The Zhao family sought a suitable match for Zhao Nuancheng, but many matchmakers were hesitant to visit due to the scandal of her previous marriage fraud. For several days, no suitor satisfied her father.
Today, however, a young man with excellent qualifications arrived. He was 1.75 meters tall, 22 years old, and while not handsome, he wasn't ugly. He had never been married, had a stable job at a cannery, and his parents were both factory workers.
With such a good prospect, Zhao's father couldn't understand why he would be interested in Zhao Nuancheng, especially given her family's terrible reputation.
The young man appeared honest and sincere, seeming like someone easily managed. Zhao Nuancheng likely wouldn't face any trouble if she moved household items to his home in the future.
As Zhao's father pondered, the young man spoke.
"Uncle, do you think you could let me meet Nuancheng?"
Zhao's father readily agreed.
Li Dong had been plagued by anxiety lately. None of the women he had met for marriage prospects took an interest in him; even those with inferior conditions would look at him with disdain.
Stubbornly, he sought out several rural girls for introductions, but the result was the same – they looked down on him.
This greatly worried his mother, who insisted he meet any eligible girl from any family.
Zhao Nuancheng emerged, her face flushed, and looked at Li Dong, who sat composedly. Her heart was filled with joy.
Her mother had said Li Dong's family had good conditions, and he had previously wondered if Li Dong had some hidden flaw. Now, looking at him, she saw no apparent issues.
Shyly, she said, "Hello."
"Hello, my name is Li Dong."
"I... am Zhao Nuancheng."
"What do you think of me? Or is there anything different about me?"
"You are very good."
Zhao Nuancheng lowered her head after speaking, and Li Dong's heart was half relieved. He had overheard several potential partners call him a domestic abuser, and he had wondered if there was writing on his face.
Shui Wa: "Host, you're too wicked. Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter."
Jun Jiuli: "A domestic abuser deserves it."
Li Dong admitted he had a bad temper, but he had never hit a woman. The woman before him showed no unusual expressions and was quite attractive. This marriage seemed likely to succeed, fulfilling his mother's hope of having grandchildren.
The betrothal gift of 200 yuan was willingly given by the Li family. After all, their son's situation was rather peculiar, and they had finally found someone willing to marry him.
To prevent any mishaps, the Li family quickly arranged the wedding. Zhao Nuancheng, remembering her mother's advice, intended to move household items back home once she had established herself in the Li family.
...
Jun Jiuli had tested Zhu Qingjiang several times. He was content with honest farming and had no ambition to make a fortune.
Jun Jiuli exchanged gold jewelry from her spatial dimension for current currency and notes, claiming she had earned it selling herbs.
She gradually supplemented the family's income and added nourishing medicinal agents to their meals. Grandma Zhu and Zhu Qingjiang's health improved day by day.
Zhu Qingjiang also got married, to a girl from the same village. They met through an arranged introduction, and their contrasting personalities complemented each other perfectly.
They married after a period of dating. Jun Jiuli did not impose her modern ideas of free love on Zhu Qingjiang.
Everyone had the right to choose how they wanted to live their lives. The girl was lively, cheerful, and virtuous, and they would be happy together.
"Hong Hong, Hong Hong, come out quickly and see."
Jun Jiuli paused her bean-picking and poked her head out, asking in exasperation.
"Sister-in-law, what is it?"
"What's so great about picking beans? I'll help you with it when we get back. I'll take you to join the excitement."
As she spoke, the woman had already rushed in, snatched the sieve from Jun Jiuli's hand, put it down, and pulled her towards the door.
As they walked, she continued, "Zhao Nuancheng is back. She cried all the way from the village entrance. Her face is all red and swollen. Her husband is following behind, scolding her as they walk."
Jun Jiuli sighed. Her sister-in-law was good in every way, except for her gossip. But then again, it was good, as there was no room for argument.
"I'm telling you, you can't marry someone like that, no matter how good their family is. They don't treat their wives like people at all. To beat someone up so badly and humiliate her like this is truly inhuman. You have to keep your eyes wide open in the future, hey, I'm telling you, are you listening?"
"I heard, I heard, my ears are ringing. In the future, I'll find someone close to home, with a good temper, who cherishes me."
"Exactly, like your brother. Although he doesn't talk much, but..."
She suddenly stopped speaking, her face turning bright red, and she pulled Jun Jiuli into the crowd.
Li Dong: "We can't keep this woman in our home. She secretly sent factory subsidies back to her maiden family. It's been over a year, and there's still no sign of a baby. I don't care, you have to return everything your family took from ours."
Zhao Shixiao, hands on her hips with a delicate finger gesture, scolded, "Li Dongdong, are you even human? My sister married you and contributed through hardship if not merit. How can you say that about her? Besides, my parents raised him for so many years, it's only right she shows filial piety."
Her appearance caused a burst of laughter from the surrounding women. Zhao Shixiao felt awkward, but some of his movements were beyond his control.
He was now radiant white and unnaturally effeminate; he felt disgusted with himself when he looked in the mirror.
Zhao Nuancheng: "Husband, let's go home. You can hit me however you want, but my brother is right. Let's not lose face here."
As she spoke, she began to sob. Li Dong slapped her across the face.
"Bitch, you still have the nerve to cry. What hardship have you contributed? You've contributed nothing. I'm divorcing you today, and that's final."
"You dare. If you want to divorce my sister, how much compensation will your family pay?"
"You still want compensation, you eunuch? Don't push your luck. When she first married into my family, my mother treated her like her own daughter. She took advantage of that convenience and moved so many things to your home. You were the one who benefited. You have to spit it all back out to me today."