The jeep drove straight to the military compound gates.

As it passed the sentry post, the soldiers on both sides stood at attention and saluted.

 

The synchronized sound of their movements and the solemn inscription on the wall—Go all out and crush the invading enemy—instantly filled Jiang Yichu with awe and respect.

 

Looking at everything before her, she finally understood why the Jiang family, despite their wealth, still sought to marry into the Liang family.

 

The tall sycamore trees, the army-green military uniforms everywhere.

 

Having lived two lives, this was Jiang Yichu’s first time stepping into such a place.

 

The reverence that the Chinese people held for soldiers was something Jiang Yichu was curious about, so she secretly glanced out of the window.

 

Liang’s mother noticed Jiang Yichu’s curiosity.

 

She had the driver pull over to the side of the road and asked, “Would you like to get out and take a walk with me?”

 

“Sure,” Jiang Yichu answered with a smile.

 

From the way Liang’s mother had looked at her back at the Jiang family home, Jiang Yichu had guessed that Liang Heng must have told his mother about what happened yesterday.

 

“Auntie.”

 

Jiang Yichu turned her head, and suddenly, Liang’s mother looped her arm through hers.

 

Liang’s mother held her arm and smiled, “Chuchu.”

 

“Is it alright if I call you that?”

 

“…Sure.” Jiang Yichu nodded absently.

 

She was taken aback by the sudden shift. The cold, dignified Liang Mrs. she had seen just now seemed… almost cute now?

 

“Thank you.”

 

Without any outsiders around, Liang’s mother didn’t beat around the bush as she walked forward with Jiang Yichu.

 

“That rascal came home yesterday and confessed that it was you who saved his life.”

 

“It wasn’t that serious.”

 

Jiang Yichu didn’t have the arrogance of the Jiang mother, so she couldn’t accept such a huge debt of gratitude.

 

“It was just a small favor.”

 

When others exaggerated their gratitude, it was a polite gesture, but if one accepted it blindly, it would seem ungrateful.

 

Not sure what Liang’s mother was after, Jiang Yichu didn’t dare to accept it immediately.

 

Liang’s mother sighed, “You’re so modest.”

 

“Saving him was saving him.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Jiang Yichu stopped declining.

 

“Then, Liang Heng owes me a life debt. I’ll make sure to ask him to repay it next time!”

 

Her half-joking words not only subtly hinted to Liang’s mother that she wouldn’t hold the military officer over a debt of gratitude but also helped to ease the awkwardness.

 

It was neither too humble nor arrogant—just perfect. Liang’s mother found herself liking Jiang Yichu more and more.

 

Not wanting to beat around the bush any longer, Liang’s mother went straight to the point.

 

“Can I ask you a somewhat intrusive question?”

 

She had her suspicions about how perfectly timed Jiang Yichu’s intervention had been.

 

In a military family, their intuition was sharper than most.

 

Jiang Yichu had already anticipated that Liang’s mother might be suspicious, but the fact that she was asking meant she had already come to her own conclusions.

 

Jiang Yichu nodded, signaling that she didn’t mind. “Auntie, feel free to ask.”

 

“Then I’ll ask.”

 

Liang’s mother smiled, “Chuchu, how did you know that Wang Daniu was planning to harm Liang Heng?”

 

“Do you know who instructed Wang Daniu to do it?”

 

“Hmm, I do.”

 

She had no intention of keeping it a secret from Liang’s mother.

 

Jiang Yichu knew that Liang’s mother would never do anything rash with the information.

 

In cases like this, evidence was key.

 

Even if Wang Daniu identified Jiang Siru in a photo, if Jiang Siru denied it to her death, the police wouldn’t be able to do anything.

 

Moreover, the fact that Liang’s mother had already asked meant she had her suspicions, and Jiang Yichu’s answer would only confirm them.

 

Upon hearing the answer, Liang’s mother’s face turned pale.

 

“This Luo Wanru must be crazy!”

 

“It was her who came to us asking for marriage, and now she wants to back out and cause all this trouble.”

 

When she found out that the Jiang family had ties with the Ying family last night, Liang’s mother had already started to suspect Jiang’s mother’s ulterior motives.

 

She cursed, “So, they’re using our family as a stepping stone? Don’t they fear falling flat on their face!”

 

“Just wait, I’ll make sure she gets what’s coming to her!”

 

Jiang Yichu didn’t speak, merely listening quietly.

 

Liang’s mother ranted for a while, her face red with anger, before realizing they were still outside.

 

She patted Jiang Yichu’s hand. “Don’t worry, Chuchu. I know you’re a good girl. This matter has nothing to do with you.”

 

“By the way, where did you get that anesthetic?”

 

“It’s used for cows in the countryside.”

 

Since there was no way to trace the origin of the previous experience, it worked perfectly to cover up Jiang Yichu’s medical skills.

 

Liang’s mother had no suspicions and gave her a thumbs-up. “Well done!”

 

Speaking of well-done…

 

Liang’s mother looked at Jiang Yichu’s skin tone and furrowed her brow slightly. “I see Jiang Siru always looks so radiant. How come you seem so neglected?”

 

The snow-white lotion from that time had a unique fragrance, and Jiang Yichu didn’t have any of it. Her face looked pale and yellow, and her clothes were quite ordinary.

 

Seeing how beautiful Jiang Yichu’s features were, but how poorly she was dressed, Liang’s mother felt a pang of bitterness.

 

She took Jiang Yichu to a service store and, with a wave of her hand, bought her three sets of bras.

 

“And some face cream.”

 

After buying the clothes, Liang’s mother took her back home, dug out a full set of skincare products, and handed them to Jiang Yichu.

 

“These are from the art troupe, special for our skin. You should use them.”

 

“This box of chocolates was given by someone else, I don’t like sweets. You take it.”

 

After coaxing Jiang Yichu into changing into her new clothes, Liang’s mother also found a few colorful hair ribbons from the vanity table.

 

“This dress looks better with matching hair ties.”

 

Liang’s mother was excellent at dressing people up.

 

At first, Jiang Yichu felt a bit embarrassed since it was their first meeting.

 

But Liang’s mother said, “My daughter’s a tomboy and never uses these things. You can just consider it fulfilling a wish for me.”

 

Since Liang’s mother had said so, Jiang Yichu didn’t refuse any longer.

Jiang Yichu’s hair was styled into two buns, resembling flower buds, neatly pinned at the back of her head. She wore a light beige naval-collar braji, which complemented her bright, large eyes.

Liang’s mother circled around Jiang Yichu, inspecting her from every angle.

 

Then she sighed. “What should I do? Now I regret calling off the engagement with the Jiang family.”

 

“How about you be my daughter-in-law?”

 

Skin tone does have a big impact on one’s looks.

 

But Liang’s mother worked in the arts troupe, so she could tell at a glance that Jiang Yichu was a true beauty.

 

Moreover, she was the rarest kind of beauty.

 

There was a purity to Jiang Yichu, as though she had never been touched by dust.

 

It was a delicate balance—a combination of traditional Eastern ink-wash aesthetics and youthful energy.

 

She truly regretted calling off the engagement.

 

Liang’s mother sighed again.

 

After all, in the morning, she wasn’t sure whether last night’s incident had been another one of the Jiang family’s schemes.

 

What if the old lady of the Jiang family had orchestrated the entire thing?

 

Perhaps she had intentionally let Jiang Yichu save someone, only to later arrange a switch in the engagement.

 

Liang Heng had almost lost his life. With the Jiang family acting so friendly toward her, she couldn’t accept them!

 

If she could use this opportunity to break off the engagement, she’d welcome it.

 

But after spending the whole day with Jiang Yichu, she found herself really liking this girl.

 

“Chuchu…” Liang’s mother spoke in a tone that was more like a request.

 

“Auntie,” Jiang Yichu smiled and interrupted her. “I’m already married.”

 

“Married?”

 

Liang’s mother stared at her in shock, wide-eyed. “Is he also from Beijing?”

 

This question stumped Jiang Yichu. “…I suppose so.”

 

“We still don’t know each other very well.”

 

“How can that be!” Liang’s mother was astounded.

 

“You don’t know anything about his family background, his character, his job, how many people are in his family, and you’re telling me you don’t know any of this?!”

 

“Marriage is a big deal for a girl.”

 

At this point, Liang’s mother didn’t even wait to ask for details. With a concerned expression, she turned to Jiang Yichu and asked, “In that case, what’s his name? I’ll have Uncle Liang check him out for you.”

 

“There’s no need. I’ll ask him directly when I see him.”

 

She didn’t need to have someone investigate him from behind.

 

A man who willingly talked about submitting his salary was someone Jiang Yichu believed to be sincere.

 

However, seeing that Liang’s mother was truly concerned, Jiang Yichu didn’t hide his name.

 

“His name is Ying Zheng, and he’s also a soldier.”

 

“Applying for a job?!”

Liang’s mother paused in shock for a few seconds upon hearing the name.

Then, hesitantly, she asked, “…Which should I ask? Which should I sign?”