She believed that Sheng Zexi and she were the most well-matched pair.
After all, Sheng Zexi was a regimental-level officer, and her brother was also a regimental-level officer.
As for whether Sheng Zexi would choose her after she confessed her feelings—Zhang Qiumei wasn’t worried at all.
She was young, beautiful, a college student, and would soon become a doctor. Moreover, she was still a virgin!
And Sheng Zexi’s wife?
Rumors said she was just some rural woman—what could she possibly know? Probably illiterate, waiting for the military district to assign her a job.
Who knew how that woman had managed to cling to Sheng Zexi.
As long as Sheng Zexi wasn’t blind, given the choice between her and that country bumpkin, he would undoubtedly pick her.
Only she could truly contribute to Sheng Zexi’s future.
But Zhang Qiumei never stopped to consider—
If Sheng Zexi could abandon his original wife after weighing the pros and cons—choosing her for her youth, beauty, and usefulness—then faced with a similar choice in the future, he would surely abandon her too.
Zhang Qiumei was utterly confident—no, even arrogant—so she never entertained such thoughts.
She simply assumed that Sheng Zexi choosing her would be a testament to his good judgment.
Thus, brimming with confidence, Zhang Qiumei went to take the exam, determined to win Sheng Zexi over once she got into university.
…
In Beijing, after Fang Wanrong was arrested and imprisoned, Fang Manping was despondent for several days.
It wasn’t until she visited her mother in jail—no one knew what the two discussed—that she regained her spirit and resumed her studies.
Today, she too stood before the examination hall.
Gazing at the entrance, Fang Manping recalled her mother’s words during the visit:
“Manping, don’t blame yourself, and don’t grieve.”
“What you need to do now is focus on your studies and take the college entrance exam.”
“Mom knows you can do it.”
“If you really can’t bear to be apart from me, then work hard. When you’re capable, and after I’m released, we can live together.”
Fang Wanrong hadn’t been sentenced to death. Since the trafficking attempt had failed, she only had to serve a few years in prison.
Fang Manping decided to follow her mother’s advice.
Study hard, get into university, secure a good job—then, whether married or not, she could be her own master.
When her mother was released, she could take her in, and no one would dare object.
With this resolve, Fang Manping stepped into the examination hall without hesitation.
…
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Gu Jianing, in a distant labor farm, Wen Zhuqing also entered the examination hall.
But at this moment, Wen Zhuqing was no longer Wen Zhuqing.
He had changed his name. Now, he was called Zhang Yutang.
After enduring nights of submission to that woman, Wen Zhuqing had finally earned his chance to leave.
The woman and her father had orchestrated Wen Zhuqing’s fake death.
Then, he assumed the identity of a recently deceased local landlord’s grandson—Zhang Yutang.
Now, as Zhang Yutang, Wen Zhuqing had married the labor farm director’s daughter, Qin Honghua.
Not only that, but Qin Honghua was already two months pregnant.
It was precisely because of her pregnancy that the marriage—and Wen Zhuqing’s identity swap—had been arranged.
Wen Zhuqing—now Zhang Yutang—was escorted to the examination hall by his father-in-law.
“Take the exam seriously. Honghua has high hopes for you.”
“I understand, Father-in-law. I will definitely succeed.”
With that, Wen Zhuqing walked into the examination hall.
His father-in-law watched his retreating figure, deep in thought.
His sharp eyes had long discerned that Wen Zhuqing was no ordinary man.
He was even the kind of person who cared only about profit, cold and ruthless.
Originally, such a man should never have become his son-in-law.
After all, he had only one daughter.
He had hoped to find her a good husband.
But Honghua had set her heart on Wen Zhuqing, even going so far as to do so much for him.
For Wen Zhuqing’s sake, she had begged him endlessly, even threatening to kill herself if he refused.
Helpless, he had no choice but to comply.
However, he had to keep a tight leash on Wen Zhuqing.
He knew that once Wen Zhuqing gained power, he would surely abandon his humble wife.
He also knew this man was ruthless.
So, he had to firmly grasp Wen Zhuqing’s weaknesses—for his daughter’s happiness, he had to bind him tightly.
If Wen Zhuqing dared to do anything to hurt his daughter, then…
A sharp glint flashed in the man’s eyes.
…
Wen Zhuqing, walking into the examination hall, could still feel his father-in-law’s gaze fixed on his back even without turning around.
He knew his father-in-law was undeniably shrewd.
Apart from Qin Honghua, Old Qin was not an easy man to control.
Worse, Old Qin held damning evidence against him.
Of course, to Wen Zhuqing—
Qin Honghua was even more repulsive than Bao Shanyan.
But there was no other choice.
Thanks to Gu Jianing’s schemes, he had been reduced to this state.
Without the Qin father and daughter, no one else could save him.
So, this was his only option.
After all, staying trapped on the labor farm, watching opportunities slip away—that was something Wen Zhuqing could never endure.
It would torment him worse than death.
Thus, no matter how disgusted he felt, he had to endure it!
But Wen Zhuqing would never forget who had brought him to this wretched state—
Gu Jianing!
If only he had married Gu Jianing back then, everything would have been different.
It was Gu Jianing—as if she had suddenly grown cunning—who had begun scheming against him.
Gu Jianing, just you wait. As long as I, Wen Zhuqing, am still breathing, I’ll never let you get away with this!
Darkness and malice filled Wen Zhuqing’s eyes, but only for a fleeting moment. Soon, his gentle, jade-like demeanor returned as he stepped into the classroom…
Meanwhile, though Wen Zhuqing harbored deep hatred for Gu Jianing—
The distance between them was too vast for the “Malice Detector” to trigger.
On Gu Jianing’s side, after the college entrance exams ended, she finally emerged from the courtyard house.
“Mommy…”
The moment she stepped out, two sweet, childish voices called out to her.
She looked up and saw Xingxing and Yueyue standing not far away.
Behind them stood Grandma Sang, smiling warmly at her.
“Why are you all here?” Gu Jianing hurried over.
“Ah, Ningning, be careful—your belly!” Grandma Sang reminded her anxiously.
When Gu Jianing had entered the courtyard house, she had been just over three months pregnant. After staying there for two months, her belly was now noticeably rounded at five months.
So, seeing her running while heavily pregnant, Grandma Sang couldn’t help but worry.
Gu Jianing obediently slowed her pace.
Meanwhile, Xingxing and Yueyue rushed toward their mother, clinging to her legs, their little faces filled with longing.
This was the first time since birth they had been separated from their mother for so long—they had missed her terribly.
“They couldn’t wait for you to come out today, so I brought them along to pick you up,” Grandma Sang explained with a smile.
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