Chapter 5

Wu Guohua patted Xia Yuying’s head. “Of course, I choose you! How could Yu Li compare to your beauty?”

When he got engaged to Yu Li, she was still a skinny little sprout, pale and timid, barely daring to say a word.

But Xia Yuying was completely different.

She and Yu Li had grown up in the same village. However, after Xia Yuying’s parents passed away last year, she came to live with her cousin-in-law, Commissar Xiao, at the military base.

Xia Yuying was lively and charming, bold and proactive. With her curvy figure and preference for tight dresses, she exuded an allure Yu Li, with her plain and slender frame, simply couldn’t match.

Wu Guohua had kissed her, touched her, and his heart was utterly captivated. He declared with conviction, “Yuying, I’m sure I only like you! I love you more!”

He pulled Xia Yuying into his arms.

The woman in his embrace blushed with pride but also felt a trace of unease.

She had arrived at the base last year but had noticed even before then that Yu Li had changed over the past few years.

She had shot up in height, growing from 1.58 meters to 1.65 in just two or three years. Her features had become more striking, and her figure more developed, with Yu Li often complaining her clothes no longer fit.

But Yu Li wasn’t going to show up at the base.

Clinging tightly to Wu Guohua’s waist, Xia Yuying resolved that once they had their marriage license and a child together, Yu Li would have no chance of stealing this man back!

No matter how beautiful Yu Li became, she was only fit to marry a rural farmer!

Meanwhile, Yu Li’s father, Yu Jiefang, was busy watering the crops in the field.

Recent rains had been scarce, and the corn and sesame plants were wilting, their leaves drooping and stunting their growth.

His eldest and second sons were working on a river excavation project, his youngest daughter-in-law was employed at a factory in town, and his eldest daughter-in-law was helping Chen Ailan with household chores. Yu Li, as they all knew, had gone to help out at the Wu family.

Yu Li’s trip to the Wu family had been approved by Yu Jiefang.

He had a good relationship with Wu Guohua’s father in the past, and with Wu Guohua away, Yu Li helping out her future mother-in-law, who wasn’t in good health, seemed appropriate.

Besides, his eldest daughter-in-law constantly argued with Yu Li at home. Allowing Yu Li to go to the Wu family was a way to avoid conflicts.

But Chen Ailan suddenly appeared, telling him that Yu Li had broken off the engagement.

Of course, she left out the part about Lu Guanshan and only mentioned that their daughter had nearly been mistreated.

Yu Jiefang was instantly enraged, tossing aside the water bucket in his hand.

“That Wu Guohua is no good! If not for his father’s sake, I wouldn’t have even considered him! And his mother? Treating our kindness like dirt! Let’s go—we can’t let our daughter suffer this grievance!”

The couple stormed toward the Wu family home.

At the Wu house, Wu’s mother was still indignant.

Wu Tong was crying and shouting, “Mom! That wretch Yu Li took our pots and pans! Look at the mess she left—how can we live like this? We need to get everything back, including the wine and meat we gave when we got engaged!”

Wu’s mother gritted her teeth. “That shameless woman! I knew from the way she worked before that she had ulterior motives! No way—Guohua wants to let it go, but I won’t swallow this!

Come with me. We’ll spread the word that Yu Li is a shameless flirt, seducing men left and right! We have to ruin her reputation!”

Wu Tong, already jealous of Yu Li’s beauty, quickly agreed. “Yes, let’s go together!”

But as they stepped outside, they ran straight into Yu Li’s parents.

Chen Ailan slapped Wu’s mother across the face.

“You wretched old hag! My daughter treated you so well—last year, when you couldn’t even walk because of your illness, who fetched your medicine, brewed it, and fed it to you? Your son is out fooling around, and now you want to call off the engagement? Do you even have a conscience? We’re taking this to the military base to demand an explanation!”

Yu Jiefang, his face dark, slammed his hoe into the ground. “When Old Wu was alive, I knew you weren’t a good woman. You dragged him down his whole life! I thought Guohua might take after his father, but I was wrong!

My daughter has suffered enough over the years. Fine, let’s call off the engagement, but because of Old Wu’s memory, I won’t ask for any compensation. But mark my words—if I hear a single bad word about my daughter, I’ll make sure the Wu family pays for it!”

Hearing the commotion, the neighbors quickly came out, pointing and commenting one after another.

“Exactly! Yu Li is such a good girl—capable and beautiful. What Wu Guohua did was shameful!”

“If it were me, I’d be scolding my own son! Missing out on a girl like Yu Li—where can you find another like her?”

“Oh my, Wu Guohua’s mom, is it true your son found someone else at the base? Since you’ve broken off the engagement with Yu Li, I’d like to introduce her to my nephew!”

…

Wu’s mother was red-faced and embarrassed by the scolding.

Indeed, how well Yu Li had cared for her was obvious to everyone!

She couldn’t even argue back and was filled with frustration, while Wu Tong gnashed her teeth in anger.

But for the sake of Wu Guohua’s reputation and future, neither of them dared to retaliate and could only apologize repeatedly.

After Yu Jiefang and Chen Ailan had their fill of scolding, they loudly announced to everyone that Yu Li and Wu Guohua were officially broken off and that there would be no further ties between the two families. Then, they left.

Wu’s mother slumped to the ground, dizzy and overwhelmed. “What a disaster, what a disaster!”

Moments later, she was so overcome with anger that she fainted.

Wu Tong screamed in fright, “Mom! Mom!”

After venting their anger, Yu Jiefang and Chen Ailan also felt guilty for having misjudged Wu Guohua and letting their daughter suffer for years.

“Ailan, go cut some meat. Tonight, we’ll make dumplings to nourish our daughter! I won’t water the field today. I’ll head to the mountain to chop firewood!” Yu Jiefang announced loudly.

Chen Ailan nodded. “Got it, I’ll go right away!”

On her way to the supply and marketing cooperative, Chen Ailan ran into a few familiar women who greeted her warmly and grabbed her for a chat.

“Well, isn’t this Yu Li’s mom? I heard your Yu Li broke off the engagement with Wu Guohua? Let me tell you, I have a younger brother who’s always had an eye on Yu Li. How about I bring him to your house tomorrow?”

“Chen Ailan, your Yu Li is so beautiful, smart, and hardworking—she’s bound to marry into a good family! My aunt has a nephew in the city—so handsome and well-mannered…”

Several women surrounded Chen Ailan, chattering excitedly.

Her mood soared as she responded politely but felt thrilled inside.

My daughter Li is amazing. Even after breaking off an engagement, suitors are already lining up!

Delighted, she bought the meat and agreed to let two families bring their sons over for introductions the next day.

Meanwhile, Yu Jiefang had his own encounter.

He went to the field to retrieve his water bucket but froze when he arrived.

A tall, strong young man with strikingly good looks was already watering his field!

Yu Jiefang hurriedly called out, “Oh no, young man, you’ve made a mistake! This is my field!”

Lu Guanshan stopped and smiled at him. “Uncle, I happened to be passing by and saw the field so dry it was cracking. I thought I’d lend a hand. Helping others is a virtue!”

With that, he continued fetching water from the river and watering the field. He moved with remarkable strength and agility, carrying two heavy buckets of water as if they weighed nothing. He made trip after trip, seemingly tireless.

While Yu Jiefang managed two buckets, Lu Guanshan carried six.

In no time, most of the work was done, and the corn and sesame plants began to perk up, their leaves standing tall after soaking up the water.

Lu Guanshan straightened his back, working as he endured Yu Jiefang’s curious gaze.