“Today.”  

No one in the Jiang family believed Jiang Moli’s words—except for Jiang Peng.  

Even Zhou Xiaoqing from the next room couldn’t sit still and came out with her rice bowl to mock her: “Jiang Moli, are you so desperate to get married? Well, I guess stumbling upon such a good man by sheer luck is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No wonder you’re clinging to him.”  

Jiang Dahai was also annoyed by his daughter’s nonsense, but he didn’t like Zhou Xiaoqing ridiculing her either.  

“Xiaoqing, go back and finish your meal. The food will get cold soon.”  

Zhou Xiaoqing wasn’t oblivious to Jiang Dahai’s hint for her to leave, but she was thick-skinned. “Uncle Jiang, your family has two happy events at once. Let me share in the joy, won’t you?”  

With that, she plopped down next to Jiang Qing.  

Zhou Xiaoqing usually didn’t dare provoke Jiang Moli too much—after all, Jiang Moli wasn’t someone to be trifled with.  

But the news of Jiang Moli marrying an officer had hit her like a bolt from the blue.  

“As the old saying goes, what’s yours won’t leave, and what’s not yours can’t be kept. Don’t celebrate too soon. A high-ranking leader like him, young and accomplished—once he sees someone’s true colors, he might regret it. Right, Xiao Qing?”  

Jiang Qing agreed with Zhou Xiaoqing’s words inwardly, but outwardly, she remained silent.  

In her opinion, wearing one’s emotions on their sleeve was foolish and pointless.  

Jiang Moli wasn’t one to take insults lying down. “Zhou Xiaoqing, has no one ever told you?”  

“What?”  

“Your jealous face is really ugly.”  

Zhou Xiaoqing’s expression froze for a second before she exploded: “Ha! Me, jealous of you? What do you have that’s worth being jealous of? At least I have a stable job—food and drink are no worry for me for the rest of my life. What do you have? What do you have?”  

“I have looks. I’m prettier than you, and even without a job, I won’t worry about food or drink.”  

“Jiang Moli, have some shame! Being lazy and gluttonous, yet so unapologetic. You’re the one ruining society’s morals. Mark my words, you should be sent to the countryside for labor reform!”  

“Then you’ll be disappointed. I’m already married. Even if they send people to the countryside eight hundred times, it won’t be my turn.”  

With that, Jiang Moli played her trump card.  

“What’s this?”  

The light was dim, and Jiang Dahai couldn’t quite make out the words on the red booklet’s cover.  

But when he took it and flipped it open, he froze for two seconds before breaking into a wide grin.  

“Hahaha, hahaha!”  

“Dahai, what’s got you so happy?” Li Hongying asked, puzzled.  

Jiang Dahai handed her the marriage certificate.  

Though Li Hongying was illiterate, she could recognize the words “marriage certificate” and Jiang Moli’s name.  

“Oh my, Moli, you and Xiao Lu have already registered?”  

Zhou Xiaoqing was stunned. She snatched the marriage certificate from Li Hongying’s hands.  

When she saw the names Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng written on it, her mind went blank.  

“No way! This marriage certificate is fake, isn’t it?!”  

“Did you eat so much your brain stopped working? Why would I fake a certificate to fool people?” Jiang Moli shot back without mercy.  

Jiang Qing’s gaze shifted from the name on the marriage certificate to the date, then back to Jiang Moli’s delicate, lively face.  

A shadow of gloom flickered imperceptibly in her eyes.  

She hadn’t expected Jiang Moli to act so quickly.  

The issuance date on the certificate was today—no wonder Jiang Moli had risked losing her job to sneak out. It was all to register her marriage with Lu Cheng.  

But something still didn’t add up.  

An officer of Lu Cheng’s rank had to submit a marriage report to his superiors for approval before he could legally register.  

Had Jiang Moli been so impatient that she’d pressured Lu Cheng into registering first?  

If that were the case, Lu Cheng could face disciplinary action from the military—or worse, be discharged!  

A cold smirk crept into Jiang Qing’s lips.  

Just as she’d thought—with Jiang Moli’s troublemaking personality, it was only a matter of time before Lu Cheng was implicated and demoted or stripped of his rank.

Jiang Dahai also thought of this issue. “Moli, did Xiao Lu submit a marriage report?”  

“Huh? Do you need to submit a report to get married?”  

At Jiang Moli’s clueless response, Zhou Xiaoqing nearly burst out laughing.  

“Jiang Moli, you’re such an idiot! You didn’t even know that military personnel need approval to get married? You’re doomed!”  

Jiang Dahai’s beard practically bristled with anger. “You and Xiao Lu got the certificate without submitting a report?”  

Though Jiang Moli hadn’t asked Lu Cheng about the marriage report, she didn’t think he’d make such a rookie mistake.  

“Whether we get the certificate early or late, we’re still getting it. What’s the difference?”  

“You—ugh, I can’t even talk to you!”  

Jiang Dahai’s joy evaporated instantly, replaced by deep worry.  

He feared Lu Cheng would face disciplinary action for registering without approval—and worse, that he might blame Jiang Moli for it.  

…

Meanwhile, Lu Cheng was busy decorating their new home, skipping dinner in the process.  

The old desk and wardrobe were hauled away, replaced with a brand-new vanity and a four-door closet.  

“Mom, what do you think of the new bed? Moli picked it.”  

Hearing the pride in her son’s voice, An Hui scoffed. “Why don’t you just replace the entire house while you’re at it?”  

“No need. Moli doesn’t like living with you guys. Once the military housing is assigned, she’ll move out.”  

An Hui was livid.  

She already disliked Jiang Moli as a daughter-in-law, and now her disdain grew even stronger.  

Before even stepping into the house, the girl was already looking down on her in-laws?  

“Look at all this—the wardrobe, washbasin, thermos—don’t we already have these at home? Did you really need brand-new ones? She has no sense of frugality. I don’t know what terrible taste you have, picking such a wasteful wife.”  

“Isn’t the point of earning money to spend it on my wife and kids? Otherwise, why save? I might as well donate it all to the state and get an award.”  

“With her spendthrift ways, will your salary even be enough?”  

“Aren’t there you and Dad? You’re frugal and never spend Dad’s money, so now you’ve got a daughter-in-law to help you spend it. Perfect, right?”  

An Hui nearly choked on her rage.  

Storming back to the living room, she saw Lu Dezhao leisurely eating his dinner, which only stoked her anger further. “Eat, eat, all you know is eating! What else can you even do?”  

Used to his wife’s temper, Lu Dezhao sighed. “What’s wrong now?”  

“Your wonderful son takes after you—good for nothing but driving me mad!”  

… 

Upstairs, at Commissar Liu’s home.  

Wei Xiuqin exchanged a glance with her husband and whispered, “Listen, they’re fighting again downstairs.”  

Liu Zhenguo chuckled. “That girl the Lu family’s third son has his eye on is no easygoing one. Just wait—there’s plenty more drama to come.”  

Hearing this, Wei Xiuqin couldn’t help but feel a dislike for Jiang Moli, whom she’d never even met.  

Before even entering the household, the girl had already caused multiple fights between her future in-laws.  

[Disdain +2.]

Realizing his wife was upset because of their youngest son, Lu Dezhao immediately barked for Lu Cheng to come out.  

“You little brat, look how angry you’ve made your mother!”  

Seeing An Hui’s furious face, Lu Cheng suddenly remembered Jiang Moli’s words—If there’s ever a conflict with your mom, just fight it out. He couldn’t help but laugh.  

Lu Dezhao kicked him. “You’re still laughing? Asking for a beating, huh?!”  

Lu Cheng straightened up. “Mom, Moli has her flaws, but so do I. She was pampered in her family, and I was raised with care by you. As children, we’re equals.”  

“I chose her, I want to marry her, and she’s willing to marry me and build a life with me. From now on, we’ll live our own lives. As the mother-in-law, just enjoy spoiling your future grandkids. Stop worrying over trivial things—wouldn’t that be better?”  

Lu Dezhao glared at him but then turned to soothe An Hui. “The little bastard is infuriating, but he’s not entirely wrong. Once he’s settled down, our job is done. If his home turns into chaos later, that’s his karma—nothing to do with us.”  

Lu Cheng: Dad, can’t you wish me well?