“My fiancé?” Lin Zhitang looked at Aunt Wang suspiciously.
“Please invite him in.”
In her previous life, there had never been such a person, nor anything like this.
Could it be because she had escaped their scheme this time, so things had changed?
Su Ya secretly clenched her teeth in resentment. As expected, Lin Chennian had never truly trusted her all these years.
Meanwhile, Lu Ming’an recalled the words his father had told him before coming.
“Her grandfather once saved the old master’s life. For all these years, they never used that favor to seek anything from us. Now, what he cannot let go of is this only daughter. The Lu family cannot repay kindness with ingratitude.”
Lin Zhitang quickly sized up Lu Ming’an as he entered, her gaze finally settling on his face.
He was around 1.9 meters tall, broad-shouldered with long legs, wheat-colored skin, sharp brows, bright eyes, and a high nose bridge. His features were deeply defined, making him an exceptionally handsome man.
Dressed in a crisp military uniform, the natural masculine aura around him struck people immediately.
In her previous life, Lu Ming’an had also come to Shanghai. However, by then Lin Zhitang was already married, so he left afterward.
Later, after the Lu family learned that Lin Zhitang had died young, they investigated and discovered the truth about what had happened back then. Using their influence, they made Wu Jianguo, Su Ya, Su Yun, and the others lose their jobs and receive the punishment they deserved.
But the dead could never return.
Lu Ming’an blamed himself for being careless. He never married and instead devoted his entire life to the country.
As Su Yun looked at Lu Ming’an walking in, jealousy nearly overflowed from her eyes.
Why does every good thing belong to Lin Zhitang? Why?
After exchanging greetings, Lu Ming’an explained his purpose.
A month ago, the Lu family had received a letter from Father Lin. He wished to use the favor of saving a life in exchange for Lin Zhitang marrying into the Lu family and receiving their protection.
The person the Lu family had sent to fulfill the agreement was Lu Ming’an.
“In that case,” Lin Zhitang asked while sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed and chin raised, “are you genuinely willing to marry me? If not, then forget it.”
Although the Lin family carried the title of “Red Capitalists,” they were still capitalists in the end. Even with several martyr certificates protecting them, the outside situation was becoming increasingly dangerous. Those greedy for wealth and treasures would not easily let them go.
She really is like a proud little swan, Lu Ming’an thought.
Those large watery eyes seemed capable of speaking, making one’s heart itch.
“Tongtong, how can you speak to Big Brother Lu like that?” Su Yun looked at Lin Zhitang with a disapproving expression.
Yet when she turned toward Lu Ming’an, her face immediately became shy and affectionate, her admiration obvious to anyone with eyes.
Lin Zhitang nearly laughed.
Did Su Yun study face-changing opera? Her expressions switched every second.
“What does this have to do with you?” Lin Zhitang snorted coldly.
Su Yun bit her lip, putting on a wronged expression while pretending nothing was wrong, as though Lin Zhitang had bullied her.
“Tangtang, Yun’er is your older sister. Besides, she’s right,” Su Ya immediately defended Su Yun while subtly portraying Lin Zhitang as arrogant and unreasonable.
Lin Zhitang was speechless.
All this fake sweetness and scheming—weren’t they tired of pretending?
“Of course. Since I came, it means I am willing.”
At only twenty-four years old, Lu Ming’an had already become a battalion commander. Besides his family background and personal capability, he was also intelligent. Naturally, he could sense that Su Ya and Su Yun were subtly excluding Lin Zhitang.
No wonder Uncle Lin’s letter only mentioned Lin Zhitang and not this mother-daughter pair.
“Then don’t regret it later.”
“I won’t.”
For the first time in twenty-four years, Lu Ming’an felt that he had fallen at first sight. He finally believed in love at first sight.
Ignoring Su Ya and Su Yun entirely, the two of them casually finalized their engagement through simple conversation.
Su Yun was so furious she nearly lost control of her expression.
Su Ya’s face also darkened.
Su Ya patted Su Yun’s hand and signaled for her not to speak.
Very quickly, she smiled warmly at the pair like a satisfied future mother-in-law.
“Tangtang, then take Ming’an around Shanghai for a walk. You two should spend time together and deepen your feelings.”
Ignoring the silent exchange between the mother and daughter, Lin Zhitang tidied herself up and left with Lu Ming’an.
Looking at the people wearing red armbands outside and the slogans plastered across the walls, Lin Zhitang felt endless emotions in her heart.
When Father had still been alive, he had arranged everything perfectly for her.
So after his death in her previous life, she had become like a helpless little white rabbit that had fallen into a pack of wolves. The years she was forced to marry Wu Jianguo made her experience all the suffering in the world.
Meanwhile, back in the Lin Residence living room—
“Mom, I want Lu Ming’an. Why does everything good always belong to Lin Zhitang? Uncle Lin is too biased!” Su Yun finally lost control after watching the two leave.
“Lin Chennian wasn’t just biased,” Su Ya sneered. “After all these years, I never gained even a trace of his trust.”
“Mom, think of something quickly! The one marrying Lu Ming’an can only be me!”
“I know. We’ll do this… drug her… then ruin her reputation…”
“Okay.”
Mother and daughter revealed identical vicious smiles.
At that moment, Lin Zhitang did not know that because of Lu Ming’an’s arrival, Su Ya and Su Yun had begun plotting against her once more.
Lin Zhitang and Lu Ming’an took the bus to the department store. They only visited the food and skincare sections, buying some pastries and candies.
“You’re not shopping anywhere else? Is buying only these enough?”
“There’s already everything else at home. I don’t lack anything.”
“Then wait here. I’ll go pay.”
“No need, I have money.”
“Your money is yours. Since we’ve already settled the marriage agreement, it’s only natural for me to pay.”
Lin Zhitang had never dated before.
Watching Lu Ming’an go pay, she recalled how after being forced to marry Wu Jianguo in her previous life, she had not even possessed a single coin. Forget shopping—Wu Jianguo had never been a good man to begin with.
“Zhitang? Zhitang? What are you thinking about?”
Lu Ming’an returned and noticed her lost in thought.
“Ah, nothing. Since you’re back, let’s go.”
Lin Zhitang shook her head, pulling herself out of the memories of her previous life.
She thought to herself that she was no longer the Lin Zhitang from before.
And Lu Ming’an was not Wu Jianguo.
This life truly was different.
The two agreed to meet again at the state-owned restaurant for lunch before separating temporarily.
Lu Ming’an needed to call home to inform them about the marriage arrangement so the family could prepare.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhitang boarded a bus directly to the textile factory.
“Hello, Uncle. My name is Lin Zhitang. I’d like to see Factory Director Liu.”
“Register first. I’ll go ask.”
After signing in, Lin Zhitang waited patiently nearby.
Soon, the man returned.
“Director Liu is in his office. You may go in.”
Lin Zhitang quietly placed a pack of cigarettes on the desk before heading inside.
She walked straight to Liu Aiguo’s office and knocked.
“Zhitang? You never come looking for me. What brings you here today?” Liu Aiguo greeted her warmly, pouring tea and taking out snacks.
“Uncle Liu, I’m already grown up. Why do you still treat me like a child?”
“Nonsense. No matter how old you are, you’ll always be a child here. I specially saved these snacks for you. My house is full of smelly boys—not as lovable as you.”
“Thank you, Uncle. But I really did come today because I need your help with something.”
Uncle Liu was one of Father’s good friends and had once received assistance from the Lin family. However, due to the Lin family’s status, they could not openly interact too closely.
In her previous life, Su Ya and her “white moonlight” had reported Uncle Liu in order to curry favor with the deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee and help the deputy director’s brother-in-law rise to power. Uncle Liu lost his factory director position, and his entire family was exiled to a farm in Heilongjiang.
“Uncle Liu, I want you to investigate Su Ya’s hometown… and look into Su Yun’s background.”
Besides repaying evil with evil and making Su Yun suffer the same misery she had endured in her previous life, Lin Zhitang also intended to expose the truth that Su Ya and Su Yun were biological mother and daughter, letting them suffer the scorn and insults of others.
By the time Lin Zhitang arrived at the state-owned restaurant, Lu Ming’an was already there.
After eating lunch together, Lu Ming’an escorted her back to the Lin Residence.
When Lin Zhitang returned home, Su Ya and Su Yun were nowhere to be seen.
She did not know where they had gone.
But she knew one thing clearly—
They had not given up on scheming against her.
Especially after Lu Ming’an’s appearance, Su Yun’s restless greed and Su Ya’s blind favoritism toward her daughter meant one thing:
Their next move was already coming.