Chapter 2: Applying for Marriage

Meng Xiaoling had already gotten involved with Li Weidong.

This unscrupulous man and shameless woman had conspired, driven by their own selfish desires, to frame an innocent girl.

The original owner took the blame for them, enduring the scorn of everyone, and could no longer continue working.

After her timid nature was exposed along with the matter involving Huo Zheng, and under her father's pressure, she relinquished her job.

Meng Xiaoling took the opportunity to ingratiate herself and, without the original owner’s knowledge, casually snatched the position of a full-time employee.

Lu Mingyue was furious.

“Ah, if only I had slapped Meng Xiaoling twice just now,” she lamented, lost in her own thoughts, completely unaware that a figure had appeared on the windowsill.

After hearing no sound from inside the room, Huo Zheng climbed back up.

Lu Mingyue’s voice echoed again in his ears as he looked inside to see her making fierce gestures in front of the mirror.

The building where the Meng family lived was at the far end of the residential compound, with a river outside. Hanging there, he needn’t worry about being seen.

But this approach felt awkward; he needed to understand why he and Lu Mingyue were in the same room.

Supporting himself on the windowsill with both hands, Huo Zheng jumped inside.

Lu Mingyue turned around and, seeing him return, her eyes flickered with surprise.

This was the first time she had clearly seen Huo Zheng’s face. The original owner was cautious and quiet at home, either bowing her head or hiding away, rarely seen except when working.

Huo Zheng had been to their home twice before, and each time the original owner hid from him.

Because of this, her father, Meng Mancang, despised her as someone who couldn’t uphold the family’s reputation.

Huo Zheng stood tall and straight like a sturdy pine, exuding a unique aura.

His face was rugged and well-defined, with a high nose bridge and a pair of piercing eyes as sharp as a leopard’s.

Before him, Lu Mingyue felt exposed and quickly looked away after a brief glance.

Huo Zheng took the initiative to speak: “Comrade Lu, I apologize for what happened earlier. I thought this was Meng Jun’s bedroom, which is why…”

Regardless, he admitted his fault and took full responsibility.

“I will explain this matter to Uncle Meng and marry you as my wife.”

“What?!”

Lu Mingyue thought the matter had ended there, and the only remaining issue was her grudge with Meng Xiaoling.

After all, in her mind, nothing had happened between the two of them, and everything could be salvaged.

But hearing Huo Zheng say he wanted to marry her, Lu Mingyue fell silent, recalling why the original owner had married him.

The original owner had been harassed at the machinery factory and had been hiding at home recently.

The harasser was Hu Sanbao, the son of the factory director—fat-headed and big-eared, with thinning hair like a shedding turtle’s, yet broad and bulky, standing in front of the original owner like a wall.

After encountering the original owner once, he became infatuated and persistently harassed her. Timid and unable to confront him, she took leave to stay home and avoid going out.

Last night, while going out to the restroom, she overheard her stepmother Tian Xiaojun and Meng Mancang discussing her marriage.

They planned to marry the original owner off to Hu Sanbao in exchange for Meng Jun securing a full-time position at the machinery factory.

Despite repeatedly asking her father for help when harassed, he had ignored her pleas—his true intentions now revealed.

Overwhelmed by grief and recalling her mother’s early death and her father’s coldness, the original owner felt hopeless if she were to be given away like a gift to Hu Sanbao. She took an overdose of sleeping pills before bed.

By a twist of fate, Lu Mingyue from the twenty-first century found herself here.

The original owner was utterly alone; even if the machinery factory, out of respect for her late mother, could mediate with Hu Sanbao, they could not protect her forever.

As long as he remained obsessed, she would always be in danger.

If she married Huo Zheng, even without considering other benefits, just the fact that it would ruin the marriage meant Hu Sanbao would never dare to lay a finger on her.

In the original story, Hu Sanbao gave up his intentions because of Huo Zheng.

Lu Mingyue’s eyes brightened; she needed a protector, and Huo Zheng needed a wife.

The book mentioned he lost the chance to become a father in a battle, so if they married, she wouldn’t need to bear children.

A ready-made husband, a ready-made child, becoming a mother effortlessly—this seemed acceptable to Lu Mingyue.

The more she thought, the more suitable the match seemed.

After a long silence, Huo Zheng thought she was unwilling and said, “If you don’t want to…”

“Comrade Huo, I think what you said makes perfect sense. I agree to marry you.”

Prepared for rejection, Huo Zheng lifted his eyes at her willingness.

“Comrade Lu, are you sure about this?”

He stared intently into her eyes, trying to discern her true feelings.

Lu Mingyue nodded. “I’ve thought it through. Do you regret it?”

“Of course not.”

Huo Zheng simply didn’t want her to have regrets.

“My situation is special. After marriage, I may need you to join the military, which means you will have to leave home—the place you’ve lived in for so many years. Would you be willing?”

This match was arranged by higher-ups in conjunction with the machinery factory director. Huo Zheng was determined to settle this major matter.

Originally, the match was with Meng Xiaoling, but now it was Lu Mingyue—whether this was a blessing or a curse, he didn’t know.

But seeing Lu Mingyue’s bright eyes, Huo Zheng felt he could trust her.

“I’m willing.”

With a heartless father and cruel stepmother, a scheming stepsister digging traps, and a parasitic brother waiting to suck her dry—

What was there to be reluctant about in this family?

Leaving here, she realized it wasn’t raining outside at all.

---

“Comrade Lu Mingyue, please allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Huo Zheng, I’m 26 years old, working on Shashi Island, and have two children at home.”

Huo Zheng saluted solemnly, his eyes filled with determination.

“I’m Lu Mingyue. You know my family situation. I look forward to working with you.”

Before Huo Zheng arrived, the marriage report had already been submitted. As long as her documents passed verification, their marriage would proceed smoothly.

Having settled their future, Lu Mingyue no longer hesitated. With Huo Zheng’s company, she went to the neighborhood committee to obtain a certificate.

Huo Zheng called his superiors to inform them about the marriage. Once Lu Mingyue’s documents were verified, they could leave.

“The verification might take two days to complete.”

The unit had its own review process. Two days was already expedited by the superiors, recognizing his difficulties.

Lu Mingyue nodded. The length of time didn’t matter, but leaving as soon as possible was best.

During this period, she planned to resolve all matters so she could leave without worries.

“Comrade Lu, let me know when it’s convenient—I’ll visit your home.”

He wanted to inform her family about the marriage, suddenly switching the prospective bride—no family would easily accept such a change.

Huo Zheng was even prepared to be beaten up.

“No need.”

Hmm?

Huo Zheng was somewhat taken aback.

Lu Mingyue told him about the original owner’s situation. The unembellished truth elicited empathy.

As the only one without the family surname, Lu Mingyue was the target of the entire family.

If she married out, the whole family would probably applaud and see her off.

She felt no attachment to this cold family. Rather than leaving her belongings to them, she would take them herself.

After hearing Lu Mingyue’s words, Huo Zheng’s eyes flickered with pity. No wonder she had been silent during their two meetings.

He took her change in attitude as awakening—after all, being schemed against by one’s own family was a bitter experience.

On the way back, Lu Mingyue thought about that morning’s embarrassing incident.

“I didn’t mean it this morning; don’t take it to heart.”

“I know.”

Lu Mingyue widened her eyes, wondering if he had noticed something amiss.

Thinking of Huo Zheng’s status, she understood immediately. Since he knew, she would say no more.