He had heard from Sheng Zexi that over in the Northwest Military Region, winters are very cold, with mountains sealed off by heavy snow, making movement difficult and supplies scarce.
Although they haven't set a specific wedding date yet, Gu Yunan felt that they would at the latest finalize it within half a month. After all, as a soldier, Sheng Zexi rarely gets a vacation but couldn't stay too long either.
Half a month later, Sheng Zexi would be taking his little sister to the Northwest Military Region, and it would soon be the coldest period there. So they needed to prepare for his little sister first.
In another room of the west chamber lived the unmarried third son of the Gu Family, Gu Yunzhou.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he was counting his money, planning to visit the black market in the county town when he had free time to secretly buy some shiny jewelry for his little sister's wedding.
The much-anticipated Gu Jia Ning, on the other hand, was wrapped in a quilt and not feeling cold at all in such a chilly night, sleeping soundly.
Having jumped into the river in the dead of winter, she still hadn't fully regained her strength, so she needed to sleep early to recover soon.
There was also someone else whose heart was burning hot, and that was Sheng Zexi at the hotel, diligently writing his marriage application.
Today, after leaving Huaihua Village and returning to the county town, he started buying items needed for the engagement and gifts for the wedding.
The "Three Turns and One Sound" were a necessity, and Sheng Zexi prepared a dowry of five hundred yuan.
Of course, this was just on the surface. Privately, he planned to find a time to give Ningning his bankbook and all the salary he'd saved over the years since he became a soldier.
He knew that little girl was somewhat fond of money.
After waking up, Sheng Zexi first went to the post office to send the marriage application and then made a phone call to Brigade Commander Zheng in the military district, informing him that he had filed the marriage report.
"You rascal, you finally know to get married. Alright then, once your marriage report arrives and there are no major issues, I'll approve it for you."
Brigade Commander Zheng, far away in the office of the Northwest Military Region, was quite emotional after hanging up the phone.
He clenched his right fist and struck it heavily into the palm of his left hand, his face showing delight.
Sheng Zexi was his most capable soldier, having won several Soldier King titles and earned many military merits at a young age. He was already a full company commander, but Brigade Commander Zheng knew that if it hadn't been for Sheng Zexi's father holding him back, Sheng Zexi would probably have been a regimental commander by now.
Brigade Commander Zheng vaguely knew about the conflict between Sheng Zexi and his father, which explained why Sheng Zexi had developed such a rebellious temperament.
Although he was rebellious and sharp-tongued, often angering others with just a few words,
Brigade Commander Zheng knew that Sheng Zexi was a good person.
Previously, when Sheng Zexi got injured and had health problems, he was genuinely afraid this kid would stay single forever. After all, even though they had introduced him to several blind date opportunities later, the kid rejected them all without hesitation.
There were no shortages of girls who liked him at the military district, including relatives of the military wives or many girls from the cultural troupe who admired Sheng Zexi. Many even courageously expressed their feelings and pursued him, but they were all sent away by Sheng Zexi's sharp tongue.
He used to think this kid would never marry in his lifetime. Unexpectedly, once he took leave, he met someone and immediately filed a marriage report. Listening to the kid's tone, it was evident he was genuinely in love.
"Hope that girl and Mr. Sheng can live harmoniously,"
Sheng Zexi hung up the phone with Brigade Commander Zheng and dialed a number to his grandparents' home in Beijing.
"Hello, who is this?" On the other end of the line came an elderly yet gentle voice. As soon as Sheng Zexi heard it, the loving face of that person appeared before his eyes.
"Grandma, it's me, Xiao Xi." Sheng Zexi, who was usually rebellious, spoke with rare gentleness and joy in his tone, "I'm planning to get married."
"What, Xiao Xi, you're planning to get married?!" Grandma Sang exclaimed, and Grandpa Sang, who had been wearing glasses and writing down data, paused his pen when he heard it was his grandson Sheng Zexi calling. He perked up his ears, stood up as he heard the latter part of the sentence, and quickly walked to his wife's side, eager to listen to the phone.
Sheng Zexi quickly shared that he and Gu Jia Ning had seen each other and that he had filed the marriage application, planning to marry soon.
"Good, good, that's great." Grandma Sang repeatedly praised, tears flowing uncontrollably, her mouth showing a relieved smile.
Even Grandpa Sang couldn't help but have red eyes. That unfortunate grandson was finally getting married.
From now on, he would have someone who cares about him, no longer alone in the world.
Whether she was from the city or the countryside didn't matter to them.
Hearing his grandmother's choked-up voice on the phone, Sheng Zexi felt a slight sourness in his heart. Since his mother's passing, his biological father remarried, and his father became like a stepfather; the only ones who treated him well were his maternal grandparents.
He also knew that these past years, his grandparents had been worried about him not getting married.
"Xiao Xi, does the girl and her family know about your health issues?" Grandma Sang hesitated for a moment before asking.
They knew about Sheng Zexi's infertility issue and thus felt more compassion for their grandson.
"They know, and I've told them everything. Grandpa and Grandma, although they're from the countryside, they're all very nice people. Ningning is also very pretty and charming, clever and mischievous. I'm sure you'll like her when you meet her."
Is Gu Jia Ning pretty? There's no doubt about it, she's beautiful and lovely.
As for her behavior? In Sheng Zexi's eyes, she's clever and cute.
It's undeniable that love is blind, and Sheng Zexi had quite the filter for Gu Jia Ning.
"Good, then we're relieved."
"Grandpa and Grandma, will you be coming?" Sheng Zexi asked hesitantly after a long time.
Mainly considering the long journey, his grandparents were both elderly, and although his grandma had retired, his grandpa was a busy professor at the National Weapons Research Institute.
"Yes, of course, we'll come!" Grandma Sang just responded when the phone was snatched by Grandpa Sang.
"Xiao Xi, such a big event as your wedding, your grandma and I will definitely come. Don't worry, just let us know the date, and we'll be there. We're still in good health and can travel. I also have accumulated many vacation days, so I can take them off now."
It's just that...
"Are you going to tell your father?"
At the mention of his father, Sheng Zexi's expression turned cold. Without a moment's hesitation, he replied firmly, "I'm not telling him, this is my own affair."
There was a momentary silence on the other end of the line, followed by a sigh, then, "Alright, if you don't want to tell, don't tell him. That man is just a muddlehead, unclear on matters, so not telling him might be for the best."
Saying anything might lead him to try to stop it. Although he was muddled in matters concerning the children due to the influence of the woman he married later, he was still shrewd in his work, or he wouldn't hold such a high position.
If he found out and tried to stop it, there could really be obstacles to Xiao Xi's marriage.
So, it's better not to tell him.
"Wait for your grandma and me to come over." A grandson getting married can't just be on his own.
As his grandparents, they had to be there to support him and show respect to the girl's family.