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“What? You already have a partner?”
The factory director looked utterly dumbfounded, clearly doubting and disapproving of Ye Zhi’s response.
Ye Zhi gave a soft smile and pretended to be a little shy. “Yes, Director, I have a partner.”
An arranged marriage technically counted as a relationship, so she wasn’t lying.
The director scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Alright then, since you already have a partner, just pretend I never said anything.”
What a mess!
His first attempt at matchmaking had ended in complete failure.
As he walked away, he muttered to himself, “That girl, Li Xueling, really messed up. She didn’t even check the facts before asking me to play matchmaker. And now look at this—she already has a partner. Doesn’t this make me look like a fool?”
Humiliating. Absolutely humiliating.
“Wait a second— I didn’t even ask who her partner is… How am I supposed to explain this to Comrade Gao?” The factory director smacked his thigh. “What have I even been doing all evening?”
Watching the factory director’s retreating figure, Ye Zhi couldn’t help but feel puzzled. How had the plot taken such a bizarre turn?
Why would the director suddenly try to set her up with someone?
And judging by the situation, it seemed like he was trying to introduce her to the original novel’s male lead, Gao Wenbo.
According to the novel’s storyline, the original host was supposed to spend a long time pining after him.
Not only would her family strongly oppose the relationship, but even the male lead himself had been hot and cold toward her, making his attitude impossible to read.
It wasn’t until she was fired from the textile factory that he finally began to feel a little sorry for her.
But thinking about it carefully, Gao Wenbo must have liked the original host at least a little bit.
Yes, he liked her—but not much.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kicked her out as soon as his first love returned.
Now that she thought about it, his so-called “affection” was probably just for her looks.
After all, the original host was beautiful—acknowledged as the “factory flower” of the textile mill.
With such a pretty girl fawning over him, who wouldn’t feel a little tempted?
But the most disgusting part was that after keeping her as a housewife for years, he suddenly claimed they had “nothing in common anymore.”
In the end, he simply despised the fact that the original host had aged.
So no matter whether she had an arranged fiancé or not, she had absolutely no intention of ever getting involved with Gao Wenbo.
A heartless and unfaithful man like him? No, thank you!
On the other side, Father and Mother Ye were overjoyed to see their daughter win first prize, grinning so wide that their mouths couldn’t close.
But when they came over to congratulate her, they happened to overhear her conversation with the factory director.
And in an instant, their expressions turned conflicted.
A partner?
Where did their daughter get a partner from?
Mother Ye hurriedly grabbed Ye Zhi’s arm and asked anxiously, “Girl, just now you told your director you have a partner. Who is it?”
How could they not know about this?
Could it be that their daughter had already gotten involved with that old man who had three children?!
Just the thought of it made Mother Ye both furious and panicked. She tightened her grip on Ye Zhi’s arm.
Ye Zhi watched as the crowd slowly dispersed, then lowered her voice and said, “Mom, didn’t you and Dad ask me about my arranged fiancé earlier?”
“Well… doesn’t an arranged fiancé count as a partner?”
In this era, once an arranged marriage was set, it was generally acknowledged as an official relationship.
Since she had already decided to accept the engagement, she might as well use it as a shield.
Mother Ye was momentarily confused.
Then, as realization dawned, she quickly asked, “So… you’re saying you agree to marry Regiment Commander Lu?”
Regiment Commander Lu?
So her arranged fiancé was already a regiment commander?!
How old was he, then?
Was he another old man?!
…Forget it. Even if he was an older man, at least he was probably a handsome one.
In this era, military officers were highly respected, and marrying a soldier was considered a great honor.
Ye Zhi nodded. “Yes, I agree.”
“Really? Girl,” Mother Ye pressed further, “Are you really agreeing to marry Regiment Commander Lu?”
Ye Zhi nodded firmly. “Yes.”
Hearing this confirmation, Mother Ye excitedly grabbed Father Ye’s arm. “Old man, did you hear that? Our daughter agreed to the engagement!”
“I told you, she was just momentarily confused! Why would a perfectly good young lady choose a man with three kids over a military officer?!”
“Hurry! We need to send another telegram to the Lu family before they wait too long!”
Father Ye was stunned, looking at Ye Zhi in disbelief. “Girl, is what your mother said true?”
Ye Zhi bit her lip, the deep red contrasting against her pale skin. “Dad, Mom, let’s go home first.”
As for the telegram, it was already late.
They would have to send it first thing tomorrow morning.
Two days later, Qiongzhou Island Military Base.
The bright island sunlight streamed into a hospital room at the military district. A man with sharp eyebrows and deep-set eyes sat inside, reading a military report. His strong, chiseled features gave him a rugged handsomeness that was impossible to ignore.
“I heard Regiment Commander Lu is still single. I wonder what kind of person he’ll end up with?”
“That guy became a regiment commander at such a young age, and he’s so handsome. His partner must be outstanding too.”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so that’s not necessarily the case.”
“Oh? From the way you’re talking, it sounds like you have your eyes on Commander Lu?”
“There are plenty of people interested in Commander Lu. Even if I fancy him, it doesn’t mean he’d fancy me. It’s pointless to even think about it.”
As soon as Li Weimin arrived at Lu Wei’s hospital room, he overheard this conversation.
He knocked on the door and asked, “Comrade Lu, how are you feeling today?”
Lu Wei looked up and replied briefly, “Getting discharged tomorrow.”
After speaking, he returned his attention to the report in his hands.
Li Weimin pulled over a wooden chair beside Lu Wei’s bed and sat down excitedly. “That’s great news!”
Seeing Li Weimin settle in, Lu Wei asked, “You need something?”
Li Weimin scoffed, “Do I need a reason to visit you?”
Lu Wei didn’t even lift his eyelids, completely ignoring him.
Li Weimin rubbed his hands on his thighs, then stared at Lu Wei’s face—one that could make countless female comrades on the island scream—and said, “Comrade Lu, I actually do have something to discuss. You’re 25 now, right? You’ve been promoted to regiment commander, and the organization is particularly concerned about your personal matters.”
Honestly, Li Weimin didn’t want to be the one handling this. Everyone knew Lu Wei was infamous for being cold-hearted and ruthless. Even the political commissar was wary of him.
But since they had attended the same military academy and had even been dormmates, he had no choice but to take on this task.
Lu Wei glanced at him. “So?”
Li Weimin continued, “Tomorrow evening, there’s a social gathering at the military club. Since you’ll be discharged, you should attend.”
“This gathering includes not only female comrades from the military hospital but also those from the publicity department. You should take this opportunity to sort out your personal life.”
“I’ve noticed quite a few female comrades are interested in you. Don’t waste this chance. If none of them catch your eye, my wife said she could introduce her cousin to you.”
“What do you think?”
Lu Wei’s expression remained unchanged. His thin lips moved slightly as he said, “Not going.”
Looking at Lu Wei’s excessively handsome yet indifferent face, Li Weimin felt a headache coming on. “You know, your mother was just asking about your personal matters last month. She’s so worried she’s practically on fire, yet you’re not anxious at all?”
Lu Wei shot him a cold look. “What’s there to be anxious about?”
Li Weimin let out a snort. “The emperor isn’t in a hurry, but the eunuch is…”
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by the arrival of a breathless messenger, interrupting their conversation.
Standing at the doorway, the messenger reported, “Commander Lu, there’s an urgent telegram for you.”
Li Weimin was the first to look up and ask, “From where?”
“It’s from Commander Lu’s grandfather.”
Hearing this, Lu Wei’s eyes flickered slightly. “Bring it in.”
Li Weimin took the telegram from the messenger and handed it to Lu Wei. “Quick, see if something happened to your grandfather.”
Having known Lu Wei for years, Li Weimin had met his grandfather before. The old man cared deeply about Lu Wei.
Now that he was getting older, even though he had always been in good health, one could never be too careful with the elderly.
Lu Wei took the telegram and unhurriedly tore open the green-lettered envelope.
Impatient, Li Weimin urged, “Hurry up! See what your grandfather has to say.”
Lu Wei pulled out the letter, and on the paper, in bold black characters, it read: “You have a wife. Return immediately!”
Then came a second page: “A childhood engagement arranged by your grandfather.”
Lu Wei frowned, his expression turning even colder.
Li Weimin, on the other hand, was stunned for a moment before blurting out, “So you already have a wife?! Why didn’t you say so earlier?!”
Wait—when did Lu Wei get engaged as a child?
Why didn’t he know about this?
As Lu Wei finished reading the telegram, a slight shift appeared in his usually impassive expression.
Before he could say anything, Li Weimin burst into laughter. “Come on, it’s modern times, and they’re still talking about childhood engagements?”
“Your grandfather wouldn’t be pulling your leg, would he?”
“Look at you, dragging your feet on your personal affairs for so long that even your grandfather is losing patience.”
“He probably just picked someone for you and wants you to go meet her.”
Who would’ve thought the old man was so determined that he resorted to such drastic measures?
The funny part was that Lu Wei himself didn’t seem to be in a rush at all!
Seeing Lu Wei’s unbothered attitude, Li Weimin grew more frustrated. “Hey, why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Since you still have a few days off, why not go back, meet her, and get married? That way, everyone can stop worrying about you.”
Lu Wei: “…”
He pressed his lips together and finally said, “Looks like I’ll have to go back.”
Li Weimin was momentarily stunned. “Wait—so… your grandfather wasn’t joking?”
“You actually have a childhood engagement?”
Seeing Lu Wei’s indescribable expression, Li Weimin immediately guessed that it might actually be true.
He tugged at the corners of his lips and chuckled. “A childhood engagement doesn’t sound so bad. For someone as unyielding as you, an arranged marriage set up by your elders might just be the best fit!”
Lu Wei casually placed the telegram back into the envelope, his thin lips curving slightly.
“Feudal!”