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

After delivering the meal to Zhang Man's mother, Lin Jie carried the lunchbox out of the yard and suddenly saw a familiar figure.

Zhao Weiguo was also startled. Why would Section Chief Lin be here?

"Section Chief Lin, what a coincidence, visiting a friend?" Zhao Weiguo greeted him generously.

"Yes, you live here?"

Lin Jie was filled with anxiety; he absolutely could not let outsiders know about his affair with Zhang Man.

"My uncle lives up ahead, I need to see him about something. Section Chief Lin, congratulations!"

"He's just an acting section chief, what's there to congratulate him on?" Lin Jie smiled calmly.

"Being an agent is just a formality; it only takes a few days."

Zhao Weiguo was neither arrogant nor humble, unlike Luo Jianming, who seemed to have his flattery written all over his face.

"Thanks to you too, but I didn't expect that Section Chief Yuan was also involved."

If Lin Jie had known that the former section chief was involved in the coal theft, he might not have been so radical, since the former section chief retired not long after.

After a lifetime of hard work, just before retirement, he was pulled away by the deputy section chief, so he must have felt resentful.

"Section Chief Lin, I'm sorry, I actually didn't know either."

Zhao Weiguo's attitude was sincere, but it was hard to tell which of his statements were true and which were false.

Zhao Weiguo looked at Zhang Man's house and said, "This is Aunt Zhang's house. Her family is quite poor. Uncle Zhang passed away last year, leaving behind Aunt Zhang who is paralyzed and two children. It's not easy for them. Section Chief Lin, if you need anything, just let me know. We're neighbors, we should help each other out."

Every word Zhao Weiguo uttered sent chills down Lin Jie's spine. His ability to see through people's hearts was too strong; if he weren't trapped in this era, he would definitely be a prominent figure.

He must have known that he came for Zhang Man, but he didn't mention it at all, and even used the two children as an excuse to make it seem like Lin Jie's relationship with the Zhang family was pure.

Zhao Weiguo is someone we can't afford to offend. Since the two of them have made a shady deal, we might as well go with the flow.

"Zhao Weiguo, I really have something to ask you. Aunt Zhang's house is leaking everywhere and hasn't been repaired for years. I was thinking of helping her fix it, but my hands are injured and I can't easily ask my colleagues for help. How about you help me out? I'll pay for the repairs."

Lin Jie looked so serious that outsiders couldn't help but give him a thumbs up, thinking he was a true Good Samaritan.

"Section Chief Lin, don't worry, I'll take care of it. Repairing the house is just a small expense, don't worry about it." Zhao Weiguo agreed without hesitation.

"Thanks, I have some buddies waiting for me at the restaurant for drinks. How about we join them?"

"No, I still have to go see my uncle. Have a good drink, Section Chief Lin."

"Okay, see you later."

After Zhao Weiguo left, Lin Jie wondered why he couldn't see through this man.

At the state-run restaurant next to the chemical plant, a group of young people raised their glasses and showered Lin Jie with flattery, leaving him completely bewildered.

The difference between a section chief and a deputy section chief is only one word, but the deputy section chief's salary is 78 yuan, while the section chief's salary is 108 yuan, a full 30 yuan more.

Moreover, the section chief's housing will also be adjusted. The previous section chief lived in a small detached courtyard, which was not as grand as Zhou Wenhui's military compound, but having a courtyard made it much more luxurious.

"A higher rank can crush you," and the security department was Lin Jie's security department.

One cup after another, Lin Jie had a high alcohol tolerance; he could easily drink everyone at the table by himself.

"Section Chief Lin, we feel secure and motivated working under your guidance."

"Section Chief Lin, I wish you a successful career in your official duties."

"Section Chief Lin..."

Luo Jianming, like a dutiful wife, bustled about, pouring wine from bottle to bottle, his mouth never closing in a smile.

Han Dan returned home exhausted after a long day at work. The house was deserted; Hao Hao had been taken away by his mother, and Lin Jie had not returned.

She wanted to cook, but had no appetite, so she cleaned up the tables, chairs, and food that Lin Jie had overturned.

Han Dan didn't expect Lin Jie to be so determined to get a divorce. What good is a useless man? Who can he find after the divorce?

Han Dan firmly believes that Lin Jie was only angry for a moment, and that he and his mother-in-law would still try to reconcile afterward.

Han Dan wanted to control Lin Jie and the entire Lin family. She wanted Lin Jie to arrange for his younger brother to come to the city and to save money for his mother's medical treatment. All of this was what she deserved and what the Lin family owed her.

The house was clean and tidy, but empty and lonely, just like Han Dan's empty heart.

How desolate! In this unfamiliar city, without friends or a lover, I feel like a drifting boat without a harbor.

Both are from rural areas and both married disabled soldiers, so why is it that Qiaoqiao can receive love and affection from her parents-in-law and husband, while I cannot?

Is it because Lin Jie is infertile, because the couple lacks spiritual communication, because Lin Jie doesn't love her, or because she loves Lin Jie?

Whether she loves him or not is not something Han Dan needs to consider; all she needs to do is control Lin Jie.

Han Dan never imagined that the consequence of her insistence on not divorcing would be that Lin Jie would stop coming home to eat and sleep, and all his wages, bonuses, meat coupons, and vegetable coupons would be sent to his mother's house.

Han Dan panicked. Wasn't she just going through the motions for economic gain?

On Sunday, a day off, Han Dan mustered up her courage and went to her mother-in-law's house.

Sister-in-law Li Hongxia opened the door and looked slightly surprised to see Han Dan.

"Sister-in-law, you're here. Come in, come in."

Upon entering the house, Hao Hao was fighting with Xiao Yong over a toy, his father-in-law was watching with a smile, his mother-in-law was busy in the kitchen, and Lin Jie had not yet gotten up.

"Hao Hao..."

Han Dan called out, her eyes reddening. Hao Hao immediately ran into Li Hongxia's arms, looking at Han Dan timidly.

That was the son she had raised with love and care, and in just a few days, he had become estranged from her?

Li Hongxia awkwardly nudged Hao Hao, saying, "Hao Hao, Mommy, don't be afraid."

Hao Hao was terrified and dared not approach Han Dan.

Li Chunlian came out of the kitchen, saw Han Dan, and asked in an annoyed tone, "What are you doing here?"

"Where is... Lin Jie?"

"Are you asking Lin Jie to divorce you?"

"Mom, I won't get a divorce. I'll live a good life with Lin Jie." Han Dan lowered her head, her tone firm.

"Fine, fine, do whatever you want. You and Lin Jie go back home and don't try to act tough in my house."

Li Chunlian looked at Han Dan with disdain and ignored her. Instead, she pulled Hao Hao and Xiao Yong to the kitchen: "Come on, let's eat shredded pork noodles. With six or seven pounds of meat a month, we can have meat to eat every day."

This was said to Han Dan. You three, seven catties of meat coupons, and you still made my son eat potato shreds every day. Where did the rest of the meat coupons go?

She's gone back to her parents' home, a treacherous woman who betrays her own family.

The father-in-law got up and went back to his bedroom, leaving only Li Hongxia and Han Dan in the living room.

Li Hongxia pulled Han Dan to sit down and said, "Sister-in-law, you two are both angry right now, why don't you calm down?"

Han Dan looked at Li Hongxia with disgust, feeling that she had ill intentions.

Slowly, Lin Jie didn't go back; she used all her wages and meat coupons to feed her son, who was as thin as a skeleton.

"Lin Jie and I are not divorced. If he doesn't come home soon, I'm going to his workplace to find him."

This was Han Dan's trump card. Lin Jie, concerned about his reputation, would never allow her to cause trouble at her workplace.

"Sister-in-law, why are you being so aggressive? Men are like children too; they need to be coaxed."

"I'm trying to comfort him? Who's going to comfort me? Sister-in-law, tell Lin Jie that if he doesn't come home within three days, we'll see him at work."

Han Dan got up, and Li Hongxia couldn't persuade her anymore, watching her slam the door and leave.

"Hey, you little bitch, you dare slam my door..."

Li Chunlian stormed out of the kitchen, her anger palpable. Li Hongxia pulled her back, saying, "Mom, don't add fuel to the fire. Let them resolve their own issues."

"What couple? They're just neighbors. They take so much of my son's money, feed him nothing but shredded potatoes every day, and even beat Hao Hao. Tell me, isn't Han Dan crazy?"

Li Hongxia also hated Han Dan. Why did you abuse the child when the couple was fighting?

She also felt sorry for Han Dan. She had been married to Lin Jie for two years and was still a virgin. How was she going to live like this?