Chapter 30.2

He felt as though everyone around him was muddled, while he was the only one who was clear-headed.

He wanted to light a cigarette but found he didn’t have one.

Xu Zhu sighed, “It can’t be a quarrel between a young couple.”

“Hah, what’s the big deal about that?”

The older men suddenly seemed to understand and relaxed. They didn’t think much of a couple arguing. After all, quarrels were common and they might reconcile soon enough.

“My wife nags at me every day. I’ve gotten used to it.”

“Old Xie is too much…”

“Exactly, how can he still be angry over a quarrel with a woman?”

“Old Xie’s temper is too small.”

Xu Zhu frowned. Based on his experience, something serious must have happened between Xie Yanzhao and Ruan Mingfu, and it seemed to be quite a big problem.

He made a decisive decision, grabbed the hat from the table, and put it on his head.

“Old Xu, where are you going again?”

Xu Zhu turned and walked outside. “I’m going to find Old Xie.”

“It’s about to rain outside…”

…

Ruan Mingfu went downstairs and saw the guesthouse owner knitting in a corner. Curious, she asked, “Comrade, may I ask where I can make a phone call?”

She looked to be around 40 years old, with smooth skin and well-dressed. It was obvious that she came from a well-off family.

After giving Ruan Mingfu a quick glance, she pointed in a direction.

“Turn right when you go out, it’s next door.”

“Thank you, Comrade.”

Following the directions, Ruan Mingfu walked a bit further and soon found the place.

The person inside helped her dial the number, and soon the clear voice of Gu Yilin came through the receiver.

“Hello, who’s this?”

“It’s me,” Ruan Mingfu took the receiver, and the person on the other end moved aside, allowing her to speak, “Ruan Mingfu.”

A scream erupted from the receiver, nearly shattering Ruan Mingfu’s eardrum.

She frowned and said impatiently, “What are you shouting for?”

Her ears were about to be deafened!

“Hmph! And you’re still talking,” Gu Yilin huffed, pouting, “The last time I went to the village to find you, I came back empty-handed. Tell me, why do I never seem to find you? If it weren’t for the educated youths saying you ran off with a man, I’d have thought you were missing.”

Ran off with a man?

It seemed even plastic friends couldn’t speak with any grace.

“By the way,” Gu Yilin’s voice became flirtatious, “How are things over there? Have you found any strong and muscular soldiers for me?”

“I’m still waiting for your letter.”

Gu Yilin spoke with a face full of excitement.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Wasn’t it said that people from this era were more innocent?

Why do the ones she encounters have standards comparable to those of fifty years later?

“Remember, strong…”

“Got it, got it,” Ruan Mingfu said with disgust, “Quickly wipe that smirk off your mouth.”

Gu Yilin, on the other end, actually reached to wipe her mouth, and after realizing it, she was somewhat irritated. “Hmph! If you don’t tell me what’s going on, I’ll hang up.”

“I’ll be back in two days, come pick me up at the station.”

“Come back?!” Gu Yilin was shocked, “What’s going on? Aren’t you getting married?”

As she spoke, her gaze fell on a large bag of things set aside for supplies. These were all carefully chosen wedding gifts for Ruan Mingfu, each item reflecting her effort.

And now she couldn’t send them…

How would she use these items to mock Ruan Mingfu?

She had hoped that her plastic friend would be overwhelmed by the quality of the carefully selected gifts and feel ashamed, acknowledging her superior taste.

Damn it!

Now that the marriage isn’t happening, how can she still give these gifts?

Remembering Xie Yanzhao… Ruan Mingfu shook her head vigorously.

She didn’t want to think about that jerk!

“Yes, not getting married anymore. Just tell me whether you’ll come to pick me up.”

Gu Yilin replied, “Of course, I’ll pick you up!”

Such a perfect opportunity to mock Ruan Mingfu, she wouldn’t miss it. She would get her under her nose and laugh at her every day!

A satisfied look flashed in Ruan Mingfu’s eyes.

“That’s settled then. I’ll let you know the train number once I’ve bought the ticket…”

After chatting a bit more, Ruan Mingfu hung up. She paid and walked out.

The road was muddy after the rain.

Ruan Mingfu, wearing a pair of small high heels, walked very cautiously.

Most military units were located in remote areas, which, aside from being inconvenient, had the advantage of beautiful scenery. The road leading to the guesthouse was lined with two rows of trees, and many unknown wildflowers had bloomed beside them.

They resembled sunflowers but were not as large. They were only palm-sized, colorful, and very pretty.

Ruan Mingfu picked a few and was about to smell them when she noticed someone standing not far away, staring intently at her.

She frowned, and the person approached her.

“Comrade Ruan, how are you?”

The man stood in front of Ruan Mingfu, his brows and eyes were cold, like a piece of uncarved ice.

Ruan Mingfu’s beautiful brows furrowed.

She had no good feelings towards anyone from the Lu family, including Lu Yang, whom she had only met a few times.

Ruan Mingfu didn’t want any interaction with the Lu family, so she tried to walk away without acknowledging him, but Lu Yang called out to her.

“Comrade Ruan, I came here specifically to discuss something with you.”

Ruan Mingfu replied, “I have no ties with the Lu family and nothing to discuss with you,” glaring at Lu Yang and saying firmly, “Move aside!”

Despite the rude treatment, Lu Yang’s expression remained unchanged.

His face, as usual, was impassive. “Comrade Ruan, I am here regarding the marriage agreement between the Lu family and the Ruan family.”

Ruan Mingfu looked up at him.

Lu Yang’s usually emotionless face now showed a hint of awkwardness. “Comrade Ruan, I know the Lu family has wronged you. You can ask for any compensation, and I will do my best to fulfill it.”

“Oh?”

Ruan Mingfu regarded Lu Yang with suspicion. “What if I ask you to marry me?”

Men are all unreliable!

Xie Yanzhao was, and the Lu family brothers are even worse.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, which was refreshing. The colors of the flowers and plants after the rain looked almost intoxicating.

But Ruan Mingfu had no time to appreciate them.

She pressed on, “Why is this question so hard to answer?”

Wasn’t he just at the train station yesterday saying he was willing to marry her? Turns out, it was all lies.

Ugh!

Men are all unreliable.

“No,” Lu Yang cleared his throat, “Comrade Ruan, what I said yesterday still stands. If you want it, I can…”

Ruan Mingfu’s face remained expressionless. “No, you cannot.”

How could he treat marriage as a trivial matter?

He clearly wasn’t a reliable person.

Ruan Mingfu’s thoughts were clear, and it showed on her face.

Lu Yang was someone who could be compared with Xie Yanzhao. He should know what she was thinking. This realization made him even more uncomfortable.

“Comrade Ruan, I truly want to make amends.”

His parents and younger brother had made the situation very awkward.

To prevent others from using this against him in the future, Lu Yang had to clean up after his parents and younger brother.

“Don’t bother. The Lu family is full of ungrateful people. I want nothing to do with you.”

Ruan Mingfu’s words left no face for Lu Yang.

However, Lu Yang remained inscrutable, his expression unchanged, revealing no sign of weakness.

He continued, “Comrade Ruan, I hope you can consider this carefully. The Lu and Ruan families were once well-acquainted. It reflects poorly on everyone if we handle this badly.”

“Is it about the Lu family’s face?”

Ruan Mingfu thought for a moment and then added, “My parents are now at the farm. What face do they have left?”

The farm is not like the countryside for educated youth. It involves more rigorous labor and strict supervision. Those sent to the farm are far from free.

The original Ruan Mingfu even hesitated to send good things for fear they wouldn’t reach them.

Lu Yang’s eyes flickered, not knowing how to respond.

After a long pause, he finally said, “Comrade Ruan, my desire to compensate you is genuine.”

Lu Yang looked serious, and it did not seem like he was lying.

Ruan Mingfu frowned.

Seeing her attitude soften slightly, Lu Yang continued, “You can propose any conditions. As long as I can fulfill them, I will.”

“That’s what you said.”

“Alright,” Ruan Mingfu said promptly, “I want you to clear my parents’ names.”

Lu Yang: “…”

People sent to the farms are considered criminals. Clearing their names isn’t easy. Moreover, Lu Yang only has influence in the military, while the Xie family’s influence is limited to their administrative regions.

Even a powerful figure like the Xie family can’t always control everything.

Seeing Lu Yang’s troubled expression, Ruan Mingfu raised an eyebrow. “You can’t handle this? The Lu family isn’t as impressive as I thought.”

“Aside from that, I’ll agree to anything else you ask.”

Ruan Mingfu never really expected the Lu family to clear her parents’ names. She only suggested it to make things difficult for Lu Yang.

Seeing that he was still determined to compensate her, she decided to stop pressing him.

“Okay, then you agree to my three conditions.”

“What conditions?”

Ruan Mingfu thought for a moment and said, “First, give me two thousand yuan. Second, buy me a train ticket, a soft sleeper if possible. Third, beat up Lu Yan. If you see bruises, consider it done.”

Two thousand yuan for a marriage engagement is not a loss, and the third condition is just to vent her anger.

She hasn’t forgotten how this jerk belittled her at the station yesterday. She’ll teach him a lesson.

But… she shouldn’t be the one doing the dirty work.

Thinking about Lu Yan’s shocked expression when beaten, Ruan Mingfu felt that the sky was bluer and the water clearer…

“I’m not making things difficult for you.”

These three conditions were not difficult for Lu Yang.

Compared to the support the Ruan family had given the Lu family, two thousand yuan was not a lot. The second condition didn’t even require him to act personally; plenty of people would help.

As for the third condition…

Lu Yan was reckless and needed a lesson.

Lu Yang looked up. “Alright, I agree to all of them.”

“Tomorrow morning,” Ruan Mingfu said with a smile, passing by Lu Yang toward the guesthouse, “I look forward to your good news.”

Lu Yang watched her leave, then suddenly spoke.

“I meant it when I said I would marry you.”