Chapter 5

Just then, a head poked out of the jeep and urged, “Captain, let’s go, we’re in a hurry!”

Huo Xiujin frowned slightly but had no choice. He quickly stuffed the fabric ration tickets into the girl’s hand.

“I’m truly sorry. You can use these fabric tickets at the state-owned store to buy yourself a new dress.”

Lin Qian looked down at the tickets in her hand. When she looked up again, the man had already gotten back into the jeep and driven off.

She was still staring blankly at the tickets when a familiar voice suddenly sounded in her ear.

“Lin Qian?”

It was Lu Zhanting’s voice.

Lin Qian’s expression immediately darkened as she looked up.

Lu Zhanting wasn’t even on duty at the military base. He looked a little tired, his uniform slightly wrinkled.

Lin Qian instantly suspected the scumbag had just come from visiting his white moonlight, Bai Aiyun. If she remembered correctly, Bai Aiyun’s husband — also Lu Zhanting’s superior — had only died less than a month ago. And now this scum had probably gone to “comfort” his newly widowed sister-in-law.

“What are you doing here? Do you know that man from just now?” Lu Zhanting’s tone was cool and distant — he was exhausted from staying up all night.

Lin Qian remembered how this man had poisoned her slowly and killed her in her past life.

She hated him so much.

Even though Huo Xiujin had avenged her in the end, her hatred still burned.

All she’d wanted was a stable marriage and to escape her toxic family, but the Lu family had trapped her in a fake marriage just to drain her dry and eventually kill her.

She strode forward, nearly ready to slap Lu Zhanting again and kick him to death on the spot.

But Lu Zhanting was fast. After she landed one slap on him, he grabbed her other wrist in a firm grip.

“Lin Qian, what are you throwing a tantrum for now?”

He caught a glimpse of the icy, vengeful hatred in her eyes and actually flinched.

Lin Qian decided to distract him, so she demanded, “Lu Zhanting, did you spend the night with Bai Aiyun last night?”

Lu Zhanting was momentarily stunned — clearly guilty at being called out.

Lin Qian seized the moment to lift her foot and deliver a savage kick to his groin.

“Ah!”

Lu Zhanting bent over in pain, nearly crumpling.

Lin Qian thought gleefully to herself that if she could just cripple him with that one kick, it’d be perfect.

In her past life, Lu Zhanting had slept with Bai Aiyun countless times, but neither of Bai Aiyun’s two children were even his.

The scumbag deserved it. Karma had finally come for him.

“Lin Qian, are you insane?!”

After a while, Lu Zhanting straightened up with bloodshot eyes, glaring at her as if he wanted to rip her apart.

Lin Qian stood firm, fists clenched, ready to fight. She might not be strong, but she wasn’t afraid.

She shouted, “Lu Zhanting, ask yourself honestly! If you love Bai Aiyun so much, why did you agree to marry me? I’m telling you, I came here today to call off our wedding. Withdraw the marriage report now — I, Lin Qian, refuse to marry into the Lu family!”

Lu Zhanting’s head was pounding. How had Lin Qian found out about Bai Aiyun so soon? His mother had said she was very satisfied with Lin Qian as a daughter-in-law. Shouldn’t she be at home right now scrubbing floors like a good little wife?

He sighed heavily.

It had taken him a while to find someone like Lin Qian — a woman his family approved of, someone with no real backing. That’s exactly why they’d planned to take full advantage of her. He couldn’t let her go so easily.

“Qian Qian, calm down. Let me explain. Don’t believe those rumors. Bai Aiyun was my elementary school classmate. Later, she saved my life. Then she married my captain. He died on a mission last month, and now she’s alone with her son. Last night, her son was hospitalized with acute pneumonia — I just went to help out at the hospital, that’s all.”

Lin Qian sneered, “Lu Zhanting, do you dare swear to the heavens that there’s nothing going on between you and Bai Aiyun? Swear on your life — if you’re lying, may you be struck by lightning and hit by a car the moment you step outside! And your whole damn family can die with you!”

Lu Zhanting’s brows furrowed so tightly he could’ve crushed a fly between them. He tried very hard to keep his patience and said, “Qian Qian, you really need to think carefully. I’m an officer. Us getting engaged is a rare and precious fate. I’m respected by all the neighbors — you know that. Don’t let others mislead you.”

“Pfft!” Lin Qian spat right in his face.

This kind of manipulative, gaslighting talk — his mother had whispered it in her ear every day in the past life. She never expected Lu Zhanting, who always pretended to be cold and aloof, would resort to such disgusting words when cornered.

“Lu Zhanting, I’m warning you — withdraw the marriage report immediately. If you don’t, I’ll storm your military base next time and make a scene. Let’s see if you still have the face to stay in the army and keep getting promotions!”

Lu Zhanting had a massive headache. He wasn’t actually worried about Lin Qian causing a scene — he was more worried about his mother confronting Bai Aiyun. His mom had said she’d only leave Bai Aiyun alone if he married someone else.

“Qian Qian, can you stop being so impulsive? I know you care about me — that’s why you’re upset about these rumors. I swear to you, I really do want to marry you.”

“Then swear the vow I just said — I want to hear it now.”

“Lin Qian, you’re being ridiculous! We’re already engaged. You’re wishing death on me — how does that help you? Our marriage report is already with my commanding officer. Once it’s approved, our marriage becomes official. If you don’t want to marry me now, it’ll be a divorce — and tell me, what man would want a divorced woman like you?”

“You think threatening me with some childish logic is going to work?”

Lin Qian laughed coldly. She had just wanted to get married and escape her messed-up family, but the Lu family had seen her desperation and taken her for a fool.

She turned and marched toward the base gate. “Someone come quick! Lu Zhanting from your base is involved in an inappropriate relationship — I want to revoke our marriage report! I refuse to marry him! Someone come judge this situation for me!”

Lu Zhanting was dumbfounded. He never imagined that someone as quiet and demure as Lin Qian would suddenly act like a full-blown shrew, shouting and causing a public scene.

He rushed forward to grab her arm. “Qian Qian, if you’re jealous and upset, could you at least choose the right place for it?”

He was still trying to downplay the situation — now he finally understood why his mother had insisted he find a woman who was easy to control.