Chapter 19 – Marriage Application

Tao Jingjing’s eyes were dark and filled with hate, her nails digging so deeply into her palms she nearly forgot the pain.

Her entire family had been arrested, yet Sang Feiyu was here, going on a date with such a handsome man!

Sang Feiyu was the real capitalist’s daughter, a black category member!

All that property had been hidden by her!

So why was it her and her family who ended up being purged?

The happier Sang Feiyu laughed, the more it stabbed into her heart.

She clenched her jaw so tightly she almost stormed inside to confront Sang Feiyu on the spot!

But the hatred within her grew like a twisted vine, spreading wildly!

Her fists were clenched, her teeth grinding so loudly it echoed. The last shred of reason finally pierced the dark cloud in her mind.

She knew very well—she couldn’t afford to slip up!

If her mother hadn’t sent her out to buy food, she might have been arrested by the Red Armbands too!

Now she was the only one left outside. She had to find a way to save her family!

She had thought of a plan—to find President Liu and get him to confirm that he was the one who gave the three yellow croakers.

But Liu had completely changed his tune. He refused to admit he gave her the fish and kicked her out of the house.

He even warned her that if she came bothering him again, he’d have the Red Armbands arrest her too. She fled in terror.

Tao Jingjing couldn’t understand how things had gone so wrong.

Just then, Ning Zhiyuan glanced out the window and caught sight of Tao Jingjing. Their eyes met, and she was so startled she immediately turned and ran.

Her mother had always said she was the dumbest of the children.

Yet now this “dumbest child” was the only one left who could save the family.

She felt an unprecedented pressure and anxiety.

In the past, whenever something happened, her mother and Yingying would make the decisions—she just had to follow orders.

Now, she could only rely on herself.

She had just turned the corner when a familiar but unexpected male voice called out behind her: “Jingjing!”

She turned around in surprise. A tall figure entered her vision, and her heart skipped a beat. Her face flushed red instantly.

It was him.

She had saved him once.

He had even said that someday, he’d come to marry her.

She had thought she would go to America smoothly and they’d never meet again. Who would’ve thought…

“Brother Zhou.” She called out coyly.

Jiang Zhou slowly approached her, speaking softly: “My sweet Jingjing, long time no see.”

Suddenly remembering something, he asked, “I went to your house, but it was sealed off. What happened?”

At the mention of this, a flash of hatred appeared in Tao Jingjing’s eyes.

“Brother Zhou, my whole family was arrested by the Red Armbands.”

“I’m also on the city’s wanted list.”

Jiang Zhou looked at her fully covered attire and understood—it explained why she’d wrapped herself up so tightly.

If he hadn’t been thinking about her so much, he might not have recognized her at all on the street.

“This isn’t a safe place to talk. Come with me.”

He brought Tao Jingjing to one of his temporary hideouts in Yangcheng. People like him couldn’t stay in one fixed place.

“My sweet Jingjing, tell me everything.”

Tao Jingjing immediately poured everything out in detail. “Brother Zhou, can you help me?”

Jiang Zhou suddenly leaned in close, brushing her loose strands of hair behind her ear.

Faced with her infatuated gaze, he smiled.

“What’s yours is mine, Jingjing baby.”

“Don’t worry. Even if I can’t save your family, I’ll help you get revenge.”

“That Sang Feiyu—she’s done for.”

After saying this, he pulled Tao Jingjing tightly into his arms. Her face was burning, her mind foggy, and somehow, her arms were already wrapped around his neck.

Jiang Zhou gently brushed her soft lips, throat tightening, voice low and raspy: “Jingjing baby, I missed you.”

Her clothes slipped off one by one, revealing her pale, soft skin—

Jiang Zhou’s eyes were bloodshot. He still remembered the night they first met.

Tao Jingjing was the most innocent, obedient girl he had ever known.

She’d do anything he asked, just like the kitten he used to raise.

He genuinely wanted to marry her.

Outside, a sudden downpour began. Inside, clothes and shoes lay scattered everywhere. In the dim light, two overlapping silhouettes merged.

But for Sang Feiyu, danger was quietly drawing near.

…

When Sang Feiyu woke up, she was still a little dazed.

She had actually agreed to marry Ning Zhiyuan!

Just last night, she had personally watched him send a telegram to his unit to apply for marriage!

That speed… it was practically faster than a plane!

Grandpa and Grandma hadn’t stopped smiling since yesterday.

They were already planning how much dowry to prepare for her.

“Xiaoyu, your grandpa and I were thinking, this time you should follow Zhiyuan back to the military base.”

“The marriage report usually doesn’t take too long to be approved. Your grandpa already made some calls to push it through. If all goes well, it’ll be finalized within a week at the latest.”

“As for the premarital physical exam, you two should do it at the military hospital. If you do it here in Yangcheng, we’ll have to mail the results over, which could cause delays.”

As long as the marriage certificate wasn’t in hand, there was always a risk of something going wrong.

Zhao Hui still hoped to get everything settled as soon as possible.

Sang Feiyu felt the same. “Then I’ll let Comrade Ning know. I’ll go with him to the base.”

Zhao Hui teased, “You’re still calling him Comrade Ning?”

Sang Feiyu turned her face away quickly to hide her blushing cheeks from Grandma.

“Grandma, don’t make fun of me…”

Zhao Hui was just about to say something else when they heard a knock at the door. “Feiyu, are you in there?”

It was Ruan Xi’s voice.

Sang Feiyu was surprised but answered, “Hold on.”

She opened the door and sure enough, Ruan Xi stood outside.

“Ruan Xi, do you need something?”

“Mm, may I come in to talk?” Ruan Xi asked hesitantly.

“Come in.”

Once Ruan Xi stepped inside, Sang Feiyu waited a moment before closing the door.

Zhao Hui, being perceptive, smiled and said, “I’ll step out and give you some privacy.”

“Thank you~” Ruan Xi said gratefully.

“No problem.”

Once Zhao Hui left, Ruan Xi lowered her voice. “I’ve already secretly hidden away some of our family’s things, just like you suggested before.”

“Feiyu, I’ve thought about it seriously—I don’t want to go to the countryside.”

“I’m afraid it won’t be safe for a girl like me out there.”

“I still want to keep my current job.”

“I came today to ask your opinion.”

Sang Feiyu sighed softly. “I understand your concern. I have the same worry.”

“If you don’t want to go to the countryside, it’s not like there aren’t other options—”