Chapter 11: Engagement

“Su Jianguo, you really have no conscience. This marriage was settled long ago; my Gu Yang has been waiting for Yan Yan all this time. Just give us a straight answer—when are you going to hold the wedding for these two kids!”

“Then let him wait. My Yan Yan just turned eighteen; she has to go to university first, right? Or start working?” Su Jianguo spoke perfunctorily, his mind working hard to delay the matter as much as possible.

“Yan Yan is only in her first year of high school. It’ll be another four or five years even after she finishes university. You really have some nerve!” Gu Qingfeng argued until his face was flushed and his neck was red. He was pinning all his hopes on his son getting married early so he could hold a grandson as soon as possible.

“Then it’ll be four or five years. Regardless, I can't let Yan Yan leave me so soon.” Su Jianguo began to act shamelessly; his daughter was his, so he had the final say!

Li Qiuhua and Su Mo, mother and daughter, stared with their mouths agape in shock.

What were they hearing?

The Gu family wanted to marry Su Yan?

Gu Yang?

The object of admiration for every girl in the compound, with a line of girls pursuing him stretching from the compound to the outskirts of the county town.

He was actually getting married to Su Yan?

To a blind girl?

Su Yan’s face darkened. For such a massive matter as marriage, had no one even bothered to ask her, the person involved?

Her gaze, hidden beneath the black cloth, fell upon Gu Yang.

Seeing his calm demeanor, it was obvious he had known for a long time. No wonder when they met for the first time, he had asked that specific question.

But was that even possible?

This man didn't look like the type who would follow his parents' orders!

“Su Jianguo, are you trying to break the engagement? I’m telling you, our Gu family will marry no one but Yan Yan!” Gu Qingfeng was truly furious, and the atmosphere in the room became incredibly oppressive.

Instead of backing down, Su Jianguo became even more smug.

“Qingfeng, I know your family is in a hurry, but you have to consider my feelings too. I can't live without Yan Yan.”

After being manipulated by this old fellow for so many years, he was finally able to hold his head high.

“Cut the crap. We all live in the same compound; even if Yan Yan marries in, you’ll still see her every day.”

Gu Qingfeng knew Su Jianguo’s character all too well; he wouldn't yield an inch.

“Can you two please stop?” Su Yan’s delicate voice successfully halted the childish dispute between the two men in their forties.

Su Jianguo and Gu Qingfeng immediately looked at her.

This time, everyone in the room clearly sensed Su Yan’s displeasure.

“Uncle Gu, first of all, thank you for your affection toward me.”

Gu Qingfeng flashed a smile; this child’s manner of speaking was even better than he had imagined.

Su Mo’s expression was so dark it could have dripped water. She had had a secret crush on Gu Yang since she was twelve. Although every girl in the compound liked him, she had been confident that she would eventually marry into the Gu family.

But now Su Yan had appeared, and even had an engagement to Gu Yang. She was so jealous she was nearly driven mad.

Hearing Su Yan speak, she wanted to rush over and shut her mouth.

This blind girl must be dying to complete this marriage.

“I have lived in Daliushu Village all these years and haven't even met Brother Gu... face to face. Marriage should be built on the foundation of affection. Without feelings, life won't be happy in the future, so I feel this engagement is completely unnecessary.”

This was the first time Su Yan had spoken so much. Given her temperament, she would normally have only said she wanted to break the engagement, but she was currently considering her father's friendship.

Su Jianguo and Gu Qingfeng stopped arguing and looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

Gu Qingfeng cleared his throat. “Yan Yan is right. We didn't think this through thoroughly. Your meaning is understood, Uncle Gu understands.”

Su Yan’s expression relaxed; it was easier than she had expected.

Gu Qingfeng continued, “The timing of the marriage can be pushed back for now. In the meantime, let Gu Yang spend more time with you so you can get to know each other and develop feelings.”

Su Yan: “...”

Su Jianguo immediately nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s what I was thinking. Daughter, Gu Yang is an exceptionally excellent boy. I watched him grow up; you will definitely like him.”

He was absolutely certain of this point.

Su Yan felt a headache coming on. “Dad, that’s not what I meant. I have no intention of getting married in the short term. I can't hold him back.”

“Gu Yang has waited for you for so many years; he won't mind another year or two. Daughter, do you not trust your father's judgment?”

Su Jianguo somewhat regretted what he had just said.

Gu Qingfeng glared at him before looking back at Su Yan.

“Yan Yan, we aren't asking you to marry immediately. Don't feel pressured.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately shot a look at Gu Yang, who had remained silent the entire time.

It was truly a case of the eunuch being more anxious than the emperor.

Bah.

The son isn't anxious, but the father is.

“I know what you're thinking.” The moment Gu Yang spoke, Su Jianguo and Gu Qingfeng both fell silent.

Su Yan felt that her elders were stubborn, so communicating with Gu Yang should be easier.

Perhaps this man was waiting for her to take the initiative to break the engagement; otherwise, the engagement wouldn't have been dragged on this long.

“Then please, Brother Gu, explain it to the elders.”

Gu Yang nodded as expected.

This action provided a momentary sense of solace to Su Mo’s twisted heart.

Even Li Qiuhua waited nervously for his answer. A niece was like a daughter; she knew a bit about her daughter's feelings, so she hoped her daughter would still have a chance.

Gu Yang said solemnly, “From now on, I will take Yan Yan on dates every Saturday. We will marry only after Yan Yan accepts me.”

Uh.

Su Yan’s lips twitched uncontrollably. How could she have imagined he would say that?!

Su Jianguo burst into loud laughter, clearly very satisfied.

“Alright, then it's settled like that.”

Seeing that Su Yan’s mood was still off, he immediately urged her.

“It’s getting late. I’m a patient and need to rest. You all should head back now.”

Gu Qingfeng understood the hint and immediately signaled Gu Yang to leave.

“Uncle Gu...”

“Yan Yan, Dad still has things to say to you. Qiuhua, Momo, you two see Qingfeng and his family out.”

Su Yan was anxious to clear things up, but she was interrupted by Su Jianguo as soon as she opened her mouth, and Gu Qingfeng and his son took the opportunity to leave the room.

This situation was completely unexpected for Su Yan.

Soon, only she and Su Jianguo were left in the room.

Su Jianguo had a fawning expression. “Daughter, are you blaming Dad for not telling you about the engagement in advance?”

It was indeed his oversight; he had been too caught up in his joy after bringing her back.

“Dad, I don't even know Gu Yang. How can we get married?” Su Yan no longer hid her feelings and stated her position plainly.

“Now you know him. Feelings can be cultivated,” Su Jianguo said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“He and I are not a good match! I do not consent to this engagement!”

Marriage was simply not part of Su Yan's plans.

Moreover, the future she had chosen was entirely unsuitable for being weighed down by a man!

Su Jianguo finally dropped his smile, his expression gradually turning aggrieved.

“Yan Yan, are you still blaming Dad in your heart for sending you to the countryside?”

Su Yan frowned. “No.”

“You can blame Dad, but please do not reject him intentionally just because Gu Yang is the person Dad has chosen. Gu Yang really is a good boy...”

By the end, Su Jianguo’s eyes actually reddened slightly, as if he had been deeply hurt by Su Yan.