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

On Sunday, a bunch of strange people came to Zhang Man's house; she didn't recognize any of them.

The man in the lead said, "Zhang Man, hello, my name is Zhao Weiguo. I've brought my brothers to help you repair your house today."

Zhang Man asked in confusion, "I didn't hire anyone to repair the house?"

"We're moving my aunt to the neighbor's house. The bricks and tiles are coming soon, and there will be dust everywhere, which will be inconvenient."

Zhao Weiguo didn't say who sent him, he just gave instructions to Zhang Man.

"This..." Zhang Man knew in her heart that it was him, it must be him.

Soon, with everyone's help, they moved Zhang Man's mother to the neighbor's house next door. Some old furniture in the house was covered with plastic sheeting, and bricks, tiles, and cement were brought in. The brothers started working.

The adobe wall was torn down and completely rebuilt.

The old roof tiles and the thatch covering the leaks were all torn off.

The doors and windows were also knocked down, turning the once beautiful house into a toy shelf.

Zhang Man was busy serving tea and water, and Zhao Weiguo said, "Go take care of your aunt, I'll take care of things here."

"I, I'm preparing lunch."

"No need, we'll eat at the cafeteria for lunch."

Zhang Man completely washed her hands of the business, while Zhao Weiguo arranged everything meticulously.

Yao Xing, who lived next door, was awakened by the loud noise. He opened his blurry eyes, got up to look, and asked in surprise, "Brother Zhao, are you repairing the house?"

"Hey, Yao Xing, are you off today?"

"Yes, I'll help you."

"Okay, you can mix the cement."

Zhao Weiguo's uncle is named Chen Erniu, and Chen Erniu's colleague is named Yao Xing.

The shop owner who frequently delivered pig's head meat to Yao Xing was a friend of Zhao Weiguo.

At the neighbor's house, Zhang Man's mother quietly asked Zhang Man, "Was that young man leading the group the one who delivered the vegetables to you?"

"Mom, no, this is the first time I've seen it."

"Look at you, you're still keeping it from your mother. You met him for the first time and he came to repair your house? Manman, I think he's honest and kind, not bad. I like him."

"Mom, I've already said I'm not getting married."

Zhang Man felt a bittersweet feeling. Lin Jie was understanding and sent people to repair the house, but after all, it was a secret love affair. If only he were Zhao Weiguo, at least he could help openly.

Three days later, the courtyard, with its red bricks and green tiles, brand-new wooden doors and windows, and three low-ceilinged rooms, was completely transformed.

Zhang Man wanted to pay Zhao Weiguo for his labor and materials, but Zhao Weiguo firmly refused: "It's nothing. I'd like to help you demolish and rebuild this house, but we need to prepare a building permit, and it won't be until next year for approval."

"It's already very good, thank you, Zhao Weiguo. Please thank Lin Jie for me," Zhang Man said hesitantly.

"Since Section Chief Lin was promoted to section chief, he has been quite busy. Fortunately, I have plenty of time, so there's no need to thank me for helping out."

"He...got promoted to section chief?"

It seems like it's been a long time since I've seen him.

"you do not know?"

Zhang Man shook her head, and Zhao Weiguo didn't say much either. He packed up his things and called his brothers back to the canteen for dinner.

Zhang Man was stunned for a long time. He had become a section chief. Was he afraid of the negative impact, which was why he didn't come to see her?

He brings my mother lunch every day; I must see him tomorrow at noon.

Thinking of him, a sweet feeling spread through Zhang Man's heart.

The next day, after school, Zhang Man and the other children rushed home, only to find their mother eating, and felt a deep sense of loss.

"Manman, why are you back at noon? Haven't eaten yet? Comrade Lin brought some food. Come, come, eat with us."

Zhang Man's mother hurriedly handed the remaining half-box of lunch to Zhang Man: "Comrade Lin gets a meat dish every day. The lunch from the chemical plant is really oily and flavorful. Have a bite. Are you going to school this afternoon?"

The mother, unaware of her daughter's feelings, always believed that Zhao Weiguo was the one her daughter liked.

Zhang Man ate her meal in a sullen mood. Was it because she told him not to come to the school to see her that she had hurt him, and that's why he didn't want to see her?

Or was he afraid that his illicit relationship would affect his career?

No, no, he loves himself, otherwise he wouldn't have sent people to repair the house.

Lost in thought, Zhang Man ate a few bites of food, then handed the lunchbox to her mother: "Mom, I'm full, you eat. I'm going to school now, I'll get off work early tonight and make dumplings for you."

"Dumplings? Is Comrade Zhao coming?"

"Mom, I really don't know Comrade Zhao well."

"He's not familiar with us, yet he's helping us with the house? Manman, Mommy likes him."

"Mom, you're just wishful thinking. How could someone like me?"

Zhang Man's mother fell silent. She liked many boys, but when they saw their dilapidated home, they ran away faster than rabbits.

Therefore, her preferences are not a reliable indicator.

She was the one who dragged her child down. If she were the one who died, and her husband were still alive, Manman wouldn't be suffering so much.

Seeing her mother's low spirits, Zhang Man comforted her, "Mom, look at this new house, how bright it is. If we live well, life will only get better and better."

"Yes, Mom is alive and well." Zhang Man's mother wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled sadly.

Every time Lin Jie delivers a meal to Zhang Man's mother, his longing for Zhang Man intensifies.

He longed to see Zhang Man, so much so that he wanted to do it every day, like a cat's paw, wishing he could run to Zhang Man's side immediately, hold her in his arms, and kiss her soft lips.

But he had to restrain himself; only by divorcing Han Dan could he be openly with Zhang Man.

After finishing dinner in the cafeteria, Lin Jie prepared to go home. If he didn't go back soon, that madwoman Han Dan might really cause trouble at his workplace.

Even though she's clearly incapable and the child isn't Han Dan's biological child, why is she unwilling to get a divorce?

It's all about economic interests. How much money does she want to get a divorce?

Lin Jie was so annoyed; Han Dan was like a leech, impossible to get rid of.

Opening the door, the house was spotless, and Han Dan was eating, another bowl of shredded potatoes.

Lin Jie got angry when he saw that bowl of food. "Who are you trying to fool by pretending to be poor all the time?"

Just as she was about to return to her bedroom, Han Dan spoke up: "Have you received your salary yet?"

"I sent it to my mom. She'll take care of Hao Hao from now on."

Money again.

"We're husband and wife, how can you give your salary to your mother-in-law?"

"Are we husband and wife?" Lin Jie asked coldly.

"We have a marriage certificate, so we're husband and wife. Go get your money back and bring Hao Hao back."

Han Dan looked completely self-righteous, which made Lin Jie furious: "Han Dan, what law says a man's salary must be given to his wife? You can give me your salary too, and I'll cook you shredded potatoes every day."

You want money? No problem. At least be a little more humble. Look at your self-righteous attitude. Do you think I owe you anything? You think I'm no good? I admit I'm no good. I'll give you your freedom and let you find a normal man. Why the hell do you have to be so lazy and refuse to leave?

From now on, I won't give you a single penny. You can do whatever you want. If I'm afraid of you, I'm not a hero!

I wanted to calm down for a few days and then have a proper talk, to try my best to meet Han Dan's needs. But now that we meet, we're going to argue again, and we can't talk at all.

Lin Jie slammed the door and left, wandering in the sweltering early summer, his sorrow as heavy as the damp weather.