TFRLTOP Chapter 29 Part 2

Back then, with the way she clung and pestered, who else could she have been so desperate to marry if not him? Wang Hu?

Or maybe she was just a fickle, shallow woman—burning hot for him one moment, and before the wedding was even finished, already transferring her affections elsewhere?

No matter what kind of woman she was, Yan Junsheng knew he could never truly care for her.

“If this is just another one of your little tricks, don’t bother. Chen Chanjun, remember this: you and I were never meant to be, and we won’t end well.”

Ming Ming lifted her eyes to him. He thought she’d come out with something like, “I don’t believe that,” or, “I’ll walk with you no matter what.” But instead, she just gave him a glance, showing no real emotion, and turned to call out to her father: “Dad, I’m tired. I’m going back first. You stay and entertain the guests.”

Junsheng pressed his lips together, feeling like he’d just swung a fist into a pile of cotton—hollow and powerless.

Chanjun slipped her arm free and walked off on her own, leaving him behind. He stood there alone, the bride leaving the wedding hall while the groom—practically a “live-in son-in-law”—stayed put. Of course the crowd would whisper and judge.

Maybe that’s exactly what she wanted.

She never really wanted to marry him. She just wanted to use this marriage to humiliate him.

Junsheng clenched his fists tight, his face a mask of cold fury as his eyes followed her retreating back.

Suddenly, Chanjun stopped, turned around, and gave him a puzzled look—her gaze seemed to ask, Why aren’t you following me?

In an instant, his fists loosened.

He let out the faintest breath, said nothing, and strode after her.

The bridal chamber was a surprisingly spacious brick house, much larger than most homes in the village. There was even a little vegetable plot in the courtyard. Ming Ming couldn’t quite understand it—weren’t there already acres and acres of farmland outside? Why bother planting vegetables at home too?

Behind the yard was a cowshed and a sheep pen, the smell sharp and pungent. Ming Ming only gave it a glance from afar, unwilling to go closer. At the front was a chicken coop, and a big white goose strutted around like a king on patrol. It stopped right in front of her, and the two of them locked eyes. Ming Ming stiffened her neck as if squaring off with it.

She remembered the orphanage she grew up in had kept a goose too. Truth be told, geese sometimes make better guard animals than dogs. Unfortunately, when she was little, she used to tease cats, mess with dogs, and even pluck feathers from the goose’s backside to make shuttlecocks. In the end, the goose had chased her for two miles and still managed to bite her on the butt.

A lasting childhood trauma.

She decided to head inside.

Chen Weiguo only had this one daughter, and he doted on her. All the furniture had been prepared with care—solid wood saved up for years, carved by skilled craftsmen. It was obvious how much thought had gone into it.

They entered the bedroom one after the other. A big red double happiness character was pasted on the wall above the bed, and everything—sheets, quilt, pillows—was bright red, festive to the extreme.

After a brief moment of thought, Ming Ming heartlessly kicked Junsheng out. “I’m staying here. You go find another room.”

He said nothing, quietly picked up his blanket and pillow, and went to the room next door.

Ming Ming collapsed on the bed, feeling down.

“Why do I feel like you’re even less happy than Yan Junsheng?” the system asked, peeking curiously.

With the weight of the world in her tone, Ming Ming replied, “I haven’t touched my phone all day…”

“…” The system fell silent. “I really don’t get you humans.”

“Why was I so restrained in the last world? When I had money and freedom, why didn’t I splurge and enjoy myself? Now in this world, even if I want to spend money, I don’t have the means.” A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. Then suddenly, she sat bolt upright, remembering something. “Speaking of which, there’s one thing I always wanted to try in the last world but never did.”

“What’s that?”

“Cheating,” she declared without hesitation.

System: ?

Ming Ming slapped her fist into her palm, eyes lighting up. “Adultery drama—it sounds fun! Tomorrow I’ll go seduce Wang Hu, then let Yan Junsheng catch us in the act. Say what you will, but Wang Hu’s looks are exactly my type… Let’s shatter my moral bottom line!”

System: … Sure, whatever.

See? This is exactly why you were chosen.

There’s always a reason.

You really don’t have a single redeeming quality.

“You really think he’d care? Judging by the way he treats you, if you dropped dead in a ditch, he wouldn’t even blink.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. A man’s hatred and fear of being cuckolded is practically carved into his bones. They see it as a challenge to their pride and dignity.” Ming Ming gave a smug little hum. “Even if he doesn’t like Chen Chanjun, catching me with Wang Hu would still drive him insane.”

“I think being forced to marry you already insulted his pride and dignity enough. Maybe he’s numb by now.”

Ming Ming rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Fair point.”

“You really seem to despise Yan Junsheng. Why? Don’t tell me you’ve suddenly gone full ‘vicious supporting female.’ You weren’t even this bad with Huo Xiao.”

“Oh, that?” Ming Ming shrugged. “When you’re detoxing, some people just get on your nerves for no reason.”

“If I had money, a phone, snacks, and modern tech to enjoy, I’d probably toy with him and make him my stress-relief boy toy.”

“But I don’t.”

“I. Have. Nothing.”

“Deal with it,” she thought coldly. “I’m unhappy, you’re unhappy—we’ll just torment each other.”