An Accidental Military Marriage

Jiang Moli chuckled. "Doctor Qiao, what makes you so confident that Jiang Qing wouldn’t lie to you?"

Qiao Wenjing was stunned by the question for a few seconds. "Why would she lie to me?"

"It’s simple. Either she’s playing you for a fool, or she’s using you to achieve some goal. As for this arranged marriage business, there’s another person involved, Zhang Jia Ming. Why don’t you go ask him? You might be in for a surprise."

After choosing a jackfruit, Lu Cheng stared at the bananas next to it for two seconds before whispering in Jiang Moli’s ear:

"Should we buy a bunch of bananas? They’re thick and long, just how you like them."

Jiang Moli shot him a sideways glance and pointed back at the dragon fruit next to the bananas. "Then let’s buy two of these, too. They’re big and round, just how *you* like them."

’She really doesn’t let anyone get one over on her,’ Lu Cheng thought to himself, and readily bought both items.

Behind them, Qiao Wenjing glared at their intimate backs, feeling gloomy and jealous.

On the way back to the base, she was uncharacteristically silent.

Her expression shifted between anger and vexation, clearly mulling something over.

Lu Cheng was also lost in thought.

When he first heard the rumors about stealing the groom and a substitute bride, his initial reaction was that Lu Tingting was behind it. Plus, since Lu Tingting had admitted to spreading rumors on the phone, he hadn’t investigated further.

But after hearing what Qiao Wenjing said today, he couldn’t help but suspect that the rumors about the substitute bride and stolen groom had originated with Jiang Qing.

Jiang Moli tilted her head to look at the beautiful sunset outside the car window, also pondering what Qiao Wenjing had said.

Although she knew that nothing good could come from Jiang Qing, Qiao Wenjing, and Lu Tingting getting together, she was still surprised that Jiang Qing would fabricate such an outrageous lie.

’The rumors were out there now. The method was a bit crude, but it was damn effective.’

’It didn’t take much effort or any special tactics. Just by moving her lips, she could completely ruin my reputation.’

’It’s a good thing I’m thick-skinned and could even use a malicious reputation to earn mission rewards.’

’If it had been the original owner of this body—brainless, impulsive, and arrogant—she would have been played to death by Jiang Qing eight hundred times over by now.’

"System, when I go back, will the original owner take this body back, or...?"

『Host, the original owner ceased to exist the moment you entered this world. You are Jiang Moli herself. Furthermore, your original body was destroyed in a plane crash. You will return to your original world in this body.』

"You never told me that before!"

『You never asked, Host.』

Jiang Moli: !!!

’So, even if I complete the mission and return to my original world, my original identity, education, relationships, and all the property under my name will no longer be mine.’

’The key thing is, if I go home with this face and tell my mom I’ve returned from a book transmigration, she’ll think I’m a lunatic, right?’

’Wait!’

’If this body will go back with me to my original world, doesn’t that mean I can smuggle some things back with me?’

She couldn’t help but turn her head to look at Lu Cheng.

In the golden twilight, the man’s profile was sharply defined, as handsome and severe as a sculpture.

’Besides his impeccable looks, he also possessed a character and bearing as precious as gold, as well as a high IQ.’

’With such superior human genes, it would be a crime not to borrow some of his seed.’

"What’s wrong? Do you need to use the restroom?"

Lu Cheng was baffled by her calculating gaze and couldn’t help but ask with concern.

"It’s nothing. I was just thinking about something."

"What is it? Tell me."

Unlike the perfunctory coldness he showed Qiao Wenjing, he had considerable interest and patience for his own wife.

"You’ve said before that I’m the supreme leader of the household, that everything at home is my call."

Lu Cheng chuckled in response. "What are your orders, Leader?"

Qiao Wenjing was drawn in by their conversation and curiously perked up an ear.

Jiang Moli: "Alright then. Next time, you’re on the bottom."

A suspicious blush colored the base of Lu Cheng’s ears. He cleared his throat and agreed with an "Okay."

Jiang Moli smiled with satisfaction.

Qiao Wenjing found their conversation very strange, but she couldn’t figure out the hidden meaning behind their banter.

She couldn’t help but ask, "What are you two talking about?"

Jiang Moli turned back and grinned at her. "Why are you asking so insistently? Do you want to watch or join in?"

Lu Cheng choked and coughed.

Qiao Wenjing vaguely realized what they were implying and, her face full of shame and anger, snapped, "Jiang Moli, you’re lewd and shameless!"

"I was talking about playing cards, what were you thinking? Doctor Qiao, you have a very dirty mind."

Qiao Wenjing’s face flushed bright red. She turned her head away and ignored her.

...

「In the dorm.」

Zhang Jia Ming was eating dinner while talking to Jiang Qing about their debt. "I’ve paid back my comrades. I looked at the ledger, we only owe 325 yuan now!"

Jiang Qing couldn’t feel happy at all.

They had gone through so much trouble to dig up a treasure like the wild ginseng, which could have been used to improve their lives and eat better, but in the end, it wasn’t even enough to pay off their debt.

Eating nothing but bran and wild vegetables every day, she had no idea when it would end.

Fortunately, school was starting soon.

Once classes started, she would receive a monthly stipend.

’According to the trajectory of my previous life, Zhang Jia Ming should be promoted to platoon leader next month.’

’A platoon leader gets a stipend of 30 yuan a month alone. Add mine to that, and the two of us will have a monthly income of 41 yuan.’

’It would only take a little over half a year to pay off the debt.’

’Their lives would get better and better.’

"I wonder how my dad’s health is."

Hearing Zhang Jia Ming mention Mr. Zhang, Jiang Qing quickly said, "I’ll write a letter home tomorrow to ask. Jia Ming, I’ll be a good, filial daughter-in-law to Mom and Dad from now on to make up for my mistakes."

Hearing her sweet and considerate words, Zhang Jia Ming felt much better.

The weather was hot, and since they were in the dorm, Jiang Qing was dressed in very light clothing.

Looking at her bare arms and the large expanse of her neck, Zhang Jia Ming’s gaze gradually grew heated.

Jiang Qing’s cheeks grew scalding hot under his stare. She said coquettishly, "Eat your dinner. What are you looking at me for?"

Zhang Jia Ming reached out and pulled her hand. "Xiao Qing, I’ve missed you."

"Lu Tingting will be back soon."

Zhang Jia Ming put down his meal box and chopsticks. "It’s fine. We’ll be quick."

「Two minutes later.」

Watching Zhang Jia Ming hurriedly pull on his pants, Jiang Qing couldn’t help but console herself: ’It’s okay. Once Zhang Jia Ming gets promoted to an officer and we have our own family housing, everything will get better.’

...

As for Jiang Moli, it was already 10 PM by the time she got back to the base.

Lu Cheng stopped the car at the entrance to the guest house and told her to go back to her room and rest first.

He then helped her carry the things they had bought in the city today to her room.

Passing the reception desk on the first floor, Jiang Moli saw that Tang Xiaoyue was on duty tonight and broke off a banana to give to her.

Tang Xiaoyue was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.

Although Jiang Moli was beautiful, she wasn’t known for having a good temper.

Usually, she didn’t even dare to look Jiang Moli in the eye, only stealing furtive glances.

’I can’t believe Jiang Moli would give me a banana,’ she thought. ’So sudden, so wonderful.’

Amused by Tang Xiaoyue’s startled-rabbit expression, Jiang Moli’s hands started to itch, and she couldn’t resist pinching the other girl’s cheek.

"Work hard, don’t slack off, ’kay?"

"Mm."

Tang Xiaoyue nodded shyly.

"So obedient."

Tang Xiaoyue was too shy to speak, but her face turned even redder.

Lu Cheng, walking behind Jiang Moli, emotionlessly swept his gaze over Tang Xiaoyue’s sunset-red face and frowned.