As Jiang Zhen ate the meal Jiang Zhao had prepared, she found it even tastier than yesterday’s. She praised him, “Jiang Zhao, how are you so amazing? Your cooking is so good—Mom can’t do without you now.”  

Jiang Zhao smiled shyly, his heart aching with bittersweet happiness as he clutched his bowl. “Thank you, Mom.”  

“Mom, I’ll get even better too!” Jiang Tang tugged at Jiang Zhen’s sleeve eagerly. “Today, I washed vegetables just as fast as you!”  

Jiang Zhen had never been fawned over like this before. Her heart softened. “Good. Both you and your brother are amazing.”  

The original Jiang Zhen had never been this affectionate with the children. But after just a few days of this new dynamic, their bond had deepened rapidly. The kids were terrified she’d vanish suddenly like before.  

As long as Mom stayed, having a new dad was fine.  

Jiang Zhen truly loved life in Fancheng. There was allocated housing, her hospital job was manageable, and the kids handled chores. All she had to do was collect her monthly salary—no more drifting from place to place, no fear of mutated beasts suddenly appearing.  

The air smelled sweet, the water was clean, and though food was rationed, it was still a thousand times better than the apocalyptic wasteland.  

With that in mind, Jiang Zhen began looking forward to the matchmaking event.  

…  

It was Gu Jiaoxia who had encouraged Jiang Zhen to attend the matchmaking event. Now that her second brother’s engagement to the An family had been called off—and by the An family, no less—and he was open to remarrying, Gu Jiaoxia immediately thought of Jiang Zhen.  

She played the emotional card. “Jiang Zhen, if you don’t mind that my brother was jilted, why not meet him at the event? Gu Pan and Gu Hui talk about you all the time.”  

Gu Liancheng? Jiang Zhen blurted out, “But my ex-husband was married into the An family. The fiancée who broke off the engagement is also from the An family. Wouldn’t that be awkward?”  

“That barely counts as a marriage! The An family argued that pre-1949 marital customs weren’t legally recognized in New China, so they refused to acknowledge it. Why hold onto that? Just tell me—are you willing? If you are, I’ll talk to my brother right away.”  

Jiang Zhen considered herself an excellent catch, and Gu Liancheng was equally outstanding in this world. Their personal circumstances matched well—each had two children, making the scales perfectly balanced. No one would be taking advantage or getting shortchanged. It was an ideal, equitable arrangement.  

Her heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t help asking Jiang Zhao and Jiang Tang, “Do you like Gu Pan and Gu Hui’s uncle?”  

Children naturally admired men in military uniforms. Plus, the kids he’d be bringing along were Gu Pan and Gu Hui. Jiang Zhao was a hundred percent on board and nodded eagerly. Jiang Tang, ever obedient, nodded too.  

Jiang Zhen agreed. “I’ll talk to him at the event.”  

…  

The turnout for the matchmaking event was huge. Many doctors and nurses from Qingcheng Hospital attended, as did numerous single soldiers from the local garrison. Jiang Zhen met Gu Liancheng in the quiet spot Gu Jiaoxia had arranged.  

Jiang Zhen was confident in herself. She was like a mystery box—post-marriage, the surprises would keep coming. Marrying her would be a stroke of incredible luck.  

“Battalion Commander Gu, you’re here to find a match too?”  

Her opener was direct. If Gu Liancheng took the bait, she’d lay out her conditions immediately. If it worked, great; if not, she’d move on. Gu Jiaoxia had already assured her—if things didn’t pan out, they’d pretend it never happened.  

“Mn. Just looking. If I find someone suitable, then maybe.”  

After a few polite exchanges, Gu Liancheng didn’t bite. Jiang Zhen sensed little hope, which meant there was no point discussing terms.  

Gu Liancheng hadn’t dared hope for someone like Jiang Zhen. He’d only just processed his rebirth and reported it to his superiors. Based on preliminary investigations, they suspected an unknown energy field explosion had caused time regression for some individuals—possibly more than just him.  

The organization had approved his request to remarry and start a family, but he’d set a personal rule: only a marriage of convenience, no emotional attachment.  

Jiang Zhen was young and beautiful. If she was seeking a partner, it was for a genuine life together. He wasn’t the right fit—he couldn’t drag her down.  

Besides, if he laid out his conditions, she’d probably curse him out.