Moreover, her mind was preoccupied with major concerns, so her emotions were a bit short-circuited—completely disconnected.  

Now, upon hearing Lu Heng’s words, she instinctively asked, “You like me?”  

What *was* liking someone? She didn’t know. She had never experienced it. She had only read about lingering, heart-wrenching love in the surviving records. After all, where she came from, the most important thing was genetic compatibility—only then could there be a chance of conceiving a child.  

As for love… maybe it existed. She wasn’t sure.  

But that didn’t stop her from liking what Lu Heng had said.  

Lu Heng’s face flushed slightly. Having been lying at home for so long, his complexion had grown much paler, making the blush on his cheeks all the more noticeable.  

“Yes!” he admitted through gritted teeth.  

Lin Nanan tilted her head and looked at him, a little puzzled. “You say you like me, yet you’re pushing me away. Lu Heng, are you messing with me?”  

Lu Heng knew Lin Nanan was completely inexperienced when it came to emotions, so he didn’t find her question strange. Instead, he explained very seriously, “It’s precisely because I care, because I like you, that I want you to have a better life.”

“Is that so?” Lin Nanan didn’t quite understand. She said doubtfully, “I think it’s pretty good here. I don’t feel like I’m living badly at all!”  

“But I can’t do anything for you!” Lu Heng was frustrated.  

Lin Nannan felt a bit sorry seeing him like this, but the repair fluid was simply too miraculous—it was something that current medical science couldn’t possibly achieve. So she held back from mentioning it and instead comforted him, saying, “I don’t need you to do anything. Just lie down!” 

These words left Lu Heng speechless.  

His wife didn’t expect anything from him at all. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.  

In his current condition, not being disliked by his wife was a good thing.  

But under normal circumstances, a man should be the one supporting the entire household. It was just that his wife was unconventional—she didn’t need him.  

Both of them were novices when it came to emotions—one straightforward, the other fervent—yet they somehow harmonized perfectly.  

…

Zhang Shengguo and the others left behind quite a few things before hurrying back to town under the cover of darkness. They had matters to attend to the next day, so they didn’t stay long.  

Their arrival in the village hadn’t gone unnoticed, especially since Lu Ming and Ah Zhang were seen carrying the items they had brought. The sight made many green with envy, and news of it spread through the village in no time.  

Meat, pastries, all sorts of things—every household was short on these, yet the Lu family had received so much at once. No wonder people were jealous.  

Unsurprisingly, the Lin family caught wind of it and immediately grew covetous.  

“Grandma, I saw it—several pounds of meat! All fatty cuts, really thick!” Lin Qingqing’s younger brother said, drooling.  

Old Mrs. Lin’s face darkened, but she didn’t speak.  

This news felt like a slap to the face—proof that their earlier decision had been a mistake.  

Lin Nanan wasn’t close to them, so there was no way they’d get *all* those things.  

If Lin Qingqing had been the one to marry into the Lu family, given that those gifts were meant for Lu Heng, the Lin family could have demanded a share—and the Lu family wouldn’t have dared refuse!  

They *definitely* wouldn’t have dared!  

They’d have been afraid Lin Qingqing would divorce him. So yes, she truly regretted it now.  

She regretted letting Lin Nanan go. She regretted ruining the marriage.  

As for what would happen to Lin Qingqing in the future—she didn’t care. All she could think about was the immediate gain.  

Lin Qingqing, completely unaware of her grandmother’s thoughts, couldn’t help but urge, “Grandma, you’re the elder. No matter what, Lin Nanan should still respect you, right?” 

Old Mrs. Lin knew exactly what she was hinting at and snapped irritably, “If *you* had married into that family, all those things would’ve been ours.”