Gu Jiaojiao saw Eldest Brother Sheng’s eyes sparkle like stars when he spoke of Fu Guoguo, the shyness within them flickering like fireflies.

She said teasingly, "Just a few days ago, you were all cold and aloof whenever you saw Fu Guoguo, but now you’ve turned all shy.

Don’t tell me you changed your mind because Fu Guoguo forced a kiss on you? With your skills, there’s no way she could’ve forced you. Or... have you had your eye on her for a long time?"

"Jiaojiao, what are you talking about?" Sheng Shijing asked, staring at Gu Jiaojiao in disbelief.

’How could Guoguo possibly force a kiss on me!’

’It was me who couldn’t hold back. When Guoguo agreed to get engaged to me, it felt like fireworks were exploding in my head.’

’I could hardly believe what I was hearing, so I lowered my gaze to look at her, uncertain.’

’Seeing the brilliant smile on her lovely face and the bright sparkle in her eyes, I couldn’t resist and kissed her.’

’But I’m too embarrassed to tell Jiaojiao all this!’

Seeing Sheng Shijing staring wide-eyed at Gu Jiaojiao, Su Shuochi immediately stood up and shielded her. "What’s with that look? If my wife says so, then it’s so."

"Alright, it’s true. I’ve liked Guoguo for a long time. I just didn’t know how to bring it up. Jiaojiao, you two know about my family’s situation."

"As long as you two like each other, nothing else matters. If you want to get engaged here in the Imperial City, we can do that. I’ll find someone to help you pick an auspicious date, and we can invite a table or two of friends and family to liven things up."

Gu Jiaojiao knew what Sheng Shijing was trying to say. ’His family was torn apart by Sheng Yueyue. It really has nothing to do with him!’

"Shuo Ci, Jiaojiao, thank you. I don’t know my way around the Imperial City, so I’ll leave the arrangements to you. I only have half a year’s salary saved up."

"Just keep that money for your trip home for the New Year. Shuo Ci and I have to treat everyone to a meal before we go back to Qing City anyway.

Besides, inviting two tables for your engagement won’t cost that much, and we can lend you the money for now.

Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll call Guoguo and her two brothers over right now so we can all discuss it."

As she spoke, Gu Jiaojiao picked up the phone and dialed a number. The call connected almost instantly.

Fu Guoguo’s voice, tinged with surprise and excitement, quickly came through the line.

[Jiaojiao, what’s up? Are you asking me to come over?]

Gu Jiaojiao laughed. [Guoguo, you sound so excited. Were you waiting for my call?]

[Hehe, you know me best, Jiaojiao. I’ll let you in on a secret... Eldest Brother Sheng agreed to get engaged to me! I’m so scared he’ll sleep on it and change his mind.]

[Haha, are you that desperate to get married? In that case, get your two brothers and come over now. We can all discuss your engagement party.]

[Mm, okay, great!] After hanging up, Fu Guoguo yelled, "Big Brother, Second Brother! Sister-in-law is calling us over for a late-night snack!"

Fu Junyuan, who had just gotten home, heard this and immediately said, "You guys go on ahead. I’ll change my clothes and be right there."

Second Brother Fu, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV, was pulled toward the door by Fu Guoguo.

As he was being dragged along, Second Brother Fu muttered, "Doesn’t Sister-in-law avoid late-night snacks? Why would she call us over for one?"

"Uh... well... Sister-in-law said she wanted to discuss the details of my engagement to Eldest Brother Sheng," Fu Guoguo said cautiously.

Fu Junyuan, having already changed, was coming downstairs just in time to hear his little sister’s words.

He shook his head in resignation and said, "Guoguo, do you really like Sheng Shijing that much?"

"Big Brother, I’ll be twenty in just over ten days. This is the first time I’ve ever liked someone, and I want to marry him."

"Big Brother, I think Sheng Shijing is a good guy," Second Brother Fu urged Big Brother Fu. "Come on, let’s go. We shouldn’t keep Sister-in-law waiting."

"Alright. Since you both like him, I won’t object. Let’s go."

The three siblings walked out of the courtyard gate. As Fu Junyuan looked out at the night scenery, his expression gradually grew solemn.

’It’s not that Sheng Shijing is a bad person... but he has that shit-stirrer of a sister. Can my own sister really be happy if she marries him?’

’After hearing from Geng Haoyi about the state Eldest Brother Gu was in when he first returned, Fu Junyuan became very worried about his little sister’s future.’

’But to be fair, Sheng Shijing himself is a decent guy. At least he won’t be like Eldest Brother Gu!’

"Guoguo, Big Brother, Second Brother, you’re here." Sheng Shijing was already waiting for them at the gate to Gu Jiaojiao’s courtyard.

"Eldest Brother Sheng, aren’t you cold standing out here? We could have let ourselves in. I have a key to their courtyard."

Fu Guoguo trotted forward, grabbed Sheng Shijing’s hand, and started chattering away, leaving her two brothers behind.

Luckily, Sheng Shijing had good manners and didn’t presume to walk ahead, instead standing his ground and waiting for his two future brothers-in-law to go first.

Fu Junyuan took a long, hard look at Sheng Shijing. This man, a year his senior, was indeed quite handsome.

No wonder his little sister liked him so much. With that thought, Fu Junyuan didn’t give Sheng Shijing a hard time and headed into Gu Jiaojiao’s house. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Su Shuochi really had prepared hot pot. The couple was in the kitchen, washing and chopping vegetables.

"Su, Sister-in-law, you really are treating us to a late-night snack?" Second Brother Fu was captivated by the rich, intense aroma the moment he stepped inside.

"Yep! Have a seat. We just need to slice some taro, and then we can start eating," Gu Jiaojiao shouted from the kitchen.

"Sister-in-law, need any help?" Second Brother Fu asked. He knew Su didn’t like people interrupting him and his wife.

So, while he offered loudly, he was already walking toward the table. Staring at the feast laid out, his mouth began to water.

He had been to the Yuetai Restaurant for beef hot pot with Big Brother Fu and Su Shuochi before, so he recognized the setup at a glance.

’I thought you could only get this stuff at a restaurant. Who knew Su had everything at home?’

’Why would you need to go out to a restaurant in the middle of winter?’

’Su and his wife really know how to live well. This is a real eye-opener!’

On the large round table in the Su family’s dining room sat a large pot brimming with soup base.

There were two platters of thinly sliced fresh beef, along with a bowl of soaking sweet potato noodles, tofu skin, and more....

"Come on, let’s eat!" Gu Jiaojiao announced with a cheerful laugh, carrying out a large platter of taro.

"Alright, let’s dig in!" Second Brother Fu couldn’t wait and dumped an entire platter of beef into the pot.

Su Shuochi quickly snatched up a piece of beef with his chopsticks, dipped it in some sauce, and placed it in Gu Jiaojiao’s bowl. "Here, honey. You eat first."

"Second Brother, we’ve taken you out for hot pot a few times now. You’re supposed to cook the beef one piece at a time, just swish it in the boiling broth for a few seconds!"

"Hehe, I forgot," Second Brother Fu said. "Anyway, with this many people, it’ll all get eaten in no time."

As he spoke, Second Brother Fu’s hands didn’t stop moving. He picked up a piece of beef, popped it into his mouth, and after a few chews, savored the flavor with his tongue.

The perfectly marbled beef and the savory, delectable sauce created a beautiful symphony in his mouth.

The tender beef, the crisp vegetables, the sesame paste, the crushed peanuts, the chopped cilantro...

Even in the dead of winter, everyone was sweating from the feast.