Chapter 4: The Blind Date Is a Lifeline

The red countdown sign marking the approach of death transformed into an optical panel, and a dialogue box appeared above Gu Huaizheng’s head.

Lu Jianwei saw the options “Yes” and “No” and, with a thought, selected “Yes.” A grid emerged in the bottom right corner, into which a barely perceptible green sliver filled. Her life value increased by one-thousandth.

If she was meant to live another fifty years, this meant she’d gained roughly 18.25 more days.

This was no mere matchmaking—it was a lifeline.

Tears of joy welled up in Lu Jianwei’s eyes. “No, what I mean is, I’m very willing to develop a revolutionary friendship with you. I thank the organization for this opportunity, I thank the country and the people for their trust, I thank…”

Gu Huaizheng: …

How about thanking me?

He tried to withdraw his hand, but failed. Lu Jianwei’s grip was too tight, and he dared not use force.

The young woman’s hand was as soft as tofu, her slender fingers white and delicate, her pinkie rosy and tender like a budding blossom on a branch. He averted his gaze in embarrassment. “Comrade Lu, could you please let go? We can talk things through.”

Even the tips of his ears were red.

On the matchmaking circuit, he was renowned as the “Cold-Faced King of Hell,” always the one to chill his matches to tears.

He didn’t understand what had gotten into Lu Jianwei; after all, she hadn’t seemed interested in matchmaking at first.

Lu Jianwei, however, couldn’t possibly let go—her life was at stake. Yet she couldn’t just cling to him like a ruffian woman, either.

Gu Huaizheng’s eyes fell on her fingers, white and slender like new spring shoots, the curve of her wrist as pristine as white lotus.

“Comrade Lu, I…”

Lu Jianwei, terrified he’d say no, hurried to speak: “Comrade Gu, please don’t refuse so quickly. I think we should give each other a chance to get acquainted. You mentioned you’re twenty-eight—have you ever been in a relationship or liked anyone before?”

She estimated his height to be nearly 1.9 meters; years of military service had given him a strong physique—broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. Beneath his rolled sleeves, his exposed forearms were robust, tendons defined, muscles lean.

His eyes were as bright as the stars, piercing straight to one’s soul.

Thank heaven that someone like Fu Tingjun was not her lifeline.

Otherwise, she’d rather take a day trip to the afterlife.

Gu Huaizheng was inevitably embarrassed and hesitated. “No, I haven’t.”

“You see? Being in a relationship is an important life experience. I think you should give it a try with me. If, in the future, you find me unsuitable, we can part ways peacefully.”

Gu Huaizheng’s expression was peculiar. “Comrade Lu, as the great leader said, ‘A romance not aimed at marriage is just playing games.’”

Lu Jianwei immediately replied, “Then, Comrade Gu, can we get married?”

Why bother with dignity when your life’s on the line?

Gu Huaizheng glanced at their joined hands, his own hand feeling like a hostage’s in a kidnapper’s grip. “Comrade Lu, from this moment on, we’re officially in a relationship. I’ll file a report and apply for marriage as soon as possible!”

After all, their hands were already joined—could he say no?

Suddenly, the doorway was crowded with onlookers. A short-haired woman was pushed forward, staring at the two of them. “You…how did you end up together?”

“Yes, cousin, how are you with Comrade Gu? Wasn’t he supposed to be Comrade Cao’s match? Did you really steal her date?”

The crowd erupted in gasps, and all eyes—scornful, condemning, disgusted—fell upon Lu Jianwei.

Gu Huaizheng stepped protectively in front of her, his gaze icy and sharp. “Who are you?”

Cao Liangfang’s eyes filled with tears of grievance. “Comrade Gu, I am Cao Liangfang. My uncle is Commissioner Song. My aunt asked me to meet a comrade surnamed Gu for matchmaking today. I was just a little late, but how did you end up with her?”

She pointed at Lu Jianwei. “Comrade Lu, isn’t this shameless of you?”

“Wow, her uncle’s a commissioner.”

“Stealing someone’s matchmaking date isn’t right, is it?”

“She’s a lady who studied abroad. I heard people from the west are shameless—she must have picked up those ways.”

Gu Huaizheng’s cold gaze swept over them, and the murmuring ceased. Under his oppressive presence, the curious crowd bowed their heads.

“Comrade Cao, I received no order to meet you for matchmaking. Commissioner Song did mention introducing me to someone, but I refused outright.

Before meeting Comrade Lu Jianwei, I had no intention of dating any woman. Even if I had met you just now, I would have refused.”

With his broad back shielding her completely, Lu Jianwei felt as if his shoulders were a mountain range, able to bear any storm.

On impulse, she reached out and poked Gu Huaizheng’s back—hard as iron.

Gu Huaizheng stiffened, reflexively taking a step forward.

Cao Liangfang had never been interested in Gu Huaizheng. Compared to Shen Xici, Gu Huaizheng’s family background was insignificant. So, when Zhu Tingting casually mentioned that Shen Xici had grown up in the military compound, Cao Liangfang pulled some strings to switch her date to him.

But after being humiliated by Shen Xici, and then hearing from Zhu Tingting that Gu Huaizheng was already a regimental commander with great prospects, she rushed over to salvage the situation and tried to take the initiative.

She hadn’t expected that, just as Zhu Tingting predicted, Gu Huaizheng would definitely be drawn to Lu Jianwei. A capitalist’s daughter was, after all, a master of seduction.

“Comrade Gu, what do you mean? Do you think a capitalist’s daughter is better than a working-class girl like me?”

Lu Jianwei was about to step forward, but Gu Huaizheng stopped her. “Whether I’ve been corrupted or not is not for you to decide. Comrade Cao, I saw you bribing staff to secure a good matchmaking date.

Did you come to me just because you were rejected by the last candidate? You’re the one stealing other people’s dates!”

If these words had come from Lu Jianwei, no one would have believed her. But spoken by Gu Huaizheng, with his status, stern face, and aura of righteousness, no one doubted him.

The accusing eyes that had been fixed on Lu Jianwei now turned on Cao Liangfang, sharp as knives, leaving her utterly mortified.

Zhu Tingting sensed disaster and quickly said, “Comrade Gu, you misunderstand Comrade Cao. She’s only thinking of your best interests—dating her wouldn’t harm you.”

Lu Jianwei stepped forward. “Before the victory, every cent my family earned was sent to the rear; our machinery factories, textile mills, flour mills, pharmaceutical plants—all our enterprises’ production was funneled to support the war effort.

Three generations of my family have given eight martyrs for the cause. Can you erase all that with a single sentence?”

Zhu Tingting was surprised by her eloquence. “You make it sound so noble. If that’s true, why was your family targeted for liquidation?”

Lu Jianwei retorted, “Shouldn’t your Zhu family know best? If your aunt hadn’t stabbed us in the back, would the Lu family have ended up like this?”

“My aunt is your own mother! You must have been so wicked that even your own mother had to report you!”

A gasp rose from the crowd, and everyone sided with Zhu Tingting. If even her own mother wouldn’t tolerate her, what more needed to be said?

“Zhu Tingting, you call me a capitalist, but my entire outfit isn’t worth fifty yuan; yet you’re wearing an emerald necklace—the genuine cat’s eye! One of the most precious gems, worth a fortune. Isn’t your family supposed to be destitute city folks?”