I emptied my family's possessions to join the army, and my abstinent superior doted on me.

Chapter 18 First Arrival at Gu's House
Xinshi is the largest city among the coastal cities in southern China.

In the late 1970s, although the city's development here was not as advanced as that of Beijing, it was more prosperous than that of the southern part of the city.

The cityscape before us carries a sense of history, yet it is also brimming with the spirit of burgeoning reform and innovation.

"Sister-in-law, is this your first time in Xinshi?" Xiao Li excitedly introduced her all the way.

"Yes, the first time. Xiao Li, why don't we go directly to see Chief Gu?"

Xiao Li hesitated for a moment, then said with some difficulty, "It was Aunt Cheng who requested it; she's the mother of Deputy Division Commander Gu."

She said she wanted to invite you to her home for a get-together. They wanted to meet you first.

Qian Lai knew in her heart that this was before she could start the job, and there was still one final interview.

As the car passed through a row of solemn buildings, Xiao Li suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Sister-in-law, look! This is the municipal government office. Deputy Division Commander Gu's uncle and father both work here."

Qian Lai knew that the book mentioned that Gu Hanchuan's uncle, Gu Weijia, held an important position in the municipal government office, while his father, Gu Weiguo, was promoted by his second brother and served as a researcher in the municipal office.

When they arrived at the residential compound, it was rush hour. People coming in and out of the compound were glancing at the military jeep, and people were whispering among themselves.

After making two turns, the car stopped in front of a row of small white two-story cars.

"Sister-in-law, the first house ahead is the home of Deputy Division Commander Gu."

Xiao Li helped Qian Lai carry her luggage, which mostly contained local specialties from Nancheng for the Gu family.

I rang the doorbell, and a thin, middle-aged woman came out of the house with a smile to greet me.

"Aunt Zhang, I've safely delivered my sister-in-law. My mission is complete, so I'll head back now. Please tell Aunt Cheng I won't be going in."

Before Aunt Zhang could even nod, Xiao Li pushed the luggage forward and ran off in a flash.

Qian Lai laughed at him, "This isn't hell, why are you running so fast?" It was as if he was afraid of being entangled by some little devil at any moment.

But when she entered the living room and saw the Gu family's grand display, she finally understood Xiao Li.

"Sister Cheng, Comrade Qian has arrived."

Aunt Zhang led Qian Lai into the house, but no one got up to greet her.

It was completely different from the "first meeting" she had imagined.

The three sofas in the living room were filled with members of the Gu family, each with a different expression.

There was only one wooden chair in the living room.

Wow, a three-court joint trial!?
The middle-aged woman sitting in the center of the living room immediately lost her smile upon seeing her enter, replaced by coldness and scrutiny. She gestured towards the wooden chair and said, "Sit down."

This aura made the early summer evening several degrees colder.

Qian Lai glanced around at the "enemy camp." The family of four sitting in the middle should be Gu Hanchuan's parents and younger siblings.

On the left is a father and daughter, a loving and filial pair; the girl appears mature and composed. She guessed that this must be her second uncle, Gu Weijia, and his daughter, Gu Shanshan.

The four people on the right are a couple with disgusted and critical expressions, a son who looks about fifteen or sixteen years old, and a daughter who looks about the same age as her, who are smiling at her.

This is probably the family of Gu Weidong, the fifth son of the Gu family.

The book mentions that Gu Weiguo had four brothers, his father died early, and he was left with only a widowed mother.

The eldest brother, Gu Weibao, led his brothers from near-starvation beggars to become powerful high-ranking officials in Shanghai and Xinshi.

Their story of struggle is quite inspiring, yet it is not without its ruthlessness. Today, the legend of the "Five Tigers of the Gu Family" is still widely circulated in their hometown.

Today, apart from the eldest brother's family who are still in Shanghai and the third brother who passed away at a young age, the other three families are all present.

Having made up her mind, she put her luggage on the ground and obediently sat down on the wooden chair.

"Your name is Qian Lai? You're almost nineteen?" Cheng Fangping scanned her from head to toe several times and asked a pointless question.

Qian Lai nodded.

"Are you aware of the current situation in Hanchuan?" "Yes."

Are you willing to fulfill the marriage agreement? Are you willing to take care of him for the rest of your life?

Of course not! Her goal is to gain a foothold, annul the engagement, complete her mission, and return to the real world as soon as possible.

Just as he was about to speak, the system's male voice sounded in his mind again.

[Attention characters: Redeeming Gu Hanchuan will accelerate the progress bar by 30%.]

"I volunteer to take care of Comrade Gu Hanchuan! He is a people's hero, and it is my honor to take care of him!"

The opposing camp clearly displayed a contemptuous attitude, as if saying, "As expected, a generous reward will surely bring forth brave men."

"Since you've willingly married into the Gu family, we hope you'll dress more simply in the future. Focus your attention on Hanchuan. We don't want your actions to tarnish his reputation."

Qian Lai examined his own attire, wondering if there was anything wrong with it.
"I heard you only graduated from junior high school?" Aunt Gao Zhen of the Gu family curled her lips. "Han Chuan is a top student at the military academy and a deputy division commander. You should know that you are not a good match in terms of status, education, family background and so on."

If he hadn't been injured, you wouldn't have had the chance to join the Gu family, let alone become the leader's wife.

So you must take care of Hanchuan with a grateful heart and wholeheartedly. Do you understand?

“Yes. Before Han Chuan was injured, countless noble ladies were chasing after him, but he didn’t even glance at them. Now that such an opportunity has fallen on you, it’s a blessing for your Qian family, and a blessing for you. You must cherish it,” Uncle Wu added.

The blessing of being able to clean up after someone and live a life of widowhood is truly something to cherish!

A thousand grass mud horses galloped through Qian Lai's mind.

"Having only graduated from junior high school, you certainly haven't learned how to care for a paralyzed patient. Tomorrow, I will arrange for someone to train you. I hope you will learn diligently."

"Thank you, Aunt Cheng." Qian Lai couldn't bear it any longer and interrupted Cheng Fangping before she could finish speaking, "However, in order to take good care of Comrade Gu Hanchuan, I have made preparations in advance and studied nursing knowledge."

Although I only graduated from junior high school, I have a very knowledgeable teacher.

She not only taught me how to be a person, but also how to have the ability to learn on my own.

I have memorized those professional nursing techniques; you can rest assured.

hum!

The other person looked disdainful.

"You're quite confident!" Gu Hanchuan's younger sister, Gu Yue, scoffed.

Qian Lai's eyes swept over everyone, a stubborn look in them: "Of course, if you don't believe I have the ability, and always feel that I am not good enough for you, I am not obligated to marry you."

I can step down right now. You might as well find someone more suitable!

After saying that, he stood up and threw the envelope containing the gift money onto the chair: "The gift money is here, untouched."

Then they picked up their luggage and prepared to leave.

Instead of getting entangled with their tactics, we should try a feigned retreat and turn the tables!

The Gu family immediately became anxious.

Why would a family of equal social standing push their daughter to a paralyzed husband?

Didn't they look for it? If it were that easy, why would they spend so much money and go through so many detours to search in the southern part of the city?

If Qian Lai were to abandon his post and leave now, they would find it difficult to find a suitable replacement.

Cheng Fangping only took care of him for two days, and she was so exhausted that she almost fell apart. She also had to put up with Gu Hanchuan's bad temper.

Just thinking about those two dark and gloomy days makes her vision go black.

She can't let Qian Lai go!

"Wait. Why are you still so impatient?" Cheng Fangping rushed over and pressed her back into her chair.

(End of this chapter)