Chapter 2: Marrying in Place, You Are Not Li Jiaojiao

Early the next morning, the Li household became lively. Zhang Guizhi went straight to Li Mian’s room to start dressing her up.

“Mian, you must be good. Mama will put the most beautiful makeup on you in the whole world.” Zhang Guizhi said this sweetly while working on her face.

Li Mian obediently nodded, letting Zhang Guizhi fuss over her. Her eyes looked vacant, but inside she was sneering. What Zhang Guizhi was really doing was painting on “fool’s makeup,” deliberately making her look ridiculous.

Meanwhile, Li Jiaojiao hid outside the door, her eyes glinting with triumph. She whispered to Zhang Guizhi, “Mom, you have to make Mian as ugly as possible, don’t let Comrade Lu see through it.”

Hearing her reminder, Zhang Guizhi nodded and became even more careless with her brushstrokes. Before long, Li Mian had been turned into a comical-looking bride.

“All done, Mian. Look, aren’t you pretty?” Zhang Guizhi handed her a mirror with satisfaction.

Li Mian looked at the garishly painted, clownish “bride” in the mirror and giggled, “Mian is so pretty! Like a big princess!”

Zhang Guizhi nodded, pleased. “Good girl. Later, when you ride in the big car, keep the red veil over your face. When you reach the new home, don’t say anything—just nod.”

Li Mian nodded obediently, though her heart was cold with laughter. That so-called “red veil” was nothing more than a scrap of rough cloth Zhang Guizhi had grabbed at random—more like a rag than anything festive. Clearly, she intended to make her lose face.

Soon, the roar of an engine echoed in the courtyard. Zhang Guizhi hurriedly threw the red cloth over Li Mian’s head and pushed her out.

“They’re here! Hurry, go out!” she urged.

Li Mian stumbled forward, nearly tripping over the threshold. Lifting her head, she saw a shining jeep parked in the yard, its surface gleaming in the sunlight. The door opened, and a tall figure stepped out. Even through the red cloth, she knew this was Lu Tingbai.

“Comrade Lu, this is my daughter,” Zhang Guizhi said with an obsequious smile.

Lu Tingbai nodded slightly, his gaze falling on her. Even through the veil, Li Mian could feel the sharpness of his eyes.

“Why is her face covered with a red cloth?” His deep voice carried a note of doubt.

Zhang Guizhi quickly explained, “It’s a local custom here—when the bride leaves home, she must cover her face with a red veil. It means joy and good fortune.”

Lu Tingbai said nothing, just gave a soft “hm.” Li Mian could feel his gaze linger on her for several seconds before shifting back to Zhang Guizhi.

“It’s getting late. We should leave.”

“Yes, yes, Comrade Lu, please.” Zhang Guizhi bobbed her head.

Lu Tingbai took Li Mian by the hand and helped her into the car. Sitting down, she smelled faint traces of engine oil mixed with the man’s cool, clean scent. The jeep started with a rumble, rolling out of the Li courtyard. Through the veil, she could see the scenery flashing by. From this moment on, her life was about to change completely.

The car was silent except for the hum of the engine. From time to time, Lu Tingbai’s eyes swept toward her, filled with curiosity and doubt. Finally, he broke the silence.

“Are you all right?”

Li Mian didn’t speak, only nodded slightly.

“You can’t talk?” he asked, surprised.

She nodded again.

He was quiet for a while, then said gently, “It’s all right. Don’t force yourself.”

Li Mian thought: Who would have guessed this man, who seemed so cold, could say something so tender?

The jeep drove on. The countryside scenery gradually gave way to the county town. At last, the car stopped. Lu Tingbai got out and came around to her side, courteously opening the door.

“We’re here. Watch your step.” His voice was low and steady.

Li Mian carefully stepped out, raising her eyes to see what looked like a family compound. The gates were wide open, with a young soldier on duty at the entrance. Lu Tingbai held her hand and led her inside.

Right away she could feel curious eyes on them, but everyone was cowed by Lu Tingbai’s stern presence and didn’t dare speak much.

“Well now, Comrade Lu, the bride is here!” a middle-aged woman greeted them cheerfully.

Lu Tingbai nodded lightly. “Mm.”

Soon, they were upstairs on the third floor. He opened the door and led her inside. Only then did he release her hand.

“Rest here a bit. I’ll go hand out wedding candy to the neighbors.”

Li Mian nodded silently again.

He looked at her, as if wanting to say something, then sighed softly and left, closing the door behind him.

As soon as the door shut, Li Mian breathed a sigh of relief. She pulled off the rough red cloth and looked around with quiet wonder. Though the home was simple, the pasted red “double happiness” characters gave it the air of a wedding.

She went into the washroom and caught sight of her garish makeup in the mirror. A faint bitter smile curved her lips.

“Seems it’s time to wipe this clown face away,” she murmured.

She turned on the faucet and carefully washed her face. As the thick makeup dissolved, a delicate, pretty face emerged. After tidying her hair, she looked at the refreshed woman in the mirror and allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Li Mian hurried back to the sofa, putting on her vacant expression again.

The door opened. When Lu Tingbai stepped in and saw her, he froze in surprise.

“You… where’s your makeup?” he asked in surprise.

Li Mian lifted her head and showed an innocent smile. “Mian didn’t like that makeup, so Mian wiped it off.”

Lu Tingbai frowned, scrutinizing her carefully. Doubt and suspicion flickered in his eyes.

“You’re not Li Jiaojiao!” he demanded coldly.

“You… what’s wrong?” Li Mian’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, with a barely noticeable tremor.

Lu Tingbai gave a cold laugh, his tone like ice. “Stop pretending to be a fool! Tell me—where’s Li Jiaojiao? What kind of trick are you playing?”

Only then did Li Mian realize—he had mistaken her for her elder sister, Li Jiaojiao. How ridiculous! He only now figured it out? Didn’t he recognize her during the matchmaking meeting?

She twisted her fingers nervously, lowering her head, not daring to meet his eyes. “I… I’m Mian…”

“Mian?” Lu Tingbai sounded as if he’d just heard a joke. He suddenly reached out, gripping her chin and forcing her to lift her head. “Then take a good look at me—who am I?”

Li Mian was compelled to meet his eyes—deep as a dark pool, cold and piercing, as though they could swallow her whole. She shrank back in fear but didn’t dare avoid him, stammering: “Lu… Lu Tingbai…”

“Since you know I’m Lu Tingbai, you still dared to take your sister’s place and marry me? You’ve got some nerve!”

His jaw clenched, and his grip tightened as if he wanted to crush her chin. Damn it—it hurt so much her tears were about to fall, but she stubbornly refused to make a sound. Dog of a man! A genius painter from the 21st century marrying you is your blessing, yet you’re furious with me? Bah!

Lu Tingbai looked at her submissive, helpless appearance and grew even more irritable. With a shove, he threw her onto the sofa and turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” Li Mian ignored the pain in her chin and scrambled up to chase after him.

“Don’t touch me!” Lu Tingbai flung her hand away in disgust and strode out of the house.