“Jiang Nuan!” Lu Dapo scrambled to explain. “Comrade, don’t listen to her nonsense—she’s a step-sister, not a biological sister!”
The staff member froze for a moment, then spat sharply. “I felt sorry for you, thinking you had some grievance, but you’re just… a beast! Even beasts can’t do something this disgusting. You deserve to be beaten like that!”
Jiang Nuan pretended to wipe away tears, nodding in agreement.
The staff member’s sympathy shifted to her. Seeing her young, he patted her shoulder. “Don’t be sad, young lady. I’ll get your divorce sorted right away.”
Jiang Nuan quickly thanked him. “Thank you, comrade, you’re a truly good person.”
Embarrassed by the earlier misunderstanding, the staff member smiled, and without wasting a second, processed the divorce.
When Jiang Nuan received the certificate, her hands trembled as they touched the coarse paper. The bright red official seal burned her eyes.
Memories flashed before her. From now on, she and Lu Dapo had no ties—no more enduring his cold treatment, no more suffering under Lu Laopo’s tyranny…
She closed her eyes, then opened them, clear and resolute.
Finally, she was free.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she thanked the staff member.
He looked at her with concern. “Young lady, don’t be sad. Three-legged toads are hard to find, but good men are everywhere. Leave that beast behind—you’ll surely find someone better!”
Jiang Nuan nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, it’s only right.”
Lu Dapo kept his distance, afraid the moment he got close, she might slap him.
He sneered inwardly. Fat pig… who else would want her? Want another good man? Dream on.
Even if she kneeled and begged, even if she publicly ate excrement, he wouldn’t spare a glance.
Leaving the commune, Jiang Nuan and Lu Dapo felt disgusted just being near each other. They parted ways immediately.
Watching her hurry away, Lu Dapo suddenly felt a strange emptiness, as if he had been abandoned.
He quickly shook off the thought, scoffing.
How could he possibly feel upset over that fat woman? Impossible!
He was just used to having her serve him—meals, clothes, everything delivered to him. Suddenly losing a servant he relied on so much… that was all.
Meanwhile, Jiang Nuan had something important to do. She hurried along a side path back to the village, Lotus Village, aiming for the brigade chief’s house.
It was already noon, and smoke rose from chimneys everywhere. Walking through the village, smelling the aroma of meals, she thought of Lu Lin and quickened her pace.
Her noodles had been eaten, and Lu Lin, who had been hungry for so long, had surely finished them. She had to hurry and make him more food before he got too hungry.
Arriving at the brigade chief’s house, she saw him in the courtyard smoking. Seeing Jiang Nuan drenched in sweat, he blinked in surprise and stood up.
“What?! You’re going to marry Lu Lin?!”
His eyes widened at the serious expression on her face. The few birds in the old locust tree scattered at his shout.
His wife, cooking in the kitchen, ran out with her spatula, staring at Jiang Nuan in disbelief.
Divorced her brother in the morning…Planning to marry the younger brother in the afternoon…Heavens! This is… absurd!
“I’m serious, Brigade Chief. I’m not joking,” Jiang Nuan said firmly. “Please issue a marriage introduction letter for me and Lu Lin. Later, I’ll invite you and your wife to our wedding and give you some sweets.”
The chief studied her for a long moment, making sure she wasn’t joking. “Lu Lin… does he agree?”
Jiang Nuan forced a smile. “Of course he does. How could I come to you for the letter if he didn’t?”
The chief stared at her, thinking of Lu Lin, a child he had watched grow. Years ago, his son had been helped a lot by Lu Lin, who had taken care of him.
“Are you sure you’ve thought this through?”
Jiang Nuan nodded firmly. “Yes, I’ve thought it through.”
“Good!” The chief put away his smoking pipe. “I’ll issue your introduction letter right now.”
Two minutes later, Jiang Nuan carefully folded the letter, thanked the chief repeatedly, and left his house.
The chief and his wife watched her leave from the gate.
“She used to like Lu Dapo,” his wife said, puzzled. “Stayed up nights making shoes for him, worked hard after marriage… now suddenly she likes Lu Lin? Am I imagining things?”
The chief frowned, watching her back. “Lu Dapo did such a despicable thing—who would keep liking him? Besides, I never saw her showing any interest in him. Women making shoes before marriage is just our local custom.”
His wife paused, realizing that might be true. Maybe everyone had misunderstood.
The chief continued, “Jiang Nuan is honest and kind. Lu Lin looks cold, but he’s good at heart. I think they’re well suited.”
His wife nodded. “Our son just arrived at the army and didn’t know the area. Lu Lin took good care of him. Even though he never mentioned it, our son wrote about him in every letter.”
The chief sighed. “Lu Lin is in a difficult spot now; we should help as much as we can. When the village finds out about their marriage, they’ll be shocked. Don’t get carried away with the gossip, okay?”
His wife rolled her eyes. “Do you really need to tell me? I’m not stupid.”
Seeing her about to get annoyed, the chief chuckled. “Alright, alright, the food’s almost burnt. Let’s go back.”
…
Jiang Nuan ran back home. Entering the gate, she glanced at the empty, messy courtyard.
Lu Laopo was gone—she had no idea how Lu Laopo had taken Lu Rou away.
She ignored it, going straight to the kitchen to pour a bowl of hot water. She planned to give Lu Lin some peach cookies to drink and settle his stomach before dinner.
Just as she carried the bowl to his room, she paused, smoothing her hair nervously.
Since Jiang Nuan entered the courtyard, Lu Lin had been watching her from the window. Observing her quickly changing expressions, his lips curved slightly.
He saw her hurry into the kitchen, return with a bowl, and approach his room.
His heart raced as her figure came closer. Seeing her fidget nervously with her hair, he slowed his breathing.
She’s really nervous… just because she’s seeing me?
Only a woman who cares about a man would act this way.
Hearing his own heartbeat pound, his eyes brightened.
Soon, Jiang Nuan entered the room.
Lu Lin quickly hid his emotions.
“Hungry?” Jiang Nuan placed the bowl down and handed him a peach cookie.
Turning around, he dared to steal a glance, afraid she’d notice anything unusual.
Jiang Nuan wrapped the cookies in oil paper and sat on a stool by the bed.
Thinking of what she was about to do, her heart raced. She couldn’t look him in the eyes.
“Have a cookie first to settle your stomach. I’ll cook right away—it won’t take long…”
“You… you really divorced him?”
The man’s sudden voice made Jiang Nuan pause and look up.
Lu Lin’s expression was calm as always, as if discussing business. Only he knew how tense he really was, afraid she might shake her head.
“Divorced?” he asked again.
“Yes,” she said without hesitation, her excitement barely contained. She pulled out the divorce certificate to show him.
“See? Lu Dapo and I are done!”
Lu Lin’s black eyes fixed on the certificate. Her joyful voice reached him.
This… is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.
After staring at the certificate for a long moment, he took a deep breath, calming himself, and looked at her.
“You said you wanted to tell me something important before leaving… what is it?”
Jiang Nuan looked at his slim but dignified face. Her smile faded as she slowly put the certificate away.
Lu Lin sensed something was off, growing more curious. But seeing her embarrassed expression, he didn’t push.
“Sorry, I spoke too much. If you don’t want to say it, that’s fine.”
“No, no!” Jiang Nuan shook her head, forcing a smile. “You’re not speaking too much… it’s me… I…”
She bit her lip, stomped once, and finally said with determination,“I want to marry you!”