Chapter 3: The Mobile White Steamed Bun

“If your family refuses, I will introduce him to my own nephew, but the Zhao family values your third son more,” the matchmaker said.

Madam Zhou was half doubtful but was indeed tempted by this persuasion. If, as the matchmaker said, the Zhen family’s daughter was truly outstanding, no matter how much she ate, as long as she treated their third son well, even saving the expense of feeding the old woman herself, she would be willing.

Gu Tingzhi had been an exceptionally bright and studious child since youth. Apart from a few acres of land, the Gu family had no other income. Because the cost of education was not cheap, the family had to tighten their belts to get by.

Now, with their third son not attending school for the time being, having an extra mouth to feed was somewhat manageable.

Madam Zhou was calculating in her heart. In fact, she had already agreed but did not immediately respond to the matchmaker. Previously, they had hastily arranged for Yang Xiuqing to marry their third son, only focusing on her appearance matching their son, overlooking her character.

After considering for several days, Madam Zhou sent her two daughters-in-law to discreetly inquire about the Zhen girl. Fortunately, all the information was positive. After much thought, she agreed to the match. It is said that a plump person is blessed; perhaps this chubby bride could truly bring good fortune to their third son!

Before long, the day to propose marriage arrived. The matchmaker, Madam Zhou, and Gu Tingzhi went to the Zhen family’s home.

Due to the Yang family’s recent withdrawal from the engagement and the fact that the Zhen and Yang families were from the same village, the Gu family came prepared with a generous dowry.

Although Gu Tingzhi was somewhat dazed, his gaze vacant, his appearance was impeccable—tall, with deep, well-defined features. Having studied since childhood, he appeared fair and gentle, radiating an aura unmatched by any young man in the village. Looking solely at his exterior, one could find no faults.

Madam Zhao was overjoyed; this was far better than she had imagined. Although she had sent the matchmaker to propose to the Gu family, she had been reluctant. After all, no matter how good Gu Tingzhi had been before, his current state of foolishness was an undeniable fact. But she could not resist Ami’s fondness for him!

After the Yang family’s withdrawal, Ami had persistently pleaded with her for a long time, and she eventually relented, silently praying that her daughter’s choice was correct and hoping that Gu’s third son would recover soon and resume his studies, perhaps even passing the imperial examination to become a scholar.

Madam Zhou, whose hands were rough from years of labor, nervously clasped them together. She was a person who cared about her reputation; before the incident with their third son, who did not envy her? Now she feared that Madam Zhao might change her mind. Seeing Madam Zhao’s enthusiastic reception and no sign of disdain toward their son, she relaxed her grip and warmly chatted with her.

Gu Tingzhi stood silently behind Madam Zhou, his expression indifferent as if the world around him held no concern for him.

Meanwhile, Zhen Ami paced back and forth in her room, straining to listen to the sounds from the main hall. She wanted to go out and meet Gu Tingzhi but feared others would say she was immodest. When she heard they were leaving, she could no longer restrain herself and hurriedly opened the door.

Her haste caused the wooden door to creak loudly, drawing everyone’s attention back.

Startled, Zhen Ami pinched the flesh on her thigh, telling herself not to be nervous, then shyly glanced at Gu Tingzhi.

The young man wore a white crescent-patterned robe, his face clean and handsome. Although his eyes were empty and distant, one could still feel his gentle warmth.

When their eyes met, Zhen Ami quickly lowered her head, holding her breath until she could barely breathe. Her small mouth opened and closed, like a little groundhog, softly panting.

What was she to do? She was overwhelmed with emotion, almost in tears. The man she had silently admired and loved for over ten years now stood before her. Soon, she would marry him. The joy she had kept hidden in her heart could finally be openly expressed. Even if he did not know who she was, she did not care. As long as she loved him, that was enough.

This bittersweet feeling twisted her heart painfully.

Life was often full of disappointments. Despite loving him quietly for years and trying to improve herself, her body shape would never be worthy of him. When she first heard of his engagement, her heart was shattered. She hid under the covers, crying for nights until her eyes were swollen and red.

After crying, she had no choice but to accept the reality and agreed to meet the prospective bride. But upon first seeing her, Gu Tingzhi turned and fled, loudly insulting her as broad and clumsy as a pig, declaring he would never marry a pig even if he remained single forever. This further ruined her already poor reputation.

Before she could grieve, she suddenly heard the news of his withdrawal from the engagement. Like a fool, she laughed and cried alone in her room, the pain known only to herself.

Suddenly, before her appeared a round, plump steamed bun—but a moving one. With Gu Tingzhi’s blank mind, he could not discern the complex expressions flashing across the girl’s face. He only felt hungry—very hungry—and wanted to eat the white, plump bun.

Madam Zhou, upon seeing this plump, rosy girl, was immediately delighted, unable to hide her joy. It seemed the rumors did not match reality.

Though the girl was a bit overweight, her skin was as smooth as cream, her black hair like ink, her bright almond-shaped eyes clear, her nose high and straight, and her small mouth cherry red. Her entire face looked cute and well-behaved. Though not as delicate as Yang Xiuqing, she possessed her own charm.

Seeing the two silently exchange glances, Madam Zhou said nothing. After a moment, she tugged at Gu Tingzhi’s sleeve. “Ting’er, let’s go home.”

But Gu Tingzhi did not move. He stared at the round steamed bun, glanced at his mother, then back at the bun, refusing to look away. Madam Zhou, understanding his straightforward meaning, covered her face in embarrassment.

Zhen Ami smiled broadly, revealing deep dimples in her cheeks that were sweetly disarming.

Gu Tingzhi, still dazed, walked toward her and suddenly reached out, poking her dimple right under the watchful eyes of his mother and his future mother-in-law.

Both Madam Zhou and Madam Zhao were stunned, and Zhen Ami was too bewildered to react.

After a long moment, Madam Zhou snapped back to herself, hastily pulling her son away as he kept looking back.

Thus, the engagement between Gu Tingzhi and Zhen Ami was sealed, becoming the talk of the neighboring villages.

Some said that misfortune had plagued the Gu family for generations, worsening in his generation. After so many years of study and coming close to success, Gu Tingzhi became foolish just before the crucial exam. All their efforts and the money spent on his education had gone to waste, and now, as if thrown into the river without a sound.

Such was the fate of Gu Tingzhi.