Chapter 1

1983.

In an ordinary building in the military compound, the living room was packed with people.

Jiang Xiubai sat bored in the corner, listening to the adults discussing her marriage with the male lead, Lu Yuhan.

It had been three days since she transmigrated into this world.

By now, she had grasped most of the situation.

She had transmigrated into a book she recently read, becoming a daughter of the Jiang family—specifically, the tragic supporting character.

The female lead was her half-sister, born of a different father.

As for how tragic it was: her own fiancé turned out to be the male lead of the book.

She had chased after him for eighteen years, only for him to always find her annoying and never take her seriously.

The female lead had just gotten engaged too—to the male lead’s uncle.

That uncle, however, had suffered serious injuries during a mission and was now lying in a coma.

Lu Cinian, technically Lu Yuhan’s uncle, was only four years older than him.

He was the cherished late-born son of the Mrs. Lu’s—her favorite by far.

When he fell into a coma, the old lady panicked and sought help from a well-connected elderly monk.

The monk examined Lu Cinian’s birth chart and claimed that marrying a girl from the Jiang family in the same compound might just save him.

If he survived, he’d have a life of wealth and prosperity. If not, he had three years at most.

Now, in the compound, the only family with the surname Jiang was Jiang Jianshe’s.

And the second daughter of that family, Jiang Xiubai, was already engaged to the Lu family’s second son, Lu Yuhan.

The only other daughter was Jiang Yutong.

The Mrs. Lu’s discussed the matter at length with Jiang Jianshe and his wife.

Initially, Jiang Yutong and her mother, Wang Rong, had opposed the idea.

But three days ago, shortly after Jiang Xiubai had inherited the original body’s memories, she overheard a secret conversation between Jiang Yutong and Wang Rong.

Their plan was simple: have both couples marry on the same day, then secretly switch the brides.

Jiang Xiubai would marry the comatose Lu Cinian, and Jiang Yutong would marry the healthy, already-promoted Lu Yuhan.

Jiang Xiubai sneered internally. Did they really think it was that easy to take advantage of her? They weren’t afraid of choking on their own greed?

She had overheard the plan herself just two days ago.

Still, she wasn’t exactly opposed to it. After all, it was part of the original novel’s plot.

But being married to a man who was bedridden and likely to die within three years?

Becoming Jiang Yutong’s young aunt?

Not sharing a bed with a man, no need for intimacy or having children?

Jiang Xiubai thought—actually, not a bad deal. Her top priority now was to escape from the prison that was the Jiang household.

Once out, the sky would be the limit. She was a modern 21st-century girl who had landed in the 1980s—it was like a fish leaping into the ocean.

And who knew if the man would actually die?

If he did, wouldn’t she inherit part of Lu Cinian’s assets?

It was practically a golden opportunity falling from the sky.

She wasn’t going to be like the original Jiang Xiubai from the novel.

That version had made a huge scene after the wedding, constantly clinging to Lu Yuhan, even trying to seduce him.

Eventually, the Lu family had had enough and kicked her out.

Not long after, she encountered some thugs on the street and was assaulted to death—a totally melodramatic ending.

Jiang Xiubai curled her lips.

She would use this golden era to earn as much money as she could, buy houses and stores.

If the old man happened to miraculously wake up one day and wanted a divorce, she could exit gracefully and cut her losses.

No foolish emotional attachments for her.

With everything thought through clearly, Jiang Xiubai sat there looking sweet and obedient.

The Mrs. Lu’s glanced at her, then at Jiang Yutong sitting beside her.

She turned to Jiang Jianshe with a smile and said, “Don’t worry. Even though one’s marrying my son and the other my grandson, I won’t favor one over the other when it comes to the betrothal gifts—they’ll be exactly the same. Though I do feel bad for Yutong—my son can’t exactly go out and help her shop for wedding things in his current state.”

Wang Rong quickly responded politely, “It’s nothing. We just hope that after the wedding, Yutong’s presence can help Cinian wake up soon.”

The Mrs. Lu’s beamed with joy at that and laughed heartily, “If that really happens, I’ll owe Yutong a huge favor.”

Wang Rong smiled, “It will.”

They then discussed the wedding details.

It was ultimately scheduled for ten days later.

Preparations had already been underway for Jiang Xiubai and Lu Yuhan’s wedding, so adding one more couple to the mix made things rather convenient.

Wang Rong had only one request—that both brides wear red veils on the wedding day.

The Mrs. Lu’s agreed without hesitation.

After all, back in her day, weddings were simple affairs—just a red outfit and a red veil. After a bow, the couple was considered married.

Once everything was finalized, the Lu family stood up to leave.

As they were heading out, Lu Yuhan’s mother, Li Suxin, asked him to accompany Jiang Xiubai the next day to buy wedding items.

Jiang Xiubai nodded lightly in agreement.

Whether Lu Yuhan would actually show up didn’t matter to her.

He was just some grumpy man with a sour face. Who cared?

Once she started making money, she’d find ten or even twenty incredibly handsome guys—like those from martial arts dramas—each more attractive than the last.

She’d never go out with the same one twice, just to make everyone envious.

Besides, if they went shopping together, wouldn’t all the benefits go to Jiang Yutong in the end?

She wasn’t that stupid.

Still, she did miss the house, cars, stocks, and assets she had back in her past life.

And the private island her grandfather gave her when she became an adult.

Ugh, not to mention the 20 million yuan in her bank account, the three villas under her name, and three luxury cars—gone, all gone.

It made her furious just thinking about it.

As for catching her scumbag ex-boyfriend cheating with her best friend before transmigrating—well, that was just poor judgment on her part.

She had dated him for three years and was about to marry him, only to walk in on them like that.

But it was better to find out before the wedding than after.

Thoughts swirling, Jiang Xiubai looked at Li Suxin, who was almost her future mother-in-law, and lowered her head, pretending to be shy as she softly said:

“Auntie Li, there are ten days left before my wedding with Yuhan… When I get married, may I take with me the belongings my mother left me that are still stored at Auntie Wang’s place? I miss my mother.”

The Lu family members, standing in the courtyard, froze upon hearing that.

Then, all eyes turned to Wang Rong across from them.