Su Qingshi’s expression remained entirely unchanged.
It was only as she brushed past her mother-in-law that she turned back and glanced at that bicycle.
So the new bride in the compound was that girl she’d met yesterday—that delicate, city-bred young lady.
Innocent, naive, kind, gentle, lovely—even her gaze was clear.
She came from a good family, had studied a great deal, was cherished by her family—and an expensive bicycle was part of her dowry.
Such a precious bicycle, something so many people longed for but couldn’t have. Her brother had said it was just for admiring, afraid she’d hurt herself if she rode it.
Su Qingshi let out a cryptic laugh and turned to go inside.
At last, the day of Ning Qiao’s wedding arrived.
Early in the morning, the military family compound on Qing’an Island was especially lively.
The Jiang family had prepared firecrackers, and the children in the compound could pick them up from He Yongyan. The kids who got their hands on them were thoroughly satisfied, their laughter even brighter when the crackling sounds of firecrackers filled the air.
For Jiang Yuan, Jiang Qi, and Jiang Guoguo, today was also a big day to look forward to.
Welcoming their little sister-in-law into the house and living a harmonious life—just the thought made them eager and restless.
The military wives were all happy to share in the festive spirit, helping to distribute wedding candies.
The children’s little mouths were stuffed full as they ate and stuffed their pockets at the same time.
The military leaders made time to attend, gathering together with Old Master Jiang, smiling at the joyous scene.
“The groom is out!”
“Look, look!”
Ning Qiao was still inside the room.
No matter what, getting married was always nerve-wracking.
Beside her sat Luo Shulan and Jiang Beirong, who had come to help, both beaming as they recited words of good fortune.
Jiang Heng, dressed in his military uniform, went to fetch the bride.
Ning Qiao was supported by Luo Shulan and Jiang Beirong as she walked to the door.
Even from a distance, Jiang Heng’s gaze was already fixed on her direction.
With a loud bang—
A child had set off a firecracker inside a small bottle, and the bottle shattered with the blast.
Ning Qiao was thoroughly startled, her face paling slightly.
That was so dangerous!
The crackling of firecrackers for the wedding rang out one after another.
Jiang Heng turned his head and immediately spotted that delicate, timid figure looking back at him.
After a lifetime apart, he was finally back at this moment again.
He swore that in this life, he would protect her well.
This day was the liveliest the family compound had seen in years.
When Su Qingshi had married into the compound, word was that she hadn’t been willing, so the Tang family had simply handed out some Cuban sugar and kept the ceremony low-key.
For the wedding, Ning Zhiping and Ning Yang carried suitcase after suitcase to the Jiang house, with several comrades recruited by Luo Shulan following along as Ning Qiao’s family representatives.
The bicycle was naturally pushed along as well. The compound residents who hadn’t seen it the night before marveled that Battalion Commander Jiang’s new bride had clearly been raised with love—her family had provided everything for her. Except for a sewing machine, which they hadn’t managed to get, she had all the “three turns and one ring” (watch, bicycle, sewing machine, and radio)!
The comrade pushing the bicycle waved cheerfully at everyone, as if it were his own.
But after a few steps, he looked a bit puzzled and pressed down on the handlebars.
“What’s wrong?”
“Strange—it feels like the tire is flat.”
“Really? It’s a brand new bike—it must have been fully inflated!”
The two comrades examined the bicycle, but no one paid much attention.
Everyone’s eyes were on the newlyweds.
The new bride looked delicate and pretty. Whether from shyness or a touch of rouge, her cheeks were flushed pink.
She was led home by Battalion Commander Jiang, with the three younger siblings sticking close by every step of the way. Their cheerful excitement certainly wasn’t just because they didn’t have to go to school today.
At the doorstep, Ning Qiao’s heart pounded wildly.
She turned back to look for her father and brother.
Their smiles were full of warmth and relief.
Steeling herself, she was about to step over the threshold when suddenly, Jiang Heng reached out his hand.
As Ning Qiao hesitated, he gently took her pale, slender fingers.
Her fingertips were cool to the touch.
Jiang Heng led her through the door.
Ning Qiao looked down at her clasped hand, her long lashes trembling slightly.
Even in the military, weddings had a whole set of formalities.
After the bride was received, the wedding ceremony was held in the military’s conference room.
Two tables were pushed together to form a long rectangle, covered with red cloth that had been laid out in advance, scattered with peanuts, melon seeds, and candies.
The leaders and other soldiers bore witness to the occasion, offering their full blessings.
He Yongyan still had work to do.
He pulled out a stack of red handkerchiefs—Old Master Jiang had somehow gotten hold of them—and wrapped up the wedding candies on the table. These were set aside for comrades who were away on missions or home on leave, to enjoy after they returned.
Each piece of candy carried the sweet meaning of happiness and bliss. He Yongyan wrapped them slowly, unable to resist feeling a pang of self-pity.
He’d laughed at Jiang Heng before for agreeing to a childhood betrothal without even knowing what the other person looked like.
But now, looking at them—Jiang Heng was just too lucky.
His delicate little bride stood beside him, her bright, glistening eyes as if they could speak.
She was truly radiant!
He Yongyan wore a look of profound grievance.
When would it be his turn to wrap wedding candies?
Ning Zhiping and Ning Yang had both taken leave from their units. Initially, they had planned to stay on the island for a few more days after the wedding, to make sure Ning Qiao had settled in before leaving. But with her falling ill and the delay that caused, they had to head back to Ancheng right after the ceremony.
In the afternoon, right after the wedding, they had to catch the boat. Before leaving, they were still uneasy, their brows furrowed so tightly they could crush a fly.
Ning Qiao put on a lighthearted expression and urged them to go.
Work was important—and her sister-in-law at home was even more important.
The newlyweds saw Ning Zhiping and Ning Yang off together at the military dock.
While father and daughter talked ahead, Ning Yang pulled Jiang Heng aside.
“What’s your relationship with Comrade Luo Qin?” Ning Yang asked.
“Luo Qin is my comrade-in-arms,” Jiang Heng replied. “Do you know him?”
“Keep making things up!” Ning Yang said. “People in your compound say Comrade Luo Qin is quite lovely!”
Jiang Heng: ?
A grown man—lovely?
The driver who had brought them got out to stretch his legs. After listening to their cross-talk for a while, he couldn’t hold back anymore.
He said, “Battalion Commander Jiang, they mean that female comrade from the broadcasting station—the one you told not to bother you last time.”
“Oh—her name is also Luo Qin?”
One look at his brother-in-law’s expression, and Ning Yang’s last shred of doubt vanished.
Now he could finally go home in peace.
Ning Qiao watched as her father and brother boarded the boat.
She had said goodbye many times, holding back tears.
Jiang Heng stood beside her.
When the sea breeze picked up, he remembered that she had a weak constitution and often caught colds.
Ning Qiao stood at the shore, watching the boat slowly pull out of the dock.
This farewell felt even more disheartening.
She lowered her gaze.
Then, suddenly, Jiang Heng gently draped an overcoat over her shoulders.
It must have been because the sea breeze was chilly.
A faint, intangible warmth flowed through her heart.
Ning Qiao looked up and blinked back her tears.
Time to pull herself together!
The newlyweds rode back to the family compound together. The traces of firecrackers in the yard had already been cleaned up.
Ning Qiao had insisted on not holding a banquet, but the first meal with her “new family” was indispensable—it had to be properly celebrated.
The moment she stepped through the door, it meant Ning Qiao would officially begin her life on the island.
She had spent several days mentally preparing herself.
In the living room, the younger siblings hadn’t gone out to play—they were waiting for their little sister-in-law to come home.
Yesterday, they’d only shown her the living room, kitchen, and yard. Now, the three kids eagerly took her to see their rooms.
The house was big enough that Jiang Yuan, Jiang Qi, and Jiang Guoguo each had their own room.
Jiang Heng’s bedroom was at the corner on the second floor.
Ning Qiao, adapting calmly, got along with them peacefully.
After looking at all four rooms, she glanced around and spotted an empty room. With genuine sincerity, she asked, “Is this my room?”
Three little heads swiveled in unison toward their big brother.
In this life, their little sister-in-law wasn’t going to share a room with their big brother?
As the three older kids turned, they inadvertently created a gap, allowing Jiang Heng and Ning Qiao to meet each other’s eyes.
Her tone was soft, as gentle and obedient as ever, as if she were sincerely asking.
But Jiang Heng knew Ning Qiao well enough. Her eyes were bright, her intonation lifted slightly—she was doing it on purpose.
Something subtle had shifted. In this life, she no longer had her heart and eyes full of him.
He quickly said, “No. That room is for something else.”
The younger siblings were full of question marks.
“Big Brother, what for?”
“You never said anything before!”
“It’s been empty for so long—why can’t our little sister-in-law have it!”
Jiang Heng: …
Was this the three kids’ new hobby—undermining their big brother?
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