Standing over 1.8 meters tall, Lu Cheng was being chased and beaten by An Hui, who was barely 1.6 meters tall. The scene was nothing short of comical.  

“Ouch! That hurts! Mom, take it easy! If you break me, your future daughter-in-law will be heartbroken!”  

Having spent years in the military, enduring grueling training, a few swats from a feather duster were nothing more than a tickle to Lu Cheng.  

“‘Heartbroken’ my foot! Do you think I’m a three-year-old you can fool with a few sweet words?”  

The more An Hui hit him, the angrier she got, wishing she could beat some sense into her rebellious son.  

Over the years, she had exhausted herself worrying about her youngest son’s marriage—losing sleep, consulting fortune-tellers, trying every possible method. Yet this ungrateful brat not only failed to appreciate her efforts but seemed determined to oppose her at every turn.  

The mother and daughter from the Meng family stood by awkwardly, both shocked and embarrassed.  

Though they had heard rumors of An Hui’s fierce temper, she had always been polite and gentle in their previous interactions. This was the first time they had witnessed her in full fury.  

Mrs. Meng couldn’t help but worry as she glanced at her gentle, well-mannered daughter. With such a domineering and sharp-tongued mother-in-law, would her daughter really have a happy life after marriage?  

“It’s true, Mom! I’m not lying—I really found someone! Why won’t you believe me?” Lu Cheng protested.  

“I’ll believe it when I see it!”  

An Hui, after all, wasn’t as young as she used to be. After chasing him around twice, she was already out of breath. She planted a hand on her hip, panting as she snapped, “Show me a photo! If you show me a photo, I’ll believe you!”  

“Why look at a photo? In a couple of days, I’ll take you to meet her in person!”  

As the mother and son continued their heated argument, Meng Wei stepped in softly, trying to soothe An Hui’s rage. “Aunt Hui, please calm down. Don’t let anger harm your health. Let me talk to Third Brother properly.”  

An Hui shot her son one last glare before tossing the feather duster aside. “Fine! You take Wei Wei out for dinner.”  

Lu Cheng refused outright. “No, I’ll eat at home.”  

He was already a taken man—having a private meal with an unmarried woman would be highly inappropriate.  

“There’s no food for you here!”  

Meng Wei interjected gently, “Let’s just eat at home. It’s too hot outside, and I don’t feel like going out anyway. We can ask Aunt Ma to whip up an extra dish. Third Brother, let’s talk in the courtyard.”  

A conversation was harmless enough.  

Once in the courtyard, Meng Wei turned to Lu Cheng, her eyes filled with tender affection. “Third Brother, you really didn’t have to lie to the elders just to reject me. In my heart, you are like a towering mountain—the most outstanding man in this world. I won’t allow you to bear even the slightest stain on your reputation, especially not because of me.”  

Meng Wei also didn’t believe that Lu Cheng had truly found someone.  

She had waited for him devotedly for twenty years. They had grown up together, knew each other inside out, and were perfectly matched in family background, intellect, and looks. There was no reason for him to choose some random woman over her.  

“Third Brother, I understand your sense of duty to the nation. I know you don’t want to be tied down by family. It’s fine—I’m willing to wait. But I still want you to know that I will never be a burden to you. I’ll always stand behind you, your unwavering support.”  

Faced with such a sincere and passionate confession, it was impossible not to be moved.  

Lu Cheng sighed. “Xiao Wei, first, I really have met someone I like, and I’m going to marry her. Second, I’ve always seen you as a younger sister—that won’t change. We can be siblings, we can be friends, but we will never be husband and wife. I sincerely hope you find the right person soon.”  

Meng Wei had mustered all her courage for this moment, only to be met with a blunt rejection. The blow was devastating.  

Tears welled up in her eyes as she swayed unsteadily, her fragile demeanor enough to soften any heart.  

Unfortunately, the man before her was a true steel-straight soldier. As she teetered, he didn’t even blink.  

Steadying herself, Meng Wei whispered, “I don’t believe it, Third Brother. I don’t believe any other woman could ever catch your eye.”  

“Believe what you want. That’s all I have to say.”  

Lu Cheng couldn’t be bothered to explain further.  

After all, just that morning before leaving home, marriage had been the last thing on his mind.  

Call it love at first sight if you will—but Jiang Moli was the one he was determined to marry.  

The mere thought of her soft, delicate self becoming his wife, bearing him a whole brood of children, sent a thrill through him!  

…

The Meng mother and daughter left without even staying for dinner.

Lu Cheng, on the other hand, ate heartily, wolfing down his food.

An Hui glared at him, her eyes sharp as knives. “How can you even eat with such an appetite? What’s wrong with Weiwei? She’s beautiful, talented, and utterly devoted to you. What more could you possibly want?”  

“If I had to marry every girl who liked me, I’d be like an ancient emperor with a harem of three thousand!”  

An Hui spat in frustration. “Oh, you wish! Have some shame! Do you really think you’re some kind of prized catch that everyone’s fighting over? Look at the other men your age in the family compound—they’re all married with kids. Meanwhile, you’re still a lonely old bachelor. I’m embarrassed for you!”  

“Don’t worry. In a few days, everyone will be jealous that you’ve got a daughter-in-law.”  

Lu Cheng kept eating while talking, coughing twice as the food went down the wrong way.  

An Hui couldn’t help but scold him with concern. “Can’t you eat slower? No one’s fighting you for it!”  

“I’ve got things to do this afternoon.”  

“You just got back, and you’re already running around outside again.”  

“It’s important.”  

Lu Cheng took the bowl of soup the housekeeper handed him and gulped down half of it, suppressing the urge to cough. “Mom, give me my savings.”  

Since Lu Cheng was stationed at the border year-round, his living expenses were minimal. Every month, he sent his entire allowance home, letting An Hui manage it for him.  

An Hui didn’t need the money for herself, so she saved it all up—his “wife-fund.”  

She pulled out the passbook she’d been keeping for him. “It’s all here. What do you need the money for?”  

Lu Cheng flipped through the passbook while answering her.  

“Dowry. To marry my wife.”  

“You little brat! Can’t you ever be serious? If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll call your father back to deal with you!”  

Lu Cheng closed the passbook and stuffed it into his pocket. “Her name is Jiang Moli.”  

“Who?”  

Lu Cheng grinned widely. “Your future daughter-in-law. I’ve already submitted the marriage report. If you don’t believe me, ask the old man.”  

Realizing her son was dead serious, An Hui was torn between anger and joy. “Such a big decision, and you didn’t even discuss it with the family first? Do you think your father and I are already dead?”  

Lu Cheng shrugged. “You didn’t ask for my opinion before having me, either.”  

An Hui was so furious she wanted to stab him with her chopsticks.  

“If I’d known you’d turn out like this, I might as well have given birth to a piece of roast pork! Get out! I’m done with you!”  

“See? You’re unhappy when I don’t get married, and now you’re unhappy when I do. What exactly do you want from me?”  

Despite her anger at his impulsiveness, An Hui couldn’t help but feel relieved that her son was finally settling down.  

“How did you two meet? Where’s she from? How old is she? What do her parents do?”  

An Hui asked earnestly, and Lu Cheng answered just as earnestly:  

“None of that matters. The only thing I care about when choosing a wife is whether I like her.”  

…

In the political department office…

Lu Dezhao adjusted his reading glasses, silently scrutinizing the report in his hands.

“Report!”  

“Enter.”  

Jiang Xiaoguang closed the office door behind him and walked up to the desk. “Sir, I have news about Third Young Master to report.”  

Lu Dezhao lifted his eyes slightly. “What is it?”  

“Third Young Master—he’s found himself a girlfriend!”  

“That’s it?”  

Lu Dezhao’s calm reaction puzzled Jiang Xiaoguang. “Haven’t you been waiting forever to finally have a daughter-in-law? Aren’t you happy that Third Young Master is settling down?”  

“Which part of me looks unhappy to you?”  

Both eyes say you’re unhappy.

Jiang Xiaoguang thought to himself.  

With a smack, Lu Dezhao tossed the report onto the desk. “That little bastard! Didn’t even give a heads-up before submitting his marriage application!”  

Jiang Xiaoguang glanced at the report and finally understood why Lu Cheng had come to the political department earlier.  

Damn, he works fast!

Ring ring!

Jiang Xiaoguang picked up the phone, answered with a “Hello,” then handed it to Lu Dezhao. “Sir, it’s for you.”