Chapter 7: He Is Not Worthy of Me

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“You have a headache? Serves you right!” Meiqin Lu’s voice rang sharply. “Jianshe Song, I’ve told you long ago—Ranran is my bottom line. As long as she’s unwilling, don’t even think about making any decisions for her!”

Jianshe Song pinched the bridge of his nose, realizing the problem still lay with their daughter. If she agreed to go to the countryside, everything would be fine.

He couldn’t understand what had come over her; she never acted so rebellious before.

His plans were completely disrupted. Glancing at his indifferent daughter, then at Wenxin, who looked like a frightened little rabbit, the scales in his heart inevitably tipped toward Wenxin.

Though Meiqin Lu was unreasonable, she had made a point.

Moving Wenxin’s household registration out was one option.

But it wasn’t so simple to transfer it. Divorce could separate the registration, but someone had tried that and found it didn’t work.

The other way was marriage.

As he sorted through his thoughts, the idea of marriage seemed more feasible.

He took off his apron and said, “Wenxin, come with me.”

Wenxin was speechless.

She didn’t know what he intended, and though irritated, she hurriedly followed him out.

The door slammed shut with a bang.

Meiqin Lu threw the kitchen knife onto the table and broke down crying, her head resting on the wood.

Wenran Song walked over and embraced her, letting her cry for a while before she calmed down and asked, “Mom, do you really not want to divorce?”

Meiqin Lu shook her head. “No, this time, asking for a divorce actually makes me feel somewhat relieved. You were right—he loves to play the good guy in front of others, but he’s cruel only to us mother and daughter.

Every time we argue, everyone thinks it’s my fault, but who knows how infuriating he really is! When you find a husband someday, don’t pick a man who’s kind to outsiders but heartless to his own family.”

Wenran listened to her mother’s rambling words, her thoughts drifting away.

She thought again of Shen Nanzheng, the husband in her book.

In her mind, Shen Nanzheng was kind to his comrades and fairly decent to her.

He devoted himself wholeheartedly to country and family.

But sometimes it was hard to balance both; she spent many nights alone at home.

Though the days spent trying to conceive were far from ideal, their relationship was harmonious.

He rarely smiled, and she was cautious.

They never fully opened their hearts to each other, always feeling something was missing.

Without her, perhaps he could live more easily.

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As night fell, Meiqin Lu poured out her heart and cried again.

Although she had asked for a divorce, Jianshe Song wasn’t letting go easily, and it wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

Exhausted from crying, she finally went to sleep.

That night, neither Jianshe Song nor Wenxin returned.

Wenran didn’t care where they slept.

As long as her and her mother’s interests weren’t harmed, she didn’t mind who else they cared about.

Only when she closed her eyes did nightmares plague her, giving her headaches.

She woke up the next morning still shaken.

Meiqin Lu looked pale but washed up and rallied herself to cook.

Wenran brought over the steamed egg custard she had made. “Mom, try this!”

“You made this?” Meiqin Lu was incredulous. “When did you learn to cook?”

Usually, if she didn’t have time, she prepared meals in advance and kept them covered on the stove, or Wenran would just eat at the cafeteria.

Wenran said calmly, “I watched you make it a few times and learned.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll have a taste.” Meiqin Lu scooped a spoonful into her mouth and nodded repeatedly.

Wenran smiled in response.

In her memory, she had learned to cook, imitating her mother’s gestures when no one was watching.

When her mother was around, she did nothing; when she was gone, she did everything!

Finally, she let her mother taste her handiwork.

She had followed the recipe from memory, and it looked good, though she hadn’t tasted it yet.

She took a bite.

It was so salty she almost choked.

Quickly, she said, “Don’t eat anymore, Mom, I’ll make a new one.”

“It’s fine. Why remake it and waste food?” Meiqin Lu took two more spoonfuls, guarding the bowl.

Wenran poured a glass of hot water and admitted shyly, “It’s too salty. Not tasty.”

Meiqin Lu clutched the bowl tightly. “Perfect, my mouth has no taste anyway, a little salt won’t hurt.”

Wenran was speechless.

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Under Wenran’s watchful eyes, Meiqin Lu quickly finished the bowl of steamed egg custard.

Her daughter’s first attempt at cooking might be bad, but she insisted on eating it all.

She also drank half a pot of water.

Now, she felt full of strength.

With fighting spirit, she said, “I woke up in the middle of the night and kept thinking about it. I just can’t swallow this anger. That Wenxin girl is cunning. If she can get close to Kaiyu, then he’ll marry her earlier! Kaiyu’s mother and I have been friends for years. I’ll go see her soon—no way I’ll let that brat get her way!”

Wenran had also thought about this last night. Wenxin could only rely on a few people. After pondering, she said, “I guess Dad already talked to the Fu family about this last night. Aunt Wan usually likes me, but she loves her son most. If Fu Kaiyu insists on marrying Wenxin, and Uncle Fu backs him up, they’ll probably agree.”

That’s how it was in the book.

Wenxin and Fu Kaiyu successfully married a year after she went to the countryside. Though Wan Xin initially disapproved, she gradually accepted Wenxin.

Meiqin Lu was dismissive. “So what? They’re the ones who broke their promises. Even if they get married, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen. That troublemaker—I’ll handle her! Mom asks you: do you still want to marry Fu Kaiyu?”

“No.” Wenran replied firmly. “He’s not worthy of me!”

Meiqin Lu was taken aback. “Why don’t you like Kaiyu anymore? You used to like him.”

“That was when I was young and naive. He was already with Wenxin—why should I still like him!” Wenran didn’t elaborate further; that was reason enough.

Meiqin Lu nodded. “Right, that’s a good attitude. Don’t ever marry a man whose heart belongs to someone else. I’m the best example. Since you don’t like him anymore, I’ll go all out. If you don’t want him, Wenxin can’t have him either! Wait at home for good news—I have plenty of ways to deal with that little schemer!

And I’ll ask Aunt Li to introduce you to someone better, someone more capable than that Fu Kaiyu, so everyone knows my daughter isn’t unwanted—we just don’t settle!”

“Mom, no more introductions!” Wenran didn’t want to get married. “I’m still young. Focusing on my work comes first.”

“No, you must find someone better than Fu Kaiyu!” Meiqin Lu declared, then stormed out.

Wenran understood her mother was staking everything on this, determined to find a match who could outshine the Fu family.

Finding someone her age who could surpass the Fu family nearby wouldn’t be easy, but there was no rush.

She wasn’t afraid of things getting tense; the more acrimonious, the better for her mother’s divorce.

This marriage should end early anyway. Since her father’s heart was no longer with the family, it was better to end it quickly and give her mother a fresh start.

After leaving the residential compound, she headed straight to East City Hospital.

Getting her employment paperwork done quickly was the real priority to avoid complications.

Passing by the Friendship Store, she thought she saw Shen Nanzheng again.

She stopped the car and looked carefully—it really was him.

That Jeep was owned by his father, Commander Shen Zhaoting.

The Friendship Store was a vital link for Northern City’s trade and foreign visitors. Why was Shen Nanzheng here at this hour?