Volume One, Chapter Seven: Can Fu Juechuan Afford a Proper Bridal Gift?

The others joined in, jeering and mocking Ye Qiaoqiao.

Ye Qiaoqiao recalled how, in their previous life, they had followed Zhou Cong, enjoying a life of luxury and indulgence. She felt a surge of frustration—not because she worried about her own poverty, as she had an inheritance left by her mother, but simply because she could not stand to see such scoundrels living well.

“Don’t worry. I can live better than all of you sycophants on my own!” Ye Qiaoqiao retorted fiercely. With memories from her past life, she was determined that Zhou Cong would never succeed in his business ventures.

Xu Zhengqing and the others left with scowls.

Ye Qiaoqiao glanced at Fu Juechuan and said apologetically, “Brother Fu, I’ve dragged you into this again. Please don’t take their words to heart. I have never looked down on your rank, nor do I expect a high bride price. I simply don’t care about their remarks.”

Not only had Xu Zhengqing and the others mocked her, but they had also humiliated Fu Juechuan.

“They said those things deliberately to ruin our relationship. Think about it: if you gave your all to provide a bride price, they would still sneer. You would get angry, and our marriage would be strained.”

“And if by some miracle we succeeded, that’s when they’d be truly pleased,” Ye Qiaoqiao added with a hint of regret. No matter what, Fu Juechuan was bound to be hurt by their words.

“Sorry, Brother Fu. It’s my fault for dragging you into this, otherwise…” She hesitated, implying that perhaps the engagement should be called off.

Fu Juechuan sensed she was about to say something, then spoke firmly, “I don’t care what they say. The only thing that matters is what you say.”

“As long as you don’t despise me, nothing will change regarding this matter.”

“Really?” Ye Qiaoqiao looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

Having Fu Juechuan’s support right after her rebirth gave her a sense of reliance. Besides, in their previous life, he had helped her father as well. Taken together, Fu Juechuan was a genuine benefactor and a good man—good men always inspired trust and warmth.

“Hmm, you don’t mind that my family background is ordinary?” Fu Juechuan asked hesitantly.

Ye Qiaoqiao blinked. She knew Fu Juechuan’s background was anything but ordinary—he certainly wasn’t poor—but he was currently masquerading as a regular soldier and common man. There was no reason for him to reveal his true identity now.

“Brother Fu, marriage is something for us alone. It has nothing to do with outsiders. Knowing you have ambition is enough for me,” Ye Qiaoqiao said with a smile.

Fu Juechuan spoke softly, “As long as I have ambition, you’ll be satisfied?”

“Yes. You have a good character and ambition—you’re the perfect match in my eyes,” Ye Qiaoqiao said sincerely. “As for money, as long as it’s enough, that suffices. Besides, I have my mother’s inheritance. Between my father and you, there’s no shortage of food. I already feel blessed. There’s no need to compare ourselves with others.”

Fu Juechuan’s gaze was steady and resolute. “I understand.”

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Ye Qiaoqiao relaxed, reassured that he did not care about what Xu Zhengqing and the others said.

“Brother Fu, where are you going now?”

“And you?” Fu Juechuan returned the question.

“I’m going to see Director Zheng Yunshuang,” Ye Qiaoqiao replied without explaining her purpose.

Fu Juechuan did not press further. He escorted her to the logistics department before turning to leave.

Ye Qiaoqiao had not expected Zheng Yunshuang to seek her out—and even more surprising, to try introducing another suitor.

She did not refuse but told Zheng Yunshuang to discuss it with her father, so that he could see Zheng Yunshuang’s true nature for himself. It was doubtful Zheng Yunshuang could select a suitable match for her!

That evening, Commander Ye returned home, furious as he shouted, “That Zhou Cong brat not only dares to try to destroy the evidence that could convict Jiang Yao but also attempts to get her released on bail. This is outrageous!”

“Dad, don’t be angry. Zhou Cong’s actions on Jiang Yao’s behalf don’t surprise me. You should be glad I discovered his true colors before the engagement, so I won’t suffer after marriage,” Ye Qiaoqiao comforted him.

Commander Ye nodded thoughtfully.

He patted Ye Qiaoqiao gently on the back. “Qiaoqiao, I’m sorry you had to endure this. I failed to see through his nature sooner.”

“Dad, it’s not your fault; it’s Aunt Zheng’s,” Ye Qiaoqiao seized the moment to speak.

“Aunt Zheng? How could that be? Although she introduced Zhou Cong to you, she didn’t know he could do such things. She even came to see me this afternoon, saying she scolded the Zhou family and found you a good match,” Commander Ye said without suspicion.

The more trust she saw in her father, the more Ye Qiaoqiao despised Zheng Yunshuang for deceiving both of them.

“Dad, who did she introduce to me?”

“It’s the second son of your Uncle Qin’s family. You used to play together. Uncle Qin is in the Xiangcheng Military District. Qin Lang just returned from studying abroad. He’s a decent candidate.”

Ye Qiaoqiao clenched her fists tightly. “Qin Lang’s been reckless abroad. He’s only twenty-two but already got a girl pregnant and only paid for the abortion.”

“What!” Commander Ye exploded in anger and immediately discarded Qin Lang as a candidate.

“But… Qiaoqiao, how did you find out about this?” Commander Ye looked at her curiously; he hadn’t heard such rumors.

“Dad, wasn’t it just the other day that I dreamed about Zhou Cong and Jiang Yao’s illicit affair?” Ye Qiaoqiao knew laying out the past life truth might be hard for her father to believe. Even if he did, some details would inevitably change because of her presence.

Besides, their father’s downfall in the previous life was not solely due to Zhou Cong. Numerous enemies surrounded them.

The best approach now was to keep reminding her father, staying alert and adaptable.

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“Yesterday I saw Aunt Zheng, and last night I had a nightmare. I realized she’s been deceiving me too.”

“In the dream, she conspired with Zhou Cong to frame Dad, meddling in the affair between Jiang Yao and Zhou Cong.”

Ye Qiaoqiao had wanted to find a chance to reveal Aunt Zheng’s true nature to her father—to prevent him from being further deceived.

She hadn’t expected Aunt Zheng to scheme against her within half a day.

Did she really think she was a pushover?

“What!” Commander Ye slammed his palm on the table, rattling the dishes as if to shatter them.

Seeing her father’s furious expression, Ye Qiaoqiao steeled herself and continued, “Dad, you just need to investigate. Aunt Zheng’s kindness to me is all a façade. Since you refused to marry her, she’s held a grudge against us.”

“You wretched Zheng Yunshuang!”

Commander Ye had treated her gently because of her kindness to his daughter, never suspecting she was a venomous snake.

Thinking of Ye Qiaoqiao’s nightmare made him shudder.

“Qiaoqiao, don’t worry. I’ll have someone interrogate Jiang Yao soon,” Commander Ye said firmly, fixing his sights on Zheng Yunshuang.

Such a venomous snake must not be allowed to remain in the military district, nor near Qiaoqiao.

Ye Qiaoqiao knew her father would protect her and accepted his help without hesitation.

“Dad, there’s one more thing. Brother Fu stood up for me yesterday, and you agreed to it too, didn’t you? Why did you change your mind? It doesn’t seem fair to him, as if you’re toying with him,” Ye Qiaoqiao said hesitantly.

“Compared to status and background, character is the most important. You know Fu Juechuan better than I do,” Commander Ye said with a frown.

“I know he’s a good boy with strong morals, but…” He sighed, “His rank is still a bit low, his salary isn’t high, and he has few family members. Qiaoqiao, if you marry him, won’t you suffer?”