“What… what did you say?”
Lu Lin’s mind went blank for a long moment. He stared at her in disbelief, his voice trembling.
Jiang Nuan took a deep breath and blurted it out in one go:
“I want to marry you!”
After confirming he hadn’t misheard, overwhelming joy surged over him like a bursting dam.
Jiang Nuan sat up straight, her back stiff, fists clenched tightly on her thighs.
Her eyes were fixed on him, not giving herself a chance to falter—afraid that if she paused, she wouldn’t dare continue.
“The man I was with on our wedding night… was you.”
Lu Lin’s eyes widened in shock. “You… you knew?”
Thinking of that night, guilt flooded his heart. He hurriedly looked away, unable to meet her gaze.
“I…” He lowered his head, not knowing how to explain. “That night… I…”
“That night, we were both drugged by Lu Daqiang,” Jiang Nuan interrupted firmly. At the mention of Lu Daqiang, hatred flickered in her eyes.
Lu Lin suddenly looked up.
“Lu Daqiang knew you’re an upright man,” she continued. “On the wedding night, he drugged us and staged it to look like we got drunk and had an affair. Then he used it to trick you out of your money. You fell into his trap.
“We’re both victims. I won’t blame you for it. Neither of us should feel guilty.”
Lu Lin looked at her gentle expression, his heart unable to calm for a long time.
He had long suspected something was wrong that night.
Normally, he would never have fallen for Lu Daqiang’s scheme. But that day was different.
The woman he had wanted to marry since childhood had married his older brother instead.
The blow was devastating.
Unable to accept it, that night was the only time in his life he had ever gotten drunk.
Afterward, he sensed something was off—but by then, it was meaningless.
Jiang Nuan was kind and principled. If she knew it was him that night, she might not be able to bear it.
He had been prepared to bury the truth in his heart for the rest of his life.
And now, she had brought it up herself—and told him the truth.
A cold glint flashed through his eyes, but he quickly hid it, afraid of frightening her.
“I’m pregnant.”
Lu Lin’s eyes lit up instantly as he looked toward her stomach.
Sensing his gaze, Jiang Nuan hurried to reassure him.
“Don’t worry. Lu Daqiang and I never shared a bed. The baby is definitely yours.”
Happiness came too suddenly.
Lu Lin hadn’t even recovered from the shock of Jiang Nuan wanting to marry him—
And now another piece of joyous news crashed down upon him.
“I’m carrying your child. You’re the father. The best choice is for us to get married.”
The light in his eyes dimmed slightly.
So… it was because of the baby.
Jiang Nuan had wanted to add that if they married, she could take care of him openly and properly.
But considering his pride, she swallowed the words.
“If you’re willing, after lunch we can go to the commune and register our marriage.”
She paused, giving him time to think. “If you’re not willing…”
“I’m willing!” Lu Lin answered without hesitation.
Even if she was marrying him only for the child—
To him, it was already an immeasurable blessing.
Jiang Nuan was startled by his decisiveness. “You… you’re sure? Marriage is a lifelong matter.
“After we marry, we’ll definitely face gossip. Are you prepared?”
He nodded firmly. “I’m sure. No matter what we face in the future, I won’t regret it.”
Seeing his resolute gaze, Jiang Nuan finally let out a long breath. Only then did she realize her palms were sweaty.
She stood up excitedly, her face blooming with a smile.
“Alright! We’ll register this afternoon! I’ll go make you something delicious!”
He smiled.
Jiang Nuan froze for a moment—it was the first time she had ever seen him smile.
“You look so handsome when you smile. You should smile more like this.
“There’s nothing in life that can’t be overcome. Smile, and it’ll pass.”
At first, Lu Lin felt shy under her praise, but gradually he was infected by her bright, cheerful tone.
“Jiang Nuan.”
He called her name seriously.
It was the first time she had heard him say her name with such weight. Somehow, it sounded especially beautiful.
“My legs may be disabled,” he said steadily, “but they haven’t completely lost feeling like others say.
“I’ll work hard to stand up again.”
He didn’t say the rest aloud.
I won’t burden you or our child.
I’ll do everything I can to hold up the sky for you both.
Jiang Nuan hadn’t expected him to say that. Warmth flooded her whole body, and she nodded vigorously.
“I believe you can! We’ll work together and live well!”
Seeing the hope shining in her eyes, something ignited within him.
Watching her light footsteps as she left the room, Lu Lin couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips.
Jiang Nuan stepped outside and took a deep breath of fresh air.
Thinking that her child could now be born openly and that she could properly care for Lu Lin and repay his life-saving grace, she felt utterly refreshed.
Afraid he might change his mind, she cooked lunch as quickly as possible.
There were only coarse-grain steamed buns at home. She tossed them aside and used white flour and eggs to make a stack of egg pancakes.
They were delicious and easy to digest—perfect for Lu Lin’s weakened body.
Lu Daqiang had brought back a large chunk of pork with his wages the day before. Old Madam Lu had only cut off a small piece to satisfy herself.
The remaining large piece—Jiang Nuan had originally planned to braise it in soy sauce. But considering Lu Lin’s long starvation and fragile digestion, braised pork would be too greasy.
So she made sliced pork with potatoes instead.
She also cooked a tomato and egg soup.
Two dishes and a soup, fragrant and colorful.
Together with the soft egg pancakes, it was a feast one might not even see during the New Year.
Lu Lin’s window faced the kitchen. Watching her busy figure and smelling the aroma drifting in, he occasionally pinched his arm—afraid it was all a dream.
After finishing the meal, Jiang Nuan looked at the delicious spread and smiled with satisfaction.
Then she remembered his lower body still hadn’t been cleaned.
She decided to wash him first so he’d feel more comfortable before eating.
There were two stoves at home—one for cooking, one for boiling water.
She had already boiled a full pot. After adjusting the temperature, she carried the bucket into his room.
The moment he saw the hot water, he understood—and immediately became flustered.
“The food is ready,” she said gently. “I’ll clean you up first. Once you’re clean and in fresh clothes, we’ll eat.”
Thinking of the state of his lower body, Lu Lin hurriedly refused. “No need. I can do it myself.”
Jiang Nuan set down the bucket, basin, and towel, then went to fetch clean clothes from the wardrobe—she had taken them from Lu Daqiang’s room earlier that morning.
Finding them easily, her face instantly burned when she saw what was inside.
Remembering they would soon be husband and wife, she braced herself, grabbed the underclothes, and bundled them with clean outer garments.
When she turned around, she saw his uneasy expression and smiled as she walked toward him.
“We’re about to register our marriage. It’s only right that I help you.
“Don’t worry. I locked the front door from the inside. No one will see.”
To ease the awkwardness, she set the clothes on the bed and poured hot water into the basin while continuing to chat.
“The food will get cold soon. I’ll wash you quickly so we can eat and go register.”
The words “register our marriage” seemed to carry powerful magic.
The protest on his lips faded. He swallowed hard and nodded with difficulty.
Jiang Nuan let out a small breath of relief. She was embarrassed too—but he couldn’t move his lower body. There was no way he could manage alone.
Just as she reached to lift the blanket—
He suddenly grabbed the worn quilt tightly.
His face flushed red, and summoning all his courage, he forced out two words…