As Jiang Dahai sized up Lu Cheng, Lu Cheng also discreetly observed Jiang Dahai.  

There was a faint resemblance between him and his wife in the brow and eyes, but their facial features weren’t particularly alike. Lu Cheng deduced that his wife must take after her mother.  

Lu Cheng extended his hand. “Uncle Jiang, hello. I’m Lu Cheng.”  

“Ah, hello, hello! Please, come inside! Tiesheng, Sister-in-law, Jiaquan, please, come in and sit!”  

Jiang Dahai shook Lu Cheng’s large hand, grinning from ear to ear as he enthusiastically welcomed the Zhang family.  

“Oh, this courtyard is lovely—so neat and spacious!”  

“Our home is a bit cramped, so we’ll have to serve tea in the yard. Please excuse the informality.”  

The parents exchanged polite small talk.  

Jiang Qing quietly eyed the betrothal gifts the Zhang family had brought: two bottles of Quanxing Daqu liquor, two packs of Wuniu cigarettes, along with pastries, white sugar, and tea—all in pairs—and a large cut of pork.  

By urban marriage standards, such gifts would be considered meager.  

But considering the Zhang family’s circumstances, Jiang Qing quickly dismissed her initial judgment.  

After all, what she valued wasn’t the present but the future.  

Composing herself, Jiang Qing carried out the freshly brewed tea.  

As she served the Zhang family, Zhang Jiaming’s eyes lingered on her, seemingly glued to her figure. It wasn’t until Jiang Qing shot him a reproachful glance that he finally looked away, suppressing a smile.  

My wife looks so beautiful today. 

Lu Cheng sat upright, his sharp eyes and ears scanning the surroundings. When he failed to spot Jiang Moli, he exchanged a meaningful glance with Jiang Peng.  

Jiang Peng was quick on the uptake. “Dad, I’m going out to look for my sister. She left early this morning—no idea where she ran off to.”  

So that’s why we didn’t see her when we arrived—she wasn’t home.

After serving tea, Jiang Qing retreated to the kitchen to help Li Hongying prepare lunch, though her eyes kept drifting back to the courtyard.  

Aside from stealing glances at Zhang Jiaming, she also observed Lu Cheng.  

In her past life, Zhang Jiaming had rapidly climbed the ranks in just a few years, largely due to a mentor’s support.  

If her guess was correct, that mentor was likely Lu Cheng.  

She silently resolved to make a strong impression on Lu Cheng today—to bolster Zhang Jiaming’s standing and ensure Lu Cheng valued him even more.  

The Jiang family’s courtyard was surrounded by curious neighbors eager to gawk at the spectacle.  

The moment Jiang Peng stepped outside, he was swarmed by onlookers probing for details about the visitors.  

“Are they here to propose? Which one’s the groom?”  

Jiang Peng proudly pointed at Lu Cheng. “That one—the one in the military uniform with four pockets.”  

An army officer?!

The neighbors were practically green with envy.  

“Is he here for your stepsister or your real sister?”  

“Of course it’s for my sister! I’m heading out now to find her and bring her back!”  

Based on what Jiang Peng knew, today was all about Lu Cheng coming to propose to Jiang Moli.  

It was only because Jiang Moli had mistaken Lu Cheng for Zhang Jiaming that Lu Cheng had played along, using the Zhang family’s name for the visit.  

When Jiang Peng mentioned searching for Jiang Moli, a neighbor offered a clue.  

Learning that Jiang Moli had taken Bus No. 2, Jiang Peng rallied Shi Yu and Zhang Lei to follow the bus route in search of her.  

Meanwhile, back at the mechanical factory’s residential area, the neighbors were buzzing over Jiang Peng’s words.  

How could such a handsome soldier possibly be interested in a lazy good-for-nothing like Jiang Moli? Either his eyes are bad, or there’s something wrong with him!  

A slacker like Jiang Moli only deserves a man with flaws!

[+1+1+1 Disdain Points. 30,000 yuan deposited.]  

Jiang Moli was folding tissue paper—stacking two sheets at a time for easy use—when the system’s notification chimed.  

She couldn’t help but wonder if “Zhang Jiaming” had already arrived at the Jiang house. Maybe they were discussing calling off the engagement right now.  

Back at the Jiang residence…  

After several rounds of small talk, Zhang’s mother steered the conversation back to the matter at hand. “Dahai, our families have known each other for decades, so I’ll speak frankly.”  

“Go ahead, Sister-in-law.”  

“Xiao Qing has always been hardworking, dependable, and driven, with a gentle temperament. Our whole family adores her…”  

Jiang Dahai quickly corrected her. “Sister-in-law, you’ve got the wrong girl. My daughter is Moli. Xiao Qing is my stepdaughter.”

Zhang’s mother waved her hand. “No mistake, it’s Xiao Qing. We’re here today to propose a marriage between Jiaming and Xiao Qing.”  

Jiang Dahai’s smile vanished as he turned to Zhang Tiesheng. “Tiesheng, didn’t you explain things clearly to your wife? The arranged marriage between our families was for Moli and Jiaming.”  

Zhang Tiesheng looked at his son: What’s going on? I thought the engagement was called off?

Zhang Jiaming, in turn, glanced at Lu Cheng: Boss, say something!

“Uncle Jiang, here’s the thing—Jiaming and Moli have already broken off their engagement.”  

Shock and anger surged through Jiang Dahai, though in the heat of the moment, he didn’t notice how overly familiar—and inappropriate—Lu Cheng’s casual reference to his daughter was.  

In these times, people who weren’t close, especially men and women, usually addressed each other as “comrade” in public.  

“Broken off? When did this happen? Why wasn’t I told?”  

“Just a couple of days ago. I was the witness,” Lu Cheng replied.  

No wonder Zhang Jiaming brought his superior along—this is outright coercion.

If Lu Cheng hadn’t been present today, Jiang Dahai would’ve thrown the Zhang family out without hesitation.  

First, they break off the engagement with his daughter, and now they want to marry his stepdaughter? Did they think the Jiang family’s daughters were goods to be picked at will?  

Jiang Dahai was both furious and guilt-ridden.  

How could I not know something as major as my daughter’s broken engagement?

She’s always been proud—she must’ve run off to hide out of shame.

Wang Lianhua, who had been eavesdropping, wasted no time spreading the gossip the moment she heard Jiang Moli’s arranged marriage had been called off—only for the groom to turn around and propose to Jiang Qing instead.  

“See? How could a lazy glutton like Jiang Moli ever catch a soldier’s eye? Turns out she got dumped!”  

“Always acting all high and mighty, putting on bourgeois airs, treating her stepsister like a maid—serves her right that they didn’t want her and went for her stepsister instead!”  

Not a single neighbor pitied Jiang Moli for the broken engagement. Many even cheered at the news.  

It showed just how terrible her reputation and relationships were.  

All the malice and scorn directed at Jiang Moli transformed into an endless stream of disdain.  

[+1+1+1… Disdain Points. 70,000 yuan deposited.]

Jiang Moli stretched, tore off two small pieces of tissue, rolled them into balls, stuffed them up her nostrils, then walked into the restroom to flush the cistern.  

Back at the Jiang residence, Zhang’s mother called Jiang Qing into the courtyard and, in front of both families, pressed a red envelope into her hand.  

“Xiao Qing, if you have no objections, Jiaming will submit the marriage application when we get back. The two of you can register for the marriage certificate first. How does that sound?”  

Jiang Qing nodded shyly. “Okay.”  

“Dahai, as Xiao Qing’s stepfather, we’d like your stance on this too.”  

Stance my foot!

The fact that he hadn’t chased the Zhang family out with a broom was already the height of his restraint.  

Jiang Dahai fixed his stepdaughter with a dark stare. “Xiao Qing, I’ll ask you one thing—when did things start between you and Jiaming?”  

He could accept his daughter’s broken engagement. But if Zhang Jiaming had called it off because his stepdaughter had seduced him, he would never forgive her.  

Jiang Qing met his gaze calmly, her voice firm. “Uncle Jiang, I’ve done nothing dishonorable. As for Jiaming and me, if we’re being precise, you were the one who brought us together. Five days ago, you sent me back to our hometown to deliver medicine to Uncle. I accidentally fell into the river, and Jiaming saved me. That’s why he proposed to me. The very next day, he formally broke off the engagement with Moli, and she agreed. As for why Moli didn’t tell you… I suppose she didn’t want to lose face.”  

After hearing the full story, Jiang Dahai had nothing left to say.  

Blame fate for playing tricks.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhang’s mother pressed, “Then it’s settled? Xiao Qing and Jiaming’s marriage?”  

“Excellent!” Lu Cheng stood up and clapped. “Comrade Jiang Qing, Jiaming, congratulations on your union. May you have a child soon!”  

Following his lead, the Zhang family—along with the nosy neighbors at the courtyard gate—burst into applause and well-wishes.  

Jiang Qing’s cheeks flushed pink, her heart swelling with excitement and joy.  

I did it!

Through my own efforts and strategy, I’ve changed the fate of my early death in my past life.

Once Zhang Jiaming got his promotion and she became a military spouse, her life would be set on a path of prosperity.  

Amid the celebratory atmosphere, Lu Cheng’s deep voice cut through.  

“Everyone, I came today not just as Jiaming’s witness, but for one more matter.”  

All eyes turned to him, brimming with curiosity.  

Lu Cheng turned to face Jiang Dahai solemnly. “Uncle Jiang, since your daughter’s engagement is no longer valid, what I’m about to say shouldn’t be considered abrupt. I’m 26, unmarried, and I think Comrade Jiang Moli and I would be a good match. I’d like to marry her.”