The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 12

By evening, Wang Yufen found herself preoccupied with another practical concern.

She pulled Zhou Fang aside and asked somewhat bashfully, “In the future, when the two children get married, are they expected to live here in the compound?”

She had spent enough time in this house to know the facilities were excellent, but over the last couple of years, she’d heard that in big cities, a new trend was emerging: young couples lived separately from their in-laws.

Wang Yufen thought that would be ideal. She had raised Song Mingyue as a pampered girl; the idea of Mingyue serving her in-laws didn’t sit well with her. Furthermore, it would be far more convenient for the Song family to visit if the couple had their own space.

Zhou Fang, unaware of the depth of her concerns, assumed Yufen was simply worried about Mingyue being mistreated. She reassured her, “Mingyue is welcome to live here whenever she likes—I’ll treat her as my own daughter. But if she prefers not to, Chen Che will be eligible for military housing once he marries. It might be better for the young couple to have their own place.”

Wang Yufen smiled. “It’s better for them to live together. They haven’t known each other long; their relationship still needs time to bond.”

“Of course. I’ll have Chen Che apply for housing tomorrow. Sister Yufen, rest assured—if Chen Che ever dares to treat Mingyue poorly, his father and I will be the first to deal with him.”

Wang Yufen wasn’t actually worried about physical abuse; Chen Che didn’t look like the type to commit domestic violence. Her real fear was that Chen Che didn’t actually love her daughter. Mingyue was clearly smitten, and in a marriage, emotional neglect can be the most painful wound of all.

But she had done her best. For the rest of Mingyue’s life, she could only offer support; she couldn’t walk the path for her.

Early the next morning, Chen Daoyuan requested a vehicle from his unit so that Chen Che could drive the Song family back home.

Song Mingyue went back with them. Before they arrived, Wang Yufen’s main worry was that Mingyue was still hung up on Liu Jiabao, but now she was more worried that Mingyue’s heart was so set on Chen Che that she might do something “improper” again. It was best to take her away for now.

They agreed to make preparations separately. In five days, the Chen elders and Chen Che would travel to Songzhuang Street to formally propose, ensuring every traditional custom was followed with due prestige.

The provincial capital was silent in the early hours. On the asphalt road, only an old-style sedan sped along.

The fact that Chen Che knew how to drive was another “plus” in Wang Yufen’s book. In Songzhuang Street, very few people could drive; even Liu Jiabao only knew how to ride a motorcycle. A four-wheeled vehicle was a symbol of true status.

Wang Yufen hadn’t had a chance to speak with Chen Che alone. Now, with the car quiet and the others asleep, she leaned forward and whispered, “Chen Che, I’m entrusting my Mingyue to you.”

Chen Che, eyes fixed on the road ahead, felt a jolt like an electric current through his body.

He could hear the weight of emotion behind those words. Everything was moving so fast; before he could even process it, the biggest event of his life had been decided. It felt hasty, yet hearing Wang Yufen’s plea, Chen Che felt that even if it was hasty, it carried a heavy burden of duty and responsibility.

Wang Yufen continued her quiet chatter: “Mingyue has always been obedient at home and has a good temperament. In the future, even if she makes a mistake, I hope you can be patient with her. If you really can’t handle it, tell me, and I’ll scold her for you. Please, treat her well.”

Chen Che gave a soft promise: “I will.”

“I know your feelings for each other aren’t deep yet. For some reason, this girl is particularly fond of you. Once you get to know her, you’ll see she isn’t a bad child.”

Chen Che knew she was a good person. No girl was as brave as her—willing to perform mouth-to-mouth on a stranger without hesitation or go to such lengths to help a victim of an exchange marriage. However, because this marriage began with an “impure” motive, he couldn’t bring himself to offer more elaborate guarantees.

The moment Song Aiguo and his family arrived home, a neighborhood auntie who was close with Wang Yufen came over to visit.

“Yufen, I have to tell you something, but you can’t get angry.”

Wang Yufen was taking down the family’s decorative plaques to wash them by the courtyard well. She looked up. “What is it?”

“It’s not even a holiday. Why are you washing the plaques?”

“We have guests coming in a few days, so I’m doing a deep clean. Now, what were you saying?”

The auntie glanced at the empty gate and said indignantly, “Mingyue’s accounting job at the steel mill… it’s been given to Song Jiajia. Sun Xiangcui has been gloating about it all day. She’s definitely going to come over and brag to your face. Don’t be upset; it’s probably better Mingyue doesn’t go back there anyway.”

“Oh, is that all?” Wang Yufen continued scrubbing. “My Mingyue is about to get married to a soldier and move into a military compound. Anyone who wants that steel mill job can have it.”

“What did you say? Your Mingyue is getting married?”

Wang Yufen couldn’t hide her pride. “Yes, the date is set. They’re coming to propose in two days. I’ll make sure you get some wedding candy.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. Why would I lie about my daughter’s marriage? The groom is a soldier in the provincial capital. My girl will likely be moving there soon.”

“Well, Yufen! You really kept that quiet. I always said your girl had a lucky fate and would marry into a good family.”

Songzhuang Street was the type of place where a tiny ripple became a tidal wave. Within half a day, the news that Song Aiguo’s daughter was marrying a soldier from the capital spread like wildfire—especially given her recent “suicide attempt” over her ex.

“At the end of the day, Song Aiguo’s family is educated and stays low-profile. Look at Song Aimin’s family—their daughter is only marrying a factory manager’s son, yet Sun Xiangcui brags everywhere. Now look, the other cousin is marrying even better. Sun Xiangcui must be fuming.”

“I don’t really believe it. Just recently, Song Mingyue was dying over Liu Jiabao. How did she find someone so much better so fast? They say he’s a soldier, but there are many kinds. If he’s just a cook in the mess hall, what’s the use?”

“The groom has to show up eventually. I’ll have to see for myself.”

On the other side of town, Sun Xiangcui—who still harbored a grudge over the “blood-splattering” incident—was preparing to go harass Wang Yufen when she heard the rumors.

The anger sent the blood rushing to her head. “Wang Yufen’s family is just jealous! You’ve all seen my son-in-law Liu Jiabao with your own eyes. Have any of you actually seen her son-in-law? She’s just blowing smoke!”

Sun Xiangcui looked like a total shrew. “I’m putting this out there now: even if it’s true, I’ll ruin it. Everyone knows she used to have a ‘thing’ with my son-in-law.”

A bystander couldn’t understand her intense hatred. “Xiangcui, isn’t that a bit much? When you had that hemorrhage years ago, it was your sister-in-law who lent you the money for treatment.”

“So just for eight yuan I have to be her slave for life? Why don’t you go be her slave then!”

Sun Xiangcui had spent her life feeling inferior to Song Aiguo’s educated family. Recently, for the first time, her daughter Jiajia seemed to be “winning” against Mingyue. Having tasted that victory, she refused to be second-best again.

Soon, the news that Song Mingyue was marrying a capital soldier reached the steel mill—and the ears of Liu Jiabao.