Chapter 5 She is a Fool

Lu Tingbai held Yun Chi’s hand and was just taking out the key at the door when Li Mian heard movement. She quickly sat back down on the sofa, putting on her vacant, dazed expression again.

The door opened. Behind Lu Tingbai came a little boy carrying a schoolbag. The boy froze when he saw Li Mian still obediently sitting there on the sofa.

“You… did you eat?” Lu Tingbai asked in surprise.

Li Mian looked up, smiling innocently. “Mianmian ate red cake, a big piece. I’m full now.” As she spoke, she patted her stomach and let out a burp.

He stared at her for a long while, as if thinking about something. Suddenly he asked, “Do you know why you’re here?”

Li Mian tilted her head and answered with childlike sincerity: “Mianmian doesn’t know. Mama said Mianmian was going to keep a very powerful person company and play games. And she said I’d get to ride a big car. Mianmian rode the big car, and now I’m here.”

Lu Tingbai’s expression grew more complicated. He was silent for a while, then spoke softly: “You’re not here to play. You’re here… to marry me in your sister’s place.”

Li Mian pretended to look shocked. “Marry you? What does marry you mean?”

Lu Tingbai seemed at a loss for how to explain. He took a deep breath, then said, “It means… you’ll be living with me from now on.”

She blinked, eyes wide and pure. “Living together? Like playing house? Yay~ Mianmian loves playing house!”

Lu Tingbai’s brows drew tighter. A flicker of complicated emotion passed through his eyes. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn’t find the words.

Just then, the little boy suddenly asked: “Daddy, is she an idiot?”

Lu Tingbai frowned at his son, scolding softly: “Lu Yun Chi!”

Li Mian turned to the boy curiously, blinking her big eyes. “Your name is Lu Yun Chi? Can I call you Little Chi?”

Lu Yun Chi gave her a cold glance and said nothing. He walked over to his desk, threw his schoolbag down with a heavy thud.

Startled, Li Mian shrank back slightly.

Lu Tingbai sighed, walked over to his son and said quietly, “Xiao Chi, be polite to Auntie.”

“She’s not my auntie,” Lu Yun Chi retorted stubbornly, his voice laced with disdain. “I don’t want a stupid Auntie.”

Lu Tingbai’s face darkened, about to rebuke him, but Li Mian spoke first, pretending to be wronged. “Mianmian isn’t stupid, Mianmian just… just doesn’t understand much.” Her head dropped, eyes reddening. “Mianmian will try hard to learn. Please don’t hate Mianmian, Little Chi, okay?”

The room fell silent.

Lu Tingbai glanced at her, a trace of pity flickering in his eyes. He walked over, gently patted her shoulder, and said in a softer voice: “Don’t mind it. Xiao Chi’s still young, he doesn’t know better.”

Li Mian lifted her head, forcing a small smile. “Mianmian understands.”

Turning to his son, Lu Tingbai said: “Go pack your things. Later we’re taking Auntie to see Grandpa Zhang.”

Lu Yun Chi reluctantly nodded, dragging his feet into the inner room.

When he was gone, Lu Tingbai turned back to Li Mian, his expression serious. “I know you may not fully understand yet. But starting today, you are my wife. I’ll protect you. You just need to… fulfill a wife’s duty.”

Li Mian tilted her head, eyes innocent. “What is a wife’s duty?”

Lu Tingbai seemed stumped by the question. After a moment of thought, he answered: “It means… taking care of yourself.”

He had originally wanted someone to help him care for Xiao Chi, but looking at her, even caring for herself might be difficult.

Li Mian’s eyes lit up. She gave a bright smile. “Mianmian understands! Mianmian will try hard!”

—————

The next morning, there was a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it. It should be Auntie Li. I asked her to come help you out a bit. There are women’s things I don’t really understand. If you need anything, just tell me, I’ll have someone buy it.” Lu Tingbai spoke to her as she ate her egg.

At the door stood a middle-aged woman. Seeing Li Mian behind him, she showed a surprised smile. “Oh my, so this is Comrade Lu’s new wife. Such a pretty girl.”

“Auntie Li, please help Mianmian pack her things. We’re going out later.”

Auntie Li nodded, walked over to Li Mian kindly, and said, “Come on, new bride, I’ll help you pack.”

Li Mian obediently put down her chopsticks and followed her into the bedroom.

As Auntie Li tidied the clothes, she chatted on. “Child, why are you so thin, not much flesh on you at all. But you’re really lovely, just like the ladies in the magazines. And this tear mole by your eye makes you even more endearing.”

Li Mian lowered her head, muttering softly: “Mianmian doesn’t want to be like the people in the magazines. Their skin looks sallow. Mianmian will be prettier than them in the future.”

Auntie Li laughed heartily. “What a simple-minded child you are. But it’s good. Comrade Lu likes girls just like you.”

Li Mian looked up, curiosity shining in her eyes. “Comrade Lu likes Mianmian like this?”

Auntie Li chuckled and nodded. “Of course. Comrade Lu may seem cold on the outside, but he’s very gentle at heart. If you stick with him properly, you’ll have a good life.”

Li Mian nodded thoughtfully, though in her heart she was already making her own calculations.

Just then, Lu Tingbai’s voice came from the living room:

“Are you done packing? We should get going.”

Auntie Li quickly replied, “All done, all done.” She turned to Li Mumian and said, “Come on, new bride, your husband is waiting for you.”

Li Mumian followed Auntie Li out of the bedroom and saw Lu Tingbai and Lu Yunchi already waiting by the door. After sending Auntie Li off, the three of them left the courtyard together.

On the way, Lu Tingbai briefly explained their destination to Li Mumian.
“We’re going to visit an uncle.” He seemed worried she might be nervous, so he added, “Once we get there, don’t worry. Just stay close to me.”

Li Mumian didn’t reply, only nodded obediently.

Seeing her silent, Lu Tingbai scratched his head and added, “Yesterday I was out of line. I scared you.”

“It’s okay. If it were Mumian, I’d definitely be even angrier than you.” After all, whose husband suddenly turns into a fool and wouldn’t be mad? If he didn’t get mad, would he still be a man?

Soon, the car stopped in front of a large courtyard. Worried she might get lost, Lu Tingbai kept holding Li Mumian’s hand as they walked in, with Lu Yunchi following behind.

Inside the courtyard, a group of people were chatting. When they saw the three walk in, they all turned their heads.

“Well, you got here quickly!” A middle-aged man came forward with a broad smile. “And this must be your new bride?”

Lu Tingbai nodded slightly and said calmly, “Yes. Uncle Zhang, this is Mumian.”

Timidly, Li Mumian hid behind Lu Tingbai and said softly, “Mumian… greets Uncle Zhang.”

Commander Zhang laughed heartily. “Aiya, little bride, don’t be so shy. Come, let me take a good look at you.”

Li Mumian slowly stepped out from behind Lu Tingbai, head lowered, hands twisting together, looking bashful.

Commander Zhang gave her a once-over and nodded approvingly. “Not bad, not bad. Little Lu, you really are a lucky man. Look at this little bride of yours—so fresh and delicate. With such a pretty wife, Tingbai, you’d better treat her well.”

Lu Tingbai answered lightly, “Mm, I will.”

Just then, a sharp female voice suddenly cut in:

“Aiya, isn’t this Old Li’s foolish daughter from the east end of the village?”