An Accidental Military Marriage

Lu Cheng’s marriage proposal undoubtedly shocked everyone present.

Everyone stared blankly at Lu Cheng, as if they had just heard a fairy tale.

Mrs. Zhang let out a strange, dry laugh. "I’m getting old. Did I mishear? Jia Ming’s superior said he wants to marry who? Jiang Moli?"

How is that possible!

’A woman my own son looked down on was actually fancied by his superior?’

’If a superior fancies her, doesn’t that mean she’s a good catch?’

’If outsiders found out, wouldn’t they laugh at the Zhang Family for being blind and foolish?’

Jiang Qing couldn’t believe her ears either.

’Her fiancé’s superior was actually interested in Jiang Moli?’

’If Jiang Moli really married Lu Cheng, wouldn’t she be lording it over her and Zhang Jia Ming for the rest of their lives?’

’No, absolutely not!’

She forced a smile and sought confirmation from Lu Cheng. "Sir, you must be joking, right?"

It wasn’t just the Zhang Family and Jiang Qing who were in disbelief; Jiang Dahai himself couldn’t believe it.

’What was his daughter’s character? Cunning, lazy, gluttonous, slick, and dramatic!’

He’d thank the heavens if she could marry an ordinary soldier in this lifetime, let alone dare to hope she could marry up to an officer like Lu Cheng.

In the next room, Wang Lianhua secretly ground her teeth. ’This man looks so distinguished, yet he’s brainless. If he can fancy a lazy bum like Jiang Moli, then couldn’t he fancy my Xiao Qing too?’

’If he really took a liking to her, the Zhou Family’s luck would turn around!’

Wang Lianhua immediately ran out the back door to the guardhouse to call her daughter at the cotton mill.

"Uncle Jiang, I sincerely ask to marry Jiang Moli."

Lu Cheng’s solemn expression, resolute gaze, and powerful, resounding words all conveyed his sincerity.

"Jia Ming’s superior, thank you for your kind regard, but my Moli is not worthy of you."

Jiang Dahai struggled to get those few words out.

’Heaven knows, he wished he could tie up his daughter, throw her into Lu Cheng’s bed, and force the issue.’

But what little reason he had left made it clear that once Lu Cheng saw his daughter’s true colors, he would surely break off the engagement and call off the wedding, just like the Zhang Family had tried to do.

His daughter already had a bad reputation and had one engagement broken off. If it happened again, she’d truly never get married.

Lu Cheng was not discouraged by Jiang Dahai’s refusal.

On the contrary, he admired Jiang Dahai’s integrity.

He was much better than those snobbish fathers who wanted to use their daughters to climb the social ladder.

"I am unmarried, and Jiang Moli is unwed. We are equals; there is no question of worthiness. I swear on my honor as a soldier that if I can be joined with Jiang Moli in matrimony, I will treat her with all my heart, do everything in my power to protect her, and give her a lifetime of peace and stability."

These words struck a chord deep in Jiang Dahai’s heart.

Wasn’t his greatest wish just to find a reliable man for his daughter, someone who could ensure she had food to eat and clothes to wear for the rest of her life?

"Yes, yes! I agree to this marriage!"

The gloom on Jiang Dahai’s face vanished, and he broke into a hearty smile.

Meanwhile, the Zhang Family, who had been beaming with joy just moments before, now all had stiff faces. Not a single one of them could manage a smile.

Jiang Qing dug her nails hard into her palms, wishing she could shout out her opposition to this marriage.

But she had neither the right nor the power to stop it.

Jiang Dahai couldn’t care less what the Zhang Family was thinking or feeling. He wished he could drag his daughter back right now to bow in ceremony with Lu Cheng and consummate the marriage on the spot.

Lest Lu Cheng come to his senses, change his mind, and run for it.

Striking while the iron was hot, he asked, "Xiao Lu, what day are you planning to make the formal proposal?"

"How about today? It’s perfect since everyone is here to witness it."

’Today is great!’

But then he saw Lu Cheng’s empty hands, and a sour feeling crept in.

But on second thought, for his daughter to marry a son-in-law like Lu Cheng was a blessing he should be burning incense for. Everything else was secondary.

Just as Jiang Dahai was consoling himself, he heard Lu Cheng shout towards the outside, "Mom!"

What?

The superior’s mother was here too?

Everyone in the courtyard hurried out to greet her.

In the distance, they saw a procession heading toward the Jiang family’s home.

At the front was a young man in a military uniform, pushing a brand-new Phoenix-brand ladies’ bicycle with a large red flower tied to the front basket.

Behind him was a line of young men, all in military uniforms, and none of them empty-handed.

A sewing machine, a radio, a whole pig’s hind leg, an entire case of Wuliangye liquor, a foot-high stack of assorted fabrics, Peony-brand cigarettes, imported fruit candies, boxes of pastries, canned fruit, and pairs of live chickens and ducks.

The residents of the Machinery Factory’s family housing compound had never seen such a spectacle. Jaws dropped all around.

"My god, so much good stuff! How much must all this have cost?"

"The ’Four Big Items’ alone must be at least four hundred yuan. The cigarettes, liquor, and sweets add another two hundred. The two pig legs and sixteen live chickens and ducks have to be at least a hundred. All together, isn’t that close to seven or eight hundred yuan?"

"Heavens, who are they making a marriage proposal to now?"

"Why are there so many proposals today!"

Wang Lianhua, mixed in with the neighbors, watched the long procession and paced around anxiously.

’You wretched girl, hurry back! That damn Jiang Moli is about to snatch away your wealthy bachelor!’

All the idle people in the family residential area had come out to watch the excitement. Many even followed behind the procession, wanting to know whose house they were going to.

An Hui, being empty-handed, walked faster and was the first to arrive at the Jiang family’s home.

Her tasteful clothing and graceful, elegant demeanor made Jiang Dahai hesitant to be presumptuous, even though he had guessed her identity. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing and leaving a bad impression.

"Uncle Jiang, this is my mother, Ms. An Hui. Mom, this is Jiang Moli’s father, Uncle Jiang."

"Ms. An, please, come in and have a seat!"

An Hui gave a polite nod. "Mr. Jiang, apologies for the intrusion."

"No intrusion at all, not at all! You are most welcome."

Amid the pleasantries, the group entered the courtyard.

Jiang Xiaoguang gestured to the procession behind him, and the young men filed in, carrying the items into the Jiang family’s home.

Seeing this, the neighbors completely lost it.

"How is it the Jiang family again?!"

"The last group was supposedly here to propose to Jiang Dahai’s daughter, so this time it must be for his stepdaughter, right?"

"No, the last group was proposing to Jiang Dahai’s stepdaughter. The original childhood engagement was with Jiang Moli, but they wanted to break it off and marry Jiang Dahai’s daughter instead."

"What in the world is going on? This is too messy..."

Although everyone was arguing up a storm about who the proposal was for, they all agreed on one thing: the Jiang family had really hit the jackpot this time!

The Zhang Family’s betrothal gifts were already inside the house, so to avoid confusion, the Lu Family’s gifts were all placed in the courtyard.

As expected of well-trained soldiers, the items were arranged neatly and in an orderly fashion.

The bicycle, sewing machine, and other ’Big Items’ were placed neatly in the most conspicuous spot, with the other gifts of cigarettes, liquor, sweets, and meat arranged around them. The sixteen live chickens and ducks were lined up in two rows, squatting at the base of the wall.

The chickens’ and ducks’ beaks and feet were tied with red string, so there was no fear of them running around or making a racket.

The already small courtyard was now so stuffed with Lu Cheng’s betrothal gifts that there was barely any room for people to stand.

Jiang Dahai was so happy he could have fainted.

’Am I dreaming?’

The Zhang Family stared, dumbfounded. ’My god, are people from the city this rich?’

A bicycle, a sewing machine, a radio, a watch, cigarettes, liquor, sweets, tea, boxes of pastries, canned fruit—every single item was a rarity in the countryside, and they had brought them all!

Just those two plump hind legs of pork would be enough to feed their Zhang Family for two years!

Jiang Qing’s eyes turned red with envy.

There’s no pain without comparison.

Compared to the Lu Family’s lavish betrothal gifts, the meager items from the Zhang Family inside the house felt like an utter humiliation.

"Uncle Jiang, this is the bride price."

There’s a bride price too???

The Zhang Family’s heads all snapped toward Lu Cheng in unison.

Outside the courtyard, the gawking neighbors craned their necks even longer than the ducks squatting by the wall.