This was a training base of a certain army, located on a remote island. Apart from the fishermen who had originally lived on the island, most of the residents were soldiers in green uniforms and… the soldiers’ families.
However, there was one exception on this island—Regiment Leader Feng’s family had a little nanny who was not a soldier’s family member.
Seeing the pale face and shocked eyes of this little nanny from Regiment Leader Feng’s family, Sister Ma from Commissioner Jiang’s family couldn’t help but look at the young girl, who was only twenty-two, with some sympathy.
“Ning Xue, little sister, this matter is indeed true. Regiment Leader Feng’s marriage report has been approved, the Feng Family has all acknowledged this daughter-in-law, and… the Feng Family has already sent people to pick her up. They were just waiting for the bride to arrive before holding the wedding.”
As Sister Ma spoke, the young girl opposite her grew increasingly upset. Sister Ma couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
However, she didn’t know what comforting words to say, after all, one misstep could ruin a young girl’s reputation.
Although a small portion of the more perceptive soldiers’ families on the island could tell that Regiment Leader Feng’s young nanny had feelings for him, Regiment Leader Feng had always been on the front lines and rarely came home. So between the two, things were perfectly clean; there had been no opportunity for anything to happen.
Moreover, more importantly, every time Regiment Leader Feng returned, he stayed away from suspicion and never slept in the standalone building arranged for him by the troops. Instead, he went to the single soldiers’ dorms.
This made it even harder for people to gossip about the two of them.
After all, anyone could see that Regiment Leader Feng had no interest in the little nanny at home and was deliberately avoiding suspicion.
Even so, the soldiers’ families on the island who had noticed the nanny’s feelings still thought that Regiment Leader Feng, who was already thirty but had no partner of the opposite sex by his side, might actually end up with the little nanny at home.
After all, though the little nanny was said to be just a nanny serving the two children, she was actually their distant cousin by blood, a relative.
Moreover, Feng Ningyue had been cared for by Ning Xue since birth. The older child respected her greatly, while the younger one truly saw her as his own mother.
So, some people on the island already felt in their hearts that Ning Xue would eventually marry Regiment Leader Feng and become the two children’s rightful mother.
But who would have thought that halfway through, another woman suddenly appeared out of nowhere and became Regiment Leader Feng’s wife in an instant.
This was something no one had anticipated.
Even Sister Ma had been stunned when she heard her husband say that Feng Xiao’s marriage report had been approved, that he was about to get married, and that the bride was a woman with a strange name.
Once she came back to her senses, she subconsciously thought that this matter might not be easy to handle.
After all, with Regiment Leader Feng getting married and still having a little nanny who had feelings for him at home, it would truly be somewhat grating for the incoming bride.
So after learning that Feng Xiao was getting married, she came right away to the Feng Family next door, separated only by a wall.
Out of kindness, she thought that if Ning Xue could let go and no longer harbor those feelings for Regiment Leader Feng, that would be for the best.
That way, no one would feel awkward, and everyone could get along amicably.
After all, Ning Xue’s feelings for Regiment Leader Feng had never been openly declared. Only a small portion of soldiers’ families had noticed her girlish crush.
As long as she gave up and stopped showing it, the matter would naturally turn the page, and the bride wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.
“Ning Xue, little sister, Big Sister sees that you’re not young anymore. How about… Big Sister introduces someone to you? Your Brother Jiang’s team has plenty of fine soldiers! Big Sister will pick you the most upright and outstanding young fellow!”
Coming from the countryside with no formal education, the solution Ma Cuilan could think of that was best for everyone was to introduce a partner to Ning Xue as well, letting her settle down. This would be a win-win for all.
Unfortunately, her kind intentions on Ning Xue’s behalf were destined to be rebuffed.
“Sister Ma, thank you for your kindness, but…”
As soon as Ning Xue heard that Ma Cuilan wanted to introduce someone to her, she instinctively wanted to refuse.
After all, what good match could she introduce? Even if he was outstanding, he was just an ordinary soldier. How could he compare to Feng Xiao, who came from a prominent family and was excellent himself?
But she wasn’t stupid. Due to her upbringing, she was very good at reading people. Seeing Ma Cuilan’s brows furrow slightly, she quickly changed her tune.
“But the person you introduce to me is so outstanding, I don’t know if he’d even take a liking to me…”
Ning Xue shyly lowered her head and said embarrassedly, “After all, I have no education, and I’m just a country girl…”
Ma Cuilan had originally thought that even after learning Regiment Leader Feng was getting married, Ning Xue was unwilling to give up. She pondered whether to tell Regiment Leader Feng and have him resolve the matter before the new wife entered the home, so as not to wrong her later.
But hearing Ning Xue say this, her heart settled, and because of Ning Xue’s background, she felt some sympathy for her.
“Ning Xue, little sister, don’t worry. The person I introduce to you will definitely be a good man who won’t look down on you. Besides, you’re so young and pretty—who wouldn’t like you?”
Hearing Ma Cuilan’s words, Ning Xue bashfully lowered her head even more, her maidenly infatuation so convincing that no one could suspect she still harbored any special feelings for Feng Xiao.
But in reality, on her lowered face, hidden in shadow where no one could see, there was nothing but unwillingness and anger.
Yes, she was so young and pretty—why was Feng Xiao unmoved by her!
Four years—exactly four years.
She had endured from eighteen to twenty-two, serving the two children like ancestors on this remote island for four years.
But what had her four flower-like years of youth gotten her?
The news that Feng Xiao was marrying another woman!
And she, after four years as a little nanny, was simply a joke!
Ning Xue clenched her fists tightly, a flash of malice in her eyes.
She had spent four years—she wouldn’t give up on Feng Xiao so easily!
That woman who appeared out of nowhere was nothing. Even if the entire Feng Family acknowledged her as their daughter-in-law, as long as Qi Guang and little Yueyue didn’t accept her, she could never become Feng Xiao’s wife!
With that thought, a cold smile tugged at Ning Xue’s lips.
The two children trusted their cousin most of all. As long as she didn’t want it, they would never acknowledge her…
——Qiao Village——
“Little Hui, what’s been going on with you lately? Always heading out early and coming back late to the County Town—what are you so busy with?”
In the evening, after the Qiao Family finished dinner and were enjoying the cool air in the courtyard, Xu Cui looked at her daughter who had just returned from outside and immediately frowned as she asked.
Qiao Hui, who had returned from the County Town with a smile on her face, was suddenly startled by her mother’s loud voice, and her smile froze for a moment.
She originally didn’t want to pay attention to her mother, but after glancing at Qiao Shu, who was also sitting in the courtyard enjoying the cool air that evening, she smugly lifted her chin and deliberately boasted.
“Oh, I just started dating someone from the County Town. We’ve been studying hard lately, preparing to take the university entrance exam in the Capital.”
As soon as the Qiao Family heard Qiao Hui say this, they all sat up straight.
“Oh my goodness! Hui girl, you’ve really got a boyfriend from the County Town???”
“What’s his background? How many people in his family?”
“Taking the university exam? Little Hui, it’s been almost two years since you failed the high school college entrance exam. If you could’ve gotten in, you would’ve by now. Thinking about it now is just wasting time!”
Hearing her family’s words, especially their disbelief that she could get into university, Qiao Hui immediately grew unhappy.
“Hmph! My boyfriend is amazing! He’s great at studying, his family has tons of review materials, and with him giving me private tutoring, I’ll definitely pass the exam with him this time!”
With that, Qiao Hui smugly glanced at Qiao Shu again.
In her previous life, hadn’t Qiao Shu gotten into a university in the Capital under Huo Qinming’s tutoring?
Her grades had always been better than Qiao Shu’s, and she was smarter too. If Qiao Shu could get in with Huo Qinming’s help, then she could too! And she would surely do even better than Qiao Shu—maybe even get into Yanjing University with Huo Qinming!
Seeing Qiao Hui’s smug expression, Qiao Shu blinked, her face perfectly calm.
From what she knew of Qiao Hui, she understood that this was probably just Qiao Hui showing off to her.
And the so-called County Town boyfriend she mentioned was probably the original owner’s partner from her previous life…
Qiao Shu recalled that the last time she and He Meijun went to the County Town, Qiao Hui had vanished early in the morning—not even coming out for breakfast. Even after they returned home that evening, Qiao Hui hadn’t come back, only calling from the County Town to say she was staying at a classmate’s there…
It must have been that day—Qiao Hui had probably gone to the County Town with them and snatched away the ‘good match’ that originally belonged to the original owner.
Qiao Shu analyzed calmly in her heart.
Truth be told, she wasn’t too concerned about a ‘good match’ that originally belonged to ‘her’ being stolen by a reborn woman.
After all, in her eyes, if a match could be easily taken by someone else, it wasn’t truly her ‘good match’.
If it really was hers… then no one could take it away…