Chapter 11: The Meeting of Both Parties

With a heavy heart, Huo Zheng and Lu Mingyue stood at the entrance of the residential compound. Huo Zheng hadn’t expected the other party to live there, which eased his mind slightly. Both being soldiers, surely the other wouldn’t give him a hard time.

Zhang Chengliang and Zhang Songwu had returned home early that morning. Lu Mingyue was expecting visitors, so after finishing their work, they hurried back with the investigation results.

Ren Huifang emerged from the kitchen carrying dishes, glancing anxiously toward the bedroom. “Miaomiao hasn’t come down yet?”

The moment Zhang Miaomiao saw the investigation results, she couldn’t hold back her tears and ran back to her room, refusing to come out.

It was true—Fang Dashan had been divorced multiple times and even had children in his hometown. The room he currently rented was just that—a rental. Neighbors mentioned that an elderly couple often came to visit with a child.

The stark truth was laid bare before Zhang Miaomiao. She had to accept that she’d been fooled like a fool. She felt both ashamed and angry.

Not only was she upset, even Zhang Songwu almost lost control when he saw the report, itching to confront the man to vent his anger.

“I’ll go check on her.”

Soon, Mingyue returned with the others—no one should witness such a spectacle. Mingyue’s biological mother wasn’t around, so as her godmother, she had to hold the fort.

Zhang Miaomiao came down with red eyes, having cried for a long time. Her eyes were bloodshot.

Ren Huifang approached, concern etched on her face. “Miaomiao, are you alright?”

Zhang Miaomiao shook her head, feeling guilty as her family’s worried gazes bore into her. All this trouble was because of a scoundrel.

“Mom, I’m fine. Mingyue will be back soon. I’ll help you.”

Ren Huifang took her hand and gently tucked her disheveled hair behind her ear. “No need, I’ve finished. Sit down and rest for a while.”

Zhang Songwu clenched his fists. “Miaomiao, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get justice.”

“Stop...” Miaomiao protested. Her brother held a position in the military; if this affected him, she wouldn’t be able to face anyone at home.

“Ouch!” Zhang Songwu was kicked by their father. “Calm down. This isn’t something to rush. We’ll take our time. Anyone who bullies our girl, I won’t stand for it.”

He snorted coldly, like a fierce bull demon king.

Zhang Miaomiao smiled at his antics and reassured, “I’m really fine. It’s just a man. It’s hard to find a toad with three legs, but there are plenty of men with two!”

“That’s right!”

Lu Mingyue, standing at the door a while, couldn’t help but agree.

Seeing someone enter, Zhang Miaomiao hurried to wash her face—she didn’t want anyone to see her tear-streaked face.

Huo Zheng stood tall and straight, as if awaiting inspection from a superior.

Zhang Songwu glanced at his shoulder insignia and clicked his tongue in displeasure. So young, yet holding a higher rank than him? His arrogance immediately diminished by half.

The other half of his confidence came from Lu Mingyue’s family support.

Huo Zheng placed his things down and respectfully saluted the elders.

Zhang Chengliang’s eyes flickered with approval at the medals on Huo Zheng’s chest. Learning that he served on Shashi Island made him even more satisfied.

Ren Huifang nudged him under the table, thinking, “Not much said, yet he’s already got them figured out. Unbelievable!”

“Xiao Huo, I heard you have two kids. May I ask why you and the mother separated?”

This was Ren Huifang’s main concern. If it was an amicable separation, that would be fine, but if there was domestic violence, Mingyue would be jumping into a pit of fire by marrying him.

Lu Mingyue, quietly eating, perked up. The book only briefly mentioned Huo Zheng had two children, without elaborating.

[System, can you find out the reason?]

System: [No, this information is unavailable.]

The Zhang family straightened up, awaiting Huo Zheng’s explanation.

Huo Zheng had no intention of hiding the truth; he came prepared to explain.

“The two children are orphans of my good friend.”

Silence fell in the room. Everyone exchanged glances, having guessed many reasons, but none expected this.

Huo Zheng continued.

He and the siblings’ father had been comrades since they enlisted. After his friend married and had children, Huo Zheng became the godfather of the two kids.

The siblings were three years apart. Before the younger sister was born, they were on a border mission when his good friend was fatally shot. Before dying, he entrusted Huo Zheng to care for his children.

Devastated, Huo Zheng returned with his friend’s ashes but found only the infant sister and a tearful older brother awaiting him.

The children’s mother died of hemorrhaging during childbirth, leaving the two children orphaned.

Since then, Huo Zheng had taken the children under his name.

Taking the two to matchmaking events, many women had been scared off. Some urged him to give the children away; others wanted them separated.

Huo Zheng naturally refused. He had watched the children grow—they were no different from his own.

All this time, Lu Mingyue was the first willing to marry him.

[Sniff sniff, those kids are so pitiful. Didn’t realize Huo Zheng was such a good man.]

Huo Zheng glanced at Lu Mingyue, whose eyes were red like a rabbit’s. Tears welled up, but she stubbornly held them back.

Ren Huifang, touched by the young man’s kindness, also shed a tear. He had passed this test with flying colors.

The meal ended with everyone in good spirits. Seeing their softened attitude, Huo Zheng breathed a sigh of relief.

They were Lu Mingyue’s family, and their stance said it all.

When Huo Zheng left, Lu Mingyue saw him out.

“How’s Meng Xiaoling’s situation?”

“She might be sent for re-education.”

For someone in the military to commit such acts, the punishment would be severe.

As long as she didn’t cause more trouble, that would be acceptable. If she dared to act up, she’d have to bear the consequences.

“I bought a ticket for tomorrow morning. I’ll come pick you up.”

They were set to depart for the island the next day.

After seeing Huo Zheng off, Lu Mingyue returned to find Ren Huifang waiting in the living room.

“Godmother, why aren’t you asleep?”

Ren Huifang patted the seat beside her. “I have something to tell you.”

Lu Mingyue sat down.

Ren Huifang produced a box from behind her, secured with an exquisite little lock.

“This is something your mother asked me to keep for you—a dowry prepared for your wedding. Now it’s time to hand it over.”

Confused, Lu Mingyue took the box to her room. Recognizing the lock, she retrieved a small key from her wallet.

Before her passing, Lu Wenzhen had repeatedly urged that this box be well kept and that no one else should know about the key.

With a hesitant heart, Lu Mingyue inserted the key into the lock.

Seconds later, there was a click—the lock opened.

Staring at the contents inside, Lu Mingyue held her breath and widened her eyes.