When Lu Heng rushed to the fifth floor upon receiving the news, Qiao Qingqing still seemed dazed from the terrifying shootout. Commander Chen was lying in bed, having his wounds dressed, while the assassin's body had already been dragged away.
Lu Heng was holding an enamel mug; he had borrowed it specifically to get water for his fiancée. He hadn't expected that after waiting in line for so long, just as it was finally his turn, Commander Chen’s orderly would track him down and tell him that his fiancée and the Commander had encountered enemy agents.
"Are you all right?" Lu Heng immediately stepped forward, full of concern, disregarding social conventions as he checked her over from head to toe.
Qiao Qingqing’s face was deathly pale, but she shook her head to indicate she was fine. Truth be told, she wished she had sustained some minor injury—that would have made the high-ranking leader feel even more guilty and grateful. Unfortunately, the assassin had been armed with a gun, and she hadn't dared to take any risks. If it had been a knife, she might have risked a small slice just to make a point, provided it wouldn't have caused any real damage. But guns… well, that was a different story; that was nothing to trifle with.
Even so, Commander Chen knew that if it hadn't been for this young woman, he would likely have lost his life today. Once his bandages were secured, he took the initiative.
"Comrade Lu Heng, Comrade Qiao Qingqing."
Lu and Qiao turned toward him. Sensing he had something to say, they both walked to the bedside. Lu Heng gave a military salute before speaking: "Commander, how are your injuries?"
Commander Chen sighed. "I owe my life to Comrade Qiao Qingqing. She spotted the weapon and gave an immediate warning; that gave me the time to dodge, otherwise the bullet would have hit me straight in the heart."
Lu Heng couldn't help but look at his fiancée. He said in a deep voice, "Comrade Qiao Qingqing sprained her ankle, so I accompanied her to the hospital for treatment. I went to get some water, and I never expected something like this to happen."
Qiao Qingqing understood that the high-ranking official was surely wondering why they were at the hospital and how she had happened to save him. She said in a hoarse voice, "After you went to get water, I felt bored sitting there, so I decided to look around. I’ve never been to such a big hospital… then I heard…"
Qiao Qingqing paused, feigning embarrassment, before continuing under their intense gaze: "I heard that the obstetrics and gynecology department on the sixth floor could check if I was capable of having children… so I went up. But before I could find the doctor, I suddenly saw someone pull out a gun. I got scared and screamed."
Considering the two young people were about to register their marriage, it was understandable that Comrade Qiao Qingqing would want to visit the OB-GYN. She was so thin and looked so malnourished that her concerns were quite normal. However…
"This is the fifth floor, so you wouldn't have found the OB-GYN," Commander Chen said gently.
Qiao Qingqing looked at him, embarrassed. "I… I didn't notice… my foot was hurting today, and the stairs felt endless. By the time I reached this floor, I thought it was the sixth…"
Lu Heng felt a pang of discomfort. He turned his head and whispered, "You should have waited for me to return. I would have carried you upstairs. You shouldn't be moving around on that foot." She had run up here despite the pain, and then nearly gotten into trouble…
Qiao Qingqing lowered her head to the floor and said nothing. Commander Chen, however, could understand her feelings—she was likely afraid that if she truly had some health issue, her fiancé would despise her. In this light, Qiao Qingqing’s heroic rescue seemed completely devoid of any ulterior motives.
As a result, Qiao Qingqing earned Commander Chen’s sincere gratitude, and this life-saving grace allowed her to establish a connection with the high-ranking leader. Commander Chen signed off on their paperwork on the spot. With those documents, the two would be able to register their marriage that very afternoon.
Even Qiao Qingqing, who had been reborn, did not know that Commander Chen’s death was the spark for the political turmoil that had led to Lu Heng being sent away in her previous life. Now that Commander Chen had survived, a small segment of history had been permanently altered.
Once they became a legitimate revolutionary couple, Lu Heng’s sense of responsibility grew even heavier. But just as he was planning to apply for his new wife to join him at his military post, she said, "Lu Heng, I signed up for the Educated Youth movement back home before I left. I have to head back to Heqin Town by the end of May to join the countryside before the summer harvest."
She had planned the timing when she signed up. The planting was mostly done, so the Educated Youth Office had scheduled the next departure for June 1st. And the full-scale outbreak of the ten-year movement would begin in May. The Lu family’s downfall was scheduled for May 20th. Therefore, she intended to stay with the Lu family until then, so she could head south alongside them.
Lu Heng didn't know she had marked his family for "misfortune" in her mind; he was simply plunged into a state of bewilderment. "You are marrying me, so why would you sign up for the Heqin Town youth program?" Even if she wanted to contribute to the countryside, shouldn't she do it near his base?
Qiao Qingqing looked distressed. "I had no choice. The first day we met, you mentioned marriage. I was thinking of coming to see the Lu family first, but based on my past experiences, your family might look down on me. I couldn't just linger if there was no place for me. So I signed up—even if there is no room for me here, I have somewhere to go, so I won't end up starving on the streets."
After hearing this, Lu Heng felt an indescribable ache in his heart. His new wife was just too pitiable…
Lu Heng’s tone was complicated and resigned: "Since I gave you my word, how could I ever cast you aside?"
"I didn't know you well back then. Knowing what I know now, I certainly wouldn't have those worries," Qiao Qingqing said, with a hint of calculation.
Lu Heng’s expression noticeably brightened. "Since things have reached this point, let's go back and discuss it with the family."
Qiao Qingqing nodded. "Mm."
At the Lu residence, seeing the marriage certificate finally brought a smile to the elder’s face. Shi Meiyun was also satisfied. "We’ve been counting the days, and finally, you’re married. Now, you must take good care of Qingqing’s health so that your grandfather can hold a great-grandchild soon."
Qiao Qingqing pursed her lips and signaled to Lu Heng with her eyes. Helpless, Lu Heng had no choice but to explain that Qiao Qingqing had signed up for the countryside movement.
Shi Meiyun was stunned. His fresh-off-the-press daughter-in-law was going to the countryside in the south, thousands of miles away from her son’s unit?
"Father, do you think there’s any way to have Qingqing transferred to our base later on?" Lu Heng asked, looking at his father.
Lu Zhenfeng had been very busy lately, but since his son and daughter-in-law were getting married, the elder had decreed that the whole family would eat together tonight to celebrate. Thus, Lu Zhenfeng had returned earlier than usual. Hearing his son’s request, he furrowed his brows, his expression turning solemn. "A’heng, you need to prepare yourself for what’s coming."
Hearing this, Lu Heng immediately realized something. He asked in a low voice, "Father, is there some movement from the authorities?"
At the same time, in Heqin Town, Shi Lanlan had just finished a day of "dating" Zhou Hongjun and was heading home in high spirits. But as soon as she reached the door, she heard a crashing sound inside…
"Wang Meifang! Where did you hide my money!?"