She led the whole village to prosperity by raising koi fish.

Chapter 107 Proposing to Her

Once filled with joy yet deeply hurt, Gu Wanfeng, now filled with despair, slowly embarked on his journey back to the capital. Surprisingly, when he stepped onto this familiar land, he didn't rush to the bustling docks or the busy shops, but instead headed straight for the factory, where a figure he longed for resided—his new girlfriend, Chestnut.

At this moment, Miss Chestnut was still furious about Gu Wanfeng's impulsive act of stealing the bride, and was sitting silently at her workbench. When she saw Gu Wanfeng appear before her, panting, her face darkened, and she said irritably, "Oh, isn't this Young Master Gu? Weren't you busy stealing the bride? How come you have time to come here now?" Her tone was clearly tinged with anger and dissatisfaction.

Faced with Chestnut Girl's cold words, Gu Wanfeng quickly put on a smiling face and said cautiously, "My dear Chestnut Girl, please don't be angry. It's all my fault. I was confused and did such a foolish thing. I'm so sorry. I came here today specifically to apologize to you in person. I hope you can be magnanimous and forgive me this time." After saying that, he even winked at Chestnut Girl in a fawning manner.

Hearing Gu Wanfeng's sincere apology, Chestnut Girl's anger subsided considerably, but she still feigned composure and gave a light snort: "Alright, I'm always magnanimous, I'll let it go this time. But don't you dare act like this again!" As she spoke, a blush unconsciously crept onto her face, and her previously tense expression gradually relaxed.

Seeing that Chestnut Girl's attitude had softened, Gu Wanfeng pressed his advantage and said mysteriously in a low voice, "Chestnut, actually, besides apologizing to you, there is something very important I want to tell you today."

Upon hearing this, Chestnut Girl couldn't help but feel curious. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, and she asked coquettishly, "Oh? What is it? Tell me quickly."

Gu Wanfeng took a deep breath, suddenly knelt on one knee, pulled a sparkling ring from his pocket, gazed at Chestnut Girl with deep affection, and shouted, "Chestnut Girl, please marry me! For the rest of my life, I am willing to give everything, just to be by your side!" For a moment, the entire workshop seemed to fall silent, all eyes focused on the young couple…

The girl stood there, her mind a jumble of conflicting thoughts. Her gaze would sometimes fall on the expectant man before her, and sometimes drift into the distance, as if searching for an answer in her surroundings. Just as she was hesitating, her colleagues, like bees catching a whiff of gossip, quickly swarmed around her.

"Say yes! Marry him! Marry him!" The colleagues shouted excitedly, their voices rising and falling, as if trying to fill the small space. Their faces were beaming with enthusiastic smiles, and their eyes sparkled with curiosity and blessings.

Faced with her colleagues' enthusiastic response, Chestnut lowered her head shyly, but the slight upturn of her lips revealed that she already knew the answer deep down. Finally, amidst everyone's expectant gazes, she raised her head, her beautiful eyes shining like the brightest stars in the night sky, and said with a beaming smile, "Okay."

Upon hearing this answer, Gu Wanfeng's face instantly lit up with a radiant smile. He carefully took out the ring he had prepared beforehand, gently held Chestnut Girl's slender finger, and slowly slipped the ring onto her ring finger. At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the whole world consisted only of the two of them.

Immediately afterward, Gu Wanfeng held Chestnut Girl's hand tightly, gazing at her with deep affection, and began his heartfelt confession: "Chestnut Girl, you are as gentle and beautiful as a flower blooming in spring; as virtuous and generous as a lotus leaf in a summer breeze. Meeting you is truly the greatest fortune of my life. Every time I taste the food you cook, its deliciousness warms my heart; and whenever I hear your melodious voice, it's like heavenly music lingering in my ears. I truly want to walk with you forever, hand in hand, spending the rest of my life together, never to be separated."

Hearing Gu Wanfeng's heartfelt words, Chestnut Girl could no longer suppress the emotions surging within her, and tears streamed down her cheeks. However, these were not tears of sorrow, but tears of happiness. She nodded firmly, choking back tears as she replied, "Yes, yes, I do!" At this moment, two loving hearts were tightly bound together, envisioning a beautiful future together.

"Let me take you to meet my parents. They've known about our relationship for a long time and are eagerly anticipating meeting you, their future daughter-in-law!" Gu Wanfeng said with great enthusiasm, his deep and bright eyes filled with anticipation and sincerity, making it hard to refuse his warmth.

Upon hearing this, Chestnut Girl was slightly taken aback at first, then a bright smile bloomed on her face: "Great! I was just thinking of meeting Uncle and Auntie too!" Her voice was clear and melodious, as sweet as a nightingale's song. After saying this, the two held hands and happily embarked on their journey to the Gu family home.

As she walked along, passing a fruit shop, Chestnut Girl suddenly stopped, turned around, and went inside to carefully select her fruits. A short while later, she emerged carrying a beautifully decorated fruit basket overflowing with various kinds of fruit. The basket was filled with bright red strawberries, glistening purple blueberries, translucent grapes, bright red apples, golden bananas, and orange tangerines, among other colorful fruits that emitted an enticing aroma, making one's mouth water.

Just then, Gu Wanfeng glanced at Chestnut Girl's rather casual attire and couldn't help but kindly remind her, "Honey, why don't you change into something prettier, put on some light makeup, and dress yourself up nicely? That way you'll look more presentable when you meet Mom and Dad."

However, Chestnut Girl shook her head dismissively, raised her chin confidently, and replied, "That's something only insecure people do! I don't want to please others with my appearance! I want my uncle and aunt to see the real me. If they can accept and like me as I am, then we can get married smoothly in the future!" After saying that, she winked playfully at Gu Wanfeng.

Seeing Chestnut Girl's resolute and straightforward demeanor, Gu Wanfeng couldn't help but laugh out loud, nodding gently in response, "Alright, whatever you say! Anyway, no matter what, you'll always be the most beautiful in my heart." Then, the two continued walking side by side, chatting and laughing along the way, looking forward to their upcoming meeting.

Xinghua Village was a picturesque and peaceful place, but at this moment, the old lord from the northern desert was once again stubbornly refusing to leave. It turned out he was a true gourmand, and his in-laws always managed to prepare a variety of mouthwatering delicacies to entertain him. Moreover, there was a woman in the village named Dunzi's mother, who, though no longer young, still possessed a captivating charm and was considered a beauty among the singles. The old lord from the northern desert fell instantly in love, completely smitten, and simply couldn't bear to leave. He insisted that his in-laws act as matchmakers for him.

That day, the kind-hearted woman approached Dunzi first. With a smile on her face, she kindly suggested to Dunzi, "Dunzi, look at your mother, she's been single for so many years. How about we introduce her to a suitable partner?" Upon hearing this, Dunzi couldn't help but scratch his head awkwardly and replied with a smile, "Auntie, please don't joke with my mother! She's already so old. If she were to get married now, wouldn't the villagers laugh at her?"

Hearing Dunzi's words, the woman did not give up her idea. Instead, she continued earnestly, "Child, you can't think like that! Although your mother is not young, if she has a caring companion, life will be much easier, won't it? For heavy and tiring work like chopping firewood on the mountain, someone can lend a hand; when fetching water from the river, someone can help share the burden; even for mundane tasks like cooking, it's much easier for two people to do it together than one!"

However, Dunzi still frowned and retorted reluctantly, "Even if it's as good as you say, what if the villagers gossip and talk behind my back? I don't want my mother to be talked about because of this."

Faced with Dunzi's worries, the woman appeared remarkably calm and composed. She gently patted Dunzi's shoulder and comforted him, saying, "Oh, child, if you're afraid of the villagers gossiping, why don't you just move away from this village and live somewhere else? That way, you'll have peace and quiet, and you can live a carefree and comfortable life."

"Alright, as long as my mother agrees, I have no objections." After hesitating for a long time, Dunzi finally chose to compromise. He knew he couldn't go against the adults' decisions and could only silently accept this arrangement.

"That's a good boy! Alright, remember to invite your mother over for dinner tomorrow. I happen to know someone suitable to introduce to her," the woman said with a beaming smile, as if she could already see the wonderful outcome. Dunzi obediently nodded and replied, "Yes, Auntie!"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the capital, Gu Wanfeng took Chestnut to visit his parents. Upon entering, Chestnut displayed excellent manners and politeness, not only serving tea and water to the elders but also warmly engaging them in casual conversation.

"Miss Chestnut, what do your parents do for a living?" Gu's mother asked the gentle and lovely girl in front of her with a smile and concern.

However, upon hearing this question, a fleeting hint of melancholy crossed Chestnut Girl's face, but she quickly regained her composure and replied helplessly, "Auntie, to be honest, I grew up with my grandmother since I was little, so I don't really know much about my parents... what exactly they do for a living."

"Oh, I see. Well then." Seeing this, Gu's mother quickly and tactfully changed the subject, afraid of touching on the deep pain in Chestnut's heart. "Wanfeng's father and I have always hoped that you two could get married soon and have a big, healthy boy or a lovely little princess. I wonder if you have any thoughts on this?"

Upon hearing this, Chestnut Girl was slightly taken aback at first, then a bright smile bloomed on her face, and she replied softly, "Auntie, being able to spend the rest of my life with Wanfeng is already my greatest happiness. As for the things you mentioned, I naturally have no objection."

"Oh my, what a sensible and well-behaved child!" Madam Gu nodded with a satisfied smile, her eyes full of affection for Chestnut Girl. Then, she turned her head and looked tenderly at Master Gu sitting beside her.

Just then, Mr. Gu, who had been silent all along, finally spoke: "Miss Chestnut, do you have any specific ideas about the bride price? Also, what are your expectations for this wedding?" He asked the gentle and lovely woman in front of him with a smile and a kind tone.

Miss Chestnut nodded slightly and replied softly, "As for what you've said, sir, these matters are not really up to me as a young lady. It's best if you and your aunt discuss and decide together. Besides, I have my own livelihood to keep going. The money I earn from tutoring and part-time jobs is enough to support my grandmother and myself. Therefore, I don't have high expectations regarding the bride price. What I value is simply Young Master Gu's outstanding appearance and character."

Upon hearing this, Master Gu's eyes widened in surprise. He never expected that this seemingly delicate woman would be so indifferent to fame and fortune, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her. He exclaimed, "Oh my, I truly never imagined! A woman like you, who doesn't crave wealth and status, and doesn't pursue fame and fortune, is truly a rare find! You're practically a once-in-a-millennium gem!" His words were filled with undisguised praise.