In her past life, neither Qiao Xiang nor Qiao Yu had come to the island.
This time, Qiao Yu suddenly arrived on the island to fulfill the marriage agreement, which made Liu Cuicui sense something was off.
Since she herself had been reborn, could Qiao Yu also be reborn?
Liu Cuicui felt a wave of fear.
But upon careful thought, she decided it couldn’t be. Even if someone were to be reborn, it should be Qiao Xiang—what did Qiao Yu have to do with it?
She was just scaring herself.
Looking at the calendar, Liu Cuicui suddenly remembered something important: soon, the Qiao family would face investigation, and after they fled to Hong Kong, Gu Shaoyuan would break off the engagement with Qiao Xiang.
Could it be that Qiao Yu had caught wind of this and agreed to switch places, coming to the island to marry Gu Shaoyuan?
Liu Cuicui felt like a genius—she had actually uncovered Qiao Yu’s secret.
She quickly told Gu’s mother about it.
“Once the Qiao family is investigated, they’ll be labeled as capitalists everyone despises! Qiao Yu is still a capitalist’s daughter. If Shao Yuan marries her, it will definitely affect his future.”
Hearing that it could harm her son’s prospects, Zhang Xiulian couldn’t help but grow serious.
“That can’t be, right? Didn’t Xiao Yu already cut ties with the Qiao family?”
Liu Cuicui replied, “What good does cutting ties do? They’re still father and daughter in reality. The authorities won’t care about that—they’ll investigate anyway.”
Zhang Xiulian was startled. How could that be?
Seeing how earnest Liu Cuicui was, Zhang Xiulian actually believed her, not bothering to question where Liu Cuicui had gotten the information.
…
Unaware that Liu Cuicui had schemed against her, Qiao Yu was exploring the island’s market, looking at all sorts of fresh and interesting things.
Fresh shrimp and fish, sewing supplies, tin spoons, towels, handkerchiefs… there was everything for sale.
This was the south, where regulations were less strict. As long as no one was reselling grain at high prices, it was fine.
People could sell small items at the market, exchanging them for money or ration coupons.
Auntie Li, carrying a basket on her arm, was strolling around when she spotted Qiao Yu, the most eye-catching person in the crowd.
Auntie Li excitedly waved to Qiao Yu. “Yu girl!”
Qiao Yu looked up, saw it was Auntie Li calling her, and walked over with small steps.
“Auntie Li, you’re here too?”
“Yes, what a coincidence.” Auntie Li smiled and glanced around Qiao Yu, looking a bit puzzled. “Why are you alone? Is Commander Gu too busy to accompany you?”
Qiao Yu replied, “He left early in the morning, probably busy with military matters.”
She had gotten up early today specifically to check out the market.
Gu Shaoyuan had risen even earlier. When she left her room, Gu’s mother told her that Gu Shaoyuan had already gone out.
Auntie Li, worried that Qiao Yu might overthink and assume Gu Shaoyuan was neglecting her, explained, “Commander Gu is a good man. He’s been on our island for five years and has protected the island and its people well!”
“Even during the fiercest typhoons, as long as Commander Gu is here, we don’t have to be afraid.”
In the eyes of locals like Auntie Li, Gu Shaoyuan was like a reassuring anchor.
“Auntie Li, he’s a soldier and a commander. It’s normal for him to be busy.”
Qiao Yu knew being a military spouse wasn’t easy, and she understood.
Hearing this, Auntie Li felt relieved. She had to admit, Commander Gu had excellent taste.
His fiancée was not only beautiful but also sensible, without any airs of a wealthy young lady.
“You’re such a good girl, no wonder Shao Yuan likes you so much!”
Qiao Yu was puzzled. “Auntie Li, how can you tell he likes me?”
She didn’t notice anything particularly special about it. Wasn’t the way Gu Shaoyuan interacted with her just completely ordinary?
Auntie Li gave a mysterious smile. “I’ve been around, so of course I can tell that Commander Gu has you in his eyes.”
“Everyone on the island knows Commander Gu has boundaries and won’t casually chat with female comrades. But you’re different—Commander Gu takes special care of you.”
Qiao Yu pouted.
He took care of her because she was his fiancée—it was just a sense of responsibility driving him.
Anyway, Qiao Yu didn’t quite believe that Gu Shaoyuan had already fallen for her.
They had only known each other for three days. Unless it was love at first sight.
Qiao Yu didn’t want to talk about Gu Shaoyuan and quickly changed the subject. “Auntie, why don’t you take me to see what’s ahead?”
Auntie Li promptly replied, “Ah, alright!”
…
After being fooled by Liu Cuicui, Zhang Xiulian couldn’t sit still and immediately went to the garrison base to find her son.
Yang Zhongcheng was surprised to see Zhang Xiulian arrive and went up to greet her.
“Auntie, what brings you here?”
Zhang Xiulian usually wouldn’t come to disturb Commander Gu unless there was something urgent.
There were soldiers guarding the entrance, so ordinary people couldn’t get in at all.
Zhang Xiulian said, “I have something urgent. Xiao Yang, quickly take me to see him.”
Yang Zhongcheng had always been by Gu Shaoyuan’s side. Since he was here, Gu Shaoyuan must definitely be inside the base.
Yang Zhongcheng really thought something major had happened and quickly had them let her through, taking Zhang Xiulian to see Gu Shaoyuan.
Gu Shaoyuan and Deputy Commander Li Jun were looking at a terrain map when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
Yang Zhongcheng shouted, “Commander Gu! Your mother is here to see you.”
A flicker of surprise passed through Gu Shaoyuan’s eyes. Why would his mother suddenly come?
Li Jun teased him, “Maybe it’s about your precious fiancée. I’ll step out first. You have a good chat with your mother.”
Gu Shaoyuan: “…”
Li Jun and Gu Shaoyuan had known each other for six years. They were brothers who had been through life and death together. When he heard that higher-ups were sending Gu Shaoyuan to garrison the island, Li Jun applied to come along without a second thought.
When he heard from a subordinate that Gu Shaoyuan had personally taken Qiao Yu to the service center to buy things, his eyes widened in shock.
After knowing him for so many years, this was the first time Li Jun had seen Gu Shaoyuan so attentive to a girl.
Seeing his good brother finally about to settle down, Li Jun was happy for him too.
When Li Jun went out, he politely greeted Gu’s mother.
Zhang Xiulian walked into the office and waited until Yang Zhongcheng closed the door before hurriedly walking up to Gu Shaoyuan.
“Son, something big has happened!”
Gu Shaoyuan remained expressionless. “What?”
Zhang Xiulian said anxiously, “I heard the Qiao family is going to be liquidated. If you marry Xiao Yu, it might affect your promotion prospects in the future. Shouldn’t we reconsider?”
Gu Shaoyuan’s dark eyes fixed on his mother. “Who told you this news?”
Zhang Xiulian avoided his gaze. “Never mind who said it. Anyway, your mother got wind of it and came to have you seriously think it over.”
She had already promised Cuicui she wouldn’t tell Shao Yuan it was Cuicui who said it.
Gu Shaoyuan’s eyes remained calm and unruffled. “The marriage report has already been submitted. I won’t withdraw it.”
Zhang Xiulian grew anxious. “What if the news is true? What about your future then?”
Although she really liked Qiao Yu, in her heart, her son came first.
Gu Shaoyuan frowned slightly, poured a cup of tea for Zhang Xiulian, and had her sit down.
“The matter of the Qiao family being targeted for investigation, Xiao Yu told me about it long ago. I already told her then that I wouldn’t cancel the engagement.”
“I have my own plans, don’t worry.”
Zhang Xiulian took a sip of tea, feeling somewhat reassured upon hearing Gu Shaoyuan’s words.
Her son had always been a decisive one.
Qiao Yu was also an honest child. While other capitalist-class young ladies would have tried to hide such a thing, she specifically told Shao Yuan about it.