An Accidental Military Marriage

"Let’s talk about that when I get back. It’s not convenient over the phone—there are people all around."

The guard at the door heard this and stole a sideways glance.

’The office is completely empty. What people?’

On the other end of the line, Jiang Moli didn’t suspect a thing. "When are you coming back?"

"I’ll be back as soon as I can. Do you still have enough money?"

Jiang Moli thought of the balance in her passbook, which had actually increased, and replied, "It’s fine."

"Good, as long as it’s enough. I get paid in a couple of days. I’ll send you the money once I get it. If you need anything, just go buy it yourself."

"Don’t worry, I have no intention of saving your money."

Hearing her say this, Lu Cheng wasn’t the least bit upset; in fact, he was delighted.

Someone who loves you isn’t afraid of you asking for too much, only that they can’t give you enough.

"Take good care of yourself at home. Call me if anything comes up. I’m usually free around noon and in the evening."

"Got it."

"Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Hearing him ask this, Jiang Moli suddenly remembered the house. "Something came up with my family. I’m letting my dad and the others stay in the family quarters for now. It won’t be a problem for you, will it?"

"Moli."

Lu Cheng’s voice grew more serious. "We’re husband and wife. From now on, you can make decisions about household matters on your own, without having to run them by me. But I’m also very happy that you were willing to tell me."

Jiang Moli hesitated for a beat before saying, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up then?"

"Don’t hang up yet. Let me say a few words to Mom."

"Hold on."

After a patter of light footsteps, a sweet and soft voice called out from the other end of the line:

Mom, Lu Cheng is on the phone.

A smile flickered in Lu Cheng’s eyes, and a tenderness he himself hadn’t noticed softened his stern, resolute face.

Just hearing his wife call the same woman ’Mom’ as he did filled him with an inexplicable sense of satisfaction and happiness.

’It feels like my wife is truly mine now.’

Hearing it was Lu Cheng on the phone, An Hui ran in to answer without even bothering to wash her hands. "Third Son?"

"It’s me, Mom. I’m calling to let you and Dad know I’m safe."

Hearing her son’s voice, An Hui felt a wave of relief, but her words were teasing, "Well, what a rare occasion. You actually remembered to call home and let us know you’re safe."

"Please tell Dad, too. The mission went very smoothly."

"And what about you? You weren’t injured, were you?"

Jiang Moli sat to one side, continuing her embroidery.

Hearing An Hui’s concern, she suddenly realized how derelict she was in her duties as a military wife.

Lu Cheng had left in such a hurry that night he didn’t even have time for the wedding ceremony. The importance and urgency of his mission were self-evident.

’Bringing up divorce right then was really not the right move.’

"Mom, was Lu Cheng’s mission very dangerous this time? What kind of mission was it?"

Hearing her ask, An Hui gave her a sidelong glance. "Why don’t you ask Third Son yourself?"

"I have a loose tongue. I’m afraid I’ll accidentally leak mission secrets. If it comes from your mouth, then it doesn’t count as me leaking it, and they can’t hold me responsible."

This was the second time in her life An Hui had been rendered so speechless.

Jiang Moli felt relieved knowing that Lu Cheng’s mission was successful and he wasn’t injured.

This also proved that Lu Cheng was a man with a stable and strong core, who wouldn’t let trivial family matters affect his abilities and judgment.

’Damn it, I think I’m starting to like him even more.’

...

Not long after Lu Cheng left the command area, he ran into Zhang Jia Ming.

"Camp Commander Lu."

Lu Cheng looked at the letter in his hand. "Sending a letter home?"

The military had strict regulations; all incoming and outgoing mail had to go through the logistics department.

"Yes, I was just about to go."

Zhang Jia Ming said he was going, but his feet didn’t move.

Lu Cheng looked at him. "If you have something to say, just say it."

"Earlier, some comrades came to ask me if you’d gotten married. I didn’t know if I should tell them the truth, so I just said I didn’t know."

After all these days, Lu Cheng had never mentioned his marriage to his subordinates.

Zhang Jia Ming couldn’t gauge his thoughts, so he decided to probe a little.

"There’s nothing that can’t be said. If anyone else asks you, just tell them the truth."

Lu Cheng didn’t mention that it was because the timing was inappropriate. The recent disaster had caused considerable damage, and the public was still grieving. It wouldn’t be right for him to talk about his own happy news.

Zhang Jia Ming hesitated. "Then, about Moli being my childhood fiancée..."

"Zhang Jia Ming!"

"Sir!"

"Moli is my wife now. You can address her respectfully as Sister-in-law, or, in relation to your wife, call her Younger Sister-in-law. You can also call her Comrade Jiang. But you may no longer call her Moli."

"Yes, sir!"

Lu Cheng raised a hand, signaling for Zhang Jia Ming to relax. "We’re discussing family matters. No need for formalities."

Zhang Jia Ming lowered his hand, hesitating. "Camp Commander Lu, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Why did you marry Comrade Jiang?"

Ever since the day Lu Cheng proposed the marriage, this question had been lingering in Zhang Jia Ming’s mind.

Lu Cheng was surrounded by countless accomplished and beautiful women, any one of whom was ten, even a hundred times better than Jiang Moli.

He couldn’t understand why, of all people, Lu Cheng had chosen Jiang Moli.

Zhang Jia Ming’s question pulled Lu Cheng’s thoughts back to the day he first met Jiang Moli.

The sun was bright, and his wife walked toward him in a floral dress.

The corners of his mouth turned up unconsciously. "The first time I saw Moli, I thought to myself, ’This girl is so beautiful. It would be wonderful if she could be my wife.’"

"Then she walked right up to me and gave me a list of demands for marrying her, and it just so happened that I could meet all her conditions. If you must have a reason for why I married her, then I can only say that she is my destiny."

Zhang Jia Ming couldn’t understand.

If it was just because Jiang Moli was pretty, there were plenty of women much prettier than her.

"Camp Commander Lu, I don’t think Comrade Jiang is worthy of you. She’s indulgent and lazy, not at all the picture of a good wife and loving mother."

Lu Cheng said, "A good wife and loving mother is your standard for choosing a spouse, not mine. I only have one standard when choosing a wife: she has to be someone I like. You probably haven’t noticed Moli’s hands, have you?"

Zhang Jia Ming was confused.

"Moli’s fingers are fair and delicate, slender and smooth, like the finest jade. If marrying me caused these hands to become rough and ugly, then that would be my failure as a husband."

After saying this, Lu Cheng strode away.

Zhang Jia Ming watched his tall, straight back, his eyes filled with confusion.

Of course he couldn’t understand Lu Cheng.

Because he and Lu Cheng were on completely different planes of thought and values.

An ordinary man marries a wife to continue the family line, manage the household, and satisfy his physical needs.

But an outstanding man will see his partner as a treasure, and give her the utmost care and adoration.

...

When they saw Jiang Dahai leaving the factory, Ruan Fuguo, Ruan Fuqiang, and Ruan Fushun hurried over, carrying their things.

"Dahai, we heard about the house. This is our fault. We really didn’t think the factory would take it back. Fu Qiang, Fushun, and I have sincerely come to apologize to you."

At first, Ruan Fuguo hadn’t believed that the factory had really taken back Jiang Dahai’s house.

In their eyes, Jiang Dahai had become in-laws with a high-ranking officer; who would be so blind as to cross him?

It wasn’t until he personally ran to the family residential area and saw someone else living in the Jiang family’s house—an old accountant from the factory, supposedly—that he started to panic.

For all these years, thanks to their city-dwelling brother-in-law, Jiang Dahai, everyone in the village looked up to the three brothers.

What’s more, Jiang Dahai had also found such a capable son-in-law.

They couldn’t afford to make a mortal enemy of Jiang Dahai.

So the three brothers pooled some money, bought some gifts, and came to apologize to Jiang Dahai.