Chapter 94: Winter Sunlight

After speaking these words, General Gu took a sip of tea and added, “Third, no high-ranking cadres’ children—I’ve seen what kind of brats are around me, and none are suitable for my daughter.”

“Fourth, the final decision rests with my daughter. She picked you out from over a dozen photos, and that’s why we’re here today.”

When General Gu finished, Editor Ding said, “Yes, Xuewu, to be honest, when Wenxue and Xiaoyu sent you the materials, I was against it. But Old Gu insisted, so we followed organizational procedure and sent people to investigate. After the photos came back, I was even more opposed—but Xiao Ning chose only your photo.”

Editor Ding glanced at Gu Ning as she continued, “I thought she was just defying us by picking you, but then I saw your cultural cultivation and personal character were also impressive. Since fate brought you together, I’ve come to accept it.”

Li Xuewu understood what these two meant, and knew how great the advantages such a family could offer him—but this kind of “choosing an imperial son-in-law” matchmaking deeply unsettled a man of his humble origins.

Moreover, their first meeting had left a poor impression on both sides, and now meeting under these circumstances made Li Xuewu want to refuse outright.

He looked at General Gu and Editor Ding, then turned to Dong Wenxue, searching for an excuse to decline.

Dong Wenxue sensed Li Xuewu’s intent and spoke up: “Commander, Xiaoyu and I have some matters to report to you. Shall we go upstairs and give the young ones space to talk?”

General Gu nodded and said to Gu Ning, “Take Xuewu to your study.” Then he led the way upstairs.

Editor Ding pulled Gu Ning aside and whispered something; only then did Gu Ning rise, not even glancing at Li Xuewu, and walk toward the study.

Under the watchful eyes of Editor Ding, Mu Hongyan, and Gu Yan, Li Xuewu politely stood and followed.

The server had already brought Li Xuewu’s and Gu Ning’s teacups into the study first. When Li Xuewu entered, the server placed the cups on a windowside tea table, nodded to him, then stepped out and closed the door.

Gu Ning remained as she had been, as if inviting Li Xuewu had nothing to do with her. She glided gracefully to the tea table, sat in the wicker chair, and a strand of sunlight fell across her icy face.

Li Xuewu glanced around the room—it must have been used by the Gu family’s children. There were three desks against the wall. On one clearly in use, he spotted English editions of novels: Anna Karenina, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre.

He slowly walked to the tea table and sat opposite Gu Ning.

“You know I don’t like you, and you don’t like me—why pick me?”

Gu Ning’s face remained expressionless. She lifted the teacup with both hands; her slender fingers, like white scallions, curled around the cup. Her eyes gazed out the window, as if lost in thought, her brows slightly furrowed.

In an instant, she returned to stillness—her face like frozen ice, her gaze like a river of stars, long thick lashes like tiny brushes, eyes sharp, eyebrows like distant mountains, her deep eyes filled with calm.

“Because among all those photos, I only recognized you.”

Li Xuewu rubbed his nose tip, thought for a moment, then said, “So you’re forcing me into this? You know my family background. Leaving aside our past conflicts, the gap in status alone is something I couldn’t cross even if I grew wings. Whether I accept or refuse, it’s an unknown danger to me.”

At Li Xuewu’s words, the woman in the sunlight’s corner tightened slightly, her lips trembled, and her complexion turned as pale as the snow outside.

Gu Ning gripped her cup tightly, forcing her trembling fingers still, then nodded slowly and said, “You can refuse. My father and mother aren’t as terrible as you imagine.”

Li Xuewu grew anxious—he had no intention of stirring up trouble in this era. Unless things flowed naturally, he didn’t even want the upcoming position of Security Chief.