A whirlwind marriage: The real heiress marries a warlord.

After the military governor returned to the city, Cheng Tianxun was very busy.

The military government held meetings day and night.

"The warlord has ordered the pursuit of Du Rongfei." Cheng Tianxun returned a day later and discussed this matter with Qin Yan.

Qin Yan: "What is the charge?"

"To create war; to deceive overseas Chinese, thereby creating international disputes," Cheng Tianxun said.

Qin Yan nodded slightly: "This is turning the tables."

In response to the North's "peace talks," the South finally found a legitimate excuse to tear down this fig leaf.

In terms of public opinion, the south finally gained the upper hand.

"If Du Rongfei is caught, he will be sentenced to death," Qin Yan said.

Cheng Tianxun nodded.

Because of his conviction, Du Rongfei's body can be disposed of after some time.

Cheng Tianxun is too busy; he will be going to Yicheng again in a few days.

"Do you want to come with me?" he asked Qin Yan.

Qin Yan: "Military duties allow family members to be brought along? The warlord will have you executed."

Cheng Tianxun: "We can go our separate ways. I'll send someone to protect you. After I'm done with my business, we can go for a walk."

He added, "I want to know where you grew up and where you went to school."

Seeing Qin Yan remain silent, he added, "If you're unhappy, just pretend I didn't say anything."

"I'm not unhappy," Qin Yan said. "I'm just thinking that those years have been so long. I was switched at the age of three or four, and I was fourteen when I escaped, which is ten years in total. Why does it feel like I've lived a lifetime when I look back?"

Cheng Tianxun hugged her tightly.

I shouldn't have brought it up.

"Everyone has curiosity," Qin Yan said.

She doesn't blame him.

Cheng Tianxun countered, "Do you want to know about my school?"

Qin Yan: "I have no curiosity."

Cheng Tianxun: "..."

As the couple chatted, he suddenly asked Qin Yan, "Why did you run away back then? You don't graduate from church high school until you're seventeen or eighteen."

If you decide to steal money and leave, you can wait until you get your graduation certificate.

In today's society, a woman with a high school diploma can find relatively easy jobs such as newspaper clerk or factory clerk.

Qin Yan remained silent.

"Did someone hurt you?" he asked.

Qin Yan said, "It's all in the past."

It was late at night, and Qin Yan yawned twice; she wanted to sleep.

Cheng Tianxun stopped talking.

The following day, the military government issued a nationwide arrest warrant for Du Rongfei.

All the newspapers in the southern part of the city featured this news as their front page headline.

Once things were finally settled, Qin Yancai spoke to Ling Manyun about it.

It was a private conversation between two people behind closed office doors.

Ling Manyun then learned that Qin Yan had gone through a life-or-death battle and was almost killed by Du Rongfei. If she hadn't reacted quickly and retaliated swiftly...

"He deserves to die!" Ling Manyun's face turned pale.

Qin Yan: "He is already dead."

"Serves him right, even whipping his corpse won't suffice. You had no grudge against him," Ling Manyun said.

"I didn't tell you that at the time..."

"A victory won at the cost of lives must be absolutely certain before it can be discussed. There might be spies in the newspaper," Ling Manyun said.

She has always been cautious.

Qin Yan then said, "It's a bit late after all. I apologize and will treat you to Ningbo cuisine."

"It's been a while since we've eaten there," Ling Manyun agreed. "Shall we go after work this afternoon?"

Qin Yan said, "Okay."

During the meal, the waiter mistakenly added an extra set of chopsticks and bowls for them; when making tea, the tea leaves stood up again.

Ling Manyun said, "I reckon someone we know will be coming."

Qin Yan: "Is it Aunt Luo?"

"I heard from Luo Qisheng two months ago that she went north, but I haven't heard from her since," Ling Manyun said.

Not long after they finished speaking, they encountered Aunt Luo.

Luo Qisheng treated his aunt and uncle to a meal at this restaurant. After they finished eating and went outside, they ran into Qin Yan and Ling Manyun, who were also paying their bill and leaving.

The electric light under the eaves was covered by a lampshade, casting a red glow on the ground, creating a hazy and enchanting atmosphere.

Ling Manyun was unsure: "Second Aunt?"

Luo Tang turned around.

Her face was beaming with smiles, revealing two deep dimples; her smile was exceptionally sweet: "Manjun, Qin Yan."

She strode over.

Despite not having seen each other for several years, there was no sense of estrangement.

"When did you arrive?" Qin Yan asked her. "Where are you now?"

"I just arrived last night and am currently staying at the Five Nations Hotel. I've been quite busy these past few days, but I'm planning to visit you at your newspaper office in a few days," Luo Tang said with a smile. "Would you have time to chat?"

Ling Manyun: "We can go get some coffee."

"I'm a bit full and can't drink anymore. Besides, I have some things to do tonight. Aunt, why don't you come to my newspaper office tomorrow?" Qin Yan said.

Ling Manyun immediately understood that the topic they were going to talk about was not suitable for "walls to hear".

"Actually, I've managed to hold on too," Ling Manyun said with a smile.

Luo Tang then said, "I'll go to your newspaper office tomorrow morning."

Her husband stood beside her, nodding with a smile.

They passed each other by.

Qin Yan didn't sleep well that night.

Luo Tang is only six years older than Qin Yan. Although she is called an aunt, she is more like Luo Qisheng's older sister and the eldest daughter of Madam Luo.

—It's not just a resemblance; Luo Tang was raised by Madam Luo.

When Qin Yan saw her, she couldn't help but recall the words Luo Tang had said to her when she went north.

She rolled over.

As she turned over for the third time, Cheng Tianxun spoke up: "I saw your tainted woman today, is something bothering you?"

Qin Yan: "..."

"Go to sleep early, the sky isn't going to fall." Cheng Tianxun hugged her from behind.

Qin Yan said, "Okay."

She still can't sleep.

When she tried to turn over again, she rolled into Cheng Tianxun's arms.

Cheng Tianxun put his arm around her.

"Are you tired?" he asked tentatively, hooking his hand around the button of her pajamas.

Qin Yan didn't answer him, but kissed him instead.

Cheng Tianxun immediately pinned her down.

After tossing and turning until 1 a.m., Qin Yan quickly washed off the light sweat on his body and lay down.

She told Cheng Tianxun, "The bed legs seem to be moving a bit."

She had just heard a creaking sound.

Cheng Tianxun: "If it breaks, we'll replace the bed."

"Be gentle," Qin Yan said.

"You can't praise 'it's delicious' when you're eating, and then complain 'I'm too full' when you're full," he said.

Qin Yan rolled over.

Exhausted from the ordeal, she had no time to think about anything else and quickly drifted off to sleep.

The next day, Qin Yan got up before dawn.

It's rare for her to get up this early.

Cheng Tianxun got up early to prepare for the training exercise, while Qin Yan was already sitting downstairs waiting for breakfast.

She told Cheng Tianxun, "I won't wait for you, I'm busy today. I have to meet with old friends this morning, so I need to finish my business first."

Cheng Tianxun: "Which old friend?"

"Aunt Luo, she's also Qin Yao's second aunt," Qin Yan said. "We have a lot to talk about, so I might be back late today."

"Was that person, whose reputation is questionable, also present?" he asked.

Those who are innocent are still in Yicheng and probably won't be able to come back; but those who are not innocent are like wandering ghosts, constantly roaming the city.

"I didn't invite him," Qin Yan said. "But his aunt is coming, and if he insists on coming, I will turn him away."

"No need, I'm not that petty," Cheng Tianxun said. "You can talk things out. There's nothing to hide."

"Okay," Qin Yan replied.

Cheng Tianxun choked for a moment.

He was 15 minutes faster than usual during the training exercise, and Qin Yan had already driven away when he went upstairs.

This hasty and flustered behavior is unlike her.

Cheng Tianxun was still thinking about this while taking a shower.

Qin Yan was the first to arrive at the newspaper office today. She finished her work at nine o'clock in the morning.

The newspaper office is already busy.

Luo Tang arrived at 10:00 AM.

Ling Manyun accompanied her in, poured her some tea, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then closed the office door for them.