RTAMEIN70s Chapter 7

Marriage

At this moment, the snowfall had intensified, snowflakes falling gently, and the sound of the wind grew louder. The fluffy snow landed on the military-green overcoat, sparkling and translucent.

Aiping and the man in front of her exchanged bewildered glances. One was thinking, “What’s with the ‘buddy’ and ‘fight’ stuff? The main thing is, let’s have a brawl!” while the other was pondering, “I’ve come back to life, do I really have to marry this guy?”

Neither of them spoke.

They were standing very close together, and Aiping’s position shielded Gu Sheng from the cold wind. When the wind blew by him, he felt an unexpected warmth, accompanied by a faint cold fragrance.

Gu Sheng noticed Aiping’s face and was momentarily stunned.

He and Aiping had grown up together from a young age, so they were extremely familiar with each other. However, he had never seen her with long hair. This “buddy” was no longer the clean-cut short-haired image he was used to. Instead, she had braided her hair, which now hung over her shoulder.

With long hair, her appearance was quite different. Her entire face was revealed, featuring a beautiful forehead, a petite oval face, a delicate straight nose, and a stubborn expression that still gave off that familiar fierce look. However, her skin was fair and smooth, and upon closer inspection, he could see the tiny, fine hairs on her face.

Her skin was exceptionally fair, her cheeks seemed as if they were lightly brushed with rouge, exuding a peach-like enticing pink hue.

There seemed to be a lingering fragrance on her, and Gu Sheng couldn’t help but raise his hand to touch his own nose in surprise.

“Did you hear what I said to her just now?” Aiping stopped beating around the bush and assumed that Gu Sheng had overheard something while standing there.

Gu Sheng was honest and admitted, “I heard it.”

Aiping was left speechless. She didn’t know how to handle a 25-year-old Gu Sheng in matters of the heart. In reality, she wasn’t very emotionally savvy. With He Mingzhang, he had wooed and deceived her for a while, and Aiping thought he was a relatively gentle and considerate man. In that era, she considered it suitable enough and decided to be together, but there was no deep, passionate love between them. She didn’t like all those romantic things and fuss.

Later, when she was with Gu Sheng, they were both at that age where they just accompanied each other, providing solace in their lives without much fanfare.

In future terms, she was probably a straightforward person who didn’t beat around the bush. She didn’t use subtle expressions or elaborate preparations; she just liked to be straightforward.

“Hey!” Aiping called out to him and asked directly, “Gu Laowu, do you want to marry me?”

Gu Sheng’s mouth twitched. “…”

“Marry you? Am I out of my mind?” Gu Sheng asked bluntly.

Zhan Aiping: “…”

In fact, it was indeed the case.

Just a moment ago, when she recalled many things from the past, even she herself felt that marrying a 25-year-old Gu Sheng would be insane.

This rascal had set his dog on her when they were kids.

She had also broken his head… and even knocked out one of his front teeth during his tooth-changing period.

Various grievances from the past, which the two elderly people in their seventies had learned to overlook, didn’t necessarily mean that two young people in their twenties could do the same.

After her reincarnation, did she really want to marry the young Gu Sheng?

Aiping hesitated.

The loving companion who had treated her well was not the same as the young Gu Sheng. They were one and the same, yet not. If they met at the wrong time, could they bear good fruit together?

Perhaps the young Gu Sheng was a confirmed bachelor. He hadn’t married when he was young and had only married her at the age of sixty. Maybe this time around, she could wait until she was sixty, and the two of them could get married then?

Did she want to hang herself on the same tree after being reincarnated?

Aiping closed her eyes and didn’t know what decision to make. She intended to leave the choice to Gu Sheng. She gazed into Gu Sheng’s eyes and said seriously, “Gu Sheng, you owe me a favor.”

If Gu Sheng agreed, they would get married.

If he didn’t agree, so be it. They could continue living as lonely souls for most of their lives.

Gu Sheng stared into her eyes, his voice turning serious. “Are you serious?”

Aiping nodded. “If you marry, I will too.”

Gu Sheng chuckled. “But I have three conditions.”

Aiping was taken aback. “What are they?”

Gu Sheng’s mind was racing as he quickly outlined his conditions. “First, we must be a real husband and wife.”

“I accept.”

“Second, no divorce within three years.”

“Okay.”

“Third, you have to come with me to my military station in Yunnan Province. Think it through.”

“That’s fine. I agree to all of them.” Aiping breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Gu Sheng didn’t have any strange demands. Going to Yunnan Province was convenient since her younger brother was stationed there.

“Oh, and one more thing, let’s make it clear. We’re living together, so no dowry, no salary submission, and no taking those weird photos.” Gu Sheng realized that marriage had its benefits, like having a house at the military station, which meant they wouldn’t have to share a dormitory. It would also be convenient to eat at the military family housing compound, where some of his sisters-in-law were excellent cooks.

With the marriage settled, Gu Sheng would no longer be pressured to get married or be introduced to potential partners by others.

Aiping didn’t even lift an eyelid. “Fine with me.”

She didn’t need the money, had her own salary, and had no interest in taking those staged “happy couple” photos.

On the other hand, Gu Sheng had a bit of a penchant for this kind of thing. He took a picture of the two of them from behind and posted it online, claiming it was an example of “growing old together.”

It was quite shameless.

“In front of others, you have to save face for me, and you’ll do all the household chores.”

Aiping raised an eyebrow. “Are you kidding me?” This guy was getting a bit too cheeky.

“What? Don’t agree?” At this point, Gu Sheng was getting into it, but he also worried that Aiping might change her mind. He added, “You know, I’m busy with work, and marriage is just a place to sleep when I come back. I don’t need you to do much. Just help with some laundry.”

“Okay,” Aiping agreed, but she also had a condition. “Since both of us have served in the military, how about we follow military regulations for household management at home?”

Gu Sheng’s expression turned wooden. “What? So it’s like coming back to the barracks at home? Am I going to sleep with my comrades?”

Aiping explained that if they followed the “simple and orderly” guidelines at home, there wouldn’t be much household work to do. She also didn’t plan on having more children; one child with Gu Sheng was enough. With military-style discipline from a young age, their child’s self-reliance should be high, making things easier.

“Alright.” Gu Sheng reluctantly agreed, still frowning.

“By the way,” Gu Sheng remembered something and said firmly, “I won’t eat anything you cook. I won’t touch a grain of rice or a dish you prepare. You don’t need to prepare meals for me.”

Aiping raised an eyebrow. “Sure.”

She hoped Gu Sheng would remember what he said today. That old guy Gu used to insist on eating the food she cooked every day, and he would even go on a hunger strike if she didn’t feed him. Well, let’s see if he could stick to his principles.

“If you want me to bring you food from the cafeteria, I can do that for you.”

Aiping replied, “No need, I’ll cook for myself.”

Gu Sheng cautioned her, “Just be careful when cooking, and watch out for mushroom poisoning. There are quite a few cases of that in the hospital. Don’t end up in the same situation.”

He probably expected her cooking to have a medicinal taste.

Aiping said, “Thanks for your concern.”

Ironically, Gu Sheng loved eating wild mushrooms the most, didn’t he?

“Then it’s settled.”

“Okay.”

With just a few words, they decided on their marriage. Both of them were straightforward individuals. They high-fived three times and promised not to back out.

“Whoever backs out first is a dog.”

Aiping laughed, “It definitely won’t be me.”

Gu Sheng grinned provocatively. “And it’s definitely not going to be me. If you feel uncomfortable, don’t go complaining to those sisters.”

Aiping couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. She changed the subject, saying, “I’ve told you the date and location. It’s at the state-owned restaurant. My family and colleagues will be there. The wedding banquet is missing a groom, so make sure you dress well and save face for me.”

“I’ll handle it, don’t worry,” Gu Sheng said, putting his arm around Aiping’s shoulder. “Aiping—although we’re about to enter a marital relationship, I’ll just call you by your first name. I can’t come up with anything else.”

“Call me whatever you like. I’ll call you Gu Sheng.”

“Zhan Aiping, that man did you wrong. If you’re not satisfied, I can help you out, give him a good beating, and leave no trace behind when I’m done.”

Aiping gave him a sidelong glance, feeling speechless. Yet, she also strangely felt her heart warming. In reality, Gu Sheng had a sense of brotherly loyalty.

If it weren’t for that incident when they were kids, they could have been good friends and buddies.

But it was all in the past now, water under the bridge. She decided not to hold a grudge against him after all these years.

Aiping raised her hand, signaling Gu Sheng to lower his shoulder. She took the initiative to put her hand on Gu Sheng’s shoulder, and the two buddies patted each other on the back.

“Thanks, buddy. No need for that.”

Gu Sheng muttered, “Who said we’re buddies?”