I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

The Lin family left, leaving only the Han family in the house.

Han Dan covered her face and said, "I'll go cook for you."

Han Dan's father called out, "Dandan, did Daddy hurt you?"

"No, it doesn't hurt."

"Come, sit down, and listen to what your father has to say."

Han Dan sat down, tears streaming down her face like raindrops.

"Father knows you've been wronged, but this marriage can't end in divorce."

"Father, why can't we get a divorce? Are you going to make our child live like a widow?" Han Danniang cried, holding her daughter.

"If you stay in the city, you'll only make 18 yuan a month, barely enough to support yourself. If you go back home, what kind of man can you find after your second marriage? You'll be exposed to wind and rain all year round, working yourself to death and barely making any money. Even if your son-in-law isn't the best, if he earns a high salary, you'll have enough to eat and wear, and you'll still have dignity, right?"

Han Dan's father explained in detail why they couldn't get a divorce, and Han Dan cried even harder.

"What does that matter between men and women compared to food? You've become so comfortable in the city that you've forgotten the hardships back home. We couldn't even get enough to eat, and the more children we had, the harder it became. Besides his health, what else is wrong with Lin Jie?"

"We've given you the money, so you can go back to your hometown with a grand entrance, lots and lots of it. Everyone in the village will envy you. But if you get divorced, will you still have a good reputation? People will just say, 'Lin Jie didn't want you anymore.'"

Han Dan's father sighed, and Han Dan's mother also wavered: "Dan, what your father said isn't without reason."

"And then there's your brother. His grades are mediocre, and getting into university will be a struggle for him. If your son-in-law just says a word, he can easily arrange a job for him in the city. If you get divorced, the family's reputation will crumble, and your brother will end up like your father, living a hard and unremarkable life."

"Father, Mother, please stop talking. I won't get a divorce, okay?"

"Sigh, I know you're feeling wronged, but what can our poor family do?"

When their son's future was involved, Han Dan's mother immediately sided with Han Dan's father: "Yes, Dan Dan, if you really want a divorce, you have to let your younger brother go to the city and get a job first. Wasn't the reason you married Lin Jie in the first place for your brother's sake?"

"I won't leave, I won't leave, I'll never be willful again, I'll treat Lin Jie well."

"You must take good care of that child. When he grows up, he will be your source of strength," Han Danniang said.

Han Dan collapsed onto the wooden sofa and burst into tears. Her marriage was never something she could control. She sold herself to give her family a better future.

Lin Jie was overjoyed all night, thinking that since he had brought Han Dan's parents over and told her about his embarrassing situation, they should be able to get a divorce now, right?

To her surprise, when she returned home the next morning, Han Dan's parents had already taken a bus back home. Han Dan calmly packed her things and prepared to go to work.

"Han Dan, where are your parents?"

"Go back now. Don't bother my parents with our affairs anymore. I can make my own decisions."

"So when are we going to get our divorce certificate?"

"I will not get a divorce."

Han Dan left with those words, "Not getting a divorce? You'd rather stay with a man who isn't even a real man than get a divorce? What... what kind of thinking is this?"

Lin Jie went to work dejectedly. As soon as he entered the security department, Luo Jianming greeted him cheerfully: "Section Chief Lin, the factory manager called and wants you to go to the factory manager's office."

"What did you say?"

"What could possibly be wrong? It's just a matter concerning the section chief."

Luo Jianming was even happier than Lin Jie when he was promoted.

In the factory manager's office, the factory manager praised Lin Jie: "Lin Jie, you really are a product of the military. You have strong observation skills. This time, you've caught a big scourge in the chemical plant."

Lin Jie lowered his head modestly: "Factory Director, I didn't know the section chief was involved."

"Don't tell me you don't know, even I don't believe it. The head of the security department is involved in theft, is there no law left? Stealing from this person today, stealing from that person tomorrow, and the quantities are huge, it's outrageous."

"Lin Jie, the section chief is in custody. The security section can't be without a section chief. Go to personnel immediately to complete the formalities and temporarily assume the position of section chief. We'll issue the official appointment letter after our factory leadership discusses it. Do a good job; we need righteous and upright people."

The factory manager patted Lin Jie with satisfaction, and Lin Jie bowed and said, "Thank you for your trust, factory manager."

The divorce didn't go smoothly, but the promotion went quite smoothly.

You only get rid of one termite, but an even bigger one comes along.

Back at the security office, Luo Jianming led the way, waiting at the entrance.

Upon seeing Lin Jie return, everyone clapped and said, "Congratulations, Section Chief Lin..."

"Who gave you permission to engage in these underhanded practices? What do you mean by 'director'? You're just an acting section chief."

Lin Jie looked serious, but he was actually quite happy inside.

"The acting position isn't temporary. Sooner or later, I'll be a section chief," Luo Jianming said with a grin.

"How about this, whether you're the section chief or the acting section chief, I'll treat you to lunch. Eat whatever you want from the cafeteria."

"Section Chief Lin, you're being too stingy. Going to a state-run restaurant wouldn't cost much," the crowd grumbled.

"Okay, okay, let's go to the restaurant."

Everyone clapped and cheered.

In fact, among the cheering crowd, some were genuinely happy, while others were forcing a smile.

When Lin Jie took over, his confidants were replaced by the same group of people who had gone with him to catch the thief that night.

The other comrades are close associates of the former section chief, and their future path will likely be difficult.

Upon entering the office, Lin Jie beckoned Luo Jianming to come in.

"Section Chief, what's the matter? Please let me know."

"Lend me twenty yuan, I'm broke at noon."

"No, section chief, are you really that strapped for cash?"

"Stop talking nonsense, you'll have money when you get your salary."

"Don't borrow it, I'll pay the bill after we finish eating."

"One is one, two is two. You only make forty or fifty yuan a month, how can I let you pay the bill?"

"It's alright, I can afford it. I have some savings. Section Chief Lin, there aren't many men like you who give all their salary to their wives."

"Okay, then I owe you a favor."

As the head of the security department, Lin Jie had to borrow money to treat his colleagues to a drink; he was truly pathetic.

At noon, Lin Jie went to the restaurant early, ordered several dishes, and also packed a portion of glutinous rice cake fish, a portion of steamed pork ribs, and a portion of rice. He was going to deliver the food to Zhang Man's mother first.

No matter how high an official's rank or how much money they make, none of them are as important as Zhang Man.

Zhang Man, that gentle girl—just thinking about her makes Lin Jie tremble.

"Auntie, dinner's ready!" Lin Jie called out from outside the yard.

"Didn't I tell you not to deliver it?"

"Auntie, you're in for a treat today. My colleague at work is treating us; he ordered you a fish and a pork rib dish."

As Lin Jie spoke, he opened the lunchbox, and the aroma filled the entire room.

"How can that be? Just pack up what you left over and bring it back to me. This is perfectly clean and there's nothing left to eat."

"Please enjoy your meal. I'll empty the food out. The lunchbox belongs to the restaurant, so you should return it."

"Okay, okay, there are lunchboxes in the kitchen."

Zhang Man's mother smiled broadly, her mouth practically watering; restaurant food always smells so good.

"Auntie, did Zhang Man come back this morning?"

"She's back. She bought me soy milk and fried dough sticks, they were really delicious. You know, I can't do anything but eat good food. I told her to save them for my younger brother, and she said she'll buy me fried dough sticks every day from now on."

Zhang Man's mother was both happy and worried.

I'm happy that my child is filial, but I'm worried that with such a small salary, how can we afford to eat every day?

"Eat whatever Zhang Man buys," Lin Jie advised.

"Zhang Man is a good girl, but she has bad luck. You're a good kid too, but it's a pity about your hands... Why is God so unfair?"

"Auntie, everything is fine, it's all for the best. Please enjoy your meal, I have some friends to visit, so I'll be going now."

"Okay, okay, thank you, Comrade Lin."