The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 2: What a Family

Chapter 2: What a Family

Xu Xiangsi’s heart tightened. What conditions?

Long Peiye looked at her and spoke word by word: Marry me. Due to the unique nature of my work, you must accompany me to the island as a military spouse after marriage.

To the island? Xu Xiangsi was directly stunned, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes widening.

Accompany the army? To an island?

This was completely different from her original plan of finding support in Shanghai and living a stable life!

Her mind raced rapidly.

An island…

Wait!

She suddenly remembered—wasn’t the remote southern island where her maternal grandfather’s family had been sent down in the original story exactly such a place?!

Although she wasn’t sure if it was the same one, at least it would be nearby. If an opportunity arose in the future, she might be able to look after them!

With this thought, Xu Xiangsi almost immediately made up her mind.

She raised her head, her gaze firm. Alright! I agree! I’ll go to the island!

Anyway, it was better than being sent to the countryside or going to Hong Kong to die!

Long Peiye seemed surprised by her quick agreement, a flicker of astonishment passing through his dark eyes.

Xu Xiangsi cleared her throat and asked, Then, what about the compensation…

She still wanted to clarify things to avoid future disputes.

Long Peiye waved his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips. No compensation needed.

Ah? Xu Xiangsi was stunned again.

What was with this man? No money? What was he after?

Long Peiye curled his lips. My family has been pressuring me too, constantly pushing me to go on blind dates and get married. A fake marriage with you will just shut them up and give me some peace and quiet.

He paused, then added, Consider it mutually beneficial.

So that was it!

This made her feel much more at ease.

When should we go register? Xu Xiangsi pressed, afraid of complications arising from delay.

Long Peiye replied decisively, Tomorrow at 9 a.m., at the Civil Affairs Bureau. Bring your household register and single status certificate.

Xu Xiangsi nodded vigorously. Okay! It’s settled!

With the matter resolved, Xu Xiangsi felt a weight lift from her shoulders, the heavy burden on her heart finally gone.

She stood up, a genuine smile appearing on her face for the first time in days. Then it’s settled. I’ll head back now. See you the day after tomorrow!

See you the day after tomorrow. Long Peiye gave a slight nod.

Xu Xiangsi left the state-run restaurant with light steps, her back radiating joy.

The moment she stepped out of the restaurant door, a young man wearing similarly faded military uniform sprang up from another table in the corner and quickly reached Long Peiye’s table.

I say, Old Long! You’re something else! The man plopped down in the seat Xu Xiangsi had just vacated, lowering his voice, his tone full of amazement.

This was none other than Long Peiye’s comrade, Lao Li, whom he had arranged to meet.

Lao Li winked and said, I saw you chatting so warmly with that female comrade earlier and didn’t want to interrupt. Tsk tsk, that female comrade is really beautiful!

Long Peiye glanced at him but didn’t respond, picking up the enamel mug on the table to take a sip of water.

Lao Li chuckled, then his tone shifted, his expression turning serious.

But Old Long, I have to remind you—I overheard that female comrade mentioning something about… a Capitalist grandfather, being sent down… her background doesn’t seem too good!

You’re a military man with a bright future ahead! Marrying someone with problematic background—isn’t that just asking for trouble? Would the organization even approve?

If this affects you, it could ruin your career path! You need to think this through clearly!

Long Peiye set down his enamel mug and fell silent for a moment.

Just as Lao Li thought he might reconsider, Long Peiye suddenly smiled.

Lao Li, he spoke calmly, some things are simply worth it.

Worth it? Lao Li’s eyes widened, his expression screaming have you lost your mind? What could possibly be worth gambling your future for? You’ve never been the type to lose your head over a pretty woman!

The Long Peiye he knew was always composed and clear-headed, more than anyone else!

Long Peiye raised his hand and gave Lao Li’s shoulder a light punch.

Enough now, stop worrying about my business. Hurry up and eat, then get lost! he said with a tone of affectionate scolding.

Distracted by this, Lao Li could only pout helplessly.

Fine, fine, I can’t be bothered with your mess! Don’t come crying to me when you regret it later!

Despite his words, he still picked up his chopsticks and began devouring his meal like a whirlwind.

…

Meanwhile, the moment Xu Xiangsi stepped through her front door, she saw her father Xu Rongchang, along with her stepmother Lin Jiaoyan and stepsister Xu Jingjing, hunched over several opened camphorwood trunks, intently taking inventory of something.

Xu Xiangsi recognized those trunks at a glance—they were her mother’s dowry from years ago!

Fury ignited in her chest, yet the corners of her lips curled into an icy smile.

Well, isn’t everyone here? Xu Xiangsi drawled, her voice soft but sharp enough to freeze all three in their tracks. You seem quite familiar with my mother’s belongings!

Xu Rongchang jerked his head up, his square face flushing crimson, on the verge of an outburst.

Lin Jiaoyan beside him quickly tugged at his sleeve, plastering on an insincere smile. Xiangsi, you’re back.

But Xu Rongchang shook off her hand and pointed accusingly at Xu Xiangsi.

Xu Xiangsi! What kind of attitude is that! Your mother has been dead for years—everything she left behind belongs to me now! I’m taking inventory of my own property, none of your business! You’re becoming more disrespectful and unreasonable by the day!

Xu Xiangsi let out a cold laugh, not even bothering to glance his way.

Seeing this, Lin Jiaoyan hurried to smooth things over, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Xiangsi, your father just spoke in haste. Don’t take it to heart. We’re all family—why fuss over such trivial matters?

Family?

Xu Xiangsi scoffed inwardly.

What a fine family!

A family that brazenly schemes to take her mother’s dowry meant for her? A family that eagerly tries to cast her out so they can seize everything she has, including her marriage arrangement?

In the original story, Xu Xiangsi had accidentally fallen from the ferry to Hong Kong and drowned. Now, thinking back, the word accidental seemed highly suspicious!

If she died, wouldn’t her kind and innocent stepsister Xu Jingjing rightfully take her place, heading to Hong Kong with all the glory as the future young madam of the Song family?

After all, the original novel portrayed Xu Jingjing as a pristine white lotus, seemingly untouched by worldly dust—the very embodiment of truth, kindness, and beauty crafted exclusively for her.

Pah!

Only after transmigrating and inheriting the fragmented, suffocating memories of the original host did she realize the truth—what truth and kindness? She was nothing but a cunning, manipulative green tea white lotus!

Meanwhile, the original Xu Xiangsi was depicted by the author as a spoiled, willful, and brainless brat, existing solely to highlight the female lead’s virtues!

Take these little leather shoes on Xu Jingjing’s feet, for example. They had just been bought, and Xu Jingjing kept hinting that she wanted them.

Seeing how much she liked them, the original host simply gave them to her.

And what happened next?

Xu Jingjing immediately turned around and tearfully complained to the other girls in the compound, claiming that Xu Xiangsi had “bestowed” her with a pair of worn-out, discarded shoes while putting on a condescending, charitable air.

Bit by bit, the original host’s reputation as “arrogant, domineering, and cruel to her stepsister” spread far and wide!

Such instances of twisting the truth and scheming behind the scenes were countless in the original host’s memories!

Just thinking about it made Xu Xiangsi grit her teeth in fury!

At that moment, Xu Jingjing, who had been playing the part of the gentle, meek younger sister with downcast eyes, spoke up softly.

“Sister, please don’t be angry.”

She lifted her head, revealing a pitifully delicate face, her voice thin and tinged with flattery.

“Aunt Yun’s belongings naturally include a share for you, sister. After all, you are Aunt Yun’s only bloodline. Besides, the reason our whole family can go to Hong Kong this time is all thanks to you. We’re all relying on your fiancé, Mr. Song Shengze, after all.”

Xu Xiangsi crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow at the words. The mocking smile at the corner of her lips deepened.

She adopted the haughty demeanor of the spoiled young lady from the original host’s memories, tilting her chin up slightly and looking down her nose.

“Oh? So you do remember it’s all thanks to me and that you’re relying on my fiancé? Then who gave you the nerve to shout and order me around just now?”