In later generations, people would call an “Iron Lady” an “independent woman,” but that term hadn’t even been coined yet.
Lin Xi looked into Xiao Jingwen’s eyes and told him, “I’m not an Iron Lady. On the contrary, I’m actually very selfish.”
Lin Xi was the first person Xiao Jingwen had ever met who could describe herself so frankly as “selfish.”
A hint of amusement flashed through his eyes.
Lin Xi noticed his expression and continued on her own.
“I dislike putting labels on women.”
“Things like being clear-headed, independent, a strong female lead…”
“It’s as if once someone puts the label of an ‘independent woman’ on you, every woman is expected to be swept along and brainwashed into believing that she has to rely on herself for everything. As if an Iron Lady is born not to need anyone to take care of her, as if we’re not even allowed to be vulnerable.”
“That’s a shackle, and I refuse to wear it.”
“A man can rely on his family when he starts his own household, and he can have his career advanced by a superior. Women should have the same right to make those choices.”
“So the reason I rejected you last time was simply because I felt you couldn’t bring me any benefits.”
“And the reason I agreed to give you a chance to pursue me today is because I saw those benefits.”
“So don’t think I’m particularly special.”
“No.”
Xiao Jingwen listened seriously to everything she said, then smiled as he looked at her.
“Now I feel honored.”
“Honored?”
His answer surprised Lin Xi slightly.
Not only had Xiao Jingwen not been put off by everything she’d said, he actually felt honored?
Interesting.
Lin Xi raised an eyebrow.
“Honored about what?”
A faint smile lingered at the corners of Xiao Jingwen’s lips.
“Honored that there’s something about me you consider worth having.”
His gaze was sincere.
The longer Lin Xi looked at him, the more an idea took shape in her mind.
She pulled the roll of film she had originally planned to take to a photo studio for developing from her pocket and placed it on the table.
“Then why don’t we test your sincerity right now?”
One of the people involved in the account book was a television station official.
Television stations, newspapers, and photo studios often worked together.
Anyone bold enough to risk losing their head by committing an act of selling out the country would certainly have their own network of connections.
Lin Xi wasn’t sure whether the photo studio she planned to use would secretly report it to someone in advance.
Xiao Jingwen’s identity was perfect for this.
Lin Xi said, “I have a set of confidential photographs. Can you find someone to develop them for me?”
“No problem.”
Xiao Jingwen nodded and pushed several meat dishes toward Lin Xi.
“Eat first.”
Lin Xi’s cooperation was going quite smoothly.
But on the other side, things were going much less smoothly for the newly engaged couple.
After being slapped in the middle of the street, Lin Ran glared furiously at Lin Xi’s retreating figure and clenched her fists tightly.
Only when she noticed from the corner of her eye that Zhao Mingze had come to stand beside her did she instantly squeeze out two tears.
The pain didn’t matter.
What mattered most right now was making good use of this slap.
She had to let Zhao Mingze see just how domineering and unreasonable Lin Xi was and make him give up on her completely.
Li Yufen had taught her since childhood that only girls who knew how to act spoiled and show weakness could win a man’s affection.
Lin Ran covered her cheek, looking as though she were on the verge of tears, and looked at Zhao Mingze aggrievedly.
“Don’t blame my sister.”
“My sister overheard you upstairs yesterday saying that the person you originally wanted to marry was her, so she took out her anger on me.”
By putting on a vulnerable act, she was subtly reminding Zhao Mingze that she had been slapped because of him.
She refused to believe he wouldn’t feel guilty after hearing that.
Lin Ran blinked.
Large tears rolled down her cheeks, their glistening trails making the swelling and redness on her face even more obvious.
She pouted, waiting for Zhao Mingze to comfort her.
She had already worked herself up emotionally. The moment Zhao Mingze said something, she would burst into louder sobs and throw herself into his arms.
Silence hung above her.
Lin Ran sniffled several times, but eventually couldn’t stand it anymore and raised her head.
What met her eyes, however, was Zhao Mingze’s icy gaze.
“So what exactly are you feeling aggrieved about?”
Her carefully prepared emotions were abruptly cut off, and Lin Ran froze.
Zhao Mingze stared at her with a dark, oppressive gaze.
There was no trace of pity in his eyes.
If anything, there was even a hint of vengeful satisfaction.
Her scheme had completely backfired.
Lin Ran’s heart sank.
Zhao Mingze sneered.
“You went to such lengths to steal someone else’s marriage. She slapped you once. Wasn’t that deserved?”
“Mom!”
Lin Ran threw herself into Li Yufen’s arms.
How could she not feel wronged?
After being reborn, hadn’t she chosen Zhao Mingze precisely because she’d thought he was gentle and devoted?
And yet!
How was this man completely different from the one in her previous life?!
Li Yufen gently patted her daughter’s back and comforted her.
“Men care about their pride.”
“We pushed him so hard over the marriage. It’s perfectly normal that he hasn’t been able to adjust yet.”
“Once you marry him and the two of you spend some time together, things will definitely get better.”
“Your mother has been through this before. I understand. Don’t worry. A person’s personality doesn’t just change.”
“Look, Mingze may not be pleasant with his words, but didn’t he buy all the three major pieces and one electronic appliance exactly according to your requirements?”
Thinking about how Zhao Mingze had looked impatient throughout their shopping trip at the department store, and the strange looks the sales clerks had given her, Lin Ran began crying even harder.
She cried until Li Yufen’s head started aching.
With no other choice, Li Yufen could only persuade her.
“If you don’t believe me, don’t you at least believe your prophetic dreams?”
That’s right.
Her prophetic dreams.
Lin Ran stopped crying and wiped her face.
Prophetic dreams couldn’t lie.
After calming down, she said, “Mom, I can’t just suffer this humiliation for nothing.”
“How about this? Talk to Dad later and hurry up and find Lin Xi a husband!”
Before the family-severance agreement, Lin Xi had never listened to her. Now that they’d severed ties, how could Lin Ran possibly decide Lin Xi’s marriage?
Li Yufen’s hesitation was obvious to Lin Ran.
“Don’t worry. The Yu family is such a good match. As long as she looks into them a little, she’ll definitely agree to marry into that family.”
The Yu family wouldn’t run into trouble until several years later.
Right now, no matter how thoroughly Lin Xi investigated them, the Yu family was undeniably an excellent marriage prospect.
The difference was simply a matter of timing.
Li Yufen thought about it and decided it was feasible.
She nodded.
“Fine. I’ll go discuss it with your father right now.”
The family of three gathered together, enthusiastically discussing how to find Lin Xi a husband.
Meanwhile, on the other side—
After they finished eating, Xiao Jingwen took Lin Xi directly back to the military compound.
The military compound stood on the western side of Chang’an Avenue. In the center of the main gate was a conspicuous August 1 five-pointed star.
Just looking at it gave people a solemn and imposing feeling.
No wonder Lin Jianguo was so determined to marry into the Xiao family.
They weren’t even from the same social level.
Sentinels stood guard on both sides of the entrance.
The guards recognized Xiao Jingwen. They glanced at Lin Xi beside him, saluted, and automatically let them through.
Inside the compound, a line of characters was written across the large screen wall:
“Do everything in our power to annihilate the invading enemy.”
Lin Xi had attended university in Beijing.
But she’d only ever seen the military compound from afar.
This was her first time actually entering.
Xiao Jingwen asked, “The residential area is quite large. There’s no need to rush home. Want me to show you around?”
Lin Xi’s mind was entirely occupied with dealing with that old bastard at home as soon as possible.
“No.”
She refused.
“I have something else to do.”
Xiao Jingwen didn’t press her.
“That’s true. We’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future.”