After Crossing Paths with the Great General, the Delicate Beauty Joined the Army

In 1973, a woman named Jiang Lai transmigrated into the body of a twenty-two-year-old woman with the same name, who was destined to be sold by her stepmother into a abusive marriage and tortured to death within six months. The original host had inherited a coveted job at a meat processing plant from her deceased mother, a position her stepmother, Zhou Chuanfang, coveted for her own biological daughter, Jiang Bao'er. Upon realizing she was in a novel, Jiang Lai quickly assessed her dire situation: her weak father and scheming stepmother were plotting to force her into marrying the son of a local accountant to secure the bride price, which would allow Bao'er to keep her place in the city. Jiang Lai decided to reject this fate and escape to the military district in the northeast, where her late mother had arranged a childhood engagement with a soldier named Qi Huaiye.

Jiang Lai executed a careful plan to outmaneuver her family. She first secured a written agreement from Jiang Bao'er, ensuring she would not take her job, and then approached Director Gao, a local official with connections, to sell her job slot legally. She fabricated a story about honoring a childhood promise to a soldier, playing on Director Gao's sympathy. With Director Gao's help, she sold her position for six hundred yuan and obtained the necessary paperwork to travel. On the day of her escape, her family discovered her absence and rushed to the train station, but Jiang Lai, having disguised her appearance with soot and patched clothes, successfully boarded the train. During the journey, she encountered Qi Huaiye, a tall, cold, and imposing regimental commander, who helped her evade her pursuing stepmother by pretending to be her companion.

Upon arriving in Shenzhou City, Jiang Lai faced a logistical crisis when a landslide blocked the road to the military base. She used her veterinary skills to treat a supply horse with a hoof injury, impressing the local soldiers. Qi Huaiye, who happened to be nearby, assisted her with the procedure. This display of competence and beauty caught the attention of the military community. Qi Huaiye, who had been unaware of the engagement due to his distant relationship with his researcher mother, Xu SuYue, was forced to confront the reality of the arrangement. He took Jiang Lai to the military district housing and arranged for her to stay while he verified the engagement with his mother.

The military leadership, particularly Commander Chen, viewed Jiang Lai as a potential solution to Qi Huaiye's prolonged bachelorhood, which had become a subject of gossip and political concern. They orchestrated a series of tests to evaluate her character, disguised as everyday interactions. Jiang Lai passed these tests with flying colors, demonstrating both kindness and sharp intellect. Meanwhile, Qi Huaiye's mother confirmed the engagement over the phone, albeit with cold indifference, prioritizing her work over family matters. Qi Huaiye, though initially reserved and intimidating, began to show subtle signs of care, such as ensuring Jiang Lai received proper nutrition and medical attention.

As the engagement was officially confirmed, Jiang Lai settled into life at the military district. She navigated the complex social dynamics of the compound, earning the respect of her new peers through her competence and gentle demeanor. Qi Huaiye, despite his stern exterior, found himself increasingly drawn to her resilience and warmth. The story follows their developing relationship as they adjust to their new roles as fiancés, with Jiang Lai working to establish her place in the military community while Qi Huaiye balances his demanding career with his growing personal feelings. The narrative highlights Jiang Lai's transformation from a victim of familial exploitation to an independent woman building a new life, supported by her capable and unexpectedly tender partner.