Late at night,
The unfilial grandson suddenly sat upright in bed.
The bride price hadn’t been discussed, the “three big, one small” gifts hadn’t been arranged… In the military compound, who gets married in such a sloppy way? He’d be laughed out of existence.
Whatever other female comrades had, Jiang Lai should have as well.
Life in the military was tough enough; he didn’t want her to feel slighted over ceremony or material things.
The more he thought about it, the less he could sleep. Qi Huaiye switched on the light, got out of bed, and started listing items in a notebook. He had a single room, so he didn’t have to worry about disturbing his comrades.
After a whole night of planning, he appeared on the training ground the next day, looking as sharp as ever, tightening the discipline of the soldiers under him.
The Ninth Regiment complained endlessly, but as exhausted as they were, no one dared defy Qi Huaiye.
Whether on missions or during training, he led by example, completing everything faster and more precisely than anyone else, a model soldier in every exercise.
He didn’t care about personal feelings—only organization and discipline—and had a reputation for being strict and unapproachable.
But today, his usual coldness was useless.
When he shot a cold glare, the soldiers’ eyes were even brighter, full of curiosity.
“Old Qi, I heard your family arranged a childhood engagement for you, and that young lady came to see you the day before yesterday?” After morning training, Political Commissar Yao approached with a smile.
Qi Huaiye’s face remained icy, replying flatly: “That’s true.”
He wasn’t one to share personal matters.
Hearing this, the soldiers lingered. Some pretended to admire the clouds, others looked at the grass, some leaned forward under the pretext of stretching, trying to hear better.
“I also heard…” Yao started.
“Rumors stop with the wise,” Qi Huaiye interrupted, frowning as he shot him a look.
Thinking of the gossip spreading in the family compound, he felt it necessary to “set things straight.”
He clenched his fists tightly.
Yao’s brows jumped. Is Old Qi in a bad mood today?
Judging by his scowl, he showed no joy at getting married—could he be unhappy about the engagement?
With much on his mind, Qi Huaiye strode off the training ground and unexpectedly appeared in the senior commander’s office.
Commander Chen set down his ceramic cup warily. “What are you here for?”
Qi Huaiye’s eyes were sharp: “I’m here to retrieve the marriage report.”
Hearing this, Commander Chen felt a sense of finality. Only last night, after threats and orders, did this stubborn kid obey. After thinking overnight, he now realized Qi might want to back out.
“You’re late. The report was approved overnight. You can go get the marriage certificate this afternoon.”
“So soon?”
Qi Huaiye pursed his thin lips, his gaze growing distant.
Had he come before training, he could have blocked Commander Chen. Last night, the more he thought, the more he regretted submitting the marriage report without consulting Jiang Lai first—at least discuss the bride price beforehand.
It was the minimum respect.
She came alone to the far northeast, already feeling insecure. Acting first and reporting later—would she think he was careless about their marriage?
“I’m not in a rush to get the certificate. This afternoon, I’ll take leave first,” he said, planning to go to the store to order the three big items: sewing machine, bicycle, and watch.
No—“three big, one small” was too ordinary. He decided to gather all five big items.
He remembered that his little nephew mentioned that the family had ordered a color TV from Tianjin 712 Factory.
Right, they also needed an imported washing machine. Jiang Lai had delicate hands and had never done hard labor; a washing machine would make life easier.
Also a tape recorder, electric fan, sofa…
Thinking it through, he wondered if his years of allowances would be enough for the bride price.
Commander Chen noticed the deepening frown and increasingly serious expression, unaware that Qi Huaiye was already mentally calculating even bedding and sheets for the wedding.
Assuming he was trying to escape marriage, Chen immediately scowled: “No!”
“This afternoon you must go get the certificate. That’s an order.”
Soon, rumors spread: Qi Huaiye had been escorted to the civil affairs office by the senior commander.
In just one afternoon, everyone in the camp knew.
The regiment commander refused to accept an arranged marriage and vowed to remain a bachelor for life!
Everyone simultaneously felt sympathy for Miss Jiang.
Who knew what sins she had committed in her previous life to become the fiancée of the infamous Qi Huaiye?
Civil Affairs Office.
Seated at the registration window signing, Jiang Lai’s head was still spinning. How did they suddenly get the marriage certificate?
She glanced at Qi Huaiye’s grim face, then at the two guards behind them, staring intently as if to ensure they didn’t run.
Even the clerk had never seen such a scene. Hesitant, she asked, “Comrade, is this voluntary?”
The question was directed mainly at Jiang Lai.
The clerk admired her courage—such a gentle-looking woman dared to be with that fierce-looking man. Without his military uniform, one might mistake him for an old bandit.
Jiang Lai lifted her head, smiling: “Yes, I’m completely voluntary.”
“I am also completely voluntary,” Qi Huaiye said, his handsome face cold as ice, yet his voice firm.
The clerk stamped the certificate, and a brand-new marriage certificate was issued.
Nowadays, the marriage certificate was like a colorful “award”: the chairman’s portrait on the left, red quotations and supreme instructions below. The right side was the actual certificate, confirming that Jiang Lai and Qi Huaiye voluntarily married in accordance with the law.
From this moment, they were officially husband and wife.
Stepping out of the civil affairs office together, the warmth of the day hit them. Jiang Lai finally felt reality.
She couldn’t help glancing at the tall, handsome man beside her.
In her previous life, she had never even held a man’s hand. She never imagined her first marriage in two lifetimes would be a flash marriage to a man she had known less than a week.
At that moment, Qi Huaiye turned to her. Their eyes met in the air.
Both were slightly nervous.
Qi Huaiye’s gaze softened. Suddenly, he promised: “Don’t worry. After we’re married, I’ll treat you well.”
Jiang Lai licked her lips. “How do you mean, ‘well’?”
He hadn’t expected the question. Pausing, he said: “You won’t have to do any housework. Leave it to me. Anything you want, as long as it’s within my means, I’ll get it for you.”
She had always been pampered at home. If he made her do chores now, he wouldn’t be getting a wife—he’d be getting a housekeeper.
Ultimately, he felt she had already been wronged by army life.
For a moment, her eyes sparkled with dazzling light, tiny flecks of happiness reflecting inside. “Qi Huaiye, marrying you is wonderful!”