Wealthy Beauty in the 60s

"I would never pine after a married man, Uncle, you’re too wicked," Lin Xiang unhappily said.

"I’m just reminding you," Mr. Yu looked at his niece sternly. No matter what, his niece had to abide by the rules within his jurisdiction.

He Xuebing remained silent, harboring contempt for Lin Xiang’s attitude. Despite being a woman of good family, her behavior was somewhat despicable.

At that moment, He Xuegang felt a sense of regret. Had he not married Dong Meihua, he might have been able to pair up with Lin Xiang.

He Xuegang had once been fond of Dong Meihua, but their infrequent meetings, compounded by marital discord, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts, and Li Shengmei’s tattling, had all affected their affection for each other.

He Xuegang’s feelings for Dong Meihua had faded, and it was not easy to just separate from her unless his wife died. Otherwise, a divorce would influence their future prospects, no matter who was at fault.

Therefore, as He Xuegang looked at Lin Xiang now, he thought that if he weren’t married, perhaps he could have pursued her.

But don’t think that He Xuegang would actually like Lin Xiang. He was merely considering the benefits of marrying her. After so many years in the military still only a squad leader and not a junior officer, He Xuegang’s thoughts had become less pure and more utilitarian.

At this moment, Xue Baozhu advised, "Xiao Xiang, don’t be upset at your uncle for his words. Your parents are very worried about you finding a partner. Settle down soon, or it will become even more challenging once you’re known as an ’older single lady.’"

Lin Xiang, as Yu Zhen’s older cousin, was naturally older than Yu Zhen. At twenty-six, it would be hard to find a good match if she waited any longer.

Lin Xiang pouted. How could it be her fault? The men she favored were either already married or didn’t fancy her in return.

And the men who fancied her, she did not care for—she had no interest in those common, vulgar men.

If there were any single men left, they either looked too ordinary to catch her eye, or they weren’t outstanding like Gao Jiaxing and He Xuebing, who were not only capable but also handsome.

Lin Xiang wasn’t concerned about family background; her own was quite respectable. She simply wanted a partner who was impressive and good-looking.

That wouldn’t have been a problem, except showing enthusiasm toward married men was not right.

"If it were someone like Platoon Leader Gao or Brother-in-law He, or even someone like Lieutenant Liu, could I refuse?" she said.

Once Lin Xiang said this, Mr. Yu and He Xuebing both twitched, and Yu Zhen remarked, "Xuebing is one of a kind," casting a proud glance at He Xuebing and adding, "Right?"

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He Xuebing gave a forced smile and said to Mr. Yu and Xue Baozhu, "Mom, Dad, I should be heading back to the base now."

Mr. Yu nodded, "Let’s go together."

With that, Mr. Yu, He Xuebing, and He Xuegang left together.

Yu Zhen said to Lin Xiang, "Don’t set your sights on that Platoon Leader Gao anymore. I don’t even think he’s all that great now, dark and unimpressive. Besides, He Xuebing is mine."

Yu Zhen reasserted this, feeling quite proud to have "secured" He Xuebing.

Lin Xiang grumbled as she watched Yu Zhen, "It’s all your fault. If you had gotten together with He Xuebing sooner, I could have met Gao Jiaxing earlier. Otherwise, why should the good ones go to others?"

Listening to the conversation between her daughter and niece, Xue Baozhu shook her head, "Don’t daydream about all these what-ifs. Xiao Xiang, you need to find a match soon. If you keep delaying, good prospects will either be too high or too low, and you’re not willing to settle. It’ll only get harder."

"Auntie, do you think I don’t want to? But I can’t just settle for anyone," Lin Xiang said. She then added, "Brother Shengli isn’t married yet, so why should I be in such a rush?"

At this, Xue Baozhu paused. The Brother Shengli Lin Xiang referred to was Mr. Yu’s son from his first marriage and her stepson.

As a stepmother, Xue Baozhu naturally could not interfere with her stepson’s marriage, especially since he was a stepson with whom she wasn’t very close.

"Alright, then write to your parents about it," Xue Baozhu didn’t want to involve herself with her niece’s romantic affairs.

"Auntie, you’re the best." Lin Xiang giggled and then stood up, claiming she would head to the base and asking if Yu Zhen would come along.

Yu Zhen thought about how if she went to the base now, He Xuebing wouldn’t have time for her, so she immediately shook her head.

Lin Xiang left, and Yu Zhen said, "Mom, Brother is three years older than me. He’s twenty-eight this year, and he still hasn’t found a partner."

Xue Baozhu smiled, "You’ll have to ask your brother about that. Your father is quite worried about this matter too."

Yu Zhen pouted, "Brother hardly ever comes home. I haven’t seen him for years."

Xue Baozhu sighed, "Your brother will come home once he figures things out."

Yu Zhen said, "I don’t understand what Brother is dwelling on. His mother has been gone for so long, and Mom married Dad afterward. Just because Mom knew Dad before, Brother won’t forgive and doesn’t stay close to the family. He really breaks my heart."

Xue Baozhu didn’t say anything. She truly hadn’t broken up another family. After marrying into the Yu family, she had been very kind to her stepson. But unfortunately, he found an old photo one day, a group picture featuring her and his father. Suspecting a past affair between them, in anger, he left home and stopped contacting the family.

Thinking of her stepson, Xue Baozhu couldn’t help but wonder about that child from back then. By now, he must be married with children of his own. Zheng Xianghong would have taken good care of him, she hoped.

Xue Baozhu sighed deeply, only to hear Yu Zhen mentioning, "Mom, the last time I visited Xuebing’s home with him, Platoon Leader Gao’s mom, asked me if my last name was Xue and if I was Xue Guiying. So funny."

Yu Zhen mentioned this casually, but Xue Baozhu’s heart skipped a beat, and she asked Yu Zhen urgently, "What did you just say? Platoon Leader Gao’s mom?"

Yu Zhen replied, "Yes, Platoon Leader Gao and Xuebing’s families are related. By seniority, Platoon Leader Gao should actually call Xuebing ’cousin uncle.’"

Such a coincidence hit Xue Baozhu hard as she quickly asked, "Do you know the names of Platoon Leader Gao’s parents?"

It wasn’t a secret. Having spent a few days with the Guangming Production Team, Yu Zhen knew the names of Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong, so she said, "Platoon Leader Gao’s father is the leader of the production team, named Gao Guoqiang. His mom is Zheng Xianghong, and she knows medical arts."

Xue Baozhu was deeply shocked and firmly grasped Yu Zhen’s hand, "That Platoon Leader Gao..."

Yu Zhen looked at Xue Baozhu in confusion, but saw her become excited and rise to leave, "Platoon Leader Gao must not have left yet, take me to him."

But then Xue Baozhu paused and said to Yu Zhen, "No, no, fetch Platoon Leader Gao here by himself. Quickly, go."