Chapter 792 - 686

Xiao Man stared wide-eyed at Pang Xiaoji. "So, because of what he said, you’ve been moping around, barely eating, and now you’ve made up your mind to marry him?"

Pang Xiaoji bit her lip and nodded. "I feel like he was genuinely sincere."

"And being sincere is enough? That’s only because he knows he’s at fault."

"Then what more should I expect?"

"Pang Xiaoji, what kind of marriage do you want?" Xiao Man asked. "Do you love Gu Shaozhen? How much do you really know about him? And can you be certain that he’ll love you back? How can you just make a decision like this? Listening to you repeat what he said, I honestly can’t sense any real affection for you in his words. It just sounds like he went into the wrong room, spent the night with you... and now feels like he has to take responsibility as a man. But responsibility isn’t something you can just claim to take. If he can’t give you a lifetime of happiness, then everything he said is just bullshit!"

The room was warm, and Pang Xiaoji’s face had been flushed ever since she’d walked in. Now, it was so red it looked like it might burst. "I... I’ve never even been in a relationship, so I don’t know what kind of marriage I want. Of course I’m envious of the blissful, happy ones you read about in books. But I’ve thought about it a lot these past few days, and I think Gu Shaozhen is right: we really are a good match. Putting everything else aside, our families are on the same level and we know each other’s backgrounds. That kind of marriage is very stable. I’m the only daughter, so I’ve always been doted on. But I also know my marriage isn’t up to me. My mom and grandma always told me not to fall in love easily, not to give my heart away so casually. In the future, I’ll have to marry one of the young masters from some family in Beijing. If you line up all the unmarried guys in our circle, there’s not a single one I actually like. Gu Shaozhen... I’d never considered him before. But now, I see he’s at least a real man. Think about it, how many guys do something stupid and then refuse to admit it or take responsibility? Gu Shaozhen’s flaw is that he’s a player, but he knows how to keep it casual. He doesn’t go around leaving a trail of broken hearts, and he never drags things out. My brother told me the Gu family men know what’s truly important and absolutely respect the women of their household. Lots of people know that. Besides, I have my own eyes; I have a pretty good idea of what kind of person Gu Shaozhen is. As for men, nine out of ten are unfaithful—that’s what the old-timers say. Just look at Zhao Teng. He had Cheng Yaji and her sister wrapped around his finger, ready to live or die for him, and now he’s just ditched them both to study abroad. *That’s* the worst kind of man! Gu Shaozhen isn’t like that. I believe he’ll change for the better after we get married, and my family would definitely be happy to approve this match. As for loving him... I don’t know about that yet. But somehow... he’s already found a place in my heart! I don’t care if he’ll love me back. I’m used to being spoiled. I’ll be miserable if there’s no one to dote on me in the future. He promised to dote on me for the rest of our lives, and I’m going to hold him to that promise!"

Xiao Man was a bit stunned by all this. When Pang Xiaoji finally paused, she asked, "But what if he just said it and forgets all about it?"

"Not unless I don’t marry him. Once we’re married, I’ll be there to remind him!"

"Alright, you win!" Xiao Man said, conceding defeat.

There was no need to discuss the topic of love any further. The logic Pang Xiaoji laid out was surprisingly sound. Xiao Man had no grounds to argue; ’I feel like I’m becoming more and more of a fossil,’ she thought. ’Xia Qingting was a shock, and now Pang Xiaoji’s way of thinking is just as bizarre.’

Pang Xiaoji had a waiter bring fresh hot tea and poured a cup for Xiao Man. "Since you’ve already made up your mind," Xiao Man asked while taking a sip, "what did you need me for?"

"I can’t find Gu Shaozhen, and my brother doesn’t know where he is either. I thought you might, so please, help me tell him my decision."

"Honestly, I don’t know either, but I can ask around for you. But what’s the rush? It’s already the last month of the lunar year. He’ll have to come back to Beijing for the New Year, and it would be better if you told him yourself then."

"I just can’t help it! I haven’t had a moment’s peace since I made up my mind. I have to let him know how I feel as soon as possible. Otherwise, you know how he is—what if he gets tangled up with someone else while he’s away?"

"But didn’t he say he wouldn’t get involved with any other women for three years, that he’s just waiting for your answer?"

"But what if other women chase after him? He attracts so much trouble. Look at that shameless Zeng Rong. And a couple of years ago, there was that woman with the last name Huang who claimed to have saved his life and pestered him for ages... He rarely turns women down. That’s another annoying thing about him."

Xiao Man couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re already this worried. What are you going to do once you’re married?"

Pang Xiaoji clenched her fists. "It’ll be fine. He’ll be my responsibility then. I can let him fool around a little, but if he dares to catch real feelings for someone else, I won’t forgive him!"

"Are you sure about that?"

"I’m sure!"

Pang Xiaoji raised her chin with conviction. Xiao Man was once again at a loss for words. ’I really don’t understand how other people think. Someone’s actually this eager to marry a notorious playboy like Gu Shaozhen. In my past life, he had a whole harem of wives and concubines, supposedly because he wanted more heirs. But in this life, his path has changed. He’s crossed paths with Pang Xiaoji... I wonder what will happen now.’

Seeing the utterly baffled look on Xiao Man’s face, Pang Xiaoji chuckled and grabbed her hand. "You know what? I wrote down a list of pros and cons for marrying Gu Shaozhen, and the biggest, most appealing pro was—becoming sisters-in-law with Tang Manman!"

Xiao Man playfully swatted her hand away. "Fine, we can be sisters-in-law. But I’m hardly a ’pro’ in your column. I don’t think I can accept that honor. Just don’t come running to me every time you two have a problem."

"Yes, you can! Yes, you can! And if you ever have any problems, you can come running to me!" Pang Xiaoji latched onto her, trying to give her a hug. When Xiao Man resisted, she started tickling her, and soon they were both laughing as Pang Xiaoji returned to her usual playful, mischievous self.

After they finished their talk at the restaurant, the two went out for a stroll. Pang Xiaoji seemed as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders; she was cheerful and relaxed, chattering nonstop. She bought a lot of things at the mall, and noticing that Xiao Man wasn’t buying anything, she took matters into her own hands and bought two of everything—one for herself and one for Xiao Man. She claimed it was compensation for cutting into her date time.

Xiao Man didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It finally dawned on her: ’Pang Xiaoji didn’t really need my help at all, did she? She just wasn’t confident enough in her own decision. She wanted to use me to test the waters with the Gu family. Seeing that her future sister-in-law wasn’t against the idea must have been what got her so excited.’

’Sigh, what am I going to do with her? One moment she seems so shrewd, and the next she’s like a complete fool.’

At nine o’clock, they walked to the spot where Xiao Man and Gu Shaojun had arranged to meet. After getting in the car, they first dropped Pang Xiaoji off at her home. Then, Gu Shaojun and Xiao Man drove to the nearby Mo family residence on Fuping Lane.

Xiao Man had to be home by eleven-thirty at the latest, so there wasn’t much time left. But for a couple in love, even a single minute alone to exchange a few words was a sweet, joyous thing.

They whispered sweet nothings, wrapped in a tender embrace and pouring out their longing for one another. But before they could get enough of each other, it was already time to take her home. The drive would take at least half an hour, and if they had the bad luck to run into traffic, Tang Qingshan would definitely not have a pleasant look for his future son-in-law.

On the way, Xiao Man fed Gu Shaojun fresh fruit she’d taken from the Treasure Pearl Space, telling him all about Pang Xiaoji and Gu Shaozhen.