1970s: My childhood sweetheart ran away, and I turned around and married the wildest chief.

Qiao Wanqing came to the bedside and looked at him with suspicion.

Lu Mingzhou felt a little guilty under her gaze. "What's wrong, wife?"

Qiao Wanqing reached out to feel his pulse, which startled Lu Mingzhou, who quickly withdrew his hand.

Qiao Wanqing became even more suspicious. "What's wrong? Are you injured?"

Lu Mingzhou's expression was somewhat unnatural. "You're not injured. I'm back perfectly fine. Besides, I went to lead training, not to the battlefield. How could I possibly get injured?"

Qiao Wanqing frowned. "Really?"

He answered with utmost sincerity, "Really!"

Qiao Wanqing: "..."

Is it because I'm getting old?

She's only in her early thirties, are men really that useless?

Qiao Wanqing was completely devastated. She was only in her early twenties! No way!

She immediately rushed over and grabbed Lu Mingzhou's pulse. "Let me see, I'll treat you. Trust me, I can definitely cure you."

Lu Mingzhou was startled. His wife knew? Wait a minute, he hadn't told the family!

Lu Mingzhou didn't let her grab his wrist; instead, he pressed her hand down. "I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine right in front of you. What could possibly be wrong?"

Qiao Wanqing looked at him suspiciously, "Since you're alright, why can't you let me see? I learned from my grandfather; I can tell how you're feeling just by feeling your pulse."

Lu Mingzhou sighed helplessly, "I told you I'm fine, don't worry, I'm perfectly fine! I'm just exhausted from working in the army. It's normal to feel weak after long hours of high-intensity work. I'll be fine after a few days of rest!"

At this time, Lu Mingzhou was unaware that his wife suspected he was unwell; he only thought that she had noticed he was a little weak!

Qiao Wanqing didn't insist anymore. "Alright, if you feel unwell... you must tell me. My family knows a lot of doctors. Even my second brother's condition improved. Your health used to be so good, you'll definitely be fine."

Lu Mingzhou nodded. "Yes! I know, don't worry!"

Qiao Wanqing was even more worried about his attitude. Just now she was worried that he was getting older and didn't have as much energy, but seeing him being so secretive now, she suspected that he was injured.

Who knows what he's been up to while he's in the military? He said he'd come back to visit often, but he's been gone for months. Who knows if he's been seriously injured and is in the hospital recovering?

"You've been working so hard for so long, it's good to rest. Go to sleep, get some rest and recharge your energy."

"Um!"

Seeing that his wife was no longer asking questions, Lu Mingzhou breathed a sigh of relief, held her and talked for a while, and soon fell asleep.

The next day, Lu Mingzhou rested at home and enjoyed being fed by his wife. He ate the nourishing medicinal food with great relish and felt full of energy.

After resting for two days, Lu Mingzhou felt much better. Having been in the capital for so long, he now had time to visit Qiao Wanqing's family. Coincidentally, Qiao's uncle also had time, so they arranged to go to Grandpa and Grandma Qiao's house together.

The other members of the Qiao family were still summoned together.

When Qiao Wanqing arrived and saw the size of the family dinner, she knew that she no longer had much status in the family. Or rather, she never really had much status; her parents just loved her more.

The last time Qiao Wanqing brought her child over, besides her aunt's family, only her two illegitimate children came with their children. At that time, Qiao Wanqing thought that only these two were in the capital and had the time to come. Today she realized that her grandfather must have called them over specifically to talk to them.

As for her aunt, she lives in the capital, in the same compound as her, so there's no reason for her not to come.

Today, my eldest uncle will be here, and my eldest cousin will be here too. The two most promising men in the Qiao family are here, the next generation of heirs. There are many people here this time.

To Qiao Wanqing's surprise, in addition to the illegitimate son and daughter who came last time, the two people who were abroad also returned. It seemed that they had brought their families with them, and there were many younger relatives standing next to them, some of whom she did not recognize.

Besides, there was an old lady who was about the same age as her grandfather. When Qiao Wanqing saw her, she really didn't expect that the old lady had returned to China.

This is Grandpa's older sister, his biological sister.

Because her grandfather's generation engaged in scientific research and participated in the war, the Qiao family didn't have many descendants. However, it used to be a large family with many descendants. Her grandfather had two siblings from the same mother: an older sister and a younger brother. The younger brother had passed away, but his children were still in China. The older sister had gone abroad long ago, much earlier than when Qiao Wanqing went abroad with her parents.

This old lady is no pushover. She hasn't been back for so many years, why is she suddenly back?

Qiao Wanqing didn't recognize some of the people present, so her grandfather introduced them to her one by one. By the end of the introductions, Qiao Wanqing was completely bewildered!

"This is your fourth aunt, and this is your uncle. They went abroad with your great-aunt many years ago and have only just returned."

Does her grandfather have children she doesn't know about?

Qiao Wanqing turned to look at her grandmother, whose face was very pale. Qiao Wanqing then realized that her grandmother probably didn't know either.

Qiao Wanqing went to see her fourth aunt and her younger brother-in-law. They were both quite old, a few years older than her younger aunt Qiao Xin. They were both married and had several children.

Ah!

This is what a big family is like!

Qiao Wanqing then greeted the younger generation, introduced herself to them, and found a seat.

Wow, there are so many people today! Young and old alike, I bet we need three tables and still not be able to fit everyone.

Qiao Wanqing and Lu Mingzhou don't have that kind of face; they're probably here because of their uncle.

The elders were all chatting together, with their favorite children staying by their side, while the others gathered together, talking about topics that interested them. Qiao Wanqing saw that her uncle was chatting quite happily with those illegitimate sons and daughters, and even treating her great-aunt with kindness, which made her feel even colder.

She turned to look at her grandmother, and sure enough, her grandmother's face looked very pale.

Qiao Wanqing didn't know much about this eldest aunt. She only knew a little from her parents. As the eldest sister, she was like a mother to her. This old lady was very domineering and didn't treat her grandmother well at all. Judging by the timeline, her eldest uncle should have known everything. But now, he was very nice to this eldest aunt. The two illegitimate children that Qiao Wanqing didn't recognize had gone abroad with her aunt. Maybe they were children that her aunt arranged for her to have with her grandfather in the early years, and she kept it a secret from her grandmother.

Now, my eldest uncle can actually chat happily with these illegitimate children, even in front of my grandmother...

Qiao Wanqing lowered her head and reached out to hold her grandmother's hand. She thought that her uncle must have learned about Xu's grandfather building a factory in the south and how useful overseas Chinese status was. He probably wanted those resources too!

The son grew up, and as expected, he wasn't on his mother's side. The most powerful man in the house was the grandmother's son, but this man didn't care about his grandmother's feelings at all.

Grandma Qiao felt her granddaughter's soft hand, looked down at her granddaughter's gaze, her eyes reddened, and she understood that her granddaughter knew the bitterness in her heart.

Qiao Wanqing pulled her eldest daughter over, "Ningning, call her Great-Grandma!"

Seeing so many people, little Qiao Anning was curiously looking around. When her mother called her, she obediently called out, "Great-Grandma!"

The child's sweet, innocent voice was so soothing. Grandma Qiao's anger melted away at the sound, and she softened, patting the little boy's head with a glistening tear in her eyes.

Times have changed. Her granddaughter doesn't have to suffer like hers anymore, and her own children can now have their own surname.

The living room was lively. Grandpa and Grandma didn't have a nanny to cook. Although there were many guests this time, they still cooked for themselves. However, Grandma, as an elder, certainly didn't have to do it herself. Qiao Wanqing glanced around and saw that the three aunts were cooking in the kitchen, along with their daughters-in-law. There were four people busy in the kitchen, while others were making tea and taking care of the children outside.

Their statuses are clearly distinct.

The illegitimate daughters, the wives of illegitimate sons, and their daughters-in-law are probably all women who are not particularly outstanding in their husbands, and they are doing the work.

As soon as Qiao Wanqing looked away, Aunt Qiao lifted her eyelids and looked at Qiao Wanqing, "Second son's daughter, you used to study abroad, right? I heard you were quite good at your studies. How come you came back to China and married into such a family?"

Grandpa Qiao was about to explain when Qiao Wanqing blinked her big eyes, looking innocent as if she hadn't understood the disdain in his words, and asked curiously, "The man I married is a twenty-eight-year-old brigade commander, one of the most outstanding young men in the entire army. You don't even like someone like that? What kind of people did your daughters marry?"

Grandma Qiao: "..."

Lu Mingzhou: "..."

Everyone: "..."

It's estimated that no one expected Qiao Wanqing to speak like that. The younger generation in the living room were chatting and laughing. Some of them didn't hear this, but the small circle gathered here all heard it.

Everyone fell silent and looked at Qiao Wanqing, their expressions varying.

Grandma Qiao was somewhat pleased with herself. It was best to have a granddaughter like that, so as not to spoil her with bad temper.

Uncle Qiao frowned, but considering her temper, it wasn't too surprising, and he didn't say anything.

The eldest cousin, Qiao Yuanzhong, raised an eyebrow and curled the corner of his mouth, but still didn't say anything.

Grandma Qiao was taken aback. Accustomed to being the boss at home, this was the first time she'd been so easily silenced. She frowned, her face full of displeasure. "How can you talk like that? You're supposed to be a daughter of a respectable family. Don't let yourself become like that after marrying a peasant for a few years. If our family's old friends find out, they'll think we don't know how to discipline our daughter!"

Qiao Wanqing said in surprise, "Grandma, you're really strange. I just asked what kind of families your daughters married into, and you're already saying I don't know the proper etiquette. What? Are your daughters' in-laws not presentable? Can't I ask?"

"And another thing! Grandma, you've just returned to China, so you might not be familiar with the situation here. Remember not to use terms like 'peasant' all the time. Those who look down on peasants have all been driven away by my uncle, cousin, and my husband, all soldiers!"

Uncle Qiao: "..."

Qiao Yuanzhong: "..."

Lu Mingzhou: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Grandma Qiao almost burst out laughing.

Uncle Qiao frowned and spoke up, "Wanwan, this is your great-aunt, she's an elder!"

At this point, Grandma Qiao stepped in to defend her granddaughter, "Wanwan isn't wrong either. Have you forgotten who you fought against back then?"

Uncle Qiao: "..."

Grandma Qiao's face darkened with anger. "You ill-mannered brat! How dare you speak to your elders like that? You're sitting here while your elders are speaking. Don't you see there are so many people here today? Don't you know to go to the kitchen and cook?"

This is a deliberate attempt to lower her status in front of everyone, to tell them that they don't need to care about her anymore!

"No, I can't cook."

"How could you not know how to cook? You..."

"When I was at home, I never lifted a finger. After I got married, my husband was of a high rank and we had a housekeeper. You said he was a peasant! He was so happy to marry a rich girl like me, so he spoiled me. I didn't do anything at home."

Everyone: "..."

Lu Mingzhou suppressed a laugh and added, "Yes, I'm extremely honored to have married Wanwan. How could I bear to let her do any housework? We have a housekeeper at home, but she can't cook."

Grandma Qiao: "..."

For a moment, she didn't know how to respond to that.

For a country bumpkin like him to marry a rich young lady like her, he should treat her with utmost respect.

However, since Qiao Wanqing had already married a peasant, she had little value in the Qiao family, so it was only right that she cook.

The old lady was so angry that her face turned ashen, and she glared at Qiao Wanqing as if she wanted to kill this disobedient junior with her eyes.

She sized Qiao Wanqing up and down for a while, then gritted her teeth and said, "You're dressed quite well, these clothes must be expensive, right? Does your in-laws have the money to buy you these? Your dowry from back then must have been spent, and you still have so many children to support. Are you going to rely on the Qiao family for financial assistance from now on?"

"Your husband's salary probably can't support the privileged lifestyle of so many people!"

Qiao Wanqing raised an eyebrow. "Oh ho! You've only been back a short time and you've already figured out the prices in China? Or are you just guessing based on her outfit?"

Qiao Wanqing, who didn't play by the rules, laughed and said, "The dowry hasn't been spent yet! I guess it'll never be spent in this lifetime."

Grandma Qiao was furious and turned to Grandma Qiao, "How much dowry did you give her? What's the use of giving such a large dowry to a daughter who is getting married, especially to a family like that? If the Qiao family is going to give money, it should go to Wanlin."

Grandma Qiao was about to retort in anger when Qiao Wanqing spoke up first, saying, "Just kidding. As a granddaughter, I naturally have to stand up for my grandma. This is a small matter, and Grandma doesn't need to get involved herself."

"I've spent all the dowry the Qiao family gave me; what's left is the dowry my maternal grandfather gave me."

Grandma Qiao: "..."

Her face instantly turned bright red. "Impossible! You're just a granddaughter, how could he possibly give you a large dowry?"

Qiao Wanqing laughed and said, "What's impossible about it? My grandfather is so rich. He can just throw me a little money and it'll be enough for me to live on for a lifetime. Besides, I grew up under his care for most of my childhood, so our relationship is naturally different. All of my grandfather's children overseas have come back and invested in building factories. How could they possibly be short of living expenses for me?"