The room door was closed by the man who had followed her inside.
“Are you angry?” Duan Pengyue’s tone carried a hint of delight.
Li Qinkuai looked at him. “You’re happy that I’m angry?”
“Yes, I’m happy,” Duan Pengyue answered honestly.
He was happy that she would be angry because someone else liked him—it meant Li Qinkuai cared about him in her heart.
Hearing this, Li Qinkuai grew even angrier. She gritted her teeth and said, “Duan Pengyue, you’re really something!”
Duan Pengyue walked over, reached out, and embraced her. “I know why you’re angry, but what makes me happy is that you’re jealous. It means I’m in your heart.”
Li Qinkuai struggled briefly but couldn’t break free. The man holding her tightened his grip. Thinking about his words, she narrowed her eyes and looked at him. “So you’ve always known that Qing Shuangyun likes you?”
“I know, but I have no feelings for her. I only see her as a friend,” Duan Pengyue said sincerely. He wasn’t unaware of Qing Shuangyun’s affection, but he truly had no interest in her.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to the countryside, nor would he have rejected Qing Shuangyun’s confession before leaving.
Recalling the events of her past life, Li Qinkuai was filled with confusion and asked directly, “Didn’t they say you two were in love, grew up together since childhood, and even had an arranged marriage? Was it my appearance that ruined things between you? If it weren’t for me, the person you would have married would be her, right?”
“Who told you all this?” Duan Pengyue’s expression darkened.
Who was trying to sabotage the relationship between him and his wife behind their backs? If he found out who said it, he wouldn’t let them off easily.
Seeing Duan Pengyue’s reaction, Li Qinkuai was taken aback. Could it be that everything she knew was false?
Though she thought so in her heart, she couldn’t help but test the waters with her words. “Everyone says so. Qing Shuangyun is so beautiful, grew up with you, and likes you. Could it be that you’ve never liked her?”
Duan Pengyue shook his head and explained, “No, I’ve never liked her. As for the so-called arranged marriage, that was just something our parents thought about. It was never finalized. It’s all just rumors they spread. From now on, if there’s anything you want to know, you can ask me.”
Only now did Li Qinkuai realize that everything she knew was false.
Seeing her silent, Duan Pengyue suddenly recalled the moment in Li Family Village when Li Qinkuai had turned cold toward him. He also remembered how he had confronted her at the time, and how she had mentioned Qing Shuangyun.
Suddenly, it all made sense.
It must have been then that Li Qinkuai heard the rumors about Qing Shuangyun and him having an arranged marriage, which was why her attitude changed. So she had known all along and kept it in her heart—no wonder she had wanted to cut ties with him back then.
“Don’t worry, since I’ve married you, you’ll be the only wife I’ll have in this lifetime. There won’t be anyone else,” Duan Pengyue promised.
It was his promise that startled Li Qinkuai.
…
Duan Wu lay on the bed reading the newspaper and asked Wu Yafang, who had just finished bathing, “Did you make everything clear to Shuangyun?”
Wu Yafang lifted the blanket and got into bed, sighing. “I did. Shuangyun said she won’t like Peng Yue anymore, but I don’t think she’s the type to give up so easily.”
Duan Wu nodded affirmatively. “If she could give up easily, she wouldn’t have come to our house for dinner tonight, let alone say she’d wait for Peng Yue to eat in the military unit.”
He had watched Qing Shuangyun grow up, and she was practically like a half-daughter to him.
Of course, he also knew Qing Shuangyun’s personality very well—once she wanted something, she would stop at nothing to get it and would never give up no matter what. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked Wu Yafang to persuade her.
“We can’t meddle in young people’s affairs,” Wu Yafang sighed helplessly again before asking, “How’s the job you were supposed to look out for Second Brother’s wife going?”
Duan Wu replied, “I’m already keeping an eye out. With educated youth returning to the cities, many are waiting for job assignments now. It’s like every position is already filled. Let’s wait a bit longer—it’s not like our family can’t support Second Brother’s wife.”
…
Soon, it was time for Duan Pengyue to join the military. The whole family got up early in the morning to prepare a pile of food and supplies for him to take to the unit.
Although the military unit was also in Beijing, Duan Pengyue hadn’t relied on family connections to enlist. Instead, like everyone else, he started as a conscript, so he wouldn’t be able to come home for a long time. They had to make sure he had enough supplies.
Li Qinkuai took out a hundred yuan and twenty catties of grain ration coupons for him. “Take these. If there’s anything you want to buy after you get in, use them.”
Duan Pengyue refused. “The unit has a canteen, and they’ll provide everything I need. I don’t need money—you keep it.”
“Then take the grain coupons,” Li Qinkuai insisted, having heard that conscripts’ meals weren’t very good. With the coupons, he could eat better.
“No need. The unit has a dining hall. If I’m still hungry, I’ll go find my eldest brother and eat his food.”
Duan Pengcheng, who had been waiting nearby, rolled his eyes at this. “If you want to eat well, earn military merits yourself and climb the ranks!”
Duan Pengyue nodded. “Don’t worry, I will.”
“Alright, get in the car. I need to return to the unit too,” Duan Pengcheng said, glancing at the time.
When he learned Duan Pengyue was bringing his wife home, he had specifically applied for a few days off. Now that his leave was over, he had to go back.
“Wait for me at home. While I’m away, behave yourself and don’t forget the family rules,” Duan Pengyue hugged Li Qinkuai, warning her in her ear.
His wife was so beautiful, and with him not around, surely many would have their eyes on her.
Li Qinkuai couldn’t help but laugh at his words. “That’s what I should be saying to you! After all, your childhood sweetheart is still waiting for you in the unit!”
Besides, Duan Pengyue was now a conscript and wouldn’t get leave to visit home for at least three years. She couldn’t possibly stay indoors for three whole years, just waiting for him.
Duan Pengyue glared at her resentfully.
Duan Pengwei chuckled beside them. “Second Brother, you look like a resentful husband right now.”
Duan Pengyue shot her a glare. “You help me take care of your second sister-in-law while I’m gone. If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you responsible.”
Duan Pengwei immediately fell silent, regretting having spoken at all.
Duan Wu was now semi-retired and didn’t need to live in the military unit. With Duan Pengyue leaving, he could see him off, but he couldn’t resist giving one last reminder. “Once you’re in the unit, listen to orders and don’t cause any more trouble. Understand?”
Duan Pengyue replied, “Yes, Chief.”
“You little rascal!” Duan Wu gritted his teeth in frustration.
Wu Yafang coughed lightly, changing the subject. “Hurry up and get in the car. Any later and you’ll be late.”
Duan Pengyue and Duan Pengcheng got into the car and left. Li Qinkuai and the remaining three members of the Duan family watched the car drive away with reluctance before finally closing the door.
Wu Yafang wiped her tears and turned to Li Qinkuai: “Second Brother’s wife, your father and I are already keeping an eye out for job opportunities. Don’t worry too much about it.”
“Alright. If I don’t find a job, I’ll stay home and read, studying to gain knowledge,” Li Qinkuai said, and that was exactly what she had in mind.
In her previous life, after Duan Pengyue joined the military, she didn’t want to work. She didn’t know anyone in Beijing, and the Duan family looked down on her, so she spent most of her time shut in her room studying.
When the restoration of the college entrance examination was announced, Li Qinkuai had even planned to take the exam, but unfortunately, she died before it happened.
“That’s good. Studying is also worthwhile. Even if you don’t find a job, you shouldn’t neglect learning. People must study to have goals and make progress,” Duan Wu agreed.
Wu Yafang nodded in agreement: “Right. Later, Mom will take you to the bookstore to buy some books.”
As soon as Duan Pengwei, who had just sat down on the sofa, heard this, she immediately jumped up and said, “Mom, I need to buy books too. I’ll go with you.”
Wu Yafang mercilessly exposed her: “You’ve spent all your salary on dresses and have no money left, so you want me to pay for you, don’t you?”
Duan Pengwei, caught red-handed, chuckled: “You really are my birth mother. You can see right through me!”
Wu Yafang rolled her eyes. How could she not know what her own daughter, whom she had raised, was like?
Li Qinkuai watched the interaction between the mother and daughter and thought to herself that it was exactly the same as in her previous life.
“I’ll go upstairs first to write a letter to my parents to let them know I’m safe. We can go after I finish.”
Li Qinkuai realized she hadn’t had time to write a letter home since arriving in Beijing, but now she finally had the chance.
Wu Yafang said, “Alright, we’ll wait for you to finish before going. Today, we’re all resting, so we have plenty of time.”
Just then, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly rang out, growing louder and closer, as if heading toward the Duan family’s house.