An Accidental Military Marriage

Lu Cheng didn’t answer right away. His deep-set eyes traced Jiang Moli’s features, lingering on them for a moment before he finally spoke in a low voice:

"The first moment I saw you, I was captivated. I knew I wanted to marry you."

"Lust at first sight?"

"I’d call it love at first sight."

In Jiang Moli’s eyes, there was no difference between the two, but she didn’t care.

’She wasn’t exactly a saint herself; she was just a sucker for money and a pretty face.’

If Lu Cheng had been short, fat, poor, or ugly—even just one of those things—she would have turned him down flat.

"So, you don’t have any... physical problems, right?"

"My word doesn’t count for that. You’ll have to verify it yourself."

Lu Cheng’s expression was unreadable, but his beet-red ears betrayed his bashfulness and embarrassment.

A classic case of looking as cool as a cucumber on the outside while freaking out on the inside.

This contrast in the man was an irresistible hook for Jiang Moli. She was itching to consummate the marriage tonight and have her way with him.

"Since we’re legally married now, does that mean I should move in with you?"

Instead of answering directly, Lu Cheng started the car and made small talk. "What did you think of lunch today?"

"It was okay."

"If you’re okay with it, we’ll hold our wedding banquet at Guanghua. We’ll stick to the same quality as today’s lunch."

"Fine by me."

"How about we set the date for the 20th?"

Today was the 16th, which meant the 20th was only four days away.

Perhaps fearing Jiang Moli would think he was being careless and insincere by setting such an early date, Lu Cheng explained, "I have to return to my unit on the 21st. If we marry sooner, you can move into my family’s home. I’ve seen your house—it only has two rooms, no fan, and it’s cramped and hot."

This was exactly what Jiang Moli had been worrying about.

The only ceiling fan in the Jiang family home was in the outer room, which was Jiang Dahai’s. The inner room she shared with Jiang Qing was small and crammed with a metal bunk bed, leaving no space for a fan. Combined with the poor ventilation, it felt as stuffy as a pigeon coop in the summer.

She countered, "Is your family’s house big?"

"It’s decent. It’s a renovated old foreign-style house. We live on the first floor and have four bedrooms, two living rooms, and a courtyard. My parents have one room, my aunt has another, and the rest are empty."

Jiang Moli’s almond eyes lit up. "Does your room have a ceiling fan?"

"It does. Plus, my family bought a TV last year. If you get bored at night, you can watch it."

Jiang Moli’s eyes grew even brighter. "Can we move the TV into my room?"

’Lying in bed watching TV... how amazing would that be?’

"No."

"Pfft. So much for ’love at first sight’."

’Jiang Moli knew her request was unreasonable, but her whole persona was that of a drama queen who had to make a scene even when she was in the wrong.’

Lu Cheng looked down at her with a helpless expression. "Mom watches it too. Do you really want her in our room watching TV every night?"

"Then why can’t you just buy another one?"

"I’ll ask around some other day."

It wasn’t that Jiang Moli absolutely had to watch TV, but his accommodating attitude was deeply satisfying.

’The charm of an older man was in that fleeting, helpless look he’d give you—a look you’d only later recognize as the moment he willingly surrendered to you.’

"First, let’s take this food to your brother. After that, we can go to the department store and shop for some things for our wedding."

Jiang Moli didn’t object.

A grim expression clouded Jiang Qing’s eyes as she watched the jeep drive past.

She and Zhang Jia Ming weren’t far behind them and had watched with their own eyes as Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng got into the jeep.

Zhang Jia Ming had wanted to ask them for a ride, but she had stopped him.

She could accept help from anyone else, but she refused—disdained, even—to benefit from anything related to Jiang Moli.

’What does her current success matter? The one who laughs last is the true winner.’

’Lu Cheng is an idiot, too. Falling for a fool like Jiang Moli... he’ll be dragged down and lose his post sooner or later, just like Zhang Jia Ming did in their past life.’

This thought made Jiang Qing feel much better.

"Xiao Qing, where do you want to go?"

Hearing Zhang Jia Ming’s question, Jiang Qing replied casually, "Let’s just find somewhere to sit for a bit. It’s too hot to be walking around. We’ll just get sweaty, and it’s easy to spend money we don’t have."

Hearing this, Zhang Jia Ming broke into a wide, happy smile.

"My mom was worried. She said that since you’re a city girl, you might look down on our family’s situation. She even wanted to borrow money to scrape together a 66-yuan bride price for you. But I told her you don’t care about such formalities. If you were the kind of person who despises the poor to curry favor with the rich, you wouldn’t be marrying me."

A knot formed in Jiang Qing’s chest.

To make Zhang Jia Ming and the Zhang Family think she was better than Jiang Moli, she had always deliberately portrayed herself as diligent, ambitious, and able to endure hardship.

But in reality, she wasn’t as unconcerned with worldly success as she appeared.

She cared about her pride, too. She wanted to be respected and acknowledged.

"Xiao Qing, what’s wrong?"

Seeing Jiang Qing’s eyes redden, Zhang Jia Ming grew anxious.

"Jia Ming, do you realize how much ridicule I’ll face over a bride price of 8.8 yuan? I’m not as high-minded as you think. I need to be respected and valued, too. Yes, I was the one who said I didn’t need a bride price, but that was me being considerate of you, trying not to put you under too much pressure. But as a man, shouldn’t you also think of me? Shouldn’t you do what you can to give me a little dignity?"

Panic flickered across Zhang Jia Ming’s face. "I... I didn’t think it through. Please don’t cry."

Jiang Qing lowered her head to wipe her tears.

In Zhang Jia Ming’s eyes, Jiang Qing had always been strong. She never complained about hardship or exhaustion, and she rarely shed a tear.

The sight of her standing before him now, sobbing silently, was utterly heart-wrenching, flooding Zhang Jia Ming with both pity and guilt.

"Xiao Qing, I was wrong. I’m sorry I let you down. When I get back, I’ll have my mom borrow the money. We’ll get you a bride price of 66—no, 88 yuan. How does that sound?"

Jiang Qing wiped her tears and raised her head.

Though her red-rimmed eyes revealed a woman’s vulnerability, her gaze held a determined light.

"No, don’t. Just knowing you’re willing is enough for me. Jia Ming, it’s never been about the money. It’s about your feelings for me."

Zhang Jia Ming was so moved by her understanding nature he felt like he could tear his own heart out and offer it to her.

"Xiao Qing, don’t you worry. I’ll work as hard as I can to earn military honors and give you a good life as soon as possible."

"Jia Ming, I believe in you."

Jiang Qing gazed at him tenderly. "You’re a responsible man—grounded, ambitious, and very smart. I know you’ll have a great future. You won’t fall short of anyone."

For someone like Zhang Jia Ming, who came from a poor background and was starting from the bottom, her words of encouragement were a powerful stimulant. He silently vowed to himself that he would fight for a better future at all costs.

...

"KNOCK, KNOCK."

Hearing the knock, Lu Deyao answered without looking up. "Come in."

He didn’t look up until he registered that the footsteps sounded unfamiliar. He was surprised to see An Hui. "What are you doing here?"

An Hui retorted irritably, "Am I not allowed? Fine, I’ll leave right now."

"Hey, now, wait a minute."

Lu Deyao scrambled to his feet to stop her, closing the office door behind them.

"Look at you, always so sensitive. I was just asking. Here, sit down. I’ll make you some tea myself. What would you like?"

"Drink what? I’m already stuffed with anger."

"Calm down, calm down. Tell me what happened."

Lu Deyao handed her his own teacup. "Did the marriage proposal not go well?"

An Hui took a couple of sips of tea before finally speaking. "Well, the engagement is on."

"So how’s the girl?"

Though Lu Deyao hadn’t shown his face, it was just an act. He had been worried about it the entire time, so much so that he couldn’t even focus on his work.

"She’s alright, I guess."

"What’s ’alright, I guess’ supposed to mean?"

An Hui set Lu Deyao’s enamel mug down on the coffee table with a deliberate little clink. "Her looks are decent enough, but her manners are lacking. It’s more or less just as your background check described."

Lu Deyao wasn’t surprised. The organization’s background checks were always thorough.

He then asked about Jiang Moli’s family.

When two families are joined in marriage, the character of the parents-in-law is also very important.