Chapter 5: The Meeting

Li Ermei was caught off guard by the blow and didn’t even have a chance to fight back. She could only repeatedly raise her arms to block the broom that was falling on her like rain.

As she retreated toward the door, she cursed, “Zhang Xiaomei, are you crazy? Why are you hitting me!”

Zhang Xiaomei swung the broom up and down while cursing, “Your mouth stinks! Did you eat shit or what?! Keep spouting nonsense, and I’ll report you for ruining a military marriage!”

Li Ermei, gritting her teeth through the pain, retorted, “Just because you say it’s a military marriage, does that make it so? Has the other party agreed to this engagement?”

Zhang Xiaomei withdrew the broom and jabbed it into the ground, looking at Li Ermei who had already stepped out of her house. “Whether they agree or not is none of your business. Get out!”

She stood with one hand on her waist and the other leaning on the broom handle, glaring fiercely, causing Li Ermei to retreat another two steps.

Li Ermei, threatening, said, “You… you wait! Your Ye Zhi has done all those disgraceful things. Let’s see if anyone still wants her. She’ll just be waiting to be called off the marriage!”

Zhang Xiaomei sneered and spat, “If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll rip that filthy mouth of yours apart!”

Li Ermei, hearing this, staggered off, losing a shoe as she ran. She turned back to put it on, but her trembling legs made it hard to get the shoe on properly.

Everyone knew that Zhang Xiaomei and her husband were fiercely protective of their daughter Ye Zhi. She would definitely believe that Zhang Xiaomei would stand up for her daughter and fight if necessary.

Zhang Xiaomei was already taller and stronger than Li Ermei. Even before they split up, she couldn’t beat her. Now, after provoking her, Li Ermei had no chance of winning.

Li Ermei ran home without looking back. As soon as she entered the house, she bumped into her daughter, Ye Hongying.

Ye Hongying was fiddling with a piece of dogtail grass, humming a tune, looking in a good mood.

“Ha ha… Mom, what happened to you? Your hair’s all messed up. Did you fall into a pit?”

Li Ermei didn’t care about her disheveled hair and snapped, “You ungrateful girl, you still have the nerve to laugh! Ye Zhi is about to become a military wife, and look at you. You’re 23 and still rejecting one man after another!”

She didn’t even consider her own daughter. Was Ye Hongying as pretty as Ye Zhi?

Although she was her own daughter, Li Ermei had to admit that Ye Hongying’s looks were indeed far behind Ye Zhi’s.

Ye Hongying threw the dogtail grass to the ground and pouted, “So what if Ye Zhi becomes a military wife? Who cares!”

Li Ermei’s mood soured instantly, and she snorted, “You don’t care about a soldier? Then what do you care about?!”

Ye Hongying made a disgusted face and mumbled, “Just some poor soldier.”

How could he compare to an engineer from a construction group?

“You!”

Ye Hongying comforted her, “Mom, you don’t even know if they’ll agree to this marriage, so why are you so jealous?”

Li Ermei stamped her foot in anger, “You ungrateful girl! They’re about to meet! Can’t I be anxious? I should’ve had you secretly replace Ye Zhi and marry that officer when the telegram came back!”

“You even look down on him just because he’s a poor soldier. At least he won’t go hungry or lack clothes. And you should take a look at how old you are. In a year or two, you’ll be waiting to be someone’s stepmother!”

“That old man, your grandpa, died, and left us nothing. He only cared about the eldest family!” Li Ermei muttered as she walked into the house.

Ye Hongying watched her mother’s angry figure, not at all bothered.

Even being a stepmother was better than following that poor soldier to that run-down island.

Because she was no longer the person she once was—she had been reborn.

In her past life, under her mother’s urging, she intercepted the telegram from Ye Zhi’s father to Old Master Lu rejecting the childhood engagement.

She secretly contacted the Lu family and agreed to the engagement.

But in order to keep Ye Zhi’s family in the dark, she went to the island alone to meet the childhood fiancé.

However, when she arrived at the desolate island, her first thought was that it was too rundown, too poor.

No wonder they called it “Qiong” Island!

What was even more tragic was that when she proposed marrying the so-called childhood fiancé, the man only said two things before turning away and sending her back.

He was as cold-hearted as stone!

—He asked, “What’s your name?”

And then said, “Arranged marriage is outdated and feudal.”

Although the man was handsome—she could even say that she had never seen such a handsome young man—he was also extremely indifferent. She stayed one night at the guesthouse on the island, and the next morning, when she woke up, he was gone, and his subordinates were already there to send her back on the ship to the mainland.

Fortunately, that man wasn’t completely indifferent. Knowing she had traveled such a long way, he gave her a hundred yuan for her return trip.

However, during the night she spent on Qiongzhou Island, she was bitten by mosquitoes and contracted malaria, which drained all of the hundred yuan she had received.

After she recovered, her mother, in a fit of anger, casually arranged for her to marry an older man with children.

Meanwhile, Ye Zhi had already moved into Gao Wenbo’s large estate, living a life everyone envied.

Who didn’t know that Gao Wenbo, an engineer, earned nearly a hundred yuan a month? Ye Zhi, besides taking care of a few children and cooking, didn’t have to do anything else!

Although she too was a stepmother, the children Ye Zhi looked after were well-behaved and intelligent.

On the other hand, her own stepchildren were mischievous, dirty, and terribly stupid, unable to even read, and they would likely spend their entire lives in the small town.

When the college entrance exams were reinstated, Gao Wenbo took Ye Zhi back to the city, where he eventually became a well-known entrepreneur in the provincial capital.

Although Gao Wenbo had a past love, a “white moonlight,” and they even had a quarrel because of it, which caused Ye Zhi to run away from home, Ye Zhi probably didn’t know that after she left, the so-called “white moonlight” faded into nothing.

Her mosquito bite, however, became a red rose that Gao Wenbo would remember for the rest of his life.

In countless interviews, Gao Wenbo mentioned Ye Zhi, saying she was the regret of his life, and if he could go back, he would cherish her properly.

In her past life, Ye Zhi didn’t have the luck to become the wife of a wealthy man, but this life, Ye Hongying would make sure she became the rich lady.

Her mother was infatuated with a poor soldier, but she wasn’t!

Besides, that broken island was still under construction—whoever wanted to go could go!

As for her, she would never go again, no matter what!

Once the place became a tourist destination, she would likely be the richest wife by then and could visit whenever she pleased!

Thankfully, she had given the intercepted telegram to Ye Zhi’s father. Now, if they held out just a little longer, Ye Zhi would surely be persuaded by her family.

She had heard that the marriage had already been agreed to.

She just had to wait for Ye Zhi to be rejected by that cold-hearted man, and then she would become the laughingstock of Xitang Town, a source of amusement for everyone!

However, it seemed that no one in the alley had mentioned Ye Zhi’s engagement.

It looked like she would have to let everyone see the show.

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At Ye Zhi’s Home:

The whole family was gathered around a square table, eating.

Ye’s father, hearing about Li Ermei coming to cause trouble, said to Ye Zhi, “Girl, the engagement was arranged by your grandfather. The telegram from Old Master Lu clearly mentioned your name. Don’t worry, just ignore your third aunt.”

Zhang Xiaomei snorted, “I think your third aunt is just jealous of our daughter. Her daughter, Hongying, has always tried to compare herself to you, trying to outdo you. She never considers her own worth. What a problem!”

Ye’s father added, “I just received another telegram from Old Master Lu. Lu Wei will be arriving in town in two days. I’ll arrange for you two to meet then.”

Ye Zhi nodded, “Okay, I understand.”

She had already seen the telegram, which clearly listed Ye Zhi and Lu Wei’s names.

Although her grandparents had passed away and didn’t understand much about the childhood engagement, Old Master Lu probably wouldn’t have made such a mistake.

That so-called third aunt must have come to stir up trouble.

Some people are just like that—jealous when others are poor, but afraid when they become rich.

Ye Zhi eagerly picked up a piece of pork. She hadn’t had meat for several days and was so hungry she could eat an entire elephant.

She had never been so eager for meat before, but when she saw the pork in the dish, she couldn’t resist.

In that moment, she understood what her elders had meant when they said that even a single bean could be enough to stir a bowl of rice.

Looking at the large group of people around the square table, Ye Zhi suddenly felt that tonight she, too, was a piece of meat mixed with a bowl of rice.

Finally, as she put the long-awaited meat into her mouth—

Hmm, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

It tasted terrible.

How could the meat be this bad?

She had forgotten that in these times, even things like oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were considered precious.

In her home, the cooking only included salt, and even oil was used sparingly, just a drop or two in the pan.

Ye Dajie, looking at Ye Zhi’s porcelain-white face, teasingly said, “Little sister, when you meet Captain Lu in a couple of days, dress nicely. I have a skirt that I wore during the time I met your brother for matchmaking. I’ll give it to you later.”

Hearing Ye Dajie’s sweet talk, Ye Ersao couldn’t sit still and added, “Big sister, don’t you see how old Goudan is? That skirt of yours is even bigger than him. Can it still fit?”

“Little sister, why don’t you wear mine? You made me a skirt last year, and I’ve barely worn it. It’ll look great on you.”

Ye Dajie responded, “Don’t be silly. Just look at your height—how could our little sister fit into your skirt?”

Ye Ersao shot back, “We’re all a little over a meter tall. Why can’t she fit in? Is our little sister two meters tall?”

Ye Zhi sighed inwardly.

“Big sister, second sister, I already have clothes. Thank you for your kindness.”

She really didn’t agree with their fashion sense.

Moreover, the original owner was quite fond of beauty. Though she was just a temporary worker at the textile factory, she still had connections and could get plenty of fabric. So, she had made several skirts for herself.

Ye Zhi just needed to adjust the waist a little, and they’d fit perfectly.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Early in the morning, Ye Zhi was called by her mother, Zhang Xiaomei, who told her to get dressed nicely since she would be meeting Lu Wei at the marriage agency later.

The reason for arranging their meeting at the marriage agency was because Ye’s father thought that the two young people might have their own thoughts, so he decided to have them meet under the pretext of a matchmaking session.

If either person disagreed with the engagement, the childhood marriage would be called off, and they would say it was a failed matchmaking, which wouldn’t affect the other party.

But if both agreed, it would be the best outcome, as it would always be the best choice.

Ye Zhi couldn’t help but give a thumbs up to her father’s plan.

Her parents cared for her deeply, and Ye Zhi could truly feel it this time.

After washing up, Ye Zhi rummaged through her wardrobe and found the clothes and skirt she had made earlier.

In this special era, she couldn’t dress too flashy, so she chose a simple and modest white top paired with a green long skirt. It was cool and clean for the hot summer days.

Moreover, her skin was as white as snow, and the green made her skin appear even brighter and more radiant, giving her a fresh and lively aura, like a fairy from the forest.

The whole Ye family stared wide-eyed at Ye Zhi’s appearance.

It was well known that Ye Zhi was beautiful, but for some reason, she looked especially stunning today, even more beautiful than before.

Ye’s father looked at her for a moment and then said, “Today, your mother and your sisters-in-law will go with you. If you don’t like him, just tell your mother directly.”

Zhang Xiaomei added, “You haven’t even met him yet, and you’re already saying you don’t like him? Look at your mouth, can’t you speak properly?”

Big Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law immediately became nervous upon hearing this. They didn’t want the childhood marriage to be called off!

“I think it doesn’t matter even if he’s not handsome. After all, marriage isn’t just about looks. You also have to see if the person is reliable and responsible. Besides, he’s a regiment leader! How impressive to marry a soldier!”

Ye Zhi smiled and said, “I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him properly.”

As for what to talk about, Ye Zhi really had no experience.

She had never gone on a blind date, let alone been in a relationship!

Now, she just hoped that the other person would be good at starting a conversation.

Otherwise, if they just sat there in silence, it would be very awkward.

When they arrived at the commune, many people had already gathered. However, it was normal for the commune to be busy, so it wasn’t surprising.

As Ye Zhi walked towards the marriage agency, she immediately drew the attention of many eyes.

Someone whispered:

“Isn’t that Ye Zhi from the textile factory? She’s really pretty!”

“Why is she here at the marriage agency? Didn’t she like the deputy factory director from the construction group?”

“It must be because he doesn’t like her! She’s already 23 and still unmarried. She couldn’t climb higher, so now she has to come for a blind date.”

“She’s 23 already? She must be in a hurry. At that age, she probably won’t find any good match.”

Ye Zhi raised her lively, jet-black eyes and swept her gaze over. Her cold, piercing look made everyone feel uneasy, and they quickly fell silent, not daring to breathe.

She walked toward the director’s office, and the crowd immediately erupted again.

“I heard there’s a military officer in the director’s office. He’s tall and handsome. I’ve never seen such a good-looking young man.”

“Someone said he’s a regiment leader. He looks so young.”

“Could Ye Zhi’s blind date be him?”

At this moment, Ye Zhi pushed the door open and entered. She saw a tall, upright man standing by the window, bathed in sunlight. He had sharp features and a commanding presence.

Ye Zhi’s gaze immediately met his intense and deep eyes, and she couldn’t help but feel nervous.

He was wearing a well-fitted white shirt and crisp military trousers, which outlined his strong, well-proportioned muscles, making him appear tall and imposing. What was even more striking were his deep, jet-black eyes, which shone with a brilliant light, adding a sense of strength and determination.

So, he wasn’t an old man.

She had thought that someone who could be a regiment leader must be a bit older.

And he was handsome.

A man with such good qualities… Would he already have someone?

Even if he didn’t have a partner, surely many people admired him, right?

This childhood marriage seemed unlikely.

Even if she was willing, he would probably compare her to others in every aspect.

Ye Zhi suddenly felt the pressure, but she had to suppress all her thoughts and greeted him awkwardly, “Hello, are you Comrade Lu?”

“I’m Ye Zhi.”

Her voice was soft, clear, and sweet, with a delicate tone.

It was like the sound of a swallow’s chirping, gentle and graceful.

Lu Wei silently sized up the young woman in front of him.

The white shirt and green skirt accentuated her slender yet tall figure, making her look indescribably beautiful.

Her large, watery eyes seemed to speak, and her long eyelashes fluttered like little fans. Her thick, jet-black hair was tied into two braids hanging down her shoulders, adding to her lively and charming appearance.

Suddenly, the words he had rehearsed countless times in his mind were caught in his throat.

Lu Wei cleared his throat lightly, masking his surprise, and said in a low voice, “Hello, Comrade Ye.”

“I’m Lu Wei.”

The two locked eyes.

Then, silence fell once more.