TFRLTOP Chapter 29 Part 1

Chapter 29 The Educated Youth’s Castoff Wife

◎ A few flags that make you sick of each other ◎

“Nowadays, everyone preaches freedom in marriage, freedom in divorce. Yan Junsheng is from the city—does Chen Weiguo really think forcing his daughter on him means he’s snagged a backer? Once Junsheng finds a way to make a comeback, the first thing he’ll do is ditch Chen Chanjun.”

“Exactly! By then, his girl will be nothing but a divorced castoff—who would want her? Just wait, they’ll be the laughingstock of the whole village!”

A few jealous young wives and old biddies muttered together, while an old man nearby joined in: “Their family’s bound to be lively. Let’s just sit back and enjoy the show!”

Ming Ming rolled her eyes hard as the system relayed the gossip in real time.

“In a sense, they’re actually predicting your future pretty accurately,” the system said evenly, though it couldn’t quite hide its glee. “And as for Wang Hu, don’t get too happy—according to the original script, he was supposed to beat you.”

Over by Yan Junsheng, whether it was the alcohol feeding his frustration or not, his face was darkening by the minute. Standing beside Chen Chanjun, he didn’t give her a single proper look.

Ming Ming found everything and everyone here incredibly irritating.

Her eyes flicked, and an idea came to her. She swore she’d make every last one of them uncomfortable.

“Junsheng.” She called sweetly.

He turned his head, and in a flash, Ming Ming grabbed his collar and yanked him down, pressing her lips hard against his.

For someone with such thin, cold lips, they were unexpectedly soft—that was Ming Ming’s first thought.

Half-lidded, she watched as Junsheng’s eyes widened in shock.

Completely unprepared, he froze.

He never imagined Chen Chanjun would be this bold. In foreign countries, men and women might be open like this, but here in China, people’s minds and attitudes were nowhere near that level. Even married couples, at most, drank cross-cupped wine at their wedding banquet—no one kissed in front of a crowd.

Gasps and exclamations rose all around, quickly followed by whistles and applause.

Junsheng’s face flushed red.

At length, Ming Ming let him go. Her lipstick had smeared onto his lips. She brushed her thumb across his mouth to wipe it away, and in the cover of the crowd’s noise, whispered so only he could hear: “Thanks for playing along.”

Junsheng didn’t understand her meaning until he followed her sideways glance toward the gossiping women. A few of them dropped their eyes in embarrassment.

Then it clicked.

They must have said something nasty, and Chen Chanjun had staged that kiss in front of everyone just to shut them up.

Junsheng clenched his molars. Dropping his gaze, he hid all expression in an instant. To the crowd, it looked like the groom was just shy.

But the sense of humiliation flooding him lingered, thick and unshakable.

He was nothing more than a prop—paraded around by Chen Chanjun and Chen Weiguo, while the audience pointed and whispered.

These people had no concept of respect. Beneath their “simple” rural ways lurked a crude, backward streak that couldn’t be ignored.

Junsheng would never belong here.

By the time the toasts reached Wang Hu’s table, Ming Ming was tipsy. She clutched at chairs and tables for balance before finally leaning half against Junsheng.

He frowned, wanting to pull away, but looking at how unsteady she was, he decided against it. If he moved and let her fall, she’d no doubt make a huge scene. So he pinched his nose metaphorically and let her lean on him.

Ming Ming felt much better and raised her glass toward her future ex-husband with a teasing grin. “Wang Hu, you’re looking pretty sharp today. Honestly, I think you’re more handsome than the groom. What—trying to steal his spotlight?”

Lounging back in his chair, Wang Hu smirked, cocky as ever. “Then why’d you marry him and not me?”

A villager smacked him on the shoulder. “Watch your mouth! You’re trying to steal the bride on her wedding day?”

The others laughed it off as a joke.

Ming Ming clung to Junsheng’s arm, curious. “Wang Hu, how old are you?”

“Are you stupid, Chen Chanjun? Same age as you.”

“Exactly!” Ming Ming pointed at herself. “Eighteen.” Then she pointed at Junsheng. “Twenty.”

“See? I can legally marry him. You, I’d have to wait two more years.”

She winked, raising her glass. “So—two years later, once I’m divorced, I’ll marry you instead.”

A chorus of mock scolding erupted: “What nonsense to say on your wedding day!”

Ming Ming only shrugged. “What? Half the village is already waiting for us to divorce anyway. Right?” She shook Junsheng’s arm.

Junsheng kept a stone face and muttered, “You’re drunk.”

Supporting her, he apologized politely to the table: “She’s had a bit too much. I’ll take her out. Sorry.”

As he dragged her away, Ming Ming was still waving at Wang Hu, winking playfully. “And you’re two months younger than me, right? I like younger guys.”

Wang Hu slammed the table, laughing and cursing. “Quit taking advantage of me, damn it!” His face was flushed, whether from the booze or the heat.

Junsheng’s expression darkened with irritation. Tight-lipped, he strode forward.

Ming Ming tilted her head up at him, feigning surprise. “Oh my, is my Junsheng angry? Who upset you?”

“You city boys are so delicate,” she muttered, tugging him toward a table full of young girls and wives. “Hang on, I’ll find some pretty ones to cheer you up.”

“Chen Chanjun!” Junsheng snapped in a low growl.

Ming Ming thought those three words must have rattled around in his chest a thousand times, full of gnashing frustration.

She sighed. “I know you can’t stand me. Just put up with it. Once you get the chance to go back, you’ll be rid of me.”

Junsheng frowned. From her tone, it sounded like… she didn’t want to marry him either?

If not for her relentless pursuit, Chen Weiguo never would’ve come to him, threatening him with his father’s situation, forcing this marriage. And now—she wasn’t happy either?

He gave her a cold, cutting look, convinced this was just another one of her tricks.