“Qin girl, it’s our Huo family that has wronged you.”
Grandpa Huo, Huo Zhenguo, walked up to Qin Yao and let out a deep sigh.
His weathered face was now etched with guilt and helplessness.
“Our Huo family will never shirk responsibility for this matter.”
As soon as he said this, Huo Yuxuan and Yang Sujuan immediately stepped forward, their expressions filled with apology toward Qin Yao.
Huo Yuxuan said solemnly, “Qin girl, although I’m not often at home, I know this mess was caused by that foolish son of mine, Jingshen.”
“Rest assured, our Huo family will definitely give you justice.”
Yang Sujuan’s eyes reddened as she took Qin Yao’s hand, her heart aching for her.
“Yao Yao, my dear child, you’ve suffered.”
“Mom will stand up for you. Whatever you ask for, just say it. Our Huo family will never treat you unfairly.”
Seeing the sincere apologies from the Huo family, Qin Yao felt somewhat calmer inside.
She knew the Huo family was not like the shameless Qin family’s second branch.
“Grandpa Huo, Uncle Huo, Aunt Huo.”
Qin Yao’s voice remained soft, yet it carried an undeniable calmness.
“I have only one request.”
She raised her head and looked firmly at Huo Zhenguo.
“I hope you can return my household registration booklet to me.”
“I want to go to the commune and… get the marriage certificate annulled.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present, including Qin Guoqiang and Wang Xiulan, froze.
The Huo family members all turned to look at Qin Yao in unison, their faces filled with shock.
“Yao Yao, you…”
Wang Xiulan exclaimed in surprise. She hadn’t expected her daughter to make such a request.
Although her heart ached for her daughter, in this era, a woman—especially one who married and then divorced—would be gossiped about for the rest of her life!
Qin Guoqiang also frowned. Although he was angry with Qin Hongmei and Zhao Weijian, he knew what divorce would mean for his daughter.
“Annul the marriage certificate?”
Grandpa Huo’s expression instantly darkened, and he thumped his cane forcefully.
“No!”
He looked sharply at Qin Yao.
“Qin girl, do you know that a marriage certificate isn’t something you can just annul at will!”
“You are now the lawfully wedded daughter-in-law of our Huo family. Although Jingshen is a scoundrel, he is still your husband!”
“Grandpa Huo.”
Qin Yao’s voice remained calm.
“Before I came here, I knew this would be difficult.”
“But I am a pure and innocent girl who was schemed into marrying into your family like this. Do you think this marriage can still be valid?”
She pointed to the oversized men’s shirt she was wearing and the marks that hadn’t completely faded.
“These on my body are proof of last night.”
“There is no emotional foundation between Huo Jingshen and me, nor have we consummated the marriage. This marriage was wrong from the very beginning!”
Qin Yao’s tone showed no sign of backing down.
Looking at Qin Yao’s pale but resolute face, Grandpa Huo felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.
He knew the girl was right—the Huo family was indeed at fault in this marriage.
But how could he stand by and watch his grandson get divorced on the very first day of his marriage? Where would the Huo family’s dignity be then?
Moreover, the more he looked at Qin Yao, the more he felt she was a good girl—resilient in character and outstanding in appearance, far better than his scoundrel of a grandson.
He took a sudden step forward, his eyes carrying a hint of pleading.
“Qin girl, give the Huo family another chance, alright?”
“This matter, it’s that brat Jingshen who’s in the wrong, but the Huo family is definitely not the kind that shirks responsibility!”
“How about this…”
Grandpa Huo’s eyes flickered, as if he had finally made up his mind.
“That brat Jingshen is currently carrying out an urgent mission in the army and won’t be back for a while.”
“You go to the army first, follow him, stay by his side… for three months!”
“Within those three months, if you still feel it’s not suitable, if you still think this marriage shouldn’t exist, the Huo family will absolutely not stand in your way!”
His eyes reddened, his voice filled with a plea.
“Just consider it… giving the Huo family a chance to make amends, and giving that brat a chance… to take responsibility!”
“Three months?!”
Qin Guoqiang immediately grew anxious upon hearing this.
“No way! My daughter can’t just go suffer this injustice for nothing!”
Wang Xiulan quickly grabbed Qin Yao’s hand, tears welling in her eyes.
“Yao Yao, don’t listen to them! What kind of arrangement is this?!”
“Mom tells you, if you’re unwilling, no one can force you!”
“Even if the heavens themselves come down, you still have to get a divorce!”
Qin Guoqiang and his wife stood firmly by their daughter’s side without hesitation. Their unconditional favoritism made Qin Yao’s nose sting sharply.
She looked at the worry and heartache in her parents’ eyes, at how they were supporting her without any regard for themselves, and a warm feeling surged in her heart.
In her previous life, she had been alone, dedicating her entire life to medical research, never experiencing the feeling of being unconditionally loved by family.
Although she had gone through many hardships since crossing over here, having a family that loved and protected her like this could be considered heaven’s compensation to her.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm the emotions stirring inside her.
“Dad, Mom.”
Qin Yao held her mother’s hand in return, her gaze firm.
“I want to go.”
“What?!”
Qin Guoqiang and Wang Xiulan exclaimed in unison, looking at their daughter in disbelief.
“Yao Yao, didn’t you say you wanted a divorce? How…”
Qin Yao explained softly, “Dad, Mom, Grandpa Huo does have a point.”
“Huo Jingshen isn’t here right now, and there are many things he isn’t clear about.”
“Me going to the army now isn’t really about ‘trying out the marriage.'”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the Huo family, her tone still calm.
“I’m going to settle this marriage matter completely.”
“Whether it continues or ends, I need to hear an explanation, an answer from him personally.”
“And…”
Qin Yao’s eyes flickered slightly.
“Going to the army can also temporarily avoid the gossip in the village.”
“After all, you wouldn’t want me to carry the reputation of being ‘rejected’ or ‘abandoned’ for the rest of my life, right?”
Qin Yao’s words left Qin Guoqiang and Wang Xiulan in silence.
They knew their daughter made sense.
In the countryside, a girl who has been rejected in marriage has her reputation completely ruined.
But if she goes under the pretense of “joining her husband in the army,” the nature of it changes.
Although they were still filled with reluctance and worry, for their daughter’s future, they ultimately compromised.
“Then… then you must take good care of yourself!”
Wang Xiulan held her daughter’s hand, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
“If you suffer any injustice in the army, tell Mom, and Mom will seek justice for you!”
Qin Guoqiang also patted his daughter’s shoulder heavily.
“Girl, Dad believes in you!”
Upon hearing Qin Yao’s decision, Old Master Huo’s face broke into a gratified smile.
“Good, good, good! Young lady Qin, you truly are a sensible and good child!”
“Rest assured, the Huo family will never treat you unfairly!”
Yang Sujuan also quickly expressed her support: “Yao Yao, you can go with peace of mind. We will take care of everything at home.”
“I’ll send you the military unit’s address and Travel Permit later.”
Qin Yao nodded, a flicker of complex emotion passing through her eyes.
She knew that these three months would be both a challenge and an opportunity for her.
What she wanted was not just an explanation.
She also intended to use this chance to step out of the village that had confined her and see the broader world beyond.
With her luggage packed, Qin Yao was about to lift the light pink suitcase when a rough, large hand pressed down on it.