Chapter 41: The Proposal

Pei Jing narrowed his eyes and, brushing Luo Feifan aside, asked Luo Bi, "How long do you intend to consider this?"

Luo Bi said hesitantly, "At the very least, I have to wait for my father and brother to return and discuss it with them first."

Pei Jing said nothing more; he simply nodded, stood up, and took his leave.

Luo Feifan did not leave. Once the group from the Administration Office had departed, he turned to Luo Bi and said, "Don't be foolish, child. Do you know what the Administration Office is? Those people are ruthless predators. Once you sign a contract with them, you will lose your personal freedom."

Luo Bi looked bewildered, feigning fear. "Is it really that serious?"

Luo Feifan replied with heartache, "By the time you realize it, it will be too late."

Luo Yan, who had been gritting her teeth in resentment, snapped angrily, "Grandfather, don't bother with her. We are acting out of goodwill, but she simply doesn't appreciate it."

Ignoring Luo Yan, Luo Feifan continued to lecture Luo Bi with earnest persuasion. The constant nagging gave Luo Bi a headache, until he suddenly said, "I am worried about leaving you and your mother home alone. Pack your things and go stay at the main residence for a few days."

Luo Bi was unwilling to go. She curled her lip and made an excuse for herself: "I won't go. I'm not used to sleeping away from home."

"You'll just have to make do," Luo Feifan said, truly exasperated by this granddaughter. "I am worried that more people will come looking for you in the next few days."

No matter what Luo Feifan said, Luo Bi refused to go, eventually provoking the old man to leave in a huff with Luo Yan.

Guan Zhuting went upstairs to continue tidying the study, while Luo Bi sat in the living room lost in thought. After staring at her terminal for a long while, she dialed Feng Ling. Feng Ling picked up quickly. Luo Bi told him about the people from the Administration Office coming to find her, then asked worriedly, "Do you think others might be after me too?"

Feng Ling pondered for a moment and suddenly suggested, "Why don't you move in with me? Within the military base, no faction would dare to act recklessly."

Luo Bi froze, her heart suddenly racing. After a moment, she said, "No. I won't cohabitate with anyone before marriage."

Feng Ling was not surprised by the rejection. Even when Luo Bi was Hua Chen's fiancée, she had never lived with him, which showed she was not a casual person. After a moment of silence, Feng Ling spoke, his voice deep and pleasant, "We could get married immediately." If Luo Bi married him, he would naturally ensure her safety.

Luo Bi was startled. She lowered her head and let out a soft, mocking laugh. What right did a man who had dated other women have to talk to her about marriage?

Receiving no reply, Feng Ling let out a scoff. "I was joking. Don't take it seriously."

Luo Bi no longer had the heart to talk. She gave a few perfunctory responses and hurriedly hung up the communication.

On the other side, Feng Ling looked at the terminal and smiled playfully. She actually didn't want to marry him? It was quite unexpected, and inexplicably irritating.

Ever since hanging up, Luo Bi's heart had been thumping. Whenever she thought of Feng Ling's proposal, she felt a sense of panic and confusion. She had known Feng Ling before, though the process of how they met was not a pleasant memory.

In the Empire, the status and treatment of soldiers were very high, and the military even allowed family members to accompany them. At that time, although Luo Bi did not accompany Hua Chen as his fiancée, she would visit him at the military base every once in a while.

Over time, Luo Bi got to know some of the military families and would occasionally mingle with their social circles.

Humans are social creatures; even if Luo Bi preferred quiet, it was impossible not to be close to anyone. However, she had thought it would be simple, but interacting with a group of women was not easy—the relationships between women were far too complex.

(End of Chapter)