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

Does he really speak so lightly of the future he risked his life for?

"Brother Lu..."

Qiao Wanqing felt a mix of gratitude and sadness. He had truly taken a huge risk. Family background was important, and it would remain important for the next decade or so, only its impact wouldn't be as severe as before.

Promotion in the military is difficult and highly competitive; even the slightest influence could cost him his chance for promotion.

Lu Mingzhou was pleased to see that she was worried about him. He patted her hand and said, "Go back home and wait for me. I might be back very late, so you should get some rest."

Qiao Wanqing nodded, "I'll wait for you to come home!"

Just as the two were about to part ways, they saw a young woman walking towards them from the street. Qiao Wanqing recognized her, and so did Lu Mingzhou.

The woman was young, looking to be in her early twenties, and dressed very elegantly.

She wore small leather shoes, a dress, a woolen coat, an expensive silk scarf around her neck, thick, jet-black hair, and a Rolex gold watch on her wrist, worth five or six hundred!

The visitor was named Hu Yu, one of Bai Zhengxiong's mistresses.

Hu Yu was quite surprised to see Qiao Wanqing. This was someone Bai Zhengxiong cared about very much. She had always worried that Qiao Wanqing would become Bai Zhengxiong's new favorite and steal her affection, so when she saw Qiao Wanqing at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, she naturally had to come and see.

"Qiao Wanqing, what are you doing here?"

Qiao Wanqing raised an eyebrow. "What's it to you?"

"You..." Hu Yu said angrily, "Qiao Wanqing, stop putting on this high and mighty act. What are you pretending to be, this virtuous and chaste woman? In the end, you'll still have to serve her..."

"She's married!" Lu Mingzhou interrupted, not wanting to hear that disgusting word.

Hu Yu then noticed Lu Mingzhou beside her and asked in surprise, "What?"

"I said, she got married, she married me!"

Hu Yu was completely stunned.

She didn't recognize Lu Mingzhou, but seeing that the man was dressed in a military uniform, and was dressed like an officer, young and good-looking, she wondered why Qiao Wanqing had gotten married at this crucial moment.

And she even married such a young military officer?

Hu Yu suddenly felt a surge of intense jealousy. Why? Why would anyone want Qiao Wanqing even in this state? Wasn't he afraid of being held accountable by Bai Zhengxiong?

When she learned that Bai Zhengxiong had taken a liking to Qiao Wanqing, she felt both threatened and incredibly pleased.

Many people looked down on her background, especially Xu Yanran, who looked at her like she was a dog. But now, Qiao Wanqing, who came from a similar background to Xu Yanran, was also going to fall into the same situation. She felt happy just thinking about it.

But before they could even enjoy their happiness for a few days, Qiao Wanqing suddenly got married?

Just as Hu Yu was stunned, Lu Mingzhou pulled Qiao Wanqing and helped her into the car.

"You go back first, I'll come back to find you after I've finished my business!"

"Wait, who are you? Who gave you permission to marry Qiao Wanqing? Don't you know she's Bai Zhengxiong's woman? She..."

"Shut up!" Lu Mingzhou's face suddenly turned icy cold, and his eyes looked at Hu Yu as if he wanted to kill her. "She is my wife. If I hear you insulting her again, even Bai Zhengxiong can't protect you."

People who have been on the battlefield all have a murderous aura about them, and when they get ruthless, they look like they want to kill someone. Hu Yu was so frightened that he immediately shut his mouth and didn't dare to say another word.

Qiao Wanqing got into Qiao Yuanhe's car, and Lu Mingzhou drove away as well. Hu Yu was furious. She stomped her foot and quickly went to inform Xu Yanran.

In Qiao Yuanhe's car.

"Have you informed your uncle and grandfather?"

Qiao Yuanhe nodded. "We've been notified. My uncle told us to stay in the army and not to confront the Bai family directly. He'll find a way to save Mom and Dad."

"And..." Qiao Yuanhe pursed his lips and solemnly said to Qiao Wanqing, "My uncle asked me to tell you that no matter what happens, you are not allowed to compromise with the Bai family. Stay in the army obediently. If it really doesn't work, he will arrange for you to go to the countryside, or find a way to transfer you away, or even let you retire."

"Returning to China was a family decision. Everyone is aware of the risks. No matter what happens, the Qiao family will never sell their daughter for personal gain."

"If we hand you over to trash like Bai Zhengxiong because of this kind of struggle, then all those years he and Grandpa have wasted. How will they ever have any face left to stand on?"

The Qiao family is a prestigious family with its own integrity. Bai Zhengxiong's mere expression of interest in Qiao Wanqing is an insult to the Qiao family elders. Grandpa and Uncle will never let this go.

"I understand. I'll go back and retire from the military, and then I'll live a good life with Lu Mingzhou."

The Bai family has crossed her bottom line this time. No matter what her grandfather and uncle might do, she will not let it go.

Qiao Wanqing's mind was now filled with how to get rid of Bai Zhengxiong silently. At this critical moment, if something happened to Bai Zhengxiong, the Qiao family would be the first to be suspected, and she and her elder brother would definitely be detained and thoroughly investigated.

Even if she has a spatial ability, it's not omnipotent; she needs sufficient alibi evidence.

Lu Mingzhou sat in the car, watching Qiao Yuanhe's car drive away. Li Hongjun beside him said, "Be prepared, the Wang family will probably cause you trouble."

The Wang family are military leaders and are interested in forming a marriage alliance with Lu Mingzhou.

A hint of disdain flashed in Lu Mingzhou's eyes as he said nonchalantly, "Well, there's nothing I can do about it. After risking my life for over a decade, if all I get in return is being tied to a woman I don't even like for the rest of my life, wouldn't I have wasted my time?"

The two didn't say anything more and drove away.

Qiao Wanqing returned to the army with her brother and went directly to the cultural troupe to pick up her luggage.

She has a dormitory at the performing arts troupe, and she spends most of her time there.

However, she was prepared. She didn't have much luggage: two suitcases, a bag, and a few enamel basins for washing.

Bai Xue is off today. She just took a shower and is applying skincare products. Her fair and tender skin has always been Bai Xue's pride, and she has always taken great care of it.

When Qiao Wanqing returned, a hint of disdain flashed in Bai Xue's eyes.

"You're back! I heard something happened to your family, but don't worry. With your looks and popularity with men, someone will definitely be willing to help your family."

Bai Xue shared a dorm room with Qiao Wanqing and had long disliked her because Qiao Wanqing had stolen too much of her thunder.

Qiao Wanqing remained silent, too lazy to argue with such a person. Arguing with her now would only encourage Bai Xue to spread the Qiao family's affairs even more, which would not do her any good.

She took her things and prepared to leave.

Bai Xue was taken aback when she saw her carrying her luggage and about to leave, and was shocked.

"Stop right there, where are you going?"

Bai Xue stood up and stopped her, "This is the dormitory. You're a member of the performing arts troupe, so you have to live here."

"Get out of the way!"