Chapter 18: First Arrival at the Gu Family  

Xinshi was the largest coastal city in southern China.  

By the late 1970s, though its urban development still couldn’t compare to the capital, it was far more prosperous than Nancheng. The cityscape before her eyes carried a nostalgic charm while exuding an undercurrent of eager reform and innovation.  

“Sister-in-law, is this your first time in Xinshi?” Xiao Li had been enthusiastically introducing the sights along the way.  

“Yes, it’s my first time. Xiao Li, why aren’t we going directly to see Chief Gu?”  

Xiao Li hesitated, looking somewhat troubled. “It was Aunt Cheng’s request—Deputy Division Leader Gu’s mother. She said she’d like you to visit their home first. They want to meet you beforehand.”  

Qian Lai understood. Before officially stepping into her role, there was still one final interview to pass.  

As the car passed a cluster of solemn government buildings, Xiao Li suddenly perked up. “Sister-in-law, look! That’s the municipal government office. Deputy Division Leader Gu’s uncle and father both work there.”  

Qian Lai knew from the novel that Gu Hanchuan’s uncle, Gu Weijia, held a key position in the municipal government’s administrative office, while his father, Gu Weiguo, had been promoted by his second brother and worked as a researcher in the city office.  

When they arrived at the Family Compound, it was rush hour. People coming and going at the entrance of the municipal government’s residential area couldn’t help but glance at the military jeep, whispering among themselves.  

After turning twice, the car stopped in front of a row of small white two-story houses.  

“Sister-in-law, the first house up ahead is Deputy Division Leader Gu’s home.”  

Xiao Li helped Qian Lai carry her luggage—mostly local specialties from Nancheng meant as gifts for the Gu family.  

After ringing the doorbell, a thin middle-aged woman came out with a smile.  

“Aunt Zhang, I’ve safely delivered Sister-in-law. Mission accomplished, so I’ll head back now. Please let Aunt Cheng know. I won’t come in.”  

Before Aunt Zhang could even nod, Xiao Li shoved the luggage forward and bolted like a gust of wind.  

Qian Lai chuckled. It wasn’t like this place was hell—why was he running as if afraid of being dragged down by ghosts the next second?  

But when she stepped into the living room and saw the Gu family’s formation, she finally understood Xiao Li’s reaction.  

“Elder Sister Cheng, Comrade Qian has arrived.”  

Aunt Zhang led Qian Lai inside, but no one stood up to greet her.  

This was nothing like the “first meeting” she had imagined.  

The three sofas in the living room were packed with members of the Gu family, each wearing different expressions.  

And right in the center of the room stood a single wooden chair.  

Well, wasn’t this an interrogation?  

The middle-aged woman seated in the prime central spot lost her smile the moment Qian Lai entered, replacing it with icy scrutiny. She motioned toward the wooden chair with her chin. “Sit.”  

Her presence alone seemed to drop the temperature of the early summer evening by several degrees.  

Qian Lai quickly scanned the “opposition camp.” The family of four in the middle were likely Gu Hanchuan’s parents and younger siblings.  

To the left sat a father and daughter—the father kind, the daughter mature and composed. She guessed this must be Second Uncle Gu Weijia and his daughter, Gu Shanshan.  

To the right were four people—a couple who looked disdainful and critical, a son around fifteen or sixteen, and a daughter who appeared about Qian Lai’s age, smiling at her.  

This was probably the family of the fifth uncle, Gu Weidong.  

The novel had mentioned that Gu Weiguo had four brothers. Their father had passed early, leaving only their widowed mother.  

The eldest, Gu Weibao, had led his brothers from the brink of starvation as beggars to become high-ranking officials who dominated both Shanghai and Xinshi.

The struggle was truly inspiring, yet not without its ruthless moments. Even today, the legend of the “Five Tigers of the Gu Family” remains widely told in their hometown.  

Today, apart from Big Brother’s family still residing in Shanghai and Third Brother having passed away young, the other three families had all gathered.  

Having sized up the situation, she set her luggage down and obediently took a seat on the wooden chair.  

“You’re Qian Lai? Almost nineteen?” Cheng Fangping scrutinized her from head to toe several times before asking a pointless question.  

Qian Lai nodded.  

“Do you know Hanchuan’s current condition?”  

“I do.”  

“Are you truly willing to fulfill the marriage contract? Willing to take care of him for the rest of your life?”  

Of course she wasn’t! Her goal was to gain a foothold, break off the engagement, complete her mission, and return to the real world as soon as possible.  

Just as she was about to speak, the system’s male voice echoed in her mind again.  

[Character Note: Redeeming Gu Hanchuan will accelerate the progress bar by 30%.]  

“I voluntarily pledge to care for Comrade Gu Hanchuan! He is a hero of the people, and it is my honor to look after him!”  

The opposing side visibly wore expressions of disdain, as if thinking, “As expected, rewards will always attract the brave.”  

“Since you’re willing to marry into the Gu Family, we expect you to dress modestly from now on. Focus all your attention on Hanchuan. We don’t want your behavior to bring him any disgrace.”  

Qian Lai glanced down at her outfit—what was wrong with it?!  

“I heard you only graduated from middle school?” Gao Zhen, the fifth aunt of the Gu Family, curled her lips. “Hanchuan is a top graduate from military school and a deputy division commander. You must understand that you two are mismatched in every way—status, education, family background, and more.  

“If he hadn’t been injured, you would never have had the chance to enter our Gu Family, let alone become the wife of a high-ranking officer.  

“So you should be grateful and devote yourself wholeheartedly to Hanchuan. Understood?”  

“Exactly. Before his injury, countless noblewomen pursued Hanchuan, and he didn’t even glance at them. Now that such an opportunity has fallen into your lap, it’s a blessing for your Qian Family—and for you. Cherish it,” added the fifth uncle.  

Ah yes, the blessing of cleaning up waste and living as a widow—truly something to cherish!  

A stampede of ten thousand alpacas galloped through Qian Lai’s heart.  

“With only a middle school education, you must have no idea how to care for a paralyzed patient. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for a specialist to train you. I hope you take it seriously…”  

“Thank you, Aunt Cheng.” Qian Lai, unable to endure any more, interrupted Cheng Fangping mid-sentence. “However, to ensure Comrade Gu Hanchuan receives the best care, I’ve already prepared in advance and studied nursing techniques.  

“Though I only graduated from middle school, I had a highly knowledgeable teacher.  

“She not only taught me how to be a good person but also how to cultivate self-learning skills.  

“I’ve memorized all the professional nursing methods, so you needn’t worry.”  

Hmph!  

The other side looked thoroughly unimpressed.  

“You’re quite confident!” Gu Yue, Gu Hanchuan’s younger sister, sneered.  

Qian Lai swept her gaze across the crowd, her eyes flashing with defiance. “Of course. If none of you believe in my capabilities and still think I’m unworthy, then I don’t have to marry him.  

“I can step aside right now. Why don’t you find someone more suitable in status?”  

With that, she stood up, tossed the betrothal gift envelope onto the chair, and declared, “The gift money is here—untouched.”  

Then she grabbed her luggage and turned to leave.  

Rather than playing along with their script, she’d turn the tables and seize the initiative!  

As expected, the Gu Family panicked instantly.

How could a family of equal social standing push their daughter onto a paralyzed husband?

Hadn’t they searched before? If it were that easy, why would they spend so much money and go through so much trouble to find someone from the southern district?

If Qian Lai were to quit now, they’d have an extremely hard time finding another suitable candidate.

Cheng Fangping had only taken care of him for two days and was already exhausted to the point of collapse, on top of enduring Gu Hanchuan’s terrible temper.

Just recalling those two chaotic days made her vision darken.

She absolutely couldn’t let Qian Lai leave!

“Wait. You’re still so impatient.” Cheng Fangping rushed over and pushed her back into the chair.