Chiang Xiao remained silent.
She had experienced the progress of civilization after two or three decades, but Ge Liutao and the others had not.
She couldn’t make them have the same courage to confront and withstand these concepts as she did.
She wasn’t afraid of being expelled from the clan, of being driven out of the village, but her grandparents and even Ge Dejun and Liu Pei would surely be deeply saddened and uneasy.
Especially since Ge Liutao’s heart was not in good condition.
Why should she put them through such humiliation and agitation? Why should she let them experience such heartache and anger again?
Over the years, she didn’t know how much they had secretly worried about Chiang Qingzhu, how many tears they had shed for her.
Chiang Xiao felt that their poor health might not be unrelated to the long-standing frustrations in their hearts because of Chiang Qingzhu.
"Little, don’t worry," Liu Pei also persuaded: "Here, it’s not rare to get engaged at thirteen or fourteen. We all think Meng Xinian is quite good. Besides, he’s in the alliance army, far from here. You can live your life just the same, there’s no big difference. Wait a few more years to consider how to get along with him, no rush, eh?"
They all thought that Chiang Xiao’s opposition was because she was still young and didn’t understand matters like engagement and marriage, that she was scared, apprehensive. Afraid that this man was going to live with her, fearful.
Little did they know that Chiang Xiao’s concerns were not at all about that.
She was only thirteen and already bound—what if she met someone she truly liked later?
Any person who had experienced the new era and century would resist child betrothal and deciding one’s lifelong affair at such a young age, wouldn’t they?
That’s why Chiang Xiao found it strange—how could Meng Xinian not refuse or resist?
Ge Xiaotong tugged at her hand and whispered, "Little, Captain Meng is really nice, don’t miss out. You don’t understand now, but you will once you’re older."
Chiang Xiao broke into a sweat.
Weren’t they just afraid she would miss out on a good-looking man?
But good looks and him being a nice guy didn’t mean he would definitely suit her. Besides, you need to be in love to get married, right? This is the key point!
Was this supposed to be a love-after-marriage arrangement?
Love after marriage wasn’t impossible, but what if love never came after the wedding?
Ge Liutao and the others didn’t care how much Chiang Xiao thought about it; they hurried her to change clothes.
Voices could already be heard outside.
"The clan uncle and the party secretary must have arrived," Ge Liutao hastily wiped her tears and patted Chiang Xiao, "Hurry up, let’s go out to greet the guests first."
Chiang Xiao let out a deep sigh.
Unconsciously, she put on the newly sewn shirt, just as a conversation from an elder outside reached her ears.
"Is the engagement settled? Are all these the agreed gifts?"
Chiang Songhai and the others kept affirming.
The elder then raised his voice, "That day, Songtao’s wife came home, saying that your girl was causing trouble outside, tarnishing our clan’s reputation, insisting on expelling her from the clan. I thought I should find time to come and ask, but who would have thought you’ve actually found a suitor, good, this is good. Songhai, you can rest easy now, no need to worry every day about your girl not finding a husband’s family!"
Upon hearing this, Chiang Xiao gave in.
Let the engagement be set then, it was just an engagement, not marriage!
She still had years before she grew up; if they couldn’t get along in the future, she could always call off the engagement!
She combed her hair and lifted the curtain to walk out.
Both the main room and the courtyard were filled with people.
Her home had never been so lively.
Everyone turned to look at her.
But among the many gazes, Chiang Xiao instantly sensed Meng Xinian’s eyes upon her.
She looked over and saw his dark and shiny eyes brimming with sparkling lights, so beautiful.