Chapter 1

【Ding~ Fairy’s Check-in Spot, wishing smooth sailing and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon~】

Night had fallen, and stars glittered across the sky.

Rumble—

Inside a sleeper carriage, a stunningly beautiful girl suddenly opened her eyes wide.

A sharp ringing in her ears, along with a rush of overwhelming foreign memories, crashed into her mind. Dripping with sweat, Su Wan gasped heavily as she finished receiving the memories of her new body…

Before Su Wan transmigrated, she had been on her way to participate in the finals of an international master chef competition.

But she encountered a plane crash along the way—and unexpectedly woke up inside a novel, a retro-era story about “a mother searching for her child’s father.”

She had become a cannon-fodder supporting character.

The original body’s ancestors had once been from a prestigious family, but after the family’s decline—combined with the hardships of that particular era—they were branded as “descendants of capitalists” and treated with disdain.

Because of that stigma, there were many jobs she wasn’t even allowed to do.

After finishing middle school, she stayed at home, helping with chores and taking care of her nephew. So she was no pampered “young miss who had never touched spring water”—she could handle household work just fine.

But only days after reaching adulthood, her family arranged for her to fulfill an old engagement and sent her off to a remote military island, becoming just another ordinary military wife.

Later, due to malicious gossip and deliberate schemes, her relationship with her officer husband soured. She ended up with a ruined reputation—unloved by her husband, estranged from her child, and dying alone.

Because the original character had the same name as her, Su Wan had even ridiculed this tragic cannon-fodder role while reading the book—so the impression stuck.

Now, waking up in that body, she dared not make a sound. She carefully sat up, trying to think of her next step.

If she remembered correctly, the current timeline in the novel was early summer of 1975, in May.

And right now, she was being escorted by the He family to her destination—a military island.

There, waiting for her, was her childhood fiancé: He Nanfeng.

Should she get off the train now? Run away from the marriage?

Impossible.

All her luggage consisted of clothes and shoes that Madam He had prepared for her.

This so-called “marriage arrangement” was nothing more than her father using the engagement as an excuse to extort a hefty betrothal gift from the He family!

She had already been kicked out of her family home. Forget a dowry—she didn’t even have a single coin of private savings.

As for the He family—at least Madam He had kindly welcomed her and even prepared two large suitcases filled with new summer clothes and shoes. That alone was moving enough.

And besides, in this era, you couldn’t go anywhere without a letter of introduction. There were no ID cards!

Without such a letter, you’d be like a vagrant in ancient times.

Besides—she was a modern gourmet chef, a culinary expert. Apart from her craft, she didn’t really know how to do anything else.

Rather than risk a hopeless escape, wasn’t it better to just go with the flow?

The original character’s downfall had started only after she got entangled with the novel’s heroine and hero.

Now that this body was hers, and since she already knew the plot, she only needed to keep her distance from the main couple, and she’d be safe!

Who cared if they were speechless?

Who cared if they got tormented by the shameless schemes of the so-called “2+1 sisters”?

Who cared if he went through the classic “chasing wife to the crematorium” arc—she ran, he chased, and she couldn’t escape?

Not her problem!

She would live for herself and treasure this second chance fate had given her!

Having thought it through, she propped herself up, preparing to lie back down for her beauty sleep—when her right hand brushed against something cold. She shivered and slowly lifted the blanket…

She rubbed her eyes.

What was this?

Her “treasure chest”!

It was only the size of a medical kit, but inside were her most precious seasonings!

Her heart ached—this was her late master’s gift when she first earned the title of Master Chef. It was her most prized possession!

During the plane crash, she’d clung to it desperately, determined not to let go even if she died.

Thankfully, it had transmigrated with her!

Rumble—

The train roared through the silent night, its thunderous clatter filling the air.

But for Su Wan, in this era—she was no longer afraid.

On Dongzhu Island—

Soldiers patrolled in strict formation, covering every key corner of the island.

In the dormitory building, on the third floor, one room still had its lights on.

The air inside was heavy with cigarette smoke.

On the top bunk, a young man frowned and shouted down at his roommate:

“Old He, what’s with you? You don’t usually smoke, but tonight you’ve already gone through several cigarettes!”

“Fine, smoke if you want, but at least say something.”

“Okay, okay, you don’t have to talk—but at least open the window, will you?”

Hearing this, He Nanfeng first stubbed out his cigarette, then walked to the window. As he opened it, he asked seriously:

“Old Liu, if I submit a marriage report now and request an urgent process, how long will it take to get a family housing unit approved?”

“What? You? A marriage report?”

Liu Yunfei was stunned. They had eaten, drunk, and bunked together for years, but he had never heard of He Nanfeng having a girlfriend.

“Yes.”

He Nanfeng nodded, his brown eyes filled with sincerity.

“Old He, when did you even start dating someone? How come I don’t know?”

Liu Yunfei gave a loud shout, then jumped down from his bunk, playfully swinging a left hook at his brother.

But He Nanfeng dodged easily, replying with a swift leg sweep. Liu Yunfei barely evaded and found a fist stopping right by his ear.

“Come on, if you’re my brother, let me at least beat you once! I’m not convinced—I don’t even have a girlfriend yet!”

“It wasn’t from dating. It was arranged by my family.”

He Nanfeng said calmly, lowering his fist.

Standing still and taking a punch wasn’t his style. But when it came to his brother and comrade-in-arms, he couldn’t strike back with full force either.

“No way, brother. Everyone’s doing free love now, and you’re still accepting an arranged marriage?”

Liu Yunfei exclaimed. He then stared seriously at his brother’s face, trying to figure out whether he was truly willing or just going along because of family pressure.

“Yes. You know me—I never had time to date, and I don’t have anyone I like. So I can accept someone my family approves of.”

He Nanfeng nodded, his cold, handsome face showing no change in expression.

Ever since he was young, he had known his grandmother had arranged a childhood betrothal for him.

Later, the girl’s family fell on hard times, and they nearly lost all contact.

Not long ago, after returning from a mission, he had received two telegrams from the guard downstairs.

The first telegram: Son, the childhood betrothal your grandmother arranged has now come of age. Just letting you know, the Su family has already sent the girl to our home.

The second telegram: Wanwan is a good girl. Your mother and I both like her very much. We’ve made the arrangements—bought her a train ticket, and sent someone to escort her to your station. She’ll arrive on the island in five days. Remember to meet her at the dock.

When He Nanfeng read the two telegrams, his mind went completely blank…

If she would arrive in five days—and he had already been on mission for four—didn’t that mean she would be here tomorrow?

Wanwan. Su Wan.

The image of that little girl from his childhood had long since blurred.

But even so, he did not reject this marriage.