Volume One, Chapter Three: Using Reputation to Threaten Jojo

Colonel Ye originally planned to handle official business at another time, but then he thought of something and said, "Let those two come in."

Ye Qiaoqiao was overwhelmed with mixed emotions—grief and joy—but she felt a bit listless, only lazily glancing toward the door.

Soon, Political Commissar Su entered, accompanied by a tall, composed young soldier.

She caught sight of the man's deep black eyes, which immediately inspired a strong sense of security. His military uniform buttoned all the way to the top revealed a sensual Adam's apple and a slender neck.

"Old Ye, I heard your family has joyous news? I hope my companion Xiao Fu and I haven't disturbed you," Political Commissar Su said with a smile as he stepped inside.

Behind him, Fu Juechuan saluted Colonel Ye first, then, by the colonel’s order, took a seat on the side sofa. He lifted his eyes calmly, meeting Ye Qiaoqiao’s curious gaze as she rested her chin on the back of the sofa.

Unlike in her previous life, Ye Qiaoqiao did not shy away from Fu Juechuan.

Compared to Zhou Cong, whose barking was more threatening than a biting dog, Fu Juechuan’s aloof demeanor concealed a good man who had earnestly tried to save her father after his misfortune.

With that in mind, Ye Qiaoqiao’s eyes softened, a sincere smile gracing her lips.

Fu Juechuan furrowed his brows slightly. In the past, whenever he saw Ye Qiaoqiao, though she was polite, her eyes betrayed a hidden fear of him.

Now she had suddenly changed. Could something have happened?

Wasn’t there supposed to be a new business elite coming today to propose marriage?

“Colonel,” Fu Juechuan saluted again, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Apart from Ye Qiaoqiao’s unexpected behavior, there was no sign of any other men.

Colonel Ye smiled warmly in response. “Old Su, Juechuan, have some tea.”

“This is my daughter, Qiaoqiao. You both should have met her before.”

“Uncle Su, Brother Fu, hello,” Ye Qiaoqiao greeted them proactively.

She obediently went to the kitchen, brought out some fruit she liked, and offered it to the two men.

“Brother Fu, don’t you love grapes? Try some—today’s are especially sweet.” Ye Qiaoqiao’s demeanor toward the man who had saved her father was warmly cordial. She couldn’t help but wonder: if Fu Juechuan hadn’t been injured and fallen unconscious after her father’s accident, perhaps he might have saved her as well.

But she had seen further into the future after her death in her previous life—Fu Juechuan would rise to a prominent position and help her father clear his name. That was enough for her.

Fu Juechuan watched the delicate girl hold a grape between her slender fingers and gently bring it to his lips, her face full of hopeful anticipation. He stared at her with an expressionless face, neither opening his mouth nor refusing, only fixing his dark eyes on her.

He waited for Ye Qiaoqiao to pull back, afraid of him as she always had before. That tactic had always worked.

Unexpectedly, Ye Qiaoqiao, seeing no reaction, assumed he did not like that grape. She picked another one and brought it closer to his lips.

“Brother Fu, how about trying this one?”

---

“Little Fu, I understand you’re serious when training with comrades in the barracks, but why can’t you be gentle in front of a lady? How will you ever get married that way?” Political Commissar Su teased him.

Colonel Ye noticed his daughter’s unusual behavior and decided to play along. He added, “Could it be that Little Fu doesn’t like my Qiaoqiao?”

Ye Qiaoqiao’s face stiffened; she looked a little disappointed.

Fu Juechuan noticed the change in her expression and saw her withdraw her hand with a low spirit.

Just before her tender fingers fully let go, he suddenly reached out and took the grape from Ye Qiaoqiao’s hand.

Their fingertips unexpectedly touched, and Ye Qiaoqiao quickly stood up, feeling awkward.

Fu Juechuan swallowed the grape whole, seeds and all. For some reason, it tasted excessively sweet. He rubbed his fingers behind his back with his sleeve, eyes cast downward.

Neither of them dared to look at the other.

“Old Ye, wasn’t there someone coming to propose to Qiaoqiao today?” Political Commissar Su asked out of curiosity about the Ye family’s affairs.

Colonel Ye’s expression darkened. “It’s quite a joke, really. Something unexpected happened. That Zhou kid thought the pen pal he corresponded with was my Qiaoqiao, so he came to propose. But it turned out the other party was actually my aunt’s daughter, Jiang Yao.”

Political Commissar Su widened his eyes in surprise. “How could such a misunderstanding happen? The letters had no name on them—how were they sent out?”

“That’s what I’m investigating now,” Colonel Ye said, turning toward the sound of footsteps. His voice grew cold. “Old Su, you get to enjoy the show, but this matter really needs your help as a witness. I don’t want my daughter deceived, and I don’t want others to say I’m bullying people just because I’m a father.”

“Consider me your witness,” Political Commissar Su agreed readily, happy to assist his friend.

Zhou Cong entered from the back courtyard, accompanied by Jiang Yao and her tear-streaked mother.

The group was quite loud.

Ye Qiaoqiao immediately stood and positioned herself beside her father, watching them warily.

Zhou Cong’s expression was complicated and unpleasant.

Seeing Political Commissar Su seated in the living room, he instantly regretted the decision they had just discussed; it might leave a bad impression on Su.

He was about to stop Jiang Yao, but she moved faster than him.

Jiang Yao suddenly ran to Ye Qiaoqiao and Colonel Ye and knelt down.

“Qiaoqiao, Uncle Ye, it’s all my fault. Please don’t blame Brother Zhou—he didn’t know anything. This misunderstanding happened because I was foolishly infatuated with Brother Zhou. I will leave. Brother Zhou will marry Qiaoqiao. I won’t get in the way. I’m going back to the countryside now.”

Jiang Yao’s mother cried as well. “Colonel Ye, I’m sorry to you and Miss Qiaoqiao. I will take Yao Yao away. Please don’t be angry.”

Zhou Cong watched Jiang Yao’s humble, trembling demeanor with a flicker of pity in his eyes.

He didn’t care that Political Commissar Su was present; he just didn’t want Jiang Yao to suffer.

---

“Uncle Ye, in the end, this is just a misunderstanding. I’m willing to marry Qiaoqiao. I only hope you won’t make things difficult for Jiang Yao and her mother.”

“Without Jiang Yao, perhaps I wouldn’t have the chance to be with Qiaoqiao today.”

Ye Qiaoqiao nearly laughed at his shameless words.

“This kind of ‘betrayed’ fate, whoever wants it can have it. Why do you think I must have you?”

Colonel Ye was furious. “Zhou Cong! Whoever my Qiaoqiao marries, it will never be you!”

“Is that how you respond to me? You admit Jiang Yao impersonated my Qiaoqiao in letters, yet you bear no responsibility?”

Political Commissar Su was stunned, not expecting Zhou Cong to be such a fickle man.

Zhou Cong knelt, frowning deeply. “Uncle Ye, I know you’re angry. Please calm down.”

“You want me to calm down? Fine—get out of the Ye family and never show your face to me or Qiaoqiao again,” Colonel Ye said coldly.

This was his public declaration that Zhou Cong had burned this bridge.

The Zhou family could forget about any favor from him. He would take back everything they had once benefited from, just to vent for Qiaoqiao.

Zhou Cong frowned. “Uncle Ye, now that many outside already know I’m going to marry Qiaoqiao, if the engagement is called off, it will hurt Qiaoqiao. I really only want what’s best for her. Only by marrying me can her reputation be preserved.”

As he spoke, he looked at Ye Qiaoqiao, his gaze full of certainty.

Certain she feared damage to her reputation, certain she had feelings for him, certain that Colonel Ye’s love for Ye Qiaoqiao would force him to yield.

Ye Qiaoqiao’s eyes reddened with anger. “And now you even threaten me?”

“Qiaoqiao, I’m not threatening you. I’m just stating facts. I really am doing this for you.”

“I’ll send Jiang Yao abroad. We won’t mention this misunderstanding again. We’ll hold a proper wedding. Then everything will be as before, won’t it?”

Ye Qiaoqiao was disgusted. If she hadn’t known what Zhou Cong had done in her previous life, she might have been fooled.

But she was no longer who she once was.

“Who says I have to marry you? There are plenty of fine young men in the military district, and I already have someone I want to marry.”

Her eyes shifted, landing on Fu Juechuan.

She quickly walked over to Fu Juechuan and stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his cheek.