My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

In mid to late March, the sky didn’t darken as early as it did in winter. Ming Mei, with her hands tucked into her sleeves, stepped out to use the restroom. Before she could reach the door, she spotted Bai Fendou leading a woman, looking somewhat furtive. Upon closer inspection, the woman was also holding a child.

Bai Fendou, who had been trying to be as cautious as possible, was startled to run into someone. But when he saw it was Ming Mei, he relaxed a little. He trusted Ming Mei, Zhuang Zhixi’s wife, to be discreet.

He greeted her in a hushed tone, “Out for a stroll?”

Ming Mei pointed toward the restroom, then glanced at the woman beside Bai Fendou. The woman’s face was bruised and swollen, making it difficult to recognize her. Ming Mei didn’t realize it was He Lan, who had once shared a hospital room with her. Frowning slightly, she whispered, “What’s going on here?”

Bai Fendou was surprised. “Zhuang Zhixi didn’t tell you?”

Ming Mei grew even more puzzled. Bai Fendou chuckled awkwardly, tugged at He Lan, and quickened his pace without offering any explanation.

Ming Mei watched them walk away, noticing how Bai Fendou sped up. She scratched her head, unsure what was going on. Bai Fendou glanced back, saw Ming Mei heading to the restroom, and breathed a sigh of relief.

He led He Lan into his home. The weather wasn’t as warm as in summer, so people weren’t sitting outside chatting in the evenings. He quickly ushered her inside, saying, “Come on in. Make yourself at home.”

He Lan whispered, “Thank you.”

Bai Fendou waved it off. “Don’t mention it. I can’t stand seeing people being treated like that. Sit down for a bit, and I’ll get some food ready.”

He Lan gave a faint nod. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help, but in her former in-laws’ house, her mother-in-law had forbidden her from cooking. She could do all the other chores, but cooking was off-limits—her mother-in-law feared she’d sneak food. Unsure if Bai Fendou would let her cook, He Lan held her daughter close, gently rocking the baby, who let out a faint, kitten-like sound.

She sat on the edge of the bed, not moving, as she reflected on everything that had happened that day. It all felt like a dream.

He Lan came from a small capitalist family. Her father had owned a silk shop, with four or five stores, two of which specialized in tailoring. They weren’t major capitalists, but in that era, their wealth alone made them a target.

Her family hadn’t done anything wrong—they hadn’t exploited or mistreated anyone—but their good fortune meant they were labeled as “bad elements.”

She was the middle child of four. Her father had made arrangements for each of them, settling her in Yang Family Village. The reason for this was her father’s acquaintance with Fan Jianguo. When Fan Jianguo was a teenager, he’d been injured by an ox in the city, and her father happened to be passing by. He rushed Fan Jianguo to the hospital, saving his life. After that, the Fan family would send fresh vegetables from their fields during festivals, and her father would reciprocate with gifts of fish, meat, and even slightly flawed fabric. The two families maintained a friendly relationship. In fact, it was her family who had pulled strings to help Fan Jianguo enlist in the army.

Before her family’s downfall, her father had foreseen trouble and arranged for her to marry Fan Jianguo and settle in Yang Family Village. He believed that only by marrying into the Fan family could she avoid being implicated by her family’s troubles.

But He Lan never imagined that this marriage would trap her in a living nightmare.

Shortly after the wedding, her family fell from grace. Though heartbroken, He Lan followed her father’s instructions and cut ties with him. However, as soon as the He family collapsed, the Fan family revealed their true colors.

Her mother-in-law, who had treated her kindly before the wedding, suddenly dumped all the household chores on her. He Lan had to work in the fields during the day and take care of the entire family’s laundry—her brother-in-law’s family, her sister-in-law’s family, her sister-in-law, and the elderly couple.

She chopped firewood, fed the chickens, washed clothes, scrubbed dishes, carried water, and swept the floors.

She barely had time to sleep.

And if she didn’t do something perfectly, the family would beat her. Her mother-in-law, along with her two sisters-in-law and sister-in-law, would take turns hitting her. Over the years, as political tensions grew, they used her family background as an excuse to vent their frustrations on her. In four years of marriage, she had been beaten countless times.

In those days, many people held old-fashioned views, believing that “a clear official can’t settle family disputes.” So, even though some villagers disapproved of the Fan family’s ingratitude, no one dared to speak up for He Lan, fearing they’d bring trouble upon themselves.

He Lan endured it all in silence. She was always hungry and cold. No matter what the family ate, she was only given bran buns. If it weren’t for her labor in the fields, she wouldn’t even have gotten those. Even when she was eight months pregnant, she had to work in the fields. If she didn’t earn ten work points, her mother-in-law would pinch her. Her arms and legs were always bruised in places no one could see.

She had tried to talk to her husband about it, but Fan Jianguo always told her to endure.

He said, “My parents raised me with great difficulty. Since I’m away most of the time, you need to show filial piety on my behalf.”

He said, “I know you think my parents are unfair, but I don’t see it that way. Since I’m rarely home, my older brother and younger brother take care of everything. It’s only right that I be more accommodating. You’re from a capitalist family, so you’re used to being pampered, but there’s nothing wrong with doing more work.”

He said, “Our family hasn’t divided the household yet, so my salary has to go to my parents. Your dowry should be handed over too. Women shouldn’t hold onto money—you don’t know how to manage it. Let Mom handle it.”

He said, “I know my mom sometimes hits you, but if you weren’t doing something wrong, she wouldn’t have to. You need to reflect on yourself.”

He said, “So many women in the village give birth at home. Why do you think you’re so special? It’s that capitalist upbringing of yours.”

He said, “Look at you, why can’t you be more understanding? Mom’s upset because you gave birth to a daughter. You need to be more patient.”

He Lan was so thin during her pregnancy that she looked like a skeleton with a belly. She worked in the fields every day, trying to be careful, but one day Fan Yun pushed her down. Fan Yun had been trying to steal her clothes—He Lan’s decent clothes had already been taken by the women in the family. The only one left was a slightly thicker coat that looked tattered on the outside, so it had been overlooked. But Fan Yun discovered it was actually quite warm and, without a shred of shame, tried to strip it off He Lan right in the yard. This led to He Lan going into labor prematurely.

She managed to send a telegram to Fan Jianguo, but the result was devastating.

Fan Jianguo returned, but he blamed her for the incident.

He Lan was utterly despondent. If it weren’t for her daughter, she would have thrown herself into the river long ago.

But to her surprise, though the villagers had always turned a blind eye, an outsider had stepped in to defend her today. However, the outcome was that the Fan family wanted a divorce. He Lan wasn’t an ignorant village girl. She had been naive and carefree in her youth, but she was also educated. Coming from a well-off family, she had seen more of the world than most.

She could see that Fan Jianguo and his family were deliberately trying to get rid of her.

He Lan didn’t beg or plead. Four years of marriage had stripped her of her pride, broken her spirit, and crushed her individuality, but she knew begging would be pointless. She had no doubt that if she refused, she would “die accidentally.”

If she died, what would happen to her daughter?

The child was so small, so fragile.

If He Lan died, her daughter wouldn’t survive.

So she didn’t resist, even when the Fan family kicked her out without giving her a single change of clothes.

It was only then that He Lan realized the Fan family had been planning this all along. From the beginning, they had been wary of her background. Though they had held a wedding banquet, they had never registered the marriage.

Legally, Fan Jianguo was still an unmarried man.

Four years of toil, abuse, and suffering, and in the end, she had nothing—not even a legal marriage.

She knew she had to leave. If she stayed, she would surely die.

She had overheard Fan Jianguo talking to his mother. He mentioned that the daughter of one of his superiors had taken a liking to him, and he was considering pursuing it further. However, he didn’t know how to handle the situation. At the time, she hadn’t heard what her mother-in-law said, but she had seen the fierce, murderous look in her eyes.

He Lan had nothing. Carrying her daughter, she left the Fan household and quietly made her way to the riverbank. She thought that perhaps jumping into the river would end everything. But her daughter was still so young, so small, clinging to life with such tenacity. How could she, as a mother, be so weak? Just as she was at her most desperate and lost, she saw a man hiding behind a tree, waving at her. He Lan didn’t know why she went over, but she felt that this man was a good person.

Bai Fendou was terrified, thinking she was about to jump into the river. “Y-you can’t think of ending your life! It’s better to live a hard life than to die. Someone like him isn’t worth it.”

He Lan’s eyes were empty as she replied, “I wasn’t planning to die.”

Her words didn’t sound convincing at all. Bai Fendou stammered, “My name is Bai Fendou. I work at the Fourth Nine City Machinery Factory. Do you have nowhere to go?”

He Lan remained silent.

Seeing her pitiful state, Bai Fendou sighed and said, “How about you come live with me?”

He Lan immediately grew wary, her gaze sharp as she stared at Bai Fendou. “My family background is bad. I only have a sickly daughter, and I can’t have any more children.”

With such conditions, who would want her?

“M-my background is good, but… I’m just a toilet cleaner…” Bai Fendou hadn’t wanted to say it, but he felt that if he didn’t explain himself clearly, He Lan wouldn’t trust him. He looked at her with sympathy, thinking how tragic this young woman’s life was.

After a moment of hesitation, he added, “I can’t have children either.”

He stuttered, “W-would you… would you let your daughter take my surname, Bai?”

He Lan was stunned. Bai Fendou quickly added, “I’m not taking advantage of your situation. If you don’t want to, it’s fine. You can come with me for now, stay with me, and figure out what to do later…”

He Lan looked at him in surprise. Under her gaze, Bai Fendou decided to be blunt. “I was injured and… I can’t do… certain things.”

He Lan was even more shocked and whispered, “But my family background…”

Bai Fendou waved it off. “What does background matter? I can see you’ve been beaten and mistreated like this, so I know you’re not a bad person.”

He Lan pursed her lips.

Bai Fendou hesitated, then said, “So…”

“I’ll go with you!”

He Lan spoke firmly. “I’m willing to go with you. I don’t ask for much, just a place to live and raise my daughter. She’s still so small…”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wiped them away.

“I’m also willing to let my daughter take your surname, Bai.”

Bai Fendou was taken aback but quickly nodded. “Good, good…”

He Lan took a deep breath and said, “Let’s get married!”

…

“He Lan, dinner’s ready.”

While He Lan was lost in her memories, Bai Fendou had already prepared the meal. He said, “There’s not much at home, but I made some soup with an egg. You should have it.”

He Lan shook her head. “No, no, that’s too precious. You should have it. You need the energy for work…”

Back in the Fan household, women weren’t allowed to eat such good food. Even the favored daughters-in-law and Fan Yun weren’t allowed. The best food went to the eldest grandson and the men of the family.

It had been four years since He Lan had eaten an egg, even after giving birth.

Bai Fendou insisted, “What are you saying? I’m a grown man. I don’t need to eat well. I’m strong and healthy.”

He added, “You should eat. The child is still so small. You need to recover.”

He muttered, “I’ve never seen anyone as thin as you after giving birth. Li Fang and Xiao Zhuang’s wife in our courtyard, they all ate well after having children. If you don’t eat well, how will the child get enough milk?”

He glanced at the baby in He Lan’s arms, tiny and frail, like a little kitten.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

He Lan’s eyes reddened again. It had been so long since she had felt someone’s care.

She whispered, “I…”

Bai Fendou urged, “Drink the soup, then eat.”

He continued, “Tomorrow, I’ll get the necessary documents from the factory, and we’ll register our marriage.”

He Lan nodded firmly. “Okay.”

“Let’s keep it quiet until after we’ve registered. There’s someone in our courtyard who likes to stir up trouble whenever I mention getting married. This time, we’ll register first, then tell everyone.” He didn’t want any surprises.

He Lan nodded seriously.

She didn’t know much, but she was willing to trust Bai Fendou.

In her heart, she knew Bai Fendou was her and her daughter’s lifeline. If she hadn’t met him, even if she survived, her life would have been miserable—never knowing where her next meal would come from or where she could live. But Bai Fendou had taken her in. She was deeply grateful to him.

“I didn’t expect your village to issue the documents so quickly.”

They had agreed by the river earlier, and He Lan had gone straight to the village to get the necessary papers. Surprisingly, the village hadn’t stopped her. Not only that, but they had also prepared the documents for her to transfer her household registration and handed them to her.

She whispered, “Because my family background is bad, they’re eager for me to leave the village and not bring them any trouble.”

Bai Fendou was furious. “What kind of people are they?”

He Lan worried, “With my background… will you be able to get the documents?”

It wasn’t that He Lan was being overly cautious, but in those days, family background was extremely important. It affected everything, even the simplest tasks. He Lan had suffered so much because of it. She had endured beatings and insults in the Fan household without leaving, all because of her background.

If she hadn’t sensed the murderous intent in the Fan household this time, she wouldn’t have left with her daughter. She wouldn’t have minded dying herself, but she couldn’t bear to leave her newborn daughter, who was less than two months old.

“As for me…”

Bai Fendou waved his hand. “Don’t worry about that. Our factory isn’t some high-security unit. It’s just an ordinary factory. They won’t care who a toilet cleaner marries. Besides, to be honest…”

He felt a bit embarrassed but decided to be upfront. “My reputation in this area isn’t great. Even if your background is bad, people might still think of it as a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung. And I’m the cow dung.”

He actually thought he was a decent person and didn’t see anything wrong with himself, but the people around him didn’t share that opinion. He felt wronged, but he had to admit that in others’ eyes, he really wasn’t much.

“Once we’re married, we’ll go to the neighborhood committee. The director there always looks stern, but she’s a good person. When my father passed away, she helped a lot. I’ll make a scene if I have to. Even if she’s reluctant, seeing how pitiful you are, she probably won’t refuse to let you transfer your household registration here. However, your grain ration probably won’t be transferred. That’s just how it is.”

Normally, grain rations followed household registration, but due to the famine ten years ago, many people had fled their hometowns. Although they were eventually resettled, the situation was complicated, leading to some people’s household registration and grain rations being separated.

He Lan marrying Bai Fendou and transferring her household registration was normal, but transferring her grain ration would be difficult.

Bai Fendou didn’t have high hopes for that, but he comforted her, “With two adults and one child, my monthly salary of 25 yuan is enough if we budget carefully. The minimum living standard in Fourth Nine City is 5 yuan per person, so we’re doing better than that. I can take care of you.”

He Lan nodded firmly.

Bai Fendou smiled and said, “Eat some more.”

He scooped more food onto her plate. “Eat up, then rest.”

After a moment of thought, he added, “I’ll go to the Zhuang family for a bit. You sleep first.”

He Lan replied, “Okay.”

Bai Fendou said, "You can sleep in this room too. The room next door hasn’t been used for a long time, and I’ve been storing junk in there. It’s covered in a thick layer of dust, so don’t bother cleaning it. There’s not much coal left, but don’t worry, just use it."

After giving his instructions, he got up and left.

He Lan watched his retreating figure, thinking about Bai Fendou’s words. No matter how flawed this man might be, he had helped her in her time of need, and that made her believe he couldn’t be a bad person. She poked her daughter’s cheek and whispered, "Little one, we have a home now."

Tears silently rolled down her cheeks. She wiped them away and said earnestly, "We’ve really met a good person."

Although Bai Fendou had spoken with such certainty, deep down he was uneasy. Late at night, he went over and knocked on the door, calling out, "Xiao Zhuang, Zhuang Zhixi."

Zhuang Zhixi came out, draped in a coat, and asked, "What do you want?"

He had already heard from his wife that Bai Fendou had brought He Lan and her daughter home. He guessed this was about that.

"What’s the matter?" he asked, closing the door behind him and sitting on a small stool by the entrance.

Bai Fendou frowned, "What kind of person are you? You won’t even let me inside."

Zhuang Zhixi was calm, "My wife’s already in bed. It’s not appropriate for you to come in."

Bai Fendou said, "I’ve brought He Lan over. We’re planning to get married."

"And then?"

Bai Fendou hesitated, "Her background... do you think we can keep it hidden?"

Zhuang Zhixi looked at him and said, "No, we can’t."

Zhuang Zhixi continued, "You’re already the center of attention. If you marry her, people will speculate about why you’re marrying her, why she chose you, and her background will inevitably come to light."

Bai Fendou sighed, "I don’t care if people talk about me, but she’s suffered so much. I don’t want her to come here and be bullied again..."

To be honest, when Bai Fendou first saw He Lan, he didn’t think she was particularly beautiful. Besides, she had been beaten so badly that her face was swollen and bruised, making it hard to tell. Even if he could see clearly, He Lan wasn’t his usual type. But she was so pitiful. As a man, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of heroism. Seeing He Lan in need of help, Bai Fendou’s heart was instantly moved.

In truth, Wang Xiangxiu and Guan Guiling were also somewhat pitiful and in need of help.

Though He Lan looked different from them, she was just as pitiable, which aligned with Bai Fendou’s unchanging "aesthetic" in a way.

"She and her daughter have no one else to rely on. I’m just worried that Chen Yuan, that bastard, will stir up trouble again. He’s no good..."

Zhuang Zhixi thought for a moment and said, "Then you should strike first."

Bai Fendou was confused, "What do you mean?"

Zhuang Zhixi smiled, "Aren’t you afraid Chen Yuan will use He Lan’s background against you? Then take the initiative. Just come out and say it! Are you planning to register your marriage tomorrow?"

Bai Fendou nodded, still not fully understanding.

Zhuang Zhixi asked, "Are you going to throw a celebration after you get married?"

Bai Fendou rubbed his hands together, "Of course! It’s my first time getting married!"

Zhuang Zhixi shook his head, "Don’t throw a big celebration. Given He Lan’s background, it’s not appropriate. Just hand out some candies. Remember, don’t let her wear new clothes. Have her dress in rags, with her bruised face, and go around handing out candies with you."

"Why?" Bai Fendou asked, puzzled.

Zhuang Zhixi explained, "To play up the pity angle. If she looks miserable enough, people will focus less on her background. If she’s all dressed up and looking fine, what do you think people will speculate?"

Bai Fendou frowned, "But won’t people think I’m the one who beat her? I didn’t! I’m not that kind of person. It’s all because of Guan Guiling, always being vague and making people think I’m like that."

Just thinking about it made him angry. How could Guan Guiling get involved with Chen Yuan? It was outrageous.

Zhuang Zhixi said, "Let them talk. It won’t cost you anything. Of course, you’ll have to vehemently deny it. But the more you deny, the more people will think you did it..."

Bai Fendou grimaced, "Ugh!"

Zhuang Zhixi continued, "If they think that way, it’s not a bad thing. A daughter of a small capitalist living in misery—doesn’t that sound better? Oh, by the way, has she cut ties with her parents?"

Bai Fendou replied, "Yes, she has."

This was something everyone understood. Although there were many cases of people cutting ties with their families during those times, and it was often reported in the newspapers, in reality, not all of them were genuine. Some were likely agreed upon within the family to protect at least one member.

Of course, those who reported their own family members were exceptions—they deserved nothing but contempt.

"Since she’s cut ties, it’s easier to handle. Although we advocate for gender equality now, many people still believe that once a woman marries, she’s no longer connected to her birth family. So if her background is problematic and yours is fine, it’s not a big issue. If anyone brings it up, just explain the situation. Now, let’s talk about Chen Yuan."

If it were any other matter, Zhuang Zhixi wouldn’t bother helping Bai Fendou.

But this time, he was willing to lend a hand, and he did so gladly.

He said, "After you register your marriage tomorrow, wait until evening when everyone’s back, and then hand out the candies. Save Chen Yuan’s house for last. Your marriage will definitely cause a stir, and everyone will come out to watch the commotion. When you finally get to Chen Yuan’s house, just say to him..."

He leaned in and whispered a few words into Bai Fendou’s ear.

Bai Fendou’s eyes widened in shock, "Holy crap!"

Zhuang Zhixi raised an eyebrow, "Just say that. With those words, he probably won’t meddle in your marriage. In fact, he might even hope you stay together for a long time."

"But..." Bai Fendou looked at Zhuang Zhixi, at a loss for words.

Zhuang Zhixi said, "What are you looking at? If you don’t like it..."

"I like it!" Bai Fendou exclaimed. "If this solves the problem, why wouldn’t I like it? But... your idea is just too sneaky."

Zhuang Zhixi shrugged, "Take it or leave it."

He stood up, "Alright, I’m going home to sleep."

"Wait a second," Bai Fendou said hesitantly. "What do I need to prepare for the wedding?"

Zhuang Zhixi was speechless for a moment.

Bai Fendou added, "It’s my first time getting married."

Zhuang Zhixi said sincerely, "Let’s focus on getting the marriage certificate first."

Getting married was proving to be quite a challenge for Bai Fendou.

First, he had an unreliable father. Then, he got caught up in the charms of a widow and couldn’t extricate himself—and worst of all, he got nothing out of it. And now, there was the petty and vindictive Chen Yuan.

Of course, in Zhuang Zhixi’s view, Chen Yuan’s bad intentions had accidentally done some good.

But Chen Yuan was just too petty.

What a jerk!

So, Zhuang Zhixi patted Bai Fendou on the shoulder, "First, get the certificate. Be careful and steady. Once you have that, follow my plan."

"Alright, I’ll listen to you."

Zhuang Zhixi turned to go home, but before he could step inside, Bai Fendou called out, "Wait!"

Zhuang Zhixi asked, "What now?"

Bai Fendou hesitated, "Do you think I should take He Lan to the hospital? She’s pretty badly injured."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "After you get the certificate, settle the household registration, and meet everyone, then take her to the hospital."

He took a deep breath, feeling that Bai Fendou still hadn’t fully grasped his advice. He added a few more words, "Your marriage will only draw attention at the beginning. Once time passes, no one will care about Bai Fendou’s life anymore. So the initial period is crucial. Because so many people will be watching you, even though He Lan has cut ties with her family, her background is still problematic. The more miserable she looks, the less people will focus on her background. The fact that she was beaten by her previous family, though cruel, actually works in your favor. Remember two words: play up the pity! Play it up, play it up, play it up! Do you understand? You might face some criticism, but as long as you didn’t do it, you didn’t do it! All the neighbors know it wasn’t you! And besides, your reputation is already what it is. A little more or less criticism won’t make much difference."

Bai Fendou nodded, "Got it."

"Now, can I go home?" Zhuang Zhixi asked seriously.

Bai Fendou said, "Wait a second."

Zhuang Zhixi was almost driven to the edge of madness. This person was truly unbearable. Would it ever end? He took a deep breath, feeling that doing good deeds was no easy task. He had to constantly restrain himself from losing his temper. He said, "Go on, say it."

"Raising a child..."

Zhuang Zhixi: "We'll talk about that later!"

His face darkened: "You don't have to say everything in one day!"

After a pause, he added, "Instead, you should introduce He Lan to some of the people and things in our courtyard. Don't leave her in the dark."

With that, he finally opened the door and slammed it shut with a loud bang. This Bai Fendou, really!

Bai Fendou clicked his tongue and silently returned home. When he arrived, he saw that He Lan had already tidied up the dining table. Her daughter was already asleep in bed, while He Lan was sweeping the floor. She was nervous and could only keep herself busy with chores.

As soon as Bai Fendou entered, he said, "No need to clean up. It's late, you should rest."

He Lan was a bit tense, but seeing that Bai Fendou didn't seem to have any ulterior motives, she relaxed a little.

The two of them quickly finished tidying up and lay down. The little girl lay between them, so small and unaffected by the new environment, sleeping soundly. He Lan and Bai Fendou lay on either side of her. He Lan whispered, "Can I really marry into this family?"

She could hardly believe it.

She had forgotten what a normal life was supposed to be like.

"Of course you can. Let me introduce you to the people in our courtyard. First, let's talk about Chen Yuan. He was the one who ruined my last almost-marriage..."

He Lan listened attentively: "Go on."

The two of them didn't sleep, instead spending the time introducing the people in the courtyard.

They weren't asleep, and neither were Zhuang Zhixi and his wife. After a passionate night together, they finally lay down on the pillows, drenched in sweat. Zhuang Zhixi panted and said, "Our baby is so well-behaved, not disturbing mommy and daddy's time together."

Ming Mei pinched Zhuang Zhixi lightly, and he exclaimed, "Ouch!"

He grabbed Ming Mei's delicate hand and kissed it, asking, "Was it good?"

Ming Mei murmured softly, and Zhuang Zhixi teased, "You're not being honest!"

Ming Mei let out a soft laugh and then snuggled into his arms. Zhuang Zhixi kissed her forehead.

Ming Mei wrapped her arms around his waist and asked, "Are you tired?"

Zhuang Zhixi immediately perked up, saying, "Tired? I don't even know the meaning of the word. If you're up for it, I can keep going..."

Ming Mei poked him: "No way."

Even if he wasn't tired, she was. Seeing his hands start to wander again, Ming Mei, lying in Zhuang Zhixi's arms, changed the subject: "What did Bai Fendou want with you?"

Zhuang Zhixi knew Ming Mei was deliberately changing the topic, but he didn't call her out on it. He smiled and said, "He's worried that Chen Yuan might ruin his marriage and that someone might bring up He Lan's background."

Ming Mei sat up abruptly: "And then?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "I think it'll be fine."

Ming Mei let out a sigh and said, "She's had a hard life."

Zhuang Zhixi hadn't mentioned He Lan when he came back earlier. It wasn't until the evening, when Ming Mei ran into Bai Fendou and He Lan returning together, that Zhuang Zhixi brought it up at dinner. Both Zhao Guihua and Ming Mei were surprised, marveling at the coincidence.

Who would have thought that someone from the same hospital ward would end up living in the same courtyard?

That ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‍wicked mother-in-law, she seemed to be everywhere, but behind every wicked mother-in-law was an equally useless husband.

Although they sometimes looked down on Bai Fendou, they had to admit that while he wasn't the smartest, he wasn't a bad person. If He Lan ended up with Bai Fendou, it might not be such a bad thing.

At the very least, He Lan's life would have some stability for the next few years.

As for the future, whether He Lan would grow to resent Bai Fendou, no one could say.

No one could see the future, not even Zhao Guihua.

In her previous life, she hadn't even known He Lan.

Ming Mei didn't know He Lan very well, but after hearing Zhuang Zhixi's account of today's events and what had happened at the hospital, she sighed, "It's true what they say: men fear choosing the wrong career, and women fear marrying the wrong man."

Zhuang Zhixi nodded in agreement and praised himself, "You're so lucky to have met such a great man like me."

Ming Mei smiled faintly and said, "If you dare to treat me poorly, I won't even need my dad to step in. I can teach you a lesson myself."

She clenched her fist and blew on it dramatically. Zhuang Zhixi burst out laughing, "Oh, look at you, so tough."

Ming Mei: "Of course."

She said, "In my life, there's no room for the word 'tolerate.'"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Alright, alright, you're the toughest."

He pulled her back and said, "Let's sleep. We should rest early. I need to recharge because tomorrow is going to be a big day."

Bai Fendou getting married—if it didn't shock the entire city, it would at least shake up the machinery factory and Xinghuali Lane.

He said, "Tomorrow, it's all about Bai Fendou."

Ming Mei glanced at her husband, sensing that he hadn't given Bai Fendou the best advice. She looked him up and down, and Zhuang Zhixi grinned, "If you're not tired, we can..."

"Sleep!"

Ming Mei quickly settled down. She had good stamina, but even she needed rest!

The morning sun was particularly bright.

Perhaps the heavens knew that today, a young couple was getting married.

Bai Fendou didn't let He Lan and her daughter leave the house early in the morning, mainly because he was afraid something might go wrong. He Lan, unfamiliar with the area, naturally obeyed. Bai Fendou rushed to his workplace early, heading straight to the HR department. Under the stunned gaze of the HR lady, he quickly got a reference letter.

The HR lady didn't even know what she was doing, acting purely on instinct.

Bai Fendou got the reference letter, took the day off, and dashed out of the factory as if being chased by ghosts.

By the time Bai Fendou had already left, the HR lady let out a scream: "Ahhh! Bai Fendou is getting married!"

She screamed, feeling that this was the biggest news in the machinery factory. She ran out shouting, "Bai Fendou is getting married!"

"Ah!"

"To whom?"

"What's going on? He's getting married? Is that woman crazy, choosing him?"

"Could it be a mistake?"

Soon, people were rushing out, gossiping. Meanwhile, Bai Fendou had already ridden his bike out of the factory and headed home. He found He Lan sitting at home, lost in thought. Panting, he said, "Let's go, we're getting our marriage certificate."

He Lan: "Alright."

Getting the marriage certificate was a good thing for He Lan. Her husband was a poor peasant, which was a good status to have. The two of them carried their child and left the house. As soon as they stepped out, they ran into Zhao Guihua, who was washing diapers in the courtyard. She looked up but didn't say anything, just waved at Bai Fendou.

Bai Fendou knew he couldn't afford to be careless until he had the marriage certificate in hand.

Sigh, getting married was such a struggle.

But fortunately, this time things went smoothly. Bai Fendou and He Lan arrived at the marriage registration office, and under the bewildered and shocked gazes of the staff, they got their marriage certificate.

The woman handling the registration even asked, "Are you being forced into this marriage? Marriage is supposed to be free now."

Her suspicious and wary eyes scanned Bai Fendou intensely. Bai Fendou felt utterly wronged. But remembering Zhuang Zhixi's advice, he loudly retorted, "I didn't force her, and I didn't hit her either."

Well, the more he explained, the more suspicious they became.

It was only when He Lan firmly said, "Brother Bai is a good man. These injuries weren't caused by him. He treats me well. Marrying him is my good fortune."

Ah, this...

It was hard to explain.

But since both Bai Fendou and He Lan insisted that they were marrying willingly, they were able to get their marriage certificate. However, when registering, the staff noticed He Lan's background, which gave them some understanding of why she had chosen Bai Fendou.

Nowadays, people are very particular about this sort of thing. Generally, whenever they encounter a capitalist, they’d curse them. But seeing He Lan covered in scars and married to someone like Bai Fendou—ah, Bai Fendou, a man of notorious reputation—well, it’s not exactly ideal. Everyone knows about him.

Looking at it this way, one can’t help but feel a bit more sympathy for He Lan.

After all, given her background, what kind of family could she possibly marry into? This is already considered good for her.

The two of them got their marriage certificate, and both had smiles on their faces. Bai Fendou and He Lan were, in theory, both marrying for the first time. Holding the marriage certificate, they couldn’t help but grin. As they walked out together, Bai Fendou waved the certificate in his hand and said, “Let’s go, we’ll register our household at the neighborhood office.”

He Lan replied, “Okay.”

She was also eager to leave Yang Family Village, and the village was just as eager to see her go. In truth, she felt the same way. As expected, registering the household wasn’t as easy as getting married, but thanks to Bai Fendou’s dramatic antics and He Lan’s pitiful pleas, they managed to get it done in the end.

After all, they were already married.

Director Wang at the neighborhood office looked at Bai Fendou with a mix of frustration and disappointment. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but now that you’re married, don’t expect your career to go anywhere.”

Bai Fendou, however, didn’t seem to care. “I’ve already offended the son of our logistics director, Chen. He’s been pulling all sorts of tricks behind my back. Even if I didn’t get married, my career wouldn’t go anywhere. So what’s the harm in getting married? Besides, I’m just a janitor. What kind of career prospects could I possibly have? Promote me to head of sanitation? What good would that do?”

Director Wang: “...”

Well, he had a point.

Bai Fendou walked out of the neighborhood office hand in hand with his wife, holding the household registration booklet. He was listed as the head of the household, and his wife was He Lan.

They hadn’t yet registered their daughter’s household status. Bai Fendou had originally wanted to take care of it all at once, but since they hadn’t settled on a name yet, they decided to postpone it for now. Bai Fendou led his wife back home, but this time, he walked with much more confidence.

After all, he had successfully gotten married, and now he was officially leading his wife home.

On their first day as a married couple, Bai Fendou bought some meat, and the two of them made dumplings together. However, He Lan made sure to seal all the doors and windows tightly, afraid that the smell might attract attention. The experiences of the past few years had left their mark on her, and even the slightest disturbance made her anxious.

Seeing her so cautious, Bai Fendou felt a pang of sadness.

Although not everyone in their compound was wealthy, many of the worker families could afford to eat meat every now and then. But looking at He Lan, she seemed so pitiful. He said earnestly, “Don’t worry. Now that you’re married to me, I’ll protect you for the rest of your life.”

He Lan rubbed her eyes.

Bai Fendou added, “Don’t cry all the time. It’s not good for your eyes. I’ll take care of everything.”

He Lan nodded firmly. “I’ll listen to you.”

Bai Fendou said, “Come on, let’s eat the dumplings.”

He needed to eat his fill because later, when everyone got off work, he planned to stir up some trouble with Chen Yuan… Thinking of Zhuang Zhixi’s idea, Bai Fendou’s lips twitched. It was so outrageous, absolutely outrageous.

But he thought it might work.

By the end of the day, news of Bai Fendou getting married had spread like wildfire. As soon as work ended, everyone rushed home, eager to witness the spectacle. Who wouldn’t want to know who Bai Fendou had married?

This time, it was completely unpredictable!

Last time, it had been Guan Guiling, and everyone could see it coming.

But this time?

Was it an old flame rekindled?

But it didn’t seem like it.

Everyone was on edge, though Yang Lixin had a vague suspicion. Still, he didn’t say anything, as his guess might not be accurate. As people started returning home from work, Bai Fendou walked out holding his wife’s hand. He carried a bag of wedding candies, while He Lan held their child.

They began handing out candies to every household.

This time, even the Su family wasn’t left out. Since they hadn’t held a wedding ceremony, they had saved quite a bit of money, allowing Bai Fendou to buy more candies. He grabbed a handful and handed them to Wang Xiangxiu, saying, “Wang Xiangxiu, I’m married now. This is my wife, He Lan.”

He Lan, her face swollen and bruised to the point of being unrecognizable, spoke softly, “Hello, Sister Xiangxiu. We’ll be neighbors from now on. Please take care of us.”

Wang Xiangxiu: “...”

She looked at He Lan’s face with a mix of pity and suspicion, then glanced at Bai Fendou.

Did he do this to her?

Right? Right?

But Wang Xiangxiu didn’t dare say anything. After all, Aunt Su had been responsible for the death of Old Bai, and even though she had cut ties with Aunt Su, the incident still lingered in everyone’s minds. She couldn’t afford to make any comments. Besides, given their past history, it was best not to get too involved with Bai Fendou.

She simply nodded and said, “Congratulations.”

Bai Fendou smiled and moved on to the Zhuang family to hand out candies. Ming Mei smiled at He Lan and said, “If there’s anything you don’t understand about the neighborhood, feel free to ask me.”

He Lan replied, “Okay.”

She remembered Ming Mei and Zhao Guihua. They were a kind family.

Next, they visited the Zhou family, Uncle Lan’s house, and Yang Lixin’s mother-in-law’s place… After making the rounds, they finally arrived at Chen Yuan and Tao Yuyue’s doorstep. He Lan knew this was the last household and also the most difficult one to deal with.

They knocked on the door, and Chen Yuan opened it.

He had already heard about Bai Fendou’s marriage and was pondering how to stir up trouble.

He hadn’t expected Bai Fendou to show up at his doorstep.

Standing at the door, Chen Yuan sneered, “What’s this? The eunuch’s getting married? Which poor girl did you trick this time?”

Bai Fendou took a deep breath and dropped a bombshell: “Chen Yuan, do you have a crush on me?”