Lu Mingyu put down his water bottle and looked at her with his dark eyes.
He saw the worry and resistance in her eyes.
He was silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his words.
After a few seconds, he slowly spoke, his voice deep and powerful.
"Don't worry, it's not the production team's idea."
Gu Lina Zha was stunned for a moment, looking at him with some confusion.
Lu Mingyu's eyes flickered, seeming a little unnatural.
He pondered her words and instantly understood her concerns.
"It's… my second uncle who agreed."
"Second uncle?"
A question mark popped up in Gu Lina Zha's mind.
"My second uncle, Lu Hai, is my father's biological younger brother."
Lu Mingyu explained concisely.
"This program, he is responsible for leading the coordination."
Gu Lina Zha suddenly realized, but new doubts arose.
"Then why did your second uncle arrange it this way?"
"Could it be that he also wants to…"
Lu Mingyu looked at her inquisitive expression, and a faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He leaned closer to her and spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
"The photos are not for outsiders to see."
"They are for my grandfather to see."
"What?"
Gu Lina Zha was completely bewildered, her beautiful eyes wide open.
"Grandfather is old and has been nagging about wanting to see what his granddaughter-in-law looks like."
Lu Mingyu's tone was also somewhat helpless.
"My second uncle probably thought this was a good opportunity and took the liberty of arranging it."
After hearing his explanation, the clouds of doubt and wariness on Gu Lina Zha's face instantly vanished.
In their place was a blush of shyness, spreading from her earlobes all the way to her cheeks.
It turned out not to be a publicity stunt, but a special way of "meeting the family."
Thinking of the legendary and extremely formidable Commander of the Military Region.
She felt both annoyed and amused that he was so eager to see photos of her, his granddaughter-in-law.
"Then… then why didn't you say so earlier?"
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, carrying a pampered woman's playful complaint.
Lu Mingyu looked at her like this, his eyes becoming even softer.
"I just figured it out myself."
He paused, then added very seriously.
"Once the program recording is over, I'll go to your house to propose."
His expression was as serious as if he were announcing a combat mission.
"Then, we'll go get our marriage certificate."
Gu Lina Zha's heart was fiercely struck by these simple and direct words.
There were no romantic flowers, no flowery words, yet they brought her more peace of mind than any sweet nothings.
She burst out laughing, her eyes curved like crescent moons, shining like stars.
"Are you proposing?"
"That's too hasty."
Although she said that, the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
"Although it's a bit troublesome, but seeing how sincere you are, I'll reluctantly agree."
Lu Mingyu looked at her charming smile, and his tense lips finally completely relaxed.
Gu Lina Zha's eyes darted around, then she looked at him mischievously.
"Oh, right, according to our customs, a marriage proposal requires a bride price."
"Instructor Lu, how much are you planning to give?"
She had a small expression of "I'm not easy to deal with."
Upon hearing this, Lu Mingyu didn't hesitate at all.
"Isn't my salary card with you?"
"All the money in it is yours."
Gu Lina Zha blinked; she did have one of his cards.
But she had never used it and had never checked the balance.
She had always thought that a soldier like him wouldn't have a very high salary.
"How much money is in there?"
She asked curiously.
Lu Mingyu thought for a moment and reported a number.
"Besides the fixed monthly allowances handed over."
"The bonuses and subsidies from various special missions over the years are also in there."
"It should be… around thirty million."
"How… how much?"
Gu Lina Zha suspected she had misheard.
Thirty million?
She had originally planned that no matter how much bride price Lu Mingyu gave.
Her family would prepare double the dowry to send her off splendidly, so people wouldn't think she was marrying for money.
But now, hearing this number, she instantly dismissed that idea.
A bride price of thirty million, double the return gift would be sixty million.
Even if she was a popular celebrity, it would be tough to come up with that much liquid capital all at once.
She looked at Lu Mingyu's serious face and finally couldn't help but laugh and fall into his arms.
"Forget it, forget it, the plan for a double return gift is officially canceled."
"I can't afford to marry, I can't afford to marry!"
… … … …
In the evening, the promotional photo shoot finally came to an end, and the noisy crowd and lights gradually faded away.
Staff members were busy packing up equipment, and the guests also returned to their respective lounges to prepare to leave.
Lu Mingyu's gaze swept through the crowd and quickly locked onto Director Ding's position.
He strode forward with his long legs and walked straight over.
Ding Hui was instructing the assistant director about something.
Seeing Lu Mingyu walking towards him, a warm smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Instructor Lu, you've worked hard today!"
Lu Mingyu's expression was as stern as ever, without any unnecessary pleasantries.
"Director Ding, regarding that photo."
His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of command.
Ding Hui's heart skipped a beat, and the smile on his face stiffened slightly.
He certainly knew which photo Lu Mingyu was referring to.
That photo of him and Gu Lina Zha under the sunset was simply a heaven-sent promotional material.
"Instructor Lu, are you referring to…"
Ding Hui pretended to be confused, asking tentatively.
"That photo was arranged by my second uncle, Lu Hai, to be taken."
Lu Mingyu got straight to the point, directly clarifying the situation.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from Ding Hui's forehead.
Second Master Lu, Lu Hai, was also someone he couldn't afford to offend.
"Yes, yes."
"It was mainly to give Commander Lu a surprise."
Lu Mingyu's eyes were as calm as water, and he continued.
"The photo is for my grandfather to see; this is my family matter."
He paused, his tone becoming a few shades heavier.
"I hope the production team does not use this matter for any form of publicity."
"I do not want to see any CP drafts about me and Gu Lina Zha on any platform."
Upon hearing this, Ding Hui not only felt no displeasure but instead let out a long sigh of relief.
He had thought Lu Mingyu was going to pursue some responsibility; it turned out it was just this request.
He quickly nodded and bowed, assuring him.
"Instructor Lu, rest assured!"
"Our production team will absolutely respect your personal wishes and privacy!"
"I will immediately notify everyone; there will absolutely be no unauthorized news leaking out."
"This group photo of you and Miss Gu, we guarantee it's the only copy and will never be shared externally."
Ding Hui's mind was as clear as a mirror.
Are you kidding? On one side was the temporary popularity that CP hype could bring, and on the other side was this living Yama from the Lu family.
How to choose, he knew even with his toes.
Having received Ding Hui's promise, Lu Mingyu nodded, his expression softening slightly.
"Thank you."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Ding Hui wiping cold sweat in place.
At the same time.
The Air Force First Military Region Command Center, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.
In the office, Lu Wei, with graying hair but still full of vigor, was wearing reading glasses and reviewing documents.
He was Lu Mingyu's grandfather, the legendary and extremely formidable Commander of the Military Region.
Suddenly, the encrypted communicator on the desk emitted a soft beep.
Lu Wei put down the fountain pen in his hand and picked up the communicator with a hint of doubt.
It was a message from his second son, Lu Hai.
It's so late; what's that kid up to now?