Volume One, Chapter 14: Fu Juechuan Stuns Everyone with an Exorbitant Bride Price

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Hearing the knock at the door, Ye Qiaoqiao immediately withdrew from the window, turned around, and went to open it.

“Sister Xie,” Ye Qiaoqiao said with some surprise when she saw the visitor. Instinctively, she glanced behind Xie Lin. “Where’s my uncle?”

Xie Lin was Gu Jin’s fiancée; they had been betrothed since childhood, a match arranged by the elders of both families.

Xie Lin forced a smile and shook her head. “Your uncle is downstairs helping out. Today, I’m in charge of your makeup. You go change your clothes first; I’ll get the cosmetics ready.”

Ye Qiaoqiao sensed tension between the two and assumed her uncle was at fault. In her previous life, Sister Xie had died alongside her uncle in a tragic love story. No matter what, Ye Qiaoqiao was determined to reconcile them—it was better than her uncle being deceived by that woman.

She led Xie Lin to the makeup mirror and sat down, then hurried into the bathroom to change into the red wedding dress.

Once dressed, Ye Qiaoqiao stepped out. Xie Lin immediately reached out to style her hair, her gaze gentle. “Qiaoqiao, you look beautiful. Today, I’ll style your hair into black long curls and adorn it with a crystal hairpin. It will perfectly match your red long dress and coat.”

Ye Qiaoqiao nodded obediently.

The entire hairstyle and makeup took two full hours. By the time they finished, it was already 9:20.

Outside the door, Commander Ye knocked.

“Qiaoqiao, are you ready? Fu Juechuan and the guests have arrived. It’s time to make an appearance,” came the joyful voice from outside.

Nervously, Ye Qiaoqiao walked out.

When the door opened, Commander Ye’s eyes were red as he looked at his daughter. “My little Qiaoqiao is so young, and yet she’s already engaged…”

“Dad, I’m not leaving home,” Ye Qiaoqiao said, half laughing, half crying.

Commander Ye wiped his moist eyes and smiled, letting her link her arm with his. “That’s right.”

“Commander Ye… Miss Ye…”

“Shh…”

Outside in the courtyard of the general’s residence, most guests were stunned by Ye Qiaoqiao’s appearance.

Her already delicate features, enhanced by the makeup, made her look like a princess. Yet, all her clothing was bought from the military district’s supply store, clearly supported by her own means.

Li Lele and other young ladies sneered. Xu Zhengqing, who had been assigned by Zhou Cong to watch the spectacle, stood nearby waiting for the drama to unfold.

“Hmph, what’s the use of being a young lady if she’s marrying a poor soldier?”

“Exactly, he probably can’t afford a proper bride price.”

“I don’t even know what Ye Qiaoqiao is thinking—such a good life, yet she’s throwing herself away.”

“Maybe she can only marry someone like him,” several girls whispered and laughed.

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Unaware of their gossip, Ye Qiaoqiao’s eyes were fixed on Fu Juechuan, dressed in military uniform with a red flower pinned to his chest, striding towards her.

“Uncle.”

“Qiaoqiao.”

Fu Juechuan saluted both of them.

Ye Qiaoqiao smiled, her eyes sparkling like stars, radiantly beautiful.

Fu Juechuan’s gaze lingered on her face; his Adam’s apple bobbed as he instinctively lowered his eyes to conceal the deep affection surging within.

“Good child,” Commander Ye said cheerfully, pulling Fu Juechuan to stand beside him. Addressing the guests attending the engagement feast in the courtyard, he declared, “Today, my family’s only daughter, Ye Qiaoqiao, is betrothed to Fu Juechuan. Thank you all for your support and for coming. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality.”

“Now, let the music play and have the two youngsters sign the marriage contract!”

Fu Juechuan was already familiar with the procedure. He took stiff steps toward Ye Qiaoqiao and said in a husky voice, “Qiaoqiao, follow me.”

“Okay!” Ye Qiaoqiao placed her hand in his broad palm; their skin tingled at the touch.

Led to the table nearby, she said considerately, “Brother Fu, let’s write it together.”

“Hm.” Fu Juechuan’s throat burned; he dared not look at her, carefully signing his name on the marriage document stroke by stroke.

After completing the formalities, Commander Ye reminded Fu Juechuan, “Juechuan, from now on, I entrust Qiaoqiao to your care. You must look after her well.”

Having said this, Commander Ye announced, “Let the feast begin! Let’s all celebrate together!”

No sooner had he spoken than Li Lele shouted from the crowd, “Fu Juechuan, how much bride price have you prepared? It must be too little, you’re scared to say, aren’t you?”

Deputy Commander Li’s face darkened as he reprimanded Li Lele, but the effect was minimal. Many who had come to watch the Ye family’s embarrassment joined in the jeering.

Commander Ye was displeased.

The officers who had been making noise fell silent immediately, but he knew today’s event would surely spread and be discussed, tarnishing the Ye family’s reputation.

“Uncle, I’ve prepared the bride price—it’s right outside,” Fu Juechuan suddenly spoke, breaking the cold, awkward silence like a thunderclap.

Commander Ye was astonished. “Juechuan… since you’ve prepared the bride price, bring it in.”

He patted Fu Juechuan’s shoulder gently. “No matter how much it is, I know the intention is what matters most.”

“Mm.” Fu Juechuan nodded and pulled a loudspeaker from his pocket. Looking toward the courtyard gate, he said firmly, “Jiang Yuan, bring the items in.”

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“Got it.”

Jiang Yuan? Ye Qiaoqiao recognized him. He had died early in the previous life but was Fu Juechuan’s childhood friend and had a close bond with him. She hadn’t expected him to travel so far to help deliver Fu Juechuan’s bride price.

If she could, she would make sure Jiang Yuan lived well. Thinking carefully, although Fu Juechuan later rose to a high position, he had remained alone.

If his friend were still alive, his life would have surely been much happier.

Ye Qiaoqiao glanced at Fu Juechuan thoughtfully.

At that moment, the gate of the general’s residence courtyard opened, led by a young man with messy hair, followed by twelve soldiers carrying gifts, one after another bringing boxes inside.

With Commander Ye’s permission, Jiang Yuan acted as the announcer, loudly proclaiming, “The bride price from soldier Fu Juechuan consists of the following: one 14-inch color television with a good luck emblem.”

“A sewing machine, a bicycle, two watches, two radios, a camera.”

“A set of jade jewelry, a set of gold jewelry, a set of silver jewelry, and one diamond ring.”

“Twenty sets of winter clothing, twenty pairs of leather shoes, six quilts.”

“Six houses, one car.”

“Cash gift of two hundred thousand yuan.”

“!!!!!” The entire crowd was stunned by the impressive list of gifts.

These were just the major items—not counting smaller things. Essentially, everything Ye Qiaoqiao would need for food, clothing, housing, and transportation was prepared.

The total bride price amounted to around six hundred thousand yuan.

“Commander Ye, you’re so fortunate to have found a son-in-law who cherishes your daughter so much.”

“Commander Ye, you’ll have to drink more with us later,” some senior officers, having realized the situation, immediately offered their congratulations.

Li Lele and the other girls were so jealous their eyes turned red, glaring at Ye Qiaoqiao as if she had taken their money.

Most unacceptable of all was Xu Zhengqing. He had come to watch Ye Qiaoqiao’s embarrassment and to report the gossip to Zhou Cong.

Who would have thought Fu Juechuan would suddenly produce a bride price exceeding Zhou Cong’s wealth?

His first reaction was disbelief. “Impossible!”

“Fu Juechuan, you’re just a junior lieutenant. Where did you get all that money? Could it be stolen?” Xu Zhengqing’s voice rose above the crowd’s murmurs, drawing shocked looks from everyone toward Fu Juechuan.