“Before Lu Beizhen, he was famously known as a stone Buddha!”
Fang Shuqin leaned close to Song Tian and shared a bit of gossip.
“He was completely devoted to training in the military, with no interest in romance whatsoever. Once, a star performer from the cultural troupe came to show him a new dance. He watched expressionless, and when they asked him what he thought, he just said, ‘If it itches, go take a shower.’”
Pfft—
Song Tian couldn’t help laughing, her eyes sparkling as they curved into crescent moons.
This guy… he was just way too much of a stone Buddha!
Fang Shuqin stood nearby, holding her face in admiration.
“Oh my, look at my daughter-in-law’s smile—it’s so pretty! Too bad Beizhen isn’t here; if he saw it, his poor little heart would probably stop from the shock.”
Once Song Tian finished laughing, Fang Shuqin continued, “So you see, Beizhen doesn’t really dislike you. He just doesn’t know how to express his feelings yet. Don’t worry, I’ll teach him.”
From today onward, she was determined to be the stepping stone in their relationship—whether it took climbing walls or crossing rivers!
Song Tian thought for a moment and nodded. “If he agrees not to divorce me, I’ll stay. If he wants me to go, I’ll pack up and leave immediately.”
Otherwise, Fang Shuqin would be stuck in the middle, awkwardly trying to mediate.
Little did Song Tian know, Fang Shuqin had been waiting to hear exactly that.
As long as she stayed as long as there was no divorce?
Don’t worry—Fang Shuqin had already come up with a plan to make sure Lu Beizhen’s divorce application never went through!
…
The next day, Song Tian was woken by voices outside.
The Lu family lived in a three-room bungalow. Because it was in the south, the walls were just a single layer of red brick—insufficient for soundproofing.
Even without stepping outside, she could clearly hear the conversation.
“I told you, she’s your lucky star. She just married you and made you wake up. Even Heaven seems to think you two shouldn’t divorce; you’re meant to live a good life together.”
“Comrade Shuqin, you have to be a materialist. This is just the organization taking into account that marriage isn’t trivial. They want me to set an example, so there’s no rushing into divorce.”
Lu Beizhen’s voice was even colder than last night. He paused, then added, “The organization said it’s not that we can’t divorce, just that it can only happen six months later.”
Endure six months, and then he could submit his divorce application to his superiors!
Six months of patience, and he could finally leave this woman who seemed one way outside and another inside.
Fang Shuqin pursed her lips but reluctantly agreed.
Inside, she was overjoyed.
All her early-morning efforts to line up at the phone room to call the organization had paid off—now they had a reason to stall Lu Beizhen.
Six months was enough for two people to grow feelings, making Lu Beizhen fall helplessly in love.
By then, forget submitting a divorce application—he’d probably be kneeling outside the door every night, begging Song Tian to let him in.
Hmph, this brat is aloof now, but soon he’ll be love-struck and utterly helpless!
Lu Beizhen, unaware of the scheme, returned to his room.
He had gotten up and moved around that morning. He could already walk normally, though slowly and a bit awkwardly.
Fang Shuqin noticed this and went to knock on Song Tian’s door.
“Little Sweetheart, are you awake?”
“Little Sweetheart” was the nickname she had chosen the night before. Originally, Fang Shuqin wanted to call her “Little Lucky Star,” since her arrival had woken Lu Beizhen. But if anyone outside heard that, and then asked why, and she explained the story of the awakening kiss… Fang Shuqin would probably die of embarrassment on the spot.
After some persuasion, she settled on “Little Sweetheart.”
Hearing this, Song Tian immediately got out of bed, neatly folded her blanket at the foot of the bed, and opened the door.
“Mom,” Song Tian called.
Fang Shuqin felt revitalized, like all her energy channels had been opened, and exclaimed happily.
She took Song Tian’s hand affectionately. “Little Sweetheart, Beizhen just told me he won’t divorce for now. He wants to try living with you for six months. If feelings develop, you’ll spend your lives together, supporting each other and walking through life hand in hand!”
Song Tian twitched at the corner of her mouth.
If the walls weren’t so thin, she would’ve heard every single word. And she might even have believed Fang Shuqin’s version of the story.
But clearly, Lu Beizhen wasn’t free to divorce. He just had to endure being her husband for six more months before he could submit a divorce application.
She grumbled inwardly but didn’t expose Fang Shuqin.
Song Tian nodded. “I understand. I’ll work hard these six months and not cause you any trouble.”
Having six months as a buffer wasn’t bad. She could earn some money and move out later, avoiding a struggle to survive.
Seeing Song Tian thoughtful, Fang Shuqin sighed again.
Which man, facing such a beautiful wife every day, could remain unmoved?
“Don’t worry, Little Sweetheart. I’ll help you. In these six months, I’ll make sure Beizhen falls in love with you. By then, once you’re the indispensable part of his life, do you think he’d leave you?”
Song Tian’s baby-like face was earnest. “Matters of the heart should follow their natural course. Mom, you don’t have to do that. If after six months he wants a divorce, it just means we weren’t fated to be husband and wife in this life.”
How could there be no fate?!
Fang Shuqin waved her hand. “Little Sweetheart, you don’t understand him. He’s very slow in feelings. If you divorce, he’ll regret it. He’ll stick to you, crying and whining, rolling on the ground begging for reconciliation. If others see it, they’ll talk…”
Fang Shuqin trailed off, unsure how to continue.
Song Tian whispered, “A wife-chasing inferno?”
Smack!
Fang Shuqin smacked her thigh. “Yes, yes! A wife-chasing inferno! That’s perfect!”
In just five words, she imagined countless scenes of Lu Beizhen begging for reconciliation.
So precise!
Truly, her choice of daughter-in-law was impeccable.
Even a little chat could satisfy her so much!
“Anyway, I don’t want him to end up in a wife-chasing inferno. So I hope you two try to get along and let feelings grow over time. The longer you’re together, the less likely you’ll divorce, right?”
Fang Shuqin loved sweet romance stories.
Song Tian didn’t argue.
It was useless—Fang Shuqin was determined.
However, since Lu Beizhen had no feelings for her, no amount of matchmaking would work. When the six months were up, he’d definitely divorce.
For now, the priority was to earn money during these six months.
“By the way, Little Sweetheart, you must be hungry. Come, Mom will make something delicious.” Fang Shuqin led Song Tian to the kitchen.
She cooked a bowl of fermented rice with egg, adding plenty of brown sugar to symbolize a sweet future life.
“Eat quickly. Afterward, I’ll show you photos of Beizhen as a child.”
As the saying goes: know your enemy to win every battle.
The same applied to love. Song Tian needed to understand Lu Beizhen well to handle him skillfully.
But before she could respond, the sudden roar of a car engine came from outside.
The engine growled with irregular bangs—clearly not a good sign.
Song Tian, an engineering-minded woman, instinctively frowned and began analyzing the abnormal engine noises.
Fang Shuqin’s expression also changed. She slammed the table and stood up. “No, that brat’s trying to run!”