Faced with Gou Sheng's confession, it was impossible for Lu Hao not to be moved.
However, she was afraid that all the beauty would only remain in the beginning. What if Gou Sheng got tired of her after a long time?
She had an uncontrollable fear of men and marriage, and had almost no hope for rebuilding a family.
Therefore, Gou Sheng's confession made her feel a sense of unreality.
She was supposed to give Gou Sheng an answer tomorrow, but Lu Hao's heart was still in turmoil, and she couldn't make a decision.
After work in the afternoon, she decided to go to Bai Sheng. She always felt that Bai Sheng lived like a bright sun, different from many women, and perhaps could help her make the right choice.
After hearing Lu Hao's confusion, Bai Sheng's expression was complicated. She looked into Lu Hao's eyes and asked directly, "Sister Hao Hao, tell me the truth, do you really like Gou Sheng? Do you want to live with him?"
Lu Hao blushed and nodded honestly, "I... like him quite a bit."
"Then that's it! Sister Hao Hao, what else do you have to worry about?" Bai Sheng asked, puzzled.
Worry flickered in Lu Hao's eyes. She hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, I know myself well. I'm a woman who has been divorced and has a little child. Everyone looks down on me. I'm afraid Brother Gou Sheng will despise me, I'm afraid he'll change his mind over time, I'm afraid he's just pitying me, I'm afraid I'll go through marital misfortune again, I'm afraid my feelings will be in vain."
Bai Sheng sighed, "Sister Hao Hao, you don't know yourself at all!"
Lu Hao's face was startled, "Why... why do you say that, sister-in-law?" Did she anger her sister-in-law?
Bai Sheng raised her voice and said sternly, "Sister Hao Hao, in your eyes, you describe yourself as how bad, how shabby, how lowly and unbearable.
But in my eyes, you are brave and selfless, diligent and steady, you have a lovely daughter, you have food, clothes, and shelter, you have a stable, high-paying job, and so many people care about and support you. Moreover, you are only 20 years old! You have so much going for you! Why don't you see these things?"
Lu Hao looked astonished, but her eyes gradually lit up.
Bai Sheng continued, "I heard five 'I'm afraid' in your words, 'I'm afraid, I'm afraid, I'm afraid.' Sister Hao Hao, with so much going for you, what are you afraid of?
No matter what man you meet in the future, he will not harm your foundation! He will not deplete your assets! As long as you are strong enough, a man's coming and going, or his presence or absence, can only be considered a life experience, not your entire life.
Regarding Gou Sheng, I can't make the decision for you. I can only tell you to follow your heart and bravely move forward. Even if the final outcome is not a 'perfect' ending, so what? To have experienced and lived it without regret is to be your best self. Besides, who says life must be perfect?"
Listening to Bai Sheng's words, Lu Hao's long-confined heart seemed to open a vast door. The fear, inferiority, and timidity that had been accumulating in her heart for a long, long time vanished in an instant like wisps of clear wind.
She realized that she, no, from the moment she escaped with Manman, she had already been shining.
Just like those lowly weeds by the roadside, she was originally an inconspicuous one. Other weeds remained weeds, letting themselves be nibbled by cattle and sheep, trampled by passers-by. But she endured all hardships and stubbornly grew upwards, eventually becoming a sapling of a tree.
Sister-in-law is truly extraordinary. With just a few words, she completely opened her heart. The heavy burden she had carried for many years was finally shed.
"Xiao Sheng, thank you," Lu Hao suddenly stepped forward and hugged Bai Sheng with open arms.
Bai Sheng patted her shoulder, then gently held her hands and said softly, "Sister Hao Hao, learn to accept yourself, no matter how unbearable or how lowly you are in the eyes of others.
Life is your own. Only you know if the shoes are comfortable or not. The prejudices of the world and the mouths of others cannot bring any meaningful support to your life. So, to hell with them, live according to your heart's desires!"
"Yes, I understand," Lu Hao said, tears in her eyes, nodding heavily. "Xiao Sheng, thank you. You not only saved my daughter and me, but you also helped me regain my new life.
After listening to your words, I feel like I've lived the past twenty years in vain. I've never truly liked myself, and I've always wronged myself to satisfy others. The me of the past was truly pitiful and pathetic.
I won't say too much more thanks. In this life, my life, Lu Hao's life, belongs to sister-in-law Xiao Sheng."
Bai Sheng chuckled, "Sister Hao Hao, you really mustn't. If I were to take your life, Brother Gou Sheng wouldn't let me off."
"He dares!" Lu Hao's gaze suddenly sharpened, and then she smiled bashfully.
At dinner, Manman held a chicken leg and ran up to Huang Gou Sheng, shouting loudly in a little girl's sweet, soft voice, "Daddy, Daddy, eat chicken leg!"
The sounds of chewing and gulping of food on the spot abruptly stopped. Everyone's gaze shifted uniformly to Huang Gou Sheng.
Gou Sheng, holding the chicken leg with a small crescent bite mark from Manman, looked at Lu Hao with astonished and ecstatic eyes, as if traversing thousands of mountains and rivers.
Lu Hao looked shy, but a happy smile graced her lips. She would never tell anyone that she had asked Manman to loudly call Gou Sheng "Daddy" in front of everyone.
Ji Cheng He quickly swallowed the food stuck in his throat and said with a loud laugh, "Good! Gou Sheng, you really got things done quickly. Ji Mou admires you!"
Ma San nudged Gou Sheng with his arm and exclaimed, "Wow, wow, Gou Sheng, Gou Sheng, you finally have someone! You don't have to hug a log to sleep at night anymore!"
Ma San's words caused everyone to burst into laughter.
Zhao Da Zhuang moved to Gou Sheng's side, put his arm around his shoulder, and whispered, "Gou, your thing hasn't really been on the battlefield for 25 years. Can it still be used? If not, you'll have to quickly find A Wu to get a strong pill. On your wedding night, you have to perform well!"
Gou Sheng's face was awkward, and the roots of his ears turned as red as hot iron tongs. He quickly replied in a low voice, "Zhuang Ge, it's not that soon for the wedding night. Sister Hao hasn't answered me yet. But don't worry, my thing is intact and fully functional, so it shouldn't fail me."
"That's good, that's good. We are all brothers. This brother has been worried sick about you," Zhao Da Zhuang said with relief.
"Thank you, Zhuang Ge," Gou Sheng patted Zhao Da Zhuang's shoulder.
At this moment, Lu Hao suddenly stood up, a shy expression on her face. She cleared her throat and said, "Good evening, family and friends. I have something to announce. I have decided to marry Huang Gou Sheng and start a family with him."