Menantu Pahlawan Negara by Sarjana

Chapter 4

Aurelia arrived early at the Civil Affairs Bureau, finishing her bread just as Linda unexpectedly showed up.

“Ms. Linda, what brings you here?” Aurelia inquired.

Linda smiled as she spoke, “I couldn’t bear to miss such a significant

With that, she reached into her bag and handed Aurelia a carefully wrapped gift, emphasizing the importance of the occasion.

“Aurelia, going forward, Leslie will lean on you quite a bit. Consider this a small gesture of a mother–in–law’s affection,” Linda conveyed, her eyes radiating warmth.

Perplexed, Aurelia opened the gift to find a five hundred–thousand–dollar cheque.

She looked at Linda with disbelief, saying, “This is too much. That’s not necessary.”

Linda stopped Aurelia from returning the check. She smiled and said, “It’s not too much. You deserve it.”

“Me… Deserving?”

Aurelia widened her eyes. Lately, she had been bombarded with words like, “You’re about to be an orphan, who would want you? Who would still like you? Who would protect you?”

Her boyfriend of three years betrayed her, and even the caregiver bullied her.

She had thought she was about to be abandoned by the world, but at this moment, she felt a long–lost warmth.

Aurelia, who had been holding back for a long time, teared up.

There were too many words in her mind, but she didn’t know where to start.

“Ms. Linda, thank you.”

“Silly child, I know you’re going through a tough time. I understand you may be reluctant to ask me for help. Soon, we’ll be a family, and you don’t have to pretend to be tough in front of me. Accept it with peace of mind,” Linda said, gently patting Aurelia’s head.

Aurelia felt a warm sensation in her chest.

No matter how much they gave, those who truly loved you never seemed enough, while those who didn’t love you felt like they took too much.

Such an example was the Martinez family.

Unwilling to give and wanting even more from her.

As Linda spoke, she suddenly leaned closer to Aurelia’s face.

“You’re getting married today, and you’re not wearing makeup?” she asked.

Aurelia shook her head and asked, “Isn’t makeup not allowed for ID photos?”

Linda chuckled heartily, “Why are you such an honest child? Something as important as a lifetime commitment can’t be taken so casually. Luckily, I brought some makeup. I’ll give you

a makeup look that enhances your natural beauty.”

Upon hearing this, Aurelia couldn’t suppress a wry smile. Linda was familiar with the concept of pseudo–natural makeup

Before Aurelia could refuse, Linda’s foundation had already been applied to her face. She had no choice but to let Linda do her makeup.

A few minutes later, Linda looked at Aurelia with satisfaction.

“Aurelia, you’re naturally beautiful. Why don’t you dress up more often?”

“Ms. Linda, you don’t have to comfort me.”

thought of Linda’s words as

particularly beautiful, at least not in

on her looks, but things changed after getting

her lack of skill in applying makeup. As her workload increased, she gradually abandoned the practice, at most opting for a touch of lipstick for a hint of

when a black Volkswagen

by the figure stepping out of

It was Leslie.

vibe, dressed in a black shirt and trousers with a couple of buttons

his smooth hair, and his deep, handsome features gleamed in the

turned his head and caught her

somewhat self–conscious, she quickly lowered her head and

lingered on Aurelia’s face,

the same woman from

fair, with only a

in the sunlight, presenting a delicate allure that starkly contrasted with

day.

approached, his eyes caught the sight of the fifty–thousand check in Aurelia’s hand, and his

she was asking for money

and approached to

get back to f

straight into the hall.

meeting. Hurry up,” Leslie

harbored no favorable feelings

Linda’s sake and followed Leslie

The

of couples getting married that day

and taking photos, the entire process

and looked at

mind went blank before she could believe she had indeed gotten

that Leslie

either. She hadn’t expected the civil affairs bureau’s camera to capture

to admire the

a beautiful couple. My judgment

of compliments, Linda took a key from her bag and handed

this is the key to Leslie’s apartment. Move in today, cultivate your relationship, and let me have my

feeling too embarrassed to look

Call me Mom,”

don’t tease

Aurelia felt awkward.

mother–in–law who pressures her daughter–in- law to have two kids in three years. But since you’re already married, are you planning

looked at Aurelia earnestly, almost pleading for

kindness to her, Aurelia

now, and legally married

take the money without fulfilling

about taking things one step

move in

said this, she felt a cold and piercing gaze and turned

She looked back.

What’s he looking at?

about Aurelia moving in and planning to discuss it

an eyebrow in

him so boldly. She indeed had quite the audacity. Was she

in so eagerly?”

and said coldly, “I’m heading

caught hold of

company collapse without

Leslie nodded indifferently. “Yes.”