Chapter 762: Chapter 661: The Most Suitable Match

The three young women were all Wei Shumin’s nieces; two called her paternal aunt, one maternal. Although they had gotten into the art troupe almost entirely through Wei Shumin’s connections, they were genuinely attractive and met the basic qualifications for performers. It didn’t matter if their other professional skills, like dancing or singing, were subpar. As long as they could land a minor role in a stage production, it was good enough. Their aunt had said that the art troupe was just a stepping stone. No one could make a living off their looks forever; what truly mattered was the credential.

In fact, they weren’t the only ones among the younger generation of the Wei Family to get a position thanks to their aunt, but these three were the most outstanding. As a result, they received special treatment from her and were being specially groomed.

They were accustomed to their aunt and Guo Yanyan’s haughty airs. Besides, their aunt had often said the girls of the Wei Family were too good to marry just any ordinary man. She was determined to find them promising, elite cadres from within the unit, and she encouraged them to be proactive and passionate in their pursuits. With their aunt’s backing, they had grown proud and audacious, looking down their noses at everyone and refusing to spare a glance for ordinary men. They focused solely on handsome, accomplished cadres, loitering around them whenever they had a free moment. They thought their little schemes had gone unnoticed, but now that Guo Er had called them out, the girls blushed as red as boiled shrimp. They fidgeted in their seats, their appetites gone despite the large portions of fish and meat on the table.

Wei Shumin was so furious she felt faint, all thoughts of maintaining her poised image forgotten. She roared at Guo Yiyong, "Look at this precious son of yours! Is he trying to be the death of me? Are you going to control him or not?"

Guo Yiyong’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He shot his second son a vicious glare. "Shut your damn mouth! If you don’t want to eat, then get the hell out!"

Guo Er shrugged, a cold smirk on his face as he picked up his bowl and chopsticks. Beside him, Guo Da shot Wei Shumin a sinister glare.

A headache throbbed in Guo Yiyong’s temples. ’I have two sons. They seemed decent enough as children, but ever since my first wife tragically drowned and I remarried, their personalities have completely changed. One is sullen and passive-aggressive, the other a shiftless delinquent. A few years ago, they were running with a bad crowd and causing trouble everywhere. I managed to get them positions in my unit, but they’ve accomplished nothing. My eldest is thirty and still can’t find a wife. The younger one is a flashy player who knows how to have a good time and charm countless girls, but I’ve never heard him talk seriously about marriage. No career, no family, and they still expect their old man to clean up their messes. The more I look at them, the more disappointed I become!’

’My second son just mentioned my late wife’s family. They do have some power and connections back in their hometown, but what good is that now? People move on. Once she died, even though we’ve stayed in touch over the years, they’ve been unwilling to offer any real support.’

’A marriage alliance really isn’t a guarantee for life.’

That was why he always turned a blind eye to his wife’s schemes for their daughter and nieces. Sometimes, when she pressured him to help by putting in a good word or pulling a few strings, he would reluctantly oblige, intimidated by her domineering nature. If it worked out, great. If not, so be it. He preferred to let fate run its course.

But he didn’t want to see his wife act so aggressively and opportunistically. He was also deeply dissatisfied with his daughters, who acted spoiled, domineering, and willful, all because they could rely on his status. It was completely out of line and counterproductive.

’Two years ago, I had to send my third daughter away. She’d had the audacity to fall for a married man, and her mother had actually encouraged it, thinking the cadre was handsome, talented, and promising enough to be poached. It all blew up in the end. My third daughter shamelessly got pregnant and went to the man’s legal wife, belly and all, to demand a divorce. If I hadn’t discovered it and dealt with the situation swiftly, how could I have possibly kept my position and shown my face in this district once the scandal got out?’

’I did my best to reprimand them, but my wife and daughters just forget the pain as soon as the scar heals. They’ve reverted to their old ways and have even gotten worse.’

’My youngest daughter saw Gu Shaojun at the Army Day party last year and fell for him at first sight, swearing she would marry him or die trying. My wife indulged her, seeking every opportunity to play matchmaker. The mother-daughter pair even chased him all the way to the frontline camp, but Gu Shaojun wanted nothing to do with them. I’d heard he was already engaged, but my wife and daughter were relentless. I had no choice but to pretend I didn’t know and use work as an excuse to sound him out. Gu Shaojun told me personally that he had a partner, a fiancée, and that their families were already planning the wedding.’

’That should have been the end of it. They couldn’t keep harassing him. Gu Shaojun is certainly a rare talent—incredibly capable, decorated for his military achievements, with a future that looks as bright as can be. The ideal son-in-law, no doubt. But he’s just too outstanding. My daughter has good taste, but did she really think no other girl would? It would be strange for a twenty-seven or twenty-eight-year-old military prodigy like him to be completely unattached. Besides, Gu Shaojun is from Beijing and will be returning there soon!’

’This also suggests Gu Shaojun’s background is deep and difficult to ascertain. If I’m not mistaken, he must come from a very influential family!’

’It’s one thing that he’s not interested in my daughter. We tested the waters, failed to win him over, so we should have let it go. Clinging to him will only stir up trouble. But women are so short-sighted. My wife and daughter just can’t seem to get it and move on. Today, my wife even had the gall to corner Gu Shaojun’s fiancée and give her a hard time, right in public. The esteemed director of the art troupe picking a fight with a young girl... It’s utterly ridiculous and just gives people more to gossip about. My own foolish wife is going to be the death of me!’

After dinner, Guo Yiyong sent his two sons and three nieces away. Once the housekeeper had served the tea and excused herself, he began to lecture his wife and daughter again.

Guo Yanyan pouted defiantly, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. Wei Shumin sat on the sofa peeling an apple for her daughter, an equally nonchalant expression on her face. It was obvious that neither of them was taking his words to heart. Guo Yiyong’s temper flared again. He slammed his teacup down on the coffee table and snapped:

"Listen here, Guo Yanyan, and you remember this: from now on, you are forbidden from bothering Gu Shaojun! The man is engaged, and his fiancée is here now. No matter how wonderful or outstanding he is, he belongs to someone else. It has nothing to do with you, so give up! And you, Wei Shumin, why are you always running over to the Elite Building? Don’t think I don’t know about your little schemes. What are you so defensive about? Banning other girls from approaching the young officers just to give the girls from the Wei Family more options to choose from? Have you lost your mind? Do you think this family compound belongs to you? What do you take those young men for? A personal catalog of son-in-law candidates for your family? It’s utterly absurd! You... both of you... just knock it off! If you stir up any more trouble, don’t blame me for being harsh!"

Wei Shumin snorted. "You’re the one who’s confused. So what if you know what I’m doing? Every man for himself. Am I arranging all this for my own benefit? You want to be harsh with me? What are you going to do, have me fired from my post as director? Fine! If you have the heart to do it, then go right ahead!"

"You... you’re unbelievable!" Guo Yiyong sputtered, at a loss for words.

Guo Yanyan chimed in, "Marriage is about choice. People get divorced all the time if they’re not compatible, so what’s a simple engagement? I love Gu Shaojun, and I have the right to pursue him! We’re in the same unit, we have the same ambitions, we speak the same language. What does that fiancée of his understand? She’s from some backwater mountain area in Wancheng. Mom says she’s pretty, but am I not? How much could her clothes possibly be worth? So maybe her family is well-off, so what? It doesn’t change the fact that she’s a country girl. Can her worldview, education, and experience compare to mine? And her family background? Even if her dad is some petty official, can his rank possibly compare to my father’s? Gu Shaojun and I are the ones who are truly suited for each other! This is for your own good, too, Dad! The two boys in our family are useless. You’re going to need a successor, and Gu Shaojun has the ability and courage to make up for what they lack!"

Wei Shumin immediately jumped in to support her daughter. "That’s right. Gu Shaojun is the most outstanding man in this entire district, and our daughter is the best in every way. She deserves a son-in-law of his caliber. Your two sons are useless. In the future, the only ones who can uphold the honor of the Guo family name will be Yanyan and her husband. I observed that so-called fiancée of his very closely today. She tries her best to imitate the airs of a city girl, but you can’t hide the fact that she’s from a small town. She just has this provincial, unrefined quality. How can she possibly compare to my Yanyan’s elegance, grace, and innate sophistication as a high-society lady? She is simply not worthy of Gu Shaojun. So, let’s be generous. We’ll give Gu Shaojun time to compare them. As long as he isn’t a blind fool, he’s guaranteed to choose our Yanyan in the end!"

Guo Yiyong: "..."

Perhaps it was because he was too full from dinner, but he suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness. He wanted to argue with his wife and daughter, but for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

The next morning, after seeing Gu Shaojun out, Xiao Man was tidying up the house when Xiao Yu brought another young woman over. The visitor was about the same age and height as Xiao Man, with delicate features and slightly tan skin. She had a lively, cheerful personality, quick to laugh and chat. Without waiting for an introduction from Xiao Yu, she breezily introduced herself to Xiao Man as Xia Qingting, the youngest daughter of Director Xia. She explained that her mother had heard Gu Shaojun brought his fiancée and wanted to invite the couple over for dinner. The task of extending the invitation had fallen to her. Since she was on vacation with nothing to do, she had decided to come over early to meet Xiao Man and ask her to hang out.

Xiao Man was quite curious about the name Xia Qingting. It was rare for someone to be named after an insect—"Qingting" meant dragonfly. She found the girl’s direct and amusing personality charming, so she happily went along with her.

What she didn’t know was that shortly after they locked the door and left, Wei Shumin arrived with Guo Yanyan in tow. Wei Shumin’s plan had been to use an apology as a pretext for her daughter to meet Xiao Man and "make friends." On one hand, this would make her appear magnanimous while also allowing them to size up the competition. On the other, it would create a legitimate reason to get closer to Gu Shaojun, allowing him to properly compare the two women and see who was truly the better match.

Upon hearing that Director Xia’s wife was inviting Gu Shaojun and his "country fiancée" to dinner, an idea sparked in Wei Shumin’s mind. She immediately decided that her family would host them tomorrow as well—if a director’s wife could host them, then so could she, the wife of a commander!

And as for making the country girl embarrass herself and lose face once she was on their home turf... well, that would be child’s play.

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