An Hui looked at Jiang Moli’s beautiful, delicate face, feeling both surprised and astonished.  

She had originally thought that it was Jiang Moli shamelessly clinging to and pestering her son.  

But judging by how Jiang Moli took the canned food and ate it, it was clearly her son trying to please and coax Jiang Moli into happiness.  

As a mother, she knew better than anyone how proud and picky her son was.  

All the girls introduced to him before were talented, beautiful, and well-mannered, yet her son could always find a long list of faults with them.  

But now, faced with Jiang Moli, who was full of flaws, he was utterly devoted and obedient.  

Truly, it was like brine solidifying tofu—one thing subdues another.  

Though Jiang Moli was willful, reckless, and unrestrained, judging by how she stood up to her stepsister, she wasn’t completely without brains.  

An Hui stood up. “I’ve heard everything clearly, so let me say a few fair words. Zhang Jiaming saved someone first—he’s a good comrade.”  

“Exactly! If it weren’t for Jiaming passing by at the right time, Xiaoqing would’ve been done for in that river,” Jin Yulan chimed in eagerly.  

An Hui continued, “Precisely because Zhang Jiaming is a good comrade, he found himself in a dilemma over this matter. That’s why he turned to his superior—my son, Xiao Cheng. Xiao Cheng, being considerate of his subordinate, stepped in to help negotiate the annulment of the engagement. That’s how Xiao Cheng and Moli came to meet.”  

With just a few simple sentences, she not only explained how Lu Cheng and Jiang Moli had met but also cleared Jiang Moli of the accusation of seducing another man.  

“In my opinion, this is heaven’s way of bringing people together. A single act of saving someone has led to two happy couples—this is a good thing.”  

This conclusive statement convinced most of the neighbors present.  

However, a small portion still felt jealous and resentful that Jiang Moli had climbed so high.  

Why did such good fortune happen to Jiang Moli and not them?  

“Today is a joyous occasion for the Jiang family. Thank you all for coming to celebrate. Here’s some wedding candy for everyone to share in the happiness.”  

Lu Cheng carried bags of fruit candies outside and handed them out one by one, giving each person a handful.  

With their mouths sweetened by the treats, the neighbors accepted the candy and dispersed cheerfully.  

Jiang Dahai, who was growing fonder of his son-in-law Lu Cheng by the minute, sighed in gratitude for his ancestors’ accumulated virtue. He was about to head out to buy good wine and dishes to entertain his in-laws.  

Lu Cheng stopped him, saying there was no need to trouble himself—he had already reserved a banquet at Guanghua Restaurant, located right across from the machinery factory.  

Since it was so close, the factory leaders often used it for hosting and entertaining.  

By arranging the banquet at Guanghua Restaurant, Lu Cheng was clearly giving Jiang Dahai face.  

Over the years, Jiang Dahai had endured no shortage of ridicule and jokes because of his daughter Jiang Moli, with people mocking her for being unmarriageable.  

Now, not only had Jiang Moli gotten married, but she had also wed a military officer. Jiang Dahai could finally hold his head high.  

Jiang Dahai wanted to invite the Zhang family along. Setting aside the marriage proposal, he and Zhang Tiesheng were close friends. It wouldn’t be right for him to enjoy a good meal while leaving the Zhang family behind.  

But since the banquet was arranged by the Lu family, he couldn’t make the decision unilaterally.  

An Hui noticed his hesitation and warmly invited the Zhangs, “Come along. It’s rare for us all to gather like this.”  

Though Zhang Tiesheng was the head of the household, he was a man of few words, so Jin Yulan usually handled external matters.  

Jin Yulan wanted to go—after all, in her decades of life, she had never set foot in a restaurant.  

But she politely declined, “No, no, you go ahead. I see Hongying has prepared food in the kitchen—we’ll just cook something simple for ourselves.”  

Li Hongying quickly interjected, “That won’t do! How can we let guests cook for themselves? I’ll stay home to keep Sister-in-law company. You all go ahead and eat.”  

Jiang Dahai insisted, “Sister-in-law, come with us. Tiesheng and I haven’t seen each other in over half a year. This is a perfect chance to share a drink.”  

Only then did Jin Yulan reluctantly agree.  

Jiang Xiaoguang and the other soldiers who had helped deliver the gifts stayed behind to guard the betrothal gifts in the courtyard.  

Lunch wouldn’t be a problem—there was rice and vegetables in the kitchen, though Jiang Xiaoguang and the others would have to cook for themselves.  

Jiang Dahai felt bad about this, so he took out his treasured Tuopai Daqu liquor for them, but Jiang Xiaoguang politely refused.  

Upon learning that soldiers weren’t allowed to drink, Jiang Dahai went back to the kitchen, took a knife, and cut a large, fatty piece of pork from the leg brought by the Lu family, telling Jiang Xiaoguang and the others to braise it for lunch.  

Only after receiving Lu Cheng’s approval did Jiang Xiaoguang happily accept it.  

This piece of meat weighed at least three pounds—they were in for a delicious meal today!  

The group of nine set off in a grand procession, drawing curious glances from the neighbors.  

When they learned Jiang Dahai was taking his in-laws to Guanghua Restaurant for a meal, everyone was green with envy.  

In these times, eating at a restaurant was rarer than celebrating the New Year.  

…

Jiang Dahai and An Hui walked side by side at the front, chatting about their respective family situations as they went.  

Li Hongying accompanied Zhang Tiesheng and Jin Yulan, the couple walking behind them, discussing this year’s harvest from the fields.  

Further back were Jiang Qing and Zhang Jiaming, walking shoulder to shoulder in silence.  

Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng trailed at the very end, also without speaking.  

Zhang Jiaming couldn’t help glancing back at Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng from time to time, his heart filled with a sour, indescribable feeling.  

He had never dreamed that Jiang Moli could be so beautiful—like a fairy from a poster.  

If only he hadn’t mistaken that woman in the red dress for Jiang Moli that day…  

Just as he was lost in thought, the hand hanging at his side was suddenly grasped by Jiang Qing beside him.  

Jiang Qing’s hand was smaller than his, with slender fingers and soft, smooth skin.  

She quickly let go, but the touch snapped Zhang Jiaming back to reality.  

What he had just been thinking was completely inappropriate. A virtuous and capable fiancée like Jiang Qing was someone he should cherish.  

Lu Cheng glanced at Jiang Moli, who followed him like a shy little bride, and the more he looked, the more he liked her.  

Her face was like white jade, framed by willow-leaf eyebrows, her long, upturned lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Her cheeks were flushed with a delicate pink, and beneath her pert little nose were plump, rosy lips.  

Just looking at them made him want to kiss her.  

Lu Cheng’s throat bobbed as he called softly, “Wife.”  

It took Jiang Moli a moment to realize he was addressing her.  

She rolled her eyes unceremoniously. “Don’t call me that. We’re not that close.”  

Men were inherently competitive creatures with a strong desire to conquer, especially privileged ones like Lu Cheng, who had always gotten his way. Jiang Moli’s defiance only excited him further.  

He bent slightly, his deep voice laced with amusement and tenderness. “Your dad already agreed to our marriage.”  

“If he agreed, then you marry him. I wouldn’t mind having another stepdad.”  

Lu Cheng laughed in exasperation, but his mind couldn’t help wandering—if he and his wife could have a daughter as spirited as her, that wouldn’t be so bad.  

…  

The road to Guanghua Restaurant happened to be the same one leading from the machinery factory to the residential area.  

It was noon, and many workers were on their way home. Seeing Jiang Dahai leading such a large group, they couldn’t help but inquire.  

Word spread quickly. By the time Jiang Dahai stepped into Guanghua Restaurant, news that he had taken his in-laws there for a meal had already circulated throughout the factory.  

Lu Cheng had reserved a private room.  

A large round table for ten, with dishes pre-ordered.  

As soon as the nine of them were seated, four cold dishes were brought out, along with a bottle of Wuliangye liquor.  

An Hui smiled. “The men can drink, and we’ll have beverages. What options are there?”  

The server smoothly listed a few drink choices.  

An Hui let Zhang’s mother choose first.  

Zhang’s mother waved her hands deferentially. “I’m just a country woman—what do I know about these things? You order; I’ll eat anything.”  

“I want hawthorn juice!”  

Before An Hui could ask, Jiang Moli raised her hand and answered.  

An Hui glanced at her before turning to Jiang Qing on the other side.  

Jiang Qing smiled. “Water is fine for me.”  

Li Hongying, indecisive, followed her daughter’s lead and also asked for water.  

An Hui nodded and instructed the server, “Three bottles of hawthorn juice, and a cup of warm water for each of them.”  

Such bumpkins!

The server shot Jiang Qing and her mother a subtle glare before acknowledging the order and leaving.  

Beneath the table, Jiang Qing’s hands clenched involuntarily.  

She had originally wanted to earn points with An Hui for being frugal, but it seemed she had overdone it—now she just came across as petty.