Volume One, Chapter Nine: To Marry Her, You Must Have My Consent

They only dared to whisper behind their backs, never daring to approach closely. After all, the man looked quite fierce—who would tempt fate by provoking him? Everyone waited eagerly, certain that the household was about to erupt in a spectacular scene.

Gu Chengfeng’s gaze swept over those gossipmongers; he remained silent for the moment, quietly plotting in his mind.

Shen Sisi felt uneasy under their watchful eyes; surely, Gu Chengfeng must feel even more uncomfortable. With that thought, she bravely lifted her head and glared back at each of them in turn.

Her fierce demeanor made those she stared down avert their eyes nervously, unwilling to meet her gaze.

Sensing Shen Sisi’s defiance, Gu Chengfeng, unfazed by the strange looks around him, subtly moved closer to her, as if accompanying her was a supreme honor and a source of pride.

Only when they reached the apartment building did Shen Sisi finally exhale. She asked Gu Chengfeng to wait a moment while she went upstairs to greet her aunt.

Gu Chengfeng, sensing that rushing in unannounced would be impolite, gently returned the little child to Shen Sisi’s arms and said, “Go ahead, I’ll wait for you.”

He obediently carried the heavy bags and stood quietly at the stairwell’s corner.

With a pounding heart, Shen Sisi knocked on the door. As it opened, she caught sight of her bag, neatly placed on the doormat.

“Aunt, what is this?” she asked, her expression darkening as she looked at the luggage.

Zhao Shilan’s eyes were red from crying, and she hung her head awkwardly. “I’m sorry, Sisi. Sister Tingting suddenly brought her fiancé home, and there’s really no room left in the house. You see…”

Shen Sisi fell silent. Her cousin rarely came home, and it wasn’t a festival or holiday—why suddenly return now?

With a little thought, everything became clear: her cousin’s return was just a pretense, but her aunt and uncle’s eviction was real.

It seemed her uncle was behind the pressure.

Zhao Shilan looked at her with a trace of pity but restrained herself.

Shen Sisi understood the predicament and knew that once her uncle got involved, he could even resort to violence against her aunt.

She had stood up for her aunt before and urged her to divorce more than once, but in this era, divorce was a monumental matter. Her aunt cared about face and was too timid to make a decision, always saying, “Every couple has quarrels, don’t they? They fight in bed but make up by the bedside…”

Divorce was shameful, inviting gossip and potentially harming Tingting’s prospects for marriage.

Shen Sisi was frustrated at her aunt’s weakness but powerless to change it because every time she intervened, her uncle’s torment only worsened.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Sisi sighed softly, “I came this time to say goodbye to Aunt and Uncle. I’m about to leave.”

“Leave? Going back to the countryside?” Zhao Shilan asked.

Shen Sisi shook her head. “I’m going out of town. I’m getting married.”

“Married?” Zhao Shilan’s voice rose in surprise. “You… you really found someone?”

Shen Sisi let out a soft hum, a barely noticeable smile playing on her lips.

“Whose family is he from? Tell Aunt, let’s see if they’re trustworthy!” Zhao Shilan pressed anxiously. “Be careful not to be deceived or sold off.”

These days, many girls unknowingly left home only to be trafficked into the mountains.

Thinking of Gu Chengfeng in his reassuring military uniform, Shen Sisi showed a row of white teeth in a smile. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s a soldier.”

“What? A soldier?” Chen Jianguo had just stepped out of the room and overheard Shen Sisi talking about her upcoming marriage to a soldier.

“Who does he think he is? Does he owe you money, or what? How could he possibly want you…”

Chen Jianguo laughed derisively, scrutinizing Shen Sisi. His gaze paused on her red wool coat. “To save face, you even bought new clothes. What a joke!”

“Who in their right mind would marry you with your reputation? Don’t embarrass us.”

Shen Sisi frowned in disgust, about to retort when Zhao Shilan tugged her sleeve, signaling her not to argue.

In the past, she might have let such words slide, but today she couldn’t—who allowed him to say Gu Chengfeng was blind?

“Chen Jianguo, I respect you as my uncle and have always shown you honor, but I am not a trash bin for your filthy words. Watch your mouth!”

Her calm but commanding tone carried a surprising authority.

Chen Jianguo was taken aback, momentarily speechless.

“You think you’re brave now, talking back to me like that…” Chen Jianguo glared at her, itching to kick her.

Shen Sisi furrowed her brow, sensing his fury at having his patriarchal authority challenged.

She wasn’t particularly afraid but worried that her impulsiveness would cause her aunt to suffer after she left.

Just as tensions flared and both sides bristled, steady footsteps approached from behind.

“What kind of manhood is bullying a woman? If you’ve got guts, come at me!”

“Who the hell are you…” Chen Jianguo started to retort but was silenced by a piercing glare.

Gu Chengfeng set down his bags, instinctively shielding Shen Sisi and the child behind him. Instantly, he was ready for confrontation.

Already looking intimidating, his face darkened further, muscles taut, eyes flashing with fierce intensity.

“I am Gu Chengfeng, Battalion Commander of the Southwest Field Force First Battalion, and the fiancé of Shen Sisi!”

Chen Jianguo shuddered under that gaze, his body trembling involuntarily.

Gu Chengfeng… the name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.

He adopted a patronizing attitude, glancing sideways at Gu Chengfeng but deliberately avoiding his sharp eyes.

The young man was fierce-looking, clearly no pushover.

A soldier? Battalion commander? Who did he think he was, challenging him?

Chen Jianguo arrogantly began to assert his authority. “I don’t care who you are. I am Shen Sisi’s uncle. If you want to marry her, you need my approval, understand?”

Shen Sisi was orphaned; this uncle was her senior family member.

If he refused, no one could take her away.

Gu Chengfeng glared at him. “Who the hell do you think you are…”

Pleasingly called a senior, but really just an arrogant elder abusing his position.

Chen Jianguo felt humiliated and was about to erupt in rage.

Shen Sisi knew his temper well—vain, arrogant, hot-headed, and easily provoked.

Sure enough, Chen Jianguo exploded like a cornered beast, but when he met Gu Chengfeng’s face, he hesitated, unwilling to provoke him. He turned away, gritting his teeth, and spat at Shen Sisi, “You really have no standards, picking the worst of the worst. Are you that desperate for a man? Anyone will do…”

Gu Chengfeng tightened his jaw, veins throbbing on his neck, eyes burning with rage, itching to strike. But glancing at Shen Sisi, he held back.

His eyes narrowed, radiating a dangerous aura as he leaned close to Chen Jianguo and whispered, “Uncle, you might not know who I really am. Go ask Heizi; he’ll tell you everything.”

Then he slammed his hand heavily on Chen Jianguo’s shoulder.

Chen Jianguo, who was domineering moments ago, suddenly paled, as if caught red-handed.

Heizi…

The local gangster of Lin County, also one of Chen Jianguo’s creditors. Chen often played cards with Heizi and owed him a lot.

“Who… who are you? How do you know him?” Chen Jianguo stammered, eyes wide.

Gu Chengfeng’s expression was calm. “Are you planning to have me wait at the door to talk?”

Before Chen Jianguo could respond, Zhao Shilan quickly ushered them inside. “Yes, yes, Comrade Gu, please come in. Let’s talk inside…”

He nodded and, carrying the bags, pushed past Chen Jianguo into the room.