Chapter 7: Your son has found a partner

Wu Meixia and Song Ke also watched the Jeep drive away, looking puzzled. "Isn't your third uncle stationed over in the Southwest?"

"He came back a couple of days ago."

Lu Tingting looked full of irritation. "I don't know if my third uncle saw me. If he sees that I'm not at school right now, I'm definitely going to get a lecture when I get home."

"I can't stay, I have to head back to school first."

As Lu Tingting said she was leaving, she casually shoved the cumbersome soda bottles into Jiang茉莉's hands like trash and threw out a parting threat

"I'll settle the score with you next time."

Once Lu Tingting left, Wu Meixia and Song Ke also departed together.

Jiang茉莉 finished the two sodas, returned the bottles to the shop owner for a refund, and headed home with 5 cents in her pocket.

...

Lu Cheng did not see his niece on the roadside; his mind was currently preoccupied with calculating how to submit his marriage report.

Given his rank, his marriage partner had to undergo layers of political vetting by the organization.

It would take anywhere from half a month to two or three months, and he was feeling a bit impatient.

Furthermore, Jiang茉莉's reputation wasn't very good; he suspected his old man would be a difficult hurdle to clear.

He needed to think this through carefully.

In the front seat, Jiang Xiaoguang was also pondering the conversation he had just overheard.

From Lu Cheng's tone, it seemed he had taken a liking to Jiang Peng's sister, but was the woman involved with someone named Jiaming?

This wouldn't do; he had to report this to the Chief immediately.

...

Zhang Jiaming met with Jiang Qing without delay, telling her the good news that Jiang茉莉 had agreed to break off the engagement.

Jiang Qing hadn't expected the cancellation to go so smoothly.

After all, Jiang茉莉 had never been an easy person to deal with.

"Did you hear her agree to the breakup with your own ears?"

"My leader negotiated with her. The leader said that since it's resolved, there definitely won't be any problems. My leader wouldn't lie to me."

With her worries eased, Jiang Qing asked when Zhang Jiaming planned to visit the Jiang family.

"My leader promised to accompany me to your house to propose in three days. With my leader there, Uncle Jiang won't find it too difficult to deal with us."

"Alright, then it's in three days."

Looking at Jiang Qing's elegant and delicate face, Zhang Jiaming couldn't suppress his excitement. He grabbed her hand and pressed it against his chest.

"Xiao Qing, you are so beautiful. I am truly happy that I can marry you as my wife."

Jiang Qing's cheeks flushed hot, and Jiang茉莉's radiant, charming image involuntarily flashed through her mind.

She pulled her hand back and said indifferently, "I am far less beautiful than茉莉. She is the most beautiful one in the residential area."

The image of a woman in a red dress with coarse features and a sturdy build surfaced in Zhang Jiaming's mind.

"Nonsense. With looks like hers, she makes me lose my appetite."

"Really?" Jiang Qing asked suspiciously.

"If I'm lying to you, I'm a puppy!"

Zhang Jiaming's decisive tone and his heartfelt disdain brought the smile back to Jiang Qing's face.

"I believe you."

Zhang Jiaming took her hand again and said guiltily, "Xiao Qing, I've wronged you. I'm from the countryside and my family is poor; I can't provide you with a decent dowry."

"I am just like you; we can't decide our own origins, but our future and prospects are in our own hands. As long as we work hard and strive upward, life will definitely get better and better."

Jiang Qing's thoughtfulness, gentleness, kindness, and resilience moved Zhang Jiaming deeply.

"Xiao Qing, I swear to heaven that I will never let you down in this lifetime. I will make sure you live a good life!"

"Mhm."

The two embraced tightly, as if wanting to become one.

...

By the time Jiang茉莉 returned home, Jiang Qing had already finished cooking lunch.

Jiang Dahai and Li Hongying were both surrounding Jiang茉莉, inquiring about the results of her blind date with Zhang Jiaming.

Jiang Qing kept her eyes straight ahead, minding her own business.

Jiang茉莉 actually admired this subtle calculation and composure.

Otherwise, how could she be the female lead!

Jiang Dahai: "Quick, tell us, how did it go with Jiaming?"

Li Hongying: "Our茉莉 is so beautiful, Jiaming must like her incredibly much."

Jiang Dahai: "When does he plan to come over to propose?"

Li Hongying: "The sooner the better. It would be best to get the marriage certificate tomorrow to deal with the Youth Educated Office. As for the formalities, we can make them up later."

Jiang茉莉 felt that if she didn't speak up, Jiang Dahai and Li Hongying would probably have already picked out names for her and Zhang Jiaming's children.

"He said he will come to propose in three days."

Jiang Dahai: "That's great!"

Li Hongying: "I'm telling you, there definitely won't be any problems. With茉莉 being so beautiful, how could Jiaming not like her!"

Jiang Qing also curled her lips into a smile.

Her smile was a mockery of Jiang茉莉 for still trying to act big and lying to Jiang Dahai—it was sheer stupidity.

Being broken off from an engagement was embarrassing, but it would only be a laughing matter for a while.

Going to the countryside, however, was life-threatening.

Even if Jiang茉莉 was lucky enough to escape natural disasters, the heavy farm work would still strip the skin off her bones.

Seeing Jiang Qing's smile, Jiang茉莉 suddenly realized.

No wonder that dog of a man had been so accommodating and even promised a sky-high dowry; he was playing her all along?

He was puffing her up first, only to let her fall face-first into the dirt.

Doing this was likely a way to vent anger for his beloved woman.

After all, the original owner had truly bullied Jiang Qing for ten years.

Fortunately, she was not the original owner, and she wouldn't lose her mind and run into a train because of the protagonists' schemes.

Jiang Peng was very conflicted.

He really wanted to tell the family that Jiang茉莉 had mistaken the man; that person wasn't Zhang Jiaming, but Zhang Jiaming's leader!

Jiang Peng wasn't surprised by Jiang茉莉's mistake.

Jiang茉莉 despised the poor conditions of the countryside and even more so the arranged marriage with Zhang Jiaming. She hadn't returned to her hometown in seven or eight years and hadn't seen Zhang Jiaming, so it was normal that she didn't recognize him.

As a brother, Jiang Peng really hoped Jiang茉莉 would marry a capable man.

But he also knew that aside from a beautiful face, Jiang茉莉 had nothing else to offer.

Once Lu Cheng learned of Jiang茉莉's true nature and refused to marry her, if his sister couldn't marry, wouldn't she have to go to the countryside?

...

In the Lu family living room.

Lu's mother, An Hui, was chatting pleasantly with the Meng mother and daughter.

When Lu Cheng entered and saw this scene, he finally understood why his old man had sent Jiang Xiaoguang to summon him home.

Seeing him, the smile on An Hui's face vanished. "Why are you only coming back now? Xiao Wei has been waiting for you for a long time."

"I had something to attend to at the Political Department."

Meng Wei said with a smile, "It's alright, official business is important. It's understandable."

An Hui's smile returned as she said to Mother Meng, "Look at your Weiwei, so good-tempered and considerate, unlike this rebellious son of mine, who only knows how to make me angry..."

Lu Cheng sat on the sofa next to An Hui. "It wasn't official business; it was personal business."

Seeing Lu Cheng's reply, Meng Wei smiled gracefully. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Lu Cheng say to An Hui

"Mom, I have good news for you. Your son has found a partner. Half an hour ago, I submitted my marriage application to the Political Department. Before long, you'll be able to drink your daughter-in-law's tea."

After saying this, he turned to the stunned Meng mother and daughter, unable to hide his joy: "When the time comes, you are also welcome to come and drink my wedding wine."

"Lu Cheng, do you think I'm being too easy on you? Talking such nonsense here—see if I don't beat you to death!"

Having snapped out of her shock, An Hui grabbed a feather duster and started swinging it at Lu Cheng.

(End of Chapter)