Chapter Sixteen: The Widow Lin

Although Fang Qing was still upset about what happened yesterday, she was very happy to hear this news. “Has it really been approved?”

“Is there any doubt?” Chen Liao took her hand and looked at her tenderly. “Qingqing, let’s take leave together! Then we can go to my hometown and hold the wedding there.”

Fang Qing’s expression immediately changed. “You want to have the wedding in your hometown?”

The thought of going to Chen Liao’s backward rural village made her uneasy. She might be gawked at like a monkey by the unsophisticated villagers, who might cast disgusting looks at her. Dirty, unruly children might even touch her clothes, smearing snot and mud all over her...

Just the thought was unbearable.

Chen Liao was quite good at reading her mood; otherwise, how could he have won her over?

Seeing her reluctance, he quickly added, “If it’s hard for you to get leave, we can hold the wedding right here in the army. I’ll buy some meat and have the canteen prepare a nice meal to invite everyone.”

Fang Qing’s expression softened, and with a hint of pride, she nodded. “Alright, then buy more.”

Chen Liao probed again, “Shall I ask for leave this afternoon and bring my parents over from my hometown?”

Fang Qing frowned once more.

Though she was very fond of Chen Liao himself, she really couldn’t stand his parents.

After all, in her mind, they also belonged to the category of “unsophisticated villagers.”

“Do they really have to come?” Fang Qing resisted strongly. “Just notify them, right? I mean, could they possibly have any complaints about me that would make them insist on coming to see me?”

Though Chen Liao always treated Fang Qing like a treasure, when it came to such an important matter as marriage, he couldn’t exclude his parents from the wedding. But he knew if he argued with Fang Qing, she wouldn’t agree and would get angry, forcing him to give in eventually.

His mind raced, and he quickly put on a smile. “How could that be? My parents are so happy to know I found such a wonderful wife! They’ve never seen such a beautiful and outstanding girl like you, so they just want to see you.”

He coaxed her gently, “That way, my parents will have something to boast about back home! After all, their daughter-in-law is so amazing. If they hadn’t met you, they wouldn’t know how to brag to those unsophisticated people in the village.”

Fang Qing was slightly moved.

Seeing this, Chen Liao pressed his advantage. “When my parents see you, they’ll definitely think I’m incredibly lucky to have married such a good and understanding wife!”

Fang Qing lifted her chin proudly. “You better remember that!”

Chen Liao tried again, “So shall I ask for leave this afternoon?”

Only then did Fang Qing modestly nod. “Alright, but remember to have your parents dress nicely! And don’t bring any local specialties that make us look poor!”

Chen Liao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled apologetically. “Of course. I’ll go home and buy them new clothes!”

He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then pulled Fang Qing into his arms. “My wife is so gentle and considerate! I love you so much!”

Fang Qing pinched him. “Let go! Be careful, someone might see us!”

Chen Liao kissed her cheek and grinned. “Who cares what others say when I’m holding my wife?”

They continued their affectionate exchange for a while before parting.

Chen Liao immediately asked for leave and took the train back to his hometown that very afternoon.

After two days on the train, he finally arrived in Wanping County, then hurried to Garden Town.

From there, he still had to travel for an hour along a muddy road to reach his home village, Peach Blossom Village.

Now, he was quite relieved that Fang Qing hadn’t come with him. Otherwise, she might have thrown a fit halfway and insisted on going back, perhaps even refusing to get married.

But to Chen Liao’s surprise, on the way back, he unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance.

Lin Xiuzhi had originally been walking ahead of Chen Liao, but since he was a soldier and walked quickly, he soon caught up and passed her.

Lin Xiuzhi stared at him for a long moment before suddenly calling out, “Chen Liao?”

Chen Liao turned to look at the middle-aged woman, trying hard to recall her from memory. Finally, uncertain, he said, “Are you... Aunt Lin?”

Wasn’t she the Widow Lin from Peach Blossom Village? She had remarried to Xinglin Village...

Wait—wasn’t Widow Lin married to Qiao Luo’s father?

“That’s me!” Lin Xiuzhi was very enthusiastic. “You and our Old Qiao’s daughter have a marriage contract, right? After her grandfather passed away, she ran off to the army looking for you... Did she find you? Wasn’t she kidnapped on the way?”

She didn’t hide her malice toward Qiao Luo at all.

Hearing Lin Xiuzhi mention Qiao Luo, Chen Liao’s expression briefly darkened but quickly returned to normal.

“Qiao Luo did come to the army,” Chen Liao sighed and put on a troubled look, “but she didn’t come looking for me. She hooked up with a high-ranking officer in our unit, and now her boyfriend is forcing me to break our engagement. They should be getting married soon.”

He didn’t lie; that was the truth.

Lin Xiuzhi was so shocked she almost couldn’t close her mouth.

“Qiao Luo hooked up with a big shot?” Lin Xiuzhi refused to believe it. “Isn’t that officer quite old?”

Chen Liao was vague. “He is definitely older than me.”

“Well, she really has no shame!” Lin Xiuzhi’s eyes were full of venom. “When her grandfather was still alive, he praised her all the time as such a good girl, and now she does something so shameless!”

Chen Liao just smiled, but thinking of Qiao Luo getting close to Qin Yanzhou made him feel uneasy.

Lin Xiuzhi changed the subject abruptly. “But Chen Liao, why did you suddenly come back?”

Chen Liao hadn’t wanted to say, but knowing his parents had come to the army and that his wedding news couldn’t be kept secret, he began to speak carefully. “I broke off the engagement with Qiao Luo. So the commanders in the army introduced me to someone new. I’m just bringing my parents to meet her.”

“Your army commanders are really kind!” Lin Xiuzhi’s eyes rolled cunningly. “By the way, my daughter An’an is of marriageable age now. I wonder if there are any suitable young men in your unit?”

“There are plenty!” Chen Liao replied casually.

Seeing Lin Xiuzhi’s scheming look, he suddenly thought it might be fun to have her and her son bother Qiao Luo, so he steered the conversation back to her.

“By the way, the high-ranking officer Qiao Luo hooked up with is actually the commander of our military district. If he’s willing to help your daughter, I’m sure he can find her a good match.”