Tears instantly flooded Nancy’s eyes.

The man behind her began to tear at her clothes.

She stopped struggling. Instead, she reached out blindly, groping the ground until her fingers closed around half a brick.

She whipped around and swung it with all her strength.

The man groaned, letting go as he clutched his head and stumbled back.

Nancy didn't give him a second glance. She scrambled up from the ground and ran home, stumbling over her own feet.

She threw the door open and froze.

The house was packed with people.

The neighbors, Mr. Miller, Rose, and even Xavier and Wendy, who had just been embracing at the alley entrance.

Everyone turned to look at her at once, their faces bright with smiles as they shouted in unison—

"Happy Wedding, Nancy!"

Confetti rained down on her head.

She slowly looked up and saw the large red "Happiness" character on the wall. The table was piled with red pillows, blankets, thermoses, and washbasins.

Everything prepared for tomorrow's wedding.

Chapter 6

Nancy opened her mouth, but her throat felt as if it were blocked by something.

At that moment, footsteps approached the door.

A man walked in holding his head, blood seeping through a white towel.

"Sister-in-law, that was a brutal blow," he said with a pained grin. "I made a massive sacrifice to give you this surprise. I nearly died by your brick."

Nancy recognized the face.

It was Xavier’s friend, Tom.

The one who had been rowdily leading the toasts at the dinner table yesterday.

Xavier strode over and wrapped an arm around Nancy’s waist, speaking with pride.

"I knew it! My Nancy is brave and sharp. I knew she’d be able to handle whatever came her way!"

He paused, leaning closer to her ear and lowering his voice.

"Nan, do you like this surprise? I’m making up for all the romance I couldn't give you in our last life, twofold."

Seeing this, Wendy immediately clung to Xavier’s arm, tilting her chin up to claim credit. "It was all thanks to my idea! Otherwise, how could we have given Sister such a big surprise? Xavier, you really ought to thank me."

Xavier looked at Wendy with a smile.

It was a complex look, containing tenderness, regret, and something else indefinable.

He withdrew his gaze, his voice dropping low. "I really should thank you. In this life... since I cannot love you, I will protect you forever as your brother-in-law."

Applause and laughter filled the room.

Only Nancy remained silent, her face expressionless.

Noticing this, Wendy affectionately took Nancy’s arm and asked in a sweet voice.

"Sister, why do you look so pale? Are you unhappy?"

Before Nancy could speak, Mr. Miller cut in with a cold expression.

"What does she have to be unhappy about! If Wendy and Xavier hadn't begged me to prepare this surprise for her, I wouldn't have bothered! Everyone’s been running around all day for her, and look at her—pulling a long face as if we all owe her something."

The neighbors chimed in with their advice.

"Nancy, men like women who are gentle and considerate. If you keep making scenes, even the best relationship will wither away. This is the way of a husband and wife; you must learn."

"Exactly, girl. You’re carrying a child, remember? All this agitation isn't good for the baby."

Nancy took a deep breath and began to clear the room with a calm demeanor.

"I understand. It’s getting late, and Wendy has to join the army tomorrow. Everyone should get some sleep."

"That’s more like it," Mr. Miller finally looked satisfied. "Live a good life from now on. Don't bring shame to the Miller family."

With that, the crowd finally dispersed.

The next morning, just as the first light of dawn appeared.

Nancy slung her packed canvas bag over her shoulder and pushed open the door.

As she stepped out of the courtyard, she ran into Xavier.

He was carrying soy milk and fried dough sticks, wearing a crisp white military shirt.

Seeing Nancy with her bag, he was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"Nan, are you so eager that you're moving into my place already?"

He handed over the breakfast and a set of house keys, his tone lighthearted.

"Here, go open up and get settled. I’ll take the rest of the breakfast to Wendy. Once I see her off at seven, we’ll have our banquet at noon."

Nancy took the keys and the breakfast, nodding once.

Xavier smiled and ruffled her hair before turning to walk away.

Once his back disappeared around the corner of the alley, Nancy looked down at the keys in her palm. She tossed them casually into the roadside weeds and walked toward the village entrance without looking back.

At exactly six o'clock, a green military truck rumbled toward her from the distance.

The driver, a young man, poked his head out and looked her up and down.

"You're Nancy Miller, right? Instructor May sent me to confirm if you’re definitely coming. We’ve heard quite a few rumors lately that you were giving up your spot."

"I’m sure."

Nancy tossed her bag into the back of the truck and climbed in.

Standing in the truck bed, she took one last look at the compound.

In the gray morning light, a crowd was beginning to gather at the gate.

They were there to see Wendy off.

At seven o'clock, they would be there with gongs and drums to celebrate Wendy’s enlistment.

Nancy withdrew her gaze, sat down, and took a bite of a bun.

The military truck started up, rumbling its way out of the village.

Chapter 7

At six forty-five, the entrance to the compound was alive with the sound of gongs and drums.

Xavier, dressed in his sharpest uniform, stood beside Wendy. He held her luggage in one hand and used the other to shield her from the crowding neighbors.

He looked around, a frown creasing his brow. He turned to Mr. Miller. "Sir, where is Nancy?"

Mr. Miller waved a hand dismissively, his tone impatient. "Don't mind her. She's likely pouting because the spot went to Wendy. Just let her be; she’ll come around in a while."

Xavier frowned, a flicker of unease rising in his heart.

But then he thought, he had been good enough to her in this life.

The engagement banquet, the wedding ceremony—he hadn't missed a single thing.

Even if she was angry, a little sweet talk should fix it.

At worst, he’d just have to work harder during their wedding night.

Wendy was dressed in a brand-new shirt, her hair in a ponytail, wearing a radiant smile.

Rose was teary-eyed, clutching her daughter’s hand and refusing to let go.

"Wendy, make sure to rest when you get to the unit. Your constitution is weak."

Wendy nodded obediently, then turned to look at Xavier with a look of pure reliance.

"Xavier... I’ll be counting on you to look after me from now on."

Xavier smiled, his tone gentle yet restrained. "Of course. Let’s go. The truck is waiting at the village entrance."

A large group of people made their way toward the village entrance in a grand procession.

When they arrived, everyone looked out expectantly, but there was no sign of the military vehicle.

Xavier checked his watch; it was exactly seven o'clock.

He looked down the long road, but it was empty, without even a shadow of a vehicle.

"What's going on?" Mr. Miller grew anxious. "Didn't they say they’d be here at seven sharp?"

The neighbors began to whisper among themselves.

"Did something go wrong?"

"That can't be right. Army trucks are always on time. This has never happened before!"

Xavier frowned but said with a smile, "Maybe they were delayed on the road. Let’s wait a bit longer."

After another twenty minutes, the village chief’s wife, who had just returned from buying groceries in town, passed by and remarked casually.

"I heard from the girl at the telephone office that the army truck broke down halfway! It won't be here until this afternoon!"

Mr. Miller breathed a sigh of relief and patted Xavier on the shoulder with a chuckle. "Then we'll just wait until the afternoon. A few hours won't make a difference."

Xavier smiled as well and glanced at Wendy.

"That’s fine too. This way, Wendy can finish attending the wedding banquet for Nancy and me before she goes. A double blessing."

Wendy smiled and nodded.

Everyone headed back to their homes, agreeing to meet at the restaurant Xavier had booked for lunch.

Xavier broke into a light jog, planning to tell Nancy the good news.

He was in high spirits, his steps light, and he reached his doorstep in minutes.

He reached into his pocket for his keys, but found them empty.

Then he remembered—he had given the keys to Nancy that morning.

He knocked on the door.

There was no answer.

He knocked a few more times, but still, nothing.

"Nan?" he called out, peeking through the crack in the door.