In reality, there was a priority quota for assigning jobs to military spouses this time.
Zhang Jianjun had a prioritized slot, but he turned it down.
If Chun Xing got a job, she wouldn’t be completely dependent on him anymore—and that simply wouldn’t do!
He wanted Chun Xing to have no job, no ability to earn money, so she would have no choice but to rely on him entirely.
That way, she would never leave him or even entertain the thought of divorce.
Of course, Zhang Jianjun’s reasoning didn’t stem from any deep love for Chun Xing, but rather from a hidden, unspeakable secret.
This secret was something even his mother, Niu Cui, didn’t know about.
Naturally, Chun Xing was also unaware.
But he needed to keep Chun Xing by his side, using her as his excuse.
He also had no intention of remarrying some untouched young maiden, as his mother had suggested.
He knew Chun Xing cared deeply about her daughter—that was her weakness.
Zhang Jianjun thought this arrangement was perfect; at least it gave him leverage over Chun Xing.
As for whether Zhizhi should go to school or not, Zhang Jianjun was indifferent.
Of course, it would be best if she didn’t.
Once educated, she’d grow wings and fly away.
He was afraid Zhizhi might eventually become Chun Xing’s support.
But he couldn’t voice this thought aloud.
So he had to let his mother take the blame.
What he didn’t expect was that his mother would be so useless, while Chun Xing would prove so fiercely determined—even threatening divorce.
Left with no choice, he had to let Zhizhi attend school.
And now, Chun Xing landing a job made Zhang Jianjun feel like things were slipping further out of his control.
He had thought that by rejecting the priority job assignment for Chun Xing, she’d have no choice but to stay home and depend on him.
But who could’ve guessed that, by sheer coincidence, Chun Xing would end up saving the grandson of the food factory director during an outing when the child accidentally fell into the sea?
Out of gratitude, the director offered Chun Xing a job at the factory.
Over a month ago, Chun Xing had already started working.
Not only that, but the Zhang household was currently under his mother’s management.
Even he, as her son, had to hand over half his salary to her every month.
But Chun Xing argued that since he, as her husband, was already giving half his wages to his mother, she wouldn’t contribute hers.
No matter how much his mother complained or how much he tried to persuade her, Chun Xing refused to hand over a single cent of her earnings.
Whenever they argued, she’d threaten divorce.
Zhang Jianjun had no choice but to let it go.
Watching Chun Xing walk away, Zhang Jianjun’s eyes darkened with resentment.
Chun Xing…
She seemed to be gradually slipping out of his grasp.
Her temper had grown worse, no longer as obedient and submissive as before.
This couldn’t go on.
He had to think of a way to regain control!
Meanwhile, Zhang Qiumei wasn’t concerned about her brother and Chun Xing’s affairs.
All she knew was that her college admission letter had arrived—she was officially a university student now.
So, did that mean she could finally be with Sheng Zexi?
With that thought, she pulled her mother, Niu Cui, into her room and shared her idea.
Niu Cui was utterly horrified by her daughter’s plan.
“Ah Mei, have you lost your mind? That officer is already married, with two kids, and his wife is pregnant again. You—a perfectly good university student—want to go be a stepmother to someone else’s children?”
Niu Cui couldn’t fathom it. Her daughter was outstanding—a college student with a brother who was a regiment-level officer. She could have any suitor she wanted. Why on earth would she set her sights on a married man with children and willingly become a stepmother?
No, absolutely not.
“Ugh, Mom, don’t call it being a ‘stepmother’—it sounds so ugly. Those kids can just stay with their country bumpkin mother. I can have my own children with him!”
“And he’s so outstanding—even younger than my brother but already a regiment-level officer. He has a bright future ahead!”
“Mom, think about it—if I marry him, that house will be mine, and I’ll bring you to live with me too!”
“I don’t care, Mom. I’ve only ever liked him all these years. I don’t want anyone else!”
Zhang Qiumei was stubborn. Once she set her mind on something, she had to have it.
So now, she did everything she could to persuade Niu Cui, clinging to her arm and whining.
“I still don’t think it’s right,” Niu Cui insisted.
“I don’t care! If you don’t agree and help me, I—I’ll kill myself!”
With that, Zhang Qiumei lunged toward the wall as if to slam her head into it.
Niu Cui was terrified.
She had always doted on her daughter, giving in to her every whim.
Even though she knew Zhang Qiumei wouldn’t actually go through with it, she couldn’t bear the thought.
Finally, Niu Cui gritted her teeth. “Fine, I’ll help you.”
“Should we tell your brother about this?” she asked hesitantly.
“Not yet. Let’s settle things first. We can tell him afterward—it’ll be a nice surprise! He’ll be thrilled to have such a capable brother-in-law supporting him.”
Niu Cui: “…Alright, fine.”
So, mother and daughter immediately began plotting their next move.
They decided there was no time like the present. Zhang Qiumei would dress up nicely, and Niu Cui would take her to propose the marriage.
As for whether Sheng Zexi’s wife, Gu Jianing, would agree or make a scene—
They figured, what could a country woman possibly do? Everything would be up to Sheng Zexi.
As long as he agreed, there’d be no problem.
And they were sure that, unless he was an idiot, he’d definitely say yes.
After all, when faced with a choice between a worthless rural woman and a soon-to-be college student, anyone with eyes would know what to pick.
So, while Gu Jianing was in the yard feeding Amber and her family, she noticed two people peering into her house.
The younger one was none other than Sheng Zexi’s persistent admirer, Zhang Qiumei.
As for the older woman…
“Sister, that old hag is the one who tried to steal from our house before!” Amber recognized Niu Cui’s scent immediately.
Gu Jianing suddenly understood. Amber had told her about this before.
Now, things made sense.
She knew Niu Cui and Zhang Qiumei were mother and daughter. She’d also heard about the big fuss Chun Xing made when she fought with Niu Cui’s son, Zhang Jianjun, over their daughter’s schooling—even threatening divorce.
Though it had happened while Gu Jianing was in Beijing, the aftermath had been the talk of the military wives.
Most of them didn’t think highly of Niu Cui and avoided her.
“Who are you looking for?” Gu Jianing hadn’t expected Niu Cui and Zhang Qiumei to show up at her door.
Zhang Qiumei was disappointed not to see Sheng Zexi. But when she caught sight of Gu Jianing’s face, a flash of jealousy crossed her eyes.
So, only this country woman was home?
Good!
This was the perfect chance to make her back off on her own.
With that, the mother-daughter pair strode in, arms crossed, as if they owned the place.
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