That evening, after finishing work and returning home, Lan Xiang, the neighbor, also came over, bringing some pickles she had made for Lin Qianyi.
“Qianyi, that’s your boyfriend from yesterday? What a spirited young man,” Lan Xiang said, having seen him the day before.
“Yes,” Lin Qianyi replied with a shy smile.
“Well, that’s great. Since he’s in the military, you don’t have to worry anymore. Those people spreading nonsense should shut up now.” No wonder Lin Qianyi had said she’d already taken care of things—she had a boyfriend. Having a boyfriend in the military was enviable, especially one who looked so young. Lan Xiang couldn’t help being curious and asked a few questions.
Lin Qianyi effortlessly repeated the story she had told during the day. Lan Xiang sighed—this girl was incredibly lucky, truly blessed. When she left, Lin Qianyi packed her plenty of snacks to take along.
Lan Xiang’s husband was a technician at the machinery factory, living on the same floor as Lin Qianyi but in a different apartment—a modest two-bedroom. Lan Xiang was a good person and had been friendly to the original Lin Qianyi. Despite trying to refuse, she couldn’t, and left with repeated thanks.
At the Lincheng Military District, a certain unit’s commander, Lu, almost popped his eyes out looking at two reports in his hands. He couldn’t be seeing things, right? Meng Junchuan had submitted both a love report and a marriage report? How urgent was this? Who even does that?
No, that wasn’t even the main point—the main point was that Meng Junchuan himself had submitted them! Who had the ability to do that, to win over Meng Junchuan? Leaders in the military district had tried introducing him to someone before, and he had ignored them. And now, silently, he submitted two reports.
Commander Lu was extremely curious. The girl from the machinery factory in this county must be incredibly capable. The news quickly reached the district commander, who was equally shocked. Rumors spread fast throughout the entire military district. Lincheng Military District was stunned—a top-tier officer, Meng Junchuan, had filed a marriage report.
The military district’s arts troupe and hospital staff reacted with countless sighs of heartbreak. The news was so sudden it left everyone unprepared. The only person remaining calm was Zhao Xiangdong, who had witnessed the whole dramatic scene. You’re shocked now, but could you have been as shocked as I was that day? Meeting a girl by chance on the street, having a meal, and settling marriage matters—this was Meng Junchuan! And what was even more unbelievable—after handling everything, he left me to take the bus back to the base alone, literally leaving me on the way. And we had grown up together! Even now, it still felt unreal. Meng Junchuan had settled his lifelong matter in just a few words? And the reports were already filed—it had to be real. Zhao Xiangdong felt satisfied, ready to brag to his friends in Beijing; after all, he was the only eyewitness to this incredible scene.
In Beijing, at the Meng family home.
“Riiing riiing riiing~” The phone rang.
Meng Junchuan’s mother, Jiang Mingshu, picked up. “Hello?”
“Mom, it’s me,” came Meng Junchuan’s voice.
“Hmph, even a busy man remembers to call home,” Jiang Mingshu said happily, though she couldn’t resist a little complaint. Why was her son being so proactive today? He usually avoided calls about marriage. Now was her chance.
“You’re so busy every day—when are you going to find me a daughter-in-law? I’ve picked out a few for you; when you’re on leave, go on a match!”
“No,” Meng Junchuan refused firmly.
“What do you mean no? You’re not getting any younger! Who’s like you these days? Not even a girlfriend? Talking about marriage at your age is serious!” She was frustrated. How could such an outstanding son have no partner? There were so many excellent girls—why hadn’t he chosen one? Convincing him to meet someone required cunning and persistence from her, personally pushing him. She worried whether her son even liked any girl.
“I have one,” Meng Junchuan said with a hint of a smile.
“What do you mean, you have one? I told you to go on a match or I’d bring her to the base myself!” Jiang Mingshu exclaimed, frustrated. “You always brush me off!”
“What do you mean ‘have one’?” she demanded.
“I have a girlfriend,” Meng Junchuan replied, holding the receiver away from his ear.
“Ah~” A scream erupted, startling Meng Junchuan’s father, who was reading the newspaper nearby.
“Son, is this true?” Jiang Mingshu could hardly believe it.
“Do you think I’d lie about this?” Meng Junchuan said helplessly.
“Who could be capable of that?” Jiang Mingshu felt tears of joy—her son had found someone he liked.
“Of course my future daughter-in-law is capable,” Meng Junchuan said proudly.
“When can I go propose?” Jiang Mingshu was anxious.
“I just filed the report,” Meng Junchuan replied, slightly hurried.
“Oh, I’ll push them to hurry,” Jiang Mingshu said, overjoyed.
“Mom…” Meng Junchuan sighed.
“Okay, okay, follow the proper procedure—don’t interfere.” Well, they’d just wait.
“All right, report done. Bye,” Meng Junchuan quickly hung up, or else he’d be bombarded with more nagging.
“Don’t worry, tell me more~” Jiang Mingshu sighed into the phone, but thinking about having a daughter-in-law, she was overjoyed. Could she worry that her son had chosen the wrong person? Impossible! He had rejected so many excellent girls—they could never compare to the one he chose. His standards were always high. Fortunately, being in the military had slightly softened him. Only someone truly good would be acceptable to him.
“Son has a girlfriend!” Jiang Mingshu happily nudged Meng Zhongqi, Meng Junchuan’s father.
“I heard,” Meng Zhongqi smiled. As the father of such an outstanding son, he too was pleased.
The machinery factory soon received an official inquiry from the military, further confirming that Lin Qianyi marrying a deputy regiment commander was a done deal. The factory was again in an uproar, with everyone remarking how lucky Lin Qianyi was.
And what was the lucky Lin Qianyi doing? She had closed all doors and windows, and under the quiet of the night, secretly brought out her robotic vacuum to work. Thankfully, the floor was cement—if she had been in the countryside, the robot wouldn’t have been able to operate. The floor was a bit uneven, though, and the poor robot stumbled along, nowhere near its previous smooth grace. Finally, after finishing its work, Lin Qianyi was satisfied and stored it back in her space.