Ge Xiue’s question came so suddenly that Zhang Xiaoshan was caught off guard and stupefied.
How should he answer this question?
Zhang Xiaoshan hesitated, struggling to find an answer.
But Ge Xiue spoke up first.
"Little Shan, you don’t need to explain. I have watched you grow up. I trust your character, and I know you have your difficulties. In fact, I am quite aware that marriage between us is absolutely impossible, and even if you wanted me to marry, I would not be willing to."
Now it was Zhang Xiaoshan’s turn to be puzzled.
"Because in my heart, you are the best man in the world. A young and talented man like you deserves someone like Snow White, surely the best woman in the world."
"Sister, to me, you are the best woman in the world."
"Really? You’re not just trying to make me happy?" Ge Xiue was now half skeptical, half believing.
She was very inclined to believe Zhang Xiaoshan’s words, but after all, she had been married before.
Zhang Xiaoshan looked into Ge Xiue’s eyes and said earnestly.
"Really, in my heart, Sister Xiue is a wonderful woman. Once, I even fantasized about how happy I would be if Sister Xiue were my wife."
This was not an exaggeration on Zhang Xiaoshan’s part, but rather the numerous fantasies he had during his naive adolescence.
He had regarded Jia Lanhua as his fantasy object, had countless dreams where unspeakable things occurred with the village leader’s wife, Jia Lanhua, and had often fantasized about virtuous women like Ge Xiue becoming his future wife.
Feeling Zhang Xiaoshan’s sincerity, Ge Xiue’s pretty face flushed with a happy smile.
"Little Shan, the fact that you feel this way about me is already enough to fulfill my heart, but no matter what, I am a woman who has been married before, bluntly speaking, a ’worn-out willow.’"
"I am not worthy of you."
Zhang Xiaoshan wanted to argue, but Ge Xiue kissed him.
They touched and then parted.
"Little Shan, I understand your intentions, but my desire is simple. I want to be quietly with you, without fighting or grabbing for any formal status. It’s for your good, and for mine too. Do you understand what I mean?"
Yes, in places like White Dragon Village, rumors can be deadly.
Take Luo Meili, for example. Even though her man had already died and she was truly a widow, her relationship with Zhang Xiaoshan was still shrouded in secrecy.
And Ge Xiue’s husband, Liu Qinghong, was still alive; she was a wife.
If it were to get out, aside from hanging herself with a rope, Ge Xiue would have no other option.
"Sister, I understand," Zhang Xiaoshan said solemnly.
"Whether we can marry or not, I promise I will never forget the kindness Sister Xiue has shown me. I will regard you as my woman for life."
Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan’s heartfelt confession, tears of emotion streamed down Ge Xiue’s face. Fresh chapters posted on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
Forced by her family to marry Liu Qinghong, had she ever enjoyed the feeling of being in love?
Sweet words, earnest confessions were once mere fantasies for her, but today, she experienced them from this younger man.
"Sister, even if we can’t get married, you could still divorce Liu Qinghong. After all, your marriage with him is in name only—he doesn’t come home even once a year. You’re still young. Why waste your life with him? You would have a better life if you divorced," Zhang Xiaoshan said earnestly.
But Ge Xiue showed a hint of embarrassment and after hesitating for a while, she told Zhang Xiaoshan the truth.