Through the cracks in the windows of the cottage.

A pair of venomous eyes stared intently in the direction where the double and Feng Qiushi had disappeared.

Xu Mingli lay on the cold windowsill, his hands gripping the wooden window frame.

He saw it all!

When the villagers greeted them, the stand-in not only readily accepted, but Feng Qiushi also didn't flinch at all. The two acted like a real married couple, parading through the village!

"You bastard! Traitor!" Xu Mingli gritted his teeth and cursed in a low voice, his chest burning with rage.

He suddenly raised his intact left hand and slammed it hard against the earthen wall beside him.

With a muffled thud, plaster fell from the wall, and his hand instantly turned red.

"Hiss—!" Xu Mingli gasped in pain, crouching on the kang (a heated brick bed) with his reddened hand, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

The pain calmed him down a little, but it was followed by even deeper anguish and despair.

His original plan was so perfect: to use the matter of Er Laizi's father to slander and suppress Jiang Linchuan, and once Jiang Linchuan lost power, he could then target Xu Xinghe and seize the Xu family's assets from her.

Then he can go back to the big city and live the same life as the Xu family!

But what was the result?

All plans have fallen through!

Not only did he fail to harm Jiang Linchuan and Xu Xinghe even a hair, but he himself was shot in the arm and became a cripple!

To cover his tracks, he hired a double, but little did he expect that raising a tiger would backfire. Now, the double not only dares to lay a hand on him, but also kidnaps Feng Qiushi and throws him into this dilapidated shack like trash!

"Why? Why have I ended up like this!" Xu Mingli huddled in the corner, roaring angrily, but afraid of being heard from outside, he could only lower his voice.

He looked at the sunlight outside the window and found it extremely dazzling.

He used to think that Feng Qiushi was docile and easy to manipulate, and that the stand-in was honest and easy to control, but now one of them ran away with someone else, and the other became the master who rode on his head!

If things continue like this, not only will he not be able to get revenge, but he might also be controlled by others for the rest of his life. If his double actually turns himself in one day, he might be dragged out and shot!

"No... we can't just let it go like this!" Xu Mingli clenched his reddened left hand, his eyes filled with madness.

He had to find a way to regain the initiative, even if it meant mutual destruction, he couldn't let the stand-in and Feng Qiushi get away with it, and he couldn't let Jiang Linchuan and Xu Xinghe be smug!

But the thought of his crippled arm made him lose heart.

Despair clung to his heart like vines, tightening its grip until he could barely breathe.

He felt like he was going crazy. If things continued like this, he would collapse before anyone even caught him!

He must...find a way to change the situation!

Military headquarters.

Xu Xinghe was carrying two bulging cloth bags when she entered the courtyard. Wang Chunmei, who was sitting on a stone bench picking vegetables, spotted her at a glance.

Wang Chunmei immediately put down her shopping basket and hurried over, "Oh my, Shanghai really takes good care of people! Look at your face, so tender and smooth. I wish I could be as tender as you someday."

Xu Xinghe was a little shy; people from Northeast China are known for their warm and enthusiastic manner.

Even though the words are the same, the tone of voice gives a completely different feeling, carrying a warmth that can't be found anywhere else.

"Aunt Mei, I brought back some local specialties from my trip to Shanghai this time, thinking I'd like to share them with you and the other sisters-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chunmei immediately went to help call the other military wives.

Before long, a large crowd had gathered in the courtyard.

"Xinghe, are there many rare and unusual things in the Shanghai Stock Exchange?"

"What's in this cloth bag? It smells sweet!"

Xu Xinghe placed the cloth bag on the stone table and opened it. Inside, there was a jar of malted milk powder, a stack of White Rabbit milk candies, and cloud cakes and osmanthus cakes wrapped in oil paper. The aroma instantly filled the air.

"Oh my, isn't this malted milk powder? My husband told me last time that it's a rare find in big cities, and it's the best for nourishing the kids!"

Aunt Li's eyes lit up, and she reached out to gently touch the can, her voice full of surprise.

Aunt Zhang came over, holding the child.

The child smelled the sweetness and reached out to grab the milk candy, but she quickly stopped her, saying, "You little glutton, Xinghe, this milk candy looks delicious. My child has never eaten such exquisite candy before."

Wang Chunmei picked up a package of Yunpian cake, carefully unwrapped the oil paper, and saw that the snow-white cake was sprinkled with fine osmanthus flowers. She took a bite and found it soft, glutinous, and sweet. She couldn't help but exclaim, "The pastries from Shanghai are really different. They taste much better than the ones sold at our town's supply and marketing cooperative. Xinghe, you are so thoughtful to bring us so many."

"It's nothing, Aunt Mei," Xu Xinghe said with a smile. "When I wasn't at the military headquarters, I was very grateful for your help in cleaning the courtyard, and the other sisters-in-law always helped me take care of things in the house. This little bit of local specialty is nothing."

As she spoke, she distributed the items to everyone.

He packed an extra can of malted milk powder for Wang Chunmei, saying, "Auntie, I know your daughter-in-law is pregnant. I'll give her this to help her recover."

"Sister Li, please take this bag of osmanthus cakes home and give it to the children as a snack."

"Aunt Zhang, please keep these White Rabbit milk candies; the child will definitely love them."

The military wives received the gifts, their faces beaming with joy, and the courtyard instantly became lively.

Holding Xu Xinghe's hand, Wang Chunmei asked incessantly, "Is Shanghai really that big? Are there lots of tall buildings on the streets?"

"Xinghe, do all girls in big cities dress as stylishly as you?"

Xu Xinghe answered patiently, occasionally sharing her experiences in Shanghai, which the military wives listened to with great interest.

Just as things were getting lively, familiar footsteps suddenly came from the courtyard gate.

Jiang Linchuan walked in carrying two lunch boxes. He had changed into a light military green spring uniform. The fabric was thin but still crisp, with clean shoulder lines that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

He stood tall and walked with the agility characteristic of a soldier, and one could vaguely see the taut lines of his arm muscles, the firm contours left by years of training.

Xu Xinghe blushed. When she came to Heilongjiang Province, the weather was already cold, and Jiang Linchuan needed to wear a coat. This was the first time she had seen him wearing such clothes...

I must say, he's really handsome.

That's way more stylish than a military overcoat for winter.

"Lin Chuan is back!" Wang Chunmei, with her sharp eyes, greeted him with a smile, waving the malted milk powder she had just received. "You're so thoughtful, bringing such nice things!"

Jiang Linchuan nodded in response, and without stopping, walked straight to Xu Xinghe's side and handed her the lunchbox, saying, "I just got this from the cafeteria, it's still warm, eat quickly."

Upon seeing this, the military wives immediately smiled knowingly.

Aunt Li pushed Aunt Zhang toward the door, saying, "Come on, let's not be third wheels here. Let the young couple have a good meal! Xinghe, if you have time after you finish eating, tell us about things in Shanghai!"