Su Baicha smiled gently, giving a reassuring look.
Under normal circumstances, Bai Tingxin would have endured it. In this life, she believed she had seen enough storms—she had even managed to win over the difficult Su Chengguang and keep him under her control.
Endurance was what she was best at.
But now, she couldn’t tolerate it at all.
Bai Tingxin followed them inside. Seeing Su Chengguang’s unpleasant expression, she knew he was also dissatisfied with Mei Xinghan.
A smile appeared on Bai Tingxin’s face. “Husband, you stay here and entertain the new son-in-law. I’ll take our daughter back to pack her things.”
Since they had already obtained the marriage certificate, by rights, she shouldn’t stay here anymore.
Normally, the man would bring gifts to visit the woman’s family first, then proceed with engagement and marriage steps.
Who would have thought—in just one day, Su Baicha had practically sold herself!
Bai Tingxin pulled Su Baicha into the room. Seeing her directly start packing, she became so angry she could barely breathe. “You—you—you! What is going on? This is the man you chose? That kind of person—poor, unable to give you a good life—why did you swap with Su Yueheng? Watching you live like this pains me.”
Su Baicha casually tossed her clothes aside, pulled Bai Tingxin to sit down, and lowered her voice. “Mom, don’t look at Mei Xinghan like this now. In the future, he’ll be one of the top talents. And he really likes me. His family treats me well too. Didn’t you see how respectful they were to you today? They even directly called you Second Aunt.”
Bai Tingxin’s lips twitched—was that considered respect?
She wanted to say more, but Su Baicha interrupted her. “Also, Mom, we’ve always been excluded in the village. As long as I marry Mei Xinghan, we can immediately fit in. Isn’t that good?”
Her tone carried a hint of coquettishness.
Su Baicha didn’t want to argue further and directly brought up the most practical issue.
Bai Tingxin felt unsettled. “If it were Su Yueheng, I’d gladly let her suffer with the Mei family. But you, my daughter…”
“Mom, trust me. I won’t make the wrong choice.”
What else could Bai Tingxin say? She could only watch as Mei Xinghan took Su Baicha away, her heart filled with sorrow.
After Mei Xinghan left, Su Chengguang revealed a look of disgust and snorted unhappily. “So this is the person the old man chose? His character is really lacking.”
Bai Tingxin nodded, tears in her eyes as she spoke softly, “I’ve watched A Cha grow up. Seeing her being so sensible and giving so much makes my heart ache.”
Things had already reached this point—regret was useless now.
She needed to remind Su Chengguang how Su Baicha had ended up here!
With a pained expression, Bai Tingxin continued, “A Cha is so sensible. If it weren’t her, it would have been Yueheng. Someone as pampered as Yueheng—how could she endure this suffering?”
After saying that, she made a firm decision and spoke almost pleadingly, “Second Master, A Cha has sacrificed so much for us. I want to take her as my goddaughter and give her extra dowry so she can live better after marriage.”
Bai Tingxin knew Su Chengguang had brought grain coupons, cloth coupons, and more. Since she couldn’t stop her daughter from suffering, she could only try to get more benefits from him.
Su Chengguang thought for a few seconds, then nodded.
That girl Su Baicha was indeed sensible. And now that they had come to Caoping Village, having in-laws there would truly help them integrate.
One month later, after the Mei family’s new house was completed, Su Baicha officially married Mei Xinghan.
Back to the present.
On the other side.
On the last day of his leave, Su Yueheng and Lu Xingzhou became husband and wife under the witness of everyone in the residential compound.
While going around to offer toasts, Su Yueheng could feel several unfriendly gazes from the crowd. She glanced back but didn’t find anyone, maintaining a faint smile as she continued with him.
At the neighboring table sat Battalion Commander Yao’s family and Regiment Commander Yang’s family.
Standing before that table, Su Yueheng rubbed her stiff smile and heard Yang Jianguo laugh heartily, “Old Lu, I’m going to drink you under the table tonight!”
Lu Xingzhou, usually stern, now had a smile on his face. “I’ll be waiting!”
Yang Siya called out aggrievedly, “Uncle Xingzhou, just now A Ning said you already transferred her and Brother Shengli’s household registration under your name. Is that true?”
Yang Jianguo’s smile froze, and he gave Su Yueheng an apologetic smile.
The little girl’s voice was loud, and the banquet tables were close together.
Half the people heard it.
All eyes fell on Su Yueheng—curious, confused, mocking, disdainful.
Su Yueheng was beautiful—words like graceful and as lovely as Chang’e were not enough to describe her. Today, dressed in a bright red bridal outfit, she looked even more radiant than flowers.
Such a woman, becoming a stepmother.
Unbelievable.
The smile on Lu Xingzhou’s face stiffened. The night before, the two mischievous children had urged him to handle the matter, so he went ahead and changed it. Both Su Yueheng and his mother knew.
But he hadn’t intended to publicize it, especially not today.
It would damage Su Yueheng’s reputation.
The lively atmosphere cooled.
Fang Muping, who had been watching for drama, noticed Lu Xingzhou’s discomfort. She coughed lightly, wrapped an arm around her daughter’s shoulder, and smiled apologetically. “Just children joking—don’t take it seriously.”
Siya shrank closer to her father, timidly calling, “Uncle Xingzhou.”
At the same table, Lu Sangning and Shengli felt a chill down their backs and looked to Su Yueheng for help.
Su Yueheng chuckled softly, linking her arm with Lu Xingzhou’s, her smile radiant. “My A Ning and Shengli were too excited—they let it slip so quickly. It’s fine.”
“…”
No one responded.
Not far away, Lu Mingjue’s face darkened. He wanted nothing more than to throw Yang Siya out—the girl’s intentions were clearly malicious. Who was she pretending to be pitiful for?
Just as he stepped forward to speak, Su Yueheng smiled brightly and said, “My brother-in-law has passed away, and their biological mother is nowhere to be found. The children have been living in our home—calling us uncle and aunt isn’t appropriate. I want to treat them like my own daughters, so I’m willing to transfer their registration. My mother and my husband both agree. It’s not a joke—it’s real.”
She spoke openly and confidently, then beckoned to the two children who were acting like quails. “Originally, we planned to hold a small separate ceremony for this, but since it’s come up at the wedding, that works too.”
After a pause, she smiled gently. “A Ning, Shengli, call me ‘Mom,’ and call your uncle ‘Dad,’ and that will make it official.”
Her tone was gentle yet firm.
Lu Xingzhou let out a soft acknowledgment, patting the children’s heads, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness. “You two…”
Lu Sangning blinked, her round eyes shining. “Mom.”
Then she looked at Lu Xingzhou, her nose slightly sour. “Dad.”
Lu Shengli followed, “Dad, Mom!”
Lu Xingzhou responded with a hum.
Lu Sangning cheerfully echoed, “Hey!”
After that, she pulled out a handful of milk candies from her pocket. “Go play. From now on, hold your heads high.”
Lu Mingjue also strode over, standing tall with pride. “Alright, everyone eat and drink well. Making a big deal out of it is fine. Little Yang…”
He glanced at Fang Muping, his tone somewhat displeased. “Children are like blank paper. If adults don’t teach them properly, they can easily learn bad things.”