The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 8

When the two finally emerged from the room, everyone was already waiting in the living room.

Wang Yufen was still leaning on Zhou Fang for support; she refused to even cast a glance at the pair. Song Aiguo’s expression was grim. Had they been in their own home instead of a guest’s house, he would have broken the “little brat’s” legs right then and there.

Chen Daoyuan sat with a sharp, intimidating aura. As a high-ranking leader, his natural authority was immense, and he hadn’t been this furious in years. “Kneel!” he barked.

Chen Che offered no explanation. His father ordered him to kneel, so he knelt in the center of the room. Daoyuan picked up a whip resting in the living room and brought it down with a heavy crack. Everyone gasped in shock, but Chen Che remained motionless—not even a flinch.

“Is this how I raised you?” Daoyuan roared. “How could you do something so absurd?”

As the second strike was about to fall, Mingyue’s acting skills kicked into high gear. She threw herself in front of Chen Che, her eyes wide with “terror.” “Uncle Chen, if you want to hit someone, hit me! I was willing to be with Chen Che. I’ll take the punishment for him!”

Daoyuan could never strike another person’s child, especially a girl he believed his son had compromised. “Mingyue, move. Our Chen family has failed you.”

“I did it willingly! I want to be with Chen Che!” She cried movingly, portraying the perfect image of a girl who was terrified but possessed a heart-stopping sense of resolve.

Watching her daughter, Wang Yufen thought of how Mingyue had tried to end her life over Liu Jiabao. Her tears fell even harder. This girl never gives her parents a moment to breathe.

Zhou Fang stepped in to manage the crisis, holding Wang Yufen’s hand sincerely. “Sister Yufen, Brother Song, we are all blindsided by this. I apologize on behalf of my son. We originally wanted these two to meet for a blind date, but since they are so deeply in love, the most important thing is to finalize everything and get them married as soon as possible.”

The Songs had no other choice. Fortunately, the groom was Chen Daoyuan’s son; regardless of the boy’s behavior, the family was trustworthy.

Chen Che wanted to explain that nothing had happened—that he was simply exhausted and needed sleep. But the situation had spiraled beyond his control. His parents wouldn’t give him an opening to speak.

“Mom, I—”

Chen Daoyuan kicked him aside. “Chen Che, do you think you have a say here? I don’t know why you were so foolish today, but if you ever treat Mingyue poorly in the future, don’t you dare step foot in this house again.”

Chen Che had only wanted to visit home and get some rest. Now, his entire life was being arranged for him in a single morning.

Today was supposed to be a simple blind date. Instead, by a twist of fate, they had skipped straight to the wedding preparations.

Wang Yufen had initially felt her daughter was “marrying up” into a prestigious family, but after seeing Chen Che “lay hands” on her daughter, she felt indignant. She was consenting to this marriage quite unwillingly.

Only Zhou Fang was genuinely happy. Her smile was more radiant than it had been in years. The weight of Chen Che’s refusal to marry had been a source of silent depression for her. Now that he was willing, she could let everything else go.

Chen Che wasn’t moved initially, but seeing his mother so busily happy made him realize how much his previous refusal had dampened the family’s spirit. Fine, he thought. There’s a reason to go through with this. As for who the bride is… it doesn’t matter.

After lunch, Zhou Fang insisted the Songs stay another night. “Let’s set the date and the general process today to avoid any changes. As for the bride price (dowry), please name your terms. Our family will do our best to satisfy them.”

“The dowry will just go with our daughter anyway,” Wang Yufen said. “We don’t want the money; we just want them to be happy.”

“No, no,” Zhou Fang insisted. “The traditions must be followed. The ‘Three Turns and One Press’ (bicycle, sewing machine, watch, and radio) are a bit old-fashioned now. Let’s get the modern stuff: a color TV, a refrigerator, and a new bicycle. We can discuss the details.”

Wang Yufen thought of how Song Jiajia had flaunted her new TV to spite them. This was finally her chance to get even. Her mood improved slightly.

When Song Aiguo mentioned their luggage was still at the guesthouse, Zhou Fang immediately ordered Chen Che: “Take the bike and go fetch Mingyue’s things.” Then she turned to Yufen: “Stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have Chen Che take you to the train station.”

Chen Che stood up to leave without a word, making Zhou Fang feel awkward. “My son is like this—quiet since he was a boy. He’ll improve once he has a home of his own.”

Wang Yufen’s worry returned. The boy was tall and handsome, but he was cold and didn’t seem to know how to dote on a woman. She feared her daughter would suffer.

Mingyue, however, seemed only interested in his looks. As Chen Che headed out, she hurried after him. “He doesn’t know the exact location of the guesthouse; I’ll go with him!”

“Chen Che, ride carefully! Take care of Mingyue!” Zhou Fang called out.

Once they were outside, Mingyue let out a long breath. “They’re terrifying. They’ve basically planned out the rest of our lives.”

Chen Che ignored her. He stopped the bicycle at the gate and said simply, “Get on.”

Mingyue sat on the back rack, her skirt fluttering in the early summer breeze. The rustling camphor leaves and the high swish of her skirt occasionally brushing against his legs made Chen Che’s calm heart feel strangely unsettled.

As they rode through the compound, they passed Wang Mei, a neighbor who was out with her grandson. Seeing a young man from the compound carrying a girl on his bike was a rare sight.

“Chen Che! This is a first! Where are you taking Yuanyuan?” Wang Mei called out.

Li Yuanyuan was the granddaughter of the Zhao family. Her crush on Chen Che was no secret in the compound. People had expected a wedding years ago, but after a falling out, she remained unmarried and Chen Che remained single. Most assumed there was still hope.

“Auntie, who is Yuanyuan?” Mingyue peeked out from behind Chen Che’s back with a smile.

Wang Mei froze. It wasn’t Li Yuanyuan. “Oh! What a beautiful girl! Uh… Yuanyuan is Chen Che’s… cousin.”

Chen Che didn’t bother to explain. “Auntie Wang, we’re heading out.”

On the road, Mingyue couldn’t help but poke at him. “And here I thought you really didn’t want to get married. Turns out you have a first love, too?”

“Song Mingyue, what nonsense are you talking?”

“Hey, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I had a first love too! He was very handsome, not much worse than you. Tsk, pity his character was trash.”

Chen Che finally reached his limit. “Song Mingyue, are you even a girl? How can you say whatever pops into your head?”

“What did I say? I just said we both have a past. Everyone has a past. Look, your ears are turning red. What’s there to be shy about?”