Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Before Zhu Niao could even process what was happening, an old almanac was thrust in front of her.
“Look, we need to pick an auspicious day, one when you both don’t have classes…”
Finally catching up, Zhu Niao waved her hands frantically. “No, no, no, wait, wait. How did we suddenly jump to ‘repaying with one’s body’ and getting engaged?”
“Little Zhu Niao, listen, let me explain and you’ll understand.” The noblewoman said, serving Zhu Niao more food while tapping the almanac.
“First, that brat of ours posted a video that embarrassed you at school, right?”
“That’s correct.” Zhu Niao nodded.
“Second, so-called punishment is compensation for the victim and a way to make the perpetrator remember the lesson, right?”
“That’s correct.” Zhu Niao still couldn’t see where this was going.
“Then, that brat of ours wants to compensate you, but he has nothing of value to offer. Doesn’t that mean the only thing left is to offer himself?”
“Hiss… Huh?” Zhu Niao realized there wasn’t a single flaw in the other’s logic.
Right, right… Oh, wait, no, no… Right? Is it right?
“I think matters of emotion should be…” Zhu Niao gestured vaguely, “And engagement is such a huge thing… I, I feel this kind of thing shouldn’t be handled so carelessly…”
Even though Zhu Niao felt she was in the right, her words somehow lacked conviction.
“I see. It must be that our brat has such poor character that you, Little Zhu Niao, look down on him. Well, there’s nothing to be done about that.” The noblewoman said, even putting on a show of pretending to wipe tears.
Unfortunately, Zhu Niao couldn’t tell it was an act.
“That’s not it! Gou Yu is a great person! He has a good personality, isn’t bad-looking, is responsible, gentle, generous, and even a bit humorous…”
It was like an off-lane player about to die, suddenly unleashing a whole barrage of skills like a cockroach about to be squashed.
Even the idling Gou Yu beside her turned his head in some surprise, looking at Zhu Niao next to him.
“So, in your eyes, I’m actually that presentable?”
Only after Gou Yu said this did Zhu Niao realize what incredibly embarrassing words she had just spoken.
So, she turned her head away and served Gou Yu a chicken drumstick. “Eat your food. Aren’t you happy I’m praising you? If you’re not happy, then don’t listen.”
Then, Gou Yu’s mother seized the opportunity, speaking to Zhu Niao. “See, you don’t have a bad impression of our Gou Yu. Why can’t you accept it?”
“It’s… it’s just because we’re good brothers. The kind of iron-clad good brothers.” Zhu Niao seemed determined to cling to the term ‘good brothers’.
“Precisely because you’re good brothers, you know each other inside out, and the feelings are genuine, right?” Gou Yu’s mother’s words whispered in Zhu Niao’s ear like a demon’s murmur. “Think about it. Compared to our family’s thoroughly known, quite likable, and trustworthy Gou Yu, are other boys out there in the market really better?”
It was a question that seemed not even worth asking, and the answer was obvious.
Zhu Niao couldn’t find a second man with better conditions than Gou Yu, or who would treat her better than Gou Yu.
Well, it seemed the conditions Gou Yu first presented to her weren’t that great either.
Huh, so does that mean she’s like the ‘wife who shared hardships’ now?
Pah, pah, pah. Who’s the wife?
“Our brotherly bond is pure. Doing this would feel like sullying it. It’s not that I look down on Gou Yu, I just think Gou Yu himself wouldn’t agree either.” Zhu Niao said.
“Uh, about that…” Gou Yu realized it was time for him to speak. “Kids, I have no objections.”
“See, even Gou Yu himself…”
Zhu Niao froze.
Wait.
She turned and reached out to pinch Gou Yu’s ear. “What did you say? Have you lost your mind?”
Her volume was low enough, just the level of two people whispering.
The others at the table weren’t in a hurry, just waiting for the two of them to discuss and reach a conclusion.
“Little Bird, let me ask you something first.” Gou Yu’s expression was serious, which meant he was about to start sophistry.
Unfortunately, Zhu Niao didn’t know that.
“What do you think a couple, two people in love, usually do?” Gou Yu asked Zhu Niao, like a teacher who had just finished explaining a point in class.
“Eat together, stick together usually, sleep together at night…”
“Then let me ask you.” Gou Yu suddenly leaned closer, almost pressing against Zhu Niao’s ear, making the sensitive girl shiver all over. “What’s the difference between our life like this and that of two passionately in-love lovers?”
There was no difference.
Zhu Niao wasn’t overly insensitive. She had naturally noticed this point a long time ago.
But, due to some strange sentiment, she herself had tacitly allowed this state of affairs to happen, and then it rolled on like the wheels of history, becoming unstoppable.
But now, Gou Yu had laid it bare.
“Because we’re brothers. Brothers can’t be wives. I mean, brothers are just brothers…”
Gou Yu looked at the struggling Zhu Niao with a rather doting gaze.
He knew now was not the time.
Zhu Niao’s inferiority complex was overpowering everything, including the love for her. He needed to first sever the root of Zhu Niao’s inferiority before she could openly accept his love.
A confession wasn’t a consumable skill; it was a finishing move.
The kind you use to deal the final blow and then watch the victory screen.
So, he glanced around at his family.
After his good little sister discovered the video and reported it, following just a couple of sentences of criticism lamenting his failure to meet expectations, it was his mother, who most eagerly hoped he would marry Zhu Niao soon, who spoke up and proposed this plan.
Gou Yu certainly thought such a bold plan wasn’t very suitable for the soft and gentle Zhu Niao, so he had a backup plan.
“So, what I mean is, can’t you see how much my family expects us to be together?”
Gou Yu continued, “It’s just adding a layer of false relationship on top of our brotherly reality. That way, everyone is happy, and no one will ever find out.”
Zhu Niao froze, only then realizing she might have misunderstood.
“And this doesn’t affect you. Of course, it might have an impact if you want to marry someone else later. Do you plan to marry someone else?”
Zhu Niao shook her head like a rattle-drum.
Gou Yu pressed the advantage. “Didn’t you come here initially pretending to be my girlfriend? This time, it’s just upgraded to pretending to be my fiancée. And the monetary gifts from the engagement banquet will all be ours, you know?”
“Eh—”
Zhu Niao started drooling.
“Wouldn’t that be a bit…” Zhu Niao was already wavering.
“What’s inappropriate about it?” Gou Yu said. “Who would find out?”
It seemed like indeed, no one would find out.
“Then…”
“Old man, Little Bird says she agrees.” Gou Yu directly addressed his idling father.