Chapter 11: An Unexpected Encounter with Fu Huayi, Helping Them Settle the Bill

“Quickly, see what you want to eat and just order it. Don’t hold back for your Big Brother.”

That’s what she said, but the money shouldn’t be spent recklessly; they still needed to save where they could.

Lin Yuyao symbolically ordered two dishes and a soup.

Ye Lian said, “Order more; this is only two dishes.”

“It’s enough. We have both meat and vegetables. We won’t be able to eat more than this.”

“You silly girl, let me order.”

“Don’t order anymore. If it’s not enough, we can always get more.”

“Alright, fine. Let’s eat and see how it goes.”

While they waited for their food, the two continued discussing the Lu family. Ye Lian, worried that Lin Yuyao might have second thoughts, spoke ill of them in various ways.

“His father is in poor health and needs looking after. His mother’s eyesight is almost gone, and she’s a cunning woman who acts sweet. She’ll call you ‘my dear daughter’ with a voice as sweet as honey.”

“Foolish girl, do you really think she cares for you? She’s just buttering you up so you’ll go to her house and serve her. Once her eyes go completely blind, if they have no one to take care of them, they’ll be finished.”

In the past, Lin Yuyao wouldn’t have believed such words.

When Ye Lian criticized Wang Cuilan, she even argued back, saying that Wang Cuilan treated her better than she did. As a child, she had stuck close to Lu Jiangting; if he didn’t take her out to play, she would complain to Wang Cuilan.

Wang Cuilan would say she’ll hit him, which made her happy.

It was all just for show, brushing off his clothes to remove the dust. Back then, she didn’t realize it, but after experiencing such situations countless times and wasting her life, she finally woke up.

Thinking about it made her feel frustrated.

“Mother, I believe you now.” She smiled bitterly.

“It’s good that you’ve come to your senses. Sigh!” Ye Lian let out a sigh of relief. “In the past, I thought Lu Jiangting’s family was a bit poor and had a heavier burden, but after so many years of feelings with him, as long as he treats you well, suffering a little wouldn’t matter.” She paused.

“After all, our families live close by. If his family has too much to handle, I could help you. But now, what can we rely on? Rely on him treating you well? How has he treated you well? He treats you worse than he does the wife of a comrade.” She continued with disbelief.

Lin Yuyao nodded.

She felt ashamed of what Ye Lian had said, unable to refute a single word.

Finally, the food arrived, and Ye Lian urged her to eat quickly while it was hot. The two stopped talking, quickly finishing their meals. As they prepared to settle the bill and leave, a tall figure blocked their table.

Fu Huayi?

“Comrade Lin Yuyao, my name is Fu Huayi.”

On the other side, Yi Yunshuo had quickly finished his meal and rushed over.

“Ah Yi, what are you doing?”

Fu Huayi didn’t respond to him but looked at Lin Yuyao.

Lin Yuyao wore a puzzled expression. She knew he was Fu Huayi, but why was he blocking them?

Ye Lian recognized the two of them and angrily said, “Aren’t you the two who pushed me and my husband to the ground yesterday, making us eat dirt?”

Fu Huayi felt a bit embarrassed.

“Yes, Auntie, I sincerely apologize. Yesterday, we didn’t understand the situation and acted rashly. I’d like to apologize here.”

“Hmph, birds of a feather flock together. You two are no better than that scoundrel Lu Jiangting. Move aside; we don’t need your apology.”

Fu Huayi didn’t move and swiftly settled the bill for them.

Lin Yuyao was left speechless.

Ye Lian scoffed, “Don’t think that spending a few dirty coins will make it all right. No matter how you apologize, I will never let my daughter marry that scoundrel Lu Jiangting.”

“Auntie, you misunderstood. My apology isn’t on behalf of Lu Jiangting. I wanted to say…” He shifted his gaze to Lin Yuyao and continued, “If you have any difficulties regarding divorce, you can come to me for help.”

After saying this, he took out a notebook and quickly wrote down an address and a phone number. He tore off the paper and stuffed it into Lin Yuyao’s hand.

This left both Lin Yuyao and Ye Lian stunned.

After three seconds of silence, Ye Lian asked, “Aren’t you and Lu Jiangting on the same side?”

Fu Huayi replied, “We were originally, as we came to celebrate his wedding. After witnessing yesterday’s events, I realized I had misjudged him. His character is concerning, and from yesterday on, I’m no longer on his side.”

Ye Lian nodded, though somewhat skeptically.

Even though he had helped them settle the bill, apologized, and offered to help, Ye Lian remained wary of him. Because of Lu Jiangting, she now viewed soldiers as if they were not good people.

After pulling her daughter away for quite a distance, she finally said, “Don’t trust him. I don’t think those two are good people either.”

Lin Yuyao nodded, “I’ll listen to you, Mother.”

Right now, she just wanted to be a good girl who listened to her parents.

As for Fu Huayi and Yi Yunshuo, she didn’t really know them well. In her dreams, the two had attended the wedding, and after learning that the marriage was temporarily off, they left the next day.

Later, when she went to the military district to find Lu Jiangting, she encountered Yi Yunshuo once, and after that, there was no further interaction with either of them.

Forget it, I’ll keep it for now, and we’ll see what happens once the marriage report is in hand.

…

Lu Jiangting had instructed a boy from the village to keep an eye on the entrance. If Lin Yuyao and her mother returned, he would quickly come to inform him.

Two little children had eaten his fruit candies and squatted at the intersection for quite a while, waiting. Instead of the village children, a person dressed in a postman’s uniform rode up on a bicycle and stopped in front of his house.

“Comrade Lu Jiangting, you have a phone call from the army.”

Hmm?

What could the army want at this time?

However, as a soldier, he understood the importance of priorities.

He had to set aside matters concerning Lin Yuyao for now and return the call to the army.

After thanking the caller, Lu Jiangting rode his bicycle toward the post office.

On the way, he unexpectedly ran into Lin Yuyao and her mother as they were returning from the city.

Upon seeing them, Lu Jiangting quickly pulled his bicycle to the side.

“Yuyao, I thought about what happened yesterday last night, and I was in the wrong. I’m sorry; I apologize to you.”

Lin Yuyao replied lightly, “Oh, I see.”

Lu Jiangting was taken aback. What did “I see” mean?

“So, you’re not angry with me anymore?”

“I’m not angry. We’re no longer related, so what’s there to be angry about?”

The corners of Lu Jiangting’s mouth twitched. “How can we not be related? We’re married; you are my wife. I know you’re still upset. I…” Suddenly remembering that the army had urgent matters to discuss, he continued, “I have to go into the city for something. I’ll be back to talk to you later, okay? I have to go now.”

Ye Lian spat at him, “Don’t come to my house; get lost.”

Lu Jiangting was frustrated by being told to get lost, but given the current situation, he had no right to be angry. Forget it; he would endure it for now and focus on smoothing things over with her.

“Auntie, I’ll explain things to you later.”

After saying this, he got back on his bicycle.

As he left, he unexpectedly noticed the items in their basket. Seeing those items, which were meant for the wedding, Lu Jiangting felt a wave of relief wash over him.