Chapter 3: A Rude Awakening

Today was his younger brother’s wedding, with the banquet set up in the courtyard. Old Madam Lu, finding him a nuisance, had ordered him to stay quietly in his room and not meddle. With the courtyard crowded with tables and chairs, making it hard for him to move around, he remained in the east room reading, away from the festivities.

He already knew about Lu Zhengqi’s elopement. Someone had sent him a message claiming a loved one was ill, and he had rushed off in a panic. The family was thrown into chaos when the bride arrived. Seeing her groom gone, she had tried to kill herself by smashing her head against the wall. The Lin Family stormed in, demanding justice from the village officials.

Yet now, amid all this chaos, everything seemed strangely harmonious.

He had initially believed his capable second sister, a respected cadre, would handle the mess.

But somehow, the bride had suddenly become his wife?

Lu Zhengting’s brows furrowed as he maneuvered his wheelchair toward the courtyard to seek out Second Sister Lu for an explanation. The summer heat made the air heavy and stifling. Guests gathered under the shaded canopy, eating, drinking, and chatting, paying him no mind.

Though Second Sister Lu and the others had acted without asking his opinion or offering any explanation, Lu Zhengting was far from blind. Even if Lin Wan herself said nothing, he would uncover the truth soon enough.

He watched their lips moving at the door and quickly pieced it together: to save face for both families, Lin Wan was now his wife. The two families remained in-laws, and the wedding would proceed as planned.

Nearby, a lovesick youth muttered, “Do you think Brother Zhengting can handle this? Isn’t Lin Wan marrying him the same as living widowhood? Should we start treating her better now that she’s our sister-in-law?”

Lu Zhengting’s expression darkened like a storm rolling in. He turned and headed inside. He would tell Lin Wan there was no need for such a charade. Even if she returned to the Lin Family, no one could truly harm her.

The west room door stood wide open. Inside, Lin Wan was serving food to her mother, her snow-white skin glowing faintly in the dim light, like a star in the dark. She smiled brightly, showing not the slightest trace of anger or grief.

For the first time, Lu Zhengting found her unreadable. He had often heard Old Madam Lu and the others sneer at her, calling her a brainless beauty—clingy, shameless, rejected by men yet unwilling to let go.

She had once abandoned her dignity for Lu Zhengqi. How could she so easily cast him aside now, marrying him instead?

His conclusion was simple: Lin Wan was being stubborn, marrying him out of spite to provoke Lu Zhengqi.

He rapped lightly on the doorframe, signaling for her to come out.

Lin Wan was busy urging Mother Lin to eat more. Hearing the knock, she turned, saw him, and flashed him a smile as if to ask what he wanted.

Lu Zhengting beckoned her over.

She hopped down and walked toward him, still smiling. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was the vitality radiating from her clear, starry eyes that made her dazzling in the dim light.

Lu Zhengting instinctively turned his head slightly, avoiding her direct gaze.

He pulled out a notepad and pen, writing a single word: Why?

Lin Wan instantly understood, her smile widening. “Because I want to!” she replied, scribbling in quick, graceful handwriting.

Lu Zhengting stared at her lips—their soft, rosy curve, the way the corners lifted when she smiled, brimming with confidence.

This Lin Wan was not the one he remembered.

He had seen the old Lin Wan many times when she came to visit Lu Zhengqi—sometimes shy, sometimes tearful, at times throwing little tantrums, but never like this. Never so self-assured, radiant, and unrestrained.

Though deaf, his other senses were sharp. He noticed even the faint, unfamiliar fragrance lingering on her, a scent that seemed entirely her own.

Lin Wan noticed his expression harden, his gaze growing colder, sharper. She knew he doubted her motives for marrying him.

But unlike with the rest of the Lu Family, she felt no hostility toward Lu Zhengting.

She wrote sincerely: This must be fate! You’re a thousand times better than him! She pressed the exclamation mark so hard the paper nearly tore.

Handing the pen back with a grin, she added aloud, “You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen! Don’t worry, your jiejie won’t eat you.”

With that, she dashed back to the west room.

She knew from the novel that Lu Zhengting was exceptionally capable. Though deaf, he could speak. But she hadn’t realized he could also read lips. In the book, his appearances were fleeting—an excellent yet pitiful background character.

If she had known about his lip-reading, she might have actually banged her head against the wall.

—

After the meal, Mother Lin, though reluctant, hurried home once she saw her daughter was fine. She still had two sons at home who could suffer seizures at any time.

Lin Wan saw her parents and the Lin Family off. She looked around but didn’t see her childhood friend Zhou Ziqiang. She made a note to thank him later.

“Daughter, take good care of yourself now that you’re away from home,” Father Lin reminded her.

Lin Wan nodded. “Don’t worry, Dad, Mom. I know what to do.”

Eldest Uncle Lin, puffing himself up as the family patriarch, offered a lecture: “Be filial to your in-laws, treat your sisters-in-law kindly, avoid laziness and greed, and don’t stir up trouble. Remember to return home on the third day for your homecoming visit. Your aunt will prepare something special for you.”

The implication was clear: she was expected to come thank him and kowtow.

After the guests dispersed, a few Lu relatives lingered. One joked, “So, are we still playing pranks in the bridal chamber tonight?”

They had planned to tease Lu Zhengqi, but now that it was Lu Zhengting, they weren’t sure.

A reckless youth chuckled, “What’s the point? He probably can’t do anything anyway.”

Crude speculation about Lu Zhengting’s supposed impotence rippled through the group, their laughter carrying in the night.

Lu Zhengze overheard and barked, “You’ve eaten and drunk your fill! Get back to work!”

Even with life improving, farm work never ended: weeding, catching pests, composting, cutting grass… there was always something to do.

The boys sauntered off, still laughing—until they stumbled one after another, face-planting in the dirt.

“Damn it! Who tripped me?” they cursed, scrambling up—only to see Lu Zhengting sitting nearby in his wheelchair.

He twirled a thick white poplar staff in one hand, his gaze cold and sharp as a blade.

“Shit, is he having a fit?” one muttered.

They dared say whatever they wanted—after all, he couldn’t hear.

“Let’s go! Hurry!” another urged, unsettled by his icy stare.

Though Lu Zhengting hadn’t spoken a word, they knew exactly why they had fallen. Their jokes about his impotence and Lin Wan’s “widowhood” had earned them this silent warning.

—

Lin Wan lingered at the village entrance until her parents were out of sight before reluctantly heading back. She was still touched to have parents who loved her, even after transmigrating.

But now she had to face Old Madam Lu and the rest of the family. She steeled herself. The novel had warned her: Old Madam Lu was vicious.

Sure enough, as soon as she stepped inside, she found the entire Lu Family arrayed in formation, waiting for her.

Dusk had settled in, the dim light casting Old Madam Lu’s face in sinister shadow.

She sat at the head of the table, Old Man Lu silently puffing on his pipe beside her. Lu Dage* sat below his mother, with Lu Dasao* standing behind him with the children. Lu Zhengze sat opposite, his wife and children lined up as well. Second Sister Lu, the women’s director, sat in attendance too, radiating an official’s authority.

Lin Wan glanced around. No sign of Lu Zhengting.

She chuckled. “We’re all family here. No need for such a grand welcome.”

As she moved to step inside, Old Madam Lu slammed her palm on the table. “A woman who marries into this family should know her place!”

Lin Wan arched a brow, stepping back. “Oh, so it’s not a welcome—it’s hazing.” She crossed her arms, her tone sharp. “What is this? Now that my family’s gone, you’re baring your fangs? Do you plan to eat me alive, or just beat me?”

Anyone overhearing might think it was 1689, not 1968.

Second Sister Lu smiled smoothly. “What are you saying, sister-in-law? Come, sit.” She patted the seat beside her. “You’re the new bride. You deserve the honor.”

Lin Wan refused to sit. Just spit it out already.

Old Madam Lu glared, her voice bitter. “The Lu Family rules are clear: as long as parents are alive, the younger generation can’t keep private money. From now on, anything you earn, any gifts from your family—you’ll hand over to me.”

Instead of anger, Lin Wan burst out laughing. Oh my god! Do you think you’re the Empress Dowager? Who gave you such a swollen head—millstone size?

Her silence emboldened the old woman. Mistaking it for fear, Old Madam Lu pressed on, “You’ll greet me and report your comings and goings every day. When I was a daughter-in-law, I had to pay respects before dawn. Even the slightest wrong look, and I was beaten!”

Lin Wan: Oh my god. The Qing Dynasty ended ages ago. You still expect daughter-in-laws to pay morning respects?

Satisfied with her supposed submission, Old Madam Lu demanded, “Well? Are you handing over the fifty yuan, all your private money, and the key to your dowry chest?”

Lin Wan spread her hands innocently. “Old Madam, you’re too late. I already gave it to Eldest Uncle Lin. As for my dowry chest—it’s not even locked. It’s just a few old clothes. Take them if you want. But if you do, at least give me some new fabric to make fresh ones.”

Old Madam Lu trembled with rage, slamming the table with a thwack. “You—you—you bring that money back tomorrow!”

Second Sister Lu quickly interjected, trying to calm her. “Just check when you have time. She can’t hide it forever. All to eldest uncle? I don’t believe it.”

Old Madam Lu snorted. “On your third-day homecoming, Lu Erge will escort you to retrieve it.” She continued coldly, “And starting tomorrow, you’ll wake early to cook breakfast. Don’t delay the family’s work. You’ll handle all three meals, clean the courtyard, and feed the pigs and chickens. Prepare foot-washing water every night for me and your father-in-law. Don’t complain—your sisters-in-laws all went through the same.”

Lin Wan clapped her hands with a smile. “Perfect! It’s only right for the new bride to do chores. Why wait until tomorrow? I’ll start tonight!”

The day’s teapot and cups still sat unwashed on the table. She eagerly picked them up. “I’ll wash the dishes!”

But as she turned, her foot caught on something. With a startled “Ah!” she stumbled. The teapot and cups slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor with a loud clatter.

TN: Lu Dasao (陆大嫂子) — Eldest Sister-in-law Lu. A respectful/familiar way to address the wife of the eldest brother in the Lu family.

Lu Dage (陆大哥) — Eldest Brother Lu. A polite/familiar way to address the eldest brother in the Lu family or an older male of similar age.