She accepted him as her fiancé. Even though her fiancé hadn't returned for so many years, she was still willing to accept him.
So…
"We... get married?"
He blurted it out.
This time, it was Shi Yiling's turn to be surprised. "Did you say that correctly?"
Ming Yi's mind spun rapidly, calming himself down. Then, after serious consideration, he said, "Yes, married."
This answer left Shi Yiling momentarily speechless.
She hadn't expected Ming Yi to be so direct.
She thought they would get engaged first, spend some time together, and then get married.
The two families not far away immediately had smiles on their faces. Ning Xuesheng immediately made a call, "Prepare yourselves, Da Bao is getting engaged tomorrow."
Shi Qing, in almost the same manner, contacted others at home to start preparing for the wedding arrangements.
Uncle Seven looked regretful. "Oh, what a pity. If Xiao Bao had refused, I would still have a chance."
"Old Seven, it's not like you can't find anyone. You stay at home all day. Even if you could find someone, no one would find you," Ning Xuesheng said to his seventh brother after finishing the call, with a hint of exasperation.
"I'm just busy with chores around the house and don't have time to go out. Big Brother, you're being too harsh."
Old Seven protested fiercely.
The reason he didn't have time to go out and couldn't find a girlfriend was precisely because he spent most of his time helping the family! With Ming Yi gone, he had taken on almost all of Ming Yi's responsibilities. That was bad enough, but even today, during meals, he was pulled in to help with manual labor. He felt utterly miserable!
Now, to be accused of staying home all the time was a grave injustice.
"Old Seven is indeed busy; there's nothing that can be done about it," Liu Feiyan said something conciliatory at this point, offering a fair assessment. "I'll keep an eye out for you. I remember there's a nice girl in Niutou Village, also a university student. Her parents were mentioning it last time. When school breaks, I'll try to set you up."
"No, Sister-in-law, she's a university student; she might not look down on someone like me. I don't have time to go out and broaden my horizons or gain experience. Look at me; I'm not handsome either. Forget it, forget it." He quickly shook his head. "Now that Da Bao is back, I'll have time to venture out myself. Perhaps I can find someone I fancy outside, and I'll bring her back for you to see."
"That's true... So, it's a promise. You'll venture out then, and when you come back, remember to bring a wife home," Ning Xuesheng said, laughing heartily. "Otherwise, I won't let you back into the house. Among us seven brothers, you're the only bachelor."
"Alright, alright! I'll do my best!"
Old Seven perfunctorily agreed. "Aren't we talking about Da Bao's wedding now? Let's get his matters settled first!"
"Indeed."
The attention of the group returned to the couple.
Ming Yi glanced at the people behind them, intentionally or not. "I think, if my father and your father knew about our decision, they would have already started arranging tomorrow's engagement ceremony."
"That's for sure," Shi Yiling also looked at the main gate of the Yue Gong Ancestral Hall. "My father has waited so many years for this."