Baili Shushu looked at General Shen with a stunned expression. "General Shen, I've told you, you stepping on my foot was an accident. I saw you passionately delivering your speech at the time, so I didn't remind you. Therefore, you really don't need to apologize again."
"No, I have something else... something else I need to talk to you about," General Shen felt his old face heating up. At this moment, he felt that fighting enemies on the battlefield was simpler than confessing to a woman he liked.
"Something else?" Baili Shushu raised her eyebrows. She felt that she and General Shen had no intersection in their lives or work. What could he possibly need to talk to her about, and even have to say it in the backyard?
"Yes, I'll wait for you there." After speaking, Shen Tianjun turned and left, giving her no room to refuse.
General Shen stood under the tree, his feet subtly tapping, his hands unconsciously rubbing back and forth.
When he saw Baili Shushu walking towards him, a layer of sweat formed on his palms. He chuckled sheepishly and waved at Baili Shushu. "You're here!"
After Baili Shushu stopped, she tilted her head and looked at him. "General Shen, what do you need to talk to me about?"
Shen Tianjun grinned. "Baili Shushu, that, how about, uh~, how about..."
"General Shen, if you have something to say, just say it. I can bear anything," Baili Shushu was very puzzled seeing General Shen stammer. She thought General Shen was a very straightforward person usually, so why was he so hesitant now?
"Okay, I'll say it!" General Shen gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and looked at Baili Shushu. "Baili Shushu, I like you. If you like me too, let's get married. We'll respond to Little Snowball's call to have more children. My health is still very good."
Baili Shushu was astonished. After a moment of stunned silence, she suddenly burst into laughter.
Seeing her laugh, General Shen lowered his head, anxiously picking at his fingers, stealing glances at her from time to time.
Baili Shushu finally managed to stop laughing and said sternly, "General Shen, when did you start liking me? How come I had no idea?"
"Just... this morning, when I stepped on your foot, the moment I looked back, I fell in love with you at first sight," General Shen said in a muffled voice.
Baili Shushu's mouth opened wide in surprise. She suspected she had misheard. "You... you liked me this morning and you're telling me this afternoon that you want to marry me?" This was faster than lightning. General Shen looked so proper, was he not mentally sound?
"Yes, I'm forty-one years old. When I see a woman I like, I should pursue her immediately. There's nothing to hesitate about. Shushu, don't worry, although I'm a rough fellow, I will definitely dote on my wife! Marry me, and I'll let you enjoy happiness every day!" Shen Tianjun said with a serious expression.
Baili Shushu looked at General Shen, smiled politely, and said gently, "I am a woman with a past. I sincerely thank you for your affection, General Shen. However, I currently have no expectations or longing for men or marriage, so I'm very sorry, I cannot agree to you yet."
"Then when will you have expectations for men and marriage?" General Shen asked urgently.
Baili Shushu thought seriously. "I... I don't know yet. Thank you for your affection, General Shen. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Baili Shushu, I'll wait for you. When you become interested in me, I'll marry you!" General Shen shouted after her with full of vigor. He had experienced countless battles; this setback was nothing.
Baili Shushu turned, smiled at him helplessly, and waved her hand gracefully. "No need to wait for me. If you meet someone else you like, just marry them quickly."
Good heavens, she looked so beautiful when she smiled like that, General Shen marveled inwardly.
He wouldn't just marry anyone; he would only marry someone he liked. He had to find a way to make Baili Shushu like him.
All work in Fengcheng was proceeding in full swing. Bai Sheng still brought Grandma Wu, Mei Qing, Aunt, and Zuo Hua into the space to refine the Amnesia Pills.
Once the Amnesia Pills were refined, Qing Huang would gain over thirty thousand laborers, which would alleviate the pressure of manpower by more than half.
Baili Shushu did not tell Bai Sheng, Mei Qing, or the others about General Shen's confession. She continued to work diligently as if nothing had happened.
General Shen, on the other hand, told Bai Sheng about his initial defeat.
Bai Sheng comforted him, saying to take it slow. Perhaps after years of hardship, Aunt's heart had closed itself off.
However, a person's heart could not remain sealed forever. As long as they met someone warm enough, it would open again.
General Shen said he would continue to work hard and persistently warm Baili Shushu.
Bai Sheng came out to discard the medicinal dregs and suddenly saw the stout and fat Heng Heng rush towards her like lightning. Due to the swiftness of his run, all of Heng Heng's fat jiggled. From Bai Sheng's perspective, she could clearly see the waves of flesh.
"Master! She gave birth, she gave birth!" Heng Heng shouted joyfully.
"Who gave birth?" Bai Sheng asked.
Heng Heng stopped his front hooves abruptly in front of Bai Sheng, trampling quite a few flowers and plants. "It's Baoyu's wife, Baofeng! She gave birth to a litter of five wolf pups! Five!"
"What, Baofeng gave birth?" Bai Sheng jumped up in surprise.
Mei Qing, Aunt, and Zuo Hua were all delighted to hear this.
"Let's go, let's go see the wolf pups!" Everyone rushed towards the wolf den.
The five wolf pups' birth fur was still wet. They closed their eyes and nuzzled near Baofeng's belly.
There were three black ones, one white one, and one with mixed black and white fur.
This was Baoyu's first time being a father. He was excited, his tail tucked, circling Baofeng, sniffing here and there. Muffled whimpers constantly came from his wolf mouth.
Shan Dian, Bing Gun, Wu Yun, Bing Bao, and Xue Hua all ran over, surrounding the wolf pups and making various sounds of celebration.
Mei Qing gazed at the litter of wolf pups, lost in thought.
Shouldn't she also get married to Baili Rong Mo and have a child?
Life was short. Since she loved him and wanted to be with him, they should be together sooner. She and Rong Mo had already missed so many years; if they continued to delay, it would be too unfair to each other.
Mei Qing looked at Bai Sheng and said, "Sheng'er, I want to marry your third uncle."
Bai Sheng was overjoyed. "That's wonderful, Aunt Qing! I've been waiting for you and Third Uncle to get married, so I can call you Aunt-in-law!"
Baili Shushu and Zuo Hua were also very happy. Baili Shushu linked her arm with Mei Qing's and affectionately called her "Third Sister-in-law."
Mei Qing blushed and smiled shyly.
Thinking that Zhao Da Zhuang and Tian Gui Hua were also getting married, Mei Qing planned to have their ceremonies together. They could have a family banquet, and it would be a simple affair, no need for wedding attire.
However, Bai Sheng set the date for half a month later, giving A Qiu and the female workers time to make wedding outfits for everyone, which would add more ceremony.
Third Uncle was so happy he bounced around every day, humming little tunes while doing anything.