Chapter 2

You’re My Wife, It’s My Duty to Support You

“Alright.”

Facing her deer-like eyes, Lu Huaijing couldn’t bear to refuse. Thinking about her family’s situation, a hint of pity arose in his heart.

“Aren’t you going to ask me who I’m going to find?”

Tang Wan had already sorted out the relationships in her memory. The original Tang Wan’s father, Tang Shi, had been a well-known second-generation wealthy gentry before liberation.

Back then, her grandparents were progressive enough to donate more than half of their wealth.

Her grandfather was a military doctor, and her grandmother managed numerous shops. Unfortunately, both had short lives.

Sensing turbulent times ahead, the Tang family dispersed their assets and handed over everything in exchange for stability.

The Tang family’s textile factory became a state-owned factory, and Tang Shi became the director. Yet, after a few years, they were still reported by others.

To protect their children, Tang Shi and his wife severed ties with them. Lu Huaijing’s father had once been indebted to Tang Wan’s grandfather.

A few years ago, when the elder was still alive, he arranged this marriage.

The original Tang Wan was reluctant to go to a remote rural area, delaying the marriage until a critical moment when it saved her life.

“Who do you want to find?”

Afraid the street officials might see Tang Wan, Lu Huaijing casually took her suitcase and led her into a small alley nearby.

Tang Wan thought about it. Since she had accepted the original Tang Wan’s body, she must also take responsibility for her family.

“My younger brother was sent to our uncle’s house by my parents. But if my father is sent to a farm, I don’t trust my uncle’s family to treat my brother well.

So I want to bring my brother back. Would you mind if I take care of him after we get married?”

Tang Wan felt it necessary to clarify this first. During these times, poverty was common, and an extra mouth to feed was a significant burden for many men.

“I don’t mind.”

Looking at her frail figure, Lu Huaijing replied honestly, “I get a monthly allowance of fifty yuan. I can support the two of you.”

“We don’t need you to support us. We can take care of ourselves.”

Tang Wan forced a smile. “My parents left us some money and ration tickets.”

“You’re my wife. Supporting you is my duty.”

Lu Huaijing’s straightforward response made Tang Wan’s heart race. Wasn’t it said that people of this era were reserved?

Why was he so bold?

Tang Wan’s ears turned red. “Even if I’ve severed ties with my parents, my social status isn’t great now. Marrying me might affect you.”

He was a soldier; it could hinder his promotion.

“I know.”

To be honest, Lu Huaijing had hesitated before because of this. But it was his father’s dying wish. Looking into Tang Wan’s clear eyes, he said, “I’ll work harder to earn more merits.”

Seeing her petite and delicate figure, he thought, if she were captured, she might not survive.

Unaware of Lu Huaijing’s thoughts, Tang Wan felt fortunate to meet a good person right after her transmigration.

This was her fastest way to establish herself in a foreign world. Perhaps she could give it a try with him.

As they spoke, they arrived at the family quarters of the textile factory. Tang Wan had been here before, and the gatekeeper recognized her but looked at her with disdain.

Still, with Lu Huaijing by her side, they were let in.

“Capitalist’s brat! Heartless scum!”

“Ptui! Talking about you, you landlord’s brat! Why don’t you join your parents in jail?”

“I’ll hit you…”

A group of children hurled insults at the boy in the center. Tang Wan’s sharp eyes spotted her younger brother, Tang Zhou.

Tang Zhou was only eight years old, his small and thin figure standing out in the crowd.

With just one glance, Lu Huaijing recognized him as Tang Wan’s younger brother. The two shared about 50% resemblance.

Just as he was about to stride over with his long legs, Tang Wan suddenly stopped him. “Wait a moment.”

“What’s wrong?”

Lu Huaijing was puzzled. In the next second, he understood why Tang Wan had stopped him.

Tang Zhou grabbed one of the children and fiercely threw him to the ground.

This Kid’s Got Strength!

“So the one getting beaten up is my uncle’s son,” Tang Wan remarked.

She could already imagine the kind of life Tang Zhou would have if she didn’t come to take him away.

Tang Zhou, full of rage, pounded on the other boy, scattering the rest of the children in fright. The boy on the ground, Qin Fei, curled up in pain.

“Tang Zhou, I’m going to tell Mom and Dad so they can beat you to death!”

“If it weren’t for my parents, you’d be rotting in jail with your own parents, or maybe even executed!”

“Your parents are heartless capitalist scum—”

“Don’t you dare talk about my parents!”

Tang Zhou’s eyes turned red with anger, and Tang Wan quickly stepped forward. “Zhou Zhou, stop fighting!”

If he kept going, things would get serious.

Hearing her familiar voice, Tang Zhou’s raised fist froze mid-air. He turned around, stunned, and met his sister’s familiar face.

“Sis!”

The boy, who had been full of bravado moments ago, suddenly deflated, pouting like an abandoned puppy.

Tang Wan’s heart softened. She instinctively reached out to ruffle his hair. “Zhou Zhou, big sister is here to take you home.”

Tang Zhou’s clothes were tattered, clearly hand-me-downs. Meanwhile, the clothes their mother had made were on Qin Fei’s body.

Tang Wan could imagine how miserable Tang Zhou’s days had been. The original Tang Wan had been so preoccupied with her bleak future that she hadn’t noticed her brother’s even worse plight.

Qin Fei struggled to get up from the ground. Seeing Lu Huaijing, who didn’t look easy to mess with, the teenager spat on the ground.

“Don’t get too smug! My dad says your parents have capitalist tendencies. They might even be spies. This time, they’re done for! Bleh!”

The brat dashed up the shared apartment building, making a mocking face at them from above. Tang Zhou clenched his fists in anger.

“Zhou Zhou, calm down,” Tang Wan said gently, noticing curious gazes from the surrounding family quarters. She just wanted to leave with her brother before her uncle’s family got off work—it wouldn’t be easy otherwise.

“Sis, who’s this?” Tang Zhou’s curious gaze landed on Lu Huaijing, his eyes full of interest.

“This is your brother-in-law,” Tang Wan explained, blushing. Lu Huaijing, standing beside her, looked a bit embarrassed but tried to offer a friendly smile.

“Hello, Zhou Zhou. I’m Lu Huaijing,” he introduced himself warmly.

“So, he’s the fiancé Grandpa arranged for you,” Tang Zhou said, his eyes lighting up before suddenly stopping in his tracks.

“Sis, Uncle and his family treat me really well. I think I’ll just stay here,” he said, his eyes dimming slightly.

Tang Wan saw through his lie instantly. “Zhou Zhou, your sister is about to go back to my hometown with your brother-in-law to get officially married. I can’t leave you here alone.”

They needed to get married soon. Otherwise, her social status would remain a problem.

“Sis.”

Tang Zhou hesitantly glanced at Lu Huaijing and pulled Tang Wan aside. “I’m such a burden. His family won’t be happy if you bring me along.”

Hearing such words from someone so young, Tang Wan felt a lump in her throat. Lu Huaijing, standing close by, heard every word clearly.

“You’re not a burden,” Lu Huaijing interjected firmly.

“Who told you that?” Tang Wan asked, ruffling Tang Zhou’s hair gently. “We can take care of ourselves.”

“Uncle said it,” Tang Zhou replied, lowering his gaze. “They also said Mom and Dad will never come back. They keep pressuring me to hand over the things Grandpa left behind.”

“What?!”

At first, Tang Wan had only thought her uncle’s family resented their status. It was already hard enough for them to take in her brother, so she hadn’t planned to make trouble for them.

But hearing this, she suddenly realized that the accusations against her parents might be linked to them. How else would they know such details?