Just half a month ago, she had gone shopping at a mall in Haishi and saw televisions being sold in the home appliance section on the third floor, each costing one or two thousand yuan.
Even if she saved every penny, it would take several years to afford one.
Yet, Wen Ci’s home had a television.
The living room in the family compound was so small that placing a table left little space, but Wen Ci’s home actually had room for a television. Zhu Jing was so shocked that she even forgot to eat.
“Wen Ci, who exactly is your husband?”
After getting off work at the cafeteria, she pondered carefully. If Wen Ci’s husband wasn’t Xue Li, then he must hold a higher position than Xue Li.
As the ‘intelligence’ director of the family compound, she had never heard of any high-ranking leader getting married.
Before Wen Ci could answer, Xiao Pihou spoke up: “He’s a super, super, super scary uncle, taller and stronger than Dad.”
Listening to Xiao Pihou’s description, Zhu Jing began to speculate about which young, fierce-looking, high-ranking men in the military fit the bill.
The Living King of Hell?
Zhu Jing’s mind conjured up his image.
Everyone in the Northwest Military Region knew the nickname “Living King of Hell,” and even the families in the compound had heard their husbands complain about him.
Then, Zhu Jing shook her head.
Although she had never interacted with the Living King of Hell, she had seen him from a distance. He didn’t look fierce on the surface; his features were handsome and strong.
Xiao Pihou continued: “The pretty auntie has a really big house, and there’s a soft sofa.”
Zhu Jing’s eyes widened even more. In the family compound, only the living rooms of two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments could fit a sofa. “Wen Ci, tell me, I won’t tell anyone.”
Wen Ci’s eyes curved into a smile: “My husband is Huo Jingyuan.”
She had never intended to hide the fact about her husband; it was just that Sister Jing and the others had never asked. They had mistakenly assumed Xue Li was her husband.
“Huo Jingyuan?”
Zhu Jing murmured: “Why does this name sound so familiar? Have I heard it somewhere?”
Xiang Qin, Hou Li, and Miao Ling walked over to the building, each holding a kerosene lamp. The Northwest Military Region hadn’t yet reached the point of having electricity on the streets.
Once it got dark, the only way to get around was with kerosene lamp.
“What are you all talking about?”
Wen Ci smiled: “We’re talking about my husband.”
“What’s wrong with Captain Xue?”
Hearing this, Wen Ci’s smile grew even brighter. So everyone thought Xue Li was her husband. She asked with a laugh: “Why did you all think my husband was Xue Li?”
“Huh? Isn’t Xue Li your husband?”
Wen Ci shook her head with a smile: “Of course not.”
“Then who is?”
“Huo Jingyuan.”
Xiang Qin and the others were also unfamiliar with the name Huo Jingyuan. They tilted their heads, thinking: “Why does this name sound so familiar?”
Seeing that they couldn’t figure it out, Wen Ci spoke unhurriedly: “I don’t know if you’ve heard of the Living King of Hell, but my husband is him.”
“You… you.”
Zhu Jing was so shocked that the bowl in her hand fell to the ground. The others wore identical expressions of astonishment. After a moment, they exclaimed in unison: “Your husband is the Living King of Hell?”
“Is it really that surprising?” Wen Ci blinked.
Zhu Jing nodded: “It is.”
The Living King of Hell was the youngest officer in the Northwest Military Region. At thirty, he had already reached the rank of regiment commander, with a boundless future ahead. At the same time, every husband had complained about him.
The Living King of Hell was a monstrous figure.
After Wen Ci’s explanation, they understood why Xue Li had been running around helping out. It turned out that the Living King of Hell was too busy and had delegated the task to his subordinate.
Xiao Pihou and the others walked over to Wen Ci, pleading in unison: “Mom, can we go to the pretty sister’s house to watch cartoons after dinner?”
Knowing that Wen Ci’s husband was the Living King of Hell, Xiang Qin and the others were no longer surprised that Wen Ci had a television at home. After all, the three-bedroom apartment was allocated to a regiment commander.
“No.”
Xiao Pihou asked: “Why?”
The Northwest Military Region wasn’t fully electrified, and due to its remote location, electricity was more expensive than in provincial capitals. Televisions consumed a lot of power.
Wen Ci said: “Anyway, I get bored at home after work, so having the kids around keeps me company.”
“Then let them watch for half an hour after dinner?”
Any later, and it would be dark.
In the neighboring building.
Jiang Ye heard the cheerful voices downstairs. Although she couldn’t make out what they were saying, she could hear Wen Ci’s voice. Her fists clenched tightly.
Suddenly, Jiang Ye had an idea.
If Wen Ci was chatting here, then the three-bedroom apartment must be empty except for Huo Jingyuan.
This was her perfect opportunity to make a move.
Thinking this, Jiang Ye glanced back at the clothes in her wardrobe. When she had sneaked out, she had been in a hurry and only grabbed a few of her prettiest dresses.
Jiang Ye’s gaze fell on a simple white dress. She changed into it as quickly as possible, but as soon as she stepped outside, a chilly wind hit her.
She couldn’t help but shiver.
The temperature difference between day and night in the Northwest was significant.
Jiang Ye gritted her teeth, enduring the cold.
Her beauty was her greatest asset. Even if she wasn’t as pretty as Wen Ci, the education she had received from the Jiang family gave her a completely different demeanor from Wen Ci.
Wen Ci was just a country bumpkin from the countryside.
After going downstairs, Jiang Ye deliberately took a detour to avoid being seen.
The fiery clouds in the sky gradually dissipated. The family compound wasn’t fully occupied, and the streets were dark and eerily quiet.
Only one three-bedroom apartment had its lights on.
Jiang Ye approached and noticed that the gate to the yard wasn’t locked. She pushed it open and walked into the yard as if she were the lady of the house.
Looking at the pavilion in the yard, she began to fantasize about sitting there on a sunny afternoon, sipping coffee and living a comfortable, leisurely life.
Huo Jingyuan was in his study writing reports when he heard the sound of the iron gate in the yard. Thinking it was Wen Ci returning, he put down his pen and walked to the door to greet her.
Huo Jingyuan’s smile was gentle, but as he stood at the door, his gaze fell on the figure lingering in the yard, and his smile immediately faded.
“What are you doing here?”
Hearing Huo Jingyuan’s voice, Jiang Ye snapped out of her reverie. She stared at him intently, walking closer as she spoke: “Actually, I’m the one you were supposed to marry. I was raised in the Jiang family, and Wen Ci only took my place to marry you.”
Her tone made her sound like a victim.
Huo Jingyuan’s eyelids drooped slightly.
Wen Ci had already confessed all this to him. Leaning against the doorframe, he spoke indifferently: “And then?”
“Jingyuan, you should divorce Wen Ci. She grew up in a poor mountain village and has no education. She doesn’t deserve you. Only I…”
Huo Jingyuan laughed.
He had never heard such a ridiculous joke.
He even thought the Jiang family’s way of raising children was deeply flawed. Although Wen Ci, the Jiang family’s biological daughter, hadn’t been raised by them, she was kind and pure-hearted.
Jiang Ye, on the other hand, despite being raised by the Jiang family, was malicious and even deluded herself into thinking she could convince him to divorce Wen Ci with a few words.
Dream on!
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