Xu Zhicheng shouted hoarsely, “If it isn’t for your stubbornness, your need to show off, making me borrow that small car, how could we have ended up in such a mess? If it wasn’t for your blind eyes, claiming Lin Xun was involved with Director Xiong, how could I have gone to so much trouble to schedule the wedding today?”
“Go outside and see how many people are laughing at us. It is all because of you. My face is completely ruined.”
Yuan Yaqing stared at Xu Zhicheng’s twisted, ferocious expression, stunned. In her previous life, he had always been gentle and refined. When did he become like this?
But she was furious too. Yes, it was her fault for misunderstanding Lin Xun and Director Xiong’s relationship. But why should Xu Zhicheng blame her for everything?
“Did I want the car to break down on the road? It is all because you were stingy. If you had rented a better-quality car, would this have happened?”
“You.” Xu Zhicheng was even angrier that she dared to turn the blame onto him.
As if the chaos was not enough, someone at the door shouted, “Doctor Xu, there is a serious problem.”
People who had eaten at Xu’s wedding banquet suddenly started experiencing stomach pains. After running to the hospital, it was discovered that the lamb served at the Xu family banquet was spoiled, causing food poisoning.
“This cannot be. Our banquet was held in the military district dining hall.” Xu Zhicheng rushed to the hospital, bewildered.
The doctor held up a lab report. “It is not the dining hall’s fault. The meat you bought was already spoiled.”
Meat? Xu Zhicheng realized that Cai Jinhua had been in charge of buying the lamb.
Seeing the situation escalating and no way to cover it up, Cai Jinhua reluctantly admitted she had bought spoiled lamb to save money.
Even then, she tried to justify herself. “It is all Yuan Yaqing’s fault. She insisted on spending a hundred yuan on the banquet, renting a small car, and giving a betrothal gift. Even if the house had mountains of gold, it would not have been enough for her extravagance. I just wanted to save some money, so I bought cheap lamb.”
Everyone erupted in anger. Who would have thought that coming for a simple wedding banquet would not only cost them five mao in gift money but also land them in the hospital?
“You have completely lost your conscience. You sent us all to the hospital. Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?”
“I do not care. We demand a satisfactory answer, or we will see you at the police station.”
“No wonder Lin Xun had to get a divorce. A man like this is not worth a finger compared to Commander Huo.”
Each comment felt like a knife stabbing Xu Zhicheng’s heart. But no matter how furious he was, he had no choice but to apologize while paying compensation.
In the end, he had to cover everyone’s medical expenses, return the gift money, and even pay extra out of pocket.
Seeing the chaotic scene, Yuan Yaqing finally broke down, crying uncontrollably.
She had wanted to make Lin Xun a laughingstock, ridiculed by everyone. Why had the joke turned on her instead?
Lin Xun was unaware of the hospital fiasco. She had already arrived at the military residential compound.
The Northwestern Military District was large, with many soldiers. The residential compound was spacious, accommodating not only military families but also staff and families from the district hospital and schools.
The buildings were single-story bungalows with low walls. The yards were not very large, but there was enough space to grow vegetables like onions and garlic.
Huo Yanzhou’s high military rank meant the house assigned to him was newer than surrounding homes and included a heated wall in the bedroom.
Lin Xun was delighted. She had loved that heated wall while staying at the guesthouse. Like a modern radiator, it warmed the entire room.
The furniture had already been moved in. Though the house still felt a bit empty, she was satisfied.
This was her new home, a fresh start after escaping the Xu family’s hell. As long as she lived well and worked seriously, her life would only improve.
Besides the new furniture in the main room, some items were brought from the military district dormitory. They belonged to Huo Yanzhou.
As Lin Xun was about to ask where he had put his belongings, Huo Yanzhou approached. “This is for you.”
He handed her an envelope. Inside were a bankbook, some coins, and receipts. Seeing the balance, Lin Xun was shocked. It was 5,000 yuan.
She knew Huo Yanzhou was a commander with a high salary. But he had already given her an 800-yuan betrothal gift. How could there be so much more money?
Huo Yanzhou explained. “I am a full regiment-level officer. My basic salary is 145 yuan per month, plus extra allowances for field missions. I do not smoke or drink. I eat in the mess hall. The military covers clothing and lodging, so I save everything.”
In fact, if not for the significant expenses of searching for missing Huo family members, there would have been even more money in the account.
Huo Yanzhou said, “Use this money freely. If it is not enough, let me know.”
“Okay.” Lin Xun nodded, though she did not plan to spend it all.
After all, they were just living together for convenience. Sooner or later they would separate. To avoid future disputes, they would split expenses equally, keeping records for clarity.
Still, Lin Xun felt happy. Huo Yanzhou giving her money was a sign of trust. He did not smoke or drink and kept good habits. Even if this marriage was partly for appearances, her future life should not be difficult.
Lin Xun was in a good mood just as Lü Yuzhi came in. She said, “Mom, I will go to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy some meat. We can have a good meal tonight. It will be like a housewarming feast.”
Lü Yuzhi waved her off. “It is too cold outside. Let Huo Yanzhou go. You stay, Xiao Xun, and help me arrange the furniture.”
Huo Yanzhou picked up his military cap. “You and Mom stay here. I will be back soon.”
“Okay.” Lin Xun, worried he might forget, reminded him, “Get lamb with a good mix of fat and lean for our hotpot tonight.”
They had not eaten much at lunch because of the many leaders present. A hot meal tonight would warm them and let them sleep well.
The Supply and Marketing Cooperative was just outside the compound, not far from the hospital. Yuan Yaqing, leaving the hospital, ran into Huo Yanzhou carrying a leg of lamb back.
Seeing Huo Yanzhou’s tall, upright figure, Yuan Yaqing’s face twisted with envy.
The hospital was crowded, and along the way she overheard people discussing the wedding and Lin Xun’s new home. They talked about how much good furniture she had. It was custom carved from the department store, expensive and elegant, unique in the entire residential compound.
Even knowing she married a future wealthy man, Yuan Yaqing could not help but feel jealous.
Why? How could Lin Xun, a mere village girl, be so glorious? All of this should have belonged to her, Yuan Yaqing.
Meanwhile, she had been exhausted dealing with petty chores, while Lin Xun comfortably enjoyed fine furniture, even having lamb bought by Commander Huo herself.
Such a stark contrast. How could she not be jealous?
Soon, Yuan Yaqing calmed herself, knowing Huo Yanzhou’s glory would not last long.
The Huo family had high status and influence. From Huo Yanzhou’s grandfather onward, the family had achieved remarkable military accomplishments and maintained strict discipline, producing capable descendants.
Huo Yanzhou’s grandfather had two sons. The elder son joined the military, distinguished in battle. The younger worked in a secret national research facility.
The elder son had three children, with Huo Yanzhou being the second. Huo Yanzhou’s achievements in the military were unquestionable. Huo’s eldest brother was a key figure in the police, rising to deputy director at a young age. Huo’s younger sister was smart and capable. If all went well, she could become an excellent translator.
But “if all goes well” was a tall order for the Huo family.
The younger uncle died in an accidental explosion before his wedding in Beijing. Huo’s elder brother was injured during a drug raid. Huo’s elder sister-in-law was killed on the spot. Their only daughter disappeared due to revenge from criminals.
Huo’s younger sister, while traveling on vacation, met with a sudden accident. Some said she died. Others said she fell off a cliff. The family spent seven or eight years searching, to no avail.
Tragedy followed tragedy. At that time, Lü Yuzhi even thought of following her children. Huo Yanzhou’s father, the pillar of the family, could not bear the blows and died of a stroke.
No one could have imagined that the once-glorious Huo family would decline so drastically in just a few years. Whenever mentioned, people could only sigh, “How unfortunate.”
It was so tragic that some wondered if someone in the Huo family had such cursed fate that they caused the deaths of the family.
The news spread through the military district despite orders not to discuss it. People could not help but gossip.
Many speculated that Lin Xun’s marriage to Huo Yanzhou might be for a “good luck” wedding because Huo Yanzhou’s grandfather’s health was declining.
But choosing a divorced, infertile woman like Lin Xun for this purpose seemed too strange.
Some even wondered aloud. “Who will die first, the infertile Lin Xun dismissed by the Huo family, or will the Huo family kill her?”
Yuan Yaqing knew that, according to the previous timeline, the one who would die was Lü Yuzhi.
In the previous life, Lü Yuzhi had come to the military district because Huo Yanzhou received a letter from an old subordinate, reporting someone had seen the kidnapper of Huo’s youngest granddaughter, Huo’s elder brother’s daughter, visit the Northwest.
Over the years, despite slim chances, the Huo family never stopped searching for Huo’s younger sister and granddaughter. When news finally came, Lü Yuzhi rushed to the Northwest to inform Huo Yanzhou.
She had not called because the Huo family had been so prominent that many paths were blocked, and phone lines might be monitored. Any leaked information could be exploited.
Over the years, there have already been too many fake incidents.
Lü Yuzhi had to come in person. On the way back, the train derailed. The entire car fell off a cliff. No one survived.
Yuan Yaqing remembered this shocking news vividly. When it was reported, everyone on the farm observed three minutes of silent mourning.
She also heard that after this, Huo Yanzhou left the Northwest Military District for Beijing. Soon after, Huo Yanzhou’s grandfather passed away, leaving only Huo Yanzhou and his elder brother, who had lost his legs. Huo Yanzhou never remarried, and Huo’s younger sister and granddaughter were never found.
Although Huo Yanzhou married in this life, the appearance of Lin Xun did not change anything.
Lü Yuzhi would still die.
Judging by the timing, Lü Yuzhi’s train was scheduled for tomorrow night. Once she died, everyone would assume that Lin Xun had killed her mother-in-law the day after marrying into the Huo family.
Combined with Lin Xun’s alleged infertility, she would not just become a hated figure in the residential compound. She might be entirely rejected by the Huo family.
If Lin Xun were unlucky, who would remember the scandal of today? Yes, Yuan Yaqing had embarrassed herself today, but at least it was better than dying and being blamed on Lin Xun.
With this thought, Yuan Yaqing’s dark mood finally lifted, and a long-forgotten smile appeared on her face.