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

Besides, Lu Mingzhou wasn't around at the time, so the comparison wasn't obvious.

But now, seeing Lu Mingzhou standing with these people in person, the impact is truly indescribable.

Aside from the raw recruits, the junior officers in the unit—squad leaders, company commanders, and political instructors—were not much younger than Lu Mingzhou. There was even one who was about the same age as Lu Mingzhou, but their positions were worlds apart.

Only then can you see just how outstanding he is!

This man is hers now, and she's a little proud of it!

When the two returned to the family compound, the sight of wild boar and wild sheep immediately caused a sensation. Passing family members all gathered around to see. Lu Mingzhou put the baby wild boar and wild sheep into a sack, and Qiao Wanqing carried them home.

She had always looked like this when she came back from the mountain, so she didn't attract much attention. Lu Mingzhou sent the remaining wild boar and wild sheep to the army canteen.

When he got home, Qiao Wanqing had already boiled water. He found the tools and prepared to slaughter the pig.

As a military officer, the one thing I have in abundance is knives. Although they are not professional butcher knives, they are still usable.

Processing the prey was not difficult for him; he finished quickly, and the wild sheep and wild boar were both processed just as dusk was falling.

They got over 100 jin of meat in total. Lu Mingzhou cut a few small pieces, each weighing about two or three jin, and gave them away.

They used to be his comrades-in-arms, now they are his soldiers.

They also live in this family compound. Although they have been promoted to the rank of military dependents, many of them are still struggling financially. Some of them used to be on good terms with him, but their hometowns are very poor. They have parents to support, brothers to help, and many children in their families, so meat is still a scarce commodity.

These days, it's common for a family to have five or six children, and seven or eight isn't uncommon either. With so many kids, the meager monthly meat ration coupons simply aren't enough. He brings each family five or six jin of pork and mutton to satisfy their cravings.

After delivering the meat, it was already getting dark. Lu Mingzhou cut some more meat, about thirty pounds, and said to Qiao Wanqing, "Wife, we'll keep the rest for ourselves. I'm going to the city. If you're tired, go to the canteen and get some food for me. I'll eat it when I get back."

"They must be going to see their comrades," Qiao Wanqing nodded without asking any further questions.

After Lu Mingzhou left, Qiao Wanqing went to the cafeteria, got some food, and ate it, keeping Lu Mingzhou's portion warm on the stove. Looking at the remaining forty or fifty pounds of mutton and lamb chops, she thought about sending some to her grandfather and the others.

My grandparents especially love mutton soup and mutton hot pot. Now they live in the village, and although they may not be short of money, they can't afford to eat and drink extravagantly. They need ration coupons to buy meat, and mutton is not easy for them to get.

Qiao Wanqing thought that her parents, who were living on a mountain of gold and silver, could only afford to eat simple meals. Little did she know that she had underestimated her old sly grandfather. He was living a very good life and was currently cursing people with great vigor!

At this moment, in the old house in Xujia Village, the situation of Xu Erjiu's family is rather dire!

Second Uncle Xu Ming had scratches on his face and bloodstains at the corner of his mouth, with obvious handprints. Second Aunt's hair was a bit messy. As for Xu Yanran, her eyes were red and there were finger marks on her cheeks.

Uncle Xu's family actually has two sons and an older daughter, but the two sons work in the city and the older daughter is married.

Grandpa Xu looked at them, slowly stood up, and Uncle Xu, seeing his father, became intimidated and stammered, "Father..."

He was genuinely terrified at that moment. He had intended to make the Qiao family anxious by deliberately hiding in the hospital for a few days before returning. However, when he came back and inquired, he learned that Bai Zhengxiong was dead, the Qiao family was fine, and the old man and woman had been released and were staying at the Xu family's old house!

He was completely stunned; he never expected things to turn out this way.

Bai Zhengxiong is such a powerful figure! So many families in Beichuan City have fallen at his hands! Although the Hu family wasn't top-tier before, they still had some influence. But now, the Hu family's legitimate daughter can only be his mistress. Yet, just because of this relationship, the Hu family has been so powerful in Beichuan these past few years!

Such a person, and he just died like that!

Grandpa Xu sneered, "You still remember I'm your father? I got into trouble and came back, and it's been so many days since then. Where have you been?"

Uncle Xu said fearfully, "I...I've been trying to pull strings to get you all out! You've all been arrested, I'm so worried, I...I've been trying to think of a way..."

When Grandpa Xu saw him in such a wretched state, he felt ashamed.

"Was this incident something you colluded with the Bai family with?"

Uncle Xu was startled and quickly retorted, "No, I didn't, Dad, I'm your own son, how could you doubt me? I..."

"If it wasn't you, then who is it? If you hadn't reported us, how dare the Bai family arrest us so easily?"

At this moment, Aunt Zhao Sumei angrily said, "Grandpa, how can you be so biased? This whole thing was clearly caused by that wretched girl Qiao Wanqing. It was her flirtatious ways and seduction that attracted someone's attention and brought this trouble upon us. How can you blame us?"

"Look at the face of our Yanran, she's slashed it! She's trying to disfigure Yanran! She's malicious. She thinks she's going to be sent to an old man, so she's trying to ruin Yanran's face. Yanran is your own granddaughter. You can't abandon your granddaughter for an outsider. You can't be so biased."

Before Grandpa Xu could say anything, Grandma Xu immediately exploded.

"Shut up! You're the most troublesome one in the family. Don't think I don't know what you're up to all day. Let me tell you, even without Wanwan, I wouldn't want this daughter you raised."

"She does nothing productive all day but focus on men; what kind of future will she have?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sumei and Xu Yanran were both unsettled. Xu Yanran had never been favored by her grandparents since she was a child. In her memory, she was the real granddaughter, but her grandparents preferred Qiao Wanqing.

The Xu family is so rich, and the grandparents had so many good things, but they gave them all to Qiao Wanqing and never gave any to her. No wonder she couldn't feel at ease.

"Grandma, how can you say that to me? I'm your own granddaughter, why do you always side with outsiders? This whole thing was clearly caused by my cousin, what does it have to do with us? If it weren't for her promiscuous nature... ah..."

Grandma Xu slapped Xu Yanran across the face, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"You constantly belittle your own cousin and use insulting words against girls. You have none of the integrity of the Xu family. You are exactly like your mother."