Li Rouyue was startled by Xia Zhuyu’s sudden exclamation.
She couldn’t help frowning and scolding: “Child, if you have something to say, just say it. Why are you shouting?”
Xia Zhuyu grabbed Li Rouyue’s arm tightly, her eyes shining: “Get married, Mom! As long as I marry Chi Zhenghao, I won’t have to go to the countryside.”
Hearing this, Li Rouyue’s eyes lit up and she immediately said: “Why didn’t I think of that?”
According to policy regulations, young people of appropriate age didn’t need to go to the countryside after getting married.
Especially since Chi Zhenghao was a military officer – although just a battalion commander – he could bring his family to live with him in the military.
Chi Zhenghao was stationed in the Beijing Military Region, with his troops located in the Beijing suburbs. Even if Xia Zhuyu went to live with him in the military, it would be much better than going to the countryside.
After all, educated youth sent to the countryside had to work to earn work points, while those living in military compounds didn’t need to. Apart from being in a more remote area and less convenient than living in the city, they still maintained their freedom.
Moreover, after marriage, if she didn’t want to live in the military compound, she could completely stay with her in-laws or even return to her parents’ home.
“But you and Chi Zhenghao haven’t even met yet. He might not be willing to marry you.” Li Rouyue frowned, her face full of worry.
Xia Zhuyu said: “Mom, help me arrange a meeting with him. I’ll find a way to persuade him. I can definitely convince him!”
She had to marry Chi Zhenghao. Only this way could she stay and avoid suffering in the countryside.
Seeing the determination in Xia Zhuyu’s eyes, Li Rouyue finally nodded slightly: “Alright, I’ll arrange for you to meet.”
…
Meanwhile, Xia Yuhuan naturally didn’t know that after she left, Li Rouyue and Xia Zhuyu were planning to stay in the city through marriage.
She went to the Zhao family’s address that Grandma Zhao had previously told her.
When she arrived, Zhao Desheng was about to go out.
“Uncle Zhao.” Xia Yuhuan called out.
“Comrade Xia, what brings you here suddenly? Is there something you need?” Zhao Desheng asked her.
“There is indeed something I’d like to discuss with you, Uncle Zhao. Do you have time now?” Xia Yuhuan asked.
Zhao Desheng glanced at his watch and nodded slightly: “Only fifteen minutes. Is that enough?”
Xia Yuhuan quickly nodded: “That’s plenty.”
“Then let’s talk inside.”
“No need, let’s not disturb Grandma Zhao. If it’s convenient for you, we could talk in your car.”
“Alright.”
The two got into the car together. Before Zhao Desheng could speak, Xia Yuhuan took the initiative.
“Uncle Zhao, may I ask if you and Xia Jianyong are currently competing for the same position?”
Hearing this, Zhao Desheng instinctively nodded.
Then he said: “Are you asking me to give up the competition with Xia Jianyong? I can agree to that, but…”
“No, quite the opposite. I’d like to ask you to give your all in the competition and strive to successfully suppress Xia Jianyong.” Xia Yuhuan interrupted him.
Zhao Desheng was stunned by her words.
Just yesterday he had been wondering if Xia Yuhuan saving his mother was some kind of conspiracy, if the Xia family had planned it all along.
That’s why he absolutely refused to come to the Xia family to express gratitude last night.
He wanted to delay the matter, investigate it thoroughly, to avoid being manipulated.
But his mother kept urging him relentlessly. This morning, pressured beyond resistance, he had no choice but to take his mother to visit the Xia family.
He had originally thought that even if Xia Jianyong made particularly harsh demands, he could still agree to them.
After all, there would be other opportunities for promotion in the future, but he only had one mother. Once she was gone, she would truly be gone forever. Xia Yuhuan had saved his mother, so even if it required some sacrifice from him, it was only right.
Therefore, when Xia Jianyong explicitly and implicitly suggested that he step back, he tacitly agreed.
As for whether Xia Yuhuan had genuinely saved his mother by chance or had planned it all along, he would investigate later. If he discovered any foul play in this matter, he would definitely not let the Xia family off easily!
But he never expected that what Xia Yuhuan wanted was completely opposite to what he had imagined.
“Comrade Xia, you… you didn’t misspeak, did you?” Zhao Desheng asked uncertainly.
Xia Yuhuan shook her head. “Uncle Zhao, I didn’t misspeak, and you didn’t mishear. I want you to go all out, secure the position, and crush Xia Jianyong completely.”
Zhao Desheng: “…”
This made it even harder to understand.
After all, Xia Jianyong was Xia Yuhuan’s father.
Seeing his confusion, Xia Yuhuan smiled and said, “You know that I was just recently recognized by the Xia family, right?”
“I know,” Zhao Desheng nodded gently.
Xia Yuhuan continued, “Xia Jianyong didn’t have good intentions when he acknowledged me. He only brought me back to make me marry Chi Yanzhou in Xia Zhuyu’s place.”
Hearing this, Zhao Desheng couldn’t help but frown.
The Xia family’s public explanation was that since Xia Yuhuan had returned, the marriage was originally hers, and it was only right to restore it to its rightful owner by having her marry Chi Yanzhou.
Although the idea of a vegetative state patient getting married sounded like a joke, the Chi family’s status was such that no one dared to say anything.
“If you don’t want to marry him, I can help…” Zhao Desheng instinctively offered.
But then he hesitated.
After all, the Zhao family was nowhere near the same level as the Chi family.
Although they had some old connections, if it came to a direct confrontation, they would definitely be no match.
It was true that Xia Yuhuan saving his mother was an immense favor, but repaying it at the cost of the entire Zhao family would be going too far.
Even if he were willing, others in the family would not agree.
“Thank you, Uncle Zhao, but I am willing to marry into the Chi family. However, I have no intention of letting the Xia family off the hook.” A sharp glint flashed in Xia Yuhuan’s eyes.
“Saving Grandma Zhao was an accident. I’m a medical professional—treating illnesses and saving lives is my duty. I didn’t do it for any reward, so you don’t need to make concessions to Xia Jianyong just to repay me.”
“If you truly want to repay me, then please work hard, compete with Xia Jianyong openly and fairly, and defeat him with integrity!”
“Defeating him, making him suffer a crushing defeat, and stripping him of all his arrogance—that would be the best repayment you could give me.”
Seeing the absolute sincerity on Xia Yuhuan’s face, with no hint of pretense, Zhao Desheng couldn’t help but feel deeply astonished and puzzled.
At the same time, he felt a faint sense of joy.
After all, in his fair competition with Xia Jianyong, he had originally held the upper hand. Being asked to step back suddenly had left him feeling resentful.
He said earnestly, “Xia Yuhuan, to be honest, if I had to withdraw from the competition due to personal obligations, I could accept it, but I would definitely feel unwilling.”
“If you’re sure your stance won’t change, then I will go all out,” Zhao Desheng said solemnly.
“Please do your utmost and show no mercy. Otherwise, you would truly be repaying kindness with enmity toward me!”
Xia Yuhuan was equally serious.
She was determined to bring Xia Jianyong down and leave him with nothing. She only wished for his downfall and could not bear to see him prosper in the slightest.
She simply couldn’t stand seeing Xia Jianyong thrive because of her.
On the very first day she transmigrated, she had already cut off Xia Jianyong’s path with the Chi family, and naturally, she would do the same with Zhao Desheng.
“Alright,” Zhao Desheng responded earnestly.
He didn’t understand why Xia Yuhuan couldn’t bear to see Xia Jianyong succeed, but he could sense her straightforward and candid nature, and he greatly admired this aspect of her character.
“Since you don’t need me to go easy on Xia Jianyong in the position competition, I can instead promise you three conditions. As long as they don’t violate the law or moral principles, and as long as I can accomplish them, I will definitely fulfill them for you,” Zhao Desheng said seriously.
Xia Yuhuan smiled and nodded: “Alright then, I’ll thank Uncle Zhao in advance. It’s getting late, so I won’t keep you from work any longer. I’ll be on my way now.”
With that, Xia Yuhuan got out of the car in high spirits.
Just imagining Xia Jianyong now, thinking he had the upper hand because Zhao Desheng had stepped aside, feeling smug and self-satisfied.
Only to later discover that Zhao Desheng hadn’t yielded at all, but had instead outperformed him in the competition and secured victory, while Xia Jianyong failed due to his own arrogance—the mere thought of that scene was immensely satisfying.
Tripping up Xia Jianyong—that was what made her truly happy!