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

Neither the mother nor the daughter took the matter to heart. What Xu Hui wanted to talk about most was her uncle's attitude today.

"Your uncle is probably unhappy. Don't take it to heart. It's your life, and it's most important that you live well."

Qiao Wanqing said indifferently, "I guessed it would be like this before I made the choice. I'm not surprised at all by his attitude today."

Xu Hui raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. After all, her daughter was only twenty years old. At such an age, she was inexperienced in the ways of the world. How could she see through her family so clearly?

"My daughter is so smart!" Xu Hui praised proudly.

In a large family like theirs, the ability to see the true nature of each family member early on is extremely important. Many people, without being taught, often only realize that their relatives are sometimes unreliable after suffering great losses.

Qiao Wanqing smiled, hugged her arm, winked, and teased, "Now that I'm like this, it'll probably be even harder for you to fight for the Xu family's inheritance in the future, Mom."

Xu Hui sneered, "Hmph, Mom wants the Xu family's assets. Why do all the men get them without even having to fight for them, but I don't? Your second uncle is such a good-for-nothing. What can he do besides cause trouble for the family? None of his children are any good either, yet your grandfather still gives him a share of the inheritance. Why don't I, who has been outstanding since childhood, get any?"

"It's just that they don't want to give it to me because I'm a girl."

Xu Hui held her daughter's hand and patted it. "But no matter how much Mom wants the inheritance, I can't joke about your happiness. Our goal is happiness. Knowing that the group that is a good match is unreliable, of course we have to find another group. Xiao Lu is a very outstanding person. How many people who can reach the top in their field are not good? You won't lose out by marrying him."

"Girls, especially young girls like you, should marry a man they love who also loves them to be happy. Money and power are things you'll consider after you're in your thirties. Right now, you have to experience it firsthand. People need to experience more to understand."

Looking at her beautiful daughter, Xu Hui said solemnly, "Daughter, you did very well this time. Don't care what others say. I want to tell you that you did a very good job this time. I am so glad that you acted quickly and decisively. During the days you were imprisoned, I was really worried to death, afraid that you would be sacrificed."

"There's nothing wrong with protecting yourself when you're in danger. You're a girl, so don't trust the men in your family too much. Sometimes, you shouldn't even trust your own father. If it really comes down to the survival of the family, not only your uncle, but even your grandfather and uncles might not protect you. Your dad is the same!"

Touched, Qiao Wanqing leaned on her mother's shoulder and said gently, "Mom, do you think Grandpa will blame me?"

Xu Hui laughed, "No, maybe he'll appreciate you even more!"

Qiao Wanqing was taken aback. Xu Hui smiled and explained to her, "Your maternal grandfather is a bit more conscientious than your eldest uncle. Also, he's getting old and his heart has softened. You've been by his side for so long, being obedient, clever, and witty. You're his ideal granddaughter. They still have feelings for you."

"When it really comes down to life and death, let alone you, even I, your uncle, or even your grandfather himself, I think he would be willing to sacrifice himself. But if it's just about suffering a little or being sent to the countryside, your grandfather would be reluctant to give you to Bai Zhengxiong. He cares about his reputation and has more principles than your uncle."

"If he really blamed you, he wouldn't have given you such a large dowry this time!"

At this point, Xu Hui sighed, "If you had taken my surname, Xu, you wouldn't have had to fight for it; you'd have a share of the Xu family's assets. What a pity! Back when I gave birth to you, I asked your maternal grandfather to support me in letting you take the Xu surname, but he felt he couldn't beat your paternal grandfather, so he didn't help me. I knew that if I asked your paternal grandfather, he definitely wouldn't agree. If I upset him, your maternal grandfather might blame me too. I wouldn't do something that would please neither side!"

"Now, your grandfather is probably kicking himself!"

Qiao Wanqing burst out laughing!

The mother and daughter chatted in the room for more than an hour. Then the aunt and uncle joined in, and the four women chatted while eating sunflower seeds.

In the evening, Qiao Yuanzhong returned from grocery shopping, and Qiao Yanshuo, wearing an apron, came over and asked everyone what they wanted to eat. Xu Hui smiled and said, "There are so many people at home, just make a few good dishes. You can make whatever you like, we're going to chat!"

Qiao Yanshuo smiled and said, "Okay, you guys chat, I'm going to cook."

The door closed, and the eldest aunt said enviously, "I never knew the second son had such a virtuous side. When will I be able to eat your eldest uncle's cooking? He's always busy, I don't know what he's busy with. And Yuanzhong, that rascal is just like your eldest uncle, he can't sit still for a moment. I don't know what your sister-in-law saw in him!"

Qiao Wanqing couldn't stop laughing. The sister-in-law was her eldest cousin's wife, Qiao Yuanzhong's wife. She was a quiet and gentle young woman who was very good at singing and dancing. No one expected that she would fall for her brother, a rough and wild man!

The group ate dinner there and didn't return to the military family compound until it was almost dark.

It was already dark when we got home. The lights were on inside, and everyone had already eaten dinner and was watching TV in the living room.

"You're back! Have you all eaten?"

Lu Mingzhou nodded, "Yes, I ate before coming back."

Miao Cuiying didn't say much. Although today's wedding was simple, it showed them the strength of their in-laws and their son's connections in the area. They needed to process this information. After the banquet, they kept talking about these things and still hadn't fully processed them.

Her son was tired after a long day, and had drunk quite a bit at noon, so Miao Cuiying said, "Go wash up and get some rest!"

Qiao Wanqing went upstairs first and unlocked the master bedroom door.

After what happened before, even Lu Mingzhou now agreed with her locking the door. The master bedroom was his and his wife's private territory, and he didn't want those brats to come in and rummage around.

The room was spotless when the door opened. After all, it was the wedding ceremony today, so Qiao Wanqing had tidied it up again. The room was dressed in bright red bedding, and red double happiness symbols were pasted on the glass. There were also red candles on the desk.

Lu Mingzhou liked it more and more as he looked at it. "Why don't you go take a shower first? Or, shall we do it together?"

Qiao Wanqing glared at him. "You go first. I want to talk to my aunt."

She came out of the master bedroom, closed the door, and went to her aunt Qiao Xin's room. Qiao Xin was waiting for her. She had fallen asleep as soon as she got back yesterday and didn't wake up until midnight. Not wanting to delay Qiao Wanqing's wedding, she had let her rest early. This morning, she got up early to get ready for the wedding and didn't have time to say anything important.

Now that they finally had some time, Qiao Xin smiled excitedly as she saw Qiao Wanqing arrive. "Quickly, close the door."