The dishes on the table jumped violently, splattering soup everywhere. Chen Li quickly pressed Shi Sue’s hand, “Grandma, keep your voice down…”
Although the bedroom door was closed, everyone in the family had grown accustomed to moving quietly and speaking softly to ensure Qin Mulan, a light sleeper, could rest undisturbed.
Chen Li glanced at her own brother, who was silently eating, and couldn’t help but feel resentful toward him.
“You’ve decided just like that? Then what about my Qing sister?”
Chen Lang continued eating in silence, unaffected by the commotion.
Shi Sue grew even more furious at the sight. “I don’t agree! If you dare get married, I’ll act as if I never had a grandson. From then on, you won’t be allowed to step foot in this house!”
Chen Li wished she could cover her grandmother’s mouth. “Grandma, lower your voice!”
Panting with anger, Shi Sue rubbed her chest to calm herself. “You’ve all grown up, and not a single one of you listens anymore. Insisting on retaking the college entrance exams after finishing high school, and now you—wanting to bring just anyone into our family! I’m not dead yet!”
Chen Lang finished every last grain of rice in his bowl, set down his chopsticks, and looked at her.
“This marriage is happening. I’ll eat in the cafeteria these next few days. Don’t wait for me.”
Before Shi Sue could start cursing, Chen Lang stood up and walked out.
“Everyone’s rebelling against heaven! How is Meng Qing not better than her in every way? You’re blind!”
Chen Li also felt frustrated. “Exactly! Qing sister has been so good to us, and my brother is like a block of wood—no, a rock, a rock from the latrine pit!”
“How can you talk about your brother like that!” Shi Sue was most proud of this eldest grandson.
He was all she had left now.
Her husband and two sons had all sacrificed their lives for the country, leaving her with only one grandson, one granddaughter, and a daughter-in-law who was nearing the end of her life.
Every lonely night, she cursed the heavens for being unjust, but by the next morning, she would rise as usual. Life had to go on, no matter how difficult it was.
She never expected that the grandson who had always been the most worry-free would now cause the biggest problem.
After clearing the table, Chen Li hurried out, unsure where to go. Shi Sue carried a bowl of freshly cooked porridge and pushed open the bedroom door.
Qin Mulan was still asleep and was gently awakened by her.
“Eat something before taking your medicine.”
Slowly opening her eyes from a deep dream, Qin Mulan was helped into a sitting position.
Shi Sue draped a blanket over her, sat by the bed, and began feeding her, holding the porridge bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other.
As Qin Mulan opened her mouth, her cracked lips bled slightly.
After each spoonful, she needed a moment to recover before taking the next.
Shi Sue was patient and did not rush her.
After two spoonfuls, Qin Mulan mustered a bit of strength.
“Mom, if Chen Lang likes her, that’s enough.”
Shi Sue paused. She had heard after all.
Qin Mulan smiled faintly, looking at this woman who had toiled for the Chen family her entire life, and spoke apologetically.
“I’ve burdened you. Once I’m gone, you’ll have an easier time.”
Shi Sue didn’t want to hear such words—they were inauspicious.
“Eat well, take your medicine properly. When Chen Lang has children, you’ll still have to look after them. Don’t count on me—I won’t do anything from now on, not even cook.”
Qin Mulan began to gasp for breath, curling up as she coughed violently.
Bright red spots bloomed on the snow-white quilt. Shi Sue quickly helped her lie back down.
“You’ve said enough for today. Sleep a little longer. You can eat more later.”
Her remaining vitality dwindled rapidly with the turning of the clock’s hands.
Initially determined not to let that inexplicable woman into the house, Shi Sue now hesitated again.
The person before her probably couldn’t wait any longer…
……
“I’ve waited all these years, it’s impossible!”
“You’ve seen the marriage application, why don’t you understand?”
Regimental Commander Meng Songshan frowned at his daughter behind the desk.
Although he also liked Chen Lang and wanted him as a son-in-law, the two who grew up together still hadn’t broken through that thin barrier.
What surprised him even more was the marriage application Chen Lang suddenly submitted.
Meng Qing’s face was pale; the handwriting on the marriage application was familiar yet piercing, and she felt it was all a lie.
She was still waiting.
Waiting for Chen Lang to find her and ask if she was willing to marry him.
She had watched many girls in the compound meet with Chen Lang, but without exception, none succeeded.
Was Chen Lang waiting for her to take the initiative?
Her pride wouldn’t allow it.
If only he would ask, she would agree without hesitation. But in the end, what she waited for was his submitted marriage application. If Chen Li hadn’t told her, she would still be in the dark.
Meng Qing couldn’t understand it no matter how hard she tried.
Meng Songshan couldn’t understand it either.
This woman was divorced.
No matter how low Chen Lang had fallen, he wouldn’t go for a divorced woman. So many unmarried young women were lining up to marry him, including his own daughter, Meng Qing.
But fate had other plans. The thin sheet of paper on the desk gave him a headache.
“You’re not young anymore. He’s moved on, and you should too!”
Meng Qing turned abruptly, slamming the office door behind her. She ran downstairs and rushed straight into Chen Lang’s office without even knocking.
Chen Lang was sitting behind his desk, writing materials, and looked up to see Meng Qing barging in.
“Is something wrong?”
He remained calm and composed, though his cheeks were thinner, and the angles of his jawline sharper.
“Are you really getting married?”
Chen Lang nodded. “Yes, come to my wedding when the time comes.”
Meng Qing’s heart turned to ashes; his gaze was still so indifferent.
Tears of shame and anger nearly spilled from her eyes as she turned and fled.
Chen Lang was stunned, unsure why she had suddenly appeared and just as quickly left.
Meng Qing, who had run out, hurried back to her office, locked the door, and slid down to sit on the floor.
Her sobs were muffled against her knees.
What childhood sweethearts?
What unspoken understanding?
She was the most laughable joke in the world.
He’d rather find some random divorced woman than come and ask her.
What did pride matter now?
She had completely lost hope.
Become a total failure.
The failure didn’t know her father had called Chen Lang into his office.
Meng Songshan’s fingertips tapped unconsciously on the marital status column, making a clicking sound.
“Are you really sure?”
Meng Songshan’s tone was tinged with regret, as if Chen Lang were about to march to his death.
“She’s a good person.”
“Good?” Meng Songshan found it absurd. “I know why you’re in a hurry to get married, but marriage isn’t a game. Life, old age, sickness, and death are part of life. You still have a long road ahead; you should think more about yourself.”
Chen Lang understood the meaning behind Meng Songshan’s words.
“I’ve thought it through clearly.”
He spoke clearly, but to Meng Songshan, it sounded like stubborn refusal to see reason.
“You’re a key cadre being cultivated by the military, reaching this position at such a young age. There’s no need to choose someone with such a complicated situation. If you thought it through seriously, you wouldn’t make this decision.”
Chen Lang didn’t understand why this marriage was so frowned upon.
She had only been divorced before—she hadn’t committed murder or arson.
Compared to his own circumstances, she was younger and should have a better life, not hastily marry someone like him.
Someone who couldn’t promise to grow old together with her.
He raised his gaze, looking directly into Meng Songshan’s eyes.
“I accept everything about her, and I am willing to bear all the consequences.”
He straightened his posture, raised his hand, and gave a sharp, precise military salute.
“Please grant approval from the organization!”