An Accidental Military Marriage

Jiang Qing didn’t dwell on the fact that Guo Dawei had failed to catch them in the act.

She figured she’d either gotten the date wrong or that in this life, Jiang Dashan and Ge Yue’e simply weren’t having an affair.

The trajectories of her life and Jiang Moli’s had both changed, so it was only natural that others’ would, too.

What troubled her was the letter she’d written, which had indirectly led to her father-in-law being severely injured by Guo Dawei.

’How am I going to explain this to my husband?’

After all, having lived two lives, she still had her wits about her.

When she heard her father-in-law was waiting on money for surgery, she didn’t hesitate to take out all her savings.

"Jia Ming, send all this money back home."

Zhang Jia Ming stared at the money, stunned. "Xiao Qing, where did you get all this?"

"It’s what I’ve saved from odd jobs over the years, plus the dowry my mom gave me. It’s all here. If it’s still not enough, I’ll go borrow some from Doctor Qiao and Sister Feng. The most important thing is getting Dad’s injuries treated. We can always earn the money back later."

Zhang Jia Ming was incredibly moved.

He had been planning to ask Jiang Qing to help raise money, but she had offered up her entire dowry before he could even say a word. It was clear she was completely devoted to him.

His frustration with Jiang Qing instantly softened. "I’ll send this back first," he said. "We’ll figure something out if it’s not enough."

"Okay," she said. "Hurry and go."

Watching Zhang Jia Ming’s retreating figure as he hurried away, Jiang Qing was filled with regret.

She’d said she didn’t care about the money, but in reality, her heart ached at the loss.

That was everything she had.

She had scrimped and saved every penny, denying herself decent food and clothes.

’If I’d known it would cause this much trouble, I wouldn’t have meddled.’

Talk about trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice bait!

...

「In Lu Cheng’s office.」

Zhao Hongbing handed Lu Cheng the money they had raised, along with a list of the lenders.

"A total of 156 soldiers pitched in," he said. "The grand total is 377 yuan."

Lu Cheng was checking the amount when Zhang Jia Ming walked in.

"Perfect timing," Lu Cheng said. "I had Captain Zhao spread the word about your situation. When your comrades learned of your family’s plight, they all pitched in to help raise funds. Here you go. They raised 377 yuan in total. It’s all here."

Staring at the two thick stacks of cash on the desk, Zhang Jia Ming was so moved he had to wipe away tears.

"Thank you, Camp Commander Lu! Thank you, Captain Zhao! Thank you to all the soldiers!"

Zhao Hongbing patted his shoulder and offered a few words of comfort.

Lu Cheng did the math. "You raised 109 yuan, and the soldiers lent you 377, for a total of 486 yuan. Since your father’s injuries can’t wait, I’ve already had my family give 486 yuan to your mother for his treatment. I’ll just hold onto this cash. Any problem with that?"

Zhang Jia Ming nodded quickly. "No problem at all! Thank you, Camp Commander Lu!"

Sending the money back would take four or five days at least, and his father couldn’t afford to wait.

Lu Cheng handed him the list of lenders. "Take this and make a copy. The moment you get paid, the first thing you do is pay back your comrades."

"Yes!"

After Zhang Jia Ming left, Lu Cheng took the 486 yuan to the logistics office to have it officially wired by the unit’s finance department.

Zhang Jia Ming returned to his dorm and, as Lu Cheng had instructed, copied the list of lenders into a notebook.

Tan Junliang, 1 yuan.

Yang Ming, 2 yuan.

The further down the list he copied, the worse he felt.

He had never owed so much money in his entire life.

His current monthly salary was 13.8 yuan. Jiang Qing’s was 11 yuan. Together, their monthly income was 24.8 yuan.

Even if they didn’t eat or drink, it would take them more than a year of work to pay back the 377 yuan.

He’d once mocked Lu Cheng for marrying a woman who was a whirlwind of chaos, but he never thought he’d end up in the same boat.

His wife had been part of the family for just one month, and he was already saddled with this massive debt because of her.

...

"486? Is Jiang Qing really that rich?"

Jiang Moli was stunned when she got the call from Lu Cheng.

She had figured Jiang Qing had some savings, which, when added to the 66-yuan dowry from Jiang Dahai, might amount to a hundred yuan at the very least, or perhaps even two or three hundred at most.

But 486 was a figure that far exceeded her expectations.

Lu Cheng explained, "She didn’t have that much. I helped them borrow it from the other soldiers. It was 377 yuan in total. They can just pay it back slowly once she and Zhang Jia Ming get their wages."

Jiang Moli couldn’t resist giving a thumbs-up to the receiver. "Brilliant," she said.

Lu Cheng grinned from ear to ear. ’My wife praised me!’

Though his wife hadn’t said it outright, he could guess she wanted to make Jiang Qing bleed a little.

Since his wife wanted to bleed someone dry, it was only natural for him to hand her the knife.

He also wanted to teach Jiang Qing a lesson.

Jiang Qing’s previous letter to Zhang Jia Ming had been full of gossip about his wife. He hadn’t let on that it bothered him, but he had been keeping score.

Once they were saddled with debt and busy trying to earn money to pay it all back, they wouldn’t have the time or energy to meddle in his family’s business.

...

Jiang Moli took her bankbook to the bank and withdrew 250 yuan.

She had already fronted 236.7 yuan for Zhang Tiesheng’s hospital and surgery bills.

She generously ignored the 70-cent remainder, giving Jin Yulan a round sum of 250 yuan.

Jin Yulan was so happy she was grinning from ear to ear.

The gloom and sorrow over her husband’s blindness were swept away in an instant.

’Her son was so capable! Imagine him sending this much money back home!’

’After paying for her husband’s treatment, there would still be plenty left over—just enough to get a wife for their second son.’

’This time, she would have to keep her eyes wide open. She had to find a wife for her second son who was virtuous, sensible, and obedient—definitely not a jinx like that Jiang Qing.’

But people’s joys and sorrows are not intertwined.

When Jiang Qing learned that Zhang Jia Ming had borrowed 377 yuan from his unit and that this huge debt would be paid back using their combined salaries, she nearly went mad with rage.

Not only was her entire life’s savings gone, but she was now also 377 yuan in debt to outsiders!

’She really, truly regretted it.’

She was sick to her stomach with regret.

And in front of Zhang Jia Ming, she couldn’t show the slightest hint of her true feelings.

After all, she was the one who had stirred up this mess. She was lucky Zhang Jia Ming wasn’t holding her accountable.

She could only console herself with the thought, ’Zhang Jia Ming will be promoted soon. Life will get better.’

...

Leaving the hospital, Jiang Moli saw it was getting late and prepared to head back to the Military District Courtyard.

Jiang Peng called out to her. "Sis, I’m reporting for duty in two days. Are you going to come with me or not?"

Jiang Moli was in a fine mood.

The way Lu Cheng had handled the loan for Zhang Jia Ming had pleased her immensely.

It wouldn’t hurt to get out and see the world a bit before her "mission" was complete.

Since she was here, she might as well.

"Alright, I’ll go."

Jiang Peng practically jumped for joy. "Great! I’ll go buy your ticket first thing tomorrow morning."

Jiang Moli gave a noncommittal grunt. "Get a sleeper ticket."

"You’ll have to give me the money, then. I don’t have enough on me."

Jiang Moli fished out all the cash she had on her and gave it to Jiang Peng.

No one was happier than Jiang Dahai. His daughter and son-in-law still hadn’t consummated their marriage.

With this family visit, there was a good chance he’d be a grandfather by the time she returned!

"Moli, remember to call your husband when you get home," he said. "Tell him you’re visiting so he can be prepared."

Jiang Peng piped up, "I already told my brother-in-law."

The father and daughter both looked at him.

"When did you tell him?"

"The last time we spoke on the phone."

’Could it be,’ Jiang Dahai wondered, ’that my son-in-law was worried about my daughter traveling alone? That he’s using my son’s deployment as an opportunity for him to escort his sister, so they can look out for each other on the way?’

’My son-in-law is so thoughtful and considerate.’

’No wonder he became a camp commander at such a young age.’

Jiang Moli, however, felt a prickle of annoyance.

She and Lu Cheng had spoken on the phone several times recently, but he hadn’t mentioned a single word about this.

’Was it because he didn’t think it was important, or because he didn’t want me to go?’

’Fine. That just made her more determined to go and see for herself.’