Chapter 25: Drugging

Wen Xue stood at the entrance of the military district compound, enthusiastically chatting with the sentry.

She talked a lot, but the sentry still refused to let her in.

It had to be said—the security at this military compound was way too strict.

If you weren’t someone on the inside, the only way in was to wait for a familiar face to pick you up.

As the sky grew darker, Wen Xue became increasingly anxious.

While her mother had locked Wen Nian inside the house, she had to quickly find a way to get some leverage with the Lu family.

At this moment, Wen Xue was regretting bitterly.

If only she had come back a few months earlier, none of this trouble would exist.

She could have directly replaced Wen Nian as the Lu family’s benefactor and been adopted by them.

It was all Wen Nian’s fault—this fox spirit was so scheming.

She must have known her true identity long ago.

That was why she lied, saying Lu Hanzheng had a physical disability and couldn’t have children,

to make her back down.

What a calculating woman.

And yet Wen Xue had foolishly believed her.

Lu Binghuai was the head of the capital’s military district.

His only son, Lu Hanzheng, was a regiment commander at a young age, with an unlimited future ahead.

Thinking of that upright, handsome face from the TV, Wen Xue felt her heart burn with longing.

Even if she ultimately couldn’t climb this high branch, getting close to him was still worthwhile.

Even catching his favorable glance would greatly help her future.

Lost in thought, she suddenly saw a green military jeep driving toward her.

The driver was none other than Lu Hanzheng himself.

When he reached the gate, the sentry immediately gave a military salute.

Seeing the real person again, Wen Xue was filled with emotion.

Her eyes were full of affection, staring fixedly at the man inside the car.

Lu Hanzheng didn’t even glance at her; his eyes remained straight ahead as he prepared to enter the compound.

Being ignored didn’t discourage Wen Xue—she quickly stepped forward, reaching out to stop the car.

Lu Hanzheng lightly frowned and glanced coldly at the unfamiliar face.

His authoritative aura made Wen Xue instinctively take a step back.

Covering her pounding chest, she told herself the opportunity had come.

This time, she would seize it no matter what.

“Regiment Commander Lu, hello! I’m Wen Nian’s sister, Wen Xue. I’m here to tell you that my sister is getting married and won’t be living with the Lu family anymore.”

Lu Hanzheng thought it was just another woman infatuated with him, ready to ignore her.

But hearing these words, he opened the car door and approached Wen Xue.

His hawk-like sharp eyes locked onto her.

In a cold voice, he confirmed, “What did you say? Wen Nian is getting married?”

Wen Xue hadn’t expected him to get out and talk to her, much less stand so close.

Her whole face instantly flushed like an apple, her heart pounding wildly.

Nervous and a bit shy, she lowered her head.

“Yes, she’s about to get married and won’t be living at the Lu family anymore.”

“Marrying who?”

Wen Xue didn’t dare look up at him, shyly fiddling with the ponytail at her chest.

“The youngest son of Factory Director Zheng, Zheng Jiahe. He came to our house to see Wen Nian the other day, and their wedding date has been set. They’ll be married soon.”

A violent surge rolled in Lu Hanzheng’s dark eyes.

“Did she agree?”

“Yes, she did! The groom’s conditions are excellent—he gave a bride price of several hundred thousand yuan, plus ‘three transfers and one registration’ (referring to property and household registration), and after marriage, they’ll transfer her household registration and arrange a job for her. With such good conditions, why wouldn’t she agree?”

Wen Xue babbled on, oblivious to Lu Hanzheng’s increasingly cold and hard expression.

His face grew darker, veins bulging on his forehead.

When she looked up, she saw a man with a face like iron stride quickly into the jeep,

turn the vehicle around, and drive away.

Wen Xue stood there stunned and confused.

How did it end like this?

She hadn’t even gotten to the main point yet.

Steel Factory Residential Compound

“Zheng family’s conditions are so good — what exactly are you still picky about?”
Wen Jianhuai couldn’t understand.

His adopted daughter had been living with that old lady, barely scraping by, never having a good day in her life.

As long as she married into the Zheng family, she wouldn’t have to worry about meals — not to mention they’d help solve her household registration and job problems.

She just didn’t know what was good for her.

“Nian Nian, your dad and I have said everything we could. If it weren’t for your dad picking you up from the mountain valley, would you even be alive now? You have to learn to be grateful! Even if you’re not thinking for yourself, you should at least think of your dad. This director of yours relies completely on Factory Director Zheng. We owe them a huge favor, and they’ve already taken the bride price. If you don’t marry into the Zheng family, how do we explain it to them?”

Wen Nian said nothing, slumping weakly against the corner wall of the storage room.

Their words went in one ear and out the other.

Grateful? Forget it. And now they even want to manipulate her.

Besides, she never took the bride price—what did it have to do with her?

Chen Qiuwei continued, speaking earnestly:

“If you stay at the Lu family without a name or status, your dad and I will have no face either. Even if you’re not our biological daughter, that doesn’t mean you can freeload off someone else.”

Wen Nian tuned it all out.

She hadn’t expected Chen Qiuwei to drug her; she had been careless.

What they said sounded reasonable, like common sense.

So why did it feel so strange?

She had already laid everything out with the Lu family.

Given how stubborn these two were, they should have forced her to cling to the Lu family.

Why were they trying to pull her back?

There had to be some trick.

Wen Nian was still dizzy and weak.

If she hadn’t been regularly drinking the spiritual milk lotion, with her unusual constitution she might still be unconscious.

Seeing their adopted daughter so unresponsive, Wen Jianhuai was almost fuming.

He couldn’t just lock her up all the time.

If the Lu family came looking for her, it would be troublesome.

Lu Binghuai was a man who valued loyalty. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent Wen Nian so many times to repay the favor.

Chen Qiuwei gave him a meaningful glance.

“Nian Nian, you think carefully. Your dad and I only want what’s best for you.”

After locking the storage room door,

Chen Qiuwei’s eyes flickered as a plan formed.

“Jianhuai, I think she won’t come around. We’ll have to think of another way.”

Wen Jianhuai was annoyed.

“What other way? We can’t just tie her up and force her to marry!”

Chen Qiuwei hesitated, troubled.

“I do have an idea, but…”

“Just say it.”

She looked at him tentatively.

“If all else fails, we could just cook the rice before it’s raw—once it’s done, she’ll have no choice but to accept. We’re doing it for her own good, after all.”

Wen Jianhuai suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

He slapped his thigh hard.

“That’s a good idea! How didn’t I think of it? This way she won’t cause any more trouble.”

Chen Qiuwei hesitated.

“Isn’t that a bit harsh? We’re going against her wishes. What if the Lu family finds out…”

Wen Jianhuai scowled coldly.

“So what if they find out? We’re her adoptive parents, not harming her. Besides, marriage is our decision to make. Tomorrow you go to the Zheng family, settle the bride price, and invite her over.”

Chen Qiuwei breathed a sigh of relief.

“Alright.”

Tomorrow she would go to the Zheng family and finalize the wedding. Soon the entire steel factory residential compound would know about it.

Once the rice was cooked, she didn’t believe that stubborn girl could stir up any more trouble.

By then, even if she didn’t want to marry, she would have no choice.