Mu Fan understood the meaning behind Lu’s mother’s words.
He smiled. “Auntie, don’t worry. I’ll return to the military region overnight. It’ll take me one day and one night to get there. I’ll personally make sure Yunzhou receives this token of affection.”
Mu Fan had come here to visit family. He and Lu Yunzhou were not only comrades-in-arms but also brothers.
Helping with something like this was nothing to him.
“Thank you, comrade. These are for you.” Qiao Wanyue produced two small bundles as if by magic. Mu Fan glanced at them—two rare pomelos, along with some apples and bananas, from the same batch as those prepared for Lu Yunzhou.
His heart warmed.
Lu Yunzhou’s little wife was thoughtful.
“Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I’ll deliver them safely.”
“Thank you, sister-in-law.”
Mu Fan didn’t dare delay. He loaded the items into the vehicle—he was on duty, driving a military vehicle—and placed everything in the trunk. After bidding farewell to Lu’s mother and Qiao Wanyue, he left.
“Wanyue, tomorrow is your wedding day, but that rascal won’t be able to return. What should we do?” Lu’s mother had still held onto hope before receiving the call, but now that it was certain he couldn’t make it, she was worried Qiao Wanyue would feel wronged.
Qiao Wanyue shook her head. “Auntie, since everything is already decided, if we cancel the engagement now, it will only give others something to laugh at. We might as well proceed as planned. Yunzhou is a soldier—his duties come first. If anyone dares to mock or slander him, we’ll report them to the authorities.”
That wasn’t what Lu’s mother was worried about. “Wanyue, I’m worried about you being wronged. Your sister and your mother…” She trailed off, unwilling to speak ill of the Qiao family. “I’m afraid you’ll suffer.”
Qiao Wanyue’s eyes flickered. “Auntie, have the wedding preparations been completed?”
Lu’s mother nodded.
“Then let’s proceed as planned. As for who will be embarrassed… that remains to be seen,” Qiao Wanyue said with a smile.
The Qiao family had no money left to prepare a dowry for Qiao Shanshan. And with Yang’s mother being so snobbish, without a job or dowry, it wasn’t certain who would lose face tomorrow.
“Auntie, if possible, prepare more tables and chairs, and cook more dishes,” Qiao Wanyue added.
Lu’s mother pursed her lips, seeming hesitant.
But in the end, she nodded.
She couldn’t let her future daughter-in-law feel slighted.
Qiao Wanyue still had other matters to attend to. After saying goodbye to Lu’s mother, she headed to the textile factory.
“Mom, why didn’t you tell Wanyue about our situation…” Lu’s eldest son said awkwardly.
Lu’s mother sighed.
She had originally prepared eight tables, intending to invite relatives and villagers. With her son returning, they would at least show respect. But now that he couldn’t come back—and the Yang family had arranged a feast for the entire village—
Most of the Lu family’s dishes would likely go untouched.
She hardened her resolve. “Eldest, go hire the best cook. Then come with me to buy meat. Tomorrow, we’ll prepare four large dishes.”
The eldest son twitched his lips.
Had his mother gone mad from anger?
Aside from their own relatives, no one in the village would come.
But he didn’t say it out loud. He simply followed her to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy meat, then hired the best cook as instructed. If no one came, their own family would just eat it.
When Qiao Wanyue arrived at the entrance of the textile factory, she vaguely spotted a familiar figure sneaking around.
She raised an eyebrow and hid behind a large locust tree.
Zhou Wenwen was lurking near the residential compound entrance.
Why was she here?
Qiao Wanyue suddenly slapped her forehead.
If Zhou Wenwen was here, then Yang Huaiyuan and Qiao Shanshan must be nearby. Back in high school, their mother had already bought Qiao Shanshan a bicycle—she could travel faster than by ox cart.
Yang Huaiyuan’s aunt was a worker at the textile factory.
Qiao Shanshan must be here to take her place as a factory worker.
A smile curved on Qiao Wanyue’s lips.
Wanting everything would only lead to ruin.
While Zhou Wenwen stayed crouched at the main entrance, Qiao Wanyue circled around to another gate. The factory workshop and residential compound were connected, so she entered through the back door.
As soon as she went in, she saw a little boy playing with stones on the ground.
“Sister Wanyue!” The child ran over happily and hugged her leg.
Qiao Wanyue patted his head and took out some candies from her pocket. “Is your mother home?”
“She is! I’ll take you to her.”
The boy’s name was Zhou Ranran, the only son of the textile factory director and the grain bureau secretary.
Once, by chance, Qiao Wanyue had saved him.
Zhou Ranran dragged her upstairs, turning through several corridors until they stopped at a doorway in a shared apartment building. He knocked on the door. “Mom, guess who’s here!”
Wang Qi hadn’t gone to work that day. When she opened the door and saw Qiao Wanyue, she looked surprised. “Wanyue, what brings you here?”
Not seeing anyone behind her, she raised an eyebrow.
“Mom, let sister come in first.”
The little boy pushed the door open and pulled Qiao Wanyue inside.
Only then did Wang Qi notice the fruit in her hands.
Juicy, high-quality apples—rare even for a family as well-off as theirs.
She immediately understood that Qiao Wanyue had come with a request.
“Ranran, can you go next door and borrow a stool from Grandma?”
“Okay!”
The child trotted off.
Wang Qi turned back. “Wanyue, do you need Auntie’s help?”
Qiao Wanyue didn’t beat around the bush. She directly explained her purpose.
After hearing everything that had happened, Wang Qi slammed the table. “This is outrageous!”
“But why would you sell your job? Even if you marry a military officer, as long as you have ties with the textile factory, you could transfer there later. If you sell it, you’ll have no job at all.”
“Wanyue, listen to me. A woman needs a job. No matter how much it earns, it’s your foundation in life.”
Wang Qi didn’t agree with her decision.
Qiao Wanyue held her hand, knowing she meant well. “Auntie, I understand. But the Qiao family is watching closely, and my household registration hasn’t been transferred yet.
“They could replace me at any time. It’s better if I sell the job myself—at least the money will end up in my hands.”
Her reasoning made sense.
Seeing that she understood the pros and cons, Wang Qi didn’t argue further. She immediately went out to find someone.
A formal job was extremely hard to come by. Qiao Wanyue had earned her position through her own efforts, but without inside connections, it wouldn’t have been possible.
The fact that she came to her meant she was offering a favor.
Wang Qi was more than happy.
She quickly went to a neighbor’s house and soon returned with a man and a woman.
“Wanyue, this is Uncle Li and Aunt Li,” Wang Qi introduced.
“And this is Wanyue.”
Patiently, Wang Qi explained, “Aunt Li’s daughter just graduated from high school this year. She was supposed to get a temporary job, but due to internal issues, it fell through. If you’re willing, you can sell your position to them.”
“They definitely won’t let your sister interfere,” Wang Qi added softly into Qiao Wanyue’s ear.