!”
The members of the Sheng family exchanged glances. The young officer had laid his heart completely bare, laying out his absolute devotion as he waited for their verdict.
Grandpa Sheng slowly set his wine glass down, his gaze locking onto the exceptional young man standing before him. “Xiao Gu,” the patriarch said calmly, “our household is just an ordinary, working-class family. You hail from the capital, and it’s obvious your family background is far from simple.”
“We only have two children in our lineage, and I refuse to let my granddaughter suffer any humiliation or disdain after marrying into a prominent clan. If your parents harbor strict notions about marrying within one’s social status, then to be frank, we will have to reconsider this match. As Wanyan’s grandfather, my singular desire is for her to live a healthy, safe, and peaceful life.”
Though the Sheng family was ordinary, they would never barter their daughter away for political leverage or commercial prestige. Marriage was a lifelong commitment; he refused to let his granddaughter rush into a union only to face misery at the hands of elitist in-laws. Once a woman wed in this era, her entire existence revolved around her household, her husband, and her children. Choosing the wrong partner was a mistake that took a lifetime to pay for.
“Grandpa Sheng, I give you my absolute word that there will never be a shred of discrimination regarding family background in my home!” Gu Tingxiao vowed fiercely. “Furthermore, once Wanyan marries me, she will reside with me on the military base. We will only visit the capital a handful of times a year.”
He couldn’t realistically promise that Wanyan would never face a single disagreement with his extended family; after all, friction was inevitable when relatives lived under one roof. He had sisters-in-law and a younger brother’s wife, and everyone possessed different temperaments. But he could promise this: he would never allow Wanyan to endure a single ounce of injustice. If conflict ever arose, he would shield his wife unconditionally. He would never let her feel isolated or bullied just because her parents weren’t in the capital to back her up.
Since she valued her autonomy, he would simply carry her away to the regiment, limiting their trips back to the Capital to once or twice a year. Besides, his mother was a highly principled, fair woman who was far too consumed by her own executive duties to micromanage a daughter-in-law. As long as Wanyan disliked a certain domestic expectation, he would personally ensure her boundaries were respected.
Listening to Grandpa Sheng’s protective terms, Wanyan felt a sharp, unfamiliar warmth squeeze her chest. True elders never cared about how much wealth or status a partner possessed; their ultimate concern was always your health and safety. Grandpa Sheng rarely spoke up during daily domestic debates, but when a critical milestone arrived, he mapped out her protection flawlessly.
Grandpa Sheng studied the young officer’s resolute expression and nodded slowly. Gu Tingxiao might not be able to offer his granddaughter a life of idle, aristocratic luxury right now, but he was entirely willing to guard her with his life. That was more than enough.
“In that case,” Grandpa Sheng declared, “dispatch your telegram home. We will formalize the engagement first.”
Father Sheng let out a quiet, defeated snort from his end of the table. This slick brat actually managed to pull it off, he thought, though the tension in his shoulders finally dissipated.
“Thank you, Grandpa, Grandma. Thank you, Uncle, Auntie,” Gu Tingxiao said, a massive wave of relief washing over his features as the heavy anxiety in his chest finally settled.
Sheng Wanyan sat entirely frozen through the rapid exchange. Wait a minute… did anyone think to consult the actual bride? she thought, blinking rapidly.
As the central participant in this life-altering arrangement, Wanyan was entirely speechless. “…”
Gu Tingxiao caught her stunned expression out of the corner of his eye and silently averted his gaze. He had arrived in Chengdu with a definitive mission tonight. Now that the Sheng elders had personally cleared the path, there was absolutely zero chance he would let the opportunity slip away. Regardless of how hesitant she might be right now, once they were bound together, he would spend the rest of his days ensuring she loved him with her whole heart.
If soft persuasion failed, he would deploy absolute devotion; if devotion wasn’t enough, he would simply remain an immovable anchor by her side. Once she officially became his wife, she wouldn’t be able to run away. It was merely a matter of time. He readily admitted he was completely at her mercy in this relationship, but what of it? Why on earth should a man care about saving face in front of his own woman?
Gu Tingxiao happily accepted several more rounds of toasts from Grandpa and Father Sheng. Wanyan, determined to reassert her presence after being entirely bypassed in her own engagement negotiations, focused heavily on eating.
Suddenly, a large, warm hand slipped beneath the table, unerringly capturing her fingers and resting them firmly against his thigh. Wanyan’s eyes widened in shock. She shot him a frantic look. The entire family is sitting right here! How can this guy suddenly be so bold?
She quickly scanned the table, but the elders were deep in their own content conversation, and their locked hands remained entirely hidden beneath the heavy tablecloth. Every member of the household was in high spirits, but none more so than Gu Tingxiao.
By the end of the evening, Gu Tingxiao had comfortably matched the elders cup for cup, emptying both bottles of peach blossom wine. Yet, when the time came to depart, his complexion remained perfectly clear and his breathing was even, showing absolutely zero outward signs of intoxication.
Wanyan volunteered to walk him down to the street. Mother Sheng offered a knowing, radiant wave as she ushered them out the door.
By this hour, the residents of the tube-shaped building had already retired for the night, leaving the corridors quiet and dark. The moment they stepped out into the crisp night air, however, Gu Tingxiao’s steady stride suddenly faltered, his movements turning slightly clumsy.
Wanyan caught his arm in surprise. Is this man actually drunk? she wondered. Wasn’t he perfectly fine at the dinner table just a minute ago?
“Tingxiao? Are you drunk?”
Gu Tingxiao shook his head slowly, but his dark eyes were heavy and slightly unfocused. Wanyan was instantly certain the alcohol had finally caught up to him.
“Wanyan…” he rasped, his voice dropping an octave.
“What’s wrong?”
Instead of answering, Gu Tingxiao suddenly reached out, pulling her tightly against his broad chest. He buried his face deep into the crook of her neck, exhaling a long, ragged breath. His hot, alcohol-tinged breath fanned against her sensitive skin, causing Wanyan to involuntarily shiver and try to shrink back from the ticklish sensation.
But Gu Tingxiao’s iron arms merely tightened around her slender waist, anchoring her against his frame as he held her in the quiet darkness.
