An Accidental Military Marriage

Wei Xiuqin wore the excited look of someone who had just stumbled upon juicy gossip, which made Liu ZhenGuo curious. "Who’s fighting?"

As Wei Xiuqin got into bed, she pointed downstairs and lowered her voice conspiratorially:

"Just now, the three daughters-in-law of the Lu Family were at each other’s throats in the courtyard downstairs."

Liu ZhenGuo looked at her. "They’re fighting, so what are you so happy about?"

Wei Xiuqin said, "I’ve been saying it all along. That wife of Lu the Third is a real handful. And wasn’t I right? Has there been a single day without drama since she joined the family?"

That was true.

She got dead drunk on her wedding day, becoming the laughingstock of the entire Military District Courtyard.

The next day, she broke a bowl at the Chen Family’s house.

On the third day, she argued with her mother-in-law during the homecoming visit.

This time was even more outrageous—daring to openly take bribes and sell jobs while at her parents’ home.

If that woman could fly, she’d tear a hole in the sky.

"I don’t know what Lu the Third was thinking, marrying such a troublemaker. He just washed his hands of the whole thing and went back to his post, leaving his old man to clean up her messes day in and day out. And he can’t even keep up."

Listening to his wife’s complaints, Liu ZhenGuo couldn’t help but feel a flicker of sympathy for Lu Deyao.

Lu Deyao might be as stubborn as an old mule, but his professional competence was beyond reproach.

In his youth, he was a valiant and brilliant warrior who had accumulated outstanding military merits. Since joining the military region, he had been diligent, honest, and upright, commanding immense respect within the army.

In the last year or two, there were even rumors that the higher-ups intended for Lu Deyao to take over Wu Lifeng’s post.

While rumors couldn’t be taken as fact, they were still an affirmation of Lu Deyao’s personal capabilities.

But saddled with such a troublesome daughter-in-law, forget about a promotion—it was questionable whether he could even retire peacefully.

Wei Xiuqin lay down, murmuring to her husband in a low voice, "The rumor around the courtyard is that Lu might be facing disciplinary action."

Mr. Liu replied, "That depends on whether his third son’s wife actually went through with it. If she didn’t, there’s still room to salvage the situation. But if she really did it, then things will get complicated. A lot of people have their eyes on Lu’s position."

Wei Xiuqin looked at her husband. "What about you? If Lu really steps down, do you think you have a chance?"

Like Lu Deyao, Liu ZhenGuo was also involved in political work, and Lu Deyao was his superior.

Liu ZhenGuo said to his wife, "Who doesn’t want to get ahead? But wanting something and being able to get it are two different things."

...

Meanwhile, the Jiang family was still eating dinner.

A piece of equipment in the workshop had broken down, and Jiang Dahai, who was in charge of repairs, got off work more than an hour later than usual.

"Xiao Qing, how have you been at the Zhang family’s place these past few days? Are you getting used to it?"

Jiang Dahai had come from the countryside himself, so he knew its hardships. He was worried his stepdaughter wouldn’t be able to adjust to rural life, so he couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s been fine. Uncle Jiang, my mom heard that Moli can arrange jobs, so she wants Moli to arrange one for Jiaquan, too."

The moment he heard the words "arrange jobs," Jiang Dahai felt a headache coming on.

He hemmed and hawed, "Oh, that... I’ll talk to Moli about it when she comes back. But you should also have a good talk with your mom. Jobs aren’t that easy to arrange. Tell her not to get her hopes up."

Jiang Qing sneered inwardly.

’He talks about treating me like his own daughter, but the moment I actually ask for something, he shows his true colors.’

’So it was easy to arrange jobs for his brothers and brothers-in-law, but when it’s my turn, it’s suddenly difficult?’

’Whatever. It’s not like I was counting on the Jiang family anyway. I’m just completing the task Jin Yulan assigned me.’

At night, Jiang Dahai and his son squeezed into the inner room, while Jiang Qing and Li Hongying slept on the large bed in the outer room.

The bed at the Jiang family’s house was much more comfortable than the one at the Zhang family’s. A ceiling fan overhead circulated a cool breeze, so it was neither stuffy nor smelly.

Jiang Qing rolled over comfortably, her thoughts inevitably turning to Jiang Moli.

’The Lu Family lived in a top-tier building for ministers in the Military District Courtyard. They had not only a private courtyard but also several rooms.’

’Every month, they received thirty jin of rice and flour, ten jin of meat and eggs, two jin of oil, one jin of sugar, and forty jin of vegetables.’

’She couldn’t even dare to imagine how wonderful it would be to live such a life of plenty.’

’But Jiang Moli would soon lose all this wealth and glory and be knocked back down to size.’

At that thought, she breathed a long sigh of relief.

...

Jiang Moli was up at the crack of dawn, a first since she’d arrived, which greatly surprised Lu Deyao.

In all the days since she had married into the family, this was the first time he had eaten breakfast with her.

"Xiao Jiang, do you have something to do today? You’re up so early."

"Dad, after breakfast, I’ll go with you to the military district and explain the situation to the leadership."

Seeing the members of the Lu Family staring at her in surprise, Jiang Moli said, "This whole thing started with me, so naturally, I should be the one to resolve it."

Hearing her speak with such a sense of responsibility, Lu Deyao and An Hui were both surprised and gratified.

Even Ma Hongmei’s gaze softened, and she attentively peeled a salted duck egg for her.

Lu Deyao considered it for a moment. Believing it was necessary for Jiang Moli to explain herself to the leadership in person, he agreed.

An Hui, however, was uneasy. She was afraid Jiang Moli would open her mouth and end up offending the leaders.

"I’ll go with you all."

Lu Deyao knew what she was worried about. Bringing his daughter-in-law into the military district was already bending the rules; bringing his wife along as well would be making too much of a scene.

He reassured her, "I’ll be there. We’ll just have Xiao Jiang clarify the money situation with the leadership, and then I’ll have someone bring her right back."

It sounded simple, but the memory of Jiang Moli’s tactless mouth still made An Hui shudder.

"Xiao Jiang, once you’re in front of the leaders, please, be careful with your words. Don’t say a single thing you don’t have to, you hear me?"

Jiang Moli nodded emphatically, like a chicken pecking at grain. "Okay."

After breakfast, Jiang Moli left with Lu Deyao, and they rode in his car to the military district.

This scene was witnessed by quite a few people in the courtyard.

"Did you hear? Vice Political Commissar Lu took that wife of his third son to the leadership to beg for forgiveness."

"I heard Vice Political Commissar Lu chose righteousness over family and personally handed his youngest daughter-in-law over to the Public Security Bureau!!"

The rumors were getting more and more outrageous, but everyone shared the same sentiment: Jiang Moli had it coming.

The courtyard community had always been harmonious and close-knit. Then this one bad apple got mixed in, causing endless trouble and making herself a nuisance to everyone.

[Disgust Value +15. 150,000 yuan credited to account..]

In the jeep...

Lu Deyao said, "Xiao Jiang, when you see the leadership in a bit, do you know what you’re supposed to say?"

"I know."

"Let’s do a rehearsal. Tell me what you’re planning to say first, and if there’s anything inappropriate, we can make some changes."

"Alright, fine."

Jiang Moli cleared her throat and, under Lu Deyao’s expectant gaze, began. "Sir, if I say the wrong thing and make you angry, will I be shot?"

Lu Deyao choked. "...No."

"In that case, I’ll be blunt. Regarding your severe criticism of Comrade Lu Deyao yesterday, I must in turn offer you some criticism..."

Lu Deyao’s eyelid twitched. "Stop, stop, stop!"

SCREECH.

Jiang Xiaoguang slammed on the brakes.

Lu Deyao and Jiang Moli both lurched forward.

Lu Deyao immediately yelled at Jiang Xiaoguang, "Do you even know how to drive?!"

Jiang Xiaoguang sounded aggrieved. "But sir, you’re the one who said ’stop.’"

"...I wasn’t talking to you! Keep driving."

"Yes, sir."

Once the car was moving again, Lu Deyao turned to look at Jiang Moli. Seeing her pale face, he asked instinctively, "Xiao Jiang, you didn’t get hurt, did you?"

"No."

Lu Deyao relaxed, but then he remembered what Jiang Moli had just said, and a vein started throbbing in his forehead.

"Xiao Jiang, you’re supposed to be reporting to the leadership, and you’re planning to criticize them? Aren’t you just looking for trouble? Forget it. You’re not going. I’ll have Xiao Guang take you home in a minute!"

"Dad, I was just kidding. The leader is already furious. Why would I pour oil on the fire? I’m not an idiot."

"You certainly don’t look very bright," Lu Deyao retorted.

"It’s just that it’s more relaxing to interact with you all this way."

"..."

’I absolutely have to send my third son’s wife to live with him at the barracks.’

’Let her mouth go torment that little brat.’

’Just imagining his third son hopping mad with rage at his wife’s antics made a grin spread across Lu Deyao’s face that he simply couldn’t suppress.’