Mu Chengfeng had just finished a surgery when the hospital director told him to take a break because something important was coming up. Mu Chengfeng could not understand it at all. What could possibly be more important than a patient waiting for surgery?
The director said it was a blind date. Was that not important enough?
“Your stepmother personally came to see me and told me to make sure you had some free time. She’s already gone to the docks to pick the girl up. She’s traveled all this way, taking both cars and ferries, so at least meet her. Don’t let her come for nothing.”
Director Jiang had only recently been transferred to the military hospital on the outlying island and did not know much about Mu Chengfeng’s family situation. Mu Chengfeng explained everything to him. It was not that he refused to give his stepmother face, but this marriage arrangement truly could not work.
“After my father passed away, my stepmother held onto the family inheritance and refused to divide it. The girl she’s introducing this time is her daughter in law’s cousin from back home. I heard she just turned eighteen and has an extremely fiery personality. She’s only eight years older than my eldest daughter. Am I looking for a wife to help raise children, or am I bringing home another child? My stepmother and younger brother’s wife are clearly hoping for chaos in my household. I know exactly what they’re planning. Once I get through these busy days, I’ll find a reliable divorced woman myself and build a proper family. Please don’t worry.”
Jiang Yousheng had originally thought the stepmother sincerely cared about her stepson who had just returned from the battlefield. He had not expected such complications. Still, since the girl had already come all this way, it would be inappropriate not to meet her.
“You know your own family best, but you haven’t even met the girl yet. Isn’t it unfair to reject her outright?”
Director Jiang continued, “You said yourself she’s only eighteen. She came all this way with expectations placed on her. If you refuse to even see her, how is she supposed to explain herself when she returns home? You’re nearly thirty years old. Don’t you have at least this much courtesy? Go meet her. If it doesn’t work out, then politely explain things and give her travel money so she can head home properly.”
Mu Chengfeng had no choice. If he refused to meet her, his stepmother would probably drag the girl straight to his house and continue pestering him. Better to meet her once and settle things cleanly.
Jiang Yousheng’s wife was the head of obstetrics and gynecology at the military hospital. She had arrived on the island several years before her husband and knew more about Mu Chengfeng’s family circumstances. She asked her husband what was going on and why Mu Chengfeng seemed so troubled.
“Isn’t getting married supposed to be a happy thing?”
“At first I thought so too,” Jiang Yousheng replied. “But Chengfeng said the girl his stepmother introduced is his younger brother’s wife’s cousin from their hometown. His stepmother and sister in law have bad intentions, so he doesn’t want to go. I told him the girl came all this way carrying her family’s expectations. Even if he plans to reject her, he should at least meet her first.”
Qian Chunmei truly despised the way Mu Chengfeng’s stepmother handled things.
“Eighteen years old? This isn’t helping Mu Chengfeng at all. They’re obviously hoping his house turns upside down. Still, she’s probably beautiful. I’ve seen the stepmother’s new daughter in law before. She’s gorgeous like a flower. If the older cousin is that pretty, the younger one can’t be any worse.”
Jiang Yousheng immediately grew concerned.
“That’s bad. I’m worried Chengfeng won’t be able to resist beauty.”
Qian Chunmei laughed.
“You’re overthinking it. Mu Chengfeng isn’t like ordinary men like you. He doesn’t care about appearances. He values what’s inside.”
Jiang Yousheng did not believe that for a second. He was a man himself. What man did not like beautiful women?
Still, Mu Chengfeng was rational. He knew what was and was not suitable. He would not lose his head over a pretty face. He had simply worried too much earlier. The girl should arrive soon enough. He really wanted to see just how beautiful she was for her hometown family to be so confident she could charm Mu Chengfeng.
…
At the same time, over at the docks, Yu Jinfeng and Jiang Xiuzhen stood in the sea wind for ages and still failed to pick anyone up. Yu Jinfeng scolded Jiang Xiuzhen so harshly she was nearly reduced to tears.
“Was she even on this ferry? Did you remember wrong, or did your family never settle things properly with her in the first place?”
Jiang Xiuzhen was sweating anxiously. The reason her cousin Jiang Xiaoyu had caught her attention was because Jiang Xiaoyu caused chaos at home all day long and was extremely difficult to manage.
Truthfully, Jiang Xiuzhen did not want to involve herself in this mess either, but she did not dare disobey her mother in law. She was only a rural girl who had managed to get into nursing school and unexpectedly met her husband there. Her mother in law had never approved of her. It was only because her husband insisted on marrying her that she had been allowed into the family. At home, her mother in law ruled everything, and Jiang Xiuzhen simply obeyed orders.
“Mom, go back first. I’ll call home again and ask. Maybe she got delayed on the way and ended up taking the next ferry.”
In reality, Jiang Xiaoyu had arrived on this very ferry. She had already spotted her cousin and Mu Chengfeng’s stepmother, but slipped away unnoticed among the crowd disembarking from the boat.
She could not let them accompany her. Mu Chengfeng disliked his stepmother and did not think highly of Jiang Xiuzhen either. Any blind date candidate brought by those two would immediately lose points in his eyes. It would be better if she went by herself to apply… no, to attend the blind date. Her chances would be much higher that way.
Jiang Xiaoyu made her way to the military hospital. At the entrance stood a doctor in his fifties wearing a white coat. Underneath it was the standard military uniform issued by the hospital, the green collar visible at the neckline. Her impression of him instantly improved.
“Hello, big brother. Do you happen to know Doctor Mu? Mu Chengfeng, twenty nine years old, a neurosurgeon, young and promising. You must know him, right?”
Jiang Yousheng was already fifty years old, yet being called “big brother” by such an adorable and dazzlingly pretty young girl immediately put him in a wonderful mood.
He had been waiting outside specifically for Mu Chengfeng’s stepmother to bring the blind date candidate over. Could this girl really be the one? But why was she alone?
“What do you need Doctor Mu for?”
Qian Chunmei also cared deeply about Mu Chengfeng. He was one of the key young doctors being trained in neurosurgery, and his home life absolutely had to remain stable. Otherwise, how could he devote himself fully to work? Every surgery consumed immense mental energy. If family troubles affected his rest or mood, one small mistake could easily turn into a medical accident. This was not something that could be treated carelessly.
The moment Jiang Xiaoyu realized they knew Mu Chengfeng, she immediately began flattering them. After all, everyone liked hearing praise.
“Big sister, your temperament is amazing. I wonder when I’ll ever become as graceful and elegant as you. I’m so jealous.” Then she smoothly returned to the main topic. “My name is Jiang Xiaoyu. My family arranged for me to come here and meet Doctor Mu. Considering how important his work is, I came by myself. Whether this works out or not, I didn’t want to interfere with his job.”
Qian Chunmei touched her face with a radiant smile. This girl spoke so sweetly and knew exactly how to behave. Her first impression was unexpectedly good.
“So it’s you. Where’s your cousin? Weren’t they supposed to bring you here?”
Jiang Xiaoyu quickly explained her family situation. She said her grandmother favored her eldest uncle’s family while neglecting her parents. Her parents originally did not want her coming to the island to become someone’s stepmother, but she had her own reasons for agreeing. By accepting the proposal, her parents would finally be allowed to split from the family household and live separately.
Jiang Xiaoyu linked arms with Qian Chunmei as they walked and chatted.
“My mother is pregnant at an advanced age, so we truly can’t stay in that household anymore. I know my grandmother and eldest uncle’s family arranged this marriage with bad intentions, but one person’s poison may be another person’s treasure. Maybe this could actually become a good match for both Doctor Mu and me. Don’t you think so?”
Qian Chunmei found those words extremely pleasing. The more she looked at Jiang Xiaoyu, the more she liked her.
The fact that Jiang Xiaoyu’s family did not get along with her cousin’s family was actually good news for Mu Chengfeng. The girl was still so young. She could easily wait a few years before having children of her own. By then, the three children would already be older, so there would be fewer conflicts. Qian Chunmei genuinely could not think of any reason to oppose this marriage.
She turned to glance at her husband following behind them. Clearly, he felt the same way. He also thought this girl and Mu Chengfeng were incredibly well suited.
…
Mu Chengfeng had already been waiting for exactly thirty minutes, which was well past his lunch break. He decided to wait ten more minutes before heading to inspect the wards. This meeting had only ever been a formality anyway. Perhaps the girl was not even coming.
“Chengfeng, Xiaoyu is here. Hurry and meet her.”
Qian Chunmei had already made up her mind to help this marriage happen. As she spoke, she gently nudged the shy Jiang Xiaoyu forward.
Jiang Xiaoyu carefully examined the man who would be paying her salary for the next several decades.
Inside the office, he had removed his white coat and was wearing the standard military uniform issued by the hospital. A military uniform truly was the best enhancement a man could have. He looked far too handsome and upright. Just working for a boss like this would make anyone happy. There would be no resentment toward work at all.
She had already prepared herself completely. She absolutely had to win this boss over.
Mu Chengfeng was also studying the young girl before him. She looked innocent and carefree, smiling without a single worry in the world. Did she truly understand what marrying him would mean?
It meant becoming the stepmother of three children at such a young age. The oldest was already ten, and the youngest only three. Once the novelty wore off and she regretted her decision, what could he possibly do to an eighteen year old girl?
“Comrade Jiang Xiaoyu, I know…”
Mu Chengfeng had barely started speaking before Jiang Xiaoyu interrupted him.
The moment Jiang Xiaoyu saw the expression on her future boss’s face, she knew he was about to politely reject her. She hurriedly cut him off and redoubled her efforts.
“Doctor Mu, you don’t even need to say it. I already understand. During the journey here, I made a detailed plan for our future family specifically to address all your concerns. Look here. This section covers my experiences growing up. This row lists all the skills I have. Cooking, laundry, educating children, none of that is a problem. And this section below outlines my plans for our future life together, enough to guarantee you can focus on work without worries. Please take a look and see if you’re satisfied.”
Jiang Xiaoyu was extremely confident. Who else prepared this thoroughly for a blind date?
Everything had been specially tailored for Doctor Mu. She had blocked off every possible reason he might use to reject her. After all, she had submitted hundreds of resumes and interviewed at over twenty companies in the past. Experience was on her side.
…
Mu Chengfeng truly could not find a reason to refuse. The plan was practically perfect, eliminating every concern he had. Yet something still felt strange. It resembled a work report more than a blind date.
“So this…” Mu Chengfeng hesitated. Was he really going to marry an unmarried eighteen year old girl?
“So this means it’s settled, right?”
Jiang Xiaoyu immediately seized the fleeting opportunity, blinking at him with hopeful eyes.
“Doctor Mu, I didn’t expect you to approve of my plans this much. We’re so well suited for each other. Then it’s decided. A gentleman’s promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. You can’t go back on your word.”
She extended her fair little hand, waiting for Mu Chengfeng’s larger hand to clasp it. Once he did, the job would be secured.
Mu Chengfeng…
He had only spoken twice in total, and both times she interrupted him before he could even finish. Somehow, she had already interpreted everything as his agreement to marry her.
Now that she had misunderstood, if he said he was still undecided, would the little girl cry? And if she caused a scene, who would be able to calm her down?
Mu Chengfeng had a splitting headache. How had he somehow pushed himself into such a passive position?
Jiang Xiaoyu waited anxiously. Success was only half a step away. She looked pleadingly toward the director and the head of obstetrics who had brought her here. Her eyes grew red from holding them open too long, making her appear pitiful and delicate in front of others.
Kindhearted elders from the 1950s would definitely be moved by her.
Qian Chunmei’s heart already softened. Mu Chengfeng’s stepmother had clearly harbored ill intentions, yet somehow she had brought over such a wonderful girl instead. What was there left to hesitate over?
The girl’s sincerity was obvious. He was practically getting a beautiful, clever, understanding wife for free. What exactly was he still hesitating for?
Even Jiang Yousheng felt Mu Chengfeng was becoming overly fussy at this point. He gave him a push.
“Xiao Mu, if you still don’t want this, then what kind of woman are you looking for?”
Mu Chengfeng finally stopped hesitating. He reached out and held Jiang Xiaoyu’s hand. From this moment onward, she would become his wife.
“Director Jiang, Director Qian, I’d like to speak privately with Comrade Xiaoyu.”
“I also have a few personal things I want to say to Doctor Mu,” Jiang Xiaoyu replied while tightly gripping her future boss’s hand, firmly stamping approval onto the job offer as she revealed a shy expression.
Jiang Yousheng burst into hearty laughter. Mu Chengfeng’s newly chosen little wife even shared his surname. That counted as some kind of distant relation, didn’t it? He truly thought highly of this marriage.
Qian Chunmei was delighted to see the two successfully paired together. She hurriedly ushered her husband outside, leaving the couple alone to talk.