Commander Ye had originally planned to schedule another time to handle official matters, but after a moment's thought, he said, "Go and let the two of them in."
Ye Qiaoqiao, having just experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, was actually feeling somewhat listless. She lazily glanced toward the door.
Just then, Political Commissar Su walked in with a tall, steady-looking young soldier.
At first glance, she noticed the man's pitch-black eyes, which alone gave off a strong sense of security. His military uniform was buttoned all the way to the top, revealing a sexy Adam's apple and a slender neck.
"Old Ye, I heard there's a happy occasion in your family? I hope Xiao Fu and I aren't disturbing you?" Political Commissar Su walked in with a smile.
Behind him, Fu Juechuan first saluted Commander Ye. Following Commander Ye's instructions, he had just sat down on the side sofa when he calmly lifted his gaze and locked eyes with Ye Qiaoqiao, who was leaning over the back of the sofa, watching him curiously.
Unlike in her previous life, Ye Qiaoqiao wasn't frightened by Fu Juechuan this time.
Compared to someone like Zhou Cong, who pretended to be gentle, Fu Juechuan—with his unapproachable demeanor—was genuinely a good person who had sincerely tried to save her father after he fell into misfortune in her past life.
Thinking of this, Ye Qiaoqiao's gaze softened, and she offered a sincere smile.
Fu Juechuan's brow furrowed slightly. In the past, whenever he saw Ye Qiaoqiao, she had been polite, but the fear in her eyes when she looked at him was unmistakable.
Her sudden change—could something have happened?
Wasn't today supposed to be when that so-called business tycoon came to propose?
Thinking of this, his eyes darkened.
"Commander," Fu Juechuan saluted Commander Ye, his radar-like eyes scanning the room. Aside from the unexpected presence of Ye Qiaoqiao, there was no sign of any other man.
Commander Ye greeted them warmly, "Old Su, Juechuan, have some tea."
"This is my daughter, Qiaoqiao. I believe you've both met her before."
"Uncle Su, Brother Fu, hello." Ye Qiaoqiao took the initiative to greet them.
She even obediently went to the kitchen, brought out some of her favorite fruits, and offered them to the two men.
"Brother Fu, don't you love grapes the most? Try these—they're really sweet today." Ye Qiaoqiao was unusually warm toward her father's savior. She couldn't help but think that if Fu Juechuan hadn't coincidentally been injured and fallen into a coma while on a mission after her father's incident, perhaps he would have saved her too.
However, after her death in her previous life, she had seen further into the future. Fu Juechuan would rise to a high position and even help her father overturn his case. Just this alone was enough to satisfy her.
Fu Juechuan watched as the young girl's slender, pale fingers held a grape right up to his lips, her face full of expectation. He stared back expressionlessly, neither opening his mouth nor refusing, simply fixing his dark eyes on her.
He was waiting for Ye Qiaoqiao to withdraw on her own, to fear him—that had always been her reaction in the past.
To his surprise, when Ye Qiaoqiao saw he wasn't responding, she thought he didn't like that particular grape and swapped it for another, bringing it to his lips again.
"Brother Fu, try this one instead."
"Xiao Fu, I say, it's one thing to be strict and serious when training with comrades in the barracks, but how can you not know how to be gentle in front of a female comrade? How will you ever get a wife like this?" Political Commissar Su teased him.
Commander Ye noticed his daughter's unusual behavior and decided to play along, adding, "Could it be that Xiao Fu doesn't like our Qiaoqiao?"
Ye Qiaoqiao's expression stiffened, feeling both surprised and yet finding it reasonable.
Fu Juechuan had overturned her father's case to repay him for his mentorship—it was only natural that he didn't like her.
Fu Juechuan noticed her expression and watched as she dejectedly withdrew her hand.
Just before her delicate jade-like fingers could completely release it, he abruptly reached out and took the grape from Ye Qiaoqiao's hand.
Their fingertips accidentally touched, and Ye Qiaoqiao quickly stood up.
Fu Juechuan swallowed the grape whole, seeds and all, and for some reason, it tasted excessively sweet. He rubbed his fingers behind his back against his sleeve, his eyes slightly lowered.
Neither of them looked at the other.
"Old Ye, wasn't Qiaoqiao supposed to have a marriage proposal visit today?" Political Commissar Su curiously asked about the Ye family's affairs.
Upon hearing this, Commander Ye's expression turned cold. "It's actually quite ridiculous. There was a bit of an accident. The Zhou family's boy thought the pen pal he'd been exchanging letters with was my Qiaoqiao, so he came to propose. It turns out that person was actually Jiang Yao, the daughter of our housekeeper."
Political Commissar Su was also surprised and widened his eyes. "How could such a misunderstanding happen? If the letters didn't have the sender's name, how were they delivered?"
"That's exactly what I'm investigating," Commander Ye said, hearing footsteps and turning to look in that direction, his voice growing colder. "I'm sorry you had to see this, Old Su, but I do need your help as a witness. I don't want my daughter to be deceived, and then have others say I, as her father, bullied others with my position."
"Alright, I'll be your witness," Political Commissar Su naturally agreed to help his friend.
Zhou Cong entered from the backyard with Jiang Yao and her mother, both with tear-streaked faces.
The group made quite a commotion.
Ye Qiaoqiao immediately stood up and moved to her father's side, watching them warily.
Zhou Cong's expression was complex and unpleasant.
Seeing Political Commissar Su sitting in the living room, he instantly regretted the outcome they had just discussed—it would leave a bad impression on Su.
Just as he was about to stop Jiang Yao, she moved faster than he expected.
Jiang Yao rushed forward and knelt before Ye Qiaoqiao and Commander Ye.
"Qiaoqiao, Uncle Ye, it's all my fault. Please don't blame Brother Zhou. He didn't know. It was my delusional infatuation with Brother Zhou that caused this misunderstanding. I'll leave. Brother Zhou will marry Qiaoqiao. I won't interfere. I'll go back to the countryside right away."
Jiang's mother also cried, "Commander Ye, I'm sorry to you and the young lady. I'll take Yao Yao away. Please don't be angry."
Seeing Jiang Yao so humble and trembling with fear, Zhou Cong's eyes flashed with heartache.
He no longer cared that Political Commissar Su was present; his only thought was to prevent Jiang Yao from suffering.
"Uncle Ye, when it comes down to it, this was all a misunderstanding. I'm willing to marry Qiaoqiao. I just hope you won't make things difficult for Jiang Yao and her mother."
"Without Jiang Yao, perhaps I wouldn't have this connection with Qiaoqiao today."
Ye Qiaoqiao trembled with anger at his shameless words.
"Who would want this kind of 'betrayed' connection? What makes you think I'm desperate for you?"
Commander Ye was also furious. "Zhou Cong! My Qiaoqiao could marry anyone but you!"
"Is this the explanation you're giving me? Admitting that Jiang Yao impersonated my Qiaoqiao's identity to exchange letters with you, and you bear no fault at all?"
Political Commissar Su was also stunned, never expecting Zhou Cong to be such a two-timing man.
Zhou Cong knelt down, his brow furrowed tightly. "Uncle Ye, I know you're very angry. Please calm down."
"If you want me to calm down, fine. Get out of the Ye house and never appear before me or Qiaoqiao again," Commander Ye said coldly.
This was effectively announcing to the outside world that Zhou Cong had thoroughly offended him, a military commander.
The Zhou family should no longer dream of benefiting from him; he intended to reclaim every advantage they had previously gained, all to vent Qiaoqiao's anger.
Zhou Cong frowned. "Uncle Ye, most people outside have already received the news that I am to marry Qiaoqiao. If the wedding is called off now, it will only harm Qiaoqiao. I truly have her best interests at heart. Only by marrying me can her reputation be preserved."
As he spoke, Zhou Cong looked at Ye Qiaoqiao, his gaze filled with certainty—certain that Ye Qiaoqiao feared damaging her reputation, certain that she still held feelings for him, and certain that Commander Ye, out of love for his daughter, would have no choice but to yield.
Ye Qiaoqiao's eyes reddened with anger. "Even now, you dare to threaten me?"
"Qiaoqiao, I'm not threatening you. I'm merely stating the facts, and it's for your own good."
"I will send Jiang Yao abroad. If we keep today's misunderstanding to ourselves and proceed with the wedding as planned, won't it be just like before?"
Ye Qiaoqiao felt utterly disgusted. Zhou Cong had indeed never harbored genuine feelings for her from the start. From the moment they met, he had been belittling her, yet in her past life, she had still made excuses for him.
But she was no longer the person she once was.
"Who says I can only marry you? This military compound is full of talented young men, and I already have someone I want to marry." Ye Qiaoqiao's gaze shifted subtly, landing on the only single man in the room—Fu Juechuan.
She quickly walked up to Fu Juechuan, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.